Two days later.
On the training field behind the Hoenn League building in Ever Grande City.
"Ah~ I lost again. Leon, you are truly amazing."
Nemona looked at the Cinderace on the field. The Pokémon was standing calmly with one hand on its hip. Then, she looked at her own Baxcalibur. It had already lost the ability to battle.
Nemona felt her shoulders drop. She made a sad face and felt very helpless.
Leon was too strong. Also, this Cinderace was not even Leon's best Pokémon.
Nemona was confident in her own strength. She was a new Champion-level trainer who had won the Paldea League last year.
But recently, she realized something. There were many very powerful trainers in this world.
"Hahaha! Actually, you were already great, Nemona. When I was your age, I was not more skilled than you."
Leon laughed loudly. He crossed his arms and said kind words to comfort her. He really liked how Nemona fought.
Nemona was not as strong as him, but she was only seventeen years old. Leon believed her future was very good.
Most importantly, Leon liked Nemona's passion for Pokémon battles.
Nemona loved Pokémon and Pokémon battles very much. Even after a big defeat, she did not doubt herself or feel bad. She cared about the result, but she enjoyed the process even more with her whole soul.
Because of this attitude, Leon was sure that Nemona's future would be great.
However, Leon felt sad that Nemona belonged to another region.
He wondered if the Galar region would have any new trainers as talented and hardworking as Nemona this year.
Leon felt emotional. He thought of his younger brother and the girl who had started her journey at the same time as his brother.
He hoped those two new trainers could eventually reach him.
Beep, beep, beep—
Just then, Leon's phone rang. Leon looked at it and looked worried.
But after thinking for a moment, Leon answered the call.
"Hello? Chairman."
"Leon, how have you been lately?"
The smooth and elegant voice of Chairman Rose came through the phone.
"Steven Stone is still searching for Team Rocket," Leon said.
"Have they still not found them? Leon, you have been in Hoenn for more than half a month. Galar needs you too."
Chairman Rose sighed. This was true. He was telling Leon it was time to leave the Hoenn League.
Leon was the Galar Champion. Galar needed him to lead.
Chairman Rose could do most of the work, but Leon needed to appear in person.
"I understand, Chairman. I will return in three days."
Leon frowned a little. He spoke to Chairman Rose in a serious voice. He knew Rose was working hard to help him.
However, Leon felt embarrassed about his visit. He had not helped very much.
He had missed the battle in Rustboro City because he got lost. During this time, the Hoenn League paid for all his expenses. Steven had even found a Charizardite for him, which made him stronger.
He had received free food, drinks, and a place to stay without helping at all. Leon felt very awkward.
But if the Hoenn League could not find Team Rocket, he could not do anything. He was helpless too.
"Leon, was that Chairman Rose calling you?"
Nemona walked over and saw Leon's sad face. She asked him curiously.
"Ah, yes. There are some things in Galar I need to handle. Sigh~" Leon said.
He did not hide it. He had stayed in Hoenn for more than half a month.
Even a vacation was not usually this long.
"Mhm... I heard Cynthia mention something similar this morning. It seems like Cynthia's situation is even more difficult," Nemona said quietly.
She did not feel any pressure. She was a student at Naranja Academy.
She had the title of 'Champion,' but it was just an honorary rank. She had no real power or duties.
Therefore, Nemona could stay in Hoenn for as long as she wanted.
Leon was surprised for a moment, but then he understood. He looked a bit strange.
The Sinnoh League was definitely more worried than the Galar League.
Their Champion had been in Hoenn for a long time. Also, there were many rumors about Cynthia recently.
This was because of the "couple photos" she had taken with Damian. Cynthia was the Sinnoh Champion. She was famous, beautiful, and strong.
Cynthia was very popular in Sinnoh and other regions.
But those couple photos caused a huge shock in the Sinnoh region.
In the Champion's Office
Steven Stone sat in his office chair. He looked at the report, but he was thinking about something else.
