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BOOM!!!
The lightning beam erupted with tremendous force, crackling with incredible electrical energy. Following the explosive impact, Zubat's forms began plummeting from the sky one after another. As the lightning dispersed, it left behind a massive circular crater in the center of the battlefield, smoke still rising from its charred depths.
A cluster of yellow figures descended from above. Green's expression shifted with concern as she witnessed this spectacular scene, her voice filled with surprise as she called out.
"Pikachu?!"
Meanwhile, in the shadowy cave behind Green and Blaine, a mysterious figure observed the unfolding events with slightly narrowed eyes. Originally intending to intervene, she now held back upon seeing this unexpected development.
At that moment, two figures dropped from the sky. It was none other than Ash himself. Scyther had combined its twin scythe-arms protectively around Ash as they glided down from above, landing gracefully beside Green before releasing its trainer and immediately assuming a battle-ready stance.
Pikachu bounded over to Ash's side, crouching low with a fierce glare directed at Houndoom, who remained standing despite the previous assault. When enemies met, their animosity burned bright and intense.
During their previous encounter outside NeonTown, Team Rocket had overwhelmed them through sheer numbers, which had infuriated Pickchu greatly. This time, Pikachu was determined to settle the score from that humiliating defeat.
High above, Archer and his companions were astonished to see Ash. They had captured him and separated him from his Pokémon team, so his unexpected escape left them puzzled about how he had managed such a feat.
"Ash, are you alright?" Green exhaled with relief seeing that Ash appeared unharmed, thinking to herself that Ash was indeed not someone who could be easily defeated. He had managed to escape before they could mount a rescue operation.
"I'm fine, don't worry about me!" Ash hadn't expected to encounter Green in this location. Unaware that Green already knew about his situation, he assumed she had simply been traveling through the area.
"It's remarkable that you managed to escape under such circumstances, but I'm still curious about how you pulled it off," Blaine remarked, studying the young trainer before him. While it seemed within Ash's capabilities to escape, the gym leader couldn't quite figure out the method.
"Because I have an amazing group of companions!" Ash responded, producing a Poké Ball and hurling it forward.
With a brilliant flash of light, Pidgeotto materialized before the assembled group. Upon witnessing this, Archer's expression darkened considerably.
He recalled that after the explosion at their previous encounter, there had indeed been no trace of Pidgeotto among the debris. At the time, they had assumed the Flying-type Pokémon had been buried under the rubble and hadn't given it further thought while capturing Ash and the others.
"From Neon Town to Cinnabar Island, even Flying-type Pokémon shouldn't be able to locate someone over such a distance." Although the two locations weren't far apart from a traveler's perspective, this distance exceeded what should be possible to track visually.
"Ha! Haven't you always wanted to witness my true power?" Ash smiled confidently.
Archer's expression rarely changed, but now it gradually grew more menacing. He hadn't anticipated that this young trainer possessed such extraordinary abilities, with a Pidgeotto capable of tracking across such vast distances.
"Ash, don't waste time talking to that criminal! They've captured Moltres," Green informed him as she moved closer to his position.
Ash quickly surveyed the situation and noticed the legendary Fire-type Pokémon's predicament, his eyes hardening with determination as he prepared for battle. At this moment, Blaine and Elite Agatha, who had been observing from within the cave, finally got their first direct look at Ash himself.
Both veteran trainers regarded him with keen interest, eager to assess the true depth of this young man's abilities. The way he had instantly resolved the crisis with that devastating lightning attack had thoroughly impressed them.
"Houndoom, use Flamethrower!" Archer commanded, launching the first assault as the Dark Fire-type Pokémon's flames roared directly toward Ash's position.
BOOM!!!
Just as Ash prepared to counter-attack, one of the Poké Balls at his waist burst open with an explosive sound, and an impatient figure rushed out to position itself protectively in front of its trainer.
"CHAR!!!!"
BOOM!!!
Red energy engulfed the Fire-type Pokémon's entire body as it drove its fist into the ground with tremendous force, causing the earth beneath their feet to collapse instantly.
Pillars of fire erupted from the ground in succession. These flame columns advanced in a perfectly straight line, not only neutralizing the incoming Flamethrower but completely overwhelming the attack.
The flames surged aggressively toward Houndoom's location, and as Charmeleon fully emerged, Fire Pledge exploded with astounding power. Houndoom's expression changed dramatically as its own attack was completely overpowered and sent back.
"Use Counter—" Archer began to signal for a retaliatory move.
BOOM!!!
Before Archer could finish his command, the ground beneath Houndoom's feet cracked apart, and a massive pillar of fire shot skyward, launching the Dark Fire-type Pokémon through the air.
Ash observed his Charmeleon with initial surprise, then smiled helplessly. The Fire-type Pokémon was clearly still seething with frustration from their previous capture and was eager to vent its anger.
Blaine couldn't help but narrow his eyes upon witnessing this display. This Charmeleon's strength was exceptional—the power of its fire-type moves was truly remarkable. Elite Agatha, positioned at the cave entrance behind them, also squinted slightly as she observed the impressive battle technique.
At this point, Archer retrieved his defeated Houndoom with its Poké Ball, then looked down at Ash with a cold smile.
"Impressive performance, but this encounter ends here. We've already accomplished our objective anyway. Until we meet again!" Archer sneered as he glanced toward the helicopter formation behind him.
Everyone below suddenly realized that the rear helicopter containing the glass sphere holding Moltres had been completely secured. All three helicopters began ascending as Team Rocket prepared their withdrawal.
"Scy!" Scyther and Pidgeotto immediately took flight in pursuit. However, at that moment, the remaining Zubat who had survived Pikachu's electrical assault swarmed around the Flying-type Pokémon.
"Zu zu zu zu!!!!"
All the Zubat cried out simultaneously, their combined Supersonic attack spreading instantly across the battlefield. Scyther and Pidgeotto's movements were immediately hindered by the disorienting sound waves. Pikachu and the others covered their ears protectively, and even Ash and his human companions felt the painful effects of the harsh sonic assault.
"Char!! ROAAAR!!!" Charmeleon positioned itself defensively in front of Ash, enduring the grating sound while glaring up at Archer and his smugly confident team members in the air. The Fire-type Pokémon seemed to feel the humiliation of their escape and couldn't suppress a furious cry.
BOOM!!!!
With this life-changing roar, Charmeleon's eyes flashed brilliant red in an instant. Ash, still covering his ears from the sonic attack, suddenly noticed an unusual sensation and looked up.
There was a sudden explosive sound before his eyes, and Charmeleon's entire body became shrouded in a dazzling, radiant light that seemed to pulse with transformative energy.
"This is—!!" Green and Blaine exclaimed in surprise, staring at the luminous spectacle unfolding before them. The expressions of every Team Rocket member above also changed simultaneously as they witnessed this unexpected development.