The launch of the World Cup Tournament was a monumental event for the entire world—no doubt about it.
Even ordinary citizens, though not trainers themselves, rejoiced. Everyone loved watching battles—especially ones between top-tier trainers.
As the tournament began, a few explosive challenge announcements immediately made the rounds.
Forget the lower-tier Poké Ball and Great Ball rankings—these battles had people on fire:
Ultra Ball Rank #17, Kanto Elite Four's Blue challenges Ultra Ball Rank #10, former Hoenn Champion Wallace!
Ultra Ball Rank #14, Raihan challenges Ultra Ball Rank #13, Kanto Elite Four Head Giovanni!
Master Rank #7, Unova Champion Iris challenges Master Rank #6, Galar Champion Leon!
Just these three challenge announcements alone were enough to ignite global hype.
Especially the Iris vs. Leon match—Unova vs. Galar Champions. A clash of regions—unmissable, especially at the tournament's opening.
But battles at the Ultra Ball and Master Ranks weren't spontaneous like the lower tiers. These matches required prep time.
And challengers had to travel to their opponent's region for the match—so it would take a few days.
Not that Blue cared—he was confident he'd take Wallace down.
"Guys, just watch me shine. I'm gonna win this easy!" Blue was hyped. This was his time to shine—his golden opportunity.
"Though hey, Uncle, you better not lose to that Raihan guy. You're our top Elite Four member, after all."
He turned toward Giovanni, who was calmly sipping tea.
"'The Dragon Storm' Raihan, huh? He's Champion level—he'll be tough. But I believe I'll win." Giovanni's composed confidence was convincing.
After receiving a Kangaskhanite from Dylan last year, Giovanni had been meticulously raising his Mega Kangaskhan. Though still not quite as dominant as his Beedrill, it had become a powerful new ace for his Ground-type team.
Raihan might be famous in Galar, but Giovanni was ready to teach him the "True Power of Earth."
"You should worry about yourself, Blue. The World Cup Tournament has the whole world watching." Leaf chimed in playfully.
"If you lose, it won't just be Hoenn fans clowning on you—Kanto fans might roast you out of shame."
Even in the Pokémon world, internet trolls were alive and well—especially during high-profile tournaments.
"Hmph! I'm not scared—and I'm not losing!" Blue brushed his bangs back confidently, completely unbothered.
"We'll be watching live," Giovanni added with a smile.
His mood had been good lately. The old wounds had healed, his illness cured, and more importantly—he had reconnected with Silver.
Looking at his current life—respected Kanto Elite Four head, renowned Viridian Gym Leader, wealthy businessman—Giovanni realized he was truly lucky.
Even Silver, who had once been distant, now respected him. The boy was proud of his father.
And yet…
Late at night, when all was quiet, Giovanni sometimes wondered: Should I revive Team Rocket?
But each time, he shook the thought away. His current happiness wasn't something he could risk.
Rebuilding Team Rocket would cost him everything. His life, his status—and worst of all, the bond with his son.
He glanced at Dylan, quietly scrolling through his phone nearby.
If Giovanni ever truly rebelled again… Dylan would be the first one to stand in his way.
Giovanni sighed inwardly.
He couldn't defeat Dylan—not anymore.
Maybe, when Dylan retired, Giovanni could succeed him as Champion of Kanto.
And perhaps, when he was old, he could take over as League President—and watch Silver rise to Champion himself.
That… would be enough.
So, what was Dylan thinking about right now?
He was interested in Blue's upcoming battle—but something else had come up.
A message from Dulse in Alola.
"We've detected unusual Ultra Wormhole activity. It's not an Ultra Beast—something we've never seen before."
"It's starting again," Dylan murmured, raising an eyebrow.
—
Alola Region — Melemele Island, tranquil beachside.
"Gramps, your fishing skills are terrible. It's been an hour—you haven't even caught a Magikarp!"
A pale-skinned, orange-haired girl with braided pigtails pouted at the elderly man beside her.
The white-haired gentleman chuckled, glancing fondly at her. She sat on a rock, arms under her chin, head bobbing back and forth—full of energy.
If not for her pale complexion, she'd be the textbook image of a cheerful, lively girl.
"You haven't caught anything either," the old man said, still holding his rod in one hand and gently stroking the sleeping Swinub on his lap with the other.
"Hey! I'm a beginner, okay? Back in Ultra Megalopolis, we didn't even have fish to catch!" Zossie huffed.
"It's my first time fishing too. Be patient. The fish will come." Pryce replied with a warm smile.
Out in the sea, three Lapras were playfully swimming. The scene was serene and wholesome.
Pryce squinted into the sunlight, relishing the quiet life. He no longer bore any trace of the cold, mechanical demeanor he once carried.
