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...
"What's wrong?" Caitlin asked, concern evident in her tone as she quickly steadied Cynthia.
Cynthia looked pale. For some reason, she felt a tightness in her chest and had a bad premonition.
She glanced at the sky and shook her head, "It's nothing."
Its been two days since they arrived in Alola. From the moment they landed, strange creatures they'd never seen before began appearing around them.
Lance had explained that these were Ultra Beasts, beings from another dimension.
Their numbers were overwhelming. It took immense effort just to deal with them, but every time the League coalition prepared to move toward Aether Paradise, a new wave of enemies appeared.
It was as if they were being deliberately worn down and toyed with.
Just then, Steven's voice rang out from nearby, "More enemies incoming!"
Professor Kukui, who had rejoined the main group, was furiously typing on his keyboard, "Damn it! Our position has been exposed!"
"Prepare for battle!" Lance said with a frown, then released his Pokémon.
But just then, Bruno gasped in disbelief as he stared at the horizon, "What is that?!"
In the distance, a sea of dark silhouettes had emerged from the land.
Caitlin's eyes glowed blue as she activated her Psychic abilities. What she saw next horrified her: 'Those are humans!'
Parasitic creatures clung to their heads. Their faces were sickly pale, eyes wide and vacant, like mindless zombies risen from the earth.
As the horde drew closer, everyone else saw it too.
Drasna, the Elite from Kalos, covered her mouth, her voice trembling through her fingers, "Oh my god!"
Wikstrom's expression was grim, his brows tightly furrowed, "Are they still alive?"
Professor Kukui answered gravely, "Yes. They're alive."
All eyes turned to him.
He explained, "Those parasites are called Nihilego. They're from a place called Ultra Space. They have the ability to parasitize other organisms."
Just then, a voice crackled from Kukui's laptop on the table: <..Do you like the gift I prepared for you?..>
"Giovanni!" Lance growled.
Giovanni's laughter echoed through the speakers: <..Long time no see, Lance. This world now belongs to Team Rainbow Rocket!..>
The line went dead.
At that moment, the parasitized humans reached them, surrounding the group completely.
Bruno dropped into a fighting stance, "What do we do?"
For a moment, everyone hesitated at the thought of attacking civilians. But in that moment of indecision, the horde lunged forward, their hands outstretched.
One of them nearly grabbed Lance's Gyarados which was hovering at the periphery, but a wave of psychic aura erupted from Caitlin. In an instant, she teleported the entire group away...
...
On the screen, Giovanni watched their escape, his eyes narrowing, "Still not giving up?"
"Sir, they're only five kilometers from Aether Paradise!" reported Faba.
Giovanni clasped his hands, elbows resting on the table. After a moment's thought, he said, "Stop releasing Ultra Beasts. Let them come."
Faba was taken aback.
Giovanni smirked, "They won't give up until they try for themselves."
Wanting to stop Team Rainbow Rocket was an impossible endeavor.
'It's time they witnessed the true power of Team Rainbow Rocket...' Giovanni thought.
Faba nodded, "Understood!"
...
Lance thought of those parasitized people and slammed his fist against a tree in rage, "Damn it!"
Silence hung heavy in the air.
Steven watched him, then spoke calmly, "Our priority now is stopping Team Rainbow Rocket. I just checked, we're only five kilometers from Aether Paradise."
Everyone understood what he meant. They exchanged glances.
Caitlin said, "Then let's go together."
"This is it... the final battle," Wallace added.
Lorelei extended her hand and glanced at the others. Cynthia was the first to place her hand on top.
Caitlin's eyes lit up, "Oh! I love this part!" She added her hand to the pile.
Lance took a deep breath and joined them.
Although they came from different regions with different backgrounds, at this moment, they shared a common goal.
The Elites and Champions from various regions stacked their hands together and shouted in unison: "Let's do this!"
Gladion watched the scene. After they finished, he said, "Follow me."
As Lusamine's son, he knew Aether Paradise better than anyone.
Lillie stayed behind to care for Lusamine, who had finally reconciled with her children after awakening and understanding Lillie's heart.
Lillie wanted to come too. She was desperate to rescue Caleb from Ultra Space, but she wasn't a trainer and had no combat ability, so she stayed behind.
So Gladion came in her place...
Standing nearby, Guzma watched the scene with amusement, "Never thought I'd end up teaming up with you guys."
Kukui shot him a look, "You should be glad there isn't a version of you in that Team Rainbow Rocket."
Guzma chuckled, "Not a chance. I don't want to destroy the world. I just want to tear down that stupid Island Challenge system."
Guided by Gladion, the group reached Aether Paradise without incident. But strangely, the facility which was now occupied by Team Rainbow Rocket had no guards.
Just as they wondered why, the facility's front doors swung open. Giovanni and his team stepped out.
"Welcome, everyone," Giovanni said with a smile.
Lance didn't speak. He simply released his Pokémon.
The others followed suit, taking battle stances.
Giovanni clicked his tongue, "So violent." Then his tone shifted, "Let me show you the true power of Team Rainbow Rocket!"
With a flash of light, Mewtwo appeared before them.
"Mewtwo!" Lance's pupils shrank. He glared at Giovanni, "What did you do to Caleb?!"
Cynthia held him back, "Stay calm. That Mewtwo isn't the one we know."
Hearing the name, Giovanni raised an eyebrow and said casually, "Don't worry. He's in a very safe place."
As soon as he finished speaking, the others also released their respective Pokémon: Groudon, Kyogre, Palkia, Dialga...
Seeing the stunned faces before him, Giovanni's lips curled into a triumphant smile, "Now then, let's begin!"