"Attention all residents! By order of the Pokémon League, Team Rocket terrorists are currently hiding within the boundaries of Saffron City! All civilians must follow the evacuation routes and instructions of Officer Jenny's personnel and leave Saffron City immediately!"
"Attention all residents! Please evacuate according to League directives…"
Just as Giovanni had predicted, the League's response came with astonishing speed.
Officer Jenny Zero, the Chief Commander herself, had personally arrived on-site to oversee the evacuation operation, directing a large number of League officers as they moved swiftly through Saffron City, notifying residents to leave especially those living around the Silph Co. building.
"What a massive operation… Looks like they're not holding back this time."
A young man dressed in a neatly pressed suit loosened his tie slightly, his handsome features shadowed by a look of solemnity.
It was Steven Stone!
Yes, he was also one of the reinforcements invited as reinforcements by the Indigo League to assist in suppressing Team Rocket.
"The nature of the Silph Co. incident is simply too vile. It's no wonder Chairman Loki has lost his temper," said a calm and elegant woman beside him—Cynthia Shirona, the Sinnoh Champion.
"The fact that the League has mobilized not only the Indigo Elite Four but also called in Champions from other regions… shows just how seriously they're taking this operation."
Steven cast a sidelong glance at Cynthia, his eyes flickering as he considered the situation.
The strength of Indigo's Elite Four had already been revealed to the public during the Ranking Tournament. Bruno, ranked third among the Four, had even managed to defeat Raihan in direct combat.
And although Lorelei, ranked fourth, hadn't publicly participated in a World Ranking Tournament, no one in their right mind doubted her strength.
Indigo Elite Four, all of them at Champion-level power and among them, Lance Blackthorn, currently recognized as the world's number one trainer.
Yet even with such a lineup, Loki had still invited other regional Champions to assist. It was clear how monumental this battle was meant to be.
"Team Rocket's power runs far deeper than the average person could ever imagine… Steven, I'm sure you understand that," Cynthia murmured, her brows tightening ever so slightly. Even with the League's unprecedented strength gathered here, she couldn't shake the feeling that this was far from a simple mission.
"Ah… I think I do," Steven replied quietly, his expression darkening as the image of a white-haired young man flashed across his mind.
Perhaps it was precisely because of that particular man that Chairman Loki had deemed it necessary to call on their direct aid.
"That woman… she's the one ranked fifth on the Masters List now, right? Iris Aurelian? Can't believe she's here too."
Elsewhere, Blue stood at one of the city's exits, arms crossed as his sharp green eyes studied Iris and, on the other side, the cold and aloof Lorelei.
Ever since her victory over Wallace, Iris had become a sensation, known even among trainers from other regions.
A flicker of excitement lit up Blue's eyes—he thrived on strong opponents and the thrill of battle. To him, both Iris and Lorelei were excellent prey.
"Hmph!"
Noticing the boy's provocative gaze, Lorelei shot Blue a frosty glare. When her eyes landed on the red-capped youth beside him, her expression grew even colder.
Red.
To her, he was nothing but an infuriating prodigy—brilliant, yes, but unbearably stubborn. He had made things far too troublesome for her back on the S.S. Anne, and that humiliation was something she hadn't forgotten.
Still, she only gave a sharp snort of disapproval. Regardless of her personal feelings, Red's strength was undeniable and in this operation to annihilate Team Rocket, his presence was an invaluable asset.
After all, both Red and Blue had been dispatched personally by Professor Oak to assist in this battle.
"Feeling nervous?"
In another area, Leon glanced at Raihan, who stood silently beside him, face set in grim determination.
"He'll be there too," Raihan replied after a long pause, taking a deep breath.
That man.
The one who had broken into the Energy Plant earlier this year… the one who had unleashed Eternatus… the one who had effortlessly crushed his strongest Pokémon, along with his pride.
Lucas Blackthorn.
The Team Rocket executive known as the Legendary Trainer.
"The debt from Hammerlocke," Raihan said coldly, "I intend to collect it."
Leon's face hardened, his sharp gaze turning toward the towering structure in the distance—Silph Co.
Back then, because he'd been away exploring the Crown Tundra, that man had seized the perfect opportunity to attack. If it hadn't been for Zacian's intervention, Hammerlocke City might have been completely destroyed by Eternatus.
That failure—no, that lesson was something Leon would never forget.
Time slipped by as the evacuation continued.
The citizens of Saffron City still didn't fully understand what was happening; all they knew was that Team Rocket had infiltrated their city.
But the League's mobilization was so massive—so visible that even the least informed civilians could tell something momentous was about to unfold.
While some grumbled in frustration, most cooperated with Officer Jenny's personnel and left the city.
And now, the eyes of the entire world were upon Saffron City.
The League hadn't hidden their movements nor had Chairman Loki kept secret his request for assistance from other regional Champions.
This was to be a world-shaking battle.
Team Rocket, the most infamous criminal organization in Pokémon history was about to face total eradication.
Yet, strangely… despite the League's every move being so overt, Team Rocket had made no response.
None at all.
Another day passed.
By midnight, the final civilians had been safely evacuated from Saffron City.
