Chapter 366: Enter the Three Beasts

~Third POV~

[Sevii Islands, Later, Four Island – Icefall Cave]

The Icefall Cave was a labyrinth of blue crystal and biting cold, a fortress built of frozen water. Red, the boy known for his deep bond with his Pokémon, pulled his jacket tighter, his breath misting instantly.

Beside him, Blue, always impeccably dressed, scowled. Blue grumbled, kicking at a shard of ice, "Bill couldn't have picked a warmer spot for a rendezvous? All these Ice-types make the whole place feel like we're trapped in a giant freezer."

Red nodded, his eyes scanning the cavern's slick walls. They were here because of Bill's orders and the existence of the second Deoxys. Red cautioned, "Focus, Blue. Bill said he found something here he wanted us to examine."

They rounded a precarious bend, and Red spotted them: two small, oddly shaped metallic devices sitting atop a small, smooth rock, pulsing faintly. Red muttered, "Those must be it. What is it?"

Red bent to pick one up, and a sudden, blinding flash erupted from the device in his hand. A thin, laser-like beam of azure light shot out, arcing over their heads before settling directly on a huge, unsuspecting Exeggutor that was peacefully chewing a berry near the cave entrance.

*PING*

The sight of the targeted light immediately triggered Blue's battle instincts. Blue snarled, tossing the second device away, "What is that Exeggutor doing? Attacking us? Charizard! Blast Burn, now! Don't let it get the drop on us!"

*SSSSS*

With a mighty roar, Charizard materialized, bathed in the scarlet glow of its incoming attack. A raging vortex of fire coalesced in its jaws, aimed squarely at the bewildered Exeggutor.

But then a new voice chimed in frantically in a worried voice, "No! No! Please!! Stop! Don't burn the Exeggutor!"

A flustered voice screamed, followed by the frantic silhouette of Bill, the eccentric Pokémon PC system inventor, who slid into the scene on his knees, narrowly dodging the blast radius. Charizard, thankfully, managed to redirect the super-hot attack into the crystalline ceiling, causing a loud shower of harmless, sizzling ice chips.

Bill scrambled up, brushing snow off his wrinkled clothing. Bill gasped, stabilizing his balance, "My apologies! Utter apologies! It was only a test! I was only trying to test the invention!"

Blue looked livid, recalling Charizard with a sharp glare. He uttered, "Test what, Bill? Test how quickly we can incinerate innocent tropical Pokémon in an ice cave?"

Bill waved his hands dismissively, picking up the two devices. He quickly explained himself, "No, no, this is the Vs. Seeker! My latest brainstorm! I was studying how proximity and aggression affect social patterns, and… well, it seems it decided to respond to perceived hostility. The light just shoots out an indicator beam toward any possible attacker, wild or Trainer-owned."

Red approached, examining the device in Bill's hand. Understanding Red said in an impressed tone, "So, can it help us track Deoxys?"

Bill's face fell slightly. He shook his head sadly, explaining, "Ah, sadly, no. It only seems to work on potential human opponents—Trainers, or anyone with fighting intent. The energy signature doesn't match a wild Pokémon."

Blue groaned and promptly tossed the Vs. Seeker, he'd picked up back onto the ground. He rolled his eyes as he replied, "Great. Another useless trinket. We're hunting an alien powerhouse, and you give us a glorified radar for gym leaders."

Bill said, seriously, surprisingly calm, retrieving the discarded device, "I knew you'd say that, Blue. But that is precisely why I called you here. This device's function is actually vital to the current situation."

Bill's voice lowered in intensity. He shifted from the anxious inventor to the concerned ally, explaining to them, "A girl named Lostelle on Three Island saw Deoxys. She described an incredibly fast battle—Deoxys defeated a whole gang of Bikers. She didn't know if it was saving her or just moving them out of its way. But she also mentioned someone was there, observing."

Bill pulled a portable fax machine from his pack, printing a hastily drawn image. He presented it to Red and Blue.

The crude sketch depicted a man, tall, powerfully built, with dark hair combed back and an unreadable expression. Bill explained, his voice tight, "Lostelle drew this man from memory. Does this look familiar?"

Red and Blue stared at the paper. The resemblance, even in a child's drawing, was unmistakable. Red whispered, the name tasting like ash on his tongue, "The mark on the chest! And… those clothes… It's Giovanni!"

