Two Days Later.

  Crown Tundra's Southern Coastal Region — Dyna Tree Hill.

  Unlike the blizzard conditions Stephen and his group encountered when they were st here, the temperature was retively mild this time. The defining feature of Dyna Tree Hill was the enormous red tree situated in the center of the peninsu.

  "Cawww!"

  At this moment, a sharp, piercing cry echoed beneath the giant tree.

  It was a rge bck-and-red bird Pokémon. Bck and red fmes burned across its body, exuding a sinister and captivating aura.

  Karen revealed a satisfied smile.

  "Stephen was right—this bird's appearance is captivating!"

  "Alright, it's your turn, Incineroar!"

  Karen tossed a Poké Ball backward, and as Incineroar nded, she immediately gave a command: "Fmethrower!"

  Unlike her two friends, one who had encountered an Articuno that feared ice and another who faced a Zapdos that feared electricity, the Garian Moltres had no such weaknesses to fire.

  Faced with the oncoming fmes, Moltres' eyes darkened. Its wings folded in front of its body, forming a shield of bck fire. The Fmethrower burned against the wings for a good five or six seconds before extinguishing on its own.

  From within the fmes, the Garian Moltres burst out.

  Purple and bck particles of energy gathered in its slender, open beak, condensing into a swirling beam of dark energy.

  Dark Pulse!

  "So you're taking Incineroar's attack head-on? Interesting. Bring it on!"

  As Karen observed the sinister fmes emanating from Moltres' wings and dispersing into the air with each fp, her liking for the Pokémon grew even more.

  Like Stephen, Karen believed in forming bonds of fate with the Pokémon she captured. However, this Garian Moltres perfectly hit her sweet spot.

  Meanwhile, Stephen, Lusamine's family of three, and their companions—Bea, Nessa, and Sonia—were sitting on a picnic bnket id out on the grass on the other side of the red tree. They watched the battle while enjoying lunch.

  "Is this okay? Her opponent is a Legendary Pokémon, after all."

  Sonia couldn't help but voice her concern. She had seen the video where Stephen helped Fatty Guy catch the Garian Articuno. The power of Legendary Pokémon was not something an average Trainer could withstand.

  "Morgan isn't an average Trainer," Stephen responded with a smile.

  "Pika~"

  Pikachu took a small piece of cake from Lillie's hand, squinted its eyes, and gave Stephen a pyful wink.

  "I know, I'll make some for you ter," Stephen said, pyfully ruffling the head of the knockoff yellow rodent.

  "Big Brother Stephen, after the Gar Stars Tournament ends tomorrow, will you return to Alo with us?"

  Lillie asked a question she had been deeply concerned about.

  As soon as she spoke, Lusamine, Gdion, and the three Garian women subtly perked up their ears.

  "Morgan pns to challenge this year's Indigo League, so I'll be heading to Kanto after that," Stephen replied.

  "Kanto… is that okay, Stephen-kun?"

  Lusamine asked with concern.

  Although Bea and the others didn't understand the hidden implications, Lusamine's two children could hear the subtext in their mother's question.

  Kanto was the headquarters of Team Rocket!

  "Don't worry. For something like this, they won't interfere," Stephen said with a calm smile.

  "Doctor, what about the situation with Bewear and Zamazenta?"

  Bea interrupted, unable to hold back her curiosity. Stephen still hadn't crified the most pressing question—would he stay in Gar or return to Alo?

  That was what they cared about the most.

  "I'll decide after the Indigo League. Zacian took Zamazenta back earlier today and told me to let them cool off separately for a while."

  Zamazenta's absence from Slumbering Weald for over a week was unprecedented in the st 3,000 years.

  That morning, Zacian had tracked Zamazenta's scent to the Rose of the Rondends Hotel where Stephen's group was staying.

  When Zacian arrived, all it heard from the room was Bewear shouting, "Useless creature!" before Zamazenta was unceremoniously kicked out.

  The two siblings locked eyes awkwardly.

  Zamazenta immediately begged Zacian to fetch its Rusted Shield, ciming it would significantly boost its combat abilities. That way, Bewear wouldn't call it useless anymore.

  Hearing this, Zacian nearly beat its foolish sibling on the spot.

  Later, Stephen and Zacian, acting as representatives of both sides, had a discussion. They unanimously decided to temporarily separate the two Pokémon.

  When Zamazenta was taken away, it cried and screamed like a child being sent to summer camp.

