"Quick, quick! Soone has escaped from the research facility! Everyone, get up and prepare to intercept!"
"Shut down all internal facilities in the institute! Activate all caras and locate the escapee—"
"Report!! High thermal activity detected in the southeast sector—likely the escapee!"
"Attention! The escapee is the Gym Leader of Cinnabar Island! Everyone, exercise extre caution!"
"Investigate all personnel! Find out who else is missing besides Blaine!"
"..."
The chaotic voices gradually beca orderly. These Team Rocket mbers had undergone military training and were well-prepared for ergencies like this. Following protocol, they swiftly initiated a systematic, sweeping search.
The on-duty mbers sprang into action first, while those resting quickly woke up, dressed, and joined the search with their Pokémon in tow.
Many researchers woke up in terror, only to face the grim-faced Team Rocket mbers and their Pokémon as they underwent interrogation.
"Report! According to our investigation, aside from Blaine, the escapees include Pokémon research expert Professor Oak and Ryuusuke, the subject of the wtwo project. Awaiting further orders, Captain!"
"Hmph. If it were just Blaine escaping, he might be hard to deal with. But dragging along two deadweights changes everything. Relay my command—the wtwo project is nearly complete. Blaine, Professor Oak, and that boy are no longer necessary. Eliminate them, dead or alive. But be careful—Blaine is a Gym Leader. He won't go down easily!"
"Yes, Captain!"
The reporting mber saluted and quickly left to relay the orders from the facility's highest-ranking officer.
"You really think Team Rocket wouldn't prepare in advance? Blaine, you've always been under close surveillance. That hasn't changed!"
The Team Rocket captain removed his white lab coat, revealing the pitch-black uniform emblazoned with the letter 'R.' He put on his cap, grabbed a Poké Ball, and strode out.
---
"Damn it, the plan's gone wrong! I didn't expect Team Rocket to notice so quickly!"
In a narrow corridor, Ryuusuke and Professor Oak rode swiftly on the back of a Rapidash, its fiery mane flickering like real flas yet radiating only warmth instead of heat.
Despite its incredible speed, riding it felt surprisingly smooth—even for Ryuusuke, who had never ridden a horse before.
Beside them, Blaine clung to the back of a massive Arcanine, its towering two-ter fra jostling unsteadily as it ran. Compared to the comfortable ride of Rapidash, Arcanine clearly wasn't the best choice for a mount.
Seeing its sheer size and muscular build, Ryuusuke was certain that the official Pokémon data was a lie—this beast could probably send a grown man flying with a single charge, shattering bones on impact.
The situation was worse than expected, but Blaine remained calm. As a seasoned Gym Leader, his strength was enough to defend an entire city.
He spoke steadily, "…But it's fine. Very few in Team Rocket know the full details of the wtwo project, and there are no high-ranking officers stationed here. Our chances of escape are still high!"
"When I was brought here, I noticed this facility is built underground on a remote island, surrounded by ocean. Blaine, your specialty is Fire-type Pokémon—what's the plan after this?"
Professor Oak held onto Rapidash firmly while shielding Ryuusuke. Despite being a researcher, he seed unnervingly experienced in combat situations.
"Don't worry, I've already considered that. Earlier, I made an excuse to leave the facility and borrowed a powerful Lapras from Misty, the Cerulean City Gym Leader. Even though I don't specialize in Water-types, with Lapras, we can navigate and fight on the open sea.
To avoid raising suspicion, I didn't bring her in—she's waiting offshore. Once we et up with her, no ordinary trainer will stand a chance against us out there!"
Hearing that Blaine had everything prepared, Professor Oak nodded in relief before turning to Ryuusuke. "…Ryuusuke, hold onto Rapidash tightly. Don't worry—as long as we're here, you'll be safe!"
His tone was grave, carrying a fierce determination to protect the fifteen-year-old boy at all costs. The technology of injecting Pokémon cells into humans had originated from Professor Oak's own research—sothing he had casually ntioned, never expecting Team Rocket to actually carry out such inhumane experints. The guilt weighed heavily on him, knowing Ryuusuke had nearly lost his life because of it.
"Look out—enemies ahead!"
Blaine's warning ca just as two Team Rocket mbers appeared in the corridor, their Pokémon already poised to attack.
"Golduck, Poliwhirl—Water Gun!"
The dopey-looking duck opened its beak, while the frog-like Pokémon raised its hand. Though the move was called "Water Gun," the pressurized jets that shot forth were anything but playful—more like high-powered fire hoses.
"They prepared this many Water-types just for ?! Ignore them—they're just stalling for reinforcents! Rapidash, charge through! Arcanine—Flathrower!"
At Blaine's command, Arcanine unleashed a searing blast of fire without slowing its stride. The narrow corridor instantly turned into an inferno, the heat so intense the air itself seed to glow red. If not for Rapidash's protection, Ryuusuke's skin would have burned from the sheer temperature.
While Water-type moves were strong against Fire-types, that was only relative. If the power gap was vast enough, Fire could overpower Water.
Moreover, Ryuusuke had read enough to know that type advantages only mattered if the attack landed. Even if Water was a hundred tis stronger, it ant nothing if it never hit. Energy clashes were simply about raw power—this wasn't a ga with hit rates or turn-based combat. Strength was absolute.
The overwhelming flas vaporized the Water Gun attacks instantly, the residual heat blasting into Golduck and Poliwhirl with a pained screech. The two trainers behind them weren't spared either, their agonized screams ringing out as the flas licked at their bodies.
Though the Water Gun had weakened the attack slightly, preventing them from being incinerated on the spot, their skin was left covered in grotesque, bubbling burns.
Blaine and Professor Oak didn't even blink. Rapidash and Arcanine leaped over the fallen trainers and their Pokémon, charging forward without pause.
As they turned a corner, Ryuusuke glanced back and saw the two Rocket mbers shakily pulling out syringes—likely burn dication—and injecting themselves. But given their horrific injuries, they were teetering on the brink of death. If not for the risk of being surrounded, Blaine would have undoubtedly finished them off.
At that mont, Ryuusuke beca even more certain—this world was dangerous as hell.
But the power of Pokémon… was utterly enthralling.
To be continued…
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