The Champion's seat in any region is no trivial matter. A change at that level sends ripples through the entire Unova region—bringing opportunity to some, and upheaval to others.
Although Alder had taken up the mantle of Champion in Kanto, everyone knew that leaving the region he'd cultivated for years would deal a massive blow—not just to him, but to the influence he'd built there.
And then there was Lance, who had long held the dual titles of Champion for both Kanto and Johto. Now, even he had been stripped of that rare distinction.
But the biggest question on everyone's mind: Who exactly was this N?
Traditionally, regional Champions are chosen from among the Elite Four or Gym Leaders—those who have not only proven their strength, but also cultivated deep roots and balanced ties across various factions. Surprise appointments are exceedingly rare.
Let alone giving the title to someone like N—an outsider, not even part of the League.
Many within the League were deeply unsettled by this move. But under the weight of President Goodshow's authority, no one dared voice opposition.
The plan was simple: let the new, young Champion take office, then quietly make things difficult for him—subtly nudging him to back down on his own.
But once the inauguration ceremony began, all such schemes and doubts were swept away.
Despite the rushed timing, the ceremony was solemn. Standing beneath the spotlight was N—green-haired, calm, strikingly handsome—accepting Goodshow's appointment with quiet composure. In an instant, this flawless young man became the center of attention. All eyes across the world turned to him—and to the towering black dragon behind him.
Zekrom.
The partner of the Hero of Ideals.
Now, alongside Volkner—the Hive's leader—N became another who had been chosen by a Legendary Pokémon.
Within moments, headlines across the globe lit up with his name. N was everywhere. He was untouchable.
Far away, in the highest meeting room of the Indigo Plateau, several of the Pokémon League's most powerful figures watched the broadcast on a massive screen: Lucius, Anabel, Lance, Alder, Brandon, and all four of Kanto's Elite Four sat silently in attendance.
As he watched the new Champion of Unova take his oath, Lucius smiled faintly.
N…
Team Plasma had been thoroughly routed. And yet, their Leader had not only survived—he had joined the League. Now, he stood at the top of Unova.
A so-called ambassador of peace between humans and Pokémon.
Lucius chuckled at the title.
He could already guess why the Pokémon of Pledge Grove had voluntarily called for a ceasefire.
N had the ability to hear the hearts of Pokémon—a rare trait among humans. The original canon even hinted that his mother might have been a Pokémon herself. Many speculated she was a Gardevoir...
Regardless of his bloodline, N made a fitting ambassador. A bridge between species.
"Looks like the President picked N to be the counterweight to Volkner," Agatha said calmly.
Only a Legendary Pokémon could stand against another. Goodshow's move to put N forward—backed by Zekrom—was clearly intended to check Volkner's growing influence, to create a semblance of balance.
"Hah! They don't realize the Hive already controls Regigigas. One Zekrom isn't enough," Brandon scoffed with a laugh.
"I doubt Zekrom is all they have," Lucius said with a sigh.
Back in the underground that day, Lucius had seen the golden cross-shaped ring protecting Goodshow. That symbol… he knew what it meant. If that being stood behind the President, then even with three Legendaries under his control, he would still be at a disadvantage.
"Seems the President plans to shift the League's center of power toward Unova," Lorelei noted, sipping her coffee.
Everyone present in that room was not only high-ranking within the League—they were also secretly members of the Hive's inner circle in Kanto. Naturally, they could see the bigger picture behind Goodshow's maneuverings.
Alder gave a soft sigh. He understood the reason behind his reassignment. But he'd been wanting to retire for a while anyway. In that sense, maybe this wasn't such a bad thing.
"It won't matter," Brandon said. "The Hive is everywhere. With Plasma defeated, not even the President can keep us out of Unova."
Lucius had made a deal with Goodshow: the Hive would not interfere in this particular Unova incident. But once it concluded, travel and activity would return to normal.
For example, if Devon Corporation wanted to sell its products in Unova, then their personnel would have to go. That was legitimate business. The League had no grounds to stop it.
In other words, the Hive's presence in Unova was inevitable. It was only a matter of time before the infection spread.
"Exactly," Lucius nodded. "Unova won't pose a problem. The uprising by the Pokémon and Plasma may have failed, but Lugia and the other Legendaries won't stop here. The next strike could come fast—and hard. What matters now is finding the rest of the Legendaries. Lugia's side is surely recruiting too."
"Right. And what about that Pokémon prison beneath Mt. Silver?" Agatha interjected. "Those Pokémon aren't doing anything in there. Why not put them to use?"
"Agreed," Lucius nodded. "Agatha, I'll leave the integration to you."
That prison was a special League facility for holding savage, high-level Pokémon—usually those above Leader class. Two King-tier Pokémon wounded by Brandon and Noland during the chase for Giovanni were locked up there as well.
Many of the Pokémon inside were unimaginably powerful.
The League had kept them alive because they were too valuable to kill, yet far too dangerous to release near human settlements.
But the Hive? Control was their specialty. Once infected with a virus, rebellion was no longer an option. They'd become as docile as a Gloom in a sunhat.
"Deploy Hive agents. I want Diancie found. We'll need it to locate Xerneas," Lucius added after a moment's thought.
Among the remaining Legendaries, only Xerneas—the Life Pokémon—had a known method of tracking. In canon, Diancie possessed the ability to sense Xerneas's location. It was their best lead.
"Diancie?" Drake frowned. As a battle-obsessed recluse, the name clearly meant nothing to him.
Lucius had Hive researchers circulate all existing documentation on Diancie. Finding it became top priority.
After settling matters, Lucius vanished—slipping into subspace.
Drawn forward through shimmering motes of light and distorted currents, he reemerged in the Sinnoh region—specifically, in Snowpoint City.
But he wasn't here for Regigigas this time.
He was here to find someone.
Professor Newton Graceland.
A researcher obsessed with the Reverse World, Professor Newton had published several papers on its dimensional properties. Lucius had taken note of him because he had appeared in the original canon—and more importantly, he had successfully discovered a way to enter that realm.
At present, Professor Newton was conducting field research with his assistant, Gero.
"Good day, Professor Newton."
Lucius materialized out of nowhere.
"Ah—!"
Startled, the professor jumped, staring wide-eyed at the figure before him.
"Y-You're Volkner of the Elite Four?"
"That's right."
Lucius gave a slight nod.
By now, his face was all over the headlines. It would've been strange not to be recognized.
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