Team Rocket, an evil organization originating in the Kanto Region.
Alder obviously knows this, but what he knows even more is that Team Rocket now frequently invades other regions.
For example, Hoenn recently was turned upside down by Team Rocket!
The Devon Corporation headquarters was invaded, even its president kidnapped, then a battle with the Hoenn League in Rustboro City ensued.
Subsequently, supposedly, a torrential rain covered much of Hoenn, nearly flooding the region—Team Rocket's doing.
That terrifying rain affected Hoenn badly; if it hadn't stopped suddenly, who knows what Hoenn would have become?
And still, reinforcements from other regions' Champions arrived in Hoenn afterward.
For Alder, he absolutely does not want Team Rocket appearing in the Unova Region, or the Unova League might not be able to withstand it…
And now, Team Rocket has come to Unova?
Alder's expression grows grave, his gaze toward the smiling, black-haired boy.
Alder's heart sinks; the Pokémon League is a kin, so he's heard that Team Rocket's current high activity is a main reason.
There's a top-tier Admin, Damian, who advocates expanding.
"You are Team Rocket's Admin Damian?"
Alder speaks with utmost seriousness.
"Who would have thought that the honorable Champion Alder would recognize me—truly an honor."
Damian bows politely to Alder, then turns his gaze toward Ghetsis.
"Lord Sages is interesting; you as a member of an evil team actually calling for backup to a League Champion? Quite ridiculous."
Damian mocks.
"Hmph! you little brat, I am not your opponent, but Alder is our Unova Champion; taking down a little one like you would be effortless!"
Ghetsis coolly states, so sure that Alder is frozen by fear.
Aren't you my brothers? You think I should thank you?
"Oh?" Damian glances at Alder with a half-smirk.
"Although our Team Plasma has indeed been mislabeled by the League as evil, even so, as far as dealing with you evil Team Rocket, Team Plasma is willing to put aside old grudges and stand with the Unova League!"
Ghetsis argues with righteous resolve, and this makes Alder take a fresh look at him.
Indeed, though Alder knows Ghetsis is merely aiming to seize the League's aid to avoid being cornered by Damian.
"Nice words, Ghetsis, but have you heard a saying?"
Damian claps for Ghetsis, a sly smile on his lips.
"Ant cooperation cannot move an elephant."
With this, Alder's expression shifts; what does it mean to compare us to ants?
Ghetsis's face darkens—this little brat remains this arrogant even before the Unova League!
"Evil Team Rocket! So arrogant!"
Even Officer Jenny cannot help but flare up.
"Take it easy; today is just a courtesy call; there's time to play later."
Damian waves to both Ghetsis and Alder, then steps back gradually.
He came to inform Ghetsis of Team Rocket's arrival, and his purpose is achieved, no need to rush.
"Hold on! I never said I'd let you leave!"
Alder's tone heavy.
Alder opens a Poké Ball; a strong Volcarona appears before him.
Although daunted by Damian's strength, he won't let an Admin from an evil organization just walk away in front of him.
"Pheromosa~"
A teasing chime, as the slender black silhouette lands behind Damian—the Shiny Pheromosa.
Shiny Pheromosa's right leg glows ice-blue as it lifts in a powerful strike.
An Ice-type Blizzard blasts out, filling the air before Alder and company.
"Fire Blast!" Alder commands Volcarona to counter.
Volcarona spits a scorching Fire Blast, but the Blizzard overwhelms Fire Blast and begins consuming it.
Alder's pupils widen, but Officer Jenny and other officers intervene; with a flood of moves, the Blizzard is finally held back.
Yet once Blizzard ends, the ice and snow obscure the silhouettes of Shiny Pheromosa and Damian.
"Champion Alder, they've escaped; should we pursue?"
"For now, no."
Alder rubs his temple, eyes on the gorgeously dressed Ghetsis beside him.
Catching Damian would be too dangerous.
From that last Blizzard, Damian's strength indeed seems as formidable as rumored.
At this moment, Ghetsis's expression is also far from pleasant—damn, Team Rocket, he thought he'd have Alder in tow, yet Damian slipped away!
"Ghetsis, come with us."
Ghetsis's face sours; Damian has fled, and Alder's goal has shifted to him.
What irks Ghetsis most is that he's not Alder's opponent.
Huh, the great Ghetsis has successfully nabbed a pair of silver bracelets.
If it were normal times, Alder would be pleased to capture the cult leader, but today is different.
Alder's countenance sinks; he suspects he should return to the Vertress City for a moment.
...
"Why don't you fight Alder, Damian?"
Elsewhere, Damian and the three stroll the streets; Zinnia, curious, asks.
"Bullies a handicap person? No point."
Alder hasn't prepared for a full-on battle yet, so fighting a "handicap person" person is basically no difference.
"Emmm…," Zinnia tilted her head.
"Let's go back to Castelia City first; Proton is on his way as well."
