Chaos, that's the best way to describe this…

Chaos was reigning, Chaos was thriving, and Chaos was what they had to deal with. Down on the field, the Gym Leaders were fighting against the Team Rocket members.

Giovanni wanted to do a lot of things, but he couldn't, not without exposing himself, and that included calling out the Masked Man.

If he did that, he could handle going to jail; he was always prepared for that. The problem was, if people found out he was the Boss of Team Rocket, that would put a target on Silver, so he couldn't do it.

Instead, he bit his tongue and raised his voice to the Gym Leaders, "Everyone! They're planning to take over the stadium, don't let any more out of the train!"

With that, he, along with the other Gym Leaders, began to fight back. Those who were strong enough, such as him, Chuck, Falkner, Janine, Clair, Brock, etc. started taking down grunts with their own hands, knocking them to the ground to incapacitate them.

Those who weren't strong or skilled enough brought out their Pokémon to help. The groups split into two sides: one group, led by Giovanni, went after the ones who had already gotten out, while the rest, led by Blaine, moved to take on the ones still in the train so they couldn't escape.

Speaking of Blaine, he was the only one who currently knew Giovanni's secret. But as he took one look at the expression on Giovanni's face, he could tell this wasn't his doing. Giovanni could be a good actor, but even he couldn't fake the expression of surprise and anger that he had right now.

Blaine didn't say anything. Giovanni looked at him, and they didn't exchange words, but they understood one thing: someone was behind this, and that someone was very close to them.

All around them, the stadium was in panic as people began shouting, scrambling to their feet, and trying to run.

The Gym Leaders split into two groups in the chaos of the moment. Giovanni took the outside team, himself, Falkner, Janine, Clair, Chuck, and Pryce. The rest, Misty, Surge, Blaine, Brock, Whitney, Bugsy, Erika, Jasmine, Sabrina, and Morty, moved to storm the train itself.

Pryce shifted slightly in his chair, the rubber tires squeaking faintly on the stadium floor. "I'll stay out of the way," he said in a gravelly tone, already rolling himself backward toward the shadows of the stadium wall. "An old cripple will only slow you down."

No one questioned him. Why would they? Pryce's legs had been gone for years. To most, he was a respected relic of the past, an Ice Master long retired from the front lines. For everyone else, him rolling away and throwing out his Mamoswine to help was enough.

But Giovanni's gaze followed him, because he knew.

The calm, deliberate way Pryce wheeled himself away wasn't retreat; it was positioning. The way he moved seemed almost too natural, but that wasn't important now.

Giovanni forced his attention back to the fight. His fist connected with the jaw of a grunt, he didn't like to, but he needed to, sending the man sprawling. Around him, Falkner's Pidgeot dove at another, Janine moved like a blur, and Chuck charged into groups like a truck.

Of course, Giovanni didn't know about mind-control technology. All he saw were grunts with masks. It was easy to assume they were just people the Masked Man had paid off to work for him. But as he punched another, he noticed something

They weren't fighting back, at least, not in the traditional way. They weren't even going for Poké Balls, at least, the grunts weren't. Only the ones Giovanni recognized as Admins, or those with the strength of an Admin, were using their Pokémon.

Which is weird, isn't it? Even if they were weak, they should have hundreds, thousands, of Pokémon between them. Strength in numbers. They should be able to overwhelm them

But instead of using Pokémon, the grunts were marching forward and trying to grab them or push past them. Their movements looked more like zombies. Giovanni was starting to get an idea, but it wasn't confirmed yet.

Meanwhile, as the A Team was fighting the grunts outside, the larger B Team ran inside and engaged in battle. Misty let out her Starmie, sending it spinning rapidly down the train cars, while Surge released his Raichu, arcs of electricity dancing across the metal walls.

And that was just them, because Brock ran in and kicked down two more grunts, letting everyone else get inside. He reached for his belt, grabbed three Poké Balls, and released three Geodude, who leapt out and began punching grunts aside. Why, you might ask, did Brock have three extra Geodude? Well, you'd be wrong, he actually had five. And if you want the actual reason…

He had to bring them along since he was representing the Pewter Gym, and there was an entire logistical reason behind it. But that's not important right now.

Anyway, as the Gym Leaders rushed into the train, most of them managed to get in before the doors suddenly slammed shut. Before anyone could react, with a metallic screech and a violent lurch, the train began to move.

The stadium blurred past the windows, and in seconds, the gap between the inside team and the outside team widened, separating them completely.

{Inside the train}

The sudden lurch sent Whitney stumbling into the wall, and Misty barely caught herself on a railing. Surge didn't even try to steady himself, he simply braced, keeping Raichu in front of him, the electric arcs lighting the dim interior.

