Three hours after the battle concluded...
At what was once Lysandre's secret lab—now serving as Team Rocket's temporary Kalos base—a pivotal meeting was underway, one that would shape the region's power dynamics for years to come.
Around a round table sat Luo Yuan, Matori, and Malva.
Standing nearby were Chalmers, now allied with Team Rocket, and the editor-in-chief of Lumiose Publishing House, one of Malva's key subordinates.
In a corner of the room, Mewtwo sat engrossed in a book, entirely uninterested in the proceedings.
Luo Yuan tapped the table, drawing everyone's attention.
"The main battle is over. Our priority now is dealing with Team Flare's remnants. I've been given full authority to handle all matters concerning Kalos."
Matori nodded in agreement, confirming his statement.
For this operation, Giovanni had not only lent Luo Yuan Mewtwo as support but had also granted him significant autonomy. This included deciding how to handle Team Flare and establishing a new Team Rocket division in Kalos.
Matori's role was straightforward: draft a report summarizing the operation and submit it to Giovanni. This level of trust spoke volumes about Luo Yuan's standing within Team Rocket.
Malva, observing this dynamic, found her perspective on Luo Yuan shifting yet again.
After defecting, she had met Giovanni and experienced his overwhelming presence firsthand. The man exuded an aura of control so profound it had left her deeply unsettled.
Now, realizing the extent of Giovanni's trust in Luo Yuan, Malva reevaluated his influence within Team Rocket.
Her thoughts were interrupted by Luo Yuan's voice.
"Malva, you're the one most familiar with both Team Flare and Kalos. Give us an overview of the current situation."
As a League Champion, Malva had used her position to shield Team Flare from scrutiny, making her second only to Lysandre in knowledge of the organization.
Taking a moment to collect her thoughts, Malva began:
"Team Flare is different from the criminal organizations in other regions. While officially deemed a 'dark organization' by the League, here in Kalos, it operates more in a gray zone."
"Thanks to Lysandre's strategies, Team Flare has maintained covert ties with influential figures in Kalos's political and business circles. And beyond being Team Flare's leader, Lysandre is also a renowned scientist and businessman.
"Capturing him is bound to cause significant upheaval across Kalos in the short term."
Luo Yuan and Matori exchanged a glance but showed no surprise.
They had anticipated these complications long before coming to confront Lysandre.
"That won't be an issue," Luo Yuan said. "Headquarters will assign someone to impersonate Lysandre and gradually phase him out of the public eye."
With one problem resolved, Malva brushed her hair back, her expression relaxing.
"In that case, everything else should be manageable. I know the locations of nearly all Team Flare bases. With Lysandre out of the picture, I'm effectively the highest-ranking member. I'll coordinate with headquarters to take over their operations."
Malva's cooperation would significantly reduce resistance during the takeover.
As for the inevitable dissenters—those too loyal to Lysandre's ideals to join Team Rocket—they all tacitly agreed not to mention it aloud.
No one would be leaving freely, that much was certain.
"With that settled, I hereby announce the official establishment of Team Rocket's Kalos Division," Luo Yuan declared.
He continued, "For now, Malva will act as the division's commander."
This decision had been made in consultation with Giovanni.
Neither Luo Yuan, soon to be a Champion in Johto, nor Matori, heavily involved in administrative duties, could stay in Kalos long-term.
With Xerosic captured and the organization's manpower stretched thin, Malva was the natural choice.
Given Lysandre's fate, she would have to be out of her mind to betray Team Rocket.
Hearing this, Malva's breathing quickened.
No one could resist the allure of power, and Malva was no exception.
While she had been a high-ranking member under Lysandre, her responsibilities were limited to public relations. Now, as commander of an entire division, her authority was on an entirely different level.
This disparity only deepened her sense of allegiance to Team Rocket.
Taking a deep breath to calm herself, Malva spoke with newfound determination.
"I'll carry out my duties. What's headquarters' plan for the Kalos Division?"
She had already begun thinking like a Team Rocket executive.
"In addition to absorbing Team Flare's resources, headquarters wants the division to operate discreetly," Luo Yuan explained.
"With Kanto undergoing restructuring, we can't afford to draw the League's attention. For now, the Kalos Division will continue using Team Flare's identity to maintain cover."
"As for Lysandre's 'Ultimate Weapon' project? It's over. Team Rocket has no interest in world-ending schemes. Instead, the division will focus on commercial ventures—starting with expanding holographic communication technology into Kanto."
Luo Yuan shook his head at the thought.
Such a practical innovation had been confined to Kalos simply because Lysandre lacked the vision or ambition to develop it further.
After his arrest, Devon Corporation had acquired the patent, integrating the technology into their PokéNav systems.
Now, with Team Flare under Rocket control, Luo Yuan had no intention of letting Devon reap the rewards.
"Understood," Malva said, nodding firmly.
The meeting continued with Luo Yuan addressing logistical details, such as minimizing disruptions from Lysandre's sudden "retirement."
He assigned Mewtwo to escort Lysandre and the other captured leaders back to Team Rocket's Kanto headquarters.
Afterward, Luo Yuan departed for Kanto, leaving Matori temporarily behind to assist Malva in consolidating Team Flare's remnants.
---
Note: The PokéNav Plus, introduced in Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire, was developed by Devon Corporation and included holographic communication features.
T/N: Chapter 300...