Chapter 362: DNA Pokémon

~Azure S. POV~

[Sevii Islands, Later, One Island – Pokémon Net Center]

The air in the Pokémon Network Center was thick with the scent of antiseptic and suppressed grief. Outside, the bright Kanto sun was deceptive; inside, the shadows felt permanent.

I leaned against the cool wall, crossing my arms as I watched the rise and fall of Green's chest on the hospital bed. Her Pokémon were already undergoing recovery, but the damage to her spirit—seeing her parents reappear only to vanish again, courtesy of a monstrous alien entity—was a wound that wouldn't clear with a simple Full Restore.

Bill was hunched over a terminal nearby, his usual eccentric energy muted by the seriousness of the situation, assisting Celio with the complex mechanics of the Pokémon Transfer System. The silence between us was heavy with unspoken threats.

I was here because I had to be. Red and Blue were gone, whisked away to Two Island by Ultima, the ultimate master, to train in the secret final attacks needed to contend with the looming disaster. They were learning the hard way, through blood and sweat, building the fundamental power required to save the world.

Me? I had a cheat code.

My fingers instinctively brushed the pocket where the Arc Phone rested. It wasn't just a phone; it was a library of destiny, a compendium of future events, abilities, and knowledge that fundamentally altered the fabric of my training.

I knew Ultima's techniques, the ultimate moves, before I ever met the old legendary woman. I knew the history, the weaknesses, and the inevitable strategies of the opponents we would face. It was knowledge that had saved me countless times, but also knowledge that had stripped away some of the joy of discovery. I glanced back at Green.

I had promised myself I would stick close. I knew the plot points of the FireRed and LeafGreen Arc like the back of my hand. The moment Red and Blue left, the spotlight shifted.

We were now the remaining primary targets. The Three Beasts—Team Rocket's newest and most dangerous Admins—would surely begin their hunt soon, but I knew the true immediate danger wasn't them.

Bill murmured, not looking away from his screen, "Just waiting, Azure?"

I replied, not looking away from Green, "Just waiting, Bill."

After that point, we began to have some mild conversation as he asked, "So… can I ask why you didn't teach Red and Blue the Ultimate Moves you used in the Tenth Pokémon League Tournament. Ya know the Blast Burn and others you probably have learned to your Starter Pokémon…"

I replied absentmindedly with a light shrug, keeping the conversation short, "I could, but Blue and Red didn't ask, hence why I never brought it up. Although it's not like I share my techniques, though."

Bill nodded as he kept busy with the screen, responding, "That so, huh? Suppose that's true that most Trainers don't share their techniques. Although knowing those two, they wouldn't have bothered asking a Rival for help, though, or rather think of it."

I nodded casually at Bill's response, "Yup! They would rather be busy with the grind. That's a Trainer's life."

Bill dismissively waved his hand, responding, "Sure, the grind…"

There was an art to this kind of waiting—a hyper-vigilance born from years of knowing exactly when the axe would fall. The waiting was starting to chafe, however. I needed fresh air. I needed to move.

I pushed off the wall and stepped out of the sterile center and onto the small, sun-drenched porch overlooking the water. The sea air was crisp and salty.

I ran a hand through my hair, the gentle breeze ruffling it around my ears. Was waiting really the right call?

To bide my time, to protect Green while Red and Blue trained, to let the narrative unfold until the moment was ripe for my intervention? Or was it an act of cowardice, a betrayal of the proactive spirit that had seen me through countless battles and victories?

I for myself don't know the right answer. I don't know if any choice I make could be considered right or wrong, as I carefully tread on.

I murmured to myself, watching a lone Wingull glide gracefully over the waves, "Charging straight into danger has its merits, but so does calculated patience. But sometimes, danger charges straight into you."

*Shiver*

A prickle on the back of my neck, a cold shiver down my spine that had nothing to do with the sea breeze. It was pure, primal instinct, honed through years of combat, both in this world and the battles I've been through.

