At noon the next day, everyone was called out to gather.
"Everyone who has eaten, gather in the hall," a mechanical voice echoed through the base.
The Team Rocket Rookie Championship was about to begin.
"Hehe it's finally time to show everyone my strength," Raj thought as he smiled slightly.
Not everyone had his advantage of having the system to support him.
"I now announce that the Team Rocket Rookie Championship officially begins," Apollo declared as he raised a red flag high and then brought it down sharply.
The format of the competition was simple.
Just like standard battles outside, each match was one-on-one, and each Trainer could use three Pokémon.
No matter how the format changed, Raj remained completely confident in himself.
As for the first-place prize that Zaobo mentioned earlier, Raj was extremely interested.
After all, the Mega Evolution Bracelet and Mega Stone were incredibly rare items, and obtaining both together would give him a huge advantage in battle.
Buying them separately in other regions would cost a massive amount of money.
More importantly, the system had also issued a reward.
Winning first place would grant him 200,000 points.
With those points, he could exchange for another Mega Stone from the system's point shop.
Compared to that, the rewards for second and third place were far inferior, consisting only of League currency and ordinary Poké Balls.
"Isn't this just encouraging everyone to go all out," Raj muttered quietly. "I wonder who came up with such a ruthless setup."
He had seen many competitions like this before.
After all, competitions with valuable rewards were common.
However, they were rarely held in secret underground locations like Team Rocket's base.
Still, this competition only involved Team Rocket members.
Raj smiled confidently.
However, when he silently watched the defeated participants being dragged away from the arena, his expression became slightly serious.
Here, the brutal survival-of-the-fittest system inside Team Rocket was fully revealed.
No one cared about the safety of others.
Trainers directly ordered their Pokémon to attack opposing Trainers during battles.
Apollo did nothing to stop it and clearly seemed accustomed to such scenes.
This made Raj feel uncomfortable.
Even if Team Rocket was an underground organization, internal conflict like this would only weaken them against external enemies.
Without realizing it, Raj's mindset had slowly begun changing after traveling with Ash and the others.
Previously, he believed that strength alone was enough to dominate everything.
Now, he understood something different.
Strength alone was not enough.
He also needed companions.
Friends.
Here, the law of the jungle was displayed openly.
Although Raj had already prepared himself mentally, he still found it difficult to accept how extreme things had become.
"It looks like today will be a true test of both strategy and strength," Raj said as he clenched his fist.
Ever since Gyarados evolved and sent Team Rocket flying during their last major battle, Raj had not participated in any large-scale matches like this.
To be honest, he was starting to feel eager to fight again.
"Next match Number Five Xiao Zhen versus Number Six Xiao Chen please come to the arena," the announcement echoed.
"It's finally my turn," Raj said as he walked forward steadily.
Xiao Chen was the alias he had registered earlier.
At the same time, his opponent Xiao Zhen also stepped forward calmly.
"Random arena selection begins now," Apollo announced.
Mechanical sounds echoed as the battlefield shifted and dust rose into the air.
The arena display continued changing before finally stopping.
Rock battlefield selected.
"The battle arena is a rock battlefield the match begins now," Apollo declared as he clapped his hands.
The platform lowered first and then rose again as a rocky battlefield emerged from below.
"I saw your strength yesterday and I admit you are quite strong but meeting me today is your bad luck," Xiao Zhen said with a mocking smile. "Why not surrender now so you don't lose too badly later."
"That's Xiao Zhen."
"This guy is strong among the rookies unless it's those top few people no one else can handle him."
"This kid is really unlucky to face him."
"Let's just watch him get crushed."
Ignoring the comments around him, Raj released his Pokémon calmly.
"Go Tentacruel," Raj said.
Tentacruel landed on the battlefield instantly and waved its tentacles while staring coldly at Xiao Zhen.
"You still chose a Water-type Pokémon on a rock battlefield are you looking down on me," Xiao Zhen shouted angrily. "Go Donphan."
Donphan appeared with a heavy roar as it faced Tentacruel aggressively.
"Donphan Ground-type Pokémon known for its powerful tusks and destructive rolling attacks," Raj quietly analyzed after scanning it with his Pokédex.
Combat Power 850.
Known moves Thunder Fang Rollout Stomping Tantrum Earthquake Pursuit Horn Attack.
"With strength like this and you still act so confident," Raj muttered as he narrowed his eyes slightly.
Although the rock battlefield favored Donphan, Tentacruel still had the advantage in type matchup.
There was no reason to lose.
All five of Raj's current Pokémon were top-tier in strength.
Anyone who underestimated them would regret it.
"Go Tentacruel use Acid," Raj ordered.
"Dodge and use Rollout," Xiao Zhen responded immediately.
"Don't let it build momentum Tentacruel use Double Team," Raj continued.
"Do you think that will stop me," Xiao Zhen sneered. "Donphan use Stomping Tantrum to scatter the illusions then follow up with Horn Attack."
The battle immediately became intense.
Both sides exchanged attacks rapidly as the fight escalated.
"Alright I admit you are strong but after fighting this long I can already see your limits now fall Donphan use Earthquake," Xiao Zhen shouted confidently.
Donphan stomped the ground violently.
Cracks spread across the battlefield as the earth shook violently.
"Warm-up is over Tentacruel show your real strength now," Raj said calmly without the slightest trace of panic.
...
📢 Author's Note
Part 1 of Pokémon: Rise of the Dark Trainer! is now completed and available on Patreon!
🔗 patreon.com/Shadow_demon_007
✅ Part 1 Complete — 100+ Chapters
Join Raj on his journey through the Pokémon world as he gains the mysterious Strongest Villain System, captures terrifying Pokémon, and walks the path toward becoming the most feared villain in history.
🔥 I also have additional 18+ fanfics available for readers who enjoy exclusive mature stories. 😉
1. Dragon Ball: Oolong's Sex Adventure
2. Elements of Lust – ATLA & Korra Mixed Smut
3. Doraemon: Filtering with Nobi Tamako
4. The Naive Me Who Became Someone's Everyday Secret
5. High School DxD: Rias Gremory, the Phenex Bride
6. Versatile Mage: Awakening the Succubus System
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Thank you all for your continued support and happy reading! 💙