The situation on the battlefield shifted in an instant.
Ethan Wolfe's two Pokémon failed to break through. Instead, his Typhlosion was blasted head-on by Gyarados's Hydro Pump, crashing to the ground and struggling back to its feet, its entire body drenched.
"Damn it…," Ethan muttered, his brow furrowing. "That Gyarados recovers way too fast."
His expression darkened. He had never expected the fight to turn out like this.
Earlier, he had assumed these were just a few mid-level nobodies. Yet one of those "nobodies" had forced him into a corner.
"Ethan, I'm coming to help!"
A young man suddenly emerged from the chaos, rushing to Ethan's side. It was Marcus Reed.
Along with him came one high-level Pokémon and three mid-level ones. They were weaker than Ethan's lineup, but still represented solid combat power.
"Damn it," Ryan cursed under his breath. "We finally had a chance to win… and now this. I don't know if the boss can hold much longer. At least Noah and I can stall those ones."
Ryan quickly recalled the fallen Pokémon. Only his Quagsire remained at his side. Nearby, Noah was left with just his Machoke.
"Coordinated attack! Hold the line—our reinforcements will arrive soon!"
Leon shouted, commanding Gyarados and Vigoroth while coordinating with Ryan and Noah's remaining Pokémon as they pressed forward.
With Marcus Reed joining him, Ethan Wolfe's pressure increased dramatically. The two fought together, clashing head-on with Leon's four Pokémon.
Ten Pokémon collided in total, the battlefield constantly shifting. Thanks to Gyarados's overwhelming presence, Leon's side barely managed to stabilize the situation.
"This won't work," Ethan thought grimly. "If this drags on, we lose. Team Rocket has the numbers, and Celadon's support might not arrive in time. We need to end this fast."
"I know," Marcus replied through gritted teeth. "But that trainer isn't simple. His Pokémon are exceptional. I don't see an opening yet."
Sweat rolled down Ethan's forehead as his eyes never left the battlefield. Every attempt to overwhelm Leon was dismantled with ruthless precision. He wanted to finish this quickly—but he simply couldn't.
On the other side, Leon appeared calm and unshaken. Internally, however, he was just as tense. An elite-level opponent had already locked onto him—only delayed by interception. He needed this fight to end now.
Cries echoed across the battlefield.
"My hand—!"
"Damn it, it hurts!"
Casualties mounted on both sides. Some were unlucky enough to fall the moment the fighting began.
Then—
BOOM—!
A terrifying surge of energy exploded overhead. Even the Pokémon below were affected by the sheer pressure.
"Champion-level…"
There was no mistaking it. Only a Champion-level trainer could exert such overwhelming force.
Moments later, a Flygon crashed down from the sky, its rider thrown violently to the ground just behind Leon.
"Tch."
Aoyan staggered to his feet, none of his usual composure remaining. Half his handsome face was smeared with blood as he spat crimson onto the ground.
"Ha! Even if you're Champion-level," Aoyan shouted coldly toward the sky, "you're not leaving here today!"
He hadn't died—only because two Champion-level trainers on his side had intercepted the enemy. Even so, the situation above was dire.
A Dragonite hovered in the air, its massive wings beating steadily. Standing atop it was a lean man wearing a Pokémon League investigator's uniform.
This was Alexander Crowe.
"So," Crowe said calmly, eyes sharp, "the Pewter City Branch Head and the Celadon Branch Head are joining forces against me alone. How impressive."
At Champion-level, they were all figures of renown. In the same region, they were no strangers to one another.
"As long as we keep you here," a tall, hawk-nosed man said with a smile, "I don't mind sacrificing my pride."
That man was Arthur Kane, the Celadon Branch Minister of Team Rocket—a Champion-level trainer who commanded an entire region.
Beside him stood a burly man, the Pewter Branch Head, also Champion-level. Together, they boxed Alexander Crowe in.
"This," Arthur Kane said lightly, "is why professionals handle professional matters. Look—caught ourselves a big fish."
"Exactly," the Pewter Branch Head laughed. "If it were just brute force, we'd never have set this up."
Crowe's eyes narrowed.
"Let's see if you actually have the skill to back that up. Dragonite."
Dragonite roared, its draconic cry shaking the battlefield as an overwhelming dragon aura swept outward.
"As expected of a pseudo-legendary," Arthur Kane muttered. Apart from his own partner Pokémon, even Gym-level Pokémon nearby trembled uncontrollably.
"Director Rock," Arthur Kane said calmly, "we'll need to go all out."
"I was thinking the same."
Both men threw additional Poké Balls. Two more Champion-level auras erupted onto the battlefield. These Pokémon had been kept back as personal guards—now they had no choice but to reveal them.
As veterans, neither of them possessed only one Champion-level Pokémon.
Alexander Crowe released another Champion-level Pokémon as well.
BOOOOM—!
The sky and ground battles erupted simultaneously. Champion-level Pokémon clashed, clearing entire zones as everyone instinctively retreated. A few unlucky individuals were caught in the aftermath and killed instantly.
Fortunately, that devastation remained some distance from Leon's group.
"Aoyan—are you alright?" Leon asked, supporting him.
"I'm fine…," Aoyan coughed, blood slipping from the corner of his mouth.
It didn't look fine at all.
"Heh," Aoyan chuckled weakly, recalling his Flygon. "Surviving a Champion's hit—this'll be a story worth bragging about."
His gaze shifted back to Ethan Wolfe and Marcus Reed.
"Still not done?"
"They're tough," Leon replied. "We can't finish them yet."
"Then I'll help."
A Machamp appeared beside Aoyan—just shy of Gym-level. All four arms rose as several Aura Spheres launched forward with pinpoint accuracy.
The impact was decisive.
Ethan Wolfe and Marcus Reed's Pokémon collapsed instantly, defeated in a single exchange.
"Incredible!" Ryan shouted. "That's insane—one move!"
"So that's how a Battalion Captain fights…"
"Tch," a cold voice sneered. "Ganging up on the weak. Typical Team Rocket—dirty tricks."
Before Leon's group could press their advantage, reinforcements arrived from the League's side.
A square-faced middle-aged man stepped forward, intercepting Aoyan's advance.
It was Frank Doyle.
"Leave this to you," Aoyan said quietly, stepping away to engage him.
"Don't worry, Captain," Ryan said confidently. "The rest is on us."
With no Pokémon left to fight—
Ethan Wolfe and Marcus Reed were now completely at their mercy.