"Champion Lance, there are no signs of any Team Rocket members yet."
A leading Officer Jenny reported through her radio to Lance. She had been discreetly surrounding the game corner with her team since the afternoon.
Except for a few Team Rocket members, they hadn't seen anyone else.
It was likely because of Ariana's 'disappearance' that the Team Rocket members in this underground base had become more cautious.
"Rats will always be rats. Have we confirmed that there are no other exits around this base?" Lance asked coldly.
"Yes! We have thoroughly checked and are guarding the surrounding area."
"Then let's begin."
Lance replied calmly. If it were his usual style, he would have his two Dragonites unleash a dual Draco Meteor on the game corner.
But this was a large underground Team Rocket base, and there could be many innocent Pokémon trapped inside.
Despite his hatred for Team Rocket and his extreme stance towards them, Lance's love for Pokémon was genuine.
Following Lance's orders, Lorelei led several Officer Jennys and elite officers into the game corner.
At the back of the game corner, two Officer Jennys, led by Arcanine, cleared the way, with Dylan and Leah following behind.
Arcanine's keen sense of smell could detect Team Rocket's ambushes and locate their positions promptly.
"Ariana previously exited through the back door. There must be a secret passage nearby that leads into the base."
Inside the game corner, Leah analyzed. In the afternoon, there were still tourists in the game corner, and Ariana wouldn't have walked around inside with two Team Rocket members.
The two Arcanines quickly identified something amiss, leading them to a tile. Suddenly, a burst of Flamethrower erupted.
With the explosion of Flamethrower, the tile blew up, revealing a tunnel.
"Gym Leader Dylan, according to the plan, shall we split up?"
Entering the underground base, an Officer Jenny asked Dylan.
"Sure, but make sure to prioritize your safety."
Dylan nodded, reminding the officers.
"Don't worry!" Officer Jenny nodded seriously. They were well-trained officers.
"I'll also go solo, Leah. We'll contact each other once we find the lab."
Leah observed her surroundings, waved to Dylan, and headed off.
Their main goal was to find the laboratory and control room in this underground base, prioritizing the rescue of trapped Pokémon.
After the Officer Jennys and Leah left, Dylan opened two Poké Balls. Salazzle appeared in front of him, and beside Salazzle was a bipedal, dark purple Pokémon.
It resembled a bipedal monster from a tokusatsu show, with skin as hard as stone, a thick tail, and a white chest and belly.
This was a Nidoking, evolved from Nidorino!
'Nidoking, Poison/Ground type, Drill Pokémon.
Ability: Sheer Force
Moves: Megahorn, Earth Power, Poison Jab, Toxic, Toxic Spikes, Sucker Punch (Egg Move), Earthquake, Thunderbolt…
Description: Its thick tail packs enormous destructive power, capable of breaking steel towers. Once it goes into a rage, there's no stopping it.'
This Nidoking was one of Dylan's main Poison-type Pokémon, and it was very strong.
"The space here is a bit tight, but it doesn't matter."
Dylan smirked, noticing four Team Rocket members in black uniforms quickly approaching.
Undoubtedly, they had detected the disturbance and were coming to investigate.
"Quick! Notify General Archer, we've found an intruder!"
"The others have left; there's only one here."
"Just one person? How arrogant! Take him down!"
"League lapdog! You dare walk into a trap!"
The four Team Rocket members shouted, then threw their Poké Balls.
Golbat, Arbok, Gloom, and Machoke glared menacingly at Nidoking and Salazzle.
"Is it just you?"
Dylan asked.
"???"
The four Team Rocket members were stunned.
"So, it's just you four. Can you tell me where Archer is?" Dylan asked again.
Compared to these ordinary Team Rocket members, he was more interested in finding Archer.
"Stop joking! Who would tell you where General Archer is?"
The four Team Rocket members became wary.
"It seems you won't cooperate. But that's fine, you'll talk when it hurts."
Dylan chuckled, stepping back and signaling to Nidoking and Salazzle.
Nidoking growled, golden electricity crackling on its body.
Salazzle's mouth filled with a red, searing flame.
"You arrogant jerk! There are four of us!"
The large Team Rocket member leading the group was furious. Even if he looked down on them, there had to be a limit.
Dylan raised an eyebrow.
"Golbat, Wing Attack!"
"Machoke, use Brick Break!"
"Gloom, use Razor Leaf!"
"Arbok, use Ice Fang!"
The four Pokémon attacked together, and then… there was nothing.
Nidoking's Thunderbolt and Salazzle's Flamethrower swiftly crushed the four Pokémon. The powerful attack sent the four Team Rocket members flying, crashing to the ground.
One unfortunate member hit his face, causing a bloody wound, and he gasped in pain.
The other three were also injured, looking miserable.
"Pathetic. You're even weaker than I expected."
Dylan slowly walked to the four Team Rocket members, noting their terrified expressions.
Nidoking and Salazzle stood like bodyguards beside him.
This wasn't a Gym; he had to be cautious and ensure his safety.
The four Team Rocket members blushed with shame, but the pain reminded them that this seemingly harmless young man was terrifying!
"Good, Team Rocket pays you to do a job, so don't throw your lives away for them. It's not worth it."
"Even as a worker, you must think of yourself."
Dylan was pleased with their fearful response.
The four nodded like chickens pecking at grain.
"So, tell me, where is Archer?"
Dylan smiled charmingly, leaning forward.
The four hesitated; would they betray their leader?
"Hmm?" Dylan narrowed his eyes.
Nidoking stepped forward, its fierce gaze sweeping over them, crackling with electricity.
The oppressive aura from Nidoking made the four shiver, turning pale.
"General Archer is still in the control room!"
"Yes! He was copying data earlier, so he hasn't left."
"Archer? He's an unforgivable criminal!"
"By the way, sir, Archer brought a special item to the base. We can show you the way!"
They spoke quickly.
"Good, good, you're very sensible," Dylan praised them.
"Team Rocket has no future; the League is the standard. I'm glad you're turning over a new leaf."
"And you mentioned a special item?"
Dylan looked at the member with the face wound.
If he remembered correctly, Leah had also mentioned that Archer brought something important to this base.
"Yes, sir, I greeted Archer when he arrived. I'm sure it was a Poké Ball!"
The Team Rocket member affirmed.
"A Poké Ball?"
Dylan pondered. What kind of Poké Ball would Archer value so much? The Master Ball hadn't been developed yet.
Or was it about the Pokémon inside the Poké Ball?