All of Team Rocket's executives and undercover agents within the League have mobilized in full force, firmly securing Ilex Forest under their control...
Endless dark clouds loom over Ilex Forest, casting a heavy, oppressive atmosphere that weighs on everyone's hearts.
The storm brewing in the Johto region has been gathering for nearly two years. Long before Giovanni disbanded Team Rocket, Pryce had already begun secretly formulating his plans.
Lance furrowed his thick brows as he surveyed the surroundings and abruptly called for a halt, "Wait! Something's not right!"
Lorelei glanced around and quickly understood Lance's concern.
It was too quiet.
Unnervingly quiet.
Just moments ago, the outer perimeter was heavily guarded by Team Rocket members, but the deeper they ventured, the sparser the defenses became. Now, there wasn't a single soul in sight.
Did that make sense? Of course not!
Bruno's muscles bulged as he slammed his fist against a tree, "Who cares what tricks they're pulling? Let's just fight!"
As soon as the words left his mouth, a playful laugh echoed through the thick mist, "Oh my, after all this time, you still haven't changed a bit, Bruno."
Then, three figures, two men and one woman, emerged slowly from the fog.
Will, Karen, and Koga...
Bruno gritted his teeth and asked, "Are you really determined to make enemies of the League?"
Karen burst into laughter as if she'd heard the most hilarious joke, then replied, "Weren't we always enemies? The people in the League are truly pitiful, just like your intelligence!"
"You–!" Bruno felt insulted.
Sure, he enjoyed working out, but that didn't mean he was stupid. He just preferred not to dwell on convoluted matters.
Before Bruno could retort, Lance stepped forward, blocking him. His gaze swept coldly over the trio opposite them. Without another word, he took out all his Poké Balls.
Lorelei narrowed her eyes, stepping forward as well, releasing all her Pokémon.
Then, she turned slightly to Caleb, "Go. We'll handle things here!"
"Thanks." Caleb took a deep breath, summoned Entei, and leapt onto its back.
"Make sure you come back alive!" Lance urged.
"I will." Caleb nodded, then urged Entei to charge toward the direction of Ho-Oh's aura.
But before he got far, an Ariados blocked his path.
Koga stood with his arms crossed behind Ariados, scrutinizing Caleb, "So, you were the Trainer who challenged the Mahogany Gym the other day? Today–"
Before he could finish, the ground suddenly trembled violently.
A massive Onix burst from the earth, sending Ariados flying several meters backward.
Bruno wiped his mouth with his wrist and grinned, "Go! We'll deal with these guys!"
Caleb nodded at Bruno, then cast a regretful glance at Koga before saying, "Too bad I don't have time."
Otherwise, he would have loved to personally settle the score for Lily.
Koga didn't understand, but before he could speak, Caleb turned to Lance, Lorelei, and Bruno, saying, "Can you leave these three for me? I still have unfinished business with them."
Was it honorable for three Elite Four members to gang up on one? Well, they'd get to experience that feeling soon enough.
A sharp glint flashed across Lorelei's glasses, "Don't worry. Jynx, use Ice Beam!"
Lance pointed at Karen and her Pokémon, then said, "I'm counting on you! Dragonite, use Dragon Tail!"
"Rooo!"
Lance's Pokémon charged forward in unison.
Bruno glanced at the battling Lance and Lorelei before fixing his burning gaze on Koga, "Ahaha, it's been ages since I've had a proper fight. Here we go! Onix! Hitmonlee!"
...
The sounds of fierce battle echoed behind them. Caleb didn't look back. Entei raced at breakneck speed toward the depths of the forest.
Only 2 hours and 8 minutes remained before the Masked Man opened the Time Rift.
Though he had spoken confidently earlier, Caleb couldn't guarantee that Lance and the others would defeat Koga, Karen, and Will. There was no denying how terrifying Team Rocket was in the Pokémon world.
Before this incident, who could have imagined that three of Johto's four Elite Four members were actually Team Rocket operatives?
The thought sent a chill down Caleb's spine.
If no players had intervened, given a few more years, would Team Rocket have seized control of the entire Johto region, just like in the collapsed world he once experienced?
This was a real world, not the child-friendly setting of the Anime or games.
There was no Red, no protagonists from the Manga specials... only Ash, who had just begun his journey.
Without befriending Legendary Pokémon, the current Ash would hardly be able to resolve such a crisis alone.
At this moment, Caleb suddenly considered the idea of founding his own organization. Leveraging his knowledge of future events and intel on villainous teams, he could recruit talented Trainers to serve as guardians of wild Pokémon and the world itself.
Of course, this organization wouldn't engage in wrongdoing. It would exist solely as a protective force, preventing the rise of evil organizations like Team Rocket.
But now was clearly not the time for such thoughts... Because the shrine at the heart of the forest, which was dedicated to Celebi, was just ahead.
Along the way, Caleb dealt with over a dozen blocking Team Rocket grunts, costing him precious time. By the time he reached his destination, only 1 hour and 28 minutes remained before the Time Rift opened.
The Masked Man, clad in his icy-blue mask, stood before the Shrine of Time, gazing fervently at Celebi, its body enveloped in a crimson glow as it floated midair.
That was the sacred energy Ho-Oh used to revive the dead...
Hearing footsteps behind him, the Masked Man slowly turned. A cold glint flashed behind his mask, "None of you can stop me!"
With that, he pulled out six Poké Balls from his pocket. Beams of white light erupted as six powerful Pokémon materialized around the Masked Man, loyally shielding their Trainer.
Delibird, Houndour, Ariados, Gastly, the Dark Ball-controlled Lugia, and the Ho-Oh Caleb had encountered once before.
The Masked Man captured Ho-Oh and Lugia not only to harness Ho-Oh's power to revive Celebi, but also to ensure his safe passage through the turbulent currents of the Time Rift.
Just then, two figures emerged from opposite sides of the Shrine of Time.
Caleb exchanged glances with them before refocusing on the Masked Man before him.
The Masked Man surveyed his surroundings and remarked coolly: "So that's how it is... But do you really think the combined strength of Entei, Suicune, and Raikou can defeat me? Ho-Oh! Lugia! Attack!"
The final battle had finally begun!