Pokemon: I Transmigrated Twice-Chapter 257: Pokemon: I Transmigrated Twice []

Under the Dragon Ascent, the MEGA Rayquaza seemed like an unstoppable arrow, containing a force capable of piercing through everything.

Primal Groudon and Primal Kyogre couldn't even react in time.

Let alone them—even the Hoenn League delegation spectating on-site was the same.

No one knew how much time had passed, until the fat-headed fish and the non-flying, backwards-flying opponent traced a parabolic arc of over half a mile in the air, reverting from their Primal forms to their original states even before hitting the ground, and then crashed down with a splash.

It was only then that everyone finally recovered their senses, revealing expressions of shock.

The two gods of land and sea, now returned to normal, were a sorry sight: one sprawled flat on the ground, the other lying on its back atop the sea, as if their spines had been ripped out.

"Hahahaha!"

Feeling herself turning into a bit of a meme, Zinnia let out a wild laugh, "Amazing! As expected of my cousin and Rayquaza! Even mastered Dragon Ascent! And at a time like this!"

"Dragon... Ascent..."

Many people from the Hoenn League subconsciously repeated the name of this move.

"With this move, there's no way we can lose! Prepare to die, Pokémon League!"

Zinnia put on a "I'd like to kill you, Kakashi" face as she spat out this last line, then waved to Marnie and Green, "Let's go back!"

The three girls summoned their Flying Pokémon and left, while Aster's Rayquaza returned to normal.

It was only then that Steven and the others noticed—in the opposite direction of the battlefield—a golden ring rapidly expanding.

"That Joker... has he been watching the whole time?"

Winona pursed her lips tightly.

Steven tried several times to speak, wanting to ask Zinnia whether the Hoenn League could apologize to settle this grudge, even if he and his father had to pay the price together.

After all, the world's largest official organization, the Pokémon League, and the strongest criminal organization in history, Team Rocket—once these two clashed, who could predict what would happen?

But seeing through his friend's thoughts, Wallace put a hand on Steven's shoulder and whispered, "As Dr. Stephen said, we shouldn't act rashly."

Publicly and privately, Wallace didn't want this matter exposed.

Publicly, because he was the Hoenn League Champion, and he had to protect the League's reputation.

Privately, his best friend was the son of the main culprit, and he didn't want Steven to be blamed for this.

...

"Good work, go get some rest."

After passing through the golden ring, Stephen first let the ones who contributed the most—Zinnia and Aster—go rest.

Green slumped against Stephen's shoulder, "Being a mediator is exhausting!"

Marnie secretly scooted closer.

"Is the battle going to start?" Cynthia tried to ignore the two girls flirting around, worry on her face.

If she took these things to heart, life would be unbearable. But then again, if Stephen wasn't such a flirt, they wouldn't have ended up together either.

Stephen: "A war right now is good for both sides. I'll explain later."

...

The next morning, every news outlet in the world was dominated by the story of land and sea's twin gods awakening, only to be instantly beaten down by Rayquaza.

Luckily, the citizens of Sootopolis had been evacuated ahead of time, so hardly anyone saw the figure riding on Rayquaza's back.

But it didn't cause much of a stir.

After all, these two show up every few decades, only to be beaten up by Rayquaza. Hoenn's people were used to it.

It's just like how Kalos people are used to Yveltal losing its mind when it wakes up, only to be beaten back by Xerneas.

That evening, on the Alola Channel, head anchor DJ Mary reported: "After discussion among the League's nine regions, it has been decided to launch a full-scale eradication campaign against the criminal organization Team Rocket. Alola Champion Dr. Stephen has officially issued a challenge to Team Rocket's King, Joker. The final showdown will take place on the Galar wild plains!"

The world was shocked!

People had wondered if Lusamine, after becoming the new chairman, would make a big move to prove herself.

But no one expected her to go this far.

She was taking on Team Rocket directly!

Everyone trembled at the scale of this earth-shattering battle, but also couldn't help being curious: where did Lusamine get the courage for this?

To explain, we have to rewind a few hours.

...

Slateport City, Hoenn League HQ meeting room.

The atmosphere was dead silent.

