Aftermath

Each step felt like a mountain to climb as her body shook with nervousness and exhaustion. The wind remained soft a gentle with the waves crashing lightly on the sandy beaches of Vermilion City. From the burning sunlight above to the glistening water, everything seemed perfect, but there was spilt blood in the air that stung the noses of hundreds. She continued to move her way through the crowd of saddening eyes with the background of Kanto supporting her. Mt. Moon even seemed to droop slightly from its peak as it had become common knowledge of Team Rocket's critical attack. From the hundreds dead from the attacks, this was yet another ceremony to commemorate those who fought and the Pokemon that died trying to protect their homes. Cynthia's blond hair had been tied into a bun behind which bounced at each step, but even the Sinnoh Champion did not feel comfortable after the event. She had managed to hold off Giovanni, but it had come at a horrible cost with Steven Stone perishing as a result. Hoenn had lost its Champion, and one of the most talented trainers to ever appear on earth. Cynthia breathed heavily as she blinked tears away, her mind tiring, but the podium drew nearer as slight sobs from the public rang around. Loved ones were pulled close with a cruise ship appearing on the horizon to pick up the remainder of the Kanto citizens who wished to flee.

Cynthia stood behind the dark podium at the mass of people looking in different directions. She winced slightly, holding her broken right arm for support, before announcing solemnly. "This marks a very saddening day here in the Kanto Region. A day where we remember those who passed fighting to protect us all from the forces of evil. My friend, Steven Stone, perished trying to defeat Giovanni, the Team Rocket leader, and today we give our respects to them all."

Her voice cracked as she was forced to slow down and breathe heavily before continuing. Every time she blinked the images of her battle and the exploding building seemed to wreck her mind. From Steven Stone's body turning to complete dust, to Giovanni's rippling laughter and his sudden burst of mysterious energy. She hadn't figured out how his Pokemon had become so strong, and how he had managed to survive the explosion, but she had held him off enough for him to leave. Even now her ears picked up the echoing laughter from him as trauma set into her body sending adrenaline into a mixture of fear and repulsiveness. More tears fell from the crowd as she resumed as best she could. "Steven had many accomplishments in his life, and none more impressive than his role in dismantling Team Aqua and Magma several years ago. He held the Champion spot continuously and defeated any challengers that approached him with ease only a Champion could have. His death does not mean a failed task, but a successful one where he completed secretive orders. He is still saving people even though he is not here, his actions inspiring a generation."

Applaud rang around as Cynthia smiled weakly, holding her bandaged arm again, as many familiar faces in the crowd nodded in agreement. Professor Oak was amongst them as he stood up in the dispersing crowd and shook the hands of some of the other Ace Trainers and Champions that were available to visit Kanto in such a dangerous time. His hair seemed to have greyed even more than usual over the past week, but he knew how important it was for Steven to have completed this task. Squeezing his way through more sobbing individuals, Oak arrived in front of Sinnoh Champion Cynthia as they shook hands.

Oak spoke softly: "Touching speech, Cynthia. You and Steven destroyed the Team Rocket influence from Vermilion City, surely a win for us?"

Cynthia wiped tears from her eyes before replying. "It is a victory, but one we cannot rest upon. Kanto is not safe, Professor, and you are in danger here."

"I understand Cynthia, and my Pokemon Lab and the Pokemon within it are being transported to Kalos for the time being."

"Kalos? Why such a drastic move, Professor?"

Kalos was a long flight away from Kanto and another Region that had its own issues with international terrorism, but nothing as severe at what Team Rocket had proved to be. Cynthia had travelled there several times in her youth, but had never found much memorable about the Region apart from its powerful Elite Four and Champion.

Oak stroked his chin before adjusting his white lab coat and responding. "Something has come up over there that I wish to research, and it may take several months, or even years."

"Understood. I am going to Hoenn for now, the rest of our group will remain in Johto before taking Kanto back in the future. Please keep me up to date on your research."

"Of course, Cynthia. But there is one thing I wish to pass on to you." Oak placed his brown back to one side as the crowd began to disappear towards the arriving cruise ship down below on the harbour. Rummaging through his pockets, he took out a single small Pokeball, cracked and burnt black in some areas, and passed it towards Cynthia. "This is only surviving Pokemon from Steven's arsenal here. I think it is important that you keep it, but I am unsure of it's power."

Cynthia recognised the Pokeball instantly, and it was a fairly new Pokemon caught by Steven from the Hoenn Region. Taking the Pokeball she breathed heavily before placing it into her pocket and wiped her eyes before shuddering in exhaustion again. "Thank you, Professor Oak. There are many questions left unanswered here about Team Rocket, and Giovanni. His is powerful."