The moment the thought solidified, my entire body went rigid. Not from fear, but from a profound, deep-seated instinct honed by fighting against legendaries and catastrophic events. My hackles rose.

My eyes narrowed. I knew this feeling.

It spoke of a presence, alien and hostile, moving with a speed that defied detection by the untrained eye. I sighed, a grimace twisting my lips, muttering, "I guess Giovanni decided to send Organism No. 1 out on me after all. How annoying."

I frowned as a slow wave of annoyance washed over me. Well, that answers that question of waiting, I guess.

*ZOOOOM*

A blur, a barely perceptible shimmer in the air, materialized into a crimson tendril, sharp as a blade, lashing out from thin air straight for my head. It moved with the speed of light, silent and deadly, but I was already moving.

I barked, my voice cutting through the peaceful afternoon, "Pikachu, Iron Tail!"

*CLANG*

A flash of yellow, a crackle of electricity, and my partner was there, a vibrant streak of determination. Pikachu's tail, hardened and gleaming with metallic energy, met the tendril mid-air with a resounding clang.

Sparks flew, not of metal on metal, but of raw psychic energy colliding with physical force. Pikachu skidded back, landing deftly on my shoulder, eyes alight with challenge. But the so-called attacker was invisible to us.

I addressed the empty space, my hand already reaching for a Poké Ball, "You really don't waste time, do you? Arcanine, let's go!"

*Pop*

A flash of red light, a burst of warm air, and my magnificent Arcanine materialized, roaring a challenge that resonated with power and loyalty, "ARF!!!"

I swung myself onto its broad back, Pikachu and Eevee leaping up to join me, settling comfortably between my shoulder and head. The tendril, momentarily repelled, withdrew into invisibility.

Deoxys. Organism No. 1.

The very same cosmic entity that had terrorized Red, Blue, and Green, and whose raw psychic power had facilitated the disappearance of Green's parents. It was a weapon, a living instrument of Giovanni's will, and now it was focused on me.

The commotion brought Bill rushing out, his face pale as he spotted the distortion in the air. He hadn't seen the creature, but he knew exactly what this was—the invisible terror that had ravaged Green's team.

Bill whispered, fear evident in his voice, "Azure, what is that?!!"

I yelled back, tightening my grip on Arcanine's mane, "Something you don't want near the Network Center! Hold the fort, Bill! We'll draw it out to the coast!"

Deoxys, realizing its initial strike had failed against my speed, repositioned, trying to vanish deeper into the visible spectrum again. Unfortunately for it, I was prepared. I was the Batman who had prep time.

And we all know with prep time, anything is possible. I commanded, my grip firm on Arcanine's fur, "Arcanine, Odor Sleuth! Find it!"

*Sniff*

Arcanine's keen nose twitched, inhaling deeply. Its eyes, moments ago fixed on the invisible threat, glazed over as it focused its senses, penetrating the psychic cloaking Deoxys employed. A low growl rumbled in its chest, "Grrr… (Found ya…)"

It had found its target. I praised, my gaze locked onto the precise spot Arcanine's nose was pointing, "Good boy! Now, Extreme Speed!"

*KA-BOOOOM*

Arcanine became a fiery missile, a blur of orange and white, closing the distance to the unseen foe in an instant. The air rippled, hinting at the force of its movement as it slammed into the illusion of empty space.

*CRUNCH*

A yelp, alien and high-pitched, echoed on the wind, confirming the hit. Arcanine's powerful jaws locked onto something that briefly shimmered into existence – a crystalline, alien form, writhing against its hold using Crunch.

I urged, already reaching for another Poké Ball, modified for a unique purpose, "Hold fast, Arcanine! And now for a change of scenery. Teleport!"

*SWF*

The world dissolved into a kaleidoscope of swirling colors, a brief, disorienting moment of non-existence.

