With Sird's deliberate guidance, rumors spread rapidly within Team Rocket that the Boss was suffering from a grave illness and seeking an urgent successor.
Although Sird also ntioned that the King had gone out to find Ho-Oh, Xerneas, and other healing-type legendary Pokémon to help cure the Boss, finding such top-tier legends was easier said than done. What if the Boss died before the King succeeded? For a ti, everyone in Team Rocket was filled with anxiety.
Blaine and Fuji, both planning to withdraw completely from Team Rocket after completing the wtwo Project, were stunned when they heard the news.
The two old n t in their shared hotown, Cinnabar Island, and couldn't help but discuss the matter.
Fuji: "Do you think it's true?"
Blaine pondered for a while and replied, "True or not, at the very least, it's certain that Giovanni has a son."
Fuji hesitated, then said, "To be honest, if it's true, isn't now the best ti to eliminate Team Rocket?"
"Hey! What are you saying?" Blaine's expression changed drastically.
"Isn't it?" Fuji said, "Finding legendary Pokémon is extrely difficult. Back then, Team Rocket went to great lengths and only managed to find a fossilized eyelash with w's DNA. If Giovanni can't hold out until Joker brings back Ho-Oh or Lugia, and the League strikes now, with Dr. Stephen's help, Team Rocket might be finished..."
"Enough. We have nothing to do with Team Rocket anymore, and I won't tell anyone what you just said," Blaine said.
He knew his old friend was even more disgusted by Team Rocket's actions than himself, hence such thoughts. If Giovanni was truly terminally ill, and the League seized the opportunity with Dr. Stephen delivering the final blow, Team Rocket really might beco history.
But what his old friend didn't know was: Dr. Stephen and Joker were the sa person!
Therefore, this plan could never succeed.
Regardless, Blaine hoped his old friend would treat their past in Team Rocket as if it never happened—go separate ways, never interfere again.
Seeing Blaine so resolute, Fuji could only suppress his thoughts. After all, unlike Blaine—who was a top researcher and a veteran champion—Fuji had no such abilities and still had a daughter to care for. Better not to act rashly without absolute certainty.
After a brief silence, Fuji posed one last question about Team Rocket: Who do you think is most likely to take this chance to rebel?
Blaine and his friend exchanged glances. After five seconds, both old n said the sa na in unison—Faba!
...
While Team Rocket was in chaos, Stephen had already arrived in Kanto.
Professor Oak had contacted him, saying a promising young scientist had made a revolutionary invention, but it still had flaws. Oak hoped Stephen could help improve it.
This young man, Celio, wanted Stephen to help refine his invention—the Pokémon Transfer Device!
In Celio's seaside lighthouse near Cerulean City:
"This is amazing," Stephen exclaid. "With this, Pokémon can be transferred at any ti. It's as revolutionary as the Pokédex for the research community."
Celio, eting his idol, could barely speak coherently. "No, not at all, Dr. Stephen. Your Pokédex is essential for every rookie trainer's journey."
Knock, knock—!
Suddenly, there was a knock at the door.
"Who is it?" Celio called out.
There was a long silence outside. Just as Celio thought it was a child's prank, a response finally ca: "...Sent by Professor Oak."
Stephen glanced over. The voice sounded familiar.
Celio opened the door. A boy of about ten, just at the minimum age for a rookie trainer, stood expressionless at the entrance. When he saw Stephen inside, a flicker of uncertainty passed through his eyes from under his cap.
Celio recognized him imdiately, "Oh—you're Red, right? That's right, Professor Oak ntioned you'd be coming these days."
Red nodded, suppressing the urge to challenge Stephen to a battle, and lifted his coat, showing a belt loaded with at least twenty Poké Balls.
These were all the Pokémon Professor Oak had asked him to catch. Trainers from Pallet Town would often be asked by Oak to capture wild Pokémon for his research.
But taking care of so many Pokémon was a hassle—feeding them all was impossible.
After beating the Vermilion Gym, Red had planned to return to Pallet Town and deposit all but his main team with Professor Oak. But Oak had called, saying a researcher in Cerulean had invented a machine to transfer Pokémon over long distances, so there was no need for Red to make a special trip ho.
