It started with a satellite image.
A routine weather satellite passing over Johto captured something that shouldn't exist.
An island. A new island. In the middle of a lake that previously had no islands.
An island that was GLOWING with multiple types of elemental energy.
An island surrounded by creatures that the satellite's AI could not identify because they were LITERALLY GODS.
The image was flagged.
Then escalated.
Then escalated AGAIN.
Within six hours, it had reached the desks of every major world leader.
Within twelve hours, the world lost its collective mind.
POKEMON LEAGUE INTERNATIONAL HEADQUARTERS - EMERGENCY SESSION
Representatives from every regional Pokemon League had assembled via emergency hologram.
Kanto. Johto. Hoenn. Sinnoh. Unova. Kalos. Alola. Galar. Paldea.
All of them.
All staring at the same satellite image.
"Is this REAL?" the Unova representative demanded.
"It's real," Lance confirmed tiredly. He had been dealing with Marcus-related incidents for months now. "The Chen situation has... escalated."
"ESCALATED?! There are FORTY LEGENDARY POKEMON on that island!"
"Forty-three, by our current count."
"FORTY-THREE?!"
"Possibly more. They keep arriving."
The Sinnoh representative—Cynthia—leaned forward. "I'm seeing Dialga and Palkia in this image. MULTIPLE Dialga and Palkia. How is reality not collapsing?"
"There's a Giratina stabilizing spacetime. And apparently a Shuckle that helps somehow."
"A SHUCKLE?"
"Don't ask. I stopped asking weeks ago."
The Hoenn representative was having a separate crisis.
"Groudon. Kyogre. Rayquaza. The WEATHER TRIO. They're all there. They're all... calm?"
"They follow the Chen boy around like puppies," Lance explained. "The Kyogre likes belly rubs."
"Kyogre. The SEA BASIN POKEMON. The creature that nearly flooded Hoenn. Likes BELLY RUBS."
"I watched it happen. I have video."
"I don't want to see the video."
"You should see the video. It's the only thing keeping me sane."
The Alola representative was counting Ultra Beasts.
"There are seven Ultra Beasts on that island. SEVEN. How did they get through to our dimension?"
"Apparently the Chen boy caught them in his original world. They manifested with the rest of his Pokemon."
"His ORIGINAL world?"
"He's some kind of... dimensional anomaly. Reincarnated by Arceus as a punishment that backfired spectacularly."
"Arceus."
"There are twelve of them now."
"TWELVE ARCEUS?!"
"Event distributions," Lance said, as if that explained anything.
WORLD GOVERNMENT EMERGENCY SUMMIT
The Pokemon League was one thing. But this situation had attracted attention from ACTUAL governments.
The Prime Ministers and Presidents of multiple regions had convened.
"Let me understand this correctly," the Kalos President said slowly. "A ten-year-old child controls more than four thousand Pokemon, including over forty Legendary entities, and has established what appears to be a sovereign nation in the middle of Johto."
"It's not a sovereign nation," the Johto Prime Minister protested weakly. "It's more of a... resort."
"A resort. For GODS."
"The Tapus blessed it. There's apparently a spa now."
"A SPA."
"The Legendary Beasts use it on their rest days."
The Kalos President put his head in his hands.
"What is his goal?" the Galar Prime Minister demanded. "What does this child WANT?"
"Based on our intelligence," an aide reported, "he wants to... be a good trainer. Make his Pokemon happy. Travel and have adventures."
"That CAN'T be right."
"We've conducted extensive psychological profiling. He genuinely just... loves Pokemon."
"But he has WORLD-ENDING POWER!"
"Which he uses to give Groudon head scratches, apparently."
The Paldea representative raised a concern.
"What happens if he gets angry? What happens if someone threatens him or his Pokemon?"
Silence.
"We have models," the aide admitted. "If Marcus Chen decided to use his full power offensively... he could conquer any region within hours. Possibly the entire world within days."
"And our counter-measures?"
"We don't have any. You can't counter-measure forty Legendary Pokemon. You can't counter-measure TWELVE ARCEUS."
"Then what do we DO?"
More silence.
"We... be nice to him?"