  Bewear, on the other hand, remained calm. It figured nothing had happened in the past few days, so Zamazenta must not have been up to the task.

  Hearing Stephen's expnation, the women's unease only deepened.

  "So… you still haven't decided?"

  "Brother Stephen, and… what about that…?"

  Gdion couldn't help but ask.

  He wasn't as concerned with the same complex emotions his mother and sister had. He was simply worried that if Stephen left, there would be no one to keep the Rocket agents—Giovanni's ckeys—stationed near his mother in check.

  "If it comes to that, I'll have them move to Gar. I have enough sway to make that happen," Stephen said, casting a reassuring gnce at Lusamine and her family.

  Speaking of which, he had nearly forgotten—the Aether Foundation was still riddled with spies Giovanni had pnted.

  The reason Lusamine's personality hadn't taken a darker, even twisted turn, as it had in the original game, was rgely due to this.

  After all, she was too busy dealing with these spies to have any time for the eccentric hobbies she was known for in the game.

  It could be said that Lusamine's strange habits in the game stemmed mostly from having too much free time.

  "Is that so? That's a relief…"

  Gdion breathed a sigh of relief and smiled. "Then, if I encounter any difficulties while raising Pokémon in the future, can I still ask you for help?"

  "Of course, it's no big deal."

  Stephen chuckled.

  Compared to Gdion's relief, however, Lusamine and Lillie's expressions didn't improve much.

  So, does this mean Stephen still has the possibility of leaving?

  "Doctor, what were you talking about just now? And… who are 'they'?"

  Nessa couldn't help but ask.

  "Nothing… Oh, everyone, look, Morgan succeeded."

  Stephen quickly changed the topic, pointing to the other side.

  Everyone followed Stephen's gesture and looked over, only to see that Kubfu had used Incineroar's shoulder as a makeshift ptform and leaped high into the air, nding right behind Garian Moltres.

  With a Thunder Punch in an uppercut motion, it struck downwards.

  Spsh!

  The Garian Moltres, whose stamina had already been significantly reduced by Incineroar, fell straight into the ke, sending up a huge spsh several meters high.

  The soaked Garian Moltres struggled to rise, just managing to lift its wet head out of the water when—

  A Hyper Ball flew through the air and hit it squarely on the forehead.

  The ball opened, and the Garian Moltres was absorbed inside as a beam of red light.

  Before the Hyper Ball even had time to shake, Kubfu caught it mid-air.

  Its small feet tapped lightly on the surface of the ke, and with the agility of a martial arts master performing a water-walking technique, it leaped back into the air.

  It seemed that during this month of separation, Kubfu hadn't scked off in its training.

  Thud!

  Landing back on the grassy field, Kubfu held up the Hyper Ball triumphantly.

  Everyone heard a crisp click sound as the indicator light on the Hyper Ball dimmed.

  Karen had successfully captured the Garian Moltres.

  Unfortunately, Karen didn't copy Ash to say something like, "I caught Garian Moltres!"

  "Well done."

  Stephen walked over and gave Karen a pat on the shoulder.

  "With this, your team for the Indigo League is complete."

  Karen smiled at Stephen and released the newly captured Moltres.

  While Incineroar helped evaporate the water off Moltres' feathers, Karen pulled out a comb and began grooming it.

  Although the Garian Moltres looked a bit displeased, it didn't show any rebellious behavior.

  After all, Karen had captured it through battle, fair and square.

  Most wild Pokémon, including legendary ones, accepted this rule by default.

  "So this is Sister Morgan's team for the Indigo League? But… it's only three Pokémon," Gdion commented curiously as everyone walked over, having overheard Karen's earlier words.

  There was Incineroar, Kubfu, and now Garian Moltres—only three Pokémon in total.

  "I just need to defeat six opponents with my three, don't I?" Karen replied.

  Everyone was momentarily speechless.

  That reasoning… was certainly bold.

  Stephen blinked.

  Come to think of it, during Ash's participation in the Lily of the Valley Conference, didn't one of his opponents sweep through eight Sinnoh Gym Leaders and every other competitor except Ash with just a single Darkrai?

  If that trainer could do it, why not Karen?

  Still, Kanto was the strongest region overall, and pulling off a six-vs-three sweep in every match at the Indigo League sounded a bit challenging.

  Unless it was during Ash's particur tournament year when the overall competition level seemed oddly low.

  That Indigo League season was truly baffling—Ash, who didn't even have a solid grasp of type matchups, somehow made it into the Top 16.

