In the center of the battlefield, at the point where the two sides clashed.
At the forefront of the Rocket team stood a woman with a white cloak and fiery red hair. With a grim expression, she petted a Houndoom by her side.
Leading the League team was an elderly man with white hair, full of energy, leaning on a cane. Next to him, surprisingly, was a Swinub.
However, no one dared underestimate that seemingly harmless Swinub.
This elderly man, leader of the League team, was none other than Pryce, the Gym Leader of Mahogany Town, an expert in Ice-type Pokémon, especially in breeding and training Swinub to surpass their natural limitations.
The leader of the Rocket team was Ariana, one of Team Rocket's four Executives and the one in charge of the base at Mahogany Town.
"Pryce, how can you still take part in these fights? What have those League politicians offered you?" Ariana said through gritted teeth.
This was her territory. If the League managed to break through their defenses, she would be primarily responsible. Even if it wasn't directly her fault, Giovanni would likely note her lack of performance.
"Hehe, girl, don't get so nervous. You know exactly what's going on here. I don't need to explain it to you," Pryce replied, rubbing the handle of his cane. "I'm here under orders. If you insist on blocking the way, don't blame me for using my power against you."
Hearing Pryce's words, Ariana's expression grew even darker.
She knew very well that, while both were at an elite trainer level, the differences between them were notable. Pryce, being a veteran, was a formidable opponent that she couldn't easily face.
However, she couldn't allow them to pass so easily. At the very least, she had to buy time until her team completed the copying of all important data to minimize losses. Otherwise, explaining things to Giovanni would be even more challenging.
Resolutely, Ariana unhooked several Poké Balls from her belt. Counting carefully, there were eight in total!
She threw them all at once, and on the battlefield appeared imposing, energetic Pokémon.
Pryce watched Ariana's moves, smiling calmly as he drew four Poké Balls, releasing his Pokémon onto the battlefield.
A great battle was about to begin.
However, the difference between Ariana and Pryce was evident. Although Ariana had a total of nine Pokémon (including the Houndoom already on the field), Pryce had only released five Pokémon, including Swinub, and both were fighting evenly. This clearly showed who had the advantage.
With the start of their battle, the other members of the League and Rocket also began to clash.
Here, the difference became apparent: the League trainers, who hadn't experienced bloody battles, showed their weaknesses when facing Rocket members head-on.
Often, a Rocket member fighting with all their might could take on two League trainers of the same level, and if the latter made a mistake, they could even be defeated.
Watching the battles unfold, Pryce began to frown. He took out three more Poké Balls, releasing three elite or quasi-elite level Pokémon, tipping the scales in favor of the League.
Snow began to fall from the sky, and Pryce finally unleashed his full power.
Ariana gritted her teeth as she saw her side being overwhelmed by Pryce's Pokémon, unable to do anything. She was now using all her strength to face Pryce, and in the middle of the battle, she couldn't worry about anyone else.
The situation started to become chaotic.
After half an hour of fighting, under the fierce assault of Pryce's Pokémon, the League finally broke Team Rocket's defensive line and led its trainers toward the base.
From a safe distance, hidden on the ground, Cain watched, not daring to move. Although he couldn't clearly see the battle between Ariana and Pryce from his position two kilometers away, the small snowflakes reaching there gave him an idea of Pryce's power.
Pryce's strength was truly terrifying. Simply with the ability to change the weather and make it snow within a radius of over two kilometers, it was clear that this was not just an ordinary move, but the manipulation of the weather over an entire region.
The power of an elite-level veteran was incredible.
When Cain saw the League breaking Rocket's defensive line, he summoned his Slowpoke and changed his mask to one he'd never used before. Placing his hand on Slowpoke's back, he waited for the perfect moment to act.
The battle between Ariana and Pryce was at a stalemate, but it was clear that Ariana was at a disadvantage. Although she had more Pokémon, quantity didn't guarantee quality.
Every time she attempted a surprise attack on Pryce, it was intercepted by the Swinub at his side.
The sole purpose of that Swinub was to control the snowfall and protect Pryce.
Therefore, in reality, the battle between Ariana and Pryce was a nine-on-four confrontation, yet Ariana was still at a disadvantage.
Cain waited until the League pushed the battle line toward the base entrance before starting to move. By that time, several trainers had already managed to penetrate the underground base, and those who entered first were likely exploring its depths.
"Slowpoke, teleport us to the marked point from before," Cain ordered as he touched Slowpoke's back, communicating telepathically through his Pokémon's psychic powers.
Slowpoke's eyes glowed intensely, and, since the distance wasn't very far, it quickly located the reference point they'd left earlier.
Surrounded by a bubble of psychic energy, they vanished from their original spot in an instant.
When Slowpoke used Teleport, a League trainer with a psychic Pokémon suddenly frowned and approached Pryce, speaking in a low voice: "Mr. Pryce, someone just used Teleport toward the interior of the base."
Hearing this, Pryce's eyes narrowed, and a glint of light shone in his gaze. "Don't worry. Keep tracking. When they try to leave, use the spatial energy wave to stop them."
His tone at the end of the sentence was cold.
If someone took advantage of the battle to gain an advantage, Pryce would not let them escape easily.
"Understood!" the man replied.
The League should not be underestimated; in the Pokémon world, there are many psychics, and a large part of them have been recruited by the League. The man who had spoken to Pryce was one of them.
"Accelerate the attack, enter!" Pryce ordered, his voice not very loud, but resonating throughout the battlefield.
Finally, after being on the defensive for so long, Pryce began directing his Pokémon to launch an assault.
When Pryce changed tactics, the pressure on Ariana increased significantly.
However, she continued to wait, hoping that her subordinates would complete the data transfer before it was too late.
At that moment, Cain, taking advantage of Slowpoke's Teleport move, entered the office where they had been before.
(End of chapter)