"Are you sure you're the one who caught Team Rocket?", Misty's tone carried a trace of disbelief.
Even though the battle was over, when Misty recalled the earlier battle scene, she still couldn't help but shiver.
It was just too sinister.
First, Nihilego laid down two layers of Toxic Spikes, then followed with a supremely vicious Stealth Rock, plus the Pain Split move.
When things developed to that point, Misty naively thought it was over. After all, her Starmie had Rapid Spin, which could clear hazards like Toxic Spikes and Stealth Rock.
But unexpectedly, the opponent actually pulled out a Ho-oh and used Whirlwind.
And then later, the Gyarados's lottery pulled a Gardevoir that could one-shot her own Gyarados.
Just when the opponent was about to finish off Gyarados, Axel refused.
He had Gardevoir use Hypnosis, then slowly wore down Gyarados with Toxic Spikes until it fainted.
Could a good person really do something like that?
If Axel hadn't saved her and captured three Rocket executives, she would've seriously believed he was the villain.
She had fought Koga, the Poison-type Gym Leader in Kanto, and even that gym wasn't this toxic.
Koga used poison to win, Axel used poison for the sake of poisoning...
'No, I absolutely can't let myself be the only one suffering!'
Misty grabbed Axel's arm, "Add me on WeChat, okay?"
"Okay," Axel didn't think much about it and directly let his Rotom Phone add Misty on WeChat.
The next moment, two notification sounds rang out.
[You've successfully added Kanto's Water-type Beauty Misty.]
[Misty has added you to the group chat: Kanto Gym Leaders, One Big Loving Family.]
"Why did you pull me into a Gym Leader group?", Axel was a bit confused.
"Aren't all the people in here Gym Leaders? Isn't it a bit inappropriate to add me?"
'And besides, Giovanni is in there.'
Just thinking about how Mewtwo brainwashed so many Team Rocket members, Axel felt uneasy and wanted to leave the group.
Misty blinked, "It's fine, this isn't an official Gym Leader group. My sister created it. We usually use it to complain about the higher-ups."
"There are dozens of Gym Leaders in there, plus a few strong challengers like you. Everyone shares and exchanges battle experiences."
"This doesn't feel right," Axel tried to explain and was about to have Rotom exit the group chat to avoid getting dragged by Giovanni into a philosophical life talk.
But just then, a message pinged and tagged Axel.
[Viridian Gym - Giovanni: Little bro, you joined the group too? Heard you caught a bunch more Rocket members recently, truly a young hero. (Emojis: Thumbs Up, Clapping Hands)]
[Axel: It's all thanks to Uncle Giovanni and Senior Raihan's guidance on the S.S. Anne.]
[Will of Rock: It's really Axel! Please add me as a friend! I want to continue honing my rock-solid will!]
[Pryce: You raised a Gardevoir specialized in Fairy-type moves? An outstanding scholar, looking forward to discussing with you!]
[Koga: So it's you… (message retracted) You're the one who defeated the three Rocket executives? Too bad they got away.]
[Sabrina: (Emoji: Dumb expression~) Koga, are you tired from missions? You're talking kinda weird.]
[Celadon City Life Mentor Erika: A new outstanding challenger? Looking forward to you challenging me in Celadon City.]
Looking at the series of welcome messages, Axel suddenly had the urge to call the police.
The Cerulean Gym's three sisters were truly amazing, they managed to complete the "Collect All Rocket Members" achievement before he did.
After casually replying a few times, Axel decisively hid the group chat.
Once Mewtwo hits level 80, then he'd pin the chat to the top, no rush.
———
After a battle, Misty got dressed and said goodbye to Axel.
She still needed to head to Cerulean Cave for special training to perfectly resolve her Gyarados issue as soon as possible.
Axel waved at Misty and stayed behind in the room to rest.
During that earlier battle, he had successfully obtained the [Flooding] trait from Misty. Now he only needed to watch the private performance from the Cerulean Sisters to complete the Kanto stage of his hidden mission perfectly.
Axel inserted the VIP card into the reader at the door.
Before long...
Ding-Dong~
The doorbell rang.
The three sisters of the Cerulean Gym waved at Axel through the one-way glass door.
"You've activated the VIP service earlier. Next, we will begin a solo performance just for you~"
They pressed the switch at the door, and a stage that only Axel could see descended from the ceiling, extending in front of the floor-to-ceiling windows in his room.
Stripper poles, various cosplay outfits...all kinds of dance props were fully prepared.
As soft background music played, the three sisters began dancing just under a meter away from Axel.
Gardevoir stood beside him, stuffing a hand into her mouth, cutely watching Axel.
'So this was how you seduce your trainer?'
'Too simple...'
A pink glow flashed across Gardevoir's body. With the Substitute move activated, two identical Gardevoirs began dancing in front of Axel.
Although their moves were still a little raw, they had a better grasp of Axel's preferences.
Battle commenced.
Onix used Slam.
Cloyster used Protect.
Slam was too powerful; Cloyster failed to Protect.
———
After more than ten dances, the three sisters left the stage, and Axel lazily lay in the pool, unwilling to move.
Suddenly, the sound of a private message notification rang out.
[Cerulean Gym - Sakura: Misty told me you're at the Cerulean Gym. I was just busy performing for a guest. Can we be friends? Let me treat you to dinner tonight!]
'Emmm...'
Axel accepted Sakura's friend request but didn't agree to dinner.
After just watching them dance, eating a meal together now would be extremely awkward.
So Axel simply decided not to go.
Better to wait until they were more familiar.
Just as he was about to hang up, the Rotom phone suddenly rang again, a video call from the little loli.
Axel answered the call, just about to tease the little girl, when he suddenly heard her voice tinged with tears.
["Axel, when are you coming back to Aurient? Mom and Dad said we're moving in a few days. I don't want to go."]
"Why are you moving?"
["I don't know. Mom and Dad said we've been here too long and want to change cities. Can you come back and live with us?"]
The little loli looked at Axel with teary eyes, her voice full of hope, ["I made some money these past few days. When the time comes, I'll help you buy a new house next to ours."]
Axel automatically ignored the last thing the loli said and stepped out of the room, "I'll head back to Aurient immediately, but it might take some time."
["Great!"]
Axel tapped the Poké Ball on his waist. He knew Aunt Stacy has been involved with Team Rocket in the past, this move was definitely a sign of trouble.
He had to hurry back, or the whole family might be found by Team Rocket.
He just didn't know how urgent the situation was, 'Should I ride Ho-oh back?'
Just then, Lance suddenly called.
["Great divine master, I heard you're heading back to Aurient. I happen to be going there to catch a fugitive researcher. Shall I prepare the best room on the S.S. Anne for you?"]
Axel: "..."
'Okay!'
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