The air grew thick with smoke and the scent of burning wood as Aoki watched Moltres emerge from the fiery depths of the mountain. His hands tightened around the Pokeballs at his belt as he continued his grim task - systematically eliminating every last member of the Jinchuan family.
This wasn't just about completing a mission anymore. Nor was it simply about removing potential future threats. The situation had become something far more complex, like the intricate shadows cast by the flickering flames. Anyone with keen perception could see the truth about Regis, as plain as the darkness that follows light.
The family had clearly wanted their heir Regis to claim vengeance himself, which explained their previous inaction. But now with Regis gone, no one could predict what this unstable family might do next. Better to act swiftly and eliminate as many as possible now. Though they were small fry individually, together they could still prove troublesome.
BOOM!
The battle atop the mountain intensified. The deafening roar of explosions echoed through the valleys as Aoki quickened his pace. While methodically dealing with the remaining family members, he steadily made his way upward. With each step, the air grew hotter, the oppressive heat pressing against his skin like a physical force. Moltres' power was truly terrifying to behold.
Two grueling hours later...
"Finally... nearly done," Aoki murmured, wiping sweat from his brow with the back of his hand. The extended period of intense combat had not only thinned the Jinchuan family's ranks but also strengthened his own Pokemon team considerably.
The most notable improvements were his Blaziken and Politoed, both now reaching the pseudo-Champion-level strength at level 50. His Pupitar and Aggron had each gained a level as well, now standing at level 47. Their month of rigorous training had built up substantial experience reserves, and this concentrated combat had allowed that potential to fully blossom.
But now wasn't the time for them to fight further. Aoki recalled them all, leaving only Gengar by his side as he stealthily approached the mountaintop battleground. The violent explosions and towering pillars of fire visible even from this distance spoke volumes about the ferocity of the ongoing battle.
As he drew nearer, the full scene came into view. After two brutal hours of combat, the mountaintop had been reduced to a smoldering wasteland. Moltres bore numerous wounds across its magnificent plumage, though the six opposing Pokemon appeared to be in far worse condition. Still, they seemed capable of fighting a while longer.
Wrapping himself in psychic energy while Gengar shrouded them both in ghostly power, Aoki ensured they remained undetectable unless they got too close. From this concealed position, he focused his abilities to analyze Moltres' data:
Pokemon: Moltres (blue)
Gender: Genderless
Level: 74
Attributes: Fire + Flying
Characteristics: Pressure
Held items: None
Egg Moves: None
Basic skills: Wing Attack, Ember, Fire Spin, Agility, Endure, Ancient Power, Flame Charge, Safeguard, Air Slash, Sunny Day, Heat Wave, Solar Beam
Learnt Moves: Tailwind, Heat Wave, Snore, Hone Claws, Sky Attack, Defog
TM Moves: None
This data confirmed Aoki's suspicions - this wasn't a true legendary Moltres. A genuine divine beast would never have struggled so against Rocks' team. Yet the fiery avian still fought with magnificent fury, its burning gaze locked onto the human who had dared invade its territory.
The Moltres spread its wings wide, unleashing another devastating wave of flames as it glared hatefully at Rocks. As a Pokemon bearing the name of legendary Pokemon, it would tolerate no such disrespect. While none of Rocks' six Pokemon alone could match Moltres' power, their coordinated attacks made the battle far more difficult than it should have been.
Moltres had realized the human was the key - whenever it tried to attack Rocks directly, the other Pokemon would desperately intervene. Now, after sustaining some injuries, Moltres was finally gaining the upper hand. With scorched feathers and numerous wounds, it prepared another massive fire attack while considering how best to punish this arrogant human.
From his hidden vantage point, Aoki quickly assessed the situation. A frown creased his brow as he wondered: If Rocks couldn't reliably defeat Moltres, why provoke such a powerful opponent? Yet Rocks showed no signs of panic, calmly retrieving a communicator from his coat.
"Almost ready," Rocks spoke into the device before ending the call.
The response came swiftly - a red dot appeared in the distant sky, rapidly growing larger. A Charizard carrying a rider approached at tremendous speed. Aoki's eyes narrowed in recognition - this must be the same person who had hidden in the clouds that night. The Jinchuan family had clearly planned this thoroughly.
As the Charizard landed, Rocks' tense expression relaxed visibly. With a sharp click of heels, the newcomer dismounted and strode toward Rocks.
"Brother," Rocks greeted him.
The man gave a curt nod, his eyes scanning the area suspiciously. "Where's Regis?" he demanded.
"I sent him to handle a minor matter. Don't worry, brother. He has a communicator and will alert us if there's any danger," Rocks replied confidently.
Brother? Aoki's breath caught as realization dawned. This explained how they'd evaded detection near the air fortress - they'd had inside help all along. This was Brownis, current head of the Jinchuan family, father of Regis, a high-ranking Team Rocket executive, and a confirmed Champion-level trainer.
Brownis didn't seem entirely satisfied with Rocks' answer but let the matter drop. After all, what threats could possibly exist on this island with its most powerful creature already engaged in battle? If Regis couldn't handle some wild Pokemon, perhaps he wasn't worthy of being heir after all.
After assessing both Rocks' injured team and the hovering Moltres, Brownis remarked, "This Moltres is exceptionally powerful."
Rocks nodded eagerly. "Exactly, brother! It's reached the peak of Champion-level strength with remarkable combat abilities and excellent potential."
"Team Rocket only requires its genetic material. Moltres itself will become our family's property," Brownis declared, already reaching for the Pokeballs at his belt. One by one, he released his own formidable team.
"This Moltres, with proper training, could become an immediate asset to our forces. It might even reach Legendary level someday. Then our family would have our second Legendary-level master." The naked ambition in Rocks' voice was unmistakable now. "Team Rocket has been dominated by Giovanni alone for too long. It's time for the Jinchuan family to claim our rightful place!"
"Second brother!" Brownis hissed in warning, though his own eyes gleamed with similar aspirations.
"Who's here to hear us, brother? Giovanni is merely the son of that family traitor, yet he leads Team Rocket while our father - his own uncle! - remains merely an executive. By seniority, you should be his equal, yet you serve beneath him!" Rocks' voice rose with each word, his resentment boiling over.
Brownis made no further attempt to silence his brother. The same bitter anger had festered in his own heart for years. While the Jinchuan family had prospered through Team Rocket, a poisonous ideology had taken root among its members - the belief that Team Rocket rightfully belonged to them. They viewed the entire organization as nothing more than their family's personal property..