The air in the cave seemed to drop another ten degrees. Blue stated, confusion warring with dread, "Team Rocket! But Team Rocket disbanded… We beat them. You and Azure beat them. Twice."

Bill shook his head, looking troubled. He muttered in a cautious voice, "I thought so, too. Which raises difficult questions: Does Deoxys belong to him? Is it just a wild Pokémon that Giovanni is pursuing? Or… is Team Rocket back, and stronger than ever?"

Red clenched his fists, the image of Green's kidnapped parents flashing behind his eyes. Red grits his teeth, uttering, "If Team Rocket is back, then we don't have a choice. We'll fight them again, and we'll get the answers about Deoxys and about Green's family."

Bill nodded firmly as he sighed a breath of relief, and he continued, "That's the attitude. And that's where the Vs. Seeker comes in. If we can use it to find the active members of Team Rocket hiding out across the islands, we can smoke them out. And if they're linked to Giovanni, they'll lead us to Deoxys."

Red took the device back from Bill, a fierce determination in his eyes. Red commented, a grim smile touching his lips, "This time we're the predators instead of the prey. I'll face them head-on again!"

As soon as Red and Blue clipped the Vs. Seekers to their belts, the devices immediately hummed to life. Two solid beams of light shot out, penetrating the icy gloom and pointing directly toward the deepest recesses of the cave.

*PING*

Blue commanded, "There they are. Let's move."

They followed the twin signals, their steps cautious on the frozen ground. They hadn't gone twenty yards when a furious, guttural roar echoed ahead.

*RMBL*

A pack of wild Pokémon—Sneasel, Swinub, and a massive set of Onix—burst from the darkness, rushing the group with aggressive intent. Red yelled, reaching for a Poké Ball, "Team Rocket must have forced these wild Pokémon to attack! Saur, let's go!"

*WOOOOSH*

Before Red could release his Venusaur, a blinding white light erupted. The air temperature plummeted impossibly low, and the entire pack of attacking wild Pokémon froze mid-leap—encased instantly in thick, blue-white ice.

This surprised the group, seeing the iced Pokémon. But then a calm, severe voice cut through the silence, "Who, pray tell, wants to join Red, Blue, and this inventor in fighting against Team Rocket? Because I certainly do."

They spun around. Standing coolly in the cavern entrance, her crimson uniform stark against the ice, was a woman they hadn't expected to see.

Blue gasped, "Lorelei?"

It was Lorelei of Kanto's Elite Four, her face etched with cold fury, her gaze fixed on the frozen wildlife. Red asked, astonished, "You're here to help us? Last I've heard, you went missing after the final battle at Cerise Island. What are you doing here?!"

Lorelei adjusted her glasses, the motion crisp and precise as she explained, "I told you before… Four Island is my home, boys. The villains who try to mess it up, whether it's some misguided Bikers or the cancer known as Team Rocket, will be dealt with. And usually, quite painfully."

*SMASH*

As she spoke, the ice around the wild Pokémon began to crack. The trapped Sneasel and Swinub, enraged, broke free and lunged again.

Lorelei didn't flinch. She said simply, "Cloyster. Defend your home."

*CLANG*

From nowhere, Cloyster appeared, spinning rapidly. It met the charge of the wild Pokémon with implacable defense, its shell radiating power. It launched a flurry of needle-sharp projectiles using Spike Cannon!

*CRACK*

Spike Cannon hit the attackers with devastating accuracy, sending the Sneasel tumbling backward, squealing in pain, and forcing the large Onix to retreat, their icy scales chipped and broken.

Bill, watching the display of coordinated power, whistled low beneath his breath, "Remarkable strength! She fends them off with such controlled ease!"

Lorelei stepped forward, her attention still focused on the deeper cave as she stated calmly, "I overheard your conversation, or at least enough of it. Is Team Rocket truly operating out of my Icefall Cave?"

Red, Blue, and Bill exchanged anxious glances, unable to confirm the terrifying possibility. Lorelei sighed in understanding, knowing their history, shaking her head, and uttered, "I expected no less of a response from you three."

*RMBL*

Before anyone could answer, a loud, distorted voice boomed through the cave walls from unseen loudspeakers, confirming Lorelei's worst fears, "No need for uncertainty, Miss Lorelei! We are quite comfortable here!"

*Pop*

Red immediately threw out a Poké Ball. He quickly issued a command, "Saur! Get ready to defend!"

