Subzero Sovereign

As more flying Pokémon charged forward, Lola released two more of her Palladium stage Pokémon: a Poliwrath, which stood on the back of Mantine, and a monstrous Gyarados, which descended towards the ground to settle near the other trainers, ready to defend them from unexpected attacks. With the emergence of these powerful Pokémon, the wild Pidgeot retreated, sending lower stage Pokémon to rush forward in its place.

Both Mantine and Poliwrath wasted no time in taking the offensive, unleashing massive water blades that tore through the ranks of wild Pokémon in the sky. As Palladium stage Pokémon joined the fray on both sides, the clashes between lower stage Pokémon became insignificant in comparison.

A wild Tauros, also of the Palladium stage, charged forward with the intent to break through the defense line in one fell swoop. Lola, high in the air, quickly noticed the threat and commanded her Gyarados on the ground to intercept. "Gyarados! To your three, Dragon Rage!" she shouted.

The Gyarados instinctively followed its trainer's command, unleashing a fully powered Dragon Rage. The sheer force behind the attack crystallized the ground due to the extreme heat it emitted. However, despite the ferocity of the attack, it was only able to halt the Tauros in its tracks.

With the help of the two new high-level trainers joining the fray, the defensive line stabilized and even showed signs of tipping the scales in their favor. The captain, who had been dazed all this while due to the miraculous rescue, had no idea who these duo were, but he quickly composed himself. With Palladium stage Pokémon now on the front lines, he directed more than half of the remaining trainers into the town to clear out the wild Pokémon and assist the people in evacuating.

Meanwhile, a few hundred miles south of the Cinnabar Islands, where the vast sea spread as far as the eye could see, three patrol ships belonging to the League were dumping canisters into the sea containing stimulants. Unbeknownst to everyone on the ship, Articuno had already initiated a massive sea tide, and they were on their way. These men on the ship had no idea that the League was using them as fodder to attract the attention of the natural legendary towards the south of Blackthorn territory.

"Aren't you curious as to what these canisters hold? Should we be dumping random stuff into the ocean?" questioned a trainer, unable to contain his curiosity.

The vice captain, who was overseeing the operation, replied, "We've just received orders, and we're following them. As for what the canisters hold, that's a question way above our pay grade."

Although their ships were being supported by Palladium stage water Pokémon, the vice captain felt uneasy for some reason.

All communications had been carefully blocked by the League, so these people had no idea of the massive tide that had engulfed the entirety of Johto and Kanto. They were simply told they were carrying out a classified mission to help secure their shores from wild Pokémon in the future.

Just as the ships were dumping more canisters into the sea, the calm surface beside the lead ship broke, and a Dewgong jumped up, landing on the deck of the ship. This was the captain's Dewgong. The captain had left earlier to scout the surrounding waters because he felt the situation was too abnormal.

The vice-captain rushed forward, but the state of the Dewgong left him shocked. The Pokémon had almost half its body ripped out, one of its flippers missing, numerous bone-deep gashes and bite marks, and even one of its eyes gouged out. The Palladium stage Pokémon was on its last breath.

"Dew, De, Dewgong," the Pokémon tried to convey the captain's last message to the crew. The vice-captain, familiar with the Pokémon, quickly understood the message: their captain was dead. The entire crew froze in shock. Their captain was no ordinary trainer; he was a Champion-class trainer with two Aurora stage Pokémon to his name.

The only reason the League sent such a strong trainer to death was that these were trainers who still believed in the original principles of the League when Samuel Oak was in the lead. Such people were a hindrance to the current chairman, and a strong Champion-class trainer had enough sway in the League. Thus, the chairman aimed to eliminate them, retaining only those loyal to his cause and eliminating unsavory elements.

The news of the Captain's death hit the vice captain like a rampaging Tauros, but duty to his crew compelled him to act swiftly. With more details from the Dewgong, he quickly understood the situation: a massive Pokémon tide was headed their way.

"Drop what you guys are doing! We need to evacuate from this area immediately! Release all your Pokémon and relay my orders to the other ships!" The vice captain commanded urgently. Instinctively, he eyed the canisters, sensing their connection to the tide. But now was not the time to dwell on that topic. Within minutes, all three ships were hastily making their way back to the nearest port town, assisted by their water-type Pokémon, moving at staggering speeds.

Behind them, mist and frost started to form, with a massive shroud of fog covering as far as the eye could see. Even the sunlight was obstructed by the thick clouds overhead. Nervousness pervaded the crew as they experienced a phenomenon they had never encountered before. The vice captain, too, was unnerved, unaware of the situation.

Suddenly, a powerful yet enraged screech resonated throughout the seas. The temperature plummeted, and within moments, the temperature surrounding the ship dropped to sub-zero. Despite the bone-chilling cold, every trainer remained on high alert, fearing the unknown.

As the fog engulfed the ships, visibility became poor, and everything blurred into obscurity. Then, a massive shadow flew past atop the ships. Due to the low visibility, not many detected what exactly the Pokémon was. But the vice captain, an Aura user, stood frozen in shock. He had seen it before in records: Articuno, the embodiment of ice itself, a natural legendary pokemon.

