"There is no need to argue. You all can attack me at the same time."
Mars spoke in a cold voice. She had never been looked down upon like this in her entire life. It was a total humiliation. She felt like a complete disgrace.
"I have dealt with many arrogant children like you who do not know their place," Mars sneered. She opened two of her Poké Balls. A Bronzor and a Skuntank appeared in front of her.
Rosa narrowed her eyes. "Their presence is very intense. They should have Elite Four-level power. No wonder she is so arrogant." Rosa observed them carefully and reached this conclusion.
From Rosa's perspective, anyone who said "attack me all at once" was the definition of arrogant.
However, Mars did not see it that way.
Mars heard the girl with the hair buns call her arrogant. She felt as if a massive stone was blocking her chest. She felt suffocated by her frustration.
Mars thought about who was actually the arrogant one. "You people are inside my base! You are arguing about who gets the ownership rights to defeat me right in front of my face! Who is the one being arrogant!"
"This woman has some skill. You guys probably cannot handle this. Just leave it to me and Hilda!"
Rosa prepared to step forward with full confidence. Elite Four level was good. It meant these students and the "eldest daughter" would not be able to steal the credit.
"Hold on! Hey, girl, who said we could not handle it?" Drayton spoke up.
He had been having the same thought as Rosa. He did not expect Rosa to speak first.
"Against this woman, Kieran could defeat her very easily. The other Team Galactic Commander's level is probably about the same. My Dragon-type team can definitely take them down."
Drayton was not going to give up Mars and Saturn easily. Kieran could easily crush a Bronzor and a Skuntank. Kieran's team was excellent. He had an Incineroar, which was a perfect counter to a troublesome Pokémon like Bronzor.
Kieran nodded to show he had confidence.
Mars's face became even darker. Her skin twitched uncontrollably.
"Just because you say you can do it does not mean you can. Students should not be so boastful," Rosa said. She was very dissatisfied. She knew these students wanted to snatch the merit points.
"Girl, why do you doubt us so much? How about we have a battle after this mission is over?"
Drayton's mouth twitched. He looked at Rosa.
"Fine! I would like that very much. It will be a good chance to teach you students what a real battle looks like."
The hostility between the two sides was starting to increase.
Platinum coughed. "Um, I feel that regardless of anything, one of these two Team Galactic Commanders should be left for me, right? I am a Sinnoh local, you know."
She spoke in a quiet voice.
She suddenly felt that these people from Unova were a bit rude. They seemed so aggressive that she did not even dare to speak loudly. But she wanted merit points too. She wanted to trade for Regirock.
Rosa and Drayton immediately turned their sharp gazes toward Platinum.
Those intense stares alarmed the eldest daughter of the Berlitz family. She subconsciously took two steps back.
"Is... is there a problem?" Platinum asked weakly.
Rosa and Drayton looked away. There was nothing to worry about with this girl. She looked like the type of person who was far too sensitive.
There was no need to take her seriously. If they ignored her, she would probably retreat from the battlefield on her own.
Platinum felt anxious and discouraged because they ignored her.
Rosa and Drayton were right. Saying those two sentences had used up all of Platinum's courage.
As the eldest daughter of the Berlitz family, Platinum had been raised with politeness and grace. Arguing for things like Rosa was doing was not in her nature.
Caitlin had a similar personality, but Caitlin was more haughty. She would look down on normal people. Platinum was not like that.
"Platinum."
Paul looked at Mars. Her face was now so dark that she looked furious. He then looked at Rosa and Drayton, who were still arguing.
He could see the truth. Rosa and the others did not view Platinum as a rival at all.
"What is it, Paul?" Platinum was in anguish. She was trying to think of what to say next.
"Do not waste words with them. Go straight in and defeat those two Team Galactic Commanders," Paul said without emotion.
He was a Sinnoh native. He wanted to help Platinum. If his own strength were enough, Paul would have launched a surprise attack on Mars and Saturn long ago. He would not stay there arguing with them.
"This... would that be inappropriate?" Platinum was stunned. She felt conflicted.
The rights to defeat Mars and Saturn were still undecided.
"There is nothing inappropriate about it. The merit points in your hand are what is most real. Besides, did Damian ever say the Commanders had to be assigned first?" Paul was very logical.
He felt Platinum was too innocent. He acted as her planner so she would not miss the prize.
"Go fight those two Team Galactic Commanders right now and take the initiative. I will assist you."
Paul had even prepared his Pokémon to use the move Helping Hand.
If Platinum got the main prize, he could get a bit of the credit. This was the most practical approach.
"Do not hesitate. Be more decisive."
Platinum was still hesitating. Paul found it hard to stay calm.
He thought she was too sensitive. They were fighting Team Galactic. When fighting Team Galactic, the methods do not matter. Furthermore, Rosa and the others were rivals from other regions. This was not a formal match, so there was no need for etiquette.
"Is it really okay to do this?" Platinum was starting to be convinced.
