"Success! Finally, success!"
In a desolate area of the Kanto region, maniacal laughter erupted from a hidden underground laboratory.
The source of the laughter was a man in his early thirties. His short gray-green hair framed a face that could be called handsome, though it was now distorted with crazed glee.
After a moment, the man calmed himself, regaining an air of feigned elegance. However, his seemingly composed eyes betrayed occasional flashes of madness.
"There's just one final test remaining—the field trial," he muttered, his gaze fixed on the data displayed on the computer before him.
If his calculations were correct, then the weapon he had created would have the power to harm even the gods!
This invention was revolutionary, a technology far beyond its time. In his mind, he was a genius unmatched in history.
But his ambitions didn't end with the weapon. He had also developed a specialized cage designed to capture legendary Pokémon. A brilliant scientist he might have been, but he was also an obsessive collector.
Not just of rare items, but of Pokémon.
Precious Pokémon from all over the world had already become part of his collection. Yet, even with such a treasure trove, his desires remained insatiable.
After gathering numerous rare and powerful Pokémon, he set his sights on something even greater—collecting the gods themselves.
This man was none other than Lawrence III, a wanted criminal on the League's blacklist and known in the black market as "The Collector."
Once celebrated as a prodigy on par with Bill, Lawrence III was renowned for his scientific achievements. However, few knew of his hidden obsession: collecting Pokémon.
By selling groundbreaking technology he developed, Lawrence III amassed enormous wealth, which he used to acquire rare Pokémon from black-market poachers.
When the League discovered his illicit dealings, they issued a warrant for his arrest. His primary laboratory was raided and dismantled, forcing him to retreat to the wilderness, where he continued his work in secret.
As a man driven by the desire to possess legendary Pokémon, Lawrence III had devised numerous technologies.
These included weapons capable of injuring even the most formidable creatures and devices to subdue them.
It was thanks to these inventions that he could maintain his base in the wilderness without fear of attack.
Even powerful wild Pokémon steered clear of him, knowing he was not to be trifled with.
"The next step… is completing the deal with Team Rocket," Lawrence III murmured, his eyes narrowing.
Though the deal's contents were secondary to him, Lawrence III needed additional funding to continue his work.
At present, the only organization capable of meeting his financial demands was Team Rocket.
He brought up an interface on his computer, revealing schematics for his latest breakthrough: anti-gravity technology. With this invention, even a massive fortress could float freely in the sky.
After confirming the data, Lawrence III packaged the technology and initiated contact with Team Rocket.
A moment later, Giovanni's image appeared on the virtual screen. Despite his usual composure, Giovanni's expression betrayed a subtle smile of anticipation.
"Professor Lawrence III, since you've contacted us, I assume your research is complete?" Giovanni asked, his tone calm but eager.
"Of course," Lawrence III replied smoothly, transferring the anti-gravity technology file to Team Rocket.
Rocket scientists immediately began analyzing the data. After a quick review, they nodded enthusiastically at Giovanni, confirming the technology's feasibility.
"As expected of Professor Lawrence III, the genius scientist!" Giovanni's smile widened as he received the positive report.
Lawrence III responded with a polite smile, maintaining an air of detached elegance.
"However, Professor Lawrence III," Giovanni began, his tone shifting slightly, "are you open to further deals with Team Rocket?"
Though the anti-gravity technology was valuable, Giovanni's true interest lay elsewhere—specifically in the weapon Lawrence III claimed could harm the gods.
Anti-gravity technology was merely a support system; the weapon was the key to ultimate power.
Lawrence III nodded slightly. "I do require significant funding to continue my work…"
Before Giovanni could celebrate, Lawrence III's smile sharpened. "But if you're referring to my 'weapon,' I must apologize. Team Rocket cannot afford its price."
Giovanni's expression darkened. Though he didn't lose his composure, his icy gaze conveyed a silent warning.
Most people would falter under such pressure, but Lawrence III remained unperturbed.
He continued, his tone laced with subtle mockery. "However, I do have another technology that I believe would interest Team Rocket greatly."
"Oh?" Giovanni raised an eyebrow. "And what might that be, Professor Lawrence III?"
"Optical camouflage and stealth technology," Lawrence III announced, his smile growing. He knew exactly how valuable these technologies would be to Team Rocket's operations.
Giovanni's eyes lit up with interest. The applications of these technologies were evident from their names.
Optical camouflage allowed a device to blend seamlessly with its surroundings by mimicking environmental colors and brightness, effectively rendering it invisible.
Stealth technology—more accurately described as "low-detectability technology"—used advanced methods to conceal signals, making detection by instruments nearly impossible.
Combined, these technologies could render Team Rocket's facilities and equipment undetectable by League satellites and radars, granting them unparalleled freedom of movement.
"Impressive," Giovanni admitted, his mind already envisioning the possibilities. Though disappointed at not acquiring the weapon, he recognized the immense value of these new technologies.
"Very well," Giovanni agreed after a brief pause. "We have a deal."
"As always, payment first," Lawrence III said with a confident smirk.
Though he intended to honour this transaction, Lawrence III had no plans to maintain contact with Team Rocket afterward. His goals were now clear.
With this deal finalised, he would turn his focus to the Orange Islands, where he planned to fulfill his ultimate ambition: capturing the gods themselves.
The Collector's eyes gleamed with anticipation as he imagined the legendary Pokémon that would soon join his collection.
______________________
Join my Patreon for more advance chapters