Ever since the battle of Saffron City, Lucas had already told Giovanni everything about Hoopa. Giovanni was suffering from a terminal illness—if he didn't want to die, then he had to cure the deadly sickness eating away at him.
And with the current level of human medical technology, such an illness was practically impossible to cure.
Which meant he could only rely on the power of legendary Pokémon.
Although Kanto's Team Rocket had been almost completely crushed during the Saffron battle, the organization still retained remnants of its strength.
Especially the Johto branch of Team Rocket.
So, sending Rocket operatives to Kalos to search for clues about the Arche Valley? Lucas didn't think there was anything strange about that. And now—hadn't results already started to appear?
"In the Dahara City you mentioned—my subordinates have new developments. They've spotted two individuals dressed in very unusual clothing."
"And from what they've gathered, those two are highly likely to be the people you described from the Arche Valley."
Inside a newly established research facility, Giovanni sat reviewing the incoming intel as he spoke to Lucas.
After all, this matter concerned his own life. Giovanni himself had always been extremely concerned.
Though the medicines purchased from Cianwood's apothecary could delay his condition, they could not cure it. Not truly.
"Have our people tail them. If the opportunity arises, try to make contact," Lucas said without hesitation. He needed Hoopa, after all.
As for Palkia… Lucas still preferred to approach Kyogre first!
Compared to Palkia, Kyogre was something he could actually capture.
He was extremely interested in both Kyogre and Groudon. The power of these two legends was undeniably impressive.
"No problem. In that case, we should also—"
"Of course we're going," Lucas interrupted with a grin. "Uncle, interested in taking a trip to Kalos and experiencing their culture firsthand?"
He smiled, eyes gleaming. The Kalos region—he hadn't toured it yet.
"Heh~ Naturally I have no objections. Should we bring people with us?"
Giovanni took a sip of coffee, maintaining his composed elegance.
Since they were going to Kalos, there was no way they'd be going there only for the Arche Valley.
Lucas had mentioned this before—Kalos' local villainous organization, Team Flare. A long-standing force of troublemakers. But Giovanni had never really involved himself deeply with other regions' criminal groups. After all…
The Indigo alone was tough as nails to operate in. How could he spare the attention to manage other regions?
"No need. We're not invading or anything. Uncle, just bring a couple of your trusted aides."
Lucas shrugged casually. Team Flare? Please. Either he or Giovanni alone could wipe the floor with them.
There was simply no need for additional manpower.
"Alright, then I'll bring Archer and Sabrina." Giovanni thought briefly before choosing the two subordinates closest to him.
"Oh right, Lucas—do you have news about Vermilion City?"
"Vermilion? Lance and the others attacked today. Worried about Lt. Surge, are you?"
Lucas lifted an eyebrow. Vermilion's situation couldn't be kept secret anyway—they had evacuated all the civilians. Something like that couldn't stay hidden.
"So, you've already looked into it. How did it go?" Giovanni didn't deny his concern. Even though Surge had resumed his position as Vermilion Gym Leader—meaning he had joined the League, Giovanni wasn't particularly angry.
"Lance and all three of the others lost. They've already been arrested."
Lucas didn't hide anything.
"So, I've overestimated Lance after all. Defeated so easily, huh."
Giovanni chuckled softly, a faint mocking edge in his voice.
They'd been rivals for years. For Lance to fall to the League like this… Giovanni wasn't even sure how to put his feelings into words.
"Well, that's just Lance's personality."
Lucas smiled lightly, not commenting further.
After discussing a few more details and confirming their travel plans, the conversation ended.
…
At the Azalea Town Base
"Surge sure is lucky. Didn't expect him to survive an encounter with Lance," Archer muttered, his tone complicated. As someone deeply loyal to Team Rocket, he was naturally furious that Surge had joined the League.
Wasn't that betrayal?
But he also had a long friendship with Surge. So, he couldn't bring himself to condemn him harshly. Mostly, he just felt frustrated and bitter.
"People follow their own paths. Surge and Koga have already done enough for me."
Giovanni took it calmly. People came and went, this was simply life.
Surge wasn't even old yet. Of course he needed to think about his own future. And he'd already done so much for Team Rocket.
Though Giovanni was disappointed, he didn't blame Surge.
"Finish preparing. You'll be coming with me to Kalos."
Giovanni smiled at Archer. Team Rocket had once been glorious. And even now…
He still had loyal subordinates by his side. Giovanni felt no need for sorrow.
"Yes, sir!"
But then—
"Boss, the League is really too shameless! They're throwing everything onto us! What do they mean 'Team Rocket orchestrated the Vermilion attack'? That's complete nonsense!"
Archer burst out angrily.
The disturbance in Vermilion City was impossible to hide…
And the League needed to give the public an explanation. Otherwise people would start investigating and panicking.
So, of course, the League conveniently dumped all the responsibility on Team Rocket.
Yes—according to their official statement, "Team Rocket remnants" had launched the attack on Vermilion. And the League bravely evacuated civilians and fought the attackers.
Perfect reasoning, wasn't it?
