"Steelix!" Red called out worriedly, seeing his massive Steelix showing a pained expression after taking the super-effective Earthquake damage.
The massive Steelix gritted its teeth and endured the pain, using Iron Head to crash into Dugtrio's body. However, due to its injuries, the attack's power was significantly reduced, and Dugtrio managed to use Dig to burrow underground again, avoiding most of the damage.
Meanwhile, Scizor, despite also being affected by the Earthquake, maintained its fighting stance. Its typing as Bug/Steel meant it only took normal damage from Ground-type moves, unlike Steelix.
"Scizor, use Bullet Punch on Sandslash!" Red commanded.
Scizor's figure blurred as it shot toward the airborne Sandslash with lightning speed. Its metallic fist glowed with steel-type energy as it prepared to strike.
But Crobat intervened, using Air Slash to force Scizor to dodge, protecting its temporary ally Sandslash from the devastating attack.
"Dragonite, use Dragon Pulse!" Lance ordered, seeing an opportunity while Crobat was distracted.
A powerful beam of draconic energy shot from Dragonite's mouth, striking Crobat directly and sending it crashing toward the ground. The four-winged bat Pokémon struggled to maintain flight, its stamina nearly depleted.
"Crobat!" Duanmu called out in concern, realizing his partner was reaching its limits.
Seeing the tide of battle turning against Team Rocket, Dugtrio decided to make one final desperate move. It emerged from underground near the massive Steelix and began glowing with an ominous light.
"That's Explosion!" Gary warned. "Everyone get back!"
But before anyone could react, Pikachu suddenly darted forward, electricity crackling around its small body.
"Pika pika!" Pikachu cried out determinedly, using Thunderbolt at maximum power.
The electric attack struck Dugtrio just as it was building up energy for Explosion, disrupting the move and causing Dugtrio to collapse from the electrical damage instead of exploding.
"Pikachu!" Ash exclaimed proudly. "You did it!"
With Dugtrio defeated, the sandstorm began to subside, and Sandslash lost its speed boost. Scizor took advantage of this, finally landing a decisive Bullet Punch that sent Sandslash crashing into the wall, unconscious.
Duanmu looked around at his defeated Pokémon with resignation. "It seems my mission ends here," he said, recalling his fainted Crobat. "But don't think this is over. Team Rocket has many more resources than you can imagine."
"We'll be ready for whatever comes next," Lance replied firmly. "Now surrender peacefully."
But Duanmu simply smiled and pressed a button on a device he'd been concealing. Suddenly, smoke began pouring from vents throughout Viridian Gym.
"A smoke screen?" Red muttered, using his psychic powers to create a barrier around himself and his companions.
When the smoke cleared moments later, Duanmu had vanished, likely escaped through some hidden passage that Team Rocket had prepared.
"Damn it," Lance cursed. "Giovanni and his lieutenants were prepared for this. They must have evacuation routes planned throughout the building."
Red looked around at the damaged gym, then at his injured Pokémon. The massive Steelix was still showing signs of pain from the Earthquake attack, though it tried to hide its discomfort.
"Steelix, you've done enough," Red said gently, recalling the steel serpent to its Poké Ball. "Rest now."
Ash approached Red, his Pikachu sitting proudly on his shoulder. "Big brother, did we... did we actually help this time?"
Red smiled and ruffled Ash's hair. "You and Pikachu were amazing. That Thunderbolt save at the end was perfect timing."
Gary, though disappointed that his Blastoise hadn't performed as well as he'd hoped, nodded in agreement. "I have to admit, Ash, your Pikachu really came through when it counted."
Lance surveyed the scene, then turned to his team. "Secure the building. I want every piece of data and equipment documented before Team Rocket can destroy or retrieve anything else."
As League personnel began their investigation, Red couldn't help but wonder where Giovanni had escaped to and what other schemes Team Rocket might be planning. The organization's resources seemed vast, and their willingness to sacrifice facilities like Viridian Gym suggested they had much larger operations elsewhere.
The battle was won, but Red had a feeling the war against Team Rocket was far from over.
"Red, I need to ask you something important," Lance said, approaching as his subordinates continued their sweep of the gym. "In your battle with Giovanni's mysterious Pokémon, did you notice anything unusual about its origins or capabilities?"
Red considered his words carefully. He couldn't reveal everything about Mewtwo without potentially putting the psychic Pokémon in danger, but Lance deserved some information to help protect the region.
"It was definitely artificially created," Red said finally. "Incredibly powerful psychic abilities, unlike anything I've encountered before. And it seemed... conflicted. Not entirely under Giovanni's control."
Lance nodded grimly. "That matches some intelligence reports we've been receiving. There are rumors that Team Rocket has been conducting genetic experiments, trying to create the ultimate Pokémon weapon."
"If that's true, then we need to be prepared for more than just stolen Pokémon and criminal schemes," Red replied. "This could threaten the balance between humans and Pokémon everywhere."
Before Lance could respond, one of his agents came running up from below. "Sir! You need to see what we found in the underground laboratory!"
The group followed the agent down a hidden staircase that led to a sophisticated research facility beneath Viridian Gym. The walls were lined with advanced computers, scientific equipment, and rows of empty containment units.
"Most of the data has been wiped," the agent reported, "but we've recovered fragments of research files. It appears they were working on something called 'Project Mewtwo,' attempts to clone and enhance legendary Pokémon."
Ash whistled low. "They were trying to create fake legendary Pokémon?"
"Not fake," Red corrected quietly. "If they succeeded, these would be real Pokémon with real power. Just... artificially created instead of naturally born."
Gary shuddered. "That's sick. Pokémon aren't just weapons to be manufactured."
Lance's expression was grave as he examined the laboratory equipment. "This technology is far beyond what we thought Team Rocket possessed. They must have had help from rogue scientists, possibly even some with connections to the League's research divisions."
One of the computers was still partially functional, displaying a corrupted file that showed DNA sequences and power measurements. The readings were off the charts, far exceeding those of most known legendary Pokémon.
"Sir," another agent called out, "we found something else. There are references to multiple test subjects, but most of the data has been corrupted or destroyed. However, there's mention of one successful prototype that 'exceeded all parameters' before 'becoming uncontrollable.'"
Red felt a chill. That had to be referring to Mewtwo. If Team Rocket had been planning to create more like it...
"We need to shut down any remaining facilities immediately," Lance declared. "If Team Rocket has the ability to mass-produce artificial legendary Pokémon, it could destabilize the entire world."
"There's more, sir," the agent continued. "We found shipping records indicating that genetic samples and research data were transferred to multiple locations over the past few months. Wherever Giovanni has gone, he's likely continuing this work."
Red clenched his fists. This was worse than he'd thought. Mewtwo's escape might have been just the beginning of Team Rocket's plans, not the end.
"Lance," Red said quietly, "I think we're going to need all the help we can get. This isn't just about stopping criminal activity anymore. This is about preventing a war between artificial and natural Pokémon."
Lance nodded solemnly. "Agreed. I'll contact the other Elite Four members immediately. We'll need to coordinate with all the regional Leagues to track down and shut down Team Rocket's operations."
As they prepared to leave the underground facility, Red couldn't shake the feeling that they were already too late. Somewhere out there, Giovanni was likely setting his next plan in motion, and Mewtwo was flying free, still struggling with questions about its purpose and place in the world.
The real battle was just beginning.