"Hmph, what do direct League members like you, who are vigorously trained by the organization, even know? You have no idea what I've been through as someone who climbed up from the bottom." The woman's face twisted with disdain. After working for so long, these so-called elite League members were the ones she despised the most.
They had the best resources, the finest conditions, and yet they were arrogant with only mediocre strength—that was her opinion of them.
Even those who appeared strong were nothing more than decorated pillows, fragile flowers raised in comfort, Trainers who had never faced real battles with Pokémon. They only knew how to conduct so-called "matches"—were they even real Trainers?
If the League had to rely on people like this to thrive, then it was hopeless!
Her name was Jiaya, a commoner born in a small Hoenn town. Her first Pokémon was a Nincada she had risked her life to catch in the wild. From that moment, through relentless effort, she became an official Trainer. After years of struggle, she finally earned a position within the League.
It took Jiaya far too long to realize just how much talent she truly had. If she had been nurtured by the League from the start, by now—at 27—she could have been an Elite-tier Trainer, maybe even Champion-level. But she was just a commoner, with no connections and average strength. Perhaps after decades of service, her children might earn the title of League elites.
But she refused to let her life slip away like that. So, she secretly allied with Team Magma, gaining resources and power in exchange for information.
This hidden ruin? To her, it was paradise. The accelerated growth rate of Bug-type Pokémon here was a gift.
Yet, betrayal came with a price. Now, Aoki and Steven had come to reclaim what she had stolen.
"You think you're the only commoner? You didn't work hard enough, and now you blame fate? You're not a victim—you're just making excuses." On this topic, Steven had no right to speak—but Aoki did.
As a commoner himself, one who had lived two lives, Aoki understood the world's unfairness better than most. But what did knowing change?
Without absolute strength, you could only bend—or be broken.
Only when strong enough could you reshape the world. Until then, even a dragon must coil, and a tiger must crouch.
Jiaya froze. Aoki was a commoner too? Yet he had risen to this position through sheer effort. The realization left her speechless.
Steven listened, his expression complicated. He knew the world was unjust—but as a member of the Stone family, he was part of the system. Maybe, if he became Hoenn's Champion, he could change things.
"Enough talk. If you're here to take me back, then do it." Jiaya sneered. She had found this ruin by chance, a place where Bug-types thrived. It was her sanctuary.
Her secret weapon? An ancient Pokémon she had tamed here—an Armaldo.
She was certain that, given time, she could reach Elite or even Champion level. All she had to do was crush these two pampered League members.
"Then we'll take you back to answer for your crimes." Aoki shrugged. The world created its own tragedies.
The Telepathy link activated, connecting Steven and his team.
Aggron, Lairon, Slowking, Drapion, Floette, and Gengar stood ready.
Jiaya scoffed. "Break through my team first! Ninjask, Shedinja—standard tactics!" She threw three more Poké Balls.
A Beedrill, twice the normal size. A Heracross.
And—an Armaldo.
Steven's eyes widened. An ancient Pokémon—just like Aoki had described.
Aoki was equally surprised. So, this was her trump card.
No more hiding.
It was time for a real battle.