Well, of course—Team Rocket was already branded as the world's most "evil" organization. Who else were they going to blame?
Say that former Indigo Elite Four members had actually done it?
That would definitely spark chaos!
As for whether Team Rocket would be unhappy about being framed—Chairman Loki clearly didn't care at all.
"Boss, this is outrageous! We weren't even involved! Ever since our Goldenrod base got wiped by Lance, we've been hiding in Azalea Town the whole time! We didn't do anything!"
Archer was so angry he nearly exploded reading the online posts—thousands of comments cursing Team Rocket as monsters.
"Calm down. It's not a big problem."
Giovanni chuckled. None of this surprised him.
The League cared most about its public image.
Lance and the others held immense prestige in Indigo. If the truth—that they were the offenders—were revealed, who would believe it?
Even worse, conspiracy theories would explode:
"The League forced Lance away!"
"The League is corrupt!"
"The Elite Four left because they refused to compromise!"
Which… was actually close to the truth.
But the League would never allow such stories to spread.
…
Time passed quickly.
The uproar in Vermilion still hadn't settled.
Meanwhile, due to their excellent performance in the Vermilion battle, N and the other four newly appointed Elite Four members had finally earned the full recognition of the League.
After all, any group capable of defeating the former Elite Four had unquestionable strength.
Chairman Loki was delighted. He didn't punish Lance's group immediately and simply had them held in custody.
No one knew what Loki was thinking, but the remaining council members—as well as Officer Jenny Zero, Head Nurse Joy, and the others—understood.
Even if they had opposed him, Loki still cared about Lance.
Age softens the heart.
And they all knew: Lance had never truly turned evil.
He was just extreme—his ideals clashing with the League's humanitarian doctrine.
Lance had always been that righteous Dragon Master. It was only his growing obsession and twisted determination that stained him in darkness.
Deep down, Loki likely still held hope for him.
After all, he'd watched the young Dragon Master grow up.
Jenny and the others had no objections.
If reconciliation was possible, that would be the best outcome.
…
Meanwhile, as Indigo calmed and peace returned…
Kalos Region — Lumiose City
A plane slowly descended onto the bustling city.
"Wow~! So lively! And that tower—it's gorgeous!"
A group of five exited the airport. Green's eyes sparkled brightly the moment she saw the vibrant cityscape.
Especially the magnificent Prism Tower in the distance.
"It is indeed a remarkably prosperous city."
Giovanni wore a sleek black suit and round hat, exuding refined elegance.
"They say Lumiose City is one of the most developed metropolises in the world. Aside from Unova's Castelia City during tourist peak seasons, Lumiose has the largest population of any city on the planet."
His voice carried both authority and knowledge. Despite being Team Rocket's boss, Giovanni's vast knowledge had always been impressive.
Before his identity was exposed, he had been the famous and highly respected Ground-type Pokémon Master of Kanto.
His book, Secrets of the Earth, was considered foundational reading for many Ground-type trainers.
"Huh? Looks normal to me. Sir, is it really that exaggerated?"
Archer, dressed like a professional butler, asked doubtfully as he glanced around.
Outside of missions, Archer never called Giovanni "boss."
"Yes. This is according to League statistics." Giovanni replied calmly.
"It's nowhere near as good as Saffron City."
Sabrina, expressionless as ever, added flatly.
"Right?! I knew it! Nothing beats Saffron!" Archer said proudly.
As if Lumiose, Kalos' so-called "largest city" could compare.
Kanto cities were number one!
Giovanni: "…"
Green: "…"
Marnie: "…"
Uh…
Green subtly wiped the sweat from her forehead. Damn.
For members of a criminal organization, they sure had intense regional pride.
But… well… it wasn't wrong. Even criminals could love their homeland.
"Head to the Dahara City and meet our operatives. Also, Archer, have our people track down Team Flare," Lucas instructed as he studied the map.
They needed to confirm whether the two strange individuals were truly from the Arche Valley.
If confirmed, the plan could begin.
"No problem. But Lucas, do we really need to bother with Team Flare?"
Archer sent out the orders through his communicator, then asked curiously.
To him, Team Flare was nothing more than a bunch of local troublemakers.
Sure, Team Rocket was currently getting crushed by the Indigo League… but Archer still didn't look down on other organizations lightly.
At the very least—
Team Rocket had the guts to fight the Pokémon League head-on in Saffron City.
Could any other group do that?
Kalos League was a joke anyway—they were already at the bottom among all the regional leagues…
Especially since their Champion Diantha had been pushed off the Master Rank entirely…
Meaning:
Kalos currently had zero Master Class trainers.
What could Team Flare possibly do?
"Of course we need them. We're not here to invade."
Lucas shrugged.
"Team Flare is the local group. They've been searching for the Ultimate Weapon for years. But to activate it, they first need Yveltal or Xerneas."
"That's the prerequisite. As long as we make good use of that information, Team Flare will definitely take the bait."
Lucas smiled confidently.
Team Flare's strength might not be impressive, but as local forces, they could still be very useful.
(End of Chapter)