Logan is not without reason a powerful quasi-elite-level trainer. Houndoom's strength was also outstanding. Just as Slowpoke was about to teleport, a surge of fiery flames erupted from Houndoom's mouth, targeting Cain and Slowpoke.
"Murkrow, Gastly, use Protect!"
All of this was within Cain's expectations. Murkrow and Gastly, already prepared, appeared instantly in front of him. The greenish energy shield created by the Protect move stood in the path of the flames.
Houndoom's strength was clearly immense. The Protect move, which normally lasted two seconds, only held up for half a second under its attack.
But that was enough; Slowpoke's Teleport had already activated, and Cain and his Pokémon vanished directly from the forest.
With no obstacles, Houndoom's flames struck the trees with a "Boom!", causing a massive explosion. In an instant, the trees were engulfed in flames.
"Damn it!" Logan cursed loudly when he saw that Cain had managed to escape Houndoom's attack. Like a duck about to be cooked that managed to slip away, his anger only grew stronger.
Unfortunately, the innocent wild Pokémon in the forest paid the price, becoming victims under Houndoom's fiery wrath.
After venting for a while, Logan left the forest with Houndoom, filled with a sense of frustration.
Before long, sirens were heard in the distance, and some police officers from Saffron City arrived at the scene, led by the famous Officer Jenny.
In a large room in Saffron City, a woman with long dark green hair, dressed in a red robe, sat cross-legged.
What was surprising was that this woman was floating in the air, and the room was filled with dolls of all kinds, giving it a youthful appearance.
Suddenly, the woman opened her eyes sharply. A flash of green light crossed them, and with a hint of doubt, she murmured, "Hmm? What is this sensation?"
Those who knew her would immediately call out her name: Sabrina! The Gym Leader of Saffron City and one of the three Executives of Team Rocket!
Elsewhere, after using the Teleport move, Cain, Murkrow, and the others reappeared in the black market, albeit in a secluded corner.
This was a spot Cain had marked in advance for unexpected situations. Although it was just a precaution, it ended up proving useful.
"Well done, Slowpoke. You're becoming more skilled at using the Teleport move," Cain said with a smile, patting Slowpoke's back.
"Yadon~~" Slowpoke squinted and made a sound. Since the teleport distance wasn't very long, it wasn't too tired.
With Cain's current strength, he stood no chance against an opponent like Logan. Fortunately, thanks to Slowpoke's Teleport move, they would be able to resume this fight when they were stronger.
"Yadon!" Suddenly, Slowpoke, who had been enjoying the petting, jumped to its feet. Its body, previously relaxed, tensed up instantly and started to tremble.
Cain noticed the change in Slowpoke and sharpened his gaze. He had never seen Slowpoke like this before. What surprised him was that Slowpoke seemed to be showing fear, as if it had encountered its worst enemy.
"What's wrong, Slowpoke?" Cain asked gravely.
Slowpoke couldn't answer Cain's question, its body shaking uncontrollably.
Murkrow also seemed to sense something and tried to take flight, but its body wouldn't respond.
Gastly was in the worst condition. The purple gas surrounding it was rapidly dissipating, and although it tried to retreat into Cain's shadow, it couldn't manage it.
"So, this is the Slowpoke? Interesting!" A sharp voice echoed in the air, but its source was indiscernible.
"Who's there?" Cain jumped up, looking around, but found no one.
Gradually, a figure began to materialize in the air. It was a young woman floating, with a smile on her lips and eyes that looked at Slowpoke as if it were a fun toy.
Upon seeing the figure, Cain's pupils contracted suddenly. A terrifying name surfaced in his mind: Sabrina!
It was Sabrina, the Psychic-type Gym Leader of Saffron City, who had sensed the psychic wave from Slowpoke's Teleport move and followed it here.
That explained why Slowpoke had tensed up and was trembling, why Murkrow had lost its ability to fly, and why Gastly had almost completely vanished.
The Psychic Queen Sabrina! Her talent in psychic powers was extraordinary, and her strength was comparable to that of an elite-level Psychic Pokémon.
Sabrina ignored Cain's question and slowly floated toward Slowpoke, looking down at it with a playful smile. "What do you say, little one? Want a new trainer?"
Although her tone was playful, to Cain, her words buzzed ominously in his ears.
"Yadon!" Slowpoke's body was still stiff. The immense psychic energy emanating from Sabrina made it feel deep fear, but the determination in its eyes and the two syllables it uttered indicated its refusal.
"Hmm?" Upon hearing Slowpoke's response, the smile on Sabrina's face gradually disappeared as a green light gathered in her hands and eyes.
Sabrina, floating in the air, let her red robe billow without wind.
Always self-assured, it was the first time Sabrina felt such strong resistance.
"Yadon!" Slowpoke's cry grew louder, and having adapted to Sabrina's presence, it could now make a clear sound.
Slowpoke's cry finally made Sabrina direct her gaze to Cain, and she coldly asked, "Are you its trainer?"
Feeling Sabrina's icy gaze, Cain felt as though a sharp dagger was pressed against his skin, making his hair stand on end.
"Miss Sabrina, Slowpoke is my companion," Cain said after a moment of hesitation.
"Do you know who I am?" Although Sabrina was well-known in Saffron City, not many recognized her, as she spent most of her time training in the gym.
Cain removed his black cloak, revealing the Team Rocket uniform underneath, then took out a black cloud-shaped badge from his Team Rocket belt.
When Cain showed his Team Rocket uniform, Sabrina barely reacted. But when he produced the badge representing a reserve member of the Shadow Unit, a hint of surprise appeared on her face.
"What's your relationship with the Shadow Unit?" Sabrina asked, her icy tone softening slightly.
(End of chapter)