After fully enjoying the joy of reunion with Meloetta, he naturally had to properly thank the wives who fought with all their might. Without their efforts, it would have been absolutely impossible for him to rescue Meloetta, let alone defeat Giovanni. Lorze's gratitude towards his wives was from the bottom of his heart. He always felt that encountering them was his own good fortune.
Calculating carefully, within the force field of telekinesis, Jirachi and Celebi were the strongest, their powers serving as the leading force. And Mime Jr., Smoochum, and even Ponyta respectively contributed their own power to stabilize the suppressive force of the telekinesis. Don't look at how small they all are, their performances were all facing danger fearlessly. Lorze truly felt gratified and proud of his precious sweethearts. And they were also proud to be able to contribute a share of strength to rescue Meloetta—they were absolutely not girls who only knew how to please their beloved man physically; they could also help their husband at critical moments!
"Truly thank you everyone, we... won! I saw everyone's performance, everyone was truly amazing. Having you all accompanying by my side, I truly feel very blissful."
"Meloetta also wants to thank everyone. This life-saving grace... I will not forget for my whole life!"
Seeing Meloetta bow to the other sisters with tears of happiness and a solemn posture full of gratitude, the girls, not wanting to accept such a grand gesture, hurriedly told Meloetta it was nothing. It's just that they spoke all at once, quite messily. But amidst this, two voices were exceptionally clear.
"Because we are a family."
These words were spoken in unison by Rapidash and Zoroark. Having such tacit understanding, even the two of them froze for a moment. Then everyone laughed together. As expected, the two mothers with rich life experience and gentle personalities had more perspective (bigger picture mindset)! As mothers to children, their maternal radiance was truly dazzling.
"Actually, it's not just Little Sister Meloetta. No matter who encounters trouble, the others will lend a helping hand, helping each other... This is the meaning of a family's existence, isn't it?"
"A family...?"
Meloetta looked at Lorze who was hugging her in his arms. The latter smiled and nodded. They are indeed a very united big family. Between himself and his Pokémon wives, there is both the romantic love of lovers and the familial affection of supporting each other. He had even nurtured offspring with some of his wives. And Meloetta, although she hadn't officially been captured by him yet, had already half-stepped into their family and was treated as one of their own by the wives.
The word "family" deeply touched Meloetta. Even though she had lived together with Ridley's tribe for generations, her existence was always treated by them as a god. Meloetta didn't like this feeling, but the power contained within her body made it impossible for the tribespeople to let go of this idea. Over time... this subtle sense of distance made her feel that to this tribe, she was always an outsider, perhaps leaning more towards a friend relationship?
But now, clustered in the middle of her beloved partner and friendly sisters, the sense of belonging to a family was so strong. All of this... was because of Lorze—this man who loved her, and also the core that cohesive the sisters together. At this moment, what do the racial boundaries between humans and Pokémon count for? Meloetta felt that such a statement was completely an insult to the love between them. Love... can transcend everything.
But after talking about Meloetta, they didn't forget to talk about Lorze—What are you being so polite for between husband and wives who help each other in times of need, you Haji-Lorze!
Lorze thanked them for their companionship, and weren't they doing the same? So they were mutually completing each other.
"Mhm, I understand, everyone. But I still want to thank you!"
Lorze nodded obediently, gladly accepting the lecture from his wives. Just receiving the thick love between the words was enough.
At Lorze's suggestion, Meloetta, who hadn't rested well for a day and a night, fell asleep hugged in Lorze's arms. To Meloetta, at this moment, his warm arms provided more sense of security than a soft bed. She actually fell asleep very quickly, even snoring softly, which contrasted somewhat with her beautiful appearance. This made Lorze unable to resist lowering his head and kissing Meloetta, whose sleeping face was aesthetically beautiful.
Seeing that Lorze's side was almost done, Ridley finally walked over too. Looking at Meloetta in Lorze's arms with a tranquil and blissful sleeping face, he felt a multitude of emotions.
"Lord Meloetta... is resting?"
Lorze smiled and nodded, gently making a "shh" sound, signaling Ridley not to wake Meloetta. The latter naturally understood.
