"Dylan, don't go too far!"
Ariana was furious. This was simply an insult to her!
"Oh?" Dylan raised an eyebrow, and Meowscarada's eyes narrowed slightly.
"The Pokémon League is indeed stingy! Dylan, I'm willing to exchange myself for two Larvitars! Please forgive me this once."
Ariana bowed solemnly to Dylan.
Leah: "Pfft~"
Erika: (—)
"Are you serious?" Dylan smirked.
"Absolutely serious, Dylan! Though Team Rocket has a bad reputation, I, Ariana, always keep my word!"
Seeing a chance, Ariana became excited.
Simultaneously, she angrily kicked the two Team Rocket members behind her. These idiots had no situational awareness!
The two Team Rocket members were stunned, then they saw Ariana's cold and ruthless eyes, and shivered.
"Y-yes, that's right!"
"Lady Ariana might be harsh, but she has never lied to us."
The two Team Rocket members spoke with a hint of grievance.
"Lady Ariana, such authority! Even in this situation, you still have the mind to threaten your subordinates."
Leah spoke cheerfully, completely disregarding Ariana's dignity.
"Hahaha..."
Though ashamed and angry, Ariana forced a laugh and didn't retort.
You brat! If you weren't protected by someone strong, I would tear your mouth apart!
"Dylan, what do you think? If you let me go, I'll definitely deliver the two Larvitars!"
"Dylan, don't listen to her! How could someone as poor as her come up with two Larvitars? It's laughable."
Leah mocked mercilessly. Ariana herself used Pokémon like Arbok and Vileplume, yet she dared to claim she could produce two Larvitars.
"Miss! Our Team Rocket executives have long been rooted in the Kanto region. Do you think we can't get Larvitars?"
Ariana's face darkened as she sneered.
"Frog in a well! Whether it's Dratini or Larvitar, getting them is not hard for us Team Rocket!"
"Stealing from innocent trainers, right? You're so impressive." Leah's tone was sarcastic.
"If a trainer can't even protect their Pokémon, who can they blame?"
Ariana responded calmly, not seeing any fault in robbing others' Pokémon.
"Ridiculous! This is the classic 'blame the victim' mentality of a thief! Whether they are weak or not, it's no excuse for Team Rocket's crimes!"
Erika, regaining some strength, flushed with anger at Ariana's words.
She was a righteous and kind-hearted trainer, unable to accept Ariana's twisted logic.
"I'm too lazy to argue with you two. Dylan, please believe in my sincerity. You are a champion-level trainer; we wouldn't offend you for the sake of two Pseudo-Legendary infants."
Ariana coldly laughed twice, ignoring the two 'naive' girls, and looked respectfully at Dylan.
Two Pseudo-Legendary infants were indeed valuable, but it was worth trading them for a senior executive.
"Although Ariana's proposal is tempting, I'm afraid it's a no."
Dylan chuckled, signaling to Meowscarada.
Meowscarada, bursting with energy, was ready to pounce.
Ariana sensed danger and instinctively reached for the Poké Ball in her hand.
"Sorry, I'm a League Gym Leader."
As Dylan's words fell, a black-green shadow appeared behind Ariana in an instant.
"Meow~!"
A malicious whisper sounded in Ariana's ear, making her hair stand on end!
"Wait! Dylan, I..."
Ariana tried to speak, but a sharp pain in her neck made her black out and collapse.
Thud~ The unopened Poké Ball slipped from her hand to the ground.
The two Team Rocket members, sensing the situation, surrendered immediately, not wanting to face Meowscarada's wrath.
"Indeed, in a non-official battle, attacking the trainer directly is the most efficient."
Dylan picked up the Poké Ball, nodding in satisfaction.
"Meow~" Meowscarada appeared beside Dylan.
"Well done, Meowscarada. Without you, it wouldn't have been this easy." Dylan smiled warmly, praising Meowscarada, knowing its pride and attachment.
"Meow~!"
Meowscarada's eerie yet beautiful eyes narrowed into slits, expressing happiness.
"Erika, are you okay? You should rest for a bit."
Dylan looked at Erika, who was struggling to stand.
Though the Full Restore had cured her poisoning, complete recovery would take some time.
"I'm fine now. I already informed Officer Jenny, and she's on her way. Thank you so much, Dylan."
Erika continuously expressed gratitude. Without Dylan, she couldn't have escaped from Ariana in her poisoned state.
"That's good." Dylan glanced at the unconscious Ariana, planning to hand her over to Officer Jenny and later demand compensation from Lance.
"Erika, you were a bit reckless this time."
Dylan addressed Erika.
"In any case, you should have notified Officer Jenny or the League higher-ups first."
"Yes, I'm very sorry. I was too confident and didn't think it through." Erika blushed, sincerely apologizing.
"This infiltration has alerted them, and Team Rocket might withdraw soon."
Leah pondered. Erika's infiltration had been discovered, and Archer and the others were likely preparing to retreat.
"It's all my fault..." Erika felt very guilty.
"Don't worry. Officer Jenny has sealed off the area, and I informed Champion Lance. He should be arriving soon. None of these Team Rocket members will escape."
Dylan smiled reassuringly.
"Impressive, Dylan!"
Hearing this, Erika sighed in relief. If the Team Rocket members had escaped because of her, she would have felt terrible.
But she couldn't understand how the Team Rocket base's security was so good that she was discovered shortly after infiltrating...
Soon, Cerulean City's Officer Jenny arrived, taking the unconscious Ariana and the two miserable Team Rocket members away.
Then Dylan, Erika, and Leah headed to Erika's house, but...
Gym Leader Group Chat.
Celadon Gym—Erika: Phew~ I'm safe now. @Everyone, thank you for your concern. I made it out safely. (teary eyes.jpg)
Cerulean Gym—Daisy: Thank goodness~ Erika, it's great that you're okay!
Vermilion Gym—Lt. Surge: Hahaha~ Well done, Erika! (thumbs up.jpg)
Saffron Gym—Sabrina: (tilted head, confused.jpg)
Celadon Gym—Erika: Lt. Surge, don't tease me. It's all thanks to Dylan. Without him, I might have been captured by Team Rocket. (puppy eyes.jpg)
Officer Jenny: I heard from Officer Jenny there. You should thank Dylan properly!
Celadon Gym—Erika: Sister, please don't scold me. I know I was wrong. (crying.jpg)
Celadon Gym—Erika: Oh my gosh, everyone, you weren't there, but Dylan was amazing! He defeated Ariana, a senior executive of Team Rocket, so easily! (this is a big deal.jpg)
Viridian Gym—Giovanni: Is that so? Impressive, indeed. (sigh.jpg)
Vermilion Gym—Lt. Surge: Oh wow~ Did you capture Ariana? (surprised.jpg)
Celadon Gym—Erika: Yes, Ariana got a pair of silver bracelets. Dylan also informed Champion Lance, and we're preparing to act tonight. None of those evil Team Rocket members will escape! (sunglasses.jpg)
Viridian Gym—Giovanni: Hehe~ Then I'm not worried. I hope you all return victorious! (well wishes.jpg)
Cinnabar Gym—Blaine: It's reassuring to see the younger generation handling things well~
Saffron Gym—Sabrina: (confused.jpg)
Vermilion Gym—Lt. Surge: Hahaha, go get them~ The League and Team Rocket can't coexist! Evil will always be brought to justice! (charge.jpg)
Rota Gym—Dylan: Yey
Dylan glanced at the excited Erika, who was typing away. Not bad.
Great, more fun!
(End of Chapter)