With a loud screech, Articuno dove down like a torpedo, piercing through one of the ships from top to bottom. The ship, entirely made from the highest quality metal, stood no chance against the fearsome creature. Within moments, the ship exploded with a resounding boom as its engine was compromised.

Before the trainers from the other two ships could react, Articuno emerged from the waters, undeterred by the sea. With a powerful beat of its wings, it rose from the sea, its icy aura coating its wings. None of the Pokémon present dared challenge the majesty of the natural legendary.

Articuno sank its talons into the side of the second ship and, with one powerful heave, lifted the entire vessel from the sea's surface as if it were a mere toy. The thousands of tons of metal seemed insignificant in front of Articuno's might. With an icy aura coating its wings, the Pokémon slashed, severing the ship neatly in two.

By this time, many trainers who had jumped into the sea were surrounded by thousands upon thousands of Pokémon, and what followed was absolute bloodshed. Limbs were ripped, Pokémon swallowed whole—it was utter chaos.

As Articuno flew higher, beating its powerful wings, the vice captain, struggling for his life, keenly noticed that the legendary Pokémon seemed to be hurt, a massive gash running through its back, now sealed with ice.

****************************

Evergrande City, Hoenn

Two days had passed since the catastrophic event began, yet the League's efforts to suppress news of the massive tide's devastation proved futile. Despite their blockade, those in Hoenn and the true wielders of power remained largely unaffected, indifferent to events unfolding far from their immediate interests. Such was the nature of humanity—apathetic until directly impacted.

Meanwhile, in Evergrande City, the atmosphere buzzed with anticipation for the grand auction, slated to be the largest in Pokémon world history. However, not all attendees shared in the excitement. Visitors from Johto and Kanto wore somber expressions, particularly those with ties to the affected regions. Shock rippled through the crowd as news spread of the tide's breach into Kanto, the death toll already surpassing half a million—an estimate yet to account for areas wholly consumed by the calamity.

In a private wing designated for the Blackthorns, as the sun dipped low on the horizon, four figures convened around a modest table. It was a hastily arranged meeting, convened by myself, for I anticipated an extended absence from the Blackthorn clan following the night's events. We had received confirmation of the League's impending strike, coinciding with Team Rocket's machinations, at the auction's conclusion. Thus, I needed to ensure our family's continued growth during this upcoming period of my absence, albeit at a slowed pace, to avoid stagnation.

Seated before me were Isabel, Agatha, and Elder Theron. The dim light cast shadows upon their faces, reflecting the gravity of our situation. With each passing moment, the tension in the room grew palpable, an unspoken acknowledgment of the trials that lay ahead.

"Are you sure you want to do this, Aron? It's not too late to change your plans. We can send someone else to infiltrate Team Rocket, or we can hunt them down. Why risk yourself?" Isabel's concern was evident in her tone. She didn't like the idea of me personally going undercover. My mission was to locate the Blackthorn children kidnapped during the ambush when my parents were killed and gather more details about the incident. So far, I only knew of the League and Team Rocket's involvement, but other parties remained shrouded in mystery. To uncover the truth, I needed to delve into Team Rocket.

"No, Grandma Isabel, it wouldn't work," I replied, firm in my decision. "Team Rocket doesn't accept outsiders. They groom their members from a young age. My age gives me the perfect cover. No one outside our family truly knows my capabilities. They'll see me as a valuable asset, and because of my age, they'll believe they can easily mold me once they have me under control."

"But—" Isabel began, attempting to dissuade me.

"No, Grandma, it must be me," I interrupted, reassuring her. "And why worry? You know I have backup." I flashed a smile, alluding to the presence of Froslass, hidden in the shadows. Not even Agatha or Elder Theron knew I was protected by a legendary Pokémon. With Froslass by my side, I was confident I could escape any life-threatening situation, barring perhaps an encounter with a Pokémon like Rayquaza.

"I'm more concerned about what's happening back home," I continued, my worry evident. "I expected the League to take drastic action, but this... this is beyond reckless. How do they plan to stop such a massive tide with their limited strength? And Grandma, can our family handle two natural legendaries simultaneously?" My concern stemmed from knowing that Froslass was by my side, leaving the Blackthorn family with only six legendary Pokémon.

"Hehe!" Isabel chuckled softly. "Despite all your intelligence, you still prove to be naive at times, kid. Do you think the Blackthorn family, which has stood for millennia, lacks hidden cards? Remember, Aron, our apex wasn't reached after you started contributing; we were already standing on it before you were born. So stop worrying about us. We've weathered far harsher storms."

I understood Isabel's cryptic message. The Blackthorn family likely held more strength in reserve than even I was aware of. Alfred, in particular, seemed to have undisclosed Pokémon in his arsenal, always evading questions about them. It was a reminder that there was much I still didn't know about our family's power.

