Ever Grande City, the League Conference Room.
Steven and the others had already come back. Of course, the mood was very sad.
This was expected. Six Champion-level trainers had gone out together. The area near the Devon Corporation building in Rustboro City was badly damaged because of the hard battle.
However, there was one thing to be happy about. Joseph Stone was saved. Also, no normal people were hurt.
"So, everyone, let's talk. Do you have any thoughts about this battle?"
Steven drank some coffee and rubbed his head as he spoke.
Talking about a battle after it ends was something a good trainer should learn. This way, they could understand their own power and find where their enemies were weak.
Leon sat there feeling a bit uncomfortable. He arrived very late, so he did not even see Team Rocket. He had nothing to say.
Wallace was even more embarrassed. Out of the six people, he was the only one who was beaten and caught. In the end, Damian and the others even used him to help them escape.
Even though Damian's group could have escaped without him, it was a fact that they used him like a tool.
"That leader named Zinnia—she is a trainer who uses Dragon types. She called herself a person of the Draconids. Champion Steven, I think we can start looking for her using that name," Brandon said with a heavy voice.
"Draconids?" Steven frowned when he heard this. He looked at his best friend, Wallace.
He did this because Wallace knew more than most about the hidden places around Sootopolis.
Wallace was one of the trusted protectors of the Cave of Origin.
But Wallace looked confused and thoughtful. Steven felt he could not help. Then he thought, Draconids... could they be related to Meteor Falls?
"They are probably a hidden group. Let's ask the League to help find them," Cynthia said.
"Draconids"—this name sounded like a group that had existed for a very long time.
"Yes. I will also ask my friends to help look. And... Zinnia's power is very great. I cannot beat her."
Brandon did not feel embarrassed. If someone is strong, they are strong. He was truly not as good as Zinnia.
"Caitlin's power is also very great. Her Psychic-type Pokémon are very hard to fight. I am not sure if I can beat her," Nemona said her thoughts after Brandon finished.
Wallace: ( ° ︵ ° )
This young girl could fight Caitlin equally, but he could not even win...
Cynthia looked strange when she heard this. Had Caitlin's power grown that fast?
Nemona was a new Champion-level trainer from Paldea. Wallace was also beaten by Caitlin.
But before going to Alola, Caitlin was only at the Elite Four level.
In other words, after joining Team Rocket, Caitlin's power was growing very fast!
Was this really the best path for Caitlin?
Cynthia's thoughts became a bit confused.
"I do not need to say much about Damian's power. Even when fighting me, Champion Cynthia, and Gym Leader Giovanni at the same time, he was not losing at all," Steven's voice was very low.
Leon was surprised. He did not see the battle, but hearing this now made him think. Were these Team Rocket leaders too strong?
"I think we should also try to use Mega Evolution," Giovanni suggested with his deep voice.
"Mega Evolution... a Professor in Kalos has already written a paper about it. It is a 'Super Evolution' that lets a Pokémon evolve again after its last form," Steven had read that paper too.
"But until now, Mega Evolution was never proven to be real. I did not expect Damian and the others to already know how to use it."
Steven was very interested in Mega Evolution. He loved all kinds of rare stones.
"So, we must learn Mega Evolution too. Looking at Damian's group, Mega Evolution makes a Pokémon much stronger," Giovanni said.
"Exactly. Mega Evolution increases a Pokémon's power a lot. If we want to defeat Team Rocket, we need this too."
Cynthia agreed.
She could not forget how scary Damian's Mega Tyranitar was!
Did Mega Tyranitar use smart plans during the battle in Rustboro City?
Actually, no. But Mega Tyranitar was just very strong! It had amazing power!
It used its strong body to crush Metagross, Garchomp, and Nidoking.
That Tyranitar was already strong, but Steven understood something. Without Mega Evolution, that Tyranitar would not have been so powerful!
"I will ask the Chairman to help us find Mega Stones. I will also talk to the Pokémon Professors in Kalos."
Steven nodded. Since Cynthia and the others came to help, he could give them Mega Stones as a gift.
He had a lot of money. If a problem could be fixed with money, it was not a problem for him.
"Thank you for your hard work today. Everyone, please go and rest well," Steven said. He wanted to call the people in Kalos.
Mega Evolution! If they had that, they could attack again!