Damian glanced at his phone; he's actually more curious about who will come to rescue Ghetsis.
He suspects it'll be N, since Alder is present; this Shadow Triad angle—unless it's a surprise—rescuing Ghetsis wouldn't be easy.
But Damian dislikes such uncertainty, so he decides to leave it at that.
In Castelia City, inside a villa.
"Lord Damian, Lady Caitlin, and this one here, that's Lady Zinnia, correct? Greetings."
Proton, dressed in casual clothes, bows to Damian and the trio with elegant courtesy.
"Long time no see, Proton."
Caitlin offers a kind smile and nods at Proton.
As Proton once mentioned how fond he is of Caitlin as a colleague, Caitlin also has good feelings toward Proton.
When she first joined Team Rocket, she sparred often with Guzma and Proton, and Proton never refused.
He's made a substantial contribution to her growth.
Proton smiles and nods; notably, there's a blue Pokémon perched on Proton's shoulder.
Its shape is small and adorable, its head larger than its body, big watery eyes, and a ribbon-like antenna on its head.
That's Phione.
"Proton, thanks for rushing over all the way from Alola."
"Lord Damian frets unnecessarily; being able to contribute to Team Rocket's growth is an honor for me. Guzma wanted to come too, but I let him stay in Alola to keep watch there."
Proton shakes his head with a smile; he doesn't mind at all.
Lately he's had plenty of free time in Alola, and coming to Unova to showcase his abilities makes Proton quite happy.
"You're right. Lusamine's not likely to cause big problems, but someone does need to hold the fort."
Damian nods.
Alola League is now established, and Lusamine has become the chairman of the Alola League. With Lusamine quietly cooperating, Alola Team Rocket is flourishing.
When Selene becomes the first Champion of the Alola League, the entire Alola region will belong to Team Rocket!
...
Driftveil City Police Department.
"Champion Alder, I think I already said it: the one who appeared before me was Damian, no other Team Rocket member."
Ghetsis, expressionless, speaks to Alder in a calm tone.
Alder frowns slightly; he wants to determine how many Admin Team Rocket has brought into Unova.
"Ghetsis, you don't need to be so smug; you think you're being wronged?"
"That's not it; Champion Alder, don't you think our current priority is to unite against Team Rocket?"
Ghetsis says slowly; though his hands are still shackled, he's calm.
"Perhaps you don't like Team Plasma, but I can honestly tell you this, Champion Alder: as long as it's to expel Team Rocket, Team Plasma would happily cooperate with the Unova League."
Ghetsis has long treated Unova as his territory, and Team Rocket invading his territory and taunting him is intolerable.
"The Unova League can handle Team Rocket on its own! We don't need, and won't cooperate with you Team Plasma!"
Alder's face darkens; he knows Team Rocket is a hungry tiger, but Team Plasma isn't a joke either!
Boom—thunder rumbles.
The thunderclap rumbles through the Police Department.
"Is it really possible, Champion Alder? Do you truly have the power to deal with that Damian on your own?"
Ghetsis rises, meeting Alder's eyes.
Alder remains Champion-tier, but his strength is only a fraction of his peak now?
Ghetsis has faced Damian, so he's confident Alder isn't Damian's opponent; at most, it's only a question of when he will fall.
"That's none of your business, Ghetsis!"
"You're not capable, Champion Alder. Without our Team Plasma's assistance, you won't beat Team Rocket."
Ghetsis smiles faintly.
"You can't do it, so why don't we go out and see?"
Boom—another low thunder.
Alder's brows knit tightly; looking at Ghetsis with that overconfident air, that guy…
"Champion Alder!!"
Suddenly, an Officer Jenny's voice crackles through Alder's earpiece.
"What happened?"
"Outside! In the sky, a gigantic Pokémon has appeared!"
Hearing this, Alder's expression tightens, and he glances at Ghetsis.
"Did you do this?"
"Wanna go outside and take a look, Champion Alder?"
Ghetsis shows a cunning, gleaming smile.
Alder hesitates for a moment, then decisively grabs Ghetsis and heads toward the police department exit.
It's already five in the afternoon; it should still be daylight, but Driftveil City is currently shrouded in dark thunderclouds.
Yes, pitch-black storm clouds cover the sky!
The thunder roars louder and louder.
Oncoming footsteps approach; Alder looks ahead.
A handsome green-haired young man dressed in white clothes and a hat strides toward them, his eyes vacant, yet his steps are steady and unyielding.
The thunder roars continue to echo from the clouds.
"Champion Alder, have you heard of the founding myth in Unova?"
Ghetsis's smile grows uncontrollably menacing.
Roar!!
A roar erupts from the clouds—a low, draconic bellow—as a massive black dragon slowly descends behind the green-haired youth and lands.
Alder's pupils shrink.
That is Zekrom—the Ideals Dragon from Unova's myths and legends!
~~~
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