*KRACK*

The ground beneath them shuddered violently. A deafening grinding sound intensified, followed by the terrifying sight of a massive, metallic tank-like machine tearing through the solid ice wall beside them

It didn't drive in; it simply ripped a new path of entry. Perched atop the smoking wreckage was a short, blond male, his face twisted into a maniacal grin as he stated boastfully, "We're the ones who ordered those Pokémon to attack you… and we are… Team Rocket!"

Two heavily armored Forretress hovered beside him. The man leapt down. He moved with impossible speed, and before Red, Blue, or Lorelei could react, thick, pneumatic clamps shot out from the tank's chassis.

*CLANG*

The cold steel slammed shut around their limbs, immobilizing them completely. Saur and Charizard, who had been brought out to fight, were also caught, massive clamps locking their bodies fast.

The blond man shrieked, kicking the retreating wild Sneasel away from him with disdain, uttering, "Ha! Pathetic pests! You couldn't even handle three measly humans! Stay and watch how the masters do it!"

He raised his hands to his Forretress as he praised them proudly, "See that? No imagination! That's why you're just low-level scum and I, Carr, am a true Beast of Team Rocket! I only use Pokémon who are useful. Ain't that right, Forretress?"

Both the Forretress nodded resolutely. Red, struggling against the restraints, was furious and roared, "Saur! Frenzy Plant! Hit that tank!"

Blue roared simultaneously, following up a counterattack, "Charizard! Blast Burn! Don't let him get away with this!"

*TWIST*

The two ultimate elemental attacks charged—Green's massive, vine-ridden branches exploding from the ground; Charizard's molten, crimson heat searing the air. They were devastating, planet-shaking attacks designed to annihilate.

Yet, they failed. Carr merely sidestepped the attacks with an almost casual confidence, his body somehow slipping between the kinetic energy of the Frenzy Plant and the blazing heat of the Blast Burn.

Both attacks hit the cavern walls instead, the force merely shaking the ice, not him. Carr shrieked with laughter, pointing at their failure, "Hahaha! Amazing!! Those are some powerful moves, but… You missed! You still aim for the target? How primitive! You should be aiming for the space around the target!"

Then a cool, imperious voice cut through the commotion, emanating from a radio on Carr's chest, "Carr, cease your showboating. Hurry up and get the job done!"

Carr grumbled, annoyed at the interruption. But the radio crackled again, and suddenly, two more figures strode into the ice cavern from the main path.

The first was a tall, pale woman whose expression was utterly devoid of emotion, her long purple hair held back by a severe clip. The second was a behemoth of a man, wide and imposing, his bulk radiating a dangerous, silent strength.

The woman fixed her cold, calculating eyes on the immobilized trio. She announced, her voice precise, analytical, and deadly, "My name is Sird."

The muscular man took a step forward, his shadow engulfing them. He announced himself, "I am Orm."

Carr bowed with an exaggerated flourish as he declared boastfully, "And I am Carr! Together, we are the Three Beasts of Team Rocket! And we serve our boss Giovanni with utmost, glorious loyalty!"

The mention of a boss, Giovanni, ignited an inferno in Red. His mind flashed back to the trauma inflicted on Green, to the suffering of her parents. Red strained against the clamps, his face red with rage, "Giovanni! Answer me! Where is Deoxys? What did you do to Green's parents? Tell me now!"

Carr merely tutted, enjoying the display of desperation as he replied dismissively, "The boy is angry. So emotional. Don't worry, child. Our boss will see you soon enough and answer all your questions. Maybe… Nah! No Way!"

That was all Red needed. He ignored the taunts, focusing every muscle fiber he possessed. He commanded Saur with a raw, mental plea, "GRRRR!!! Saur! Full power! Lift!"

*KRNCH*

Saur, despite being trapped, responded with the raw, botanical strength of a creature capable of holding the earth itself. The massive Pokémon strained, its body taut against the thick metal clamps that bound it.

Slowly, agonizingly, the hydraulic clamp holding Red and Saur's torso began to creak from their might, the metal flexing under the immense pressure. With a final, desperate surge of power facilitated by his bond with Red, Saur lifted the clamp just enough.

It was a minuscule gap, but enough for Red to slip down, maneuvering his body under the clamp and breaking free. Lorelei saw the opening and shouted, "Red, wait! Don't go in charging alone!"