"So, how long will you be gone?" Agatha, seated beside us, questioned. Although she wasn't privy to the full extent of my plans like Isabel was, she knew I would be away from the family for quite some time. Unlike most other Blackthorn children, Agatha was deeply attached to myself, Lance, and Claire. My decision to infiltrate Team Rocket didn't sit well with her either. She had mentally resolved to actively hunt down anyone associated with Team Rocket to diminish their power. The people targeted by a maniac like Agatha feared her wrath.

Despite not yet reaching the legendary stage, Agatha was feared by many trainers due to her cruelty. She possessed two distinct personalities: one for her friends and family and another for her enemies. In the current Pokémon world, few hold as many monikers as Agatha, all earned atop countless corpses. Additionally, she was the foremost expert in torture and interrogation, capable of giving even me a run for my money in those techniques.

I swiftly handed out a few PSP devices that I had prepared. The resources meant for the core elders and those old monsters were passed to Isabel, while the ones intended for the family were given to Elder Theron. The resources designated for Alice, Lance, and the rest of the family were passed to Agatha, along with a few other items she might need for trading. I handed over my personal devices to Isabel, knowing that once I was captured, all my possessions would likely be confiscated.

Therefore, I couldn't risk carrying the regular PSP. Instead, I had created a miniature version with limited space to hold my Pokéballs and a few other resources. Each of my Pokémon was of supreme quality, from my Dragonair to my Lucario and Milotic. Even the Torchic I had recently acquired had been meticulously groomed with the best resources, already reaching Light Indigo Potential from its original Dark Blue Potential in just two days. With time, I aimed to push it even further to reach purple potential.

"How do you plan to carry your Pokéballs without risking them falling into the wrong hands?" Elder Theron questioned me, aware of the value of each of my Pokémon.

Before anyone could react, I took a small knife and plunged it into my arm without flinching. Theron shot up instinctively, but Agatha and Isabel merely squinted, knowing I wouldn't do something reckless. Chuckling, I calmed Theron down and proceeded to reveal a pitch-black, button-like device, which I inserted into my fresh wound. Using a small gas torch, I sealed the wound shut before applying a vial of liquid over it. To their surprise, the wound immediately scabbed over, leaving behind a pitch-black birthmark that looked entirely natural.

Placing the Pokéballs I intended to take with me on my hand, they vanished with a slight irritation on my skin, but fortunately, no tearing occurred.

"Hisssss," all three recoiled in shock. "Aron, is that what I think it is?" Isabel questioned, astonished by the device's stealthy concealment. Agatha examined my arm, attempting to detect the hidden device, but even with all her expertise, she couldn't find it.

"Ingenious! Aron, you must give me one of these devices," Agatha exclaimed with a wide smile. The PSP device was already groundbreaking, but with this upgrade, it gained a stealth function. Chuckling, I packed communication devices and potent mixtures of poison into the new PSP. I doubted these bastards had a hand in the incident during the expedition, but I was determined to pay them back by dismantling the organization from the inside, one brick at a time.

After carefully considering it, I decided to deposit the item provided by Rayquaza into the new device. After double-checking to ensure I had everything I needed, we prepared to depart for tonight's auction. Finally, after everything was set, I took a thick folder containing thousands of pages and placed it in front of Agatha with a loud thud alongside a digital stick.

Agatha raised her brow, not understanding its purpose. "Well, Grandma Agatha, I know the League was your dream. Once the current League is erased, I hope you can use this to create a new one. Although I can't guarantee these methods will mitigate all the politics involved, they will keep the new League true to its core values. I hope you can discuss this matter with Professor Oak and the Aura Guardians and establish the New League," I explained.

As I spoke, Isabel began flipping through the folder, growing more surprised with each page. This was something I had come up with after experiencing life twice among humans and Pokemon. While not perfect, it would be the best solution I could devise to foster harmony with Pokémon and pave the way for humanity's future.

This wasn't a decision made in haste. No, it was something I had been working on since my second life in the Pokémon world. I couldn't allow humans to repeat the same mistakes that would inevitably lead to annihilation.

"Why the folder? I'm sure the digital stick would suffice," Agatha chuckled, her delight evident. The corruption of the League that she had helped create had weighed heavily on her heart, and now, with my words, she felt a weight lift off her chest. She knew that I had never let my family down, and with Isabel's involvement and reaction, she knew it must be good, just as I promised.

"Ah, well, in the future, I can boast that I was the one to draft the entire thing, right? And I'll need some sort of token to remember it by. It will act as that token, which will etch my name forever," I commented ambitiously. I wanted the entire Pokémon world shaped according to my vision, and for that, the new League had to follow the structure I personally laid out.

Agatha was intrigued and wanted to take the folder, but Isabel swatted her hand away. "You can take a copy of the digital thing; the handwritten copy will remain within the Blackthorn vault for our future generations to admire," Isabel declared. With that, she carefully flipped through the papers, realizing that I had used the highest quality paper to ensure the records would last for countless years.

I simply shrugged at Isabel's action while Agatha pouted. Even Elder Theron wanted to know what the folder contained, as it was significant enough for the most senior Blackthorn to consider placing it in the vault like a historical record. Just then, a knock on the door caught our attention.