"Holy shit! Articuno!"
Selene's big eyes went perfectly round as she stared at the ice‑blue legendary bird, blurting out in shock.
Its beautiful, semi‑translucent blue feathers, the three deep‑blue rhombus‑shaped plumes forming a crest on its head, the red eyes, and that gorgeous tail almost as long as its body—
This was one of the legendary birds of Kanto: Articuno!
As someone originally from Kanto, Selene naturally recognized the bird trio, even if this was her first time seeing one of the legendary birds in person.
"Where the hell did he even get this from?!"
Selene was both stunned and thrilled.
Wait! Yesterday Damian had asked whether she preferred Ice/Flying‑types or Electric/Flying‑types…
Don't tell her the other one was Zapdos?
Articuno regarded Selene with a cool, indifferent gaze.
It could clearly see the Poké Ball belonging to it in Selene's hand.
According to that buzz‑cut man who'd "educated" it pretty roughly, its Trainer was supposed to be an exceptional person.
No doubt it had to be this girl in front of it. But…
"This is insane, Articuno, hehehe～ Articuno, for real!"
Selene's eyes were sparkling as she walked up to Articuno.
It was her first time ever owning a Legendary Pokémon, and the girl's heart was pounding with excitement.
"Yeah, yeah! It's such a pretty bird!"
Acerola agreed wholeheartedly—she thought Articuno was gorgeous too.
"Articuno～"
Articuno instinctively straightened up, chest puffed out as it let out a clear, ringing cry.
The dignity of a legendary bird could not be lost!
Obviously, this Trainer seemed to like it a lot.
But of course—looking this beautiful, who wouldn't like it?
Articuno was very pleased with itself.
Sure, it couldn't beat Moltres or Zapdos in a straight fight.
But if they were talking pure looks, it was not going to lose!
Moltres? Just a glorified roasted chicken wing.
Zapdos? Its feathers looked like a pile of messy scrap fluff.
How exactly were those two supposed to compete with its aesthetics?
"It's so pretty! And this one is…?"
After admiring the posing Articuno a while longer, Selene turned to the milky‑white jellyfish floating nearby.
This Pokémon looked extremely strange.
Around the rim of its semi‑transparent, triple‑layered bell were clusters of white hexagonal star patterns.
Its tentacles were gelatinous and swayed aimlessly, their overall shape vaguely reminiscent of a human girl.
Selene searched her memory carefully and realized she honestly had no idea what this Pokémon was.
"Code name UB01: Symbiont. Its name is Nihilego."
Lillie softly spoke the Pokémon's name.
Yes—this was one of the Ultra Beasts, Nihilego!
Ultra Beasts… there was no way an ordinary outsider could have one!
As far as Lillie knew, only her mother and Damian had ever caught Ultra Beasts.
Mr. Damian… was really Selene's boyfriend?
Lillie pressed her lips together.
All the previous little coincidences she could still just about brush aside…
But the appearance of the Ultra Beast Nihilego was basically hard proof of a certain truth.
So why did it have to be like this…
Lillie cast Selene a covert, complicated look.
Selene was the best friend she'd met and bonded with after escaping from Aether Paradise.
She truly was happy to have met her.
But Mr. Damian…
Lillie really liked Mr. Damian too.
It was the first time in her life she'd ever liked a boy.
Without Mr. Damian, she probably would still be lost and wandering, and there'd be no way she and Mother could have reconciled.
Without Mr. Damian, entering Ultra Space would've been unimaginably dangerous for Mother.
But the boy she liked—Mr. Damian—turned out to be the boyfriend of her best Sis…
Mr. Damian gifted Selene Articuno and Nihilego, which suggests that Mr. Damian must really like Selene.
Well, it made sense.
Selene really was an amazing Trainer.
Whether it was Professor Kukui or anyone else, they never held back on their glowing praise for her.
And she herself… wasn't even a Trainer.
Lillie's delicate face dimmed as she unconsciously lowered her head, the wide brim of her hat casting a shadow over part of her pale features.
Nebby… can you tell me what I'm supposed to do?
...
That night, at Damian's villa.
"So? Babe, did you get the Pokémon?"
"Ahhhhh!! Darling, I love you! Mwah mwah mwah～!"
"I love you too. Take good care of them, okay? They both have pretty amazing potential."
Listening to Selene's excited voice messages, Damian couldn't help but smile.
Her emotions were always contagious.
"I heard the Alola League is almost set up now. Babe, can you become Alola's first Champion?"
"Mm‑hmm‑hmm～ obviously! Just you wait, darling, and witness my glorious might!"
Selene replied, giggling, full of fighting spirit.
"Once I hit Champion‑tier, I'm gonna go caught that Tapu Koko too!
Back when I was journeying on Melemele Island, that rooster flew over my head every other day, acting all high and mighty!"
"Sure. Do your best."
Damian couldn't help laughing.
He hadn't expected Selene to set her sights on Tapu Koko as well.
Kukui, you can't blame me for this one.
I promised not to go after Tapu Koko and Tapu Bulu myself—but Selene isn't part of Team Rocket.
After that, Damian headed over to a nearby hotel and entered a reserved private room.
A lot of people were already seated inside.
Proton, Domino, Caitlin, Guzma, Plumeria, Lusamine.
The current Alola Region executives were all present.
"Alola's takeover has gone very smoothly so far.
It's all thanks to everyone's hard work. Come on, let's have a drink."
Damian poured himself a glass of red wine and smiled.
Everyone clinked their glasses.
"I've already finished my talks with Kukui and the others.
Alola's side will tacitly acknowledge Team Rocket's existence and won't interfere with us.
Next, Proton, you'll continue overseeing the growth and expansion of all our companies."
"Yes." Proton nodded.
"Guzma, you're in charge of all underground operations.
Make sure there are no other scummy or evil teams left on this land."
"Heh～ Don't worry, my lord, leave that to me. This is exactly my kinda job!"
Guzma bared his teeth in a grin.
"Plumeria, you're in charge of logistics and the ranch.
We can't afford any mistakes there."
"Got it." Plumeria nodded quietly.
This was exactly what she was good at.
"And Lusamine—once you become Alola League's chairman, don't expose your ties to the organization.
Take your time and infiltrate from within."
Damian turned to Lusamine.
He felt very at ease leaving this to her; the woman's intelligence and acting skills were top‑tier.
"No problem."
Lusamine swirled her red wine with elegant, noble poise.
"Damian, once the Alola League is established, the Alola Champion still won't have been decided.
Why not have Gladion go for it?"
Lusamine pondered aloud.
If the Alola League's Champion was one of their people as well, then Alola would be basically under complete control.
But Damian and Caitlin were out of the question—Kukui and the others would probably snap if they took the title.
Gladion, though, had a real shot.
The Alola League wouldn't be fully established until the latter half of the year.
With enough resources poured into him, it wasn't impossible for Gladion to reach Champion‑tier strength by then.
He definitely had the talent for it.
"No need to worry. I've already got someone in mind for Alola's Champion.
She will reach the top."
Damian's smile was gentle.
Gladion did indeed have Champion‑tier potential—but he wasn't a guaranteed bet.
After all, there was no telling if he could actually overcome Hau.
Selene, though… could.
Selene would absolutely crush the entire Alola Region!
Even if you tied Kukui, Hau, and Gladion together into one bundle, by year's end they still wouldn't be Selene's opponents!
That was the weight carried by the name "Selene"!
"Everyone—cheers!"
~~~
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