The greatest threat, beyond all else, was the growing fear of war among the people.
Though the New Empire had yet to mobilize its military, that did little to stem the tide of speculation and dread. Rumors spread like wildfire across Unova and Alola, what would the Empire do if these two regions continued to resist?
Anyone who had witnessed Leviathan's terrifying presence during the Empire's founding, flanked by its pantheon of Mythical Pokémon, knew that resisting by force would be futile.
If the New Empire resorted to military action, Alola would likely fall in an instant. And as for Unova, how long could it possibly hold out with only the League and Zekrom?
When the fighting begins… how many would die in Unova?
Would I be one of them?
Is it better to die… or to submit to the New Empire?
These questions had begun to gnaw at the hearts of civilians.
Unlike Lucius, who maintained absolute control over all infected, the Unova League no longer wielded the unshakable authority it once had. A forceful crackdown on the public could backfire, potentially pushing an already wavering populace directly into the Empire's arms.
Atop Unova's Hero's Summit, the League's highest-ranking officials sat gathered in a temple-like conference hall, the air thick with anxiety and unease.
Suddenly, a silver moonlit shimmer flickered into existence, and from it stepped a figure, white-bearded and solemn, Charles Goodshow, the President of the League.
"President…"
"You've finally returned, President!"
The tension broke as the officials rose, emotion flickering across their faces. When the New Empire declared Unova illegitimate, Goodshow had vanished after offering only a single word of counsel to N. Until now, he had not been seen.
Goodshow surveyed the room. Only N's expression remained unreadable; the others wore faces carved with exhaustion and despair.
To remain calm in the face of a world turned hostile, that alone spoke to their strength.
"You should all know by now," Goodshow said softly, "what lies beneath the joyful façade sweeping the other regions. You've seen the truth behind the celebration."
The room fell silent. Heads nodded grimly. A cold shudder passed through them.
There was no doubt: this sudden, worldwide fervor for the New Empire could only be the result of viral mind control.
And for many, losing freedom of thought was far worse than death.
"President… what are we supposed to do?" asked Grimsley, the Dark-type Elite Four member, his voice strained.
The League had convened for days without reaching a viable strategy. Now all hopes rested on this one man, whose wisdom and guile had steered the League for decades.
"If it comes to war," Goodshow said, his voice light, "we will not lose."
The sheer calm of his words rekindled a spark in every eye.
Such was the weight of his authority, that even a few casual syllables could restore hope.
Still, hope alone was fleeting. What they needed now was proof, something real, something powerful.
"Come with me."
He turned and led them out of the chamber, toward the broad plaza behind the summit's temple.
There, two ancient statues stood tall, representations of Unova's twin heroes of truth and ideals. Once, they had been symbols of hope for their people.
Now, Goodshow would offer them a new kind of hope.
Just as murmurs of confusion began to rise, a sharp, clear cry rang out overhead.
A rainbow arced across the sky—Ho-Oh descended in a blaze of iridescent light, wings blazing as it soared down in regal loops.
And it wasn't alone.
Lugia followed, no longer Sea God but now a Legend. White Kyurem blazed behind them. Groudon came next, levitating with the aid of Mewtwo's psychic power.
From separate space-time distortions appeared Dialga, Palkia, Giratina, and Yveltal—each one emerging like a chapter from myth made real.
The gathered officials stared skyward, expressions frozen in awe. Most had never seen even one of these Mythical Pokémon, much less a full pantheon assembled.
Their gazes turned toward Goodshow, eyes brimming with newfound reverence.
Of course. Of course it was him, the man who built the League with his own hands. And even now, with the world collapsing, he returned not empty-handed, but flanked by the very beings of legend.
Goodshow watched their faces closely. Seeing their dread melt into awe and belief, he allowed himself a quiet breath of relief.
Every fighter mattered now. If any of them defected in despair, it would be a blow not just to the League's power, but to its morale.
"President…" whispered Shauntal, the Ghost-type Elite Four, her voice trembling, "will they protect Unova?"
Goodshow shook his head gently. "Protection isn't enough," he said, voice firm. "We must strike first."
Strike first?
Aside from N, who allowed himself a subtle smile, the room recoiled in stunned silence.
The New Empire was a monolith, its power overwhelming. Even with the Mythical Pokémon at their side… to go on the offensive?
That would mean risking the destruction of human civilization itself.
Because when legends clash, the world shatters.
"You still don't see it, do you?" Goodshow's gaze swept the group, his eyes sharper than they had ever seen. "There are no other humans left."
He let the words hang.
"Exactly," Professor Rowan stepped forward grimly. "Those infected by the virus can no longer be called human. Have you forgotten what happened on Sunburst Island in Kanto? The others are only a matter of time."
"But…" Daisy Oak began, only for her grandfather, Professor Oak, to gently raise a hand.
She looked up at him. The esteemed scholar slowly shook his head, urging silence.
She hesitated. She'd wanted to say that they were still people, until they fully transformed, they remained human.
But the words never came.
No one here was foolish. They all knew that.
But war had become inevitable. And Goodshow had made it clear: the only way to survive a war between gods was to take the battlefield away from their home.
If they let the fighting come to Unova, the region would be obliterated.
But if they brought the battle to another land…
Then all caught in the crossfire, human and Pokémon alike, would die.
Whether in defense or aggression, killing demanded justification.
And what better reason than this: the enemy were no longer human.
The silence that followed was heavy, yet oddly united.
"…Very well," Goodshow said at last, nodding. "Send our reply to the Empire."
Three hours later, the Unova League issued an official statement: the New Empire was declared an illegal organization. The League vowed to defend the freedom of will for all humans and Pokémon, and would never surrender to the virus.
At the same time, the Mythical Pokémon—Ho-Oh, Lugia, Giratina, Dialga, Palkia, White Kyurem, Zekrom, Yveltal, Groudon, and Mewtwo—appeared atop Hero's Summit.
Their presence was a message in itself.
They stood with the League.
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