The two legendary birds chirped in the air—although it was impossible to understand what they were communicating, the anger in Galarian Moltres' cry was far too obvious to ignore.
"Moltres, use Dark Pulse."
Lucas didn't waste any time and immediately issued a command to the Galarian Moltres. This damn place felt freezing even in a thick coat—better to finish up early and head back.
"Moltres?"
As Lucas made his move, Sabrina naturally stopped her own actions. But when she heard what Lucas called that creature, she was stunned.
Her cold, clear eyes scanned Galarian Moltres up and down several times—this was a Moltres?
"Screee!"
A sharp and sinister cry echoed from Galarian Moltres as purple-black energy spiraled around its body.
In the next moment, a massive burst of energy shot straight toward Articuno.
Articuno didn't hesitate—it countered with Ice Beam.
Dark Pulse and Ice Beam violently clashed midair, but the next second, the dark energy wave overpowered Ice Beam and continued pushing forward at breakneck speed.
Boom!
Dark Pulse exploded directly on Articuno's body!
"There's a major difference in strength."
Seeing this, Sabrina's eyes narrowed slightly. The outcome of such a direct suppression only meant one thing—this creature, which Lucas referred to as Moltres, was significantly stronger than Articuno.
"Cooo!"
Feeling the pain from the impact, Articuno screeched in fury and flapped its wings forcefully.
A violent blizzard surged through the air.
"Sucker Punch."
Lucas's expression didn't change in the slightest; he hadn't taken this Articuno seriously from the start.
Sucker Punch—a preemptive Dark-type move.
Galarian Moltres's entire body glowed with a dark hue, its black-red wings beating heavily as it shot toward Articuno at high speed.
The blizzard howled forward, but Galarian Moltres was faster!
In the blink of an eye, it was already above Articuno, its wing shrouded in black light slamming heavily into Articuno's back.
Under the terrifying force, Articuno's body crashed straight into the ground.
"Fiery Wrath!"
"Screee!"
Galarian Moltres cried out victoriously, its dark red, evil aura blazing like a roaring flame, wicked and unrestrained.
Articuno had only just propped itself up with its wings when the ground beneath it suddenly glowed with a strange black-red light.
The energy formed eerie runes, nearly engulfing Articuno entirely.
"Cooo?" Articuno's eyes widened as it sensed something was wrong and tried to take flight.
Boom!!
A torrent of black-red energy erupted from the ground like a geyser, completely swallowing Articuno.
Bathed in the violent storm of Fiery Wrath's energy, Articuno screamed in pain again and again. Galarian Moltres, seeing this, slightly opened its long beak in what resembled a human-like grin—twisted and malevolent.
The dark-red "flames" gradually dissipated, and Articuno lay on the ground, covered in injuries, completely powerless.
Galarian Moltres retracted its wings and landed beside the fallen Articuno. It strutted around like a proud chicken, lifting its head in the posture of a victor—clearly excited about defeating Articuno.
"It's done. Have someone collect it."
After taking down Articuno, Lucas turned to Sabrina and called out.
As for Galarian Moltres, Lucas gave it a glance and lost interest. That arrogant, soft-bullying black bird had always been like this.
He was used to it.
As for Articuno, Lucas had no interest in capturing it. It was, after all, just a material the Rocket Team planned to use to create the fusion of the three legendary birds.
If he captured it, where would the Team Rocket find another Articuno in such a short time?
Besides…
After the inevitable war in the future—whether Team Rocket wins or loses—the three legendary birds would become obsolete. If Team Rocket lost, Lucas would step in to reclaim them.
If Team Rocket won, and Lucas wanted them, Giovanni wouldn't be stingy either. It wouldn't be a problem.
"Understood. Thank you for your hard work, Mr. Lucas."
Sabrina responded quickly, waving at her subordinates before turning to thank Lucas.
If he hadn't stepped in, she could've still captured Articuno—but it definitely wouldn't have been this fast.
"No need to thank me. It was this guy who couldn't hold back when it sensed Articuno."
Lucas shook his head. Maybe it was something to do with the shared bloodline of the legendary birds. As soon as Galarian Moltres sensed Articuno, it completely lost its calm.
It kept expressing its desire to come out and beat Articuno down. Yes, even though they're regional variants, the "civil war" instincts embedded in these divine birds' bones hadn't changed.
"May I ask—what exactly is this Pokémon?"
Sabrina's eyes held a trace of confusion as she looked at Galarian Moltres, who was elegantly preening its feathers with its sharp beak.
"Moltres—the Galarian form of Moltres. I just captured it in Galar a while ago."
Lucas chuckled and didn't hide anything. After all, Kanto and Galar were quite far apart, and Galar was a semi-isolated region.
Other regions didn't know much about it.
"I see…"
Sabrina paused, then nodded in realization.
Different regions' environments and climates can lead to significant changes in a Pokémon's genes over time.
Like how some Pokémon in Alola have completely different forms compared to other regions. Seems Galar is the same.
Even legendary Pokémon have different forms now.
"To think it has that kind of power so soon after being captured…"
Sabrina fell silent. That Articuno may not be exceptionally strong, but it certainly wasn't weak. Yet this Galarian Moltres had knocked it down in a few quick moves.
Its strength was clear.
After collecting Articuno, Lucas and his team left the Seafoam Islands. It was just too cold in there—nobody liked staying too long.
"Well then, I'll be taking my leave. Mr. Lucas, if you ever come to Saffron City, I'll be sure to host you properly."
At the Seafoam Islands' coast, Sabrina bowed slightly and extended her hand in farewell.