SILPH CO. BOARD MEETING
The corporate world was having its own crisis.
"The Chen boy's Paradise is generating its own economy," the CEO reported. "The Meowths using Pay Day have produced more currency than several small nations."
"That should crash the market."
"It WOULD, except the Alakazams are managing the distribution. They've created a perfectly balanced economic system that somehow IMPROVES regional GDP."
"The ALAKAZAMS are running his ECONOMY?!"
"They have a combined IQ of 25,000. They're very efficient."
The board stared at the financial projections.
"We should invest," someone suggested.
"Invest in WHAT? The Legendary God Resort?"
"Is that not an investment opportunity?"
"I... I honestly don't know anymore."
TEAM ROCKET REMNANTS - UNDERGROUND MEETING
The surviving members of Team Rocket had gathered in secret.
"We need to address the Chen situation," a lieutenant declared.
"HOW?" another demanded. "The Boss evacuated the entire organization because of this kid!"
"But now we have LEVERAGE. All those Legendary Pokemon in one place—"
"Are you INSANE? You want to attack an island with FORTY-THREE LEGENDARY POKEMON?"
"If we had enough forces—"
"What forces?! What forces could POSSIBLY be enough?! He has multiple ARCEUS! He has the CREATION TRIO! He has beings that can STOP TIME!"
The lieutenant fell silent.
"Face it. Team Rocket is DONE. Not because of the police. Not because of the League. Because one TEN-YEAR-OLD has accumulated more power than any organization in human history."
"So what do we do?"
"We do what Giovanni did. We RETIRE. We find new careers. And we PRAY the kid never notices we exist."
INTERNATIONAL POKEMON RESEARCH ASSOCIATION
Professor Oak was presenting via video call.
He looked... different. More gray. More tired. More "I have seen things" energy.
"Colleagues," he began, "I have been observing the Chen phenomenon since its inception. My laboratory was... destroyed... during the initial manifestation."
"Destroyed by what?"
"A Wailord, primarily. But also six Gyarados, four Onix, and what I can only describe as a 'cascade of absurdity.'"
"Professor, what can you tell us about the Pokemon themselves?"
Oak laughed. It was not a happy sound.
"They're REAL. All of them. Every Pokemon this child caught in his previous existence has become fully actualized—complete with memories, personalities, and an apparently unbreakable bond to their trainer."
"How is that possible?"
"Arceus. The Arceus collective decided to 'punish' the boy by making all his Pokemon manifest simultaneously. It backfired."
"Backfired how?"
"The punishment became a GIFT. The boy now has an army of gods who LOVE him."
Oak stared into the camera.
"I've watched Legendary Pokemon fight over who gets to stand closest to him. I've seen Dialga and Palkia cooperate to create a TIME-SPACE STABLE ZONE just so he could nap comfortably. I've witnessed RESHIRAM AND ZEKROM—ancient enemies—sit peacefully side by side because Marcus asked them nicely."
"That's... unprecedented."
"EVERYTHING about this is unprecedented. The boy has fundamentally altered the nature of trainer-Pokemon relationships. He's proven that even gods can be befriended. That even ancient conflicts can be resolved with enough patience and BELLY RUBS."
POKEMON WORLD NEWS - BREAKING COVERAGE
"Good evening, I'm your host, and we have EXTENSIVE coverage of what the internet is calling 'The Legendary Resort Situation.'"
"Let's go to our correspondent on the ground—carefully positioned several miles from the island for safety reasons. What can you tell us?"
"Well, Janet, I can confirm that this is REAL. I'm looking at actual Legendary Pokemon right now. There's a Rayquaza doing what appears to be... yoga? In the sky? I don't know how else to describe it."
"Yoga."
"The sky serpent is stretching. Slowly. Peacefully. I've been watching for an hour and it's honestly quite relaxing."
"Any sign of the trainer? Marcus Chen?"
"We spotted him earlier riding a Dragonite. He waved at our helicopter. Then a Mewtwo appeared and told us to 'maintain distance or face psychic consequences.' We're maintaining distance."
"Wise choice."
SOCIAL MEDIA EXPLOSION
@PokemonTrainerSally: GUYS there's a VIDEO of Kyogre getting belly rubs and I'm CRYING
@DragonMasterXx: bro just casually has every legendary. just casually. like it's nothing.
