"Looks like we've run into the worst-case scenario…"
Red frowned as he looked at the rampaging Mewtwo and the well-prepared Team Rocket.
The moment Team Rocket revealed themselves, they began attacking nearby trainers.
And these average trainers stood little chance against Team Rocket's elite forces.
The entire venue descended into chaos.
Vivian stood frozen, completely at a loss.
Red immediately shouted:
"Everyone, stay calm! This match is being broadcast live—if we hold on, League reinforcements will arrive soon!"
"And don't forget—we have Lance here! Once the Champion is free, dealing with Team Rocket will be as easy as cleaning up trash!"
His words gave the crowd a backbone.
The trainers regained their composure and began resisting.
Team Rocket's advance was immediately slowed.
Red looked at Xiaowen and hesitated before saying:
"You should go join Zheng Xiong and the others. Staying with me is too dangerous."
He knew—
with his identity, he would definitely be a primary target.
But Xiaowen shook her head.
"No. I have Aura power too—I can fight with you."
She released her Pokémon:
A Level 25 Togetic and a Level 29 Riolu stood by her side.
At that moment—
Clair descended from the sky on Dragonair.
"Count me in!"
Red nodded.
"Then let's move."
"Tonight… I'm counting on you."
He patted Ninetales' fluffy head.
"Leave it to me, Master!"
Red quickly assessed the battlefield.
"We'll go help Lance deal with Mewtwo first. If we free up his combat power, Team Rocket won't be a threat."
Clair hesitated.
"Won't we just get in the way?"
Red touched the petrification device on his wrist.
"Don't worry. I have a way to deal with Mewtwo."
[Petrification Device (Black): A relic device that emits a beam capable of turning any living being into stone]
Red remembered clearly—
in the anime, Hunter J's device could petrify the Lake Guardians.
In theory—
petrifying Mewtwo should be possible.
"Then let's go!"
But just as Red took a step—
a woman in a Team Rocket uniform blocked his path.
"Well now~ little brother, you can't go any further."
Red stopped—
not because of her charm—
but because of her Pokémon.
[Pokémon: Vileplume ♀]
[Level: 61]
[Talent: Top]
[Description: Elite-level Vileplume, but its power seems unstable—likely artificially enhanced]
"Elite-level Vileplume…"
Red immediately recognized her.
"One of Team Rocket's Four Executives—Athena."
Athena chuckled.
"Oh? You recognize me?"
"Flamethrower!"
Red didn't waste time.
Ninetales unleashed a deep crimson flame!
"Oh my, so aggressive~ Is it because I called you 'little brother,' my dear Gym Leader?"
Vileplume spat out purple sludge—
instantly neutralizing the flames.
Ninetales gritted its teeth.
"If I were at full strength…"
Athena waved it off casually.
"Relax, you're not my target."
"I'm just here to make sure no one interferes with Lance and Mewtwo."
"And since you saved Musashi… if you stay out of this, Boss Giovanni might let you live."
Though she blocked the path—
she didn't attack further.
Looks like Jessie's mother has good standing in Team Rocket… even Athena is willing to show leniency.
But looking at the chaos—
and Team Rocket's ruthless actions—
Red sighed.
"I'd love to sit this out…"
"But I don't like leaving my life in someone else's hands."
He glanced at Lance—
and spoke through telepathy:
"Help me stop her."
Lance was about to refuse—
when Red immediately added:
"Team Rocket's target is Mewtwo. There's no way they sent only one Executive."
"If you get sandwiched between Mewtwo and another Executive, even you won't come out unscathed!"
"Deal with Athena—let me through. I can help you handle Mewtwo!"
Lance hesitated for less than a second—
then nodded.
"Done."
The next moment—
Dragonite vanished from the battlefield.
When it reappeared—
Athena's confident expression instantly turned to shock.
Her Vileplume was sent flying—
slamming into the ground and losing consciousness.
"…So this is the Dragon Master's power…"
One Extreme Speed—
and an Elite-level Pokémon was instantly defeated.
Red couldn't help but marvel.
"This is Lance's strength… truly worthy of the Dragon Master."
Though he often joked about Lance being a "Flying-type Champion,"
his strength was unquestionable.
[Dragonite — Level: 80+ (Champion Peak)]
No wonder it was an instant knockout.
But Mewtwo was no pushover.
In the brief moment Dragonite left—
Altaria and Tropius—
two Elite-level Pokémon—
were obliterated by psychic attacks.
As for Mewtwo…
[Level: 85+]
Red's mouth twitched.
"How much is that '+' even adding… This system really needs an upgrade."
With no more obstacles—
Red rushed to Lance.
"Hold it down for one second—just one second is enough!"
Without hesitation—
Lance waved his hand.
The Dragon Legion surged forward.
Dragonite, cloaked in green energy, grabbed Mewtwo directly.
The rest seized its limbs and tail—
using sheer physical strength to restrain it.
"Now!"
Red raised his hand—
aimed at Mewtwo's chest—
and fired the petrification beam!
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