Pokemon: I Transmigrated Twice-Chapter 216: Pokemon: I Transmigrated Twice []

Five minutes ago.

Inside the Prism Tower TV studio in Lumiose City, the capital of the Kalos region, Malva—one of the Kalos Elite Four and the top female news anchor for the TV station—was broadcasting today's news.

She had invited Professor Sycamore, Kalos's leading Pokémon professor and a major contributor to Mega Evolution research.

At the start of the broadcast, Malva sat upright on the left side of the desk, hands on the table, facing the camera.

"Hello, everyone, and welcome to the Lumiose Evening News. Recently, news from the Kanto region reports that Dr. Stephen and a graduate from Kanto's Celadon University have developed a Pokémon Transfer Device. Now, let's have Professor Sycamore explain this invention, which the League calls 'epoch-making'."

Beside the news desk sat one of the transfer machines.

Ever since Dr. Stephen improved the device invented by Celio, the League had distributed it throughout the regions.

Kalos, of course, had one too.

"No problem," Sycamore said with a smile. He stood up, took a Poké Ball from his lab coat pocket, and placed it in the device's half-spherical groove—the obvious spot for Poké Balls.

"First, put the Pokémon you want to transfer in the ball and place it here. Then, contact the recipient. For example, I'm about to trade my Garchomp for my assistant Alain's Pokémon."

Sycamore dialed a number.

"Hello, Alain? You're at the Lumiose Pokémon Center, right? Could you swap Pokémon with me?"

"Great, thanks."

After hanging up, Sycamore faced the camera again.

"Now the other party places their Poké Ball on their transfer device, and we press the button."

He pressed the button.

A flash lit up the Poké Ball.

Sycamore picked up the ball and tossed it.

What emerged was a Charmeleon—the evolved form of Kanto's starter Charmander!

Viewers across Kalos gasped in shock.

Sycamore smiled, recalled Charmeleon, placed the ball back, and pressed the button again.

He tossed the ball again.

This time, it was Garchomp.

"This truly is an epoch-making invention," Malva exclaimed.

Meanwhile, in the reception room of the Kalos League HQ in Lumiose City, Meray's brother, Baraz, was also watching the live news—occasionally grinning foolishly.

Thinking, My girlfriend is so beautiful.

When the camera focused on Professor Sycamore, Baraz glanced at his phone to see online comments about Malva.

Whenever he saw praises for Malva's beauty, figure, and strength, he felt immensely satisfied.

Hmph, you can only fantasize about your goddess through the screen—but she's my girlfriend!

"Oh! Baraz, you're here?" Just then, Elite Four member Siebold, passing by the reception room and seeing the door ajar, greeted Baraz.

Since Baraz often visited Malva, everyone in the League—from the Champion down to security—knew about him.

Many staff wondered if Malva was crazy to date such a nobody.

But neither the other Elite Four nor Champion Diantha commented—after all, it was Malva's private matter.

Still, who'd have thought that such a strong, queenly woman would like this puppy dog type?

"Long time no see, Mr. Siebold," Baraz greeted.

"How's it going with Malva?" Siebold asked, smiling.

"We're planning to see a movie after her shift," Baraz replied.

Siebold was stunned.

Wait, weren't they already doing that six months ago?

"Uh... I mean, how far have you two gotten? Like, holding hands, hugging...?" Siebold hesitated, not daring to say kissing.

"Well... Malva said she doesn't want to rush, so... we haven't..." Baraz looked awkward.

Siebold was shocked.

Dating for half a year and not even holding hands? What kind of weird relationship is this?

If he didn't know Malva, he'd suspect she was just stringing Baraz along. But Baraz had no background or resources for Malva to use.

So why string him along? Is she just slow to warm up?

Outside the studio, Lysandre was watching, eyes narrowed.

This thing is convenient, he thought, recalling the Cocoon of Destruction that Stephen had taken away.

If I could steal it and use the transfer device, I could send it from Alola straight to Kalos... But first, I'd have to steal it.

As Lysandre pondered, suddenly a golden ring appeared out of thin air in the studio—broadcast to thousands of Kalos homes.

"What's that?" many citizens wondered.

But those who'd experienced the Lily of the Valley Island incident six months ago, like Malva and Lysandre, had their pupils contract in shock—they immediately recognized it.

After all, they'd experienced its power firsthand!

Meanwhile, atop the Celadon Game Corner in Kanto.

