Hey, if this book power stone reach 500, I will give 2 extra Chapters. Let's see if you can do it.
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"Very good!"
Looking at Dr. Stephen walking toward him, Giovanni's smile deepened.
Beedrill flapped its wings, producing a high-frequency buzzing sound, and flew to Dr. Stephen's side.
Turning his head, Stephen noticed the Beedrill had moved behind him. The sharp stinger that had previously pressed against his throat was now aid at his Adam's apple.
Sonia: "Team Rocket! You despicable scum!"
Lorelei looked at Dr. Stephen and scolded, "You idiot!"
Clap, clap.
Giovanni clapped his hands and said with a smile, "What a touching brotherly bond. In that case, Dr. Stephen, I'll trouble you to escort us down the mountain."
As he spoke, Giovanni glanced sideways and added, "Joker, let's go."
Joker silently took a handkerchief from Sird, wiped the blood dripping from his right eye, and began walking down the mountain without a word.
"If anything happens to Dr. Stephen, our league will never let you go!"
Goodshow shouted at the top of his lungs.
Wallace: "That's right! The Devon Corporation—no, the Hoenn League won't let it slide either!"
Diantha: "The Kalos League stands with you!"
Cynthia: "Joker, you'd better not do anything reckless!"
Alder: "I may be old, but I'm confident I can still take a layer of skin off you Rocket scum even if it costs my life!"
Giovanni couldn't help but laugh at the sight. "Heh heh... Then I'll be looking forward to it. Let's go!"
Beedrill's sharp stinger remained firmly pressed against Dr. Stephen's neck as Team Rocket retreated. The league mbers stood in silence, not daring to act rashly.
The oppressive silence persisted for over an hour.
Finally, a small aircraft bearing the symbol of the Paldea League landed on the battlefield's edge.
"Is Dr. Stephen safe?!"
Hassel, the leader of Paldea's Elite Four, arrived late and asked anxiously. He had learned about the events on the battlefield through television broadcasts. But there was no helping it—Paldea was simply too far from Kanto.
No one answered Hassel. The scene remained silent.
It was as if the entire world had fallen into a stillness, frozen in ti.
Unknowingly, dusk arrived. The oppressive dark aura created by Shadow Lugia dissipated once more, and golden sunlight pierced through the clouds, bathing the ground.
"He's back!"
Suddenly, a pink-and-blue-haired girl who had appeared on the battlefield at so point shouted.
The league mbers on-site only glanced at the cute girl for a second before shifting their attention to the distant mountain path. There, a tall, majestic figure was slowly making its way toward them.
"He's back!!!"
Comntators from every region's channels let out heart-wrenching cries at that mont:
["After saving the league—no, after saving the entire world, Dr. Stephen has not abandoned us! He has returned to our side!"]
["Bewear, Altaria, Zamazenta... and Stephen's two longest-standing partners, Miss Morgan and Mr. Will, rushed to him. Dr. Stephen smiled as he comforted his Pokémon and companions, but we know this is a forced smile masking his pain. His kind heart doesn't want his companions to know the imnse burden he bears."]
A Galar comntator added emotionally:
["Zacian also ran to him. Her brother Zamazenta and Dr. Stephen's Bewear have forged a close bond—so much so that one could even call them family. Huh? The Sword King doesn't look too happy. Maybe it's because Shadow Lugia managed to escape."]
On social dia and forums:
["That scared to death. Honestly, I was worried those Rocket scum would kill the hero after using him."]
["Nah, they wouldn't dare. If they did that, they'd face the wrath of Bewear, Zamazenta, and possibly even Zacian. Rocket must've realized this, so they let him go."]
["Joker was there too. No matter what, I don't think he'd let Team Rocket kill his brother."]
["I've decided I'll never criticize Dr. Stephen for having so many admirers online again. From today on, I'm switching from a hater to a supporter."]
["Yeah, right. Dr. Stephen, the hero every region begs to join them, with at least two legendary Pokémon and several romantic entanglents, really needs validation from a nobody like you."]
["Hey, hey, now's not the ti to celebrate, is it? Don't forget about Team Rocket."]
["True. Team Rocket's strength right now is terrifying. Joker has Shadow Lugia, Latias, Latios, the three Legendary Birds, and a boss who could overpower Lance. Add Darkrai to the mix... Holy crap, even two or three leagues combined might not be enough to stop them."]
["Speaking of Lance, how's he doing?"]
["Still unconscious, apparently."]
["No worries, we have Dr. Stephen!"]
...
Even though many people worldwide realized this wasn't the ti to celebrate yet, the trainers on-site, who had just escaped death, felt differently.
Wounded trainers like Steven and those who had fainted from the Conqueror's Haki began waking up one after another.
Upon hearing that the war was over, the survivors went wild. They lifted Stephen high into the air, tossing him up and catching him repeatedly for over three minutes before finally putting him down.
