"Charizard—Flamethrower!"
A jet of fire burst from Mega Charizard Y's maw, searing across the lakeshore. The Red Gyarados, battered from Hyper Beam clashes, tried to retreat toward shallow water but was struck head-on. Its roar shook the trees, crimson scales blistering under the heat.
"Now!" Ethan drew a Poké Ball and hurled it with all his strength. The sphere struck Gyarados, burst open, and in a flash of red light, the beast vanished inside.
The ball rocked once. Twice. Three times.
Click.
The lake fell silent.
Ethan's chest heaved, then a grin split his face. "Got you." He signaled Charizard to descend. The dragon alighted by the shore, letting Ethan hop down to retrieve the capsule. He cradled it in his palm, warmth still pulsing from within. "Red Gyarados… finally mine."
But before the victory could settle, a harsh voice cut through the trees.
"Put that Poké Ball down!"
Ethan snapped his head toward the woods. From the shadows emerged a squad of Team Rocket grunts. At their head strode a man in a white researcher's coat, mushroom-cut hair and narrow glasses gleaming in the sunlight.
Ethan's eyes narrowed. "Dr. Silanu."
One of Rocket's top scientists. Rumors said he'd helped design the evolution light waves that forced the Red Gyarados into this monstrous form—and that he was also behind prototypes targeting Raikou.
Silanu adjusted his glasses and sneered. "Hand over the Poké Ball and walk away. Do so, and today's incident disappears. Otherwise…" His tone turned to ice. "You'll be an enemy of all Team Rocket. Even if you run, we'll hunt you until the end."
Ethan's laughter rang sharp. "Enemy of Rocket? You're late. I already wrecked your Lavender invasion, and your Mewtwo plot under Mr. Fuji's nose. If I wasn't on your blacklist before, I sure as hell am now."
Silanu's expression darkened. "Then you've chosen death."
Before he could give the order to attack, another voice called coldly from behind Ethan.
"You, the Poké Ball, and Rocket… all end here."
Ethan turned. His breath hitched.
Lance. Cloak torn, body bruised, burns marring his arms. And beside him, his scarred Dragonite, eyes burning with rage. A gouge ran from hip to neck where Precipice Blades had nearly split it in two. Yet it still stood, defiant, wings spread wide.
Ethan's pulse quickened. So Dragonite survived even Groudon's signature move… no wonder he's called the strongest Dragon Master in Johto.
Lance's glare could have cut stone. "That devastation earlier… it was no wild Pokémon. It was your Munchlax's Metronome, wasn't it?"
Ethan gave a careless shrug. "You guessed right."
Lance's expression twisted, humiliation flashing. To think—one of the Elite Four, nearly slain by the finger-wiggling of a baby Pokémon. Rage flared hot in his chest. "Today you'll pay for that."
Ethan's eyes flicked between Rocket's line of Pokémon bristling in the trees and Lance's towering Dragonite overhead. Two forces, both aiming at me. If I was alone, I'd retreat. But with Annihilape still venting in the lake… I can't. If I recall him too soon, he'll explode inside the ball. He needs to fight.
His decision came in a heartbeat. He tugged Charizard's reins. "We meet them head-on."
"Now!" Silanu barked. "Electabuzz, Thunderbolt! Houndoom, Flamethrower! Jynx, Icy Wind!"
"Charizard—Flamethrower, spread it wide!" Ethan ordered. The dragon exhaled a torrent of fire, clashing with Rocket's barrage in midair, heat and sparks scattering.
"Dragonite, Aqua Tail!" Lance shouted.
Dragonite dove, tail glowing blue, and slammed Charizard across the wing. Pain lanced through the dragon's roar as it was hammered toward the ground.
Ethan clung to its neck. "Hold on! Don't you dare forget—you're the one-in-a-million Charmander I chose. You don't fall to grunts. Not now!"
Charizard's body twisted. At the last instant before impact, it roared, wings snapping open in defiance. The dragon spun midair in a blazing spiral, climbing back into the sky. Rocket's next wave of attacks struck only dirt and trees, exploding below.
"That's it!" Ethan shouted, pride flaring. "Show them why you're my partner!"
Charizard bellowed, wings glowing in the harsh sun, and wheeled back over the lake.
Below, a geyser erupted—Annihilape burst free from the water, fists wreathed in shadow-fire, eyes wild. It had exhausted every foe in the lake. Now it craved more.
Ethan's lips curled into a plan. He raised Annihilape's Poké Ball and recalled it for an instant—only to hurl it into the center of Rocket's formation.
White light split the forest floor as Annihilape emerged, surrounded on all sides. The Rockets froze, stunned.
Ethan's voice thundered from above. "You wanted numbers? Then face him. Annihilape, let it all out. Dance your rage!"
The Ghost-fighter howled, slamming its fists into the ground. Rage Fist ignited, swelling with every heartbeat.
Rocket's bravado cracked. "Wh-what is that thing—?!"
"Too late to ask," Ethan said coldly.
Annihilape charged, striking like a demon let loose.
Above, Lance's Dragonite swung toward Charizard again, while Ethan braced for the storm to come—two enemies, one lake, and a war far from finished.