When the light coalesced, we were no longer on the bustling promenade of the Network Center. Time to take this fight elsewhere, more private…

//////

[Sevii Islands, One Island – Treasure Beach]

*SWF*

A faint shimmer, then a burst of light, and the four of us—myself, Pikachu, Eevee, and Arcanine—vanished from the Pokémon Net Center, leaving behind a stunned Bill and the lingering scent of ozone.

The scene shifted abruptly. One moment, outside the Pokémon Net Center; the next, the pristine, untouched sands of Treasure Beach. The air here was cleaner, the scent of the sea stronger, and the only sound was the rhythmic ebb and flow of the waves.

I landed smoothly on Arcanine's back, a wave of relief washing over me. We were away from people. That was paramount.

Deoxys, caught in Arcanine's vise-grip, lashed out with another tendril, a frustrated, silent scream echoing in the psychic realm. The force of the blow ripped Arcanine's jaws open, sending my loyal partner stumbling back a few paces.

*TMP*

Deoxys materialized fully now, hovering menacingly above the sand, its strange, DNA-like body pulsing with raw power. The previous invisibility was gone, replaced by a tangible, alien presence.

[Observe].

[Deoxys (Unstable) Lv. 70 DNA Pokémon]

Organisim No.1 is at Level 70. It was impressive, certainly, for a wild Pokémon, a Mythical one at that.

But it was weaker than my fully-trained, battle-hardened team, each meticulously leveled and perfected. Yet, my caution remained. Deoxys wasn't just a number; it was an adaptive, intelligent lifeform, capable of devastating form changes.

To underestimate it would be suicide. This wasn't a time for holding back.

I said calmly, stretching my shoulders, the weight of the moment settling on me like a familiar cloak, "Alright..."

My voice was calm, almost conversational, despite the cosmic horror standing before us as I continued, "Now we can go all out."

Pikachu jumped onto the sand beside me, his tail twitching impatiently. Eevee landed next to him, her fur bristling, the brown tips of her ears glowing faintly, prepared to evolve to counter Deoxys.

Arcanine stood like a magnificent sentinel behind me, his eyes glowing red, steam pouring from his nostrils. Deoxys stabilized in its Attack Forme—spiky, aggressive, and clearly enraged by the humiliation of being tracked and physically relocated.

Its eyes, bright green and utterly alien, focused solely on me. It clearly saw me as the nexus of the threat.

This organism wasn't just following orders; it was calculating the fastest route to victory, and that was eliminating the trainer who wielded the superior strategy. I reached for the Poké Balls on my hip.

I murmured excitedly, a genuine smile—the kind reserved only for intense battle—touching my lips, "You've got the full band now, Deoxys. Let's see how your Giovanni data handles a trainer who doesn't play by the rules, who knows every move you are about to make."

I tightened my grip on the Balls. The safety of Green, Red, Blue, and this version of the world depended on this fight being quick, clean, and utterly devastating. My meta-knowledge wasn't just a guide; it was a weapon.

I knew Deoxys's weaknesses, its preferred attack patterns, and the exact timing necessary for synchronized counterstrikes. The battle raged in my head before a single move was executed on the sand.

Deoxys didn't wait for my internal calculations to finish. It let out a shrieking sound that felt less like a cry and more like a focused, psychic assault, "DEEEOOO!!!"

*SWOOOSH*

Two massive tendrils shot out, glowing bright green, clearly preparing the devastating move Psycho Boost. I yelled, "Pikachu, Eevee! Break formation! Diversify!"

Pikachu shot left, a blur of electricity, while Eevee zipped right, using the rocky terrain for cover. I followed up by ordering Arcanine, "Arcanine, intercept with head-on power! Strong Style Flare Blitz!"

*SSSSS*

Arcanine, already running at full tilt, ignited. He became a living meteor of fire, aiming directly for the centralized attack.

*BOOOOOM*

The collision was a symphony of destructive force—fire versus psychic pressure. The ground shook, and a plume of steam choked the beach.

But for a moment, I saw it. I saw the genuine shock in its eyes as Arcanine managed to clash with its Psycho Boost. I mentally smirked as I knew Arcanine fought worse as it had Mewtwo as its sparring partner.

