Chapter 284: You're Beyond Saving
Mewtwo hovered in the sky, its cold gaze sweeping across the battlefield.
The Team Magma and Team Aqua members who met its eyes felt their hearts leap into their throats.
Their superiors hadn't warned them that their opponent would be this terrifying!
But when they turned to look at their leaders, they saw that Courtney and Shelly also wore tense expressions, treating Mewtwo as a grave threat.
At that moment, an unsettling realization dawned upon them.
Had their superiors also failed to anticipate this?
---
The Team Magma and Team Aqua members, initially determined to break their leaders out, now found themselves paralyzed by fear.
But Mewtwo showed no intention of stopping.
With a spoon in one hand, it slowly raised the other arm.
As its energy surged, dark shadows from all around began to converge, forming a massive sphere of ominous energy in its palm.
Its voice echoed directly into their minds:
"By the authority of the Pokémon League, you are charged with participating in illegal activities and assaulting League personnel. Surrender your Pokémon and place your hands behind your heads immediately."
Mewtwo was starting to sound more and more like a perfect International Police officer.
Despite the overwhelming presence of Mewtwo, the fanatical members of Team Magma and Team Aqua refused to back down.
"Illegal organization? Hah! Team Magma (Team Aqua) is the future of Hoenn!"
In blind defiance, several Magma and Aqua grunts lunged toward the transport truck, attempting to break their leaders free.
No matter how powerful the Pokémon hovering above them was, their only goal was to rescue their leader!
As long as they could save their leader… it was all worth it!
Watching their subordinates charge forward with unwavering determination, Maxie and Archie felt a fleeting moment of emotion.
Even at a time like this, their followers were willing to risk everything to rescue them…
Idiots.
Did they really think this small force stood a chance against Asahi?
Asahi, on the other hand, was amused.
If these grunts had chosen to run, capturing all of them would have actually been quite difficult.
After all, they numbered in the hundreds, each with their own Pokémon, and the dense forest terrain could easily allow one or two to slip away.
But now?
They were charging straight at him.
Perfect.
Asahi raised a hand and snapped his fingers.
In the next instant, Mewtwo lowered the Shadow Ball it had been holding, pressing it gently toward the ground.
The Team Magma and Team Aqua members stared in confusion.
The attack wasn't aimed at them?
Was it a misfire?
Just as their expressions shifted from doubt to relief—
BOOM!
A thunderous explosion erupted.
Before they could even turn their heads, a shockwave blasted outward from the point of impact.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Every single Team Magma and Team Aqua grunt—along with their Pokémon—was sent flying through the air, tumbling in all directions.
Before they could even rise, a sudden weight pressed down on their heads—
And their consciousness faded to black.
Mewtwo's glowing blue eyes slowly dimmed.
Now, the only ones left standing were Courtney, Shelly, and a handful of their elite subordinates.
"You really thought you could rescue someone from me with just this many people?" Asahi asked, smirking.
Did these guys have no idea that he had just defeated Groudon and Kyogre on his own?
Courtney and Shelly's bodies tensed.
After a long silence, Courtney finally spoke in a low voice.
"…Who are you?"
Asahi: "…?"
For a moment, he was genuinely confused.
Then, he suddenly understood.
Not every criminal organization had an intelligence network as extensive as Team Rocket.
Still…
For Team Magma and Team Aqua to charge in blind without proper intel was rare.
It was almost… pure.
Untainted by knowledge.
Rather than answer, Asahi simply gestured to Mewtwo.
"Take care of them."
---
The moment Asahi issued the order, Courtney and Shelly reacted instantly.
"Ninetales, Overheat!"
"Ludicolo, Hydro Pump!"
Fire and water erupted simultaneously, surging toward Mewtwo and engulfing it completely.
Steam billowed into the air as the flames met the scorched ground of Mt. Chimney.
"Did… did we hit it?" A Team Magma grunt nervously asked.