Outside, most Hoenn citizens went about their daily lives as usual. Even though their region's two legendary gods had just fought, it didn't affect them much.

It's just like how Kalos citizens are used to Yveltal causing trouble and Xerneas cleaning up.

Hoenn's people were used to Groudon and Kyogre brawling, and Rayquaza coming to clean up.

Rose, stepping through the golden ring, glanced at the calm city. "In a way, that mutant girl saved Hoenn. If Groudon and Kyogre had fought this time, Rayquaza might not have come."

The Hoenn officials' faces darkened, but none could argue.

Stephen struggled not to laugh.

He sighed—Rose's snark was as sharp as ever.

But the Rayquaza clan bears the duty of protecting this planet. Even if Zinnia's Rayquaza was mad at the Hoenn League and Devon Corp for their dirty tricks, another Rayquaza would have come.

In the anime, when Primal Groudon and Kyogre awakened, didn't MEGA Rayquaza show up to help?

"Chairman Rose, now's not the time for infighting," Lusamine stopped him.

As the Alola Chairman, she might have enjoyed the drama. But as the League Chairman, her perspective had changed.

Rose stared at Lusamine for two seconds, said nothing, and sat.

He always thought Lusamine only got this position by catering to Stephen.

"Thanks to this incident, we've also identified two Team Rocket members," Winona stood and turned on the projector, displaying Aster and Zinnia's faces.

"On the left is Aster, who—"

"Six years ago was killed by the Hoenn League and Devon Corp—no, almost killed. She's Rayquaza's owner. Her cousin is on the right, Zinnia, who planned all this to carry on Aster's legacy, right?"

Winona hadn't said much before Lorelei rudely interrupted, "Enough with the background. Let's get to the point: how do we deal with Team Rocket?"

Usually, Lorelei would roast the Hoenn League and freeze all the participants for good measure!

But not today. After the Rayquaza incident, she had no energy for petty matters. Team Rocket's growing strength had to be stopped.

"Team Rocket's even appeared in Paldea recently, which isn't good for the students. I hope we can resolve this soon," Geeta agreed.

Paldea, far from Kanto, had always stood for peace—just like Galar.

Even there, Team Rocket had appeared. Who knows how deeply they'd infiltrated the League?

"With Evil Hoopa, distance means nothing to Team Rocket. At this rate, they'll reach every corner of the planet. Honestly, I wouldn't be surprised if they go after parallel worlds next," said Sinnoh Champion Palmer.

"Is this the time for jokes?" Chairman Carolina rolled her eyes.

Parallel worlds? That's overkill.

Carolina: "But we can't let this go on. Stephen-kun, what do you think?"

"Launch a full-scale war," Stephen declared, shocking everyone.

The oldest champion, Alder, gaped, "Woah, woah, surely not? Shouldn't we reconsider?"

Even this room full of champions and elites couldn't imagine the two groups going to war.

"Do you want them to keep growing stronger?" Stephen retorted, silencing everyone.

Indeed, in just a few years, Team Rocket had grown to rival the League itself.

Let them keep growing, and who knows where they'd be in two years? Maybe parallel worlds, as Palmer joked.

"Any detailed plans, Stephen?" Steven licked his dry lips.

Recalling Zinnia's attitude, he knew only a fight could settle this.

With everyone watching, Stephen laid out his plan.

First and foremost: the location.

A single champion-level trainer could destroy a city. With both organizations combined, the number of champions was well into double digits.

Definitely not in a populated area.

Even the outskirts needed to be cleared of wild Pokémon.

Just like in the Marineford War, where the Navy evacuated families and Whitebeard left his logistics in the rear. Same idea.

But this war would dwarf Marineford by a long shot.

After discussion, the battlefield was set in Galar's wild area.

No special reason—just because it's the biggest wild area on the continent.

Finally, Stephen said he'd contact Joker. In one month, they'd fight here to decide the future of the world.

...

After the war was announced, the world was gripped with anxiety.

Even those who idolized Joker now prayed for the League's victory.

After all, Team Rocket was a criminal organization—how could they be allowed to rule the world?

Temples and churches everywhere were filled with people praying for the League's win.

"Miss Winona, um... about the Gym Challenge..." Ash asked Winona at Fortree Gym.