"Everyone alright?" Brock's voice cut through the rattling clamor. His Geodude clung to the train's walls and ceiling like magnets, bracing against the jerking motion,

"We're fine," Jasmine said softly, trying to stand and help Erika up.

Bugsy's eyes were wide as he stared past the sliding doors into the next car. "Uh… guys… we have a problem."

The others turned.

Dozens of grunts stood shoulder to shoulder in the narrow aisle of the next car. All masked. All still. Heads tilted slightly down, hands hanging loose.

No Poké Balls. No taunts. No movement, until the nearest one took a single step forward, perfectly in sync with the rest.

Whitney's Miltank mooed nervously, stamping a hoof.

"This…" Misty's voice was low. "…isn't normal."

The lights above flickered, and a distorted voice crackled over the train's PA system, half static, half mockery.

"Welcome aboard. You've taken the express route to my little laboratory. Don't worry… you won't have to walk far."

Surge snarled. "Show yourself, coward!"

"Oh, I will," the voice laughed. "After my welcoming party greets you."

The doors slid open, and even more grunts stepped out, moving almost mechanically.

Morty's shoulders sank. He glanced at Sabrina. "Can you help us get out of here?"

Sabrina was silent, trying to concentrate, but finally shook her head in frustration.

"Not with the train still moving," she said. She couldn't teleport out while it was in motion, the speed made it impossible to focus on a destination.

"So, all we have to do is stop this thing?" Surge asked with a grin, cracking his knuckles. "Can do."

–

Meanwhile, back in the stadium, as Giovanni's group fought against the grunts and a few Admins, a new problem emerged. From outside the stadium, people trying to exit saw even more grunts surrounding the building.

Now, you might be wondering, what about the Elite Four and Champions? Well, let's go back a bit.

When the Masked Man appeared on the screen, Will and Karen froze in shock. Karen's hands trembled in fear, but that was nothing compared to what was happening to Will.

He looked like he was having a panic attack, clutching his chest, breathing heavily, and muttering, "No no no no no no…"

Tempest was the first to rush over, helping Will sit and rubbing his back, while Lorelei knelt in front of him.

"Hey, calm down. What's going on?" she asked urgently.

Will's panic didn't lessen. "They… they're not supposed to exist anymore," he stammered, voice cracking. "That tech… that control… I—" His breath hitched.

Cynthia, confused but sensing trouble, raised an eyebrow and quietly stepped into a corner, pulling out her phone.

Bruno stood. "Well, why are we standing here? We can't let them get any further!"

Koga glanced at him, then down toward the arena where Janine was still fighting. "I agree. We can't just sit here and do nothing."

Lance shook his head. "And we won't. But we can't just charge out there. Didn't you hear what he said? He knows we're here, that means he wants us out there. The question is why."

Oak stayed silent, rubbing his chin as he stared through the glass. Unlike the others, he was somewhat familiar with the masks, but these were different designs. It was taking him longer to connect the dots. After all, he'd never heard of anyone called the Masked Man, and even Will and Karen had never mentioned him.

Blanche, Spark, and Candela were also watching the scene unfold. Candela clenched her fist. "These guys again? Can't they learn to stay down?"

"Agreed," Blanche murmured.

"Then how about we teach them a lesson, guys?" Spark said excitedly, pointing at himself with his thumb. "Who's in?"

Blanche and Candela didn't object, they raised their hands where their marks were. But instead of glowing brightly as usual, the light fizzled out almost immediately, like the power had been cut.

"Eh?" Spark blinked in confusion.

"What happened? Not again!" Candela groaned, rubbing her hand. "I thought we fixed this!"

Even Blanche, normally the calm and logical one, looked unsettled. "What… is going on? Has he caused this?" But that wouldn't make sense…

Just then, Cynthia returned from her call. Her earlier calm expression, tinged only with mild worry, had shifted to something far more serious.

"I tried to call the Sinnoh League for support, but I can't get through. Actually, I can't get in contact with anyone outside of Kanto or Johto."

Darwin clenched his fists. "Oh, great…" he muttered, looking around the room. "What's the plan now?"

Before anyone could answer, the VIP room's screens flickered and shifted, replaced by the grinning face of the Masked Man.

"Well, well, well… if it isn't the strongest in Kanto and Johto." His gaze moved, locking on Cynthia. "And the Champion of Sinnoh? Unexpected. But no matter, you won't change what's happening."

"You…" Lance muttered, clenching his fists as he stepped in front of Goodshow, as if to shield him. "Who are you? Surrender before anyone has to get hurt."

The Masked Man laughed. "Has that ever worked? Forget it. But if you want to fight the inevitable, then go ahead and try. I have been preparing for ten long years. I am ready, and now, you cannot possibly defeat me."

Then his gaze shifted, landing on Karen and Will. Although his face was hidden, there was no mistaking the grin in his voice. "Looks like you remember me. Good."