*Ripple*

A ripple went through Deoxys's body as the smoke cleared. The streamlined form began to contort, muscles shifting and expanding. Its arms thickened, its head grew larger, and its core pulsed with an ominous red light.

Attack Forme. This was bad.

Attack Forme Deoxys was a glass cannon, capable of delivering devastating blows but typically sacrificing some defense. I gotta play my counter strategy.

I mused, already planning my counter-strategy in mind against Deoxys, "Attack Forme, huh? Trying to overpower us directly! Arcanine, get some distance! Pikachu, get ready for Iron Tail! Eevee, use Protect!"

*SHIII*

Just as I finished the command, Deoxys let out a piercing cry, and its body flared with an intense psychic energy, "DEOOOO!!!!"

Psycho Boost. I knew this move.

It was terrifyingly powerful, but it dropped the user's Special Attack significantly. It was a risky play for Deoxys, but in Attack Form, it could likely one-shot any of my partners. Eevee, her eyes wide, shimmered into existence a translucent green barrier, just in time.

*CLANG*

The wave of raw psychic power slammed into the Protect, causing the barrier to crack and shimmer violently, threatening to shatter. Eevee braced herself, gritting her teeth, holding the shield with all her might.

Pikachu, nimble and quick, dodged to the side, narrowly avoiding the blast. Arcanine, having followed my command, was already a good fifty feet away, poised and ready. I muttered, my expression grim, "That was too close. Eevee, you alright?"

Eevee's Protect dissolved, leaving her panting, but otherwise unharmed. She nodded, determination shining in her eyes. The bond we shared was absolute. She trusted my judgment, and I trusted her to execute.

I called, already hurling another Poké Ball, "Now, Scizor! Bullet Punch!"

*Pop*

The metallic gleam of a Scizor flashed into existence, its powerful pincers already glowing with steel energy. It moved with incredible speed, a crimson blur, closing in on Deoxys before the alien Pokémon could fully recover.

*Clang*

Three rapid-fire Bullet Punches slammed into Deoxys's crystalline body, each strike echoing like a hammer on an anvil. The Attack Forme cracked, a visible fissure appearing in its hardened exterior.

Deoxys shrieked again, a sound of pure agony, "DEOOOO!!!!"

*WARP*

Its body began to contort once more, shedding its attacking form. The limbs slenderized, the body streamlined, the tendrils elongated and sharpened into whip-like appendages. Its movements became lightning fast, blurring around Scizor.

*ZOOOOM*

I murmured, my eyes tracking its impossible movements, "Speed Forme. It's trying to outpace us."

My mind raced, Speed Forme. Incredible agility, but slightly less defensive than Normal Forme, and far less offensive than its Attack Forme. It was trying to disengage, to create distance and pick us off.

I commanded, "Scizor, stay focused! Agile Style X-Scissor!"

*SHINNG*

Its blades gleamed as it moved to intercept Deoxys, but the alien Pokémon was too fast, weaving through Scizor's movements with dizzying precision. No battling like this is no good, as that's how it took down Green with its crazy speed.

Wait… what if I forced it to have more options to dodge instead?

A bolt of brilliance struck me. I instructed my team, "Eevee, follow its movements with Agile Style Swift!"

*SHII*

Eevee's eyes narrowed, its small body tracking every twitch of Deoxys's tendrils. Stars of pure energy shot from its tail, each one imbued with incredible accuracy, forcing Deoxys to dart and weave even more frantically.

Good, it's forced to dodge from the unavoidable stars. But I didn't give it the chance to retaliate as I commanded, "Pikachu, don't let up! Extreme Speed, keep the pressure up and don't let it get a chance to move!"

*ZOOOOM*

Pikachu, a streak of yellow lightning, added its own speed to the fray, its small body bobbing and weaving with incredible agility, preventing Deoxys from establishing any rhythm. This was the dance.

Speed against speed. Precision against evasion. But Deoxys was a solo act, while my team was a symphony.