...

Staring at the chaotic golden portal, Stephen and Giovanni exchanged glances.

Giovanni: "Why's nothing happening?"

Stephen blinked. "While Hoopa can summon Legendary Pokémon, it can only bring ones willing to come... But Xerneas shouldn't be refused."

Unlike Unbound Hoopa, which could control Legendaries and forcibly use them, Confined Hoopa can only summon those willing to help.

During the Ragnarök war, many viewers joked that the Latios/Latias siblings were freeloaders, leaving Mega Rayquaza to do all the work—but Hoopa didn't have many choices. She can't mind-control anyone, so she calls on easygoing Legendaries like Rayquaza and the dragon siblings.

Xerneas was an option, but its absence now was out of character for the Holy Deer.

"Could it have turned back into the Tree of Life?" Stephen wondered.

But that shouldn't be—Xerneas hadn't fought Yveltal or expended much life force lately.

"Hoopa, try harder!"

Hoopa's eyes glowed blue as it exerted its powers.

...

Back in the Lumiose TV studio, an invisible force gripped Malva, lifting her from her seat and pulling her toward the golden ring.

The Fire-type Elite's face changed. She instinctively grabbed her belt with her right hand and threw a Poké Ball with her left.

Out came Delphox, the final evolution of the Kalos starter Fennekin.

Delphox swung its wand-like stick, pulling Malva back and breaking Hoopa's psychic hold.

"This... could it be...?" Professor Sycamore gasped, half-guessing the ring's identity.

On the Game Corner rooftop, Hoopa said to Stephen, "Big Brother, Xerneas broke free from my psychic power!"

Stephen realized—It is Xerneas.

"I'll go check," he decided.

"Don't forget, Hoopa is your Pokémon," Giovanni reminded him.

Stephen nodded, put on his black-rimmed glasses, and stepped into the portal.

In front of millions of viewers, Stephen emerged from the portal.

"It is Hoopa's power!" Sycamore exclaimed, eyes confirming his guess.

But Lysandre and Malva both thought the same thing—This is bad!

"Where am I...?" Stephen looked around.

A TV studio?

Would Xerneas be here?

His gaze lingered an extra moment on Malva and her Delphox.

"Doctor, why are you here? And using Hoopa's power?" Sycamore asked.

"Oh, I came because..." Stephen, having more or less guessed the reason, didn't intend to hide it. Hoopa's ability to summon Legendaries would be troublesome if revealed, but Meray and Hoopa had already moved to Alola, and he could protect them. Besides, there was no need to conceal it—he just wanted Xerneas's help healing someone. Of course, he wouldn't say the patient was Giovanni.

Thump!

Before Stephen could say more, he suddenly smelled a pleasant scent and a soft body pressed into his arms.

Big!

Really big!

The biggest he'd ever felt in this life.

Nearly ten million viewers all stared wide-eyed.

On screen, the Kalos Fire Elite threw herself into Stephen's arms.

In Alola, at Malie City Gym on Ula'ula Island, Nanu spat out the chocolate cake he'd just stuffed in his mouth.

What the—? When did these two get together?

In Pallet Town, Professor Oak exclaimed, "Whoa! Whoa! These youngsters!"

Ash asked, "Professor, what are they doing?"

Delia covered Ash's eyes. "Kids shouldn't watch this!"

At the new Indigo League HQ...

Goodshow looked dumbfounded. "Kalos League moves fast, huh?"

Malva's character overlaps with Lorelei—both are bespectacled beauties with killer figures. Looks like Lorelei's chances just dropped.

Back in the Kalos League reception room, Siebold and Wikstrom looked awkwardly at Baraz, who now looked green-faced.

Wikstrom pointed at the screen, whispering, "What's happening?"

"What else? He's been cucked." Siebold looked at Baraz with pity.

Baraz felt like a Magikarp stranded on land, unable to breathe, about to faint.

It wasn't over.

On TV, Stephen looked confused and asked Malva, "Do you have some illn—"

He didn't finish "illness," because a slender finger pressed gently to his lips.

Viewers everywhere couldn't help but smile.

This scene was perfect, worthy of a romance movie poster.

"Oh, you're so impatient! I'm still at work, and you just had to come see me?" Malva's tone was so sweet it gave people goosebumps.

Baraz felt like a suffocating Magikarp, about to pass out.

"...Uh, Malva, was Dr. Stephen here to see you?" Sycamore finally snapped out of it, expression still dazed.