He raised what looked like a small device in his hand. "I'll leave you with a parting gift." He pressed the button.

Karen and Will suddenly collapsed, clutching their heads in agony. Everyone rushed to check on them, only for the two to go still, then rise to their feet. Their eyes glowed faintly, and they smiled.

The Masked Man pointed at them. "Once mine, always mine. Now… take care of them. I have business to attend to. Oh, and I think you should worry about those."

The screen went black. Outside the window, twenty birds were flying in formation before scattering, half heading for the stadium, the rest spreading out into the distance. Ho-Oh-twos and Lugia-twos.

No one had time to react before Will and Karen moved, releasing Exeggutor and Houndoom. The Pokémon turned on the room without hesitation.

For a heartbeat, the room froze, no one ready to believe what they were seeing. Then Houndoom lunged, flames spilling from its jaws toward the crowd, and Exeggutor began to glow with a dangerous psychic charge.

"Split up!" Lance barked, taking a half-step forward before stopping himself. "Don't hurt them, just keep them busy!"

Lorelei was the first to move, sliding forward with a Poké Ball in hand. "Lapras, [Ice Beam]! Block that fire!" A burst of freezing mist cut through the flames, steam hissing between them

Koga appeared beside her, Crobat already weaving through the air to intercept the psychic waves from Exeggutor. "Try to keep their Pokémon occupied."

Bruno cracked his knuckles, stepping into the fray. "I'll pin them if I can." His Machamp appeared in a flash of light, looking a little too eager for a fight. Holding back didn't seem to be on its mind, but no one noticed in the chaos.

Lorelei met Lance and Cynthia's eyes over the commotion. "Those cloned Legendaries are a bigger problem. We'll hold them off here, join you when we can."

Lance nodded. "Right. Cynthia, I apologize, but I'll need your cooperation."

"You can count on me," she replied without hesitation.

"Agatha, take Goodshow somewhere safe," Lance ordered.

Agatha, who had been seated quietly, rose with a nod. She tapped her cane against the floor, releasing a wave of ghost-types that swirled around her. She glanced at Goodshow. "Leave him to me."

Goodshow wasn't sure whether to feel safer or more in danger, but he'd be a fool to refuse.

Will's masked smile didn't falter as he stepped forward, his voice cold and unnervingly calm. "You shouldn't resist. You'll be happier if you just… let go."

Karen's tone was sharper, almost mocking. "And you'll save yourself a lot of pain."

Before they could react, Machamp charged forward, grabbing the two Pokémon and slamming them into the ground. That gave everyone else the opening to escape, leaving only Bruno, Koga, and Lorelei in the room with the mind-controlled Will and Karen.

As they ran, Oak finally looked up. "I've got it! I know what's going on!" He'd suspected it before, but with Will and Karen now clearly under the Masked Man's influence, his theory was confirmed. "Mind control! Somehow he's controlling the grunts, and now Will and Karen!"

Eyes widened across the group. Lance had been the only one aware of the Will and Karen incident, but now it all clicked, the masks, the robotic behavior, the fake Ho-Ohs and Lugias.

"Okay, but that doesn't explain Will and Karen," Lance pressed. After all, they weren't wearing the Masked Man's masks.

"There must be some kind of signal," Oak said, thinking aloud. "Something that activated dormant commands. Which means… if I can get to the old research materials, I could produce a counter-signal. But it'll take time."

Damian nodded. "Alright, then, we'll buy you that time."

Oak gave a sharp nod, then sprinted to the nearest window. Grabbing a Poké Ball from his belt, he hurled it outward. Dragonite appeared in a burst of light, and Oak swung onto its back. "I'll be back as soon as I can!" he called, before the Dragonite took off, banking toward the League building.

Lance watched him disappear into the sky, then made a quick decision. "We have to split up! Me, Cynthia, Blanche, Spark, and Candela, we'll go after the fake Ho-Ohs and Lugias. Everyone else, deal with the grunts and protect the civilians!"

Tempest saluted. "Leave it to us!"

"Don't worry about it," Darwin added with a smirk. "But I expect a business meeting after this."

With that, the groups split in different directions, each moving to fix their part of the disaster.

–

Back in the crowd

Anabel and Looker were working to guide civilians to safety. Communication with anyone outside Kanto or Johto was still impossible, but at least they'd contacted the Johto Branch for support. Unfortunately, it would take time for help to arrive.

In the chaos, Jay, Enid, Helena, Domino, Sayoko, and Owari were also moving through the crowd. They couldn't act yet, they were still searching for D.

Jessie, James, and Meowth, meanwhile, were being… themselves, panicking, flailing, and not doing much of anything useful.

