Finally, Lance and Cynthia, who couldn't stand it any longer, pulled Steven off Aoki's body.
Although Aoki's psychic powers protected him for a while, he had taken several punches directly before that.
So now Aoki's appearance…emmm…
It was a bit tragic.
Seeing Aoki's appearance after he got up, everyone couldn't help but burst into laughter.
Even Steven, after venting all the frustration he had accumulated over the past year, joined in the laughter with everyone else.
After a long while, the knots in everyone's hearts were untangled, and they brought the conversation back to the main topic.
"So, Aoki, do you think we're not capable enough to handle so much, which is why you didn't tell us about this?" Lance asked.
Aoki waved his hands repeatedly.
"Mmm… I… can't… speak… clearly…" Aoki admitted that his mouth seemed to be leaking air.
Seeing Aoki trying to speak, everyone burst into laughter again.
Such hearty laughter hadn't been heard from them for a long time.
"Speak properly!" Steven glared at Aoki, annoyed.
His face was full of helplessness.
Aoki took out a special healing spray from his pocket, and combined with his psychic powers, he gave his facial injuries a quick treatment.
He couldn't help but feel a little speechless.
Since he had made this potion, he had barely used it, and he never expected to use this spray on top of Mt. Chimney, in such an atmosphere.
However, anything made by Aoki was bound to be a masterpiece.
The effect was quite good; in less than a minute, the swelling on his face began to subside, and he could finally speak normally again.
"Ahem, I'm saying, I wasn't looking down on you guys, it's just, do you think your acting skills are as good as teacher's?
But the way he glared at me, that look of disappointment, it really got to me. Even I almost thought it was real at the time." Aoki said, rubbing his face with a serious expression.
His eyes were fixed on them unblinkingly, as if he was about to write 'Trust me' on his face.
Thump—
Matsuda, who had walked over, gave Aoki a direct flick on the head.
"You brat, you still have the nerve to talk? What do you mean my acting skills are strong? When I heard from the Elder that you were really a Team Rainbow Rocket member and had been deceiving me all along, I, an old man, was ready to uphold justice and eliminate my own kin. Where was the acting then? It was clearly genuine emotion, alright?" Matsuda's spit landed directly on Aoki's face.
Aoki, however, dared not refute anything, only nodding his head repeatedly.
Seeing Aoki's appearance, everyone's mood brightened considerably.
However, the expressions of the various League Presidents were not as optimistic as those of the younger League Champions; their faces showed varying degrees of worry.
"Is something wrong? Presidents, if there's anything unclear or concerning, feel free to speak up. Perhaps I can help you resolve it," Aoki asked.
The League Presidents exchanged glances, and finally, it was Adams, who was most familiar with Aoki, who asked, "Aoki, although the widespread destruction of those families is gratifying, it must be said that these large and small families are indeed a part of the League's strength and have intricate ties with the League.
Doing this certainly removes hidden dangers for the League for the next few decades or even a century, but what should the League do during this period?
After all, the decrease in strength is obvious."
Aoki nodded, understanding what Adams and the others were worried about.
After all, when these families were eliminated, not everyone was within the family; there were always some people training outside, or some people holding positions within the League.
But how these people would feel and what they would do after learning that their families had been wiped out—these were all things Adams and the others needed to consider.
"Actually, President Adams, these are not things you need to worry about. The ones who did this were Team Rainbow Rocket, and the main beneficiaries were also Team Rainbow Rocket. As for the people left behind, there are only two possibilities: either they will become ordinary people after losing their family's support, and thus pose no threat.
Or they will strive to improve their strength and seek revenge. Even then, their targets will still be Team Rainbow Rocket, not the League. In fact, they might even boost the League's strength to a certain extent.
And there's one most important point: besides those present here, no one else knows the true reasons behind Team Rainbow Rocket's actions. So, you just need to push all the blame onto Team Rainbow Rocket.
Besides, even if the League's strength truly declines, nothing dangerous will happen. Have you forgotten who is in charge of Team Rainbow Rocket now?"
Aoki had made it clear enough.
These Presidents were just worried and confused; they hadn't realized that from this moment on, the Pokémon League would not only be free of hidden dangers but also truly free of enemies, because Team Rainbow Rocket was now also under the League's control.