"Yes."

Malva clung to Stephen, her impressive assets squeezing his arm, smiling, "I told him I'd finish work soon, but he just couldn't wait."

"Oooh!" Sycamore grinned, "Ah, young love, I understand!"

Facing the camera, Sycamore said, "A little accident, but that's all for tonight's news. Thank you for watching, and good night!"

Once the cameras went off, Malva sighed in relief.

"Can you let go now?" Stephen asked quietly.

Having spent years in a world full of only big, bigger, and biggest, veteran soldier Stephen's willpower had grown—he didn't embarrass himself in front of the world.

He had no desire to show off and make all the other men in the Pokémon world feel insecure.

Malva's smile instantly froze, but seeing Sycamore and others still watching, she quickly smiled again, shot Stephen a flirty look, and whispered, "I'll wait for you in the dressing room."

She left quickly. As she passed Lysandre, he nodded approvingly, "Well done."

Even if not perfectly handled, at least the worst was avoided.

Hearing this, Malva's face darkened even more.

He just let me get groped and that's all he says?

She walked even faster.

"Well done, Doctor!" Sycamore patted Stephen on the shoulder. "Without a word, you've snatched away one of Kalos's two prettiest flowers."

Before Stephen could reply, Sycamore remembered something, stroking his stubbly chin. "But I heard Malva was dating some boy from Dahara City... Was that just a rumor?"

Stephen smiled and didn't answer. Thinking for a moment, he called toward the portal, "Hoopa-chan, you can close it now."

On the other side, Hoopa, hearing Stephen's voice, wondered what had happened—but obediently closed the ring.

"Uncle, can I go play games now?" Hoopa asked Giovanni.

"...Sure," Giovanni nodded.

What just happened over there? Giovanni wondered.

But just Kalos—nothing that can stump Stephen. No need to worry.

...

Lumiose TV Station Dressing Room.

Stephen and Malva sat facing each other.

Looking at the glamorous Fire Elite, Stephen got straight to the point:

"Malva, you have Xerneas, right?"

Malva didn't waste words. She took a Master Ball from her belt and placed it on the table between them.

Inside was Xerneas, in its Tree of Life form!

"...Did you defeat it?" Stephen squinted.

There's no way Xerneas reverted due to life force depletion—he still had Yveltal's egg.

And in Kalos, only the woman before him—the secret top ace of Team Flare—had the power to beat the Eternal God. Even Diantha couldn't!

After all, in the manga, Malva always had the upper hand over Diantha.

"I captured it fair and square. I just... went a bit too hard, so it reverted to this form," Malva said flatly.

This was a lie.

The truth: Malva did beat Xerneas, but it saw through Team Flare's evil and refused to serve her.

Unlike Yveltal in the original, which Malva did capture.

So, Malva ended up severely wounding Xerneas, turning it back into the Tree of Life—at least to keep it quiet.

"Really unexpected," Stephen laughed, crossing his legs.

"Xerneas may not be the best fighter among Legendaries, but to be beaten by an Elite Four? Who'd believe that?"

"Malva—no, your strength is way beyond Elite Four. I should call you Miss Malva instead."

"You also interrupted me earlier to stop me from revealing you had Xerneas, right?"

Malva's face darkened.

True.

Honestly, things were so rushed then that she couldn't think of any better way to stop Stephen than using her charms.

Otherwise, as a champion-level trainer, would she have to stoop to something so humiliating?!

After a long silence, Malva finally spoke again:

"I, Malva, just want a peaceful life. So yes, I caught Xerneas, but I don't want my strength to be public knowledge. Dr. Stephen, would you please keep my secret?"

A peaceful life? What, did you get inspired by the Mona Lisa too?

"Oh, got it. I'll take my leave, then," said Stephen, getting up to go.

Malva was dumbfounded.

Did he believe that reason? Even I don't!

But in the heat of the moment, she couldn't come up with anything better.

Just like earlier—when she had to stop Stephen from revealing her secret in the studio, her only option was to use her beauty to silence him, even if it was humiliating.

Mainly, Malva didn't know Stephen wasn't in a hurry for Xerneas.

After all, Blaine had said Giovanni's condition wouldn't worsen for three years.

And Xerneas was asleep now—taking it would be pointless.

So Stephen couldn't be bothered to argue.

Wait, was that show live or pre-recorded? Can it be cut?