I continued to force Deoxys to dodge as I commanded, "Arcanine, Extreme Speed! Cut off its escape routes! Scizor, look for an opening!"

*ZOOOOM*

Arcanine roared, a noble beast of fire and loyalty, and became a blur once more, circling Deoxys, pushing it towards the center of the beach. Scizor, its compound eyes tracking Deoxys's every move, waited patiently, its pincers ready.

Deoxys, caught between Arcanine's relentless pursuit and the constant harassment of Pikachu and Eevee, found itself momentarily pinned. Its Speed Forme allowed it to evade, but not to break free entirely…

*WARP*

It decided to change tactics. I muttered, sensing the shift in its psychic aura, "It's going for raw power. Get ready, everyone. It's changing to Attack Forme."

Sure enough, Deoxys's body began another terrifying transformation. Its tendrils bulked up, forming massive, sharp blades. Its head was streamlined, and its core pulsed with malevolent energy coursing through it.

This was its most dangerous form, capable of devastating Psychic attacks. I yelled, seeing the transformation near completion, "Now! Scizor, use Mimic Extreme Speed! Then into Bullet Punch, aimed at the core!"

*ZOOOOOM*

Scizor, embodying the perfect blend of speed and power, shot forward like a scarlet meteor mimicking Extreme Speed for acceleration. Deoxys, still transforming, tried to lash out with its new, bladed tendrils, but Scizor was faster, its Bullet Punches already connecting with rapid-fire precision.

*Bang*

Each strike was a hammer blow, designed to disrupt the transformation, to hit Deoxys before it could unleash its full power. But Deoxys was a Mythical Pokémon, an alien force, and it wasn't easily deterred.

Even as Scizor rained down blows, the transformation was completed. Deoxys, now fully in its Attack Forme, let out a piercing shriek of pure psychic energy.

*BOOOOM*

A wave of force radiated outwards, sending Scizor skidding back, its metallic body groaning in protest. I called out, my concern momentarily overriding strategy, "Scizor! Are you alright, partner?"

It chirped, shaking its head, clearly bruised but unwilling to yield, "Sci! Zor! (I'm good! I've had worse from Mewtwo…)"

I sighed in relief, but knew I couldn't get sloppy. I used the moment to launch my next Poke Ball ordering, "Dragonite! Strong Style Draco Meteor! Set up the largest meteor shower you can make!!"

*Pop*

Dragonite exploded from her Ball, already soaring high above the emerging cloud of steam, his powerful roar announcing his presence, "DRAOOO!!! (On it!)"

*FWP*

Flying high above the sky, Deoxys' eyes narrowed, seeing Dragonite fly up. However, I quickly brought my last Pokémon order, "Come out, Gengar! Show this alien what true spectral power looks like!"

*Wooosh*

A flash of Shiny Gengar materialized from my shadow, her body shimmering with an unusual black hue reflecting the sunlight. She floated effortlessly, a mischievous grin plastered on his face, though her eyes held a serious glint.

Gengar was my mischievous powerhouse, a master of illusions and raw Special Attacker on the team. I commanded, "Gengar, Shadow Ball! Full power! Arcanine, use Flare Blitz to flank! Pikachu, Electroweb, to slow it down!"

Deoxys, still recovering from the recoil of its Psycho burst, was a prime target. Gengar roared, a deep, guttural sound, as he gathered dark energy.

*CRACKLE*

A massive Shadow Ball, larger than any I'd seen her conjure before, formed between her hands. It pulsed with malevolent energy, then shot forward with incredible speed.

*SSSSS*

Simultaneously, Arcanine erupted in a blaze of fire, transforming into a charging inferno. He circled wide, aiming to hit Deoxys from the side, disrupting its focus.

*PEW*

Pikachu, never missing a beat, launched a sticky net of electricity, aiming for Deoxys's legs, trying to restrict its movement. The Shadow Ball hit first, directly impacting Deoxys. The alien Pokémon cried out, a sound of genuine pain this time, as the dark energy exploded around it.