Even Steven, Wallace, and Alder joined in.
Diantha and other female trainers set aside their usual composure.
Though they were pillars of the league's future, many of them were experiencing the sensation of death for the first ti.
They also realized how lucky it was to be alive and used this mont to release their pent-up emotions.
...
After being put down, Stephen shook hands with Hassel and Larry, who had co from Paldea. It was their first eting.
It was said that while Larry was an Elite Four mber, he also served as a Gym Leader specializing in Normal-type Pokémon.
Stephen took a closer look at Larry during their handshake. Larry's dark circles were truly alarming.
Not long after, a battered Giovanni returned, accompanied by Blaine.
Blaine explained that Stephen had helped him attach a prosthetic limb, while Giovanni claid that Stephen had saved him after he was thrown into a valley by Shadow Lugia. However, due to his severe injuries, he couldn't return to the battlefield.
Giovanni was about to comfort these two top-ranked Kanto Gym Leaders when a furious roar erupted from behind.
"I'll kill that man!"
The crowd, still imrsed in the celebratory atmosphere, turned toward the source of the shout.
Lance's face was now twisted into sothing resembling Yujiro Hanma, his rage accentuated by the bloodstains on his face from the earlier battle. He looked like a villain straight out of a superhero movie.
As for that man...
Stephen silently glanced at the person in question.
Giovanni maintained a calm, professionally trained expression.
However, everyone's attention was focused on Lance, so no one noticed.
Clutching his Dratini, once vibrant and full of life but now seemingly depressed, Lance bit his lip so hard that blood began to flow, though he seed unaware of it.
Thanks to this single battle, the Team Rocket leader had successfully surpassed Joker to take the top spot on Lance's hit list.
For Lance, who believed "You can hurt , but not my Pokémon," this was the ultimate offense.
Although Lance hadn't saved many humans outside of his cousin during the war, he had rescued nurous wild Pokémon caught in the crossfire.
If he cared so much for others' Pokémon, one could only imagine how he felt about his own.
Giovanni raised an eyebrow slightly but remained unfazed. He and Lance had long reached a point of no return.
...
With the Indigo League headquarters and stadium in ruins, Goodshow proposed heading to Viridian City for a well-deserved celebration and to thank the allies who had co from far and wide to support them.
Even though, as online comnts suggested, Team Rocket's retreat might herald an even greater crisis ahead.
However, just for tonight, everyone wanted to relax and unwind, and they all readily agreed. Only Lance expressed no interest.
Goodshow furrowed his white eyebrows, intending to persuade him. Half of the reason he organized this impromptu celebration banquet was to reward the heroes, with Stephen as the lead contributor. The other half was to comfort Lance.
After all that had happened, Goodshow felt that if he didn't take so asures, Lance might end up with serious psychological issues.
"This is exactly the ti to relax, Lance," said Giovanni, who had a bandage wrapped around his head, approaching Lance before Goodshow could speak. He put an arm around Lance's shoulder and smiled.
"Even if you're not tired, your Pokémon must be. After such a fierce battle, don't you think they deserve so kind of reward? As a trainer, you should at least treat them well, right?"
It must be said that Giovanni understood Lance well, directly using his Pokémon as a reason.
As expected, hearing this made Lance hesitate.
Goodshow took the opportunity to chi in with his persuasion, and Lance eventually agreed.
"Thanks, Giovanni," Goodshow said, throwing a grateful look at him.
"No need for thanks. Lance is the future pillar of Kanto, after all," Giovanni replied with a smile. But if you surrender too early, it won't be as interesting.
When they arrived at Viridian City, everyone naturally received a hero's welco. The most frequently cheered na, of course, needed no explanation.
After everyone had cleaned up and changed into fresh clothes, they entered the banquet hall. It was only then that Leon, leading Galar's reinforcents, arrived late.
"Sorry, we originally thought the League was about to win, and Chairman Rose told us we didn't need to co, so we turned back to Galar. But when we learned Team Rocket joined the fray, we rushed back, which caused quite a delay..." Leon said, scratching his head apologetically.
Steven, Alder, and others couldn't help but reveal amused expressions. They had all heard, more or less, about Rose's ambition to replace Kanto's top position in the League.
It turned out to be true.
Still, Leon seed like a good-natured guy.
"I heard, Champion Leon, that Sonia is your childhood friend. Is it that kind of relationship?"
The three Cerulean Gym sisters, who didn't participate in the battle, looked at Sonia with gossipy expressions.
Sonia rolled her eyes. "Of course not. That guy..."
"Ah! Champion Leon is coming over! He must be worried about you, Sonia!" exclaid Lily, one of the sisters, her face full of excitent.
Sonia raised an eyebrow. Was he coming to talk to her? She couldn't even rember the last ti they chatted.
It must be because the battlefield was so dangerous that he's feeling concerned, right?
