With Aiden's insight and Sabrina's insider knowledge, the Kanto League finally gained a clear picture of Team Rocket's movements.
This time, they weren't walking in the dark anymore.
Sabrina continued acting as a double agent, maintaining contact with Team Rocket while feeding controlled information back to the League. However, Giovanni remained cautious. He didn't reveal the full plan to her, only assigning her to work alongside Lance to deal with Bruno.
That alone was enough.
Once the intel reached Lance, he immediately adjusted the strategy.
Sabrina and Bruno would pretend to attack Goldenrod City. Then, at the right moment, they would turn the tables, capture Lance, and wipe out the entire Rocket base there. With two Elite-level fighters acting together, success was almost guaranteed.
And once Lance was taken down, Sabrina could use her psychic power to support other battlefields instantly.
Everything was falling into place.
Meanwhile, Agatha personally led an elite team toward Fuchsia City, targeting Koga's daughter. It was a calculated move—capture her first, then force Koga into the open.
Lorelei was assigned to Johto, where she would deal with Will and dismantle Rocket's presence there.
Volkner headed for Vermilion City, eager to face Lt. Surge. As fellow Electric-type specialists, this was a battle he had been looking forward to.
Lance himself moved toward Viridian City—the heart of Team Rocket.
And Aiden…
Aiden remained in Cerulean City.
Not because it was unimportant—but because he was the trump card.
Before the operation began, he placed psychic marks on every key member. If anyone encountered danger, he would know instantly—and arrive in seconds.
A safety net no one else could provide.
…
With the plan finalized, Lance recalled all Elite Four members, including Karen, Koga, and even Will.
On the surface, it was reinforcement.
In reality…
It was a trap.
…
The night of the operation arrived.
Both sides were ready.
Team Rocket had also set their ambush.
Will, Karen, and Sabrina were assigned to target Lorelei, Agatha, and Bruno respectively. Giovanni himself would deal with Lance.
Apollo, the strongest among the four commanders, was paired with Will to overwhelm Lorelei. Ariana stayed back as support, ready to intercept reinforcements. Lance coordinated with Sabrina against Bruno.
As for Petrel…
He was sent to Cerulean City.
His task was simple.
Test Aiden.
…
The following day, everyone gathered at Silver Mountain.
The atmosphere was calm.
Too calm.
Lance stood at the center, his gaze sweeping across the group—Aiden, Lorelei, Bruno, Koga, Sabrina, Karen, and Agatha.
Then he smiled.
"There's a traitor among us."
The moment those words fell, Karen and Koga's expressions changed slightly.
Before either could react—
A powerful psychic force descended.
Aiden had already moved.
In an instant, both Karen and Koga were locked in place, their bodies frozen by overwhelming mental pressure.
Karen's expression darkened as she struggled.
"Lance! Is this how the Champion treats his own people?" she snapped. "Letting an outsider humiliate us like this?"
Koga's voice was colder.
"You're accusing us without proof."
Aiden chuckled softly.
"Still trying to deny it?"
His psychic power expanded, forming a clear image in the air.
The scene replayed.
Karen.
Umbreon.
The secret meeting.
The transfer of information.
Everything—undeniable.
Karen's face turned pale.
This time, there was no excuse.
No way out.
Koga, however, reacted quickly.
"Karen may have betrayed the League," he said coldly, "but I haven't."
Then, without hesitation, he added—
"And don't forget—Sabrina is also one of Team Rocket's operatives."
For a moment, silence fell.
Then—
Lance smiled.
"If you had no connection to Team Rocket… how would you know that?"
Koga froze.
That single sentence exposed everything.
"There's no need to continue," Lance said calmly. "Sabrina is working with us."
His tone hardened.
"Koga. Karen."
"You are under arrest for treason against the Pokémon League."
"Your Pokémon will be confiscated. Further judgment will be decided after Team Rocket is eliminated."
The verdict was final.
No resistance.
No escape.
…
As the guards moved forward, Aiden's gaze lingered on Karen.
A faint smile appeared.
She was strong.
Beautiful.
And now—
Broken.
His thoughts shifted.
Sky Team already had Cynthia at the top, with J and Sabrina among its core fighters.
Adding Karen…
Didn't sound like a bad idea.
His voice quietly reached Lance through psychic transmission.
"Champion Lance," he said lightly, "since Hoenn is assisting this operation… shouldn't there be some reward?"
Lance's expression stiffened slightly.
"…What do you want?"
Aiden's eyes flicked toward Karen.
"I'll take her."
Silence.
For a brief moment, Lance's expression became complicated.
But then he exhaled.
"…Fine."
"As long as you don't kill her—she's yours."
That was enough.
Aiden smiled.
And the next second—
His psychic power surged forward, completely engulfing Karen.
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