At this moment, chaos reigned in the grand hall.
Trainers and Team Rocket members were locked in intense battles, and the entire hall had turned into a war zone.
Some people without the strength to fight huddled fearfully in the corners—after all, this wasn't a friendly Pokémon match in an arena.
This was a real battle where both sides were gambling with their safety!
At this moment, everyone finally understood — beneath the surface of peace, the darkness of this world had always been lurking right beside them.
"Pikachu, Thunderbolt!"
Ash had Squirtle block a stream of fire that came out of nowhere, then shouted loudly at Pikachu.
The electric mouse leapt high into the air, its body glowing with golden electricity, and unleashed a powerful Thunderbolt toward the opposing Golbat.
"Hmph! Too slow. Golbat, Wing Attack!"
The Rocket Grunt sneered with contempt on his gloomy face. Did they really think a weak Thunderbolt like that could land a hit on his Golbat?
Golbat flapped its wings and swooped toward Pikachu, effortlessly dodging the electric attack mid-flight.
"So fast!"
Ash's face turned pale with shock. How could that be?
Golbat's wings glowed Lucas, and just as it was about to strike Pikachu, a sudden deep-Green glow enveloped its body—
Psychic!
Yes, it was the move Psychic that had restrained Golbat in midair.
In the next instant, the powerful mental force slammed Golbat hard onto the floor. Pain was clearly written on the bat Pokémon's face.
"Who's there?!"
The Rocket Grunt's expression changed drastically. Such a powerful Psychic—Golbat didn't even have a chance to resist.
"Huh?"
Ash also looked completely baffled.
"Young man, now's the time to attack, don't you think?"
A graceful, melodious voice drifted into Ash's ears.
"Oh, right!"
Ash quickly snapped out of it.
Pikachu, Squirtle, and Charmander all attacked in unison without mercy.
Electricity, flames, and water struck the heavily injured Golbat as explosions erupted across the deck.
Already seriously wounded, the Golbat collapsed completely.
"D-Damn it!"
The Rocket Grunt recoiled in fright, gritting his teeth furiously.
"Ash, are you okay?"
Misty and Brock, who had been engaged in another fight, came running over in a hurry after hearing the explosion.
"I'm fine, thanks to this person…"
Ash rubbed his nose awkwardly and turned around quickly—he had clearly heard the voice coming from behind him just now.
But the moment he saw who it was, Ash's eyes widened.
"So… so beautiful…"
Ash murmured instinctively.
Even someone as dense as him rarely paid attention to girls, but the person before him… she was just too beautiful.
A porcelain-fair, flawless face. Golden hair flowing like a waterfall. A form-fitting pink dress hugged her figure, accentuated by a Lucas ribbon tied around her slender waist.
Elegant and breathtaking, she radiated a noble air that was hard to describe.
Brock and Misty were also stunned—especially Brock. His eyes had nearly turned into hearts. If it weren't for the circumstances, he would've dropped to one knee right then and there to confess his love.
"You shouldn't get distracted during a battle."
Caitlin spoke softly, a gentle and stunning smile curving her lips.
Standing beside her was a massive, Green-toned steel Pokémon. Four enormous metallic claws extended from its body, and a silver "X" was emblazoned across its face.
"That's… Metagross, right? Lady, you're not an ordinary Trainer."
Brock's eyes narrowed further as he examined the Pokémon beside Caitlin.
Metagross!
A pseudo-legendary Pokémon from the Hoenn region—equivalent in status to Dragonite from Kanto. The ace Pokémon of former Hoenn Champion Steven was also a Metagross.
Extremely rare and incredibly strong—clearly not something an average person could have. And judging from its stable, heavy aura, this Metagross was obviously of a very high level.
"More importantly, we should deal with Team Rocket."
Caitlin's smile didn't fade as she gently shook her head.
She hadn't planned on getting involved, but there were too many innocent people on the ship. She couldn't just stand by and do nothing.
"So far, only regular Rocket Grunts have appeared. This is clearly a premeditated operation. That Rocket Executive will make a move soon, and I'll handle him."
"But someone needs to deal with the Voltorbs and Electrodes."
Her brows furrowed slightly.
That man named Archer—one of the Rocket Executives—was powerful. She needed to be careful.
Who knew if there were more Rocket Executives hidden on the ship?
But the real danger was in the cargo hold—the real ticking time bomb.
"Leave that to me! I'll go take care of those Voltorbs!"
Ash spoke up without hesitation.
Caitlin's smile deepened slightly—she had noticed Ash precisely because he was the first to stand up and resist Team Rocket.
That fearless spirit of youth had caught her attention.
"Ash, it's not that simple… Wait—where's Red?"
Brock frowned. With Rocket grunts all over, sneaking into the cargo hold would be nearly impossible with just the three of them.
Suddenly, he thought of Red. With his strength, things would be different!
But after looking around, he didn't see Red anywhere. He asked Ash in surprise.
"Red? He left earlier—said he was going after the Rocket Executive."
Ash answered without even thinking.
"If you're heading to the cargo hold, I can guide you~"
A girl suddenly appeared beside them and spoke up.
"It's you! The thief!"
Ash pointed at her in surprise.
Yes, it was the same girl who had tried to steal Lucas's wallet earlier.
"So rude! I gave the wallet back, didn't I?"
Green's eye twitched. She glared at Ash—she really couldn't bring herself to like this loud guy.
"You want to go to the cargo hold, right? I know the way, I'll show you…"
She quickly calmed down. This wasn't the time to argue.