But Red was already moving, sprinting toward Carr, fueled solely by his righteous fury. Carr laughed again, unconcerned, "Oh, look, the little hero wants to play!"

He didn't even try to stop the boy himself. Carr ordered flatly, "Forretress. Explode!"

*PFFAM*

The two heavily armored Pokémon immediately charged toward Red, their shells beginning to glow with unstable energy. Sird's voice was sharp with annoyance, "No! Carr, you idiot! We need them alive!"

*BOOOOM*

But it was too late. The resulting Explosion was deafening, a massive concussive blast that rocked the entire cavern, burying the immediate area in smoke, ice debris, and shrapnel. Orm expressed disappointment at the scene, uttered, "Well, that was quick. I didn't even get to crush the big one."

Sird, however, was already analyzing the fallout. She frowned, surveying the cloud of residual energy, but then uttered in surprise, "Wait. They weren't hit directly. Carr, you failed to destroy the targets."

Carr protested, wiping soot from his blond hair, "They couldn't have escaped that! My Explosions are a work of art!"

Sird hissed as she glared at her comrade. She explained bluntly, "Look closer, fool. Lorelei. She managed to deploy something."

Sird pointed to a flicker in the air just before the explosion. A distinct, purple outline of a Pokémon had been briefly visible—Lorelei's powerful Slowking. It had managed to erect a split-second Psychic barrier and teleport the rest of the immobilized group away just as the blast hit.

Sird concluded, her voice dangerously low, "They escaped the detonation. But they can't hide. Not from us."

/////

[Sevii Island, Four Island – Lorelei's Home]

*Swf*

One moment, they were trapped in the echoing blast zone of the Icefall Cave; the next, they landed with a soft thump, dizzy and disoriented, in a room that felt impossibly warm. Red blinked, shaking off the ringing in his ears. He looked around.

They were in a house, but this was no ordinary home. Every available surface—the floor, the shelves, the furniture—was completely overrun by plush, colorful, stitched, and embroidered stuffed toys.

Dolls of every Pokémon imaginable, from tiny Jigglypuff to plush Snorlax, were piled high. Blue, still rubbing the ache from his clamped wrists, looked utterly bewildered and asked out loud, "What is this place? How could anyone possibly live in this… this textile mountain of Pokemon Dolls?"

Lorelei, already composed, straightened her uniform. She replied bluntly, "It's my house, Blue. You got a problem with my interior decoration?!"

She walked toward a window, peering out at the snowy landscape outside as she explained carefully, "We aren't far from the Icefall Cave. We were lucky. Slowking's teleportation was strained by the emergency, but it got us out. We have to stay hidden for a while."

*KLK*

As she spoke, the large, ornate television screen built into the wall flickered to life. The stuffed toys around it seemed to glow eerily as the feed stabilized.

The faces of Carr, Sird, and Orm appeared, rendered in sharp, menacing high definition. They were standing outside, the Icefall Cave looming behind them.

The trio had found a direct line to broadcast across the Sevii Islands. Sird was the one who addressed the camera, her voice reaching out to every home, restaurant, and dock on the archipelago.

Sird announced, her tone utterly devoid of compromise, "People of the Sevii Islands, heed our warning! We, the Three Beasts of Team Rocket, have returned to restore the rightful rule of our Boss, Giovanni."

Carr leered at the camera as he declared, holding a Wanted Poster of four people in a confident voice, "We know that the three pathetic failures—Red, Blue, and that girl, Green—are hiding among you. They are responsible for the return of chaos, and their presence is causing disruption."

Orm concluded, his deep voice carrying chilling weight as he uttered, "You must follow our demands. Hand Fire Red, Blue Oak, Azure Sky, and Leaf Green over to us. Fail to comply, and we will begin destroying the entire archipelago, island by island, until we find them."

*Beep*

The broadcast cut out, leaving the sound of the television's static humming in the suffocating silence of Lorelei's plush home. Red, Blue, Bill, and Lorelei looked at each other uneasily at the news given.

They had escaped a trap only to find themselves placed squarely in the center of an island-wide hostage situation. The game had just escalated, and now, the entire Sevii Islands were paying the price for Team Rocket's return.

/////

A/N: Reach the goal of 200 PS to get a Bonus Chapter!

Chapter 366 - Chapter 366: Enter the Three Beasts