They still had no clues about Team Rocket's location. They had no clues about Damian.
Finding Team Rocket was not hard, but they only found low-level members. In some towns, Team Rocket was still looking for new people. The pay was good.
But Steven wanted to find Damian.
Damian was the leader of Team Rocket in Hoenn. If they did not find Damian, they were not finishing the job.
If this continued, Cynthia and the others would have to go home.
They could not stay in Hoenn forever.
"Steven!"
The office door opened. Wallace came in quickly.
"Steven, look at this!"
Wallace showed a photo to Steven.
"This is..."
Steven looked at the photo. The person was a thin man with glasses and a cold face.
"Maxie?"
"Exactly! It's Maxie!" Wallace said.
"Maxie joined Team Rocket too."
Steven frowned. The man in the photo was wearing black clothes. There was an 'R' on the chest.
Maxie and Archie both joined Team Rocket.
"That guy Damian... I don't know what kind of lies he told them to make these two leaders of evil organizations join Team Rocket."
Wallace thought Damian was very strange.
Wallace did not like Maxie or Archie, but they were both leaders before.
They should have had some pride.
Team Rocket took over Team Magma and Team Aqua. The leaders did not hate them. Instead, they joined Team Rocket.
Maybe they were waiting for a chance to get revenge.
"Where was this photo taken?" Steven asked.
Because of his uniform, Maxie was probably a high-ranking executive.
If they caught Maxie, they could find Damian's location.
"Near Lilycove City! There is a large Team Rocket base on a small island to the northeast of Lilycove City!" Wallace said.
"And I strongly suspect that Maxie isn't the only executive in that base. Damian might very well be in that base too!" Wallace said.
"Steven, do you remember? We encountered Damian and his group in Lilycove City before."
Steven remembered. Because of that meeting, he and Wallace had to take "couple photos."
"Let's go! Notify Champion Cynthia and the others. Gather our forces and head to Lilycove City."
Steven decided immediately. He stood up and spoke seriously.
Even if Damian was not there, they had to destroy the base. They must destroy a base with a high-ranking executive.
Maxie was strong and dangerous.
If they caught Maxie, they could force Damian to appear or tell them where Damian and Zinnia were.
"Alright! Should we bring Drake and the others?" Wallace asked.
"Bring them. It's a large Team Rocket base; there are probably many people." Steven said.
"Okay." Wallace went to get everyone ready.
Afternoon. The base northeast of Lilycove City.
Maxie sat in his office. He looked at a document with a cold face.
Maxie felt he could use his talents well in Team Rocket.
He was good at planning. Damian gave him a large business and many duties to manage.
Maxie was a very good manager.
Someone knocked loudly on the door.
"Come in." Maxie did not look up.
"This is bad, Master Maxie!"
"What is this panicked behavior? If you lose your composure like this again, you won't need to stay here anymore."
Maxie frowned. He looked at the subordinate coldly.
This person was from Team Aqua before. Only Archie would have a subordinate like this. The person was still impulsive even after training.
"Yes... I am very sorry." The member bowed and apologized.
"Speak." Maxie moved his glasses.
"It's the Hoenn League. Personnel led by Drake are attacking!" the member reported.
"Wallace and Steven didn't come?" Maxie asked.
"No."
They are still watching. I acted as bait, but they did not come out. Is the bait not enough?
"Tell that muscle idiot to take the men and head out to fight," Maxie said calmly. "Then contact Executive Gladion and tell him to come here."
"Huh?" The member was surprised.
An Elite Four member is attacking, and we are not running? We are fighting?
"Why aren't you going yet?"
Maxie looked at him coldly. The member felt scared.
"Yes!"
Maxie watched him leave. He moved his glasses again.
"It is almost exactly what Lord Damian predicted. Smirk~"
Maxie laughed coldly.
"Fighting the Hoenn League directly... the people of Team Rocket are truly all lunatics."
Drake is already at the entrance, but I am sitting here calmly.
I guess I am a lunatic too.
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