"So what are you going to do with Team Rainbow Rocket? Integrate them into the League? Or just leave them as they are?" Adams asked again.
"It's simple: maintain Team Rainbow Rocket's existence, and it must exist.
As the saying goes, 'born in sorrow, die in comfort.' If there is no external pressure, the League's strength will not grow stronger; it will only become weaker and weaker.
What we need to do is make people aware that there is a threat, and that it will occasionally cause significant damage to the entire League. If they want to resist them, they need to constantly grow stronger."
Aoki spoke with great certainty; this was the experience he had gained over many years.
"And when both of these forces are under our control, won't the extent of the disaster caused and the impact brought about also be under our control?
Also, from my experiments in the Hoenn region, I've learned that by fully controlling Team Sky and the Hoenn League, I can even drastically reduce the crime rate across the entire region, minimizing unnecessary losses.
The most important point is that with Team Rainbow Rocket existing in the dark side of the Pokémon world, it can curb the emergence of dark forces that are not under our control. Only then can the entire Pokémon world truly be brought within the scope of our control."
Everyone listened, dumbfounded, as Aoki laid out his grand plan.
As they increasingly recognized that Aoki's words, if truly implemented, would benefit the entire Pokémon world, they also felt a sense of awe at the young man's depth and cunning.
If Aoki were to truly control Team Rainbow Rocket while also controlling the League, then this world would truly be his to command.
While everyone felt a bit worried, they also looked at Genryusai nearby.
Instantly, they felt helpless; this was no longer something they could stop.
When the Elder passed on the position of League President to Genryusai, everything had already gone beyond their control.
Moreover, everyone had witnessed Aoki single-handedly bringing Rayquaza to save the entire Pokémon world from peril today.
Aoki, who had been out of sight for a year, now had a reputation so high that it was almost unimaginable to everyone.
Besides his reputation, Aoki's current strength, to put it bluntly, could even be called the strongest person in the Pokémon world without exaggeration!
With such strength, such influence, and a reputation that surpassed everyone else in the entire Pokémon world, his ascension was inevitable.
Even if evidence were presented now that Aoki was the leader of Team Rainbow Rocket, no one would believe it, unless Aoki himself admitted it.
But having come this far, would Aoki still admit his identity as the leader of Team Rainbow Rocket?
This would bring no benefit to himself, nor to the League, nor to the entire Pokémon world.
Unless it was self-defeating and harmful to others!
But everyone present was an absolute high-ranking official in the League, and they clearly wouldn't be so foolish.
"That's pretty much it. The Elder and I just set a general framework; many processes in between needed me to manage, but from the results, it seems pretty good," Aoki shrugged. The past year of preparation was all for today.
Everyone nodded, their expressions varied, each with their own thoughts.
"Oh, by the way, I estimate that various regions are quite chaotic now. The biggest of the meteorite crises has been pretty much resolved. I suggest that the Presidents should return to oversee the overall situation. The remaining meteorite fragments can be left to us."
"Exactly, I think so too." Lance nodded in agreement.
Because the most difficult problem, how to shatter the huge meteorite, had been solved. The remaining small meteorites were indeed no problem for them.
Seeing that these young Champions were so resolute, the Presidents of the various regions no longer insisted. They were indeed somewhat worried about the situation in their own regions now.
Although Team Rainbow Rocket's reckless actions were constrained by Aoki, there were certainly some people who wouldn't be so obedient.
Moreover, when they were away, the League's forces must have been dispatched. If they didn't stop them in time, it was estimated that unnecessary losses would occur.
So, after confirming the situation, the various League Presidents left, also withdrawing many people from around Mt. Chimney.
"Now that all the Presidents have left, let's see who can shatter the most meteorites?" Aoki said, looking at Steven and the others with a hint of excitement.
"No way. You have Mewtwo, and that newly captured unknown Pokémon. Competing with you is just asking for trouble, isn't it?" Steven rolled his eyes at Aoki, giving him a handsome side profile.
"Agreed, it's meaningless for you to bully us." Cynthia also nodded thoughtfully.
"Agreed!" Lance also shrugged.
"..."
Aoki's forehead showed a few black lines; he was a bit speechless with these friends.
He had only been away for a year, and these people had united to target him alone.