The executives were their last hope.
But the moment the words left his mouth—
THUD.
A figure descended from the sky.
Mewtwo landed lightly on the ground, completely unharmed.
A blue energy barrier flickered around its body, having absorbed the attacks effortlessly.
Mewtwo's eyes glowed coldly as it locked onto its targets.
The instant their gazes met, Courtney and Shelly's instincts screamed at them.
Without hesitation—
They turned and fled.
"Swellow, grab me!"
"Vibrava, take me up!"
Two Flying-type Pokémon swooped down, seizing their Trainers and launching into the air.
The next moment—
BOOM!
An invisible force crashed into where they had just been, sending dust and debris flying.
Mewtwo's first attack had missed.
Asahi raised an eyebrow.
"Now this is getting interesting…"
He snapped his fingers again.
Mewtwo's spoon suddenly elongated, twisting like a whip and shooting toward the two fleeing figures.
At that moment, despite having been opposing leaders, Courtney and Shelly displayed astonishing coordination.
"Ludicolo, Knock Off!"
Ludicolo slapped the spoon mid-air.
While its strength wasn't nearly enough to knock Mewtwo's weapon away, the impact caused Mewtwo to momentarily lose control over the psychic energy.
Taking advantage of the opening—
"Ninetales, Inferno!"
Ninetales flicked its tails, unleashing a blazing firestorm that completely engulfed Mewtwo.
A smokescreen!
Then—
Courtney and Shelly's Flying-types suddenly changed course—
And charged straight toward Asahi.
They couldn't defeat Mewtwo.
Their only chance was to eliminate the Trainer himself!
"Damn!"
Seeing the incoming attack, Asahi's face twisted in 'panic.'
He took a step back—hiding behind Sabrina.
Sabrina: "…"
Watching Asahi's ridiculously exaggerated acting, she didn't even know what to say.
With a sigh, she shook her head.
"Alakazam, Dazzling Gleam."
Alakazam crossed its spoons.
Then—
HUM—!
A brilliant burst of prismatic energy shot forth, striking both attackers mid-air.
As pain contorted their expressions, Courtney and Shelly realized something terrifying.
The woman who had barely lifted a finger this whole time…
Was also an Elite-level Trainer.
Their Pokémon, unable to withstand the attack, spiraled downward, losing control.
Their faces paled.
At this height—
If they crashed, they would either be severely injured or worse.
Just as they braced for impact—
They suddenly felt a strange force supporting them, slowing their descent and rendering them immobile.
Rigidly, they turned their heads.
Asahi walked out from behind Sabrina, completely calm.
The unknown Pokémon that had been trapped inside Ninetales' flames slowly descended from the sky.
In one hand, it held an unconscious Ninetales.
In the other, a defeated Ludicolo.
"Surprised?" Asahi smirked.
Courtney and Shelly were utterly confused.
They had received intel that the League was transferring Maxie and Archie.
Even if an Elite Trainer was escorting them, their superior numbers and element of surprise should have given them a good chance of success.
But now—
Who was this person?
Asahi gave them a small nod.
"Let me introduce myself. I'm Asahi. The one who defeated Groudon and Kyogre."
Silence.
Their faces froze in shock.
Then—
Darkness.
Sabrina had knocked them unconscious.
Asahi turned away, dialing a number.
On the other end, Steven's voice came through.
"Asahi? What's wrong? Did something happen?"
Barely half an hour had passed since they last spoke—had Team Magma and Team Aqua already made their move?
"Yeah, something happened," Asahi said, glancing around the battlefield.
"It's hard to explain over the phone. Just come see for yourself."
Steven's tone grew serious. "I'll be right there!"
---
When Steven finally arrived—
He froze.
Glancing at his watch, he confirmed that only 30 minutes had passed.
"You… this…" Steven struggled to find the words.
Half an hour.
Just half an hour.
And everything was already over!?