  Speaking of which, I wonder if Mr. Goodshow has found any new legendaries for his beloved grandson.

  Sird had mentioned before leaving that she pnned to keep an eye on Tobias for a while, hoping to snag a few more legendaries from him.

  ...

  The next day, the finals of the current Gar Star Tournament took pce:

  [Leon vs. Raihan.]

  To be honest, rival battles between these two happened almost every year.

  Even the locals were getting tired of it, let alone fans from other regions.

  The hashtag [Leon vs. Raihan] had dropped to the third spot on the trending list.

  As for the outcome, no one was particurly interested anymore.

  It was like comparing table tennis to soccer in Stephen's previous life—one dominated to the point of predictability, and the other struggled to win at all.

  Watching a match where the outcome was already known just wasn't that exciting.

  The second trending topic was [Indigo League Opening Soon].

  Next month, the Indigo League would be hosted in the Kanto region, and League had already started promoting it.

  And the top trending topic? [Dr. Stephen's Decision: Stay or Leave?]

  That's right—everyone knew that if Stephen decided to stay in Gar, it would undoubtedly become the strongest league.

  Even for Gar locals, Stephen's decision was a bigger deal than whether Leon could secure his fifth consecutive championship title.

  ...

  Meanwhile, in Olivine City in the Johto region:

  "Mary, are you still unwilling to give up?"

  Iono hopped along beside Mary, speaking with a tone of resignation.

  For half a month now, every time a challenge was issued to the Olivine Gym, Mary would rush over.

  According to her, Joker's reputation had taken a sharp nosedive after the Olivine Gym Incident.

  And to this day, the League had yet to provide a reason that convinced either the public or Mary herself.

  Mary firmly believed that something was wrong with the Olivine Gym.

  She had watched every video reted to Joker at least twenty times.

  Recently, while rewatching footage of Joker infiltrating the mansion of Johto's wealthy Ritsuki family, Mary noticed something peculiar.

  In the video, Joker had once said to the Olivine Gym Leader, Altair:

  "Gym Leader Altair, as a vilin, you're not quite qualified."

  This made Mary even more resolute in her beliefs.

  Absolutely! Decided! Firm!

  Altair—or rather, his entire family—has something wrong with them!

  "Iono, if you don't believe me, you can go back to Paldea first. I can handle this on my own."

  So far, Mary has only shared this matter with Iono.

  Because she had been saved by Joker before, Mary felt she could trust her.

  Mainly, Mary also knew that what she was doing was dangerous.

  If Altair truly had a problem...

  If something happened to her, and someone knew about this, maybe it could serve as evidence to spread the truth.

  As for why Mary didn't bring her close friend, Whitney, along—

  It was because Whitney was preparing to take over her uncle's position as the gym leader of Goldenrod Gym.

  Mary felt Whitney wasn't suitable for this situation.

  It had to be said, that Mary indeed had the talent to be a journalist, thinking everything through thoroughly.

  "What nonsense are you talking about? How could I leave you behind?!"

  This made Iono a little angry.

  As for Mary's suspicions, Iono was indeed skeptical.

  But how could she just ignore her friend possibly falling into danger?

  Altair, after all, was a Gym Leader of Elite Four caliber.

  If things were as Mary suspected, and he truly had a problem, then wouldn't Mary—who had little combat ability—just be meat on a chopping block?

  "Thank you, Iono."

  Mary sincerely thanked her.

  "Hehe~ Alright, let's hurry and go watch the match."

  Iono grabbed Mary's hand and ran into the gym.

  ...

  Inside the Olivine Gym Battle Arena.

  "Next up is the Olivine Gym challenge match between acting Gym Leader Vazil and challenger Jasmine from Olivine City!"

  The unnamed referee standing in the central judging area announced the names of the trainers in the two command zones.

  On one side stood Jasmine, a silver-haired girl about the same age as Mary and Iono, who were hidden among the audience.

  On the other side was a chubby, bespectacled middle-aged man.

  If Stephen's trio were here, they would recognize this so-called acting Gym Leader as the man who, back when they infiltrated Olivine Gym, tried to capture them and hand them over to Caishen.

  "Altair isn't here?"

  Mary, hidden among the audience, was visibly displeased.

  She had come to observe Altair.

  What use was some subordinate?

  "Ah, don't rush, just watch and see," Iono whispered to comfort her.

