"Archaludon is unable to battle. Mega Kangaskhan wins!"
"All six of challenger Raihan's Pokémon are unable to battle. The challenge ends in failure."
The referee announced the final result. Though his voice remained composed, the excitement and joy in his eyes were impossible to hide.
He was a local Kanto ref, after all. Giovanni had defended the dignity of being Kanto's top Elite Four member—of course he was thrilled.
"Woahhh!!"
With that announcement, the entire Indigo Plateau erupted into deafening cheers.
"Giovanni! Giovanni!!"
The chanting, so full of passion and reverence, swept through the arena like a wave. That's the power of the home crowd.
Giovanni wore a calm smile, but as the crowd shouted his name, the curve at the corner of his lips deepened.
Though he wouldn't openly admit it, Giovanni was well aware of the pride swelling inside him.
Having thousands scream his name in admiration and awe… it was a kind of thrill and satisfaction he'd never felt during his time in Team Rocket.
Meanwhile, in a shaded corner of the stadium, three figures watched the scene with complicated expressions.
"If Archer and the others knew the boss is now a national idol… what kind of face do you think they'd make?"
Surge's rough face twisted into something unreadable.
Koga: "…"
Sabrina: (—)
"They'd probably think I'd gone nuts," Surge scratched his head.
Honestly, this felt like a dream. He'd once felt pretty guilty—after all, he had been talked into returning as Vermilion City's Gym Leader by Jenny, turning over a new leaf.
But it was only after that that Surge learned… the boss himself had already been "recruited" by the Kanto League!
What kind of twist was that?
Since then, Surge hadn't contacted Giovanni in a long time. He genuinely didn't know how to face him.
He hadn't spoken to Koga or Sabrina either, despite them all being former Rocket executives.
Though they'd been re-added to the "Gym Leader Group Chat," Surge hadn't said a word in there since. Once a "problematic figure," he kept his head down.
It was Officer Jenny's idea for the Gym Leaders to come watch Raihan's challenge match—treat it like a day off.
And so, the three former Rocket executives were together again.
No matter where they stood now, they shared a common past.
"So we were in prison for nothing… I ate jail food for months," Surge grumbled.
Koga: "…"
"Don't lump me in with you two. I've always been the Saffron Gym Leader," Sabrina said coldly.
"???"
Surge and Koga blinked at her.
"Problem?" Sabrina gave them a cool glance.
Oh. So just because she didn't get exposed and didn't serve time, she's suddenly clean and above them, huh?
Surge and Koga exchanged a glance and fell silent. Technically… yeah, she wasn't wrong.
"Either way, we're all starting over," Koga finally said in a low voice.
"There's no boss anymore. I'm not a Rocket exec now."
Having returned to the Fuchsia Gym, Koga had realized—he preferred being a clean, normal person. He didn't want anything to do with evil organizations anymore.
He still had a younger sister. A daughter. He wasn't alone.
"I mean, this World Championship thing is pretty nice," Surge grinned.
"Sabrina, I heard you applied to train in Unova? What's that about?"
Though they weren't exactly close as colleagues, their relationship wasn't bad either.
Sabrina frowned slightly, a rare expression of hesitation crossing her face.
"A talent scout contacted me… said my look would suit acting in dramas or films."
Her voice was soft, but Surge and Koga were seasoned Trainers—of course they heard her.
Koga: "…"
"You're joking, right?" Surge looked stunned.
The boss is now Kanto's top Elite Four, and Sabrina, the human iceberg, wants to become an actress?!
What even is this world?
"Problem?" Sabrina's eyes flashed with blue psychic light as she stared at him.
"Uh… you're really beautiful, Sabrina. It'd be a waste if you didn't become a star."
Surge's hair stood on end. He forced a smile.
This psycho woman hadn't changed one bit. With her unstable temper and psychic powers, Surge had always kept his distance.
"I want to try. I want to explore a new life."
Sabrina didn't press the matter, and her gaze shifted back to Giovanni on the field.
Team Rocket was over—Giovanni had told her that himself. She understood: that chapter was closed.
Koga and Surge said nothing. Maybe it was time to try something new.
…But weren't they forgetting something?
Surge scratched his head.
Giovanni's battle with Raihan had ended, and everyone who watched the match came to the same conclusion:
Just like Leon vs. Iris, it had been a one-sided sweep.
Giovanni was far stronger than Raihan. If he hadn't purposefully left Great Tusk in play, Raihan would've been cleanly swept.
No one expected Giovanni to be that strong—but then again, he was the top of Kanto's Elite Four.
And now, the world knew Giovanni's ace: Mega Kangaskhan.
As for the fact that his ace wasn't even a Ground-type?
No one cared. Who says you can't be a Ground specialist if you stand on the ground? Don't be a stickler.
For all they knew, Kangaskhan's Tera Type was Ground anyway.
The opening matches of the World Championship had reached a crescendo.
And after Giovanni defeated Raihan, several big announcements flooded the trending list:
—Kanto's Elite Four member Red challenges Kalos Champion Diantha, ranked No. 9.