She had planned to sneak off the ship, but before she could, Team Rocket made their move. And when she peeked into the cargo hold—
She was horrified!
The place was stuffed with Voltorbs and Electrodes. She nearly had a heart attack.
After confirming Lucas wasn't around in the hall, she'd overheard Ash and the others and decided to speak up.
But before she could finish—
A blast of fire suddenly came roaring toward them!
"Metagross, Psychic!"
Caitlin's eyes turned sharp as she gave her command.
Metagross roared, firing a colorful beam straight at the oncoming Flamethrower.
Psychic!
Boom!
The Psychic beam collided with the fire, and the resulting explosion rocked the ship.
"I didn't expect a Trainer of Elite Four level to be here. Metagross? That's quite the catch."
As the smoke cleared, a tall man in a pristine Lucas uniform emerged, followed closely by a sinister Houndoom.
His cold, beast-like eyes locked onto Ash and the others.
"So, you're the ones who ruined my plans and made me lose face in front of Mr. Lucas."
Archer's voice was low and filled with menace as he scanned the group—his gaze finally settling on Ash.
Everything had been going perfectly until this brat messed it up!
"Archer!"
Caitlin's expression turned grim, and Brock and Misty's faces paled.
There was no doubt—this was Archer, one of Team Rocket's four generals!
That voice—they'd heard it over the PA system not long ago.
"Ugh, the boss is already here?!"
Misty's heart sank.
Wasn't this supposed to be a dungeon? How could the boss show up this early? They hadn't even finished clearing the grunts!
Did the devs even want them to win?
Brock's expression darkened as well. No matter what, Archer was a terrifying opponent.
"Mr. Lucas…"
Unlike Ash's group, Caitlin and Green both felt an ominous chill upon hearing that name.
"Houndoom, Dark Pulse!"
Archer didn't waste time. His voice was ice cold as he gave the command.
Houndoom's eyes flashed with murderous intent as it fired a wave of violet-black energy at the group.
"Metagross, Hammer Arm!"
Caitlin didn't hesitate—she quickly threw out another Poké Ball.
Gallade appeared at her side. At the same time, Metagross leapt forward to intercept the incoming Dark Pulse with a glowing Lucas arm.
Against Dark- and Fire-types like Houndoom, Psychic- and Steel-type Metagross was at a serious disadvantage. That's why Caitlin had also summoned her Gallade.
Hammer Arm and Dark Pulse collided with a thunderous explosion.
"I'll hold Archer back. You guys head for the cargo hold."
Caitlin said quickly. She had already contacted Vermilion City police—reinforcements would arrive soon.
But in the meantime, someone had to handle those Voltorbs and Electrodes. They were too dangerous to leave unchecked.
"You think it's that easy? You won't get past us."
Archer sneered. Did they really think Team Rocket had no backup? His grunts alone could keep these kids busy.
Meanwhile, on the deck of the S.S. Anne—
BOOM!
A massive explosion sent Raichu flying, and the blast knocked Lt. Surge hard into the wall.
Cough cough… "Damn… you're strong… haha. Red, you really are the real deal."
Lt. Surge spat out a bit of blood, his internal organs feeling like they'd been scrambled.
But even with that, the ferocious grin never left his face as he looked up at Red and his Charizard.
"Why…? You're the official Gym Leader of Vermilion City, and yet you joined Team Rocket?"
Red walked up slowly, fury flickering in his red eyes.
He was genuinely angry.
Lt. Surge—someone meant to protect the city—was actually a Rocket Executive?
It didn't make sense.
Red had traveled this path twice. He'd challenged the Vermilion Gym before. He'd met Lt. Surge more than once.
He was rough around the edges, but Surge had always come off as a bold, straight-shooting guy.
Was all of that just a lie?
"Why, you ask? I've always been a Rocket Executive. Being a Gym Leader? That was just a cover."
Lt. Surge bared his teeth in a wicked grin. His bloodstained mouth twisted like a demon's.
"But you, Red… with talent like yours, and you still can't see the truth?"
"Join Team Rocket. The League's been rotten for a long time."
Lt. Surge extended his hand, offering an invitation to Red. Yes—he had high hopes for Red, because there was no doubt about it: Red was a monster.
If they could bring Red into Team Rocket, then their chances of winning the inevitable showdown against the Kanto League would increase dramatically!
"I will never join Team Rocket! No matter what, an evil organization like Team Rocket has no place in this world," Red said, his voice low and resolute.
He didn't fully understand what Lt. Surge meant by "the League has long since rotted," but what he did know was that, under the League's governance, the Kanto region was currently peaceful and stable.
And Team Rocket? What had they brought to the people?
Terror and disaster!
"I'm taking you to the police. Your crimes—"
Red spoke coldly, but before he could finish, he suddenly looked sharply to the side.
A massive rock cannon was hurtling toward him!
"Charizard!"
With a growl, Charizard swiftly flew in front of Red, its flaming fist smashing into the giant rock.
Boom!
The massive stone exploded into fragments.
"We can't let you take him away. He's one of Team Rocket's executives, after all."
A youthful, mocking voice slowly rang out. The hem of a Lucas cloak swayed gently as a tall, slender figure stepped into Red's line of sight.
Standing beside him was a colossal Duraludon.
"I am Lucas Blackthorn, the strongest executive of Team Rocket. Pleased to meet you."
(End of Chapter)
TN: I know there are like 3 executives, 4 generals and others but I think all of them are executives and the others are just titles within Team Rocket or something.