This world was starting to feel crowded with "main characters."
Damian narrowed his eyes. Selene. Ash. Red. And now May, standing right in front of him like she belonged here.
Four already.
And not the usual promising-rookie kind, either. These were the freak talents—the ones who didn't just climb fast, they rewrote the ladder on the way up. In a normal era, any one of them could've ruled their generation.
Like Leon in Galar—showed up out of nowhere and snatched the Champion title in his first year on the road.
Damian's gaze slid to May's Swampert. He didn't need a full read, just the pressure it gave off—oppressive.
Close to Champion-level, easy.
Tch. That's a problem.
"Hi!" May waved. "You guys here to teach these evil teams a lesson too?"
Fearless, straight to the point.
"Yeah," Damian said, smiling like this was casual. "Officer Jenny in Lavaridge told us Team Magma and Team Aqua were fighting up here. We came to see what the noise was."
"Then we're on the same side!" May's voice tightened. "Team Magma stole Dr. Cozmo's meteorite. They're trying to wake Mt. Chimney up again!"
Her hands balled into fists. Her glare pinned Courtney—who stood there expressionless, like nothing in the world could surprise her.
"That's messed up."
Mt. Chimney was dormant, but dormant didn't mean harmless. If it blew, the whole area would take the hit—especially Lavaridge Town sitting right at the base.
Courtney's lips curved in a cool, line. "Kid. You don't understand our ideals."
She stepped back.
"Today didn't go our way," she continued. "Next time, it will."
A few Magma grunts snapped into motion, tossing out their Pokémon and rushing May to cover Courtney's retreat.
"Running?" Gladion's laugh came out sharp. "Where do you think you're going?"
He lifted a hand, ready to send Silvally—
Damian caught his wrist.
Gladion looked at him, confused, but didn't argue. Silvally still moved—efficiently knocking aside the few grunts who got close enough to matter.
"There's a base nearby," Damian said under his breath. "No point chasing her down a trail when we can tear the whole place apart in ten minutes."
Courtney hit the edge of the path, released a Swellow, and vanished into the sky.
"Damn it!" May stomped the ground. "She got away."
She looked like she wanted to sprint after her anyway, consequences be damned.
"Who knows what they're planning next?" May muttered, biting her finger. "It's so annoying. Why can't they just leave Hoenn alone?"
Damian turned toward her. "May—quick favor."
She looked up.
"Take that guy to Officer Jenny," Damian said, nodding at the unconscious man on the ground. "He said he's a Team Aqua Admin. That's worth turning in."
He tapped the air once, already moving on in his head. "We've got something else to handle. We won't be back in Lavaridge for a bit."
"Huh? Sure." May patted her chest. "Leave it to me."
Swampert lumbered over and lifted Matt like he weighed nothing. May's eyes drifted again—this time to Silvally, lingering there.
"So… you guys from Hoenn?" she asked.
"No," Damian said. "Kanto."
"Thought so." May blinked. "I've never seen that Pokémon before—and I've traveled. I moved here from Johto."
"That's Silvally," Damian said. "From Alola. Rare enough that most people only hear rumors. Gladion's the only one walking around with one right now."
May's grin widened. "It looks strong. I want to battle it."
Damian's smile didn't change, but his tone did—just slightly. "You'll get your chance."
"Good." May's eyes narrowed with excitement. "I'm May. Nice meeting you."
"Damian."
"I am Caitlin," Caitlin said pleasantly. "Good day."
"Gladion," Gladion added, flat and cold.
May didn't flinch. People like her collected odd personalities the way they collected badges.
"Alright," she said, shifting her grip on the situation like it was a backpack. "I'm heading back to Lavaridge. Jenny needs to hear about this."
"Get there safe," Damian said.
May waved and headed down the mountain with Swampert carrying Matt.
Damian watched them disappear.
"That girl's strong," Gladion said, voice low.
He wasn't wrong.
"Rookie, too," Caitlin mused. "This year's batch is… lively."
Damian's mouth curled. "The peak era's starting. Finally."
He turned. "Let's move. Mewtwo found the trail."
Jagged Pass
The steep path ran between Mt. Chimney and the lower routes like a scar through stone.
Damian and the others stopped in front of a rock wall that looked solid—no seam, no crack, nothing.
Armored Mewtwo waited there in silence, like it had always belonged beside that wall.