"You all will figure it out, I am sure of it. But Kalos is calling, and I will have to leave."

"Farewell."

Professor Oak nodded and turned away, picking up his brown bag and heading towards the hills back to Pallet Town. Team Rocket may be a large threat, but something had happened in Kalos that was unavoidable but somehow expected. An event that happened thousands of years ago had occurred again out of nowhere, and it was no coincidence with the reappearance of Giovanni. Oak had to work it out, and his mind immediately began running over the little research done already and the large amount that had to be complete. Red was still missing despite the world in horror, and Blue had vanished completely as well from sight. His son, Rod had safely escaped to the Hoenn Region, but Giovanni wouldn't be so stupid to stop chasing him down. Professor Oak had seen it all before, and he had heard it all before, but from where? He had to figure it out, and hopefully before the inevitable happened.

From afar, the conversation had been seen between Professor Oak and Cynthia and the curious eyes had widened. The cruise ship had finally begun to move, but with new information and orders given, work would begin as soon as it reached Hoenn on its way to Sinnoh to the north. Damon licked his lips, placing the small single-eye binoculars back in his green bag. His brown hair blew in the wind as he gazed at the flat plains of Kanto knowing his next target was someone much younger and experience than himself. Letting the darkness take over him had made him stronger than ever, but his job was to blend in, to follow a personal dream before detouring down an evil path. Easy done, and easy money would be given, but Hoenn would not be safe as long as he was there. Walking away from the metal railing, and making his way past a group of people chatting furiously about the events, he took out a small transceiver from his pocket and scrolled to the messages portion of it. The instructions were clear, and former Rocket Agent Proton would be on hand to meet him as soon as he arrived. However, one name would remain on his mind, and he had to find him and bring him back to earth from the heaven that Hoenn was to him. Nowhere was safe, but for now Damon knew he had a few hours to think it through with his first actions to begin soon...

…

Giovanni had spent at least an hour in the shower trying to wash the dirt off his skin, but the warm water led to relaxation and comfort. Seeing Steven Stone diminish in front of his very eyes had awoken something he hadn't felt since he met Red all those years ago. A feeling of victory and success, and also a true test that the power he had gained was a reality; he was unstoppable and not even Cynthia could defeat him. Sliding his hands against the tiled walls he knew work still had to be done to control the power, but that would be where Red came into the picture. Blue's son may have escaped to Hoenn, but orders were already in place to have him stopped and brought down. He couldn't stop smiling at a time of so much success and with Kanto nearly under complete control, there was nothing that could stop the Team Rocket revolution. No heroes would appear, and he would be certain of that, nobody would get in the way.

Drying off and getting dressed, Giovanni made his way back into the office of the former Silph Co building in Saffron City. Six Pokeballs lay on his desk, glowing red and shuddering, as he looked at them and focussed his mind. The Pokeballs floated in the air before being gently placed back down, but why could he not control for more? His Pokemon listened under his commands, but they hadn't truly released their full power, what was stopping him? His concentration was broken by a sudden buzzing from the transceiver on his desk nearby. Walking towards it, Giovanni picked it up and gazed at the contact before answering the call hastily.

He spoke. "I believe this is the first time you've ever phoned me, Red."

The reply came angrily as Red's rough tone appeared with background noise. "I am waiting for Blue, you promised me him and I require his services."

"Blue is on route to you, we are just having complications." Giovanni licked his lips knowing he couldn't lose this contact. Red was too strong a trainer to have as an enemy, and the fact Kanto actually thought their hero was on the good side had always made him laugh. Red had done just as much sacrilege as himself, and soon the world would realise how pathetic of a trainer and person he was. "We are trying to bribe him to see you."

"I know you are seeking his son, but Blue is smarter than that. I know him, I grew up with him. Perhaps I should search for him myself."

"Hold on a bit longer, Red. I assure he will be delivered to you."

There was a pause before Red spluttered back. "You know the deal Giovanni, and you need the information I have regarding your...power."

As the transceiver clicked off, Giovanni wiped a drip of sweat from his forehead before sending another message onto Damon. His hope now lay in the new organisation forming in Hoenn where his influence would grow continuously. Kanto may be his target for now, but his goal had always been world domination. Every employee for Team Rocket would work towards this even if their life and Pokemon depended on it. Damon had to be successful, and he had seen the power of his battling prowess so many times in the past. He had come out of nowhere, but his loyalty and ability had led to many Team Rocket successes as of late including the Celadon City Fire. Damon would complete the job, and Rod would be brought in with Red finally coming back to the world to assist.

Team Rocket would remain unstoppable once and for all, and there was nothing that could stop them. Giovanni smiled, placing the device down and sitting at his desk where the Pokeballs began to mysteriously float again as he focussed his mind to get them to work...