*BOOOOM*

Before it could fully recover, Pikachu's Electroweb entangled its legs, sticking it to the sand. Then, Arcanine, a blazing projectile, slammed into its side with Flare Blitz.

*BOOOOM*

The impact sent a shockwave through the sand, and Deoxys was thrown violently, skidding across the beach. I shouted, feeling a surge of adrenaline, "Yes! Keep up the pressure! Don't let up!"

This was it. This was why I trained them so hard, pushed them to their limits. For moments like these, when the world's fate felt like it rested on our shoulders.

Deoxys, however, was not easily defeated. It scrambled to its feet, the Electroweb tearing as its form began to shift again. This time, its body hardened, growing blockier, its arms becoming thicker shields.

Defense Forme. Deoxys was playing chess, moving its pieces to counter mine. I mused aloud, "Defense Form, now? Very calculated. It's trying to tank hits and recover. But it's far too late for that now."

*Shiii*

*RMBL*

The alien Pokémon looked up just in time to see the sky turn dark above it. Dragonite launched a barrage of destructive stellar energy—a massive, devastating attack that slammed down on Deoxys, forcing it deep into the sand with a concussive blast.

*KA-BOOOOM*

In its Defense Forme it's taking the Draco Meteor well. But it's forced to stay there for now, as it gave me a small time to act.

I shouted, holding up my hand, my Mega Glove shimmering, "Keep on attacking! Gengar, Mega Evolve!"

*SHIII*

Gengar's form distorted, a swirling vortex of shadow and malice. The air grew colder, heavier, as he transformed, growing even larger, her arms and legs merging into a single, terrifying shape. Her grin stretched wider, an almost permanent fixture, as Mega Gengar emerged, her new abilities already manifesting.

Not only that, but the white coloring looks clean for being Shiny. I commanded, a grim smile on my face against Deoxys, "Gengar! Let's make sure our friend can't run away this time! Time for an all-out attack!!"

Mega Gengar chuckled, a chilling sound that seemed to drain the warmth from the air. A powerful, invisible force field shimmered into existence around us, radiating from Gengar, locking Deoxys in place.

With Gengar Mega Evolved, its ability is now Shadow Tag. Now, Deoxys was trapped. It snarled, its tendrils whipping, realizing its superior speed and evasion wouldn't save it from this fight. I yelled, my eyes locked on Deoxys, never giving it an inch to battle, "Alright, team, let's coordinate as planned! Arcanine, Extreme Speed again, keep it distracted! Scizor, Fury Cutter! Dragonite, Dragon Rush!"

*ZOOOOM*

Arcanine was already a blur again, slamming into Deoxys with a powerful shoulder tackles. Scizor, moving with incredible speed, followed up with a series of devastating Fury Cutters, each one landing with surprising force, his Technician ability boosting their power.

*SHINNG*

Dragonite, a colossal force of nature, dove from the sky, enveloped in crackling draconic energy, striking Deoxys with a roar that shook the very sands. The very land shook from the impact of the attack.

*RMBL*

Deoxys, however, was not easily subdued. It's showing impressive defenses in its Defense Forme, its body hardening, deflecting much of the initial onslaught.

*WHIP*

Its tendrils whipped out, striking Arcanine and Scizor, driving them back with surprising force. I commanded, "Pikachu Strong Style Thunderbolt! Eevee, Strong Style Shadow Ball! Aim for its core!"

*ZZZZZT*

Pikachu, leveraging Arcanine's brief distraction, unleashed a focused burst of electricity, a powerful Thunderbolt that crackled towards Deoxys. Eevee, quick as a flash, gathered shadowy energy, firing a precise Shadow Ball that arced through the air, aimed right behind Pikachu's attack.

*CRACKLE*

*KA-BOOOOM*

The combined elemental barrage struck Deoxys head-on, eliciting another metallic shriek as its Defense Form flickered, momentarily overwhelmed. Seeing an opening, I ordered, "Dragonite, seize the opening! Strong Style Outrage!"