That's why Red was here.
Celio activated the video call function on the transfer device. Professor Oak, with noodles in his mouth, appeared onscreen.
"Oh! Celio, you called, so the transfer device must be done? Oh, Red and Dr. Stephen are here too!" Oak said, splattering soup on the screen.
Celio replied, "Professor, please activate the transfer button. I'll send Red's Pokémon over now."
After so fiddling, Red was left with just three Poké Balls. The rest were sent back to Oak.
"Amazing," Red said, uncharacteristically expressing his admiration. "This is so convenient."
"It's just like Hoopa's ability!" A small figure suddenly popped out from behind Stephen, startling Celio and Red.
It was the mischievous Hoopa!
"Is that the legendary Hoopa? The one from the Sinnoh Island incident, who transferred hundreds of thousands of people to Kalos in an instant..." Celio exclaid.
At that ti, Hoopa's reputation was legendary—without her, at least half the people on Sinnoh Island wouldn't have survived.
"Hehe~ Another person recognized Hoopa! Hoopa is aweso~" Hoopa puffed up proudly and, to show off, tossed her golden ring, reached through it, and snatched Oak's cup noodles through a portal.
"Ah! My noodles!" Oak cried.
Red and Celio were stunned—this was even more outrageous than the rumors.
"Big Brother Stephen, want so?" Hoopa offered the remaining noodles to Stephen.
"No thanks," Stephen replied. Who wants leftovers from an old man?
"Okay then." Hoopa tossed the noodles back to Oak.
"With the transfer device finished, we'll be on our way," Stephen said, preparing to leave.
He had other things to do in Kanto besides helping Celio.
At this mont, Red stepped in front of the door, blocking Stephen's way.
"Please... battle ," Red said, as if unused to speaking.
Red had grown up listening to stories about Stephen. While he didn't worship him to the extent that Blue or Serena did, he still admired him. And, as soone whom Professor Oak called "the man of battle," how could he not challenge the League's number one?
Oh, and by "League's number one" instead of "world's number one," it's because there's soone else...
Stephen glanced at the three Poké Balls left on Red's belt and smiled, "Your team doesn't look complete."
"I'm not afraid of losing," Red replied. He knew he couldn't possibly win, but as a true battler, facing a stronger opponent excited him—regardless of the outco.
"...I've got ti lately, so let's battle," Stephen said, not refusing Red.
After all, beating up a future master trainer before he grows up—why not? Even when Red becos the Silver Mountain boss, Stephen wouldn't be afraid.
They went to the strait outside the lighthouse. Celio was excited, "Oh, sothing unexpected is happening. In that case, let ..."
"Let be the referee!" A lively, girlish voice interrupted.
The three turned toward the voice.
A girl, about ten, with waist-length hair, wearing tight sportswear and boots, skipped over. This kind of outfit often looks odd on a child, but it suits her surprisingly well.
"Who are you?" Celio asked, confused.
"Hi, everyone! I'm Green, but you can call 'Little Green.' I just got my starter Pokémon from Professor Oak. I'm from Pallet Town too, Red~" she said, winking flirtatiously despite her age.
Red frowned. From Pallet Town? But he knew all the kids his age in Pallet, and there was no one like her—especially soone so noticeable.
Sensing Red's confusion, Green explained, "I left Pallet as a child due to an accident and only recently returned, so it's normal for you not to know ~"
Looks like she finally dared show herself after hearing that Pryce was dead, Stephen thought.
In the original story, Green had escaped from Pryce with Silver, but because she held the Silver and Rainbow Feathers, she always had to hide and disguise herself to avoid pursuit. Now, with Pryce dead, she no longer needed to hide.
Based on her words, she'd returned to Pallet Town, reunited with her parents, and got her starter Pokémon, not stealing one as in the original.
"...Can we start?" Red ignored Green, focusing on Stephen.
"Mm," Stephen nodded, then asked Green, "Little Green, what Pokémon did you pick as your starter?"
"I'm not a little kid. I have a great figure," Green said, posing to show off.
Indeed, for a ten-year-old, her developnt was impressive—maybe even better than Karen's. In the future, she might even rival Malva.