"Sorry, if I'm still alive next month, come back then."

Winona forced a strained smile.

Ash was about to answer when a shout came from the door: "Winona!" frёeweɓηovel.coɱ

Wallace dashed in, wiping sweat from his brow. "I might die on the battlefield next month. Before that, can you listen to my last wish?"

Winona stared at him for a long while, then finally nodded, making Wallace ecstatic.

Similar scenes played out all over.

Though the League, as the continent's ruler, had a bigger force, Team Rocket wasn't to be underestimated.

Overall, the League's odds were better, but no one could guarantee they'd make it back alive.

Not to mention, with Stephen and Joker's legendary Pokémon, a single misstep could be fatal...

With that in mind, every League trainer set aside their past hang-ups, striving to fulfill their last wishes this month—just in case.

Many, like Wallace, confessed their feelings to their lovers—or exes.

The same thing happened in Alola.

Nessa, Mary, and others watched as Stephen, like a nervous groom meeting his mother-in-law, bowed to Sonia. "If I survive the war, can I ask you to entrust Diancie to me?"

Through a crack in the curtains, Stephen watched with a strange expression.

Why should someone else's hard-raised Pokémon go to you?

But Steven's eyes seemed different.

...

Sinnoh's champion, Palmer, had barely arrived home before his wife pounced to make babies.

Her eldest son, always talking about fining people, was a lost cause. Her husband was about to go to war.

If Palmer died, she'd have nothing left. Time to make a backup kid.

...

Meanwhile, in Littleroot Town, Hoenn—

Ruby stared at his rarely-home father, at a loss for words.

He finally understood why his father had been gone for five years.

It was his fault.

Back then, he and Sapphire had accidentally entered the lab holding Rayquaza and were attacked by Zinnia's Salamence.

This indirectly led to Rayquaza's escape.

Norman took the blame for his son, saying it was his responsibility.

The Hoenn League banned Norman from Gym Leader tests for five years and made him track Rayquaza.

He'd also been part of the original Rayquaza capture plan.

Though not as ruthless as Zinnia's other enemies, he was still a target of her revenge.

So, Norman faced greater danger than most.

Even if he got lucky and beat Zinnia, let's not forget she had Aster with MEGA Rayquaza!

Honestly, Ruby couldn't imagine how his dad could survive.

"Ruby..."

Just as the tension peaked, Norman spoke first.

"If I die, take care of your mother."

...

August 13, the day before the war.

All League members gathered once more for the final strategy meeting.

"If this were a third-rate group like Team Flare or Galactic, we could just take out the boss. But with Team Rocket, that won't work. Neither Joker nor Giovanni can be taken down quickly," Stephen said.

Veterans like Steven and Lorelei analyzed Team Rocket's top cadre.

Joker's right and left hands: Karen, an expert in Dark types, and Psychic Fatty, an expert in Psychic types.

Their styles and teams were very balanced; also present was Green, one of the Seven Warlords.

Sird, with Dark Void and Dream Eater, wielded Darkrai. If you couldn't finish her in one blow, you'd lose.

Marnie, who excelled in Dark types, had reached champion level in just a year—another Warlord.

Then there was Zinnia, determined to take revenge on everyone involved in the Rayquaza capture plan, and Aster with MEGA Rayquaza.

"Although we have plenty of champions, to handle Team Rocket's champions with legends, it'll take at least three champions to win," Diantha smiled wryly.

Legendary Pokémon had that kind of impact.

"Only Stephen-kun can handle Joker. Giovanni goes to Leon—he has Eternatus. As for the rest..." Carolina frowned.

Her granddaughter Cynthia was about to give birth and couldn't fight; they still seemed short-handed.

"Don't worry—we have enough," Stephen smiled.

As he finished, the conference room doors opened.

Red! Ash! Blue! Gary! Ruby! Sapphire! Rosa! Hilda! Serena! Nemona!

"These kids are...?" Everyone was stunned.

Stephen smiled, "The most outstanding new generation from each region over the past two years."

He was tempted to call them "The Chosen Children."

"Brother Stephen, isn't one of us just here for show?" Gary pointed at Ash, who had Pikachu on his shoulder.