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Ethan walked into the warehouse and, behind a few stacks of crates at the very back, saw Handsome half-lying on the ground. At this moment, Handsome looked quite pathetic. Not only was he seriously injured, but fresh blood continued to seep from his bandaged abdomen, staining his suit.
Seeing the mask on Ethan's face, Handsome was startled at first, but upon spotting Kirlia beside him, he quickly calmed down. A slight smile finally appeared on his weak, haggard face.
"You... you finally came... cough, cough..."
Ethan quickly took out a Potion and sprayed it on Handsome's wound. As a proper Trainer, he always kept various medicines—including Potions, Antidotes, Burn Heals, and Paralyze Heals—in his backpack, just for situations like this.
"How did you get such serious injuries?"
Ignoring the blood on his hands, Ethan frowned and took out his own bandages, re-dressing the wound on Handsome's abdomen. Although this was his first time seeing so much blood, in this life-or-death situation, he patiently completed the bandaging, enduring the pungent smell and his own discomfort.
"I was ambushed and caught completely off guard," Handsome's lips were pale. Enduring the pain, he sent out his two Pokémon. "They're both injured too. I'm counting on you!"
His Croagunk and Growlithe were in terrible shape as well, not only covered in wounds but also suffering from poison! Ethan took out an Antidote, gently administered it to them, and after bandaging their wounds, recalled them to their Poké Balls. These medicines were for emergencies, but a full recovery would require professional treatment. Inside the Poké Balls, they would be safer and could rest properly, preventing their conditions from worsening.
Ethan took out his water bottle and gave Handsome a drink. Seeing his complexion improve slightly, Ethan asked, "Who attacked you so fiercely? Was it Team Rocket?"
"Who else could it be?" After receiving the medicine, Handsome was feeling much better. At least he was no longer bleeding. "But it wasn't the regular Grunts. The ones who attacked me were Team Rocket's elite unit. They call themselves the Matori Matrix. They're a very difficult bunch to deal with. It took me a great deal of effort just to get away from them."
The Matori Matrix!? Ethan thought for a moment and shook his head. He had heard the name before, but he couldn't recall the specific details.
"I should take you to the Pokémon Center first."
"No!" Handsome said weakly. "Those people are still looking for me, and Team Rocket has eyes everywhere in this city. The moment I show my face, they'll find me."
"Then what do you want to do?" Ethan asked.
Handsome glanced backward, as if he had already planned his escape route. "Behind us is the freight train station. I timed it earlier; a train passes through every ten minutes or so. I plan to take a train and leave this city first."
Ethan pondered for a moment but still offered his suggestion. "I think it would be safer to have your colleagues meet you or just call the police."
"Forget it," Handsome gave a bitter laugh. "Team Rocket has been operating this city for years. Who knows if they have moles in the police force? It's too risky. And I just contacted headquarters. Even if they send people, it'll take some time."
Though Ethan was still worried, since Handsome had already made his decision, there was nothing more to say.
He helped Handsome up. Just as they were about to leave the warehouse, a woman's crazed laugh rang out, and two figures leaped in from the window!
"Ohohohoho..." Jessie said with a smug look. "There you are, you brat! We've been following you for so long, and we've finally found our chance!"
"Jessie!?" Ethan was on guard. "Why are you bothering me instead of harassing Ash?"
"Of course, it's the boss's orders to eliminate you! Don't think I don't recognize you just because you're wearing a mask! Go, Arbok!" Jessie said, throwing her Poké Ball. After a moment, with James failing to echo her, she flew into a rage, grabbed his collar, and shook him back and forth. "Idiot! Stop hesitating and do something!"
James, helpless, also sent out his Pokémon, his voice lacking confidence. "Go, Koffing..."
Seeing the large 'R' on their chests, Handsome shook his head in resignation. "I can't believe they're after you too."
Ethan also sighed. Since he was in opposition to Team Rocket, he had prepared for this, but he hadn't expected things to escalate so quickly. Jessie and James had crossed paths with Ethan before but had never battled him, so they were naturally unaware of his strength.
However, Ethan didn't have time to deal with them. He threw two Poké Balls from his waist.
"Charmander, Squirtle! I'm leaving this to you! We're leaving now!"
"Trying to escape?" Meowth appeared out of nowhere, blocking Ethan's path. "Check out my Fury Swipes attack!" With that, Meowth leaped forward, its claws gleaming as it aimed to scratch Ethan's face!
"Good job, Meowth!" Jessie cheered in delight. But as soon as she spoke, Meowth's body seemed to hit an invisible wall in mid-air. It paused for a moment, then flew backward like a cannonball, smashing through several wooden crates in a row!
Kirlia slowly lowered its arm, its eyes fixed on Meowth.
"Damn it!" Jessie clenched her fists and shouted, "Arbok! Koffing! Don't just stand there! Attack!"
The two Pokémon, hearing the command, launched their moves. But the next second, they were blocked by Charmander's Ember and Squirtle's Water Gun!
Seizing this opportunity, Ethan, with Handsome in tow, left the warehouse through the back door and headed for the train tracks. Just as he was about to set Handsome down, a rocket flew towards them at extreme speed!
In a flash, as a normal human, Ethan couldn't react in time. But in that critical moment, a strange gust of wind enveloped both him and Handsome, pushing them to the side and allowing them to dodge the attack. The explosion rocked the entire freight train station. Shrapnel and debris flew everywhere, but the strange wind blocked them all.
"Oh? You dodged it? How did you do that?"
A deep voice came from the rooftop of a nearby building. Ethan looked up and saw five men and women, wearing berets and black Team Rocket uniforms, standing there, watching them with cold eyes.
Looking at these Team Rocket members, whose demeanor was different from the regular Grunts, Ethan asked in a low voice, "Who are you?"
"That's right, we should introduce ourselves. So you know whose hands you've died in when you're on your way to the underworld!" The leader, a burly man with an eye patch over his right eye, grinned menacingly. "My name is Gōzu, and we are the elite unit under Ms. Matori—the Matori Matrix!"
Ethan and Handsome have escaped Jessie and James's ambush and are now confronted by a much more dangerous threat: the elite Matori Matrix, led by Gōzu. It's clear from their demeanor and Gōzu's words that this is a far more serious and lethal encounter. Ethan's strategic mind and Haunter's unique abilities have kept them alive so far, but they're now facing a direct challenge from a highly skilled and organized group of Team Rocket agents.
How will Ethan and Handsome deal with Gōzu and his Matori Matrix? Will they be able to defeat this elite unit, or will they be forced to rely on a clever escape once more?
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Note: So far this story is published up to chapter 70 on my patreon, go check it out
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if you want more updates == supports with power stones
Every 10 Power Stones==Bonus Chapter