Now, he was just a peaceful retiree.
He'd never been one for grand ambition. Now, all he wanted was to live peacefully with his Pokémon.
Dylan had made that possible—sending him to Alola to rest and recover. The climate here was perfect for retirement.
These days, Pryce would go on walks, shop at local markets, play chess with seniors in the park, or fish like this. He loved it.
Dylan had even asked if he wanted to become Champion of Alola, but Pryce had declined. He just wanted peace.
"I'll definitely catch a fish before you!" Zossie declared confidently. She thought the old man was kind of odd, but Dulse had asked her to stay with Pryce to ensure his safety.
Apparently, he was someone Dylan cared about deeply. And if any Ultra Wormhole anomalies occurred—Pryce was the one who could handle them.
She didn't really get it, though. The old guy was in a wheelchair, and his Swinub seemed like it slept all day.
"The World Cup Tournament started today. So exciting! I kinda want to be a trainer too."
Back in Ultra Megalopolis, there was no concept of trainers. Humans coexisted with Nihilego and Naganadel, but battles like this were new to her.
"Gramps, were you a trainer?"
"I was."
"Were you any good? Hmm, you don't look it. But I'm totally going to become as strong as Dylan someday!"
"That might be a bit hard," Pryce replied gently.
"Hehe~ I'll try my best!"
Zossie stuck her tongue out playfully. Of course, she knew Dylan was a monster of a trainer—he had caught literal gods.
Though she'd been in Alola for a while, her skin was still ghostly pale, which made her self-conscious.
She avoided crowded places, not used to the curious stares.
But at least she didn't have to wear her containment suit anymore. And with Alola's sunny skies, she'd recover in time.
Beep beep.
Her phone rang.
"Hello? Dulse?"
"Zossie, are you still fishing with Pryce? Be careful. There's an Ultra Wormhole forming near your location. The energy signature is weird—not an Ultra Beast."
"Uh… we kinda already saw it."
Zossie blinked at the glowing white rift opening in front of them.
But what emerged wasn't a creature—it was a sharply dressed man in a black suit with fiery orange hair like a lion's mane.
He rode a dark-blue deer Pokémon.
"Finally… out of that strange dimension." the man muttered, glancing around before locking eyes on Zossie and Pryce.
It was Rainbow Rocket's Lysandre.
In his original world, he had captured Xerneas and used the Ultimate Weapon to create his version of a "perfect" world.
Rainbow Giovanni had found him, persuaded him to join their cause, and now he traveled the multiverse to "purge the foolish."
He believed all worlds had one thing in common: no need for idiots.
"Where are we?" Lysandre asked as he dismounted Xerneas and walked toward them.
"Who are you? And how did you come from the Ultra Space?" Zossie narrowed her eyes.
It wasn't impossible for innocent people to stumble out of Ultra Wormholes—but this guy didn't look innocent.
He was spotless. Not a single scratch. And that Pokémon behind him? Clearly no ordinary Pokémon.
"Ultra Space? Is that what it's called?" Lysandre paused.
"So you're familiar with it. Then let me ask—have you seen Ghetsis?"
He'd been sent ahead by Rainbow Giovanni, but there'd been no word from Ghetsis since.
Something was off.
Even if Rainbow Ghetsis wasn't that strong, he had Reshiram. He shouldn't just vanish.
"You're from a parallel world," Pryce said quietly, turning his wheelchair.
Dylan had warned him: Ultra Space was unstable. Intrusions were possible.
Pryce believed him. And now… it was happening.
"So you've met Ghetsis, then. Where is he?" Lysandre asked coldly.
"I haven't. But someone did tell me, if another visitor from a parallel world shows up… just take them down." Pryce replied calmly.
"I don't want to hurt an old man. Tell me where Ghetsis is, and I'll spare you and the girl."
Lysandre gave him a once-over. His gaze lingered on the Swinub lying on the old man's lap.
He didn't take them seriously.
And why should he?
That Pokémon behind him was Xerneas—the Legendary of Life. A legendary.
"Is that your plan? To earn my mercy by sending out a tiny piglet?" Lysandre sneered.
"Spare me the pity plays. I no longer empathize with fools. But don't worry—I won't kill you just ye—"
"Blizzard."
Pryce wasn't interested in hearing another word.
Zossie's jaw dropped.
The air plummeted in temperature. A whiteout blizzard erupted, swallowing the entire area in an avalanche of snow and ice.
A howling wind howled through the air—blocking out everything from view.
And then…
"What… what is this…?"
Lysandre fell to his knees, trembling.
His eyes stared in disbelief at Xerneas, now encased in solid ice—frozen like a statue.
That Swinub… what the hell IS that thing?!
(End of Chapter)