@ShuckleEnthusiast: Everyone's talking about the legendaries but can we discuss the SHUCKLE that apparently TRANSLATES FOR THEM???
@ConspiracyPokefan: this is clearly fake. no one can catch that many legendaries.
@KantoNewsOfficial: It's real. We've confirmed it. Please stop sending us emails.
@ConspiracyPokefan: okay but TWELVE ARCEUS???
@KantoNewsOfficial: TWELVE ARCEUS. We've confirmed THAT too. We need a drink.
#MarcusChen was trending worldwide.
#LegendaryResort was trending worldwide.
#KennethTheShuckle was, inexplicably, trending HIGHER than both.
THE ALAKAZAM NETWORK - INTERNAL COMMUNICATION
The five Alakazams managing Pokemon Paradise had established a global monitoring system.
"Global interest in Marcus Chen has increased by 4,000%," Alakazam Prime reported.
"We are receiving interview requests from 847 news organizations," Alakazam Two added.
"Multiple governments have attempted to establish diplomatic relations with the island," Alakazam Three noted.
"Three criminal organizations have discussed attack plans. All have been abandoned after reviewing our defensive capabilities," Alakazam Four confirmed.
"Kenneth has received 10,000 fan letters," Alakazam Five concluded.
"Kenneth cannot read."
"Kenneth vibrated appreciatively nonetheless."
MARCUS'S REACTION
Marcus was completely unaware of the global meltdown.
He was busy giving Entei a bath.
"Hold still! You've got mud in your mane!"
"I AM A VOLCANO GOD. I DO NOT NEED BATHS."
"You ROLLED in a MUD PIT. You ABSOLUTELY need a bath."
"That was THERAPEUTIC MUD."
"It's still MUD."
Suicune watched from a distance, looking smug.
"Suicune, don't laugh. You're next."
Suicune stopped looking smug.
"Marcus," Steve interrupted, teleporting nearby. "You should be aware that the entire world is currently experiencing a collective psychological crisis regarding your existence."
"What? Why?"
"Satellite images of the Legendary Resort have been publicized. Every government, organization, and news network is now aware of the scope of your... situation."
"Oh." Marcus continued scrubbing Entei. "Is that bad?"
"Several nations are discussing whether you constitute a sovereign state. The Pokemon League is holding emergency sessions. Social media has created approximately 10,000 memes about Kenneth."
"Kenneth has memes?"
"Kenneth has FAN CLUBS."
Marcus paused.
"Kenneth, you have fan clubs!"
Kenneth, sitting nearby, vibrated.
"What did he say, Leo?"
Leo, also present, translated: "Kenneth says 'finally, the recognition I deserve.'"
"Kenneth, you don't even DO anything."
Kenneth vibrated again.
"Kenneth says 'existing is an art form.'"
Marcus couldn't argue with that.
EMERGENCY PRESS CONFERENCE - REQUESTED BY EVERYONE
The League, the governments, the media—everyone wanted a statement.
Marcus, reluctantly, agreed to a press conference.
He stood on a podium that Groudon had created, facing approximately 500 reporters and countless camera drones.
Behind him stood his team.
ALL of his team.
Forty-three Legendary Pokemon arranged in formation.
The reporters were VERY quiet.
"Um, hi," Marcus began. "I'm Marcus Chen. I guess you all have questions?"
Five hundred hands shot up.
"Maybe one at a time?"
"Mr. Chen, are you planning to take over the world?"
"What? No! I just want to be a trainer!"
"But you have FORTY-THREE LEGENDARY POKEMON!"
"They wanted to come with me! I didn't force anyone!"
Groudon rumbled in agreement.
The reporters leaned back nervously.
"Mr. Chen, what are your demands?"
"Demands? I don't have demands. I just want to travel, challenge Gyms, and spend time with my Pokemon."
"But surely with this much power—"
"Look, I COULD do a lot of things. But I don't WANT to. I just want to be a good trainer."
Kyogre chirped supportively.
Several reporters started crying. They weren't sure why.
"Mr. Chen, what about the Shuckle?"