Temporarily placing Meloetta on Mother Rapidash's back, Lorze and Ridley began to scrutinize how to handle this group of Team Rocket guys.
"Hmph, this group of guys... people who want to use Meloetta to snatch power are no good people. Even death by a thousand cuts wouldn't be too much!"
Ridley's words were clearly spoken in anger. During the time fighting side by side with Lorze, he truly reflected properly and thought a lot. He was no longer that impulsive and reckless guy from before.
The current Ridley admired Lorze's strength from the bottom of his heart, and also approved of Lorze's attitude towards Pokémon. He is a very excellent and outstanding person. Ridley only hoped he could use actions to make up for his previous debt to Lorze.
"But I also understand that modern society perhaps has modern society's processing methods. So I'll still leave them to you, Brother Lorze. I won't interfere blindly on the side."
This kind of Ridley made Lorze feel very unfamiliar. This is... a transformation? But regardless, stepping out of one's comfort zone and making changes is still something worthy of praise. Ridley is also growing, right?
Compared to Team Rocket's organization head Giovanni, the trio of Jessie, James, and Meowth are simply small fry. Giovanni's level is truly too heavyweight.
Even though Giovanni of the Earth is respectfully called Boss Giovanni by many people, and he himself is also a very complex father, the evil done by Team Rocket has not a shred of falsehood. Lorze couldn't turn a blind eye to Giovanni's actions. Even if his personal charisma is great, villains should receive the judgment they deserve.
But then again, the power of life and death wasn't in his hands either. Thinking about it, handing him over to the Officer Jennys of Unova was more reliable. Presumably, Giovanni would get a fair outcome. After that, it wouldn't be within his jurisdiction. If there is still a possibility of release, hopefully Boss Giovanni won't hold a grudge against him...
As for the Team Rocket trio... Lorze sighed, wearing an expression of mourning their misfortune and angering at their indisputability (feeling sorry for their plight but angry at their lack of fighting spirit): "How many times have we met now? I gave you guys chances. If you always show no repentance, I have no choice either."
Admittedly, these three guys also have quite a few shining points of humanity. But if you make a mistake, you have to bear the corresponding punishment for your actions. Lorze didn't plan to harbor any thoughts of shielding them anymore. Weren't the previous few times already doing his utmost out of humanity and duty?
However, there was still a very important problem right now: How should they go back now? Do they have to let Suicune use bubbles to carry them out again? That would be too torturous. And for Suicune herself, transporting so many people at once would be quite a burden, right? He had to think of a way to change the method.
But looking around, only that Team Rocket submarine seemed to hold promise: This should logically be considered captured war loot. It would be a waste not to use it. This thing is much easier to use than pure manpower!
"This submarine can be put to use. If it works, it can save a lot of effort. We truly don't have that much energy now to go back the way we came."
"Uh... if there's any manual labor needed, you can call me. As for the rest..."
Ridley expressed he would listen to Lorze in everything, because he knew absolutely nothing about these aspects, not understanding why this big iron shell could move in the water. So besides exerting physical effort, he was of no use.
"You're too true to your nature, bro. What else is there to say? Just move this group of guys directly into that submarine and we're done!"
Under the joint efforts of Lorze, Ridley, and the other Pokémon wives, the trio along with Giovanni re-entered the submarine. But this time it wasn't as the masters of the submarine, but as dejected prisoners of war.
The interior of the naval vessel was very spacious. Accommodating the trio and Giovanni was no problem at all. After temporarily entrusting Meloetta to the Rapidash mother and daughter and Zoroark mother and daughter to take care of, Lorze went straight into the cockpit. Sitting on the quite comfortable seat, he also began tinkering to see if he could become a submarine pilot in a crash course.
Anyway, with Suicune as a fallback, this submarine could completely be messed around with casually. Moreover, it wasn't his own thing; even if he broke it, Lorze wouldn't feel bad.
Fortunately, there was a submarine pilot's manual right in the cockpit. He skimmed through the contents at a glance (reading ten lines at a glance). His intelligent brain ran at high speed. He seemed to have roughly understood the driving method of the submarine, but that was only in theory. As for actual operation... he truly lacked confidence.
