He was a breathtakingly handsome young man.
Yet the woman in tactical goggles felt her chest tighten, sheer terror gripping her.
Why is Natsume-sensei here?!
Is he working with the Psychic-type Elite Four, Lucian?!
"No… impossible."
Pokémon Hunter J's pupils shrank, her lips parched as she hissed:
"I know you… You're Team Rocket's Mentor! Since when do you collude with the Sinnoh Elite Four?!"
Suddenly, it hit her. Her breath caught.
Unless… his target isn't just me.
He's playing both sides—Lucian and me!
"You're well-informed."
The black-haired young man arched a brow, murmuring:
"Which means I can't let you leave."
J's entire body trembled, her hair standing on end.
This was his plan all along—
Let Lucian and me weaken each other… then finish us both!
"Does Lucian even know he's being used, Mentor?" J sneered.
Natsume drew a Poké Ball, his voice calm:
"Against scum like you, honor's optional."
Kindness for cruelty? No thanks.
Though he was annoyed Lucian let her escape.
Slacking off again, huh?
Natsume made a mental note to have Cynthia assign a babysitter.
Cynthia slacks? Fine. Lucian? Unacceptable.
"So it's true…" J's gaze sharpened.
Team Rocket pretending to ally with the League…
All to lure the Elite Four into a trap—with the Mentor as the executioner!
"You're terrifying…"
J's whisper cut off as Natsume's Poké Balls all opened at once.
Her face twisted in disbelief.
Since when do Trainers send out their entire team at once?!
Even Giovanni throws one Ball at a time, damn it!
A thought struck her. She rasped:
"Giovanni… isn't Sinnoh's Team Rocket leader?"
"Talkative to the end."
Natsume stood at the cliff's edge, hands in pockets. "Gengar, Shadow Ball."
"Gengar! "
A vortex of darkness swirled in Gengar's hands, swallowing rubble before hurtling toward Salamence!
"Dodge—!"
BOOM!!
The attack cratered the cliffside. J clung to Salamence as it veered upward, her face ashen.
If Giovanni isn't leading here…
Then this entire massacre was his design—
"YOU BASTARD—!!"
J's veins bulged, her scream raw:
"SALAMENCE, FIRE BLAST!!"
The dragon's maw glowed crimson, a sun-hot inferno roaring toward Natsume—
Only for Blastoise's cannons to click against Salamence's throat.
"Blastoiseヾ(■_■)"
The sheer pressure made J's mouth go dry.
This aura…
It's worse than Lucian's.
But Sylveon moved first.
"Sylveon!! ((艹皿艹))"
A Quick Attack blurred across the sky, ribbons lashing Salamence's wings mid-Fire Blast.
THUD!!
"Salamence—!!" Salamence reeled, J nearly thrown off.
"Fairy types?! Now you're just mocking me!" J spat.
Sylveon landed with a flip, Baby-Doll Eyes gleaming.
"SYLVEON!!"
A piercing Hyper Voice shattered the air. J collapsed, clutching her ears.
"Y-you're targeting me too?!"
Natsume blinked.
"Salamence tanked that? You surviving is more impressive."
Damn. Hunters are built different.
J's suit had saved her—barely.
This wasn't some naïve League Trainer.
This was Team Rocket's Mentor—ruthless, battle-hardened.
A red beam recalled Sylveon mid-air.
The Poké Ball shook violently.
"Sylveon!! (╬ ò﹏ó)"
I HAD THAT KILL!
"Salamence—!!"
Salamence's Fire Blast erupted, a supernova hurtling toward Natsume—
Who smirked.
"Rotom, Reflect."
"Full power, Rotom!!"
The microwave-shaped Rotom zipped forward, a barrier slamming into place as—
"Blastoise, Hydro Pump."
"BLASTOISE—!!"
A comet of water obliterated the flames, hammering Salamence into the cliff.
KABOOOM!!!
Steam billowed. Natsume eyed the cracked Reflect.
…Phew. Held up.
Through the mist, Salamence's Protect shield splintered.
"Elite Four strength? No… he's toying with me."
J's legs gave out.
This man… might be Champion-level.
"SALAMENCE, RETREAT!!"
The dragon fled, wings beating wildly—
"No flying allowed."
Natsume's voice turned glacial.
"Gengar, Gravity."
"Gengar~! (≧▽≦)"
The ghost waved cheerfully before slamming its palms together.
CRUNCH.
The ground buckled. Salamence's wings locked mid-air—
Then it plummeted like a meteor.
BOOOOOOM—!!!
The crater swallowed half the canyon.
Natsume peered down.
"Yeah… that move's definitely illegal."
"But outlaws suit Gengar."
He recalled Blastoise, the Poké Ball snapping back to his palm with practiced flair.
"Rotom, scan them."
"Hehehe~!"
Rotom's eerie chuckle echoed from the Pokédex…
...
In the crater, Salamence lay unconscious.
J staggered up, blood dripping, and hurled her last Ball.
"Drapion… Kill that damn duck first."
"Sirfetch'd?!"
Sirfetch'd spun, spotting the venomous pincers aimed at its neck.
"SIRFETCH'D!?"
Me?!
This means WAR.
Its leek sword clashed with Drapion's claws—
"No commands… yet it fights like this?!"
J's gaze darted behind Sirfetch'd.
Gengar nodded sagely, arms crossed.
…My opponent isn't even the Trainer?!
Mentor, you bastard—!
"Drapion, Cross Poison!"
The scorpion's blades glowed purple, slashing downward—
Sirfetch'd closed its eyes, leek raised.
Gengar: "Gengar! "
Sirfetch'd: "SIRFETCH'D! (☆_☆)"
Its eyes snapped open, aura exploding crimson.
A knight fights for those who cannot.
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