Asahi spread his hands innocently.
"Hey, I didn't expect this either…"
Team Magma and Team Aqua had delivered themselves right to him.
What was he supposed to do? Let them go?
"Anyway, I'll leave these grunts to you. I'll be taking Maxie, Archie, and the executives with me."
His base didn't have space for so many prisoners.
Steven nodded stiffly, still processing what had just happened.
As Asahi and Sabrina left, Steven let out a deep sigh.
Then, turning to his League subordinates, he gave the order.
"Round them up and get them to prison."
---
Back at Steel Valley Base—
The first thing Asahi saw was Zinnia.
Humming a tune, she was vigorously polishing Rayquaza's scales with a towel—making the Legendary Pokémon shine like a mirror.
Although sweat trickled down Zinnia's forehead, the expression on her face told Asahi that she was thoroughly enjoying herself.
If left undisturbed, she could probably spend the entire day happily polishing Rayquaza's scales.
But…
"Roar!"
The moment Rayquaza noticed Asahi's return, it unceremoniously tossed Zinnia aside and flew straight to his side.
Its claw gently tapped against the Master Ball on Asahi's belt before being absorbed inside.
"…"
Zinnia remained frozen in place, holding her towel as she stared at the empty space where Rayquaza had just been.
She had spent the whole day tending to Rayquaza with utmost care…
She had prepared its favorite food based on ancient records from her clan…
She had meticulously cleaned each of its scales with love and devotion…
And yet, none of it mattered?
Just a simple return from Asahi, and Rayquaza immediately left her for him?
A crushing sense of defeat welled up in her heart.
For the first time, Zinnia felt truly hopeless.
At that moment, a hand landed on her shoulder.
She looked up to see Asahi standing before her, offering comfort.
"Don't take it too hard. Ancient Pokémon's emotions are different from humans'…"
Zinnia fell silent.
Just as Asahi thought his words had soothed her pain…
Zinnia suddenly looked up, fire burning in her eyes.
"Rayquaza is never wrong! This must be YOUR fault! I swear, one day, I will reclaim its favor from you!"
BANG!
Asahi, now covered in dark lines, retracted his hand and watched as Zinnia crouched down, clutching her head in pain from his well-placed knock.
And to think he had actually tried to comfort her…
She was beyond saving.
Asahi turned away and scanned the room.
"Where's Gary? Anyone seen Gary?"
---
Ever since Asahi knocked her on the head, Zinnia had been acting… strange.
She seemed normal whenever she was around him, but Asahi's instincts told him otherwise.
She was definitely scheming something.
At first, Asahi didn't pay much attention, but then Mew volunteered to keep an eye on her—so he simply let it be.
Honestly, Asahi suspected Mew was just in it for the entertainment.
After finishing a routine sparring match with Gary, Asahi made his way to the interrogation room.
He had to admit—when it came to interrogation setups, Team Rocket was leagues ahead of him.
One-way mirrors, lie detectors, and all sorts of specialized equipment—everything was top-notch.
Seated across from him was Tabitha, casually leaning on one hand while chewing gum.
"You guys can stop wasting your time. I won't say a word," she stated confidently.
Asahi chuckled.
The last person to say that was Midori.
The one before that? Sabrina.
"Honestly, I'm not even trying to get information out of you," Asahi leaned back in his chair. "I mean, I already defeated Groudon. Team Magma is just another bunch of losers to me—your boss is already in my hands, after all."
Courtney's expression stiffened.
She wanted to refute his words…
But she couldn't.
Because he was right.
Asahi continued, "I heard you like Pokémon Contests?"
Courtney's face changed.
She never expected Asahi to have investigated her so thoroughly.
It felt as if he had seen right through her.
Asahi smirked. "Relax. I just happen to know someone who was in Contests with you. I'm friends with her brother and grandfather."
With that, Asahi pulled out his communicator and made a call.
"Gary, come over for a second."
---