"Then how about this: I won't use Mewtwo and Deoxys, and all of you can count as one team, and I'll take on all of you by myself? How about that?" He raised his chin at them, his challenge obvious.
They were all figures like prodigies, how could they tolerate being provoked by Aoki like this?
"You said it. Tell us what the bet is." Lance couldn't stand it anymore.
He had seen arrogant people, but never someone this arrogant!
"The bet? The loser has to do the winner's laundry for a month, how about it? A group of you washing my clothes, it seems like I'd be getting the better deal, wouldn't I?" Aoki's face was full of playful mockery.
"Oh, I can't take it anymore! I agree!" Steven clenched his fists, making a 'crackling' sound, recalling the feel of punching Aoki just now.
"We all agree too! I want to see, even if his strength is the strongest among us, he's still only one person. Two fists are no match for four hands!" Cynthia and Diantha exchanged glances and nodded in agreement.
What's the big deal? It's just laundry!
If Aoki lost, washing the clothes of so many of them would practically kill him!
From now on, they'd shower three times a day! It was decided!
Aoki's smile grew even more peculiar. "So it's a deal then, no backing out when the time comes!"
"Enough with the nonsense, the meteorite's here! Go all out! Let this scoundrel see how much we've grown this past year!"
As Steven finished speaking, his Pokémon were summoned one by one!
It must be said, as a Champion, the current Steven was absolutely qualified!
Aoki quietly watched as each of them, full of vigor, summoned their Pokémon.
Hmm, they were all very strong.
The meteorite, like a giant fireball, had already appeared in the sky.
Although it wasn't as intimidating as it was initially, even the meteorite fragments were still quite large!
"Aren't you going to summon yours?" Steven asked, looking at the unmoving Aoki.
"Since you all think you have a numbers advantage, then I must show you what a numerical advantage truly means!" Aoki unclipped his Poké Balls from his belt.
Darkrai! Tyranitar! Blaziken! Aggron! Salamence! Lucario! Gardevoir! Venusaur! Swampert! Politoed! Kingdra!
And, Slowking! Gengar! Drapion! Florges! And also the Honchkrow and Weavile, representing Aoki's identity, two Pokémon Aoki had never summoned in front of Steven and the others.
"Is that all? It still looks like our advantage is greater!" Steven looked at Aoki's Pokémon. Although he was surprised by the current strength of Aoki's Pokémon, which were absolutely the strongest in the entire Pokémon world, in terms of sheer numbers, he still had the advantage.
Aoki didn't speak, extending a finger and pointing towards the sky.
A massive shadow slowly emerged in the sky, so large it resembled a colossal flying castle.
"This is..."
Steven and the others stared wide-eyed at the enormous steel castle floating in the sky!
"This is my current ride, the Sky Team's main base, the Sky Fortress! After this incident is over, I invite you all to come up and visit, alright? You'll definitely experience a different kind of scenery."
Gulp—
"This... thing, can it even be considered a Pokémon? Aoki, don't try to cheat to win..."
Click, click—
Steven hadn't finished speaking when the Sky Fortress began to change form. A massive metal cannon barrel slowly extended during the transformation, aiming at the sky.
Just by seeing this cannon barrel, one could feel the destructive power that this Sky Fortress's attack would unleash.
"Who said this isn't a Pokémon? This is a mechanical castle completely integrated with my Pokémon, Magearna. I named it the Sky Fortress, but if you prefer, you can call it by another name. Because it can fly very high, and in the clouds it's like a wonderland, allowing one to dance with immortals, it can also be called — the Immortal Fortress!"
Aoki proudly introduced the existence and capabilities of the Sky Fortress.
However, what surprised Steven and the others wasn't just that.
Something resembling a ladder extended from the Sky Fortress, and one by one, Pokémon that looked like stones but were embedded with light blue diamonds appeared before everyone's eyes.
Carbink!
And there were massive, almost countless Carbink, led by Diancie, running towards Aoki and the others' location.
These Carbink were incredibly disciplined, lining up neatly one by one after reaching Mt. Chimney!
Diamond Guard!
A full five hundred Carbink that had reached the Elite Four level. Although they had only just reached the Elite Four level, such a large number was not something an ordinary person could easily accept.
"Alright! My formation is set. Let's see who can achieve victory!" Aoki stood among the Carbink.
"..."