—Johto Champion Lance challenges Rank No. 4: Diantha.
—Rank 22 Paldea Champion-level Nemona challenges Rank 16: Mustard.
—Rank 27 Johto Elite Four member Karen challenges…
The list went on and on—so fast, no one could keep up.
Clearly, Red, Blue, and Leaf had just kicked things off.
With their matches done, the World Championship was truly on fire.
Even though regional events were still ongoing, they couldn't even compare in terms of popularity.
That's the allure of the World Championship—a global spectacle. Regional tournaments just couldn't hold a candle.
"So… none of you are going to challenge anyone?" Dylan asked, curious.
"Not yet. Steven and Cynthia are both strong opponents—I need to prepare carefully," Diantha answered with a graceful smile.
"I'll need to be fully ready as well," Cynthia nodded.
"Who would I even challenge?"
Steven looked helpless. He was ranked second. Who could he challenge?
He couldn't go after someone ranked below him.
"Challenge Dylan, Steven! A real man doesn't back down from a fight!" Wallace clapped his friend on the shoulder, full of righteous energy.
Of course, if you ignored Wallace's smug, gloating expression, maybe Steven would've believed him.
"…"
Steven's face was deadpan.
"Seems I overestimated you, Steven," Wallace sighed dramatically.
"Even I had the guts to challenge Dylan. Yet you, my best friend, would rather cower? Very well…"
He trailed off, watching Steven's expression.
Cynthia and Diantha looked… deeply amused.
"Why aren't you reacting?" Wallace blinked as Steven continued to stare at him with dead fish eyes.
"What kind of reaction do you want?" Steven replied flatly.
Wallace: (<)
"But you're right. If I let fear stop me, that's not like me at all."
Steven stroked his chin. He was Steven Stone, after all.
"Oh? So you'll challenge me, Steven?" Dylan brightened.
"Of course," Steven said with a smile.
"But not in the World Championship. I want to challenge you at the Rota Gym."
Smart.
If he challenged Dylan in the Championship, he'd be up against whatever monster lineup Dylan felt like using.
What if Dylan got bored and pulled out Dialga or Kyurem? No thanks.
Steven wasn't suicidal.
But the Gym Leader version of Dylan? That, he could face.
Challenging Dylan in the tournament would be hell mode. Better to start with the Gym.
"In that case, I accept," Dylan grinned.
He was happy to battle Steven either way.
"Ohh~ That's my best friend! I admire your bravery!" Wallace beamed.
"Thanks so much, buddy," Steven's eyelid twitched.
Having Wallace as a friend was truly a blessing.
"Of course—we're pals!" Wallace said proudly.
"…"
Via Hoopa's portal, they returned to the Rota Gym.
Hoopa's powers made it easy to keep the proper atmosphere for a Gym challenge.
"Alright, Steven. Try your luck—let's see what type you get," Dylan gestured to the roulette wheel.
By now, it had all types… plus one golden section: "Legendary."
"Got it."
Steven nodded, scanning the options.
He liked Steel and Rock types, so if he could pick, that's what he'd choose.
But the whole point of this was randomness.
"Don't worry, Steven! With your luck, you'll definitely get a great type!"
Wallace was cheering him on from behind. Of course, he knew any type was tough—Dylan was no pushover.
Still, good friends offer encouragement.
"Just don't land on the Legendary slot. As long as you avoid that, you'll have a fighting chance!"
"Can you shut up?" Steven muttered, shooting Wallace a look.
He took a deep breath, and pressed the start button.
The wheel spun.
Everyone watched intently.
"I guarantee it won't land on Legendary. I'll bet ten years of Steven's lifespan!" Wallace declared confidently.
Steven's eye twitched. That's your bet?!
The wheel began to slow.
Then… it stopped.
The pointer landed on a narrow strip of brilliant gold—smaller than a fingertip.
Two stylized characters gleamed brightly: Legendary.
Steven's face froze. Dylan's eyebrow lifted.
"Eh?"
Wallace blinked. Then suddenly lit up with energy.
"Steven!!! You're so lucky!!"
He was amazed—no one had drawn the golden Legendary slot in ages!
"You!"
Steven nearly lost it.
"Calm down, Steven. Think about it—what are the odds? One in a thousand challengers might land on this!"
"…"
Steven's face twitched. He was so mad he laughed. What could he even say?
"From a certain angle, your luck is incredible," Lillie smiled, covering her mouth.
This was a jackpot pull.
Like winning the lottery.
"Looked at that way, sure… but…" Steven sighed.
This wasn't what he wanted! If he knew this would happen, he'd have just challenged Dylan in the Championship.
"Oh well. Since fate decided this… Dylan, I'll be in your care."
He quickly gathered himself, eyes burning with determination.
There's a saying: if you can't fight it, enjoy it.
He was Steven Stone, Champion of Hoenn!
"No worries, Steven," Dylan smiled gently.
"This will be… unforgettable."
(End of Chapter)