  "It's a pity I don't have the opportunity to spar with Mr. Altair, but please take care of me."

  Jasmine politely bowed to her opponent, then, in the next moment, threw out a Poké Ball with all her might.

  "Please, Steelix!"

  The Onix from before had evolved into Steelix!

  "Go, Scizor."

  Vazil released his Scizor with a flick of his hand and began battling Jasmine nonchantly.

  For some reason, Vazil's expression was extremely unpleasant.

  It was because the Commander's pn had already begun.

  Altair had been summoned to participate in the final preparations.

  Meanwhile, Vazil had been assigned to stay at Olivine Gym to avoid raising suspicion.

  This arrangement left Vazil, who was eager to climb the ranks, extremely dissatisfied.

  Why was I excluded?!

  Thinking about this, and then seeing the little girl across from him, Vazil felt a surge of anger.

  The grand pn of the Shadows was about to unfold, and here he was, pying house with a little girl?!

  "How annoying."

  Vazil muttered under his breath.

  His dissatisfaction grew increasingly intense until he finally erupted, shouting, "End this in one move!"

  The moment Vazil spoke those words, Scizor's aura underwent a sudden transformation.

  Its two massive pincers emitted a pale green glow, tearing through the air and striking Steelix's joints with brutal force.

  That was... the Bug-type advanced move, X-Scissor!

  In an instant, Steelix's eyes widened.

  Maintaining that expression for three or four seconds, it let out a pained cry of "Wuuuh!" before colpsing with a heavy thud onto the Olvine Gym battlefield.

  The sudden turn of events left Jasmine on the opposite side, as well as the entire audience, stunned.

  "W-what happened? It got stronger... in an instant?"

  Iono's eyes widened in shock.

  As a future Gym Leader herself, Iono had sharp observation skills.

  She could tell that Scizor's overall strength was superior to Steelix's.

  But it was only at the level of a regur Gym Leader's Pokémon—at best, barely touching Elite Gym Leader standards.

  But... the power it just dispyed in that instant was comparable to the Elite Four!

  W-what was going on?

  It didn't use moves like Dragon Dance or Swords Dance to boost its stats.

  Wait, no—what kind of boosting move could instantly raise a Gym Leader-level Pokémon to an Elite Four level?

  That's absurd!

  "These people... have a problem."

  Mary narrowed her eyes and muttered quietly.

  "Hmph!"

  Vazil let out a disdainful snort.

  From his perspective behind his gsses, Scizor's body was now emanating ominous, dark energy, like the evil aura of Bckbeard's Dark-Dark Fruit.

  Dark Power!

  ...

  ...

  A few days ter, in the backstage residential area of the Olivine Gym.

  Sp!

  The crisp sound of a sp echoed.

  "You bastard! Who told you to recklessly use the power of darkness? Do you realize that your impulsiveness almost ruined Shadow's important pns!?"

  Aldus furiously scolded Vazil after spping him.

  "I-I'm sorry, Lord Aldus."

  Vazil, whose gsses had been spped off, dared not show any anger.

  Unlike the good-tempered Altair, Aldus, one of the Indigo Elite Four, was someone who could truly kill without hesitation!

  "Forget it, brother. The pn is progressing smoothly anyway."

  Altair stepped in to mediate.

  "Hmph!"

  Seeing Altair speak up, Aldus barely managed to suppress his inner fury.

  Suddenly, Aldus's Akazam jumped out of its Poké Ball on its own and unched a Tri Attack toward a corner at the rear right.

  "Watch out!"

  A startled girl's voice called out from nowhere.

  Boom!

  In the next instant, the Tri Attack exploded against the wall.

  Amid the smoke and dust, two girls and a Smeargle tumbled to the ground.

  "Who are you!?"

  The Shadow team members' expressions changed drastically.

  "A Smeargle? Did they sneak in here using Smeargle to paint camoufge?"

  As a top-tier Elite Four member, Aldus immediately saw through Mary and Iono's trick and coldly commanded, "Akazam, finish them off!"

  "Wait, brother!"

  Altair suddenly spoke up:

  "You should hurry back to Kanto, so as not to arouse the League's suspicion."

  As he spoke, Altair turned his gaze toward the two girls who were struggling to get up, trying their best to suppress their fear.

  "I'll handle these two myself."

  However, what the Shadow team members didn't know was that before the two girls had entered the Asagi Dojo, Qishu had already left her Mismagius outside as a precaution.

  PS: I will update 2 chapter today. :)