"Champion Steven should still care for his health. You are also very tired," Giovanni said to Steven.
"That is right. Champion Steven should rest first. We cannot finish an organization as strong as Team Rocket quickly," Cynthia agreed.
"Thank you. I understand."
Steven felt happy hearing this. But just then...
The Officer Jenny in charge got a message. Her face changed, and she looked very shocked.
"Champion Steven, please come out for a moment."
Lilycove City.
"I feel like I did not do well enough."
Inside Caitlin's villa, Damian was lying on the sofa. After thinking about everything, he shook his head.
He felt his performance was not perfect. Maybe he should have waited until Armored Mewtwo beat Steven's group completely before he spoke. That might have been better.
But it was finished now.
"Next time, I cannot use the 'Power, Home, Ideal' excuse anymore. I need to change it."
Damian continued to think. Now that everyone knew his "relationship" with Giovanni, it explained why he joined Team Rocket.
His name as "Damian-the-Surpasser" was already enough.
So next, it was time to think bigger! He did not want to always be in the shadow of the "Son of Giovanni."
Damian wanted to be the strongest villain in the world.
Next time he fought the League, he would show his goals and his ideas.
For example, "I will stand at the top" or "I will become the god of the new world." But was "God" a bit too much like a child?
"Master Damian, I have the results of what you asked me to find."
Courtney's soft voice came from Damian's lap.
"Oh?" Damian came back to reality. His hand started to play with her hair.
"Mmh..."
Courtney's face became very red. Her eyes were very pretty. She held Damian's hand to stop him.
"Professor Lund of LaRousse City did bring back a rock from space from the Great Ice Sheet four years ago. He has been studying it. I found someone who worked there then."
"He also said very clearly that Rayquaza appeared at that time. He even took a photo."
Courtney took a photo from her pocket and gave it to Damian.
"Look, Master Damian. It was hard to find this person."
Courtney's voice sounded proud. she was acting like a girl who wanted a reward.
"My Courtney is the best."
Damian kissed Courtney's face. He took the photo and looked at it.
The photo was old and not very clear, but Damian knew what it was.
The ones in the photo were Rayquaza and Deoxys!
Damian smiled. This was interesting.
"Courtney moved her head and smiled beautifully.
"Then, Master Damian, can you reward me?" Courtney put her arms around Damian's neck and moved close to his face. Her eyes showed what she wanted.
They were very close. Damian could see Courtney's skin very clearly.
"You little vixen, did I not give you enough last night?"
Damian felt that this woman was very persistent.
"I want it today too, Master Damian~ I do not want to be able to get out of bed tomorrow. Can you help me?"
Courtney laughed quietly.
"Alright, alright, alright!"
Damian was a young man with a lot of energy. He could not say no to a challenge like that.
Battle!
Three hours later, Damian walked out of the room. He felt good.
Courtney was not a problem for him.
Beep beep beep~
Damian looked at his phone.
"Hello, Lillie."
"Damian, are you busy?" Lillie's voice was clear and nice.
"I told you, right? If it is Lillie, I will answer even if I am busy," Damian said with a smile while he poured tea.
"Mmh~. Damian, I talked to my mother! I am going to find my brother Gladion and play for a few days. Mother said yes!"
Lillie's voice was very happy. She was going on a trip to find her brother!
"Is Brother Gladion with you, Damian?" Lillie asked.
If her brother was not where Damian was, she would see Damian right before going home.
She thought her brother would understand.
"That is right. It looks like I will see the cute Lillie again. So, when is Lillie coming to play?"
Damian missed her too. He asked with a smile.
"I have not bought my ticket yet," Lillie said. Her face became a bit red.
"Then check if there are tickets to Lilycove City in Hoenn this afternoon. If there are, I will meet you at the airport and show you around."
"Okay!!"
Lillie agreed very fast. She was very happy to see Damian again soon.
"Damian, there is one. There is a flight that comes to Lilycove City tonight."
"Is there enough time?"
"Yes, there is!"
"Good. Buy it then. I will meet you at the airport."
"Mmhmm~"
Lillie was very excited. After the call, she bought the ticket immediately.
"Kiiiii~"
Lunala moved closer to Lillie.
"We will see Damian again soon, Nebby."
Lillie touched Lunala's face. She was very happy and smiled.
But then, the smile on Lillie's face went away a little.
I am sorry, Selene...