"Trust me, Platinum. This is Team Galactic in our Sinnoh region. Naturally, we Sinnoh people should be the ones to solve it. Those people have no reason to compete with us in the first place!"
Paul whispered quickly.
"Do you have the confidence to deal with those two Commanders?"
"I do!"
Platinum made up her mind. She took out another Poké Ball and looked at Mars and Saturn.
"Pheromosa!"
A white light flashed. The gorgeous and haughty Pheromosa landed gracefully in front of Platinum.
Platinum had only obtained Pheromosa two days ago. However, this Pheromosa was already at the Elite Four level when Platinum caught it. Therefore, she could use it in her main team immediately.
Garchomp and Pheromosa stood on either side of Platinum. She did not use Empoleon. Even though it was her ace, its offensive power was lower than Garchomp's or Pheromosa's.
"They have not noticed us. I see that Team Galactic Commander looks like she is about to explode with rage. Platinum, go now."
Paul looked at Rosa and the others. He spoke to Platinum very calmly.
Talking was useless. It was not as effective as taking action. Credit must be taken. Paul felt he was truly wise.
"Electivire, Weavile, use Helping Hand!"
Paul decisively gave orders to his Pokémon. Electivire and Weavile used Helping Hand on Garchomp and Pheromosa. Helping Hand increased the power of the moves used by the target.
"Garchomp, Dragon Rush!"
"Pheromosa, Focus Blast!"
Platinum gave the orders.
"These damn brats!"
Mars was shaking with rage. Seeing those people still debating over her, Mars was furious.
"Bronzor! Psychic—"
She was going to make these arrogant kids pay!
But before Mars could finish her order...
"Mars! Watch out!"
Beside her, Saturn's eyes widened. He immediately shouted a warning to Mars.
Mars felt a sudden fear. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw a ferocious dragon lunging at her.
It was the Dragon-type move, Dragon Rush!
"Skuntank! Use Protect!" Mars ordered Skuntank quickly.
However, it was too late. The attack was too sudden.
An explosion echoed.
Garchomp's Dragon Rush hit Skuntank hard. The intense pain made Skuntank cry out. Because of the massive impact, the reinforced floor began to crack.
Garchomp pressed Skuntank down. They crashed through the floor into the third level.
Fortunately, no one was directly below them.
At the same time, another loud explosion happened.
Mars looked extremely upset. Pheromosa's Focus Blast hit Bronzor's body and exploded. It created a powerful shockwave.
Bronzor was blown backward.
Focus Blast was not super effective against Bronzor, but Pheromosa's power was very great.
"Drill Run!" Platinum continued her orders.
Pheromosa's slender body spun continuously. She moved toward Bronzor at high speed like a drill.
An Alakazam appeared in front of Bronzor. It blocked the Drill Run with the move Protect.
The attack failed. Pheromosa quickly performed a backflip and retreated. She landed gracefully and smoothed her long hair. She looked haughtily at Alakazam and Bronzor.
"How can they be this strong?!"
Mars's face was very dark. Her heart was filled with shock as she looked at Platinum.
The girl was not very old, but her strength was too great.
Mars wondered if these kids were actually skilled. Then she told herself that was impossible.
The commotion from the attack attracted the attention of Rosa and the others.
"That is cheating!"
"A surprise attack! That is so dishonorable!"
"Dammit! It is all your fault. Otherwise, I would have defeated these two by now!"
Rosa and the others were stunned.
The complaints from Drayton and the others made Platinum's face turn slightly red. She was a bit too sensitive.
However, Paul was bold enough.
"You are the ones who did not take action. Do you not understand the rule of 'first come, first served'? Why would we wait for you? They might have escaped," Paul said plainly. He did not feel he was wrong. He felt very virtuous.
He had Electivire give Garchomp another Helping Hand. Weavile was nowhere to be seen.
"Fine! Hydreigon, Dragon Pulse!" Rosa ordered Hydreigon to start attacking.
Drayton and the others also had their main Pokémon start attacking. The scene became extremely chaotic.
Mars and Saturn were struggling to deal with the onslaught. They were sweating. The main Pokémon of Rosa and the others were all very powerful. They had the advantage in numbers. Mars and Saturn were only two people.
It was five against two. They had no advantage.
Mars thought these children were truly shameless.
But no one noticed that a dark gray Weavile had quietly snuck behind Mars and Saturn.
The corners of Paul's mouth curled into a cold sneer. These people were still thinking about a fair battle. They did not know how to change their way of thinking.
Why worry about honor or etiquette with Team Galactic Commanders? They would win immediately if they just defeated the trainers.
Paul did not think this approach was dishonorable.
Paul could show his Team Rocket ID.
"You say I am underhanded? I am a member of Team Rocket. Damian personally gave me this license. Thank you."
Paul suddenly felt that this Team Rocket identity was quite useful. Once he opened his mind, a whole new world appeared.
---------------
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The story is already available up to Chapter 405.
And in just a few days, it'll be updated to Chapter 450.
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