Caleb didn't have enough time to start a business from scratch in the Pokémon world...
After finalizing the general plan, he spent two days selling off the unused equipment and research materials from Team Rocket's base with Lily, raising a substantial amount of money.
Then, he posted an advertisement on an online forum recruiting concept artists, game designers, programmers, and the like.
Caleb left this matter entirely to Lily. The current Lily had the capability and competence to handle it on her own.
Meanwhile, he buried himself in the base, writing down everything he knew about 'Pocket Monsters'; from settings, battle mechanics, levels, world-building, to character backgrounds.
During this time, the former Team Rocket members who had nothing to do kept passing by Caleb. He glanced up at them, thought for a moment, and called everyone over, asking, "Do any of you know how to code?"
Some shook their heads, while others nodded.
Caleb first looked at those who shook their heads and said, "Then you'll work in the logistics department."
Then he turned to those who nodded, "I have a task for you."
He and Lily had discussed earlier, modeling the base's structure after corporate divisions from his world.
The logistics department was mainly responsible for cleaning, cooking, and working as shop attendants to earn money.
Caleb wasn't worried about these people running away. He had specifically asked Officer Jenny to keep an eye on them.
Moreover, Team Rocket in Johto would soon meet the same fate as their Kanto counterparts. Lance had already made preparations.
By evening, Caleb received another notification:
*Ding!*
[Global Announcement: The Suicune Arc Main Quest has officially begun!]
[Remaining unopened Main Quests: 0]
[The Mythical Pokémon Competition will commence after the completion of the Main Quest!]
[Players who fail to qualify will be eliminated!]
The three Legendary Beasts were finally assembled. The final battle was about to begin.
Caleb paused his writing. His time was running out...
....
At night, Lily returned...
"Several people are already on their way here," she said.
"Good." Caleb handed her the proposal he had spent the day drafting.
He didn't know when he would return after leaving, so he had paved the way for Lily in advance.
The proposal included everything from Pokémon Yellow, Pokémon Red/Blue/Green, Pokémon Gold/Silver, Pokémon Pearl/Diamond, Pokémon X/Y, all the way to the latest Pokémon Sword/Shield.
Beyond that, the proposal also contained conceptual designs for handheld consoles; GBA, NDS, 3DS, and finally, the Switch...
As for how far it would develop, that would depend on Lily herself.
...
After settling matters, Caleb left Mahogany Town alone and rendezvoused with Lance in Azalea Town.
Lance frowned deeply and said, "All of Team Rocket's members in Johto have gathered in Ilex Forest. Even Will, Karen, and Koga made preparations in advance and left the city before we could act."
Caleb wasn't surprised by this outcome.
The Masked Man must have anticipated that Lily would reveal all the intel she knew, so he had warned Will, Karen, and Koga in advance, allowing them to retreat in time.
If nothing unexpected happened, the three of them should already be in Ilex Forest.
Caleb assessed the Johto League's forces...
Agatha was guarding the Viridian Gym in Kanto, so only Lance, Lorelei, and Bruno were present.
When Bruno noticed Caleb looking at him, he smiled awkwardly and said, "I never expected those three to be Team Rocket's spies..."
Compared to them, he was actually the most innocent member of Johto's Elite Four.
Bruno, the Fighting-type Elite Four member, was obsessed with training with his Pokémon, often seen shirtless in the wilderness working out alongside them.
Just then, a quest update notification appeared:
[Main Quest Updated!]
[Congratulations on completing the quest "Entei's Request"!]
[Phase Three of the Main Quest has officially begun!]
[Main Quest: Stop the Masked Man before he enters the Time Rift! If the Masked Man enters the Time Rift, all players will fail the quest!]
[Time Rift Opening Countdown: 2 hours and 14 minutes!]
"We should move out!" Lance said, glancing toward Ilex Forest...
....
At this moment, apart from Caleb and Lance's group, the other players had also arrived at Ilex Forest...
Although they hadn't qualified for the Mythical Pokémon Competition, stopping the Masked Man was still their main quest.
For them, even if they couldn't capture a Mythical Pokémon, earning some points was better than nothing. But when they entered Ilex Forest, they realized it had been completely taken over by Team Rocket.
Patrols of Team Rocket members blocked the path at regular intervals.
In one corner of the forest, Ye Fan, accompanied by Suicune, looked toward the depths of the woods after clearing out a Team Rocket patrol.
The deeper he went, the colder the air became, with frost coating the surrounding trees. Suddenly, a bright light shot out from the dense foliage to his left.
Ye Fan instinctively tilted his head back, narrowly avoiding the Hyper Beam that grazed the tip of his nose before striking a large tree.
The tree collapsed with a thunderous crash.
A man in a white Team Rocket uniform stepped out of the shadows with a Nidoqueen, exuding an air of elegance.
"So, Suicune has also found its Trainer. In that case, I can't let you pass," said Team Rocket Executive Archer.
...
Elsewhere...
Team Rocket Executive Proton stared coldly at the seductive woman accompanied by Raikou:
"You'd best turn back now. Those who interfere with our plans cannot be forgiven, you know?"
Baek Gyeol smirked, flipping three shrunken Poké Balls between her fingers before tossing them into the air.
"Oh? Is that so? Then let me see what you've got!" she said.
...
"Roar!"
A nimble Garchomp knocked out a blocking human with a swift slash before returning to a woman clad in a black trench coat, her golden hair tied into a ponytail.
The woman was breathtakingly beautiful, exuding an ethereal, cold aura. Especially when she frowned, her demeanor made her seem like an untouchable ice queen straight out of a fantasy.
Cynthia frowned as she observed the frost covering the trees, a sense of foreboding rising in her heart.
Two days ago, she had called her grandmother to check in. During that call, she learned that he had returned and was currently in Johto...