Suddenly, they spotted multiple groups of Team Rocket grunts closing in on the fleeing crowd. With no way out, it seemed a battle was unavoidable. Luckily, many of the surrounding civilians were trainers as well.

But before Poké Balls could be thrown, the sound of approaching footsteps drew their attention. From the side, a familiar figure stepped into view, mask covering the lower half of his face. D.

He stepped in front of the grunts, raising a hand, wait.

"D!" The name erupted from multiple throats at once, Jay, Enid, Helena, Domino, Sayoko, Owari, and… Anabel. Both groups froze, each staring at the other, confusion flickering between them. Anabel in particular wondered how Jay's group knew D, and why D seemed to know them.

That mystery would have to wait. Helena's voice broke the silence, desperate and pleading, "D, please… this isn't you. You're mind-controlled. Fight it!"

"Yeah, come on, bro, you're stronger than this!" Jay called out.

Anabel had questions, a lot of questions, but now wasn't the time. Seeing D standing there, she had to try. "D, I got your message. Don't you remember everything?"

Enid stayed silent, staring at the ground. She wanted to say something, but her pride locked the words in her throat. "D… I…"

D just looked at them, then chuckled. The chuckle turned into a laugh, cold and sharp enough to make them all shiver, "Oh, how pathetic~," he said, voice dripping with contempt.

As his laughter faded, his gaze hardened. "Did you think this power of friendship BS would work? Please. This isn't one of your little cartoons, this is real life. Friendship is worthless~."

They flinched at the words.

"You don't mean that," Domino said quickly.

"Yeah, it's just the mask," Sayoko added, trying to smile. "Take it off and come back to me, I mean, us."

But D's eyes were icy. "Pathetic. No. I'm exactly who I've always been. I just don't have to hide it anymore. You're all so weak. I work better alone, you only held me back, over and over again. And I'm sick of it."

He reached down and pulled a Poké Ball from his belt, holding it out. "Tell me, did you think you wouldn't pay for it? Time to show you just how worthless you are without me."

At his words, the surrounding grunts stepped forward one after another, releasing their own Pokémon. There was no more stalling, they'd have to fight D.

—

Meanwhile, inside the stadium

Green, Gary, Ethan, Kris, Silver, Lyra, Vincent, Casey, and Virgil were making their way down from the stands, searching for Ash. Green carried Molly in her arms.

But as they reached the ground level, a piercing birdlike screech split the air. Green froze. Slowly, she turned her head upward, her breath caught.

High above, the cloned Ho-Oh-twos and Lugia-twos were circling.

Memories came rushing back, all that trauma. Her body trembled, and her grip on Molly tightened, though she couldn't tell if it was to shield the girl… or to shield herself from the fear.

The others noticed her stop, following her gaze skyward. Silver's eyes narrowed. Recognition flashed in them.

"These again…" he muttered, stepping forward to stand between Green and the threat, his posture protective.

Gary stepped forward and gripped Green's shoulder. "Come on, Green, snap out of it."

Kris shot him a sharp look. "That's, like, the worst thing you can do!"

"At least I'm trying! She's my friend, I'm not just going to stand here and do nothing!" Gary shot back.

But Green was still frozen in fear. Ash had helped her work through some of the trauma over the years, but it was still there, still lurking, and right now, it had her in its grip. For the first time since leaving Pallet Town, she was truly afraid.

Just then, Ash appeared from around the corner, spotting them. He rushed forward, closing the distance in seconds, and wrapped Green, and Molly, still in her arms, into a firm hug, "Green… calm down. It's okay… I won't let them get you,"

Her breathing steadied bit by bit. She tightened her grip on his sleeve, then glanced up at him, swallowing hard.

Gary's eyes darted around. "Ash, where's Yellow?"

Ash didn't answer immediately. He slowly loosened his hold on Green, then looked back over his shoulder. "Safe. Just like all of you will be."

"What are you talking about?" Ethan asked.

Ash just smiled as Abby appeared beside him. He raised his hand in a small wave. "Bye, guys."

Abby's eyes glowed. The realization hit them all at once, what was about to happen. Before anyone could stop him or grab hold, Abby's teleport activated.

The world blinked, and they were gone, each to a different location. Abby's teleportation was so good now after she evolved, she could split destinations, for example Molly was sent all the way back to Pallet, while everyone else landed in entirely separate places.

Now, you might think this is one of those cliché self-sacrifice moments, 'This is my problem, I'll handle it alone' but no. Not even close.

This was part of Ash's plan. He knew exactly how stubborn his friends were, and he was counting on it. After all, the Masked Man had said he was prepared for the Gym Leaders, the Elite Four, and the Champion… but he'd never said a word about them

So Ash was gambling on them to come back for him instead. Time to see how it plays out, for now, afterall, he already had a few plans going on at once, afterall did you think that train left on its own, Carl and Sham are knocked out aren't they