Dragonite roared, her eyes glowing with draconic fury. She unleashed a furious, uncontrolled assault, slamming into Deoxys repeatedly, his attacks growing wilder, more powerful, a true force of nature.

*BANG*

Deoxys was battered, unable to fully recover before the next strike, forced to endure the relentless onslaught. As Deoxys tried to counter Dragonite, shifting into Attack Form to fire off a flurry of Psycho Boosts, I knew it was time for my heavy hitters.

I grinned, feeling control over the battlefield overwhelming Deoxys, ordering, "Gengar Mean Look into Hypnosis! Scizor, U-turn!"

*SNAP*

Mega Gengar's eyes glowed with a sinister crimson light, activating Mean Look, and a wave of psychic energy flowed from him, aimed at the struggling Deoxys. Deoxys, still trying to fend off Dragonite, was caught off guard.

Its movements became sluggish, its eyes glazing over. It swayed, momentarily stunned by the Hypnosis…

*SMACK*

Scizor dodged a Psycho Boost with Mimic: Detect spin diving using the momentum, the opportunity to tag out, slamming into Deoxys with a powerful U-turn before zipping back to my side. Something we learned, Scizor could do testing out U-Turn ZA style.

But with Deoxys faltering, I continued the commands, "Arcanine, Strong Style Flare Blitz! Eevee, Veevee Volley!"

*Sssss*

Arcanine, wreathed in flames, surged forward for a kamikaze attack, ramming into the dazed Deoxys. The explosion of fire and physical force was immense.

*BOOOOM*

Eevee, having used all her might, now powered by an incredible surge of instinct and affection, unleashed a Veevee Volley attack, a devastating tackle that struck Deoxys directly after Arcanine's fiery impact.

*BOOOM*

Deoxys screamed, a sound of pure agony. Its forms flickered chaotically, unable to stabilize. It was taking serious damage. Yet, it was a legendary force of creation and destruction, and it wouldn't go down easily.

*SHIII*

It pulsed with raw psychic energy, attempting to break Gengar's Shadow Tag with sheer force. Deoxys was trying to recover quickly, lashed out again with its bladed tendrils, but my team was ready.

It was time to end this battle. I gave out a series of commands, "Pikachu, Volt Tackle! Arcanine, Flare Blitz! Scizor, Agility, and follow up with Agile Style X-Scissor! Eevee, Shadow Ball, focused on its core! Gengar, Shadow Punch, disorient its movements!"

*ZZZZZZT*

It was a coordinated symphony of destruction, a carefully orchestrated bombardment. Pikachu, crackling with a self-destructive yellow aura, slammed into one of Deoxys's tendrils, sending jolts of electricity through its alien form...

*SSSSS*

… Arcanine, a living inferno, barreled into another side, leaving scorch marks on its crystalline body.

*ZOOOM*

*SHINNG*

… Scizor, a rapid blur, darted through Deoxys's defenses, its X-Scissor blades slicing through the air, forcing Deoxys to contort to avoid the cuts…

*CRACKLE*

… Eevee's Shadow Balls, precise and relentless, hammered at its core, while Gengar, teleporting unseen, delivered spectral punches that left Deoxys shuddering.

*SMASH*

Deoxys, for all its power and adaptability, was overwhelmed. It thrashed wildly, its forms unable to compensate for the sheer volume and diversity of the assault. Its movements became erratic, its psychic blasts less focused.

I yelled, my voice hoarse from the exertion, "Dragonite! Strong Style Outrage!"

*ZOOOM*

Dragonite, fueled by the collective passion of its teammates, let out a thunderous roar. Its body glowed with a furious red light, eyes burning with untamed power. It launched itself at Deoxys, a living embodiment of rage and power, ignoring the alien Pokémon's frantic attempts at defense.

*SMASH*

The assault was brutal, a flurry of powerful blows, each strike resonating with the force of a small explosion. Dragonite slammed Deoxys into the sand, then lifted it, tossed it, and slammed it down again, a relentless, primal attack.

