Lyra hadn't been pulled into Hive's network by accident. She was handpicked by Oliver Doyle during the Cerulean City incident. His plan was to train her as a future agent of the International Police.
While technically an independent division within the Pokémon League, the International Police's leadership was heavily influenced—if not outright controlled—by Hive.
And yes, that leader was none other than Anabel.
The UB Countermeasure Headquarters was also a subdivision under the International Police, making a large portion of its agents, in effect, subordinates of Hive—whether they realized it or not.
Naturally, when the League launched its operation in Unova, the International Police were involved. Lyra, along with other trainees, was dispatched to Unova to assist on the fringes of the mission, particularly in investigations involving Team Plasma.
That didn't necessarily interfere with Lyra's journey as a Pokémon Trainer.
According to the original anime timeline, she began her journey around the same time as Ash and Gary. But while Ash had already collected over thirty badges and was preparing to challenge the Sinnoh Lily of the Valley Conference, Lyra had only two badges. It was clear that the path of a professional Trainer might not be her true calling.
Reports from agents in the field suggested that a growing number of powerful Pokémon—many from outside the region or even other continents—were converging on Pledge Grove.
Pledge Grove, nestled just north of Floccesy Town in southwestern Unova, wasn't large, but it was cloaked in strange legends. Deep in the forest, there was said to be a rock marked by intersecting sword cuts. Some believed they had glimpsed Legendary Pokémon there.
Now, it was said that more than sixty Pokémon of Leader-tier or higher had gathered, some even of King-tier strength.
Such a force could easily destabilize human control in the area.
And if that weren't enough, intelligence revealed that Team Plasma had developed a powerful new mobile weapon known as the Plasma Frigate.
The advanced warship was reportedly powered by solar energy—and something else. Something strange.
Lucius pondered. In the original canon, that mysterious energy source was Kyurem. Ghetsis had planned to use the airborne battleship to freeze all of Unova.
But in this altered timeline, things were different. Other Legendary Pokémon had intervened early. Kyurem had broken free from Team Plasma's control.
If Kyurem wasn't the source, then what was?
Surely, the Ice Dragon wasn't stupid enough to let itself be used as a battery.
Still, why was Goodshow not taking preemptive action? Why wait until all these powerful Pokémon converged in one place?
Lucius couldn't quite understand the chairman's reasoning, but he didn't believe Goodshow had betrayed humanity or made some dark pact with the mythic Pokémon.
Something else had to be going on.
That day, the Whirl Cup officially came to a close. The organizers thanked Lucius and Juan for their participation, treating everyone to a meal afterward.
As the group stepped out of the restaurant, they were greeted by a boy with a Pikachu on his shoulder. He was flanked by a girl with orange hair and a smiling boy with his eyes nearly shut.
"Volkner, sir! You promised we'd have a friendly battle after the Whirl Cup," Ash said eagerly.
"Alright," Lucius replied, nodding. "Let's do it right here."
Being a high-end establishment, the restaurant offered a battle court on-site.
It was a 1-on-1 match. Lucius sent out Volkner's Pikachu. Ash, of course, sent out his own Pikachu—the famed "Pikachu the Brave."
Despite Ash's Pikachu being well-trained, it was clear the gap in power was vast. Volkner's Pikachu was a Leader-tier Pokémon—miles ahead in experience and refined skill.
Still, at Lucius's signal, Volkner's Pikachu held back and fought with flair, engaging Pikachu in a spectacular, back-and-forth match.
As a Gym Leader, Volkner's Pokémon were accustomed to holding back. After all, not every challenger was equal in strength. If they all went all-out, hardly anyone would earn a badge.
Volkner's Pikachu seemed to admire Ash's, offering subtle guidance mid-battle—helping him refine the use of certain moves.
Small refinements can't be underestimated. As Trainers climb higher, these details make all the difference.
Lucius, now a member of the Elite Four, couldn't lose a match like this. The battle ended with Volkner's Pikachu landing a decisive Thunder Punch, knocking out Ash's Pikachu.
"You did great, Pikachu," Ash said, cradling his partner. Despite his youth, Ash wasn't clueless when it came to battling. He'd already seen the clear difference in power.
Given the circumstances, his Pikachu had performed admirably.
"Your Pikachu is well-trained, Ash," Lucius offered, genuinely impressed.
"Thanks, Mr. Volkner!" Ash grinned. He might go on to save the world multiple times, but right now, he was still just a kid—barely a year into his journey. Praise from an Elite Four member meant the world to him.
Not long after parting ways with the main group, Lucius received a message from Brandon.
"The seals at the Temple of Snowpoint have nearly broken. If Regigigas awakens, it'll be near impossible to control it," Brandon warned.
"There's no need to wake it," Lucius replied calmly. "Just make sure the perimeter stays secure."
With that, Lucius teleported toward Snowpoint City.
It was night—but that suited him just fine. If one was to infect a Legendary Pokémon, it was better not to make a spectacle of it.
Crossing continents and seas posed no challenge to him now. The journey didn't take long.
Snowpoint City, a place dressed year-round in silver, blanketed by the drifting snow cascading from the peak of Mount Coronet.
Off in the distance, one could still see the towering spectacle of Brandon's Battle Pyramid—a colossus among battle facilities.
So flashy…
Lucius chuckled and shook his head. Among the many reigning Champions of the Pokémon League, Brandon was certainly one of the more extravagant. His Battle Pyramid, a massive airborne battlecraft, could soar freely through the skies. Wherever this self-styled pharaoh wanted to go, he simply flew there—his presence bold, his flair unmistakable.
At the far northern edge of the city stood the Snowpoint Temple, the holiest site in all of Snowpoint.
At present, the temple housed not only Brandon and his archaeological team, but also Candice, the city's Gym Leader, along with the shrine's high priestess charged with preserving the sacred grounds.
Lucius headed straight to the temple's lowest chamber.
It was still shrouded in darkness.
Though they all knew that loud noises alone would never wake Regigigas, everyone tread carefully. Not even the electric lights had been turned on.
"So this is Regigigas…" Brandon muttered, eyes fixed on the colossal figure seated on a throne deep within the shadows.
When it came to the person who most yearned to capture Regigigas, there was no doubt it was Brandon.
The Legendary Titans alone had secured his place as the Pyramid King—if he were to capture Regigigas, the so-called Colossus of Continents, he would surely surpass even Lance and Leon, ascending as the greatest Champion of them all.
Lucius stared at the towering monolith before him, its body rising dozens of meters high. His eyes flickered with a mix of awe and calculation.
Dust had settled upon its form over countless ages, hardening into a crust that made the titan appear fused with the stone throne beneath it.
This… was no ordinary creature.
This was the King of the Legendary Titans, a Pokémon of myth said to have moved the continents themselves.
Even while seated in stillness, its aura radiated imperial dominance—a gaze that looked down upon the world as if it were born to rule it.
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