At this moment, Steven and the others also realized that Aoki was setting them up, making them willingly fall into his trap.
"Hmph! A large number doesn't mean anything! Let's have a good battle!" While Lance felt a bit uneasy, he certainly couldn't show it on his face!
"Come on! Tyranitar! Everyone, let them see our strongest tactic, Diamond Domain!"
As Aoki's words fell, the Carbink and all of his Pokémon sprang into action!
...
One week later.
Aoki smoothly succeeded Matsuda as the President of the Pokémon League, and no one had any objections.
With the full support of the six regional Champions, would anyone dare to object?
Thus, Aoki became the youngest League President in the history of the Pokémon League's existence, and also the first person to unify the underground forces and serve as the League President!
This was even a first for the entire Pokémon world!
After becoming the League President, Aoki disappeared from everyone's sight before doing anything significant.
He remembered he had one matter to resolve: the Renegade Pokémon! Giratina!
So now he appeared in the Distortion World!
But just as he stepped into the Distortion World, the Unown that had been dormant on Aoki's right hand for a long time reacted once again.
The last Unown was in the Distortion World!
And it was highly likely that it had been imprisoned by Giratina, who probably knew something about the abilities of the Unown when they were fully gathered.
When Aoki openly entered the Distortion World with Mewtwo and Darkrai, Giratina, as the master of the Distortion World, naturally discovered them immediately!
However, Aoki wasn't exactly going it alone this time; he had brought a big helper!
Rayquaza!
This time, Rayquaza was well-behaved, without the anger it had shown when facing Aoki previously.
Currently, in terms of Pokémon and strength, Aoki possessed the three legendary Pokémon Mewtwo, Darkrai, and Deoxys, as well as Pokémon comparable to legendaries like Tyranitar and Salamence.
Rayquaza admitted that it didn't have the ability to defeat Aoki.
"Darkrai, your chance for revenge has come!" Aoki said to Darkrai.
"Kwe!" Darkrai's expression was solemn. He had waited so long, and now he could finally face Giratina!
Seeing the lineup of opponents coming to cause trouble, even Giratina felt a bit flustered!
Someone was going to gang up on him!
As both sides were at loggerheads, just before the battle began.
A small, pink Pokémon also appeared in the Distortion World.
"Mew?!" Aoki looked at the appearing Pokémon in surprise.
But there was someone even more surprised than him, and that was Mewtwo!
When Mewtwo saw Mew appear, its eyes never left it.
With just one glance, Mewtwo felt the intricate connection between itself and Mew, and its fighting spirit uncontrollably surged.
Mew also glanced at Mewtwo, but it wasn't very surprised by Mewtwo's appearance.
Mew flew to Aoki's side, spreading its hands...
It was an Unown!
The last Unown!
After this Unown appeared, it was also very straightforward, directly attaching itself to Aoki's wrist.
Thus, all twenty-eight Unown were gathered on Aoki's hand!
In an instant, an unknown energy enveloped Aoki, like a towering stone pillar, piercing through the entire Distortion World. Even Giratina, the master of the Distortion World, couldn't stop this energy!
In fact, let alone stopping this energy, he couldn't even get close.
Only Mew, after hovering outside for a moment, plunged into the energy.
Seeing Mew enter, Mewtwo was not to be outdone and also plunged in!
And Darkrai, after a moment of hesitation between Giratina and Aoki, quickly made its decision.
To enter the energy pillar together!
This was probably the first person in the entire Pokémon world to gather such mysterious creatures as the Unown on themselves.
Through this towering energy pillar, Aoki could vaguely see that at the end of this energy pillar was another world!
Or rather, it shouldn't be described as another world, but rather... another spacetime.
Watching his own Pokémon follow him into the energy pillar, as well as the suddenly appearing, yet incredibly familiar Mew!
"Is this... a new spacetime, a new challenge?!" Aoki looked at the unknown world at the end of the energy pillar.
"If that's the case... Mewtwo! Mega Evolve!!"
He took out the Mega Stone obtained from the meteorite where Deoxys was located. After testing, Aoki had confirmed that this was Mewtwo's Mega Stone!!
...
A new storm has appeared, how can we stand still...
------------------------------------
This is the last chapter!!!
If you liked this one please support my other story called Myriad Mirrors. :)