Thinking this, Sonia suddenly felt that her thick-headed childhood friend wasn't completely heartless.
"You—"
Just as Sonia was about to speak, Leon walked right past her. Instead, he grabbed Stephen's hand, who was eating a chocolate cake, and said enthusiastically:
"Dr. Stephen, your battles were incredible! Thanks to you, Team Rocket's criminals didn't succeed!"
Sonia's fair face instantly turned as dark as coal. She felt an overwhelming urge to dump her drink on her childhood friend's head.
After dealing with Leon's enthusiasm, Stephen was surprised when soone else approached him. It was Piers, ranked third in the Galar League, a trainer who constantly radiated an unapproachable aura.
"Um... Dr. Stephen, Joker is your brother, right?" Piers asked with a sowhat odd expression.
"Uh, yes. Why?" Stephen replied, feeling a bit awkward himself.
Whether it was the title of King of Team Rocket or the fact that he had set up his alternate identity as his brother, the whole thing was a ss. Still, since his alternate identity hadn't been exposed, it was overall a positive outco.
Piers looked around, making sure no one was paying attention to them, then lowered her voice.
"I wanted to ask... if I joined Team Rocket, could your brother look out for ?"
Stephen: ...
Stephen was montarily speechless.
A top-tier trainer, one who would likely reach the pinnacle of the Elite Four, and ranked third in Galar, wanted to defect to Team Rocket.
Why?
Piers didn't explain his reasons. He simply said, "It's not convenient to talk here. Let's exchange contact info."
After quickly exchanging numbers, he left in a hurry.
Piers's decision proved wise because, as soon as he left, a crowd of people ca rushing over, eager to talk to Stephen.
Midway through the banquet, Goodshow allowed several reporters to enter. Each person was assigned two reporters.
"This was my first ti on the battlefield and my first ti experiencing the feeling of death. I deeply realized my lack of strength. When I return to Kalos, I'll train harder so I can better protect it," Diantha said elegantly, with one hand on her chest.
"Joker said during the battle that you should focus on improving your judgnt of people. Was that a hint at sothing?" a reporter asked.
"That was just Joker's nonsense, trying to unsettle us. While his past is unfortunate, he's now our enemy. This ti, Dr. Stephen's kindness allowed him and Team Rocket to escape, but they won't get another chance," Diantha replied firmly, refusing further interviews after that.
Goodshow had warned them to avoid ntioning Joker whenever possible.
"Elite Four Lorelei, you were the first to be defeated in this war. Was it because your opponent was too strong?"
Lorelei crossed her arms and replied coldly, "I don't make excuses. A loss is a loss. Write whatever you want."
"Will Lance continue to serve as Indigo League's new Champion? Many netizens question his ability after losing Dragonite."
"Even without Dragonite, Lance's strength won't be significantly affected. I think he's fully capable of being Champion."
Although Lorelei had no romantic feelings for Lance, she didn't mind speaking up for her childhood friend in monts like this.
"Dr. Stephen and Joker have been confird as brothers. Many citizens worry that Dr. Stephen might leave the League and join Team Rocket to work with Joker. Do you think that's possible?"
Lorelei's expression instantly darkened. She pointed at the reporter and snapped, "You'd better watch your words! Dr. Stephen saved the League and your lives. If you want to suspect soone, why not suspect Lance of betraying the League instead?"
In contrast to Lorelei's hostility toward interviews, Giovanni appeared patient.
He constantly encouraged Lance to overco his struggles and strongly supported him as the new Champion of the Indigo League. His actions even earned silent praise from the reporters.
As expected of Kanto's strongest Gym Leader—not only powerful but also kind-hearted, always caring for his juniors.
"Chairman Goodshow, when will the reconstruction of the Indigo League headquarters and arena begin?"
"Will Lance still serve as Champion?"
"Joker's actions have caused many citizens to question the League. What's your response?"
"Dr. Stephen played a crucial role in this war. Will he officially take a position in the League?"
As the Chairman of the Pokémon League, Goodshow naturally beca the center of dia attention. While he calmly answered most questions...
When asked about Joker, Goodshow's expression imdiately changed.
Weren't we clear that no one was supposed to ask about Joker?
You have to understand, the reason Goodshow called the reporters in before the banquet even ended was to make sure the dia would write more about other topics, diverting the public's attention away from Joker.
After all, that incident was indeed the league's mistake.
Who the hell asked this question anyway?
Didn't you get the bribe in advance?
Goodshow glanced at the na tag on the reporter's chest.
Of course—it's soone from Galar!
...
After the banquet ended, Stephen, who was in his room taking a shower, heard the door open.
Thinking it was Will, he called out, "Wait for a mont."
Five minutes later, Stephen walked out of the bathroom wrapped in a towel, only to find himself pulled into a soft embrace.
PS: You know what will happen in the next Chapter.
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