Articuno had been caught. Now she had to report to Giovanni and send Articuno back to base.
"I'll definitely visit if I get the chance. But I do hope Miss Sabrina might act a little more… feminine next time. Being so cold all the time feels like a waste of that beauty and figure."
Lucas took her hand and grinned teasingly.
At his words, Sabrina's eyelids twitched. Behind her, Team Rocket members all averted their eyes and ears—pretending they saw and heard nothing.
"If I may say so, I hope Mr. Lucas could be a bit more gentlemanly."
Sabrina took a deep breath, forcing an awkward yet polite smile as she responded flatly.
Feminine? As if I need that kind of thing.
"Am I not gentlemanly?"
Watching Sabrina board the ship, Lucas raised a brow.
"You're just a scoundrel."
Marnie snorted, clearly annoyed.
Flirting with girls in front of her—what a bastard!
"Let's go. I'm sure Blaine's made his decision."
Lucas chuckled. He didn't take any of it to heart.
Women? Please. A little harmless teasing was fine, but he had no deep interest in them.
-----------------------------------
Vermilion City.
In a quiet alleyway, a man in a Team Rocket uniform groaned and collapsed unconscious.
Before him stood a middle-aged man in a hat.
"Chairman, I've got the intel. Team Rocket will be conducting an operation in Vermilion soon. Even high-ranking executives are involved."
The middle-aged man left the alley and called in a hushed voice.
He was Rose's trusted aide!
"Well done. Thank you—come back and tell me everything."
Rose's magnetic voice came through the phone.
"Yes, sir!"
In a hotel, Rose hung up and walked to the floor-to-ceiling window, staring out at the bustling Vermilion City.
A thriving city, with its massive harbor and countless docked ships.
Vermilion was Kanto's largest port, and one of the most important port cities in the world.
"Galar will become like this too. It must."
Rose's deep eyes gleamed. Compared to Kanto, Galar wasn't any less prosperous—but on the world stage…
Their reputations were leagues apart. That's what Rose aimed to change.
"For long-lasting prosperity and stability, energy is essential—and Eternatus is the key."
Hands in his pockets, Rose's calm face betrayed no emotion.
Team Rocket was the dominant force in Kanto's underworld, but Rose had no contacts here. Finding them was extremely difficult.
Especially the executive he was after.
But now, finally, there was a lead. Hopefully, everything would go smoothly.
---------------------------------------
Cinnabar Island.
"So, Gym Leader Blaine, have you made your decision?"
Back at the same hotel, Lucas asked with a smile.
Compared to yesterday, Blaine clearly looked more haggard. But of course—betraying a friend was not easy.
For someone like Blaine, a kind-hearted man, the inner struggle must've been intense.
"Three days from now. He'll leave Kanto on the S.S. Anne."
Blaine's eyes, hidden behind his sunglasses, looked at Lucas. After a long silence, he spoke in a low voice.
This was the message Fuji had sent him. Blaine had no intention of deceiving Lucas—knowing Rocket's nature, if they found out he'd lied…
There's nothing Rocket wouldn't do.
Blaine couldn't take that risk. Cinnabar was his hometown, the place of his childhood, the foundation of too many memories.
And more importantly, it was home to countless innocent people.
"The S.S. Anne, huh?"
Lucas narrowed his eyes. He had a faint impression of that ship.
A world-famous luxury cruise liner that sailed around the globe—even featured in the original story.
"Well, in that case, thank you, Gym Leader Blaine. I really appreciate the intel."
Lucas smiled as he put the thought aside.
"If possible, Team Rocket would love to have you back. As for the past, we won't hold it against you."
"Give it up. I'll never join Team Rocket again."
Blaine's expression turned grim as he replied coldly.
He hated Team Rocket too much now. How could he possibly rejoin?
"Despicable and filthy. People like you will be wiped out by the League sooner or later."
"You won't be smug for long."
"That someone like you came from the Blackthorn Clan—that's their greatest shame!"
Blaine's voice was firm. He had no love left for Team Rocket.
Threatening him with Cinnabar Island to extract information on a close friend—that was the line Blaine could never forgive.
Marnie blinked—Blaine had clearly lumped her in with Lucas.
Being scolded to her face like this was a first for Marnie.
Strangely enough, she felt no emotional response. In fact, it almost felt absurd.
She understood the full context far too well.
And sure enough, as she glanced sideways, Lucas wore that familiar smirk again.
"You've got quite the mouth on you. I'll be looking forward to it."
His grin widened. Weaklings always relied on their words. Always the same.
"Too bad. Someone like me—a so-called villain—is standing right in front of you. What are you going to do about it?"
Lucas leaned forward slightly, tilting his head as he stared at Blaine.
"You…"
Blaine clenched his teeth and glared.
"Yes. You can't do anything. You even had to sell out your friend to protect what you care about."
"That's what small fry are—one push and they fall. This is your limit."
Lucas's bright smile was almost blinding.
Blaine trembled—not out of fear, but because his anger was so overwhelming.
Yet he didn't dare make a move. He wasn't Lucas's match.
If he enraged him, he'd bring disaster to Cinnabar Island.
"Just live out your old age here, Gym Leader Blaine. At your age, leave the anger and fighting to the youngsters. Your time is long over."
Lucas tidied his clothes, speaking with an elegant calm that made him seem every bit the gentleman.
Blaine said nothing. In this moment, he seemed to age ten years all at once.
"This was a lovely day. Then, Senior Blaine—sayonara~"
With a graceful bow, Lucas bid his final farewell.
His goal on Cinnabar Island had been achieved. It was time to go.
(End of Chapter)