*RMBL*

The beach trembled. Deoxys shrieked, a sound of absolute pain and desperation, its crystalline body flashing with myriad colors, cracks spider-webbing across its surface. It was no longer adapting, no longer fighting strategically…

It was simply trying to survive. Finally, with a decisive, earth-shattering blow, Dragonite sent Deoxys crashing into the far rock face of the beach. The impact created a miniature crater, dust, and sand exploding outwards.

*THUD*

Deoxys lay there, a broken, shimmering husk, its distinct forms gone, reverting to a weakened, flickering state, its core dimming. I walked closer, my team gathering around me, panting but triumphant.

Deoxys was still, but twitching. It wasn't defeated in the sense of being knocked out, but it was certainly neutralized for now.

Its crystalline core dimming, its body twitching involuntarily as it continued to shift forms, each transition more chaotic than the last. It lay there, defeated, a testament to the combined might of my team.

I knew, of course, that in the original timeline, Organism No. 1 was eventually destroyed. Still, its fate was ultimately revealed years later as the true antagonist in the ORAS Arc, bringing an entire meteor down to earth, only to be defeated by Ruby and Sapphire riding Rayquaza.

This Deoxys… was Giovanni's weapon, was a piece of a larger, more intricate puzzle. But it's part, at least for now, seemed to be over.

My team, panting and exhausted but victorious, gathered around the downed alien. Pikachu jumped onto my shoulder, nuzzling my cheek. Eevee rubbed against my leg. I recalled Gengar, Scizor, Dragonite, and Arcanine, giving them all a mental pat on the head, reassuring them of their excellent work.

Then, almost on a whim, a curious thought sparked in my mind. What would happen if I… caught it?

It was a major deviation from the plot, a direct intervention of the highest order. But it was also an opportunity. A powerful Pokémon, no longer a weapon for Giovanni, but a potential ally, or at least a neutralized threat.

I reached for an Ultra Ball, the highest grade of capture device. With a slight shrug, a silent acknowledgment of the ripples I was about to create, I tossed it at the downed Deoxys.

*Bonk*

The ball hit absorbed the alien Pokémon in a flash of red light, and then dropped to the sand. It wobbled. Once. Twice. Thrice. My heart inexplicably gave a little thump.

*BON*

The solid, unmistakable sound of a successful capture echoed around the quiet beach. I stared at the Ultra Ball, then at my hand, then back at the ball.

A small, dumbfounded laugh escaped me. I muttered, shaking my head, "Well, I'll be damned. Guess I own a Deoxys now."

Pikachu chirped, slapping its face, cried out, "Pika… (Of course you do.)"

My immediate concern was the future. Giovanni's plans were just beginning to unravel. The Three Beasts, the hit list, Green's recovery, Red and Blue's training – all of it was still in motion. But now, a major piece on Giovanni's board was no longer his.

What would this change?

How would the plot adapt?

Would it be for better or worse?

I sighed, a mix of exhilaration and trepidation washing over me. I'd figure out what to do with Deoxys later. For now, Green still needed me.

And the world was still waiting for its heroes.

Giovanni, calculating and cold, wouldn't care too much about the loss of Organism No. 1, not when Organism No. 2—the true focal point—was about to react to Red's intensifying emotions as he learned the Ultimate Moves.

My fight was over for now, but the war had just begun. I looked at the Ultra Ball in my hand, then back toward One Island, toward the sleeping Green. I murmured to my partners, "Rest is a luxury we rarely afford. But tonight, we take it. We prepare for Team Rocket's inevitable play."

*Pop*

I brought out Arcanine, had my old friend initiate the Teleport sequence again, heading back to the sterile quiet of the Network Center. I had a captured alien to figure out, and a sleeping friend to protect.

/////

A/N: Reach the goal of 100 PS to get a Bonus Chapter!

Chapter 362 - Chapter 362: DNA Pokémon