----
Archer, Ariana, and Proton backed up toward the observation deck's windows, clearly intending to smash through the glass and escape by air.
Following Kai's command, his Dragonite, Jolteon, and Gardevoir launched forward at blistering speed. Any Team Rocket Pokémon that dared stand in their path was instantly and mercilessly taken down.
Within moments, a swath of defeated Pokémon lay sprawled across the floor, overwhelmed by the sheer power of Kai's team.
Across the room, Looker immediately recognized what was happening. "Team Rocket you're not getting away!!" he shouted.
"Getting away?" Ariana scoffed. "Please. This is called a tactical retreat. We've accomplished everything we came here to do. Staying would be pointless."
As she spoke, she produced a small remote. With a click, a deafening BOOM echoed through the tower the observation deck's glass walls shattered simultaneously, shards flying everywhere.
The airborne debris startled nearby officers and their Pokémon, forcing them to shield themselves. By the time they looked up, Team Rocket agents were already leaping out of the broken windows.
Gliders deployed from their backs, carrying them into the sky like dark-winged paper planes.
They had planned this escape all along.
"Damn it! After them!!" shouted Looker.
His expression darkened. Even with officers stationed throughout the broadcasting station's perimeter, it would be nearly impossible to track these agents through a massive metropolitan city like Goldenrod once they were airborne. It would be like finding a needle in a haystack.
Kai's eyes remained locked on the three Rocket Executives. Just as Proton dove through the broken window, Kai's gaze sharpened. Gardevoir, linked to him telepathically, instantly picked up on his intent.
With a flick of her hand and a burst of psychic energy, she yanked Proton back mid-air and slammed him onto the tower floor.
"What the—!?"
Proton's face twisted in shock as he struggled, but no amount of human strength could compete with Gardevoir's psychic grip. Within seconds, officers were upon him, pinning him down and placing him under arrest.
Before the scene could settle, Kai let out a sharp whistle and leapt out the window himself. Before he could even fall, a flash of yellow passed by Dragonite swept in beneath him, catching him on its wide, sturdy back.
A shimmer beside him Gardevoir teleported again, landing smoothly beside Kai. Without missing a beat, Kai recalled Jolteon into its Poké Ball while still airborne.
It was all executed flawlessly in mere seconds.
By now, Archer and Ariana had already glided a fair distance. But when they looked back and saw Proton captured, their expressions tensed.
Seeing Dragonite soaring after them with Kai in tow only made their situation worse.
With a glance at each other, they silently nodded, breaking off from the main group and banking toward a new direction.
Below, the citizens of Goldenrod looked up at the sky, bewildered. To them, the gliders overhead looked like part of some high-flying stunt show or an extreme sports promotion. No one could have imagined they were witnessing the escape of dangerous criminals.
High above the city, Archer and Ariana continued gliding until they reached a freight train depot on the city's outskirts. Descending gradually, they landed, shedding their gliders.
But before they could steady themselves, Dragonite touched down nearby. Kai jumped off its back and stood in their path.
Archer narrowed his eyes. "You just don't know when to quit, do you?"
Ariana crossed her arms, sneering. "Chasing us down alone? You think you can take both of us by yourself?"
Kai didn't respond with words. Instead, he tossed out several Poké Balls in a blur of motion.
Gardevoir, Dragonite, Jolteon, Tyranitar, Scizor, Gengar, and a shimmering Crystal Steelix emerged in formation around him. Seven formidable Pokémon surrounded him, each one radiating power and confidence.
Archer and Ariana's faces stiffened. Clearly, they were done running.
With synchronized motions, they released their own Pokémon.
Archer summoned Houndoom, Golbat, Persian, Hypno, another Tyranitar, and a Wobbuffet.
Ariana called forth Sneasel, Muk, Arbok, Lickitung, Kabutops, and a Vileplume.
In an instant, the abandoned train yard became a battlefield, the two sides locking eyes in tense silence. Though not a single attack had been launched, the air was thick with intensity.
Ariana scanned the battlefield and smirked. "Looks like we outnumber you."
Kai's reply was cold and direct. "Numbers don't win battles. Strength does. And unlike you two, I've got reinforcements coming International Police officers are on their way as we speak. Who's coming for you?"
Her smirk faltered.
Just as Kai said, the International Police could show up at any moment. But as for them, Team Rocket had no backup.
"Don't underestimate him," Archer warned, glancing sideways at Ariana. "He still has the Legendary Birds."
Ariana's expression darkened.
But Kai just gave a casual shrug. "You don't have to worry about that. I've already sent the Legendary Birds elsewhere."
What?
The two Executives blinked, stunned. Why would he reveal that?
They exchanged uncertain glances. Was he bluffing? Was this some kind of trick to lower their guard?
If they believed him and fought without caution, and he suddenly summoned the Birds mid-battle, they'd be caught completely off-guard.
Kai could see their skepticism but he said nothing more.
These days, no one ever believes the truth, do they?
Still…
His fingers brushed over the two Poke Balls clipped to his belt. The Legendary Birds weren't with him but two Legendary Beasts were.
That was more than enough backup.
"Relax," he said with a faint smile. "I told you the truth. The Birds aren't here."
Archer and Ariana stared at him, unsettled. What was he playing at?
But they had no time to figure it out.
The clock was ticking and if they wanted any hope of escaping, they needed to finish this fight quickly.
If they could eliminate Kai here and now, Team Rocket would finally be free of their biggest thorn in the side.
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