Team Rocket Headquarters
Giovanni gazed at the newly born Mewtwo, an excited and gratified smile spreading across his face. After cultivating thousands of embryos, one had finally hatched successfully.
"Excellent work, Dr. Fuji. Your research has been a triumph. How long do you estimate it will take for Mewtwo to reach maturity?" Giovanni's eyes flashed with a sharp, ambitious light. He was already impatient to see the weapon in its prime.
"It is difficult to determine the exact timeline at this stage," Dr. Fuji replied, adjusting his glasses. "Success requires a vast amount of psychic artifacts to ensure Mewtwo doesn't perish during its growth cycle."
"Even as an infant, this Mewtwo possesses power comparable to a top-tier Psychic. Once it matures, its capabilities will be... incalculable. For now, it has entered a stable development phase. We simply need to inject the nutrient solution into the incubation tank at regular intervals. I believe a mature Mewtwo will be born before long."
"Very good. You have worked hard, Doctor," Giovanni said, nodding with satisfaction as his gaze lingered on the small, mouse-like form of the ultimate weapon.
"In that case, Leader Giovanni, I shall return to Celadon City. My daughter, Amber, has been clamoring for her father lately, and my wife is finding it hard to manage alone." Dr. Fuji smiled and picked up his briefcase.
"Escort Dr. Fuji. Ensure his safety at all costs," Giovanni commanded Tyrone, an elite guard.
"Understood, Leader. I will see Dr. Fuji safely to Celadon and guarantee his security personally," Tyrone saluted before following the doctor out.
Giovanni watched the tiny Mewtwo with fervent eyes, as if staring at a peerless treasure, until a phone call forced him to depart in haste.
Celadon City Sewers
A group of Rocket members gathered in the damp tunnels.
"Dammit! We find out we're shorthanded right before the move?" Elite Fulong cursed, his fat face quivering with rage. At 200 kilograms, his features were buried in layers of shaking flab. "What happened to the scouting report? How did no one notice the Celadon Gym has this many personnel?"
Those around him remained silent, terrified.
"Boss," a raspy voice chirped. It was Mid-Captain Yajiro, the man who held a grudge against Feng Che. "There's another squad in the city. Why don't we mobilize them for the assault on the Gym?"
"Idiots! That squad is specifically assigned to guard the families of high-ranking Rocket members," Fulong snapped, his eyes narrowing. "If anything happens to them, Giovanni will have our heads."
Fulong knew the stakes. If the mission failed, he'd face a reprimand. But if an Executive's family was harmed due to his negligence, the Shadow Unit would tear him apart piece by piece.
"What if I 'unofficially' contact them?" Yajiro suggested slily. "They've been idle for days. If they choose to come on their own, the responsibility isn't on us."
Fulong didn't answer. He didn't even look at Yajiro. But in the silence, his lack of rejection was a clear signal.
Old fox. He wants me to take the fall if it goes south, Yajiro thought. Fine. High risks, high rewards. I'll make the call.
Near the Herb Shop
Beep, beep.
Kotaro's communicator buzzed. "Xiangtai! The squad hitting the Celadon Gym is asking for backup. They're inviting us to join the glory!"
"No, Kotaro. Our orders are to stay here. If anything happens to the mother and daughter, the organization will execute us," Xiangtai said sternly.
"Relax. Nothing has happened in days. We'll be back before anyone notices. Come on, don't you want to stretch your legs?" Kotaro urged the others.
"I am not abandoning my post," Xiangtai stood firm.
"Fine, fine. I'll tell Yajiro no," Kotaro grumbled, visibly annoyed. Xiangtai sighed in relief. He wasn't much of a fighter—his only reliable Pokémon was a Gloom—while Kotaro was the muscle of their duo.
Ai's Herb Shop
Feng Che had spent two days at the shop. Between helping Yue prepare for her Senior Pharmacist exam, he was training Litten and Froakie. The Salac Elixir had significantly boosted their speed, and Litten was finding it easier to channel its internal fire.
Rookidee is almost ready to evolve, Feng Che noted, seeing the faint white light flickering around the bird. I need to find a way to upgrade its potential before it happens, or I'll miss the window.
"Feng Che, sometimes I really wish I had an assistant," Yue said, stretching after a long session of brewing.
"I'd suggest catching an Aipom," Feng Che said, releasing his own Aipom from its ball. The monkey nimbly began slicing and grinding herbs with professional precision. "Its evolution, Ambipom, is a pharmacist's best friend."
Yue watched in awe. Feng Che isn't just a genius with potions; he's a master breeder.
Suddenly, a deafening explosion rocked the city center. The ground beneath the herb shop groaned.
"What's happening?" Yue rushed to the door. Thick pillars of fire were rising from the Celadon Gym. The streets were instantly consumed by chaos.
"Charge! Vent your rage! We are Team Rocket!" Fulong's voice echoed through the city as his Weezings began a chain of self-destructions.
The Shadows Outside
"Now, One-Eye! The guards are gone!"
Shengmu saw the opportunity he had been waiting for. He released a specialized Beedrill—half the size of a normal one, but with massive wings and a needle dripping with a toxin that caused instant cardiac arrest. "Go, my little beauty. Strike the woman."
Xiangtai emerged from the restroom to find the street deserted. Kotaro and the others were gone.
That bastard! He took everyone to join the raid! Xiangtai panicked. His right eye had been twitching all day. He checked his phone: Xiangtai, I'm heading to the Gym. Be back soon.
"You idiot!" Xiangtai kicked the wall. He tried to call back, but the line was dead. Then, he saw it—a blur of movement heading toward Yue.
"No!" He threw out his Gloom, but he was too far away. He saw two more menacing figures—the assassins—closing in on the shop.
Suddenly, Litten burst from the shop, spitting a barrage of Ember at the Beedrill. The tiny fireballs forced the bee to veer off course, saving Yue's life.
"Yue, inside! Now!" Feng Che shouted, ushering her and Ai back into the building. "Rookidee, protect them!"
The bird flew to the doorway, its body shimmering with evolutionary light. Feng Che didn't want to use it yet, but he had no choice. He was facing a 35-level Houndoom, a 41-level Pinsir, and a 41-level Fearow.
"Litten, Fire Fang! Froakie, launch Litten toward that Beedrill!"
Litten jumped onto Froakie's palms, and the frog launched the cat into the air. Litten's jaws wreathed in cyan flames as it clamped onto the Beedrill. The bee shrieked and plummeted.
"Dammit! A brat is interfering!" Shengmu growled, his face twisting. "One-Eye, kill the boy and take the starters. They'll fetch a fortune on the black market!"
"Pinsir, Guillotine! Fearow, Drill Run!"
"Houndoom, Flamethrower!"
Three high-level attacks converged on Feng Che's small team. The air in the backyard began to boil.
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