"But don't fall for , Dr. Stephen. I'm more interested in your brother~" Green teased, then straightened up.
The League's official explanation for the Sinnoh Island incident was that Team Rocket and the Masked Man fought, with Team Rocket barely winning and the Masked Man killed. Green, still hiding in the underworld at the ti, was surprised but didn't believe it at first. After investigating in Sinnoh and confirming the Masked Man's death, she finally felt safe to return.
As for Joker, who killed the Masked Man, Green couldn't help but feel grateful. Approaching Stephen was partly to see if she could get closer to Joker and thank him.
Stephen: ...Is this another Marnie?
"Hehe~ Just kidding! I chose this one as my partner." Green threw a Poké Ball, and a lively Squirtle popped out and was hugged by her.
"I nad it 'Little Turtle.' Cute, right?" Green said, doting.
Stephen was speechless. He'd just checked Red's team and saw: Red—Charmander, Green—Squirtle, Blue—Squirtle.
Shouldn't it be Red—Charmander, Green—Bulbasaur, Blue—Squirtle? But both Green and Blue had Blastoise as their signature Pokémon. Poor Bulbasaur never gets any respect! Only in the manga does Red get Bulbasaur, giving the green frog so dignity. But Red using Venusaur and Green using Charizard is even weirder.
"Then, let be the referee!" Green shouted, running between the two.
"Next is a 3v3 battle between Alola League Champion Dr. Stephen and Red from Pallet Town. When one side's three Pokémon are unable to battle, they lose. Now...the battle begins!"
In Gym or Elite Four battles, the leader usually sends out their Pokémon first, so the challenger can adjust. But as soon as Stephen reached for his belt, Red already tossed one of his three Poké Balls.
With a flash of white light, a Charleon, tail ablaze, roared energetically.
Charleon, the evolved form of Kanto's starter Charmander!
"Your starter's already evolved? Well, not surprising—he set out two months before ," Green shrugged.
"This guy...he took the initiative against the League's number one?" Celio was shocked by Red's courage.
"How bold of you to make the first move!"
"Go, Kartana," Stephen smiled.
A deep blue, net-patterned Ultra Ball opened, releasing Kartana—one of the Ultra Beasts. As its na suggests, it was paper-thin, about thirty centiters tall, and floated lightly in the air.
"What kind of Pokémon is that? It looks so weird..." Green and Celio were confused.
Red took out his Pokédex. He rarely needed to use it, having morized all the Kanto and Johto Pokémon during his studies, but he'd never seen this one.
["Kartana, the Drawn Sword Pokémon, one of the Ultra Beasts. Grass/Steel type, with a body as light as paper, but can beco a sword that cuts through anything."]
The Pokédex's AI explained.
"Grass and Steel? Four tis weak to Fire—Dr. Stephen is being generous," Green comnted.
Red frowned. He'd rather be beaten quickly than have Stephen take him lightly.
"Don't misunderstand, Red. I didn't pick this to go easy on you. I intended to use it from the start. And you shouldn't underestimate it just because of type advantages," Stephen said calmly.
Red imdiately cleared his mind of distractions.
After a brief observation, Red commanded, "Smoke Screen."
Charleon released black smoke, covering the strait.
"Trying to disrupt Kartana's vision?" Green shouted.
"Swift."
From within the smoke, Red's voice rang out again. Suddenly, several glowing golden stars shot from the left, targeting Kartana.
"On the left?" Green and Celio thought.
Kartana effortlessly dodged, tilting its head as the Swift stars nearly grazed it. But the missed stars suddenly made a 180-degree turn and attacked from the right—Swift, like Magical Leaf, never misses, as it hos in on its target.
"Flathrower!" Red shouted.
"Attacking from both sides?" Green thought instinctively. The Swift had just co from the left.
But to her surprise, the Flathrower ca from below Kartana.
What? Swift ca from the left—how did Charleon end up below Kartana?
"He used Swift's homing ability," Stephen saw through it imdiately.
After using Smoke Screen, Charleon had moved directly below Kartana, then fired Swift to the left, letting it curve around to fake his position.
Red's tactical mind was impressive. Even with a huge overall gap, he could still surprise you.
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