"This it?" Damian asked.
Mewtwo's presence answered without a word.
Damian nodded at Gladion. "Open it."
"Got it."
Silvally stepped up. Fire, ice, and lightning flared in its mouth—three forces twisting together until they fused into a triangle.
Tri Attack.
The blast hit, and the wall didn't crack.
It blew.
Dust rolled out, hot. Rock fragments clattered down the slope. When the smoke thinned, a deep tunnel yawned open—metal-lined, mechanical, hidden under the mountain.
Team Magma's base.
Damian smiled. "Alright. Let's go introduce ourselves to the neighbors."
He walked in like he owned the place.
Inside, the heat pressed down hard. The air tasted like metal and old lava.
Damian exhaled through his nose. "How do these Magma clowns live in here all day?"
Two grunts—one male, one female—jumped into the corridor and blocked them.
"Stop! Who are you?"
Damian looked them over, unimpressed. "Honestly? Your response time is embarrassing. We knocked the wall down and you still took your sweet time showing up."
The male grunt bristled. "Shut up! You've got a lot of nerve. Do you know whose territory this is?"
"Team Magma," Damian said, like he was confirming a street name. "We're here to talk. Go tell your Admin Team Rocket from Kanto stopped by."
"Rocket what?" The grunt scoffed. "Get out of here before we make you!"
Damian sighed. "Idiot."
He flicked his fingers once toward Gladion.
The grunt spun, furious. "Who are you calling an idiot—"
Silvally stepped forward.
The corridor seemed to shrink. The air sharpened. The grunt's anger hit a wall and died there, stuck in his throat.
Gladion's stare didn't soften. "Damian says you're stupid. Take the hint."
Team Magma Base — Command Room
Courtney stood in front of a screen, posture straight, expression unchanged.
On the monitor, Maxie adjusted his glasses. Controlled. Like the world annoyed him more than it threatened him.
"The operation failed," Courtney reported. "A strong kid interfered. Three other trainers arrived. They captured Matt."
Maxie didn't blink. "Unexpected variables happen. Stay at the base for now. I've sent Tabitha and the others to track the Red Orb. We already have leads."
"Yes," Courtney said. "On my end—"
The door slammed open.
"ADMIN COURTNEY! WE'VE GOT A PROBLEM!"
A grunt burst in, sweating through his uniform, eyes wide.
Courtney turned slowly. "Speak."
"It's Team Rocket!" he blurted. "They forced their way in! We can't stop them—people are hurt, the hallways are trashed—"
Courtney's eyes widened a fraction.
On-screen, Maxie's brow tightened.
"Team Rocket?" he repeated, clipped. "From Kanto?"
The confusion lasted only a beat before it hardened into a decision.
"Courtney," Maxie said. "Confirm the situation. If you can't hold them, pull out immediately."
"Yes."
Courtney moved.
When she reached the central hall, she found her people huddled together against the wall—shaking and bruised. Some were crying. Some couldn't even look up.
Silvally and Umbreon stood in the middle of the corridor like they'd been stationed there.
Predators at ease.
"Admin Courtney!" someone sobbed. "You're here—take them down!"
"My arm's broken!"
"I wanna go home… I don't wanna do this anymore…"
Courtney stared at the scene, and for the first time in a long time, something like irritation flickered behind her eyes.
Then she looked up.
Three intruders. Same three from Mt. Chimney.
Damian lifted a hand in a friendly wave. "Yo. We meet again."
Up on the mountain, he'd looked like a traveler passing through.
Here, he looked like something that walked into your home and expected you to apologize for standing in the doorway.
"Team Rocket," Courtney said, keeping her voice level. "You're being… bold."
"I tried to be polite," Damian replied, lazy tone, sharp edges underneath. "Your people didn't know how to act. So I got a little hands-on."
Courtney's gaze flicked to her shaking subordinates, then back to him. "What do you want?"
Damian's smile thinned.
"Simple." He spread his hands. "Team Rocket's expanding into Hoenn. Your group—and Team Aqua—are in the way."
His grin turned darker, predatory.
"So here's the offer: dissolve. Fold into Team Rocket."
He tilted his head, almost conversational. "Hoenn's big, sure. But it only needs one villain crew. Cleaner. Easier. Better for everyone."
Damian held her eyes.
"I'm done." He shrugged. "What do you say?"
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