"Kenneth?"
"Yes, Kenneth. Why does it have more social media followers than most celebrities?"
Marcus looked at Kenneth.
Kenneth vibrated.
"Kenneth says he's 'built different.'"
"WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?!"
"I honestly have no idea. Kenneth is very mysterious."
"Mr. Chen, what do you want the world to know?"
Marcus thought about this carefully.
"I want the world to know that Pokemon aren't tools. They're not weapons. They're not collection pieces. They're FRIENDS. Partners. Family."
He gestured at the assembled Legendaries.
"These beings could destroy the world. They choose not to. Not because they're controlled, but because they're LOVED. Because they have a trainer who cares about them, who asks what they want, who gives them purpose beyond power."
Marcus's voice grew stronger.
"I didn't ask for this situation. Arceus kind of dropped it on me as a punishment. But I've learned something: every Pokemon, no matter how powerful, just wants to be valued. To be appreciated. To be SEEN."
He smiled.
"So that's what I do. I see them. All 4,847 of them. And I love every single one."
Silence.
Then, slowly, the Legendaries began making sounds.
Roars of approval. Chirps of agreement. Rumbles of affirmation.
Rayquaza spelled out "GOOD SPEECH" in the sky using cloud manipulation.
The reporters watched in awe.
"Any other questions?" Marcus asked.
Five hundred hands stayed down.
For once, the world had nothing to say.
AFTERMATH
The press conference changed everything.
Governments stopped discussing "containment measures" and started discussing "cooperation opportunities."
The Pokemon League officially recognized Marcus as a "Special Circumstances Trainer" with unprecedented authority.
Criminal organizations universally declared him "off-limits" for their own survival.
And the public?
The public fell in LOVE.
SOCIAL MEDIA - POST CONFERENCE
@PokemonLover2000: HE JUST WANTS TO LOVE HIS POKEMON IM SOBBING
@NewsAnchor_Janet: I have covered wars. I have covered disasters. Nothing prepared me for watching a child explain love to forty-three gods.
@GymLeaderBrock_Official: He's right you know. About Pokemon being family. I started a podcast about this.
@TeamRocket_Jessie: He offered us JOBS. Real jobs. We work in sanitation now. It's honest work.
@ArceusFan1: THE RAYQUAZA SPELLED OUT "GOOD SPEECH" I CANT
@KennethTheShuckle_FanClub: Our king remains unbothered. Moisturized. Thriving. Vibing.
HALL OF ORIGIN
The Arceus collective watched the press conference conclusion.
"He made a speech about love," Original Arceus said quietly. "And the world LISTENED."
"He's changed things," Event Arceus #7 observed. "Fundamentally. Permanently."
"The relationship between humans and Legendary Pokemon will never be the same."
"Because one child decided to treat gods like friends."
Original Arceus was quiet for a long moment.
"I punished him," he finally said. "I dropped 4,847 Pokemon on him to teach him about excess. About consequences."
"And?"
"And he taught ME. About love. About purpose. About what it means to be a trainer."
Arceus looked at the viewing portal, where Marcus was now getting mobbed by affectionate Legendaries while reporters watched in bewilderment.
"I created the universe. I shaped reality. I am the Alpha and the Omega."
"And?"
"And I have never felt as humbled as I do watching a ten-year-old be a better caretaker of Legendary Pokemon than I ever was."
CURRENT STATUS:
Global Awareness of Marcus Chen: 100%
Global Panic Level: Decreasing
Global Affection Level: Skyrocketing
Kenneth's Fan Clubs: 47 (and counting)
Memes Created: 10,000+
Government Status: Cautiously cooperative
Criminal Organization Status: Terrified into retirement
Pokemon League Status: "Just let him do whatever he wants"
Media Status: Crying (happy tears)
Marcus's Awareness of Impact: Minimal
Marcus's Current Activity: Giving Entei a bath
[A/N: THE WORLD HAS REACTED AND IT'S MOSTLY POSITIVE! Next chapter: Marcus continues his journey, but now the world is WATCHING! What happens when every region wants him to visit? And what gift are the Legendaries planning for their trainer? Leave a comment about your favorite world reaction!]