Lawrence's fate remained unknown. After searching for hours, no one could find any trace of him.
Meanwhile, Klein—exhausted from the battle—was sitting on a rock, feeding Plusle, Minun, and his two Clawitzer with a pile of food.
Ash and his friends, equally fatigued, arrived at Klein's location. The moment Team Rocket's trio spotted Klein, they bolted without hesitation, disappearing in a flash.
Klein's merciless methods during the Indigo Plateau Conference, combined with recent rumors of his ruthless nature, had left such a deep impression that even Team Rocket didn't dare to stay near him.
As for trying to steal his Pokémon? That was completely out of the question.
Lucario's overwhelming performance in battle had been etched into their minds. They wouldn't dare risk provoking it.
Watching Klein's Pokémon, Ash couldn't help but feel puzzled.
"I don't recognize a single one of these Pokémon…"
Seeing Ash's admiration, Klein merely shook his head.
"You'll encounter them eventually—once you start traveling to other regions."
After some thought, Tracey patted Ash on the shoulder.
"I've observed them closely. Klein's Pokémon come from three different regions. Ash, you'll need to work hard if you want to see them all."
Unlike the two boys, Misty was thrilled as she approached Wailord and Clawitzer, her eyes sparkling.
"A Wailord… I've never seen a Water Pokémon this gigantic before! And Clawitzer… They're all amazing!"
Ash and Misty were already familiar with Klein, but this was Tracey's first time meeting the Elite of Sandstorms.
Feeling a little uneasy, he focused on analyzing Lucario's fusion combat style.
"Lucario's battle strategy reminds me of ancient wartime tactics—certain military formations used similar strategies. After the Pokémon League was founded, one-on-one battles became the norm, so tactical formations like these gradually disappeared. But combining Clawitzer with Lucario… that's something I've never seen before."
Impressed by Tracey's knowledge, Klein nodded.
"Ancient armies relied on group-based warfare. Back then, people didn't fully understand Pokémon abilities, but studying historical battle records can still provide inspiration."
"You two are speaking another language! I don't understand a thing!"
Ash, frustrated, protested loudly.
Seeing this, Klein and Tracey laughed, choosing to drop the topic.
Although Ash was as straightforward as ever, he knew this wasn't the right time to challenge Klein—he wasn't ready.
Seeing Ash uncharacteristically quiet and composed, Klein decided to humor him.
"Gary will be challenging the Johto League soon. What's your plan, Ash?"
Hearing his longtime rival's name, Ash hesitated for a moment before shaking his head.
"Right now, I'm just focusing on passing the Orange League's trials."
With the Shamouti crisis resolved, news of Ash's heroic deeds spread across the Orange Islands.
The people hailed him as the Kanto trainer who saved them.
Meanwhile, the Orange League's leaders were being widely criticized for their incompetence.
The contrast was glaringly obvious—while the Kanto League had produced a hero, the Orange League had failed to act at all.
This only fueled support for the Orange Islands' integration into the Greater Kanto Alliance, with many arguing that merging the leagues would improve the quality of their trainers.
Calls for unification grew stronger after the crisis, especially with Ash's upcoming challenge against the Palace of Victory.
It was clear that an invisible hand was accelerating the Orange League's merger process.
Unlike the powerful and deeply rooted Johto League, the Orange League had no real ability to resist Kanto's influence.
Aside from Drake and the Palace of Victory, the entire Orange League administration was swiftly removed from power.
Kanto's Ice-type Elite Four member, Lorelei, was now in full control of the Orange Islands.
She was overseeing the creation of new Gyms and Pokémon Centers, reshaping the league entirely.
Meanwhile, Klein was reassigned back to Cinnabar Island to continue overseeing the Interregional Exchange Conference.
Viridian City – Team Rocket Headquarters
Giovanni gently moved a chess piece forward.
"This game… you've won again."
Across from him, a high-ranking Silph Co. executive smirked.
"It's not the game you lost, Giovanni. It's your focus."
Looking at the unfinished chessboard, Giovanni's eyes flickered with a strange light.
"This recent incident has restored Silph Co.'s business in the Orange Islands. With the Southern Isles' high-yield fruit trade back in motion, we can expand our operations."
The true head of Silph Co. scoffed.
"The Orange Islands and their resources are nothing more than an appetizer. The real battle is yet to come—in the larger regions."
The Greater Kanto Alliance encompassed Kanto, Johto, and multiple smaller territories, including the Orange Islands.
Given its proximity to Kanto, the Orange League's merger was practically inevitable.
However, Silph Co. wanted to accelerate the process.
As the wealthiest conglomerate in Kanto, Silph Co. had always expanded alongside the Pokémon League, claiming local resources and growing even more powerful.
"By the way, I heard you invested in that Cinnabar Island school?"
This statement made Giovanni frown slightly.
Silph Co.'s top competitor, Devon Corporation, had always been its greatest rival.
Their constant clashes in various industries had never ceased.
For the Silph executive to bring this up meant he had noticed something.
"Yes. But it's not important."
Giovanni wasn't concerned about Klein's background.
Even though Devon Corp. was influential, its reach didn't extend into Kanto.
His investment in the Cinnabar school had nothing to do with Devon—it was because he saw potential in Klein.
"If his rise is inevitable… then I'd rather push him forward myself."
"That's my view as well."
Their conversation remained polite yet cryptic.
Neither revealed their true intentions.
For a moment, they simply sat in silence, sipping their tea.
For years, Team Rocket had been Silph Co.'s secret weapon—its shadowy enforcer.
But as Giovanni grew stronger, the Silph executives began to feel like they were losing control.
The Mewtwo incident on New Island had intensified this tension.
Silph Co. had never expected Giovanni to secretly create such a powerful Pokémon behind their backs.
"I have no ulterior motives," Giovanni said calmly.
The Silph executive narrowed his eyes.
"I'll continue to trust you… for now."
Then, without another word, the man stood up and left.
Giovanni smirked.
"Foolish Silph Co…"
Ice Island – Shamouti Archipelago
After healing Articuno's injuries with Heal Pulse, Klein recalled his Pokémon and prepared to leave.
"Goodbye, Articuno."
But before he could turn away—
Articuno let out a clear cry, and a brilliant blue light flashed in the sky.
A beautifully shaped Ice Crystal gently floated into Klein's hand.
Under the moonlight, it radiated a mesmerizing glow.
The moment Klein touched it, he felt an immense surge of energy.
This was no ordinary Ice-type Z-Crystal.
Imbued with Articuno's essence, it enhanced all Ice-type moves significantly.
It even resonated with his DNA Splicers, forming a unique energy imprint—
A Z-Move catalyst for future battles.
But Klein wasn't interested in doing ridiculous dance moves.
"This is your gift?"
Articuno let out a proud cry—then flapped its wings, sending a chilly gust of wind straight at him.
Clearly, it was telling him to leave.
A tsundere Articuno, huh?
"At least do a little farewell dance for me, would you?"
As Klein walked away, Articuno let out a final cry, then vanished into the snowy skies.
(End of Chapter)