"I've been with Boss Giovanni for nearly ten years now," Vicious replied after a brief silence.
"You know the state of Team Rocket," Giovanni said, turning his gaze toward Vicious. "Ariana is currently holding down the fort at Lake of Rage. That's our only foothold in Johto, and it was nearly wiped out by the League and that mysterious interloper recently. Rebuilding it has been a chore."
"I need you to go to Johto, establish a new base of operations, and begin aggressive recruitnt. I can't spare many n right now, so I will provide you with all the funding and resources you require."
"Boss Giovanni, I am ready. I will not fail you," Vicious replied firmly.
"Excellent. While you're there, search for any leads on the mythical Pokémon, Celebi. After the battle at the Plateau, I realize just how powerful these beings are. Even though the wtwo project failed—genetic collapse, a pity—Dr. Fuji gained invaluable experience in gene sequencing. He is now looking into cloning mythicals."
"The three Legendary Birds fled after the battle, but Fuji has enough blood samples to begin embryonic cloning. Once we succeed, we can manufacture them at will. Team Rocket will beco the strongest power in the world." Giovanni laughed, his voice echoing through the office.
"Understood, Boss." Vicious bowed and exited.
Once he was gone, Giovanni summoned his secretary, Matori. "Matori, send the Dark Division to gather everything they can on the Sea God, Lugia. I suspect Goodshow will move against High Priest Shamon soon. He saw the power of the birds and he's desperate for a counterasure. Shamon's kin are in the Sevii Islands; Goodshow will lay a trap there. We must infiltrate the islands, protect the High Priest, and ensure Lugia doesn't fall into League hands. Saving Shamon will give us a massive political advantage in Johto."
"Yes, Boss. Also... Dr. Fuji wishes to see you. He says there has been a breakthrough in fossil resurrection."
Giovanni's eyes lit up. "Has he found a way to revive the ancient weapon, Genesect?" He hurried out of the office.
Team Rocket Laboratory
Dr. Fuji t Giovanni at the entrance. "Boss, forgive the summons, but I have news regarding the 'Apocalypse Bug.' The Genesect fossil we have is incomplete; we can't restore its primordial power through genes alone. However, in the data Feng Che copied from Team Plasma, I found Colress's research notes. He proposed augnting Genesect with a specialized hyper-alloy exoskeleton and modern weaponry."
"To do this, we need massive amounts of rare tals. And... I'd like Feng Che to assist in the research. His insight into Pokémon biology is unique."
Giovanni sighed. "I'm afraid that's impossible for now, Fuji. Feng Che is on a high-priority secret assignnt. He'll be away from base for an extended period. I promise he'll help once he returns. Na any other resources you need, and they are yours."
In Giovanni's mind, securing the Viridian Gym through Feng Che was the lynchpin of his Kanto strategy. Genesect could wait.
Cinnabar Island
Vulpix had been undergoing the Ninetales ritual for three days without food or water. Its body was thin, its fur dull.
"It's almost ti," the Ninetales leader said, standing up.
Suddenly, white flas erupted from Vulpix, turning the chamber into a sea of spirit-fire.
"Feng Che! It worked! Vulpix has inherited the Soul Fire," Ninetales shouted. "Quickly! Feed the flas with every Fire resource you have! If the fire dies now, the evolution will fail. The stronger the fire, the greater the foundation!"
Feng Che didn't hesitate. He emptied his storage ring of Fire Stones and rare coals into the white inferno. The flas roared, expanding ten tis in size. The process lasted another full day and night.
When the white fire finally contracted, a stunning, golden-furred Ninetales erged. A golden fla mark burned on its forehead, and each of its nine tails was tipped with a flickering white Soul Fire. It looked like a solar deity descending to earth.
After a mont, the Ninetales drew the flas back into its body, looking like a standard—if exceptionally majestic—Ninetales.
"That was its combat form," the leader explained. "In that state, its fire moves are twice as powerful. It has also awakened its Psychic sub-typing. Those Soul Fires can burn an opponent's spirit to instantly replenish its own energy. You have a true heir of Cinnabar now. If our kin ever face trouble, I hope you will return the favor."
Rainbow Breeding House
Feng Che returned and released his new Ground-type legion, carving out a specialized territory for the Hippowdon and Excadrill. He successfully shut the talkative Flygon's mouth by giving it a Heart of Earth and a Dragon Orb to feast on.
I still have that Pseudo-Legendary egg hidden here, Feng Che reminded himself. I need to find it soon.
Suddenly, Sabrina appeared in the yard, looking irritated. Behind her trailed a Golduck that looked like it had been through a war.
[Golduck: SAVE . Feng Che, you didn't find a goddess, you found a "God-Nerve"! She's trained more in three days than I've moved in three years!]
Golduck was currently using its telekinesis to hold a massive boulder above its own head, trembling as it tried to keep it from crushing its skull.
"Sorry, sorry! I was just... boosting my team's strength for the finals," Feng Che apologized, rubbing the back of his head. "But look at them! We're ready for anything now."
Sabrina smirked. "You seem confident. Good. We're out of ti. The primary selection starts tomorrow. We're teleporting to the Indigo Plateau now."
"Wait," she added. "Old Alakazam has finished his ditation. If you need anything, he's available."
Indigo Plateau: League Headquarters
The Plateau had been repaired since the Rocket attack, the craters filled and the buildings patched. It was the seat of power for the President and the Elite Four.
"Mr. Feng Che, you are registered for the Viridian Gym Leader Assessnt," Nurse Joy said, handing him a key card at the Pokémon Center. "Primary selection is tomorrow. Please stay within the facility to avoid disqualification."
"Thank you."
The Center was packed with injured Pokémon. "I'm sorry," Nurse Joy told a crowd of trainers. "We are prioritizing critical cases from the recent conflict. If you need minor recovery, please seek out a private Breeder on the grounds."
"Hey! Feng Che!"
Feng Che turned to see Red waving at him, with a cool-looking Blue standing nearby.
"You're here for the Viridian Gym too? I guess we're rivals now," Red said with a grin. "I've been looking forward to a real match with you!"
Blue, however, was staring at Feng Che with narrowed, suspicious eyes. He rembered the Rocket attack—specifically the Greninja that had summoned the storm. That frog... it felt familiar, Blue thought, his gaze lingering on Feng Che.
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