Indigo Plateau.
"President, a lot has happened in the League lately. Most of Team Magma and Team Aqua's bases have already been taken down by the Hive, and many underworld operatives have been identified and registered."
"That's right. Groudon awakened at Mt. Chimney, but was forced back by Volkner and Investigator Lance working together. This also proves that the weapons we've developed are now effective—even in a war between Mythical Pokémon."
"Thanks to the Hive's aggressive operations, the League's influence among the public has surged. Even regions like Alola are seeing clear improvements."
"..."
Inside the conference room, a group of League officials were reporting recent major developments to President Goodshow. The septuagenarian sat quietly, his expression unreadable.
The Hive… its momentum is now unstoppable.
Goodshow let out a silent sigh.
Each incident they reported was monumental in its implications. And the more profound the incident, the deeper its impression on the global public.
Having held power for so long, Goodshow understood the stakes. The Hive had successfully etched itself into the consciousness of the world's people—no longer just a rogue organization, but a near-official presence with influence rivaling the Pokémon League.
Even their victories—like subduing Kyogre and repelling Groudon—had reached the outer autonomous zones like Alola, causing ripples even there.
Just then, a thunderous dragon's roar echoed across the skies of the Indigo Plateau.
From the rolling thunderclouds, a massive green dragon coiled its body through the storm. It stretched nearly 180 meters long.
"Rayquaza…"
"It's Rayquaza! Prepare for a defensive response!"
Immediately, the Indigo Plateau went into lockdown mode.
As the League's main headquarters, most high-ranking members here were aware of—if not directly involved in—the Rayquaza Capture Initiative. They were well aware of the animosity between Rayquaza and humankind.
Anti-air artillery locked onto the sky. Elite trainers who guarded the HQ summoned their Pokémon partners and took up battle formations.
"Mega Rayquaza?" Goodshow stepped outside and gazed upward. He recognized it instantly—Rayquaza in its Mega Evolution form. This was its apex state.
Beside him, the pale ivory-coated colt trembled with excitement. Keldeo, the proud and competitive Mythical Pokémon, admired strength—and the being in the sky exuded unmatched power.
Then, from within the thunderclouds, Mega Rayquaza lowered its enormous head.
Its golden energy-bound jawline and sharply crowned horns made it appear even more majestic and terrifying than usual.
But what left everyone on the Indigo Plateau stunned… was the figure standing atop the godlike dragon's head.
A man.
The same blond man who had recently dominated every headline, hailed across the world as the "Savior."
Volkner—no longer just a Gym Leader, but the infamous leader of the Hive—descended from the head of Mega Rayquaza.
Eyes across the Plateau widened in shock.
Had he, after taming the Primal Kyogre—the Ocean Emperor—now also subdued Mega Rayquaza?
Could it be true?
Was this man truly the Chosen Savior?
Even the sharpest minds present—League executives and elites who understood the inner workings of political power—couldn't help but waver.
They knew how media manipulation worked, how image and narrative were crafted.
But this? Taming Kyogre… and Rayquaza?
That wasn't propaganda. That was power—real, terrifying power.
"Chairman, I've been involved in quite a few operations lately. Since becoming a member of the Elite Four, I haven't had the chance to formally report in," Lucius said with a respectful bow as he walked up to Goodshow.
No matter how powerful he was, or how influential, Lucius still showed the due respect owed to Goodshow as both League Chairman and a seasoned elder.
"Young people these days…" Goodshow looked up at Mega Rayquaza soaring above and then back at Lucius, murmuring with layered meaning, "Truly awe-inspiring."
Lucius followed Goodshow back into the conference room.
On the way, he could feel the bewildered and conflicted expressions on every official's face.
Just a while ago, Volkner was merely a Gym Leader. And now? He had become a symbol—an unreachable figure others could only look up to.
In the world of Pokémon, social hierarchy was deeply entrenched. Families with legacy and wealth monopolized every path to power. They, and their descendants, were the ruling class generation after generation.
This was evident even in the original works.
The medical and law enforcement systems were monopolized by the Joy and Jenny families. A working-class girl like Jessie could never become a nurse—doors were closed to her, no matter how hard she tried. Meanwhile, those same opportunities were easily handed to members of the elite families.
Take Gary Oak, grandson of renowned professor Samuel Oak—he had luxury cars, entourages of fans, five-star accommodations. While Ash Ketchum had to rely on foot travel or the Pokémon Centers.
Even Gym Leaders, as powerful as they might seem, were mid-tier at best. They guarded territories, yes—but were still vassals of greater powers. Like generals fighting wars for emperors.
The people at Indigo Plateau? All of them came from powerful backgrounds. To see someone like Volkner rise from "just" a Gym Leader to stand beside gods—it stirred deep, complicated feelings.
Goodshow led Lucius into the conference room and, with a wave, dismissed everyone except Volkner—secretaries and all.
Suddenly, the wide chamber was empty and silent.
"Volkner," Goodshow said, a faint, unreadable smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "I suppose I'll keep calling you that for now. Since Hive has effectively taken over the work of the Investigation Unit, what are your plans regarding Team Plasma's latest movements?"
So… he knows more than I expected.
"Team Plasma's been making quite a few subtle moves lately," Lucius replied evenly, while silently directing a strain of the virus toward Goodshow.
But something strange happened—the moment the virus got close, it was repelled by a radiant, golden aura surrounding Goodshow. It couldn't penetrate him at all.
Lucius narrowed his eyes.
The Leviathan Virus, infused with the Divine Gene, should render conventional protective measures—like Safeguard or any spiritual barrier—utterly useless, like soap bubbles in a hurricane. But this golden halo… not even Leviathan could breach it.
What is that thing?
"Ghetsis has summoned the remaining Seven Sages scattered across Unova," Goodshow continued, voice steady. "He's revived and modified the ancient Pokémon Genesect to build an army, and he's been moving troops on a massive scale. He's clearly preparing for something big." His gaze sharpened as he looked at Lucius. "I trust Hive is aware of these developments. So what do you plan to do about it?"
"We'll counter his every move," Lucius replied coolly. "If soldiers come, we'll block them. If floods rise, we'll dam them."
Still, a twinge of guilt lingered in his heart.
He had seen through Rayquaza's memories that Ghetsis was planning a full-scale Pokémon uprising. But the exact nature of his operations remained a mystery. Hive hadn't managed to penetrate Unova deeply yet—most of their infiltration efforts were still concentrated on syndicates like the Syndicate, not Team Plasma. Their intel... was still lacking.
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