["Team Rocket and Shadow Squabble: Joker Strikes, Shadow Loses Over 30 Members"]
["Dragon Tamer Lance Arrests Team Rocket Elite Squad"]
["Cinnabar Gym Leader Blaine in Interview: 'Team Rocket Doesn't Represent Justice; Young Trainers Should Learn to Think Independently'"]
["New League Directive: To Counter Team Rocket's Poke Ball Disruptor, Trainers Should Keep One Pokémon Released at All Times"]
The Goldenrod train incident caused a massive stir. However, the League could never officially acknowledge Joker's heroics. Still, given the number of witnesses, outright denial wasn't feasible either.
After some deliberation, the League settled on labeling the incident as a two-evil organization clash. Under the League's semi-mandatory guidance, many trainers began adopting a practice reminiscent of Ash Ketchum's habits: releasing one smaller Pokémon to follow them at all times.
This measure was introduced to counteract the potential threat of Team Rocket's new device, rumored to be Joker's invention.
This development left Team Rocket's Kanto division utterly baffled. Who was this so-called genius in their ranks?
And where was this advanced tech everyone assumed they had?
Meanwhile, the mastermind behind it all, Stephen, was busy... saving lives.
...
Cianwood City, Stephen's Seaside Clinic.
Inside a modestly equipped surgical room, Stephen stood at the operating table. Clad in a white lab coat, surgical mask, and gloves stained with blood, he focused intently on his patient—a Tauros lying before him.
"It's done. You're going to be fine," Stephen reassured the Tauros as he completed the final stitch.
The bull-like Pokémon lowed softly in gratitude, earning a gentle pat from Stephen before being returned to its Poké Ball.
Outside, a scruffy-looking trainer rushed forward.
"D-Doctor! How's my Tauros?"
"Don't worry," Stephen replied as he handed back the ball.
"The surgery was successful, but it can't engage in strenuous activity for three months."
The trainer broke into tears.
"Thank you! Thank you so much... It's all my fault! If I hadn't wandered into that Arbok nest, Tauros wouldn't have gotten so hurt..."
"Let's settle the bill. That'll be 20,000 Pokédollars."
"Absolutely, no problem!"
As he transferred the payment, the trainer exclaimed, "Dr. Stephen, with your skills, it's a shame you're not working at a Pokémon Center!"
Stephen smirked.
"If I did, I wouldn't be able to help your Tauros, would I?"
"Ah... That's true."
The trainer left, grateful, leaving Stephen alone in his clinic.
His weariness disappeared instantly as he headed back into the operating room. Carefully, he began collecting biological samples: Tauro's fur, discarded Arbok fangs, and other remnants.
"Treating Pokémon is the most efficient way to advance my research," Stephen muttered.
Combining his medical skills with the genetic materials he acquired, his experiments had been making significant progress since the Goldenrod incident.
...
Crash!
A loud crash interrupted the serene beach as Stephen stepped outside. His Umbreon, her tail glowing with metallic light, delivered a powerful Iron Tail to a Tyranitar.
Unfazed, the Tyranitar countered with a devastating Hammer Arm, sending Umbreon flying into a nearby wall.
Stephen rushed to catch the injured Umbreon.
"I leave you alone for an hour, and you overtrain yourself again," he chided gently.
"Umbre—on..."
Despite her injuries, Umbreon managed a weak smile.
Sighing, Stephen carried Umbreon back to the clinic for treatment.
With Umbreon resting and bandaged, Stephen descended into the secret basement of his home. Hidden beneath a trapdoor concealed by a movie poster (starring Kalos child star Diantha), this was his laboratory.
"Umbree(Don't forget this)!"
Umbreon suddenly darted off, returning moments later with a shattered piece of Tyranitar's tooth from the earlier battle.
"Good job!"
Stephen praised, taking the fragment.
He patted Umbreon's head.
"Let's see what kind of breakthrough this brings."
Watching from the shadows, Giovanni patted his Tyranitar's shoulder sympathetically.
"So, what grand invention will you create this time?" he asked.
"Patience, uncle," Stephen replied with a grin.
"Good things take time."
...
Elsewhere in Cianwood City.
Standing in a dimly lit street, a trainer named Ichki scrutinized his Poké Ball containing his new Pokémon.
"Joker's Umbreon moves just like the one I saw at the Cianwood Gym..." he muttered.
But glancing back at his Pokémon, his expression turned puzzled.
"More importantly... Why did my Exeggcute suddenly turn into this?"