Pokemon: With Title System

Chapter 107 - Lance, You Screwed Me!

Accompanied by a long, resonant cry, the newly released Lugia spread its wings, empowered by the Flying Slate.

In the confined space, it whipped up a violent gale—an indoor hurricane on the 15th floor.

In an instant, every office item was swept up by the sudden storm.

The Rocket Grunts were thrown to the ground, completely overwhelmed. Even Starmie, which had been on the ceiling preparing its attack, was no exception. Mid-charge, it was blown away, and its misfired Hydro Pump landed among the Rocket Grunts, making their already dire situation even worse.

Pressed against the wall, barely able to stand, Sird stared at the sudden appearance of Lugia in utter shock.

"Lugia!?"

As a Legendary Pokémon, Lugia was well-known in Kanto. Even though Sird wasn't from Kanto, she was still somewhat familiar with it.

She never imagined that Asahi would have a Lugia.

"That's right. So, what do you say? Surrender now? We, the International Police, treat our prisoners well..." Asahi said, stroking Lugia's head.

Sird's response was immediate—Banette cast a Curse.

Though initially startled by Lugia, Sird quickly realized that this was a baby Lugia.

Even if it had somehow conjured that storm, it wasn't invincible.

Gardevoir intercepted Banette's Curse with its psychic power, then retaliated.

"Tch, no surrender? That's fine. By my estimate, the League's reinforcements should be here soon. You Rocket Grunts won't escape today!"

Just as Asahi finished speaking, another elevator suddenly opened.

Green stepped out. "Asahi, the League's reinforcements are here!"

Asahi turned toward her with a smile, only for his face to freeze.

At that moment, one thought filled his mind:

[Lance... you screwed me over!]

Because standing behind Green, the so-called League reinforcements were none other than...

Sabrina, the Gym Leader of Saffron City!

Asahi was completely stunned.

Lance, you could've at least sent an Officer Jenny! Why would you send Sabrina—Rocket's own reinforcement!?

Were you worried that fighting Sird alone was too easy for me and decided to up the difficulty?

Sird also noticed Asahi's so-called "reinforcement."

Her lips curled into a barely noticeable smirk—the complete opposite of Asahi's reaction.

For a moment, the entire 15th floor fell into an eerie silence.

Saki, an openly recognized Rocket Executive.

Asahi and Green, officially affiliated with the International Police, but secretly working with the League.

And then there was Sabrina—a Gym Leader on paper, but in reality, a Rocket Executive.

Yet, contrary to Asahi's fears, Sabrina didn't immediately side with Sird against him.

Instead, she looked at Asahi. "Agent Asahi, I received orders from Elite Four Lance to assist. The enemy is Team Rocket, correct?"

"..."

Hearing "enemy" and "Team Rocket" from Sabrina's mouth felt bizarre to Asahi.

At this point, he was no longer sure where Sabrina stood.

Sird also seemed unsettled by her words.

Was Sabrina still trying to keep up appearances?

As Sird scrutinized her, Sabrina's gaze briefly met hers.

Sird's expression darkened.

She hesitated for a moment before clicking her tongue in annoyance.

Without another word, she recalled her Persian.

Seeing this, Asahi instantly realized—Sabrina must have signaled something to Sird. She was trying to escape!

"Gardevoir, stop her!"

Gardevoir's eyes glowed blue, psychic energy surging toward Sird.

But Sird was prepared.

Banette unleashed a Dark Pulse to intercept, while simultaneously launching a Shadow Ball at Asahi.

Using the distraction, Starmie smashed open a nearby window.

"See you around!"

Standing at the window, Sird turned back to glance at Asahi and Sabrina.

But Asahi wasn't about to let her go. "Think you can run? Eevee, Swift!"

"Eevee!"

Eevee fired a barrage of star-shaped energy shots at Sird.

She dodged most but was still hit by a few, letting out a small cry of pain.

At the same time, Lugia flapped its wings again, summoning another gust...

Sird's body tumbled uncontrollably toward the open window.

Just as she was about to experience an impromptu bungee jump—without the rope—her Starmie braced against the raging winds and caught her.

Battered and bruised, Sird was carried away by Starmie, retreating into the distance.

Asahi attempted to hurl an Aura Sphere after her but missed. He was about to mount Lugia and give chase when Sabrina suddenly persuaded him.

"Sylph Co. is more important. Let's deal with the remaining Rocket Grunts first."

Asahi glanced at Sabrina, who had somehow closed the distance between them and was now holding onto his arm. Then, he looked at Gardevoir, who was still a fair distance away after her previous attack on Banette.

After taking a moment to evaluate whether he could take Sabrina on in a bare-handed fight...

Asahi decided to go with the flow. "You're right. Let's clean up the rest of these Rocket Grunts first. Green!"

The remaining Rocket Grunts on the 15th floor turned pale as they saw their executive flee.

One of them, unwilling to accept defeat, quietly released a Weezing, attempting to create chaos and escape in the confusion.

With a quick signal to Green, the three of them began mopping up the remaining Rocket Grunts.

It was then that Asahi got to witness Sabrina's psychic abilities firsthand.

She unleashed a powerful wave of psychic energy, amplifying the strength of her Alakazam in front of her, pushing its power to a whole new level as it mercilessly took down the Rocket Grunts one by one.

In terms of sheer enhancement, it was already comparable to the boost Gardevoir received from the Psychic Slate.

[With that level of psychic force, an average Gym Leader's Pokémon probably wouldn't even be able to get close.]

As Asahi studied Sabrina, she was also observing him and his Gardevoir.

The Aura Sphere Asahi had thrown earlier had piqued her interest, and his Gardevoir was clearly stronger than her Alakazam.

Her eyes flickered with curiosity as she looked at the Psychic Slate floating beside Gardevoir, feeling an undeniable pull from it.

[What… is that?]