VALENCE

As previously mentioned, Valence takes place 7 years after the original HGSS. A lot has changed in kanto and Johto during that time! New League members, new locations, unfamiliar faces...

The story follows a young trainer from a sleepy little town on the side of Mount Silver called Taupe Town. After getting their starter Pokemon from Bugsy, who is working part time as the professor's assistant, they begin the trek down to New Bark Town to begin their adventure.

As they continue their adventure, they run into a trainer named Gladion, who's visiting from Alola to train. He seems rather aloof and doesn't talk to the protagonist too much, but he's not exactly unfriendly, either.

They also meet another trainer named Phoenix while in Ecruteak. Phoenix has a passion for Entei and Johto's Mythology- telling the protagonist and Gladion everything they know about Johto's Legendary and Mythical Pokemon. Gladion seems to have a passive interest in Celebi- so Phoenix offers to help him find it. Gladion, not about to turn down such an offer, accepts despite really really not wanting to share his journey with anyone else.

While all this is going on, the protagonist takes notice of an uptick in Team Rocket's activity. They never fully vanished after their defeat at Ethan's hands 7 years ago- the Grunts seemed to cling onto what was long gone, still committing petty crimes now and again. However, recently, things seemed to be getting organized again.

The protagonist, with their strong sense of justice, takes on Team Rocket whenever they can, getting themself into perhaps more trouble than it's worth. They end up uncovering a conspiracy, however- Archer, devastated by Giovanni's vanishing, has vowed to use Celebi to save him from whatever fate he must have met. He could have never abandoned Team Rocket willingly, after all they did to reach out to him, right?

That's about as much as I can give away without completely spoiling major plotpoints. Play Pokemon Valence, coming... eventually!