Fortunately, this wasn't a fatal problem. The autonomous driving technology level of this submarine was quite advanced and perfect. One could set a destination and turn on autopilot. The submarine would automatically pathfind based on the destination's location. The amazing part is that it doesn't stupidly adopt a straight line as the shortest path, but comprehensively considers the route to select the optimal one, and will also automatically avoid obstacles encountered on the way, etc. However, the use of weapons must be achieved through manual operation.
If there really was a bad point to be mentioned, it was that the air inside the submarine was inherently a bit stuffy, and the slightly cramped cockpit was even more so. Lorze even sweat quite a bit.
Just as Lorze was flipping through the manual, two restless girls—Celebi and Frillish—flew out of their balls and proactively volunteered to study together with Lorze.
"Big Brother Lorze, Celebi's vines can also help. Please let Celebi join! "I am also hehe, my tentacles are numerous and very flexible, Big Brother~"
Between the two of them, one grew many tentacles, and the other could control multiple vines. They possessed unique advantages in piloting this submarine with complex buttons. Seeing that this cockpit clearly wasn't for just one pilot, they wanted to do what they could to share some of their husband's worries. But who could know if the thoughts of these two little guys were truly pure?
Lorze couldn't talk the two girls out of it either. Hugging the two pretty girls, he studied while being affectionate. After this bout of tinkering, they seemed to have more confidence in piloting the submarine. After all, three cobblers equal one Zhuge Liang (three ordinary people's wisdom can match a genius)!
Besides this... Lorze looked at the submarine's display screen. It actually even saved communications with Team Rocket Headquarters. This was an incomparably precious thing. Presumably, it could also assist the Officer Jennys in tracking the Team Rocket remnants hiding behind the scenes.
"As expected, autopilot is still better. Why not use such a good thing? It's totally not because I can't learn manual transmission oh..."
For convenience's sake, Lorze set the parameters according to the manual. He planned to directly drive the submarine to Nacrene City. This way, after handing over Giovanni, his people, and the submarine, he could also return to Pinwheel Forest nearby. It could be described as the best of both worlds. After that, the submarine truly drove itself, advancing towards the destination with full firepower. The smoothness wasn't inferior to manual operation in the slightest!
While tampering with the submarine, Lorze also very sneakily sent a message to Team Rocket Headquarters: "The Reveal Glass has been obtained. The final stage of Operation Tempest will be executed personally by me. Relay the order to Team Rocket members to do their own duties and standby. No need to inquire about my actions."
This way, the act of driving this submarine towards Nacrene City would no longer be suspected by Matori and the others. Perhaps Team Rocket would quietly perish while its members were completely unaware... who knows?
In the main control room, one person plus two Pokémon solemnly took charge of their respective areas. Celebi even pretentiously extended her vines, controlling every single button and joystick. It looked as if no matter what operation was needed, she could immediately react. But actually, if a situation truly occurred, I'm afraid she would be flustered and press randomly in a panic.
However, as time passed minute by minute, second by second, the highly lustful Celebi and Frillish as expected still couldn't hide their true purposes anymore.
It was mentioned previously that the main control room was relatively stuffy and hot. Celebi also reached out her lush green, delicate small hands to constantly wipe the sweat on her forehead. The meticulous Lorze handed Celebi a tissue. The latter thanked Lorze in a pinched voice, but didn't use the tissue to wipe her sweat. Instead...
Instead, right in front of Lorze, she neatly took off her leaf-like thin, sexy tight-fitting clothes. Stark naked, she twisted her fat buttock meat and slender waist in front of Lorze, wearing an appearance of striking poses to show off her lewdness.
"Ying ying ying, Big Brother Lorze, it's truly so, so hot in this cockpit. Celebi feels much better like this, hehe~"
In her own words, it was too hot inside this submarine cockpit, she just wanted to cool off. But these words could only fool herself. If that were truly the case, how do you explain this striking poses and showing off? Look at how slutty you are, clearly wanting it!
Her breasts, proportioned very plumply relative to her body, also unblockedly stood proud on her chest, completely taken in by Lorze's eyes. Looking closely, one indeed could discover sweat beads on Celebi's tender green, crisp breasts. But just at this level, no matter how you look at it, there was no need to strip stark naked...