"...Heh, I never thought the famous rising star of Team Rocket would see through our plan."
After a brief mont of shock, Eldna quickly composed herself, reverting to her usual coquettish tone.
"To have defeated so many of my subordinates without a trace... you must have used that Poke ball disruptor, right?"
The Poke Ball disruptor was already public knowledge, as the Pokémon League had inford the public through news reports. It was simply too dangerous to keep a secret. Ordinary people already had the disadvantage when facing Team Rocket, and if they couldn't even use their Pokémon, they'd be nothing but helpless prey. After much deliberation, the League decided to expose the device.
"A genius scientist like you, Joker, staying in a brute-force organization like Team Rocket is such a waste. Why not join us in Shadow?"
Elena's smile grew sly.
"This is the true paradise for researchers~"
Even through his mask, the others could sense the thick disdain in Stephen's faintly curved lips. It wasn't surprising.
During Ash's pri era, no one had even heard of an organization called "Shadow."
The reason?
Only one—by the ti Ash embarked on his journey, this organization had already been obliterated, either by the League or by Team Rocket.
If that's their fate, why should I join a dood group?
"Miss Elena, since we're all scientists here, let's drop the pretense," Stephen said with a calm smile.
"You think I wouldn't notice?"
He raised a hand and pointed at Elena's feet.
Whitney and the others followed his gesture, and their faces turned pale.
Unnoticed by them, Elena had already dropped three Poké Balls on the ground, rolling them slowly behind her. She was trying to move them out of the disruptor's effective range.
"Don't even think about it!"
Elena lunged forward, intending to grab the Poké Balls, but Stephen raised his hand to stop her.
As Elena looked at him, puzzled, Stephen explained,
"The League's reinforcents are probably already gathered outside the station. If they storm in, neither of us will get out easily."
"How about a truce? We call it off for now and leave the fight for another day."
Elina's face retained its smile, but her tone carried a hint of nace.
"Oh~ Little Joker, after taking so many of my subordinates, you want to call it even just like that?"
"Do you care about those useless grunts? And Miss Elena, are you assuming I'm alone here? Aren't you worried that with one signal, I'll call the rest of Team Rocket and the League to sandwich your Shadow team?"
Stephen's sharp retort made Elina hesitate.
Elena, an S-ranked fugitive, was reported by the League to possess strength close to that of the Elite Four. Her Pokémon could likely break out of their Poké Balls if necessary. A confrontation was best avoided unless necessary.
"...Heh, interesting. I'll look forward to our next eting, Little Joker."
After a brief pause, Elena grinned, picked up her Poké Balls, and disappeared swiftly down the station's corridor.
"You all stay here for a bit. The League's reinforcents will probably arrive in less than five minutes..."
Stephen spoke to the two girls, but before he could finish, they heard a loud thud.
The young trainer collapsed, face pale and foaming at the mouth.
He was poisoned.
"Oh, my bad. I forgot about you," Stephen muttered, hoisting him over his shoulder.
"No choice. I'll see you all to the end."
...
Outside the Station
"Let through! Whitney is still in there!"
Howard, the current Gym Leader of Goldenrod City, was red-faced with worry, his loyal Tauros at his side. His granddaughter referred to the red-haired, twin-tailed girl, Whitney.
"Gym Leader Howard, please calm down. The other side has hostages," Officer Jenny advised, her Growlithe at her side.
"How can I calm down? Whitney is only six years old!"
...
Howard was frantic, but Napus, leading Shadow's combat unit, was equally stressed.
Why hadn't his sister sent the signal yet?
This was way off schedule!
"Huh? What's that sound?"
Suddenly, Napus heard a commotion behind him. The other Shadow mbers turned instinctively to look—and were greeted by a sight that made their blood run cold.
A tidal wave of people and Pokémon surged toward them like a flood.
"What's going on!?"
Napus nearly fell over in shock.
"Charge!"
The recently freed passengers, their spirits high, charged at the white-clad criminals, their Pokémon by their side.
"Stop them!"
Napus shouted, but his unit was quickly surrounded.
From the front, a thousand passengers and their Pokémon stord forward; from the rear, Gym Leader Howard and Officer Jenny's forces launched their counterattack.
...
Ten Minutes Later
Napus and his Shadow unit were entirely subdued. Most of the passengers were gathered around Nurse Joy and Chansey for dical checkups, while a few braver souls lingered to watch the aftermath.
"What just happened? Why did the hostages escape on their own?"
The Jenny station chief of Goldenrod City was at a loss, watching as her officers cuffed the subdued Shadow mbers. She turned to the passengers for answers.
"It was Joker! Joker saved us!"
"Yeah, he made all those criminals' Poké Balls stop working!"
"Can the League recruit soone like him?"
The crowd buzzed with chatter, leaving the officers exchanging incredulous looks.
Joker?
Was it that Joker?
"Where's Whitney? Whitney!?"
Howard grabbed Napus by the collar, shouting in desperation.
"I-I don't know... The station isn't my responsibility!"
Napus stamred.
Suddenly, he was yanked into the air as though seized by an invisible hand and flung to the station rooftop.
Everyone looked up in shock to see Elena standing there with her Gardevoir, using Psychic.
"Big sis, what happened inside?"
Napus asked shakily after being set down.
"Mind your own business, brat!"
Elena snapped, slapping him upside the head.
Before anyone could react, Howard shouted, "Whitney!"
At the sa ti, the crowd erupted in cheers.
"Joker!"
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