"So that's how it is!"
Renjiro's eyes widened in realization. No wonder the opponent's Weavile was so astonishingly fast—it had been preparing from the shadows, using Agility to boost its speed before the battle even began.
"That explains a lot... but this won't be easy to deal with," Renjiro muttered under his breath, his expression growing tense.
He clenched his fists, thinking hard. In front of him stood Weavile, a Pokémon that excelled at speed and whose power had been deliberately stacked to the maximum. Renjiro knew his Beedrill would have to match that speed if they had any hope of winning. But could they?
Beedrill wasn't like Onix. Onix, slow but sturdy, could withstand attacks, bide time, and wait for an opening. But Beedrill was different—built for speed and precision, not defense. A single mistake, a single hit, could prove fatal.
"Beedrill, we need to increase your speed. Use Agility when you find an opening," Renjiro whispered, so quietly only his partner could hear.
"Buzz!" Understood, Renjiro.
Beedrill's wings vibrated as it nodded, determination flashing in its eyes.
"Die, you little brat!" the man in the black windbreaker snarled. His voice was thick with hatred and venom. "Weavile, Assurance! Finish him off!"
Weavile's eyes glinted menacingly as it launched itself forward, claws slashing through the air, ready to end it.
"Beedrill, Aerial Ace! Now!"
Renjiro's command rang clear and sharp. Beedrill shot up, drawing a dazzling arc through the air. Like a flash of lightning, it weaved past Weavile, circling around to strike from behind.
At that moment, Renjiro seized the chance. In the shadows of the alley, he released Milotic from its Poké Ball without the opponent noticing. The elegant serpent Pokémon coiled silently behind a trash bin, awaiting orders.
"Hahaha! Just as I wanted!" The man in the windbreaker smirked, his eyes wild. "Come closer, little Beedrill… Weavile, Icy Wind!"
Weavile whirled with frightening speed, exhaling a blast of freezing air.
Renjiro's heart sank. Not good!
"Double Team, Beedrill!" he yelled.
In an instant, dozens of Beedrill copies filled the alley, but the sudden cold struck true before Beedrill could evade fully. The frigid blast slammed into Beedrill's wings, icing them over.
"Buzz!" Beedrill cried as it fell, crashing hard onto the cracked pavement.
The man in the windbreaker burst into cruel laughter. "Your Beedrill is finished now! Like a tiger without fangs! Weavile—Assurance! End it!"
Weavile raised its claws for the final blow.
But before it could strike, a melodious growl echoed through the air—Milotic's Disarming Voice. The sound, haunting and beautiful, froze Weavile in place, its body trembling as if enchanted.
"What the—?!" The windbreaker man's face twisted in shock. His eyes darted around wildly until they landed on Milotic, hidden in the shadows.
When did that get there?!
His mind raced. When had Renjiro released another Pokémon? How had he missed it entirely?
But Renjiro's mind was sharp and clear. He'd commanded Milotic using telepathy—a bond of trust and understanding forged through hardship.
"Beedrill, Twineedle!" Renjiro ordered.
Beedrill's eyes lit up with fierce resolve. Despite its injured wings, it lunged forward with every ounce of strength.
Weavile was still stiff from Milotic's voice. It barely reacted as Beedrill's twin stingers pierced beneath its chin, lifting it into the air before slamming it down.
The alley echoed with Weavile's cry of pain.
Renjiro exhaled a shaky breath of relief. "Good job, Beedrill…"
Beedrill struggled back to Renjiro's side. Gently, Renjiro laid his palm against it, channeling what healing energy he could through his Viridian gift.
But Weavile wasn't done.
Slowly, shakily, it stood, rage burning in its eyes.
"You haven't lost fighting spirit yet?" Renjiro whispered, eyes narrowing.
The man in the windbreaker's face twisted with fury. "You... you brat! You've angered me enough! Weavile, Quick Attack—tear him apart!"
Weavile blurred forward, faster than the eye could follow.
"Milotic, Disarming Voice again! Beedrill, Poison Barb!"
Milotic's enchanting cry echoed once more, and Beedrill fired a flurry of venom-tipped spines.
But Weavile was beyond caring. The rage fueled its charge. It bore through the pain, closing the gap.
In three swift strikes, it lashed out—Renjiro, Beedrill, and Milotic were all hurled backward, crashing against the ground, bloodied and battered.
Renjiro felt blood trickle down from his forehead, stinging his eye. His vision blurred, the world spinning.
Is this it…?
He could hear the approaching footsteps, slow and deliberate. The predator closing in for the kill.
Above him, the endless blue of the sky stretched wide.
Am I going to die here?
His mind raced—memories of his journey so far, the battles, the bonds, the dreams he'd yet to fulfill.
No… I won't give up!
Gritting his teeth, Renjiro forced his broken body up. His legs trembled. His muscles screamed in protest. But he stood.
"I won't fall here," he snarled, defiance burning in his gaze.
I crossed worlds to be here. I won't let it end like this.
"Come at me!"
A chime echoed in his mind.
> Ding! Mission update: Create Team Rocket and recruit 10 members. Current progress: 10/10.
Ding! Mission complete. Rewards: Mage Bracelet, Key delivered to system backpack. Please select your Mega Evolution stone.
A new strength filled Renjiro—not in his body, but in his heart. He wasn't alone. He had come this far, and he wouldn't stop now.
The man in the windbreaker paused, eyes narrowing as he watched Renjiro stand, bloodied but unbroken.
"You're a stubborn brat, aren't you?"
Renjiro wiped the blood from his face, his lips curling into a defiant grin. "Takes one to know one."
The man growled. "No matter. Weavile, let's end this!"
But as Weavile charged, Renjiro raised his hand, the Mage Bracelet materializing, pulsing with power.
"Beedrill!" Renjiro called, voice strong. "We're not done yet. Let's show them what we're made of!"
---