At exactly 11:00 a.m., the command came.
"Commence the attack."
Standing atop his Aerodactyl, Lance's sharp, icy gaze locked onto the distant Silph Co. building. His voice, cold and resolute, echoed through his communicator.
He had waited long enough.
"All units, enter Saffron City! Search every corner thoroughly don't let even a single Team Rocket member escape!"
Inside the city's police headquarters, Commander Jenny issued the order through all communication channels.
The officers who had been stationed outside the city barriers instantly moved, entering Saffron City with precision and discipline.
But then—
The sky suddenly lit up.
A vast, prismatic barrier of light unfolded overhead, enveloping the entire city in a dome of rainbow-hued psychic energy.
"This is… a psychic barrier," Steven said, frowning as he looked up at the shimmering lights filling the sky.
Psychic-type Pokémon were the most versatile of all and the utility of psychic power was nearly limitless. Clearly, this massive barrier was Team Rocket's doing.
"To cover an entire city like this would require an enormous number of Psychic Pokémon," Cynthia noted, her brows furrowing. "And for it to activate the very moment our forces entered the city… their intention is obvious."
"A trap," Steven muttered grimly, understanding dawning in his eyes. "A giant psychic cage… they want to trap us here and take us all down. How fitting of Team Rocket."
"Arrogant vermins," Lance growled from atop his Aerodactyl, his expression darkening, a cruel smile twisting across his lips. "You think you can make us your prey? I'll show you who the real predators are!"
At that moment, the radio crackled with reports—
"Report! Enemy forces spotted in Zone A!"
"Report! Two Team Rocket squads sighted in Zone C!"
"Report! Unknown enemy numbers detected in Zone F!"
From the command center, Commander Jenny remained composed as she processed each incoming message. So far, everything was still within her expectations.
"Champion Lance," she said firmly over the channel, "please proceed directly to Silph Co. and apprehend Team Rocket's leader. We'll handle the rest of the city."
The smaller Rocket grunts were just distractions. The true objective, the core of Team Rocket was suspected to be in the Silph Co. building.
That was where Giovanni and his executives waited.
Lance gave no verbal reply only steered his Aerodactyl higher into the air, flying straight toward Silph Co.'s building.
Meanwhile, at the building's entrance—
"You know," Blue said with a cocky smirk, tossing a Poké Ball casually in his hand, "I've known about Team Rocket for a while now… but this'll actually be my first time fighting you guys."
Several Rocket grunts stood across from him, watching warily.
"Too bad, though," Blue added, tilting his head with a mocking grin. "My first opponents turned out to be such small fry."
"What did you just say?" one of the grunts shouted angrily.
"Arrogant brat!" another snarled.
Blue chuckled, amused by their outrage. "Heh. Getting mad already? C'mon now—grunts should know their place. I don't have time to waste on you lot, so let's make this quick."
He flicked his wrist and threw the Poké Ball forward. "Go, Rhyperior—Earthquake!"
BOOM!
The ground erupted violently, the shockwaves rippling through the streets.
Inside the Silph Co. building, Red felt the faint tremor under his feet. His crimson eyes narrowed slightly.
"That must be Blue making all that noise," he muttered.
Turning toward the elevator, his expression hardened. "Archer…"
Last time in Celadon City, he hadn't found him—only captured a female executive named Ariana.
But this time… he wouldn't let Archer escape.
Elsewhere, Champions like Steven, Cynthia, and Iris had also entered the Silph Co. tower.
Once a shining symbol of Saffron City, the sixty-story building was now a battlefield.
At the very top—the sixtieth floor—
Giovanni sat calmly in the luxurious president's office, sipping a glass of red wine. Only he and the towering figure standing silently behind him remained—Mewtwo.
No… not quite alone.
Bound and gagged on the floor beside the desk lay the Silph Co. president, helpless and disheveled.
BOOM!
The office doors exploded open in a blast of searing flame.
Lance stepped through the smoke, his crimson cape whipping behind him, and at his back loomed his ferocious Dragonite, eyes blazing with fury.
"My, my," Giovanni said, setting down his wine glass with a faint chuckle. "Such a dramatic entrance, Champion Lance. That door was quite expensive, you know."
Even faced with the Champion of the Indigo Elite Four, the man known as the strongest trainer in the world—Giovanni remained perfectly composed.
"So, it's you then," Lance said coldly, eyes sharp as blades. "Giovanni—the leader of Team Rocket."
There could be no mistake. The man sitting so casually in Silph Co.'s president's chair was without question the true mastermind behind Team Rocket.
What surprised Lance most, however, was realizing that the infamous leader was none other than the Gym Leader of Viridian City himself.
"Rats will always be rats," Lance said darkly. "You've spent years crawling through the sewers—but today, you finally show your face. And today… is the last day you ever will."
"Hoho~ I never expected the great Champion Lance to have such a sense of humor," Giovanni replied, smirking faintly as he stepped forward, hands tucked leisurely into his pockets.
He stopped in front of the desk, meeting Lance's glare with calm defiance.
"Saffron City," he said softly, "I chose it for you. A perfect graveyard, don't you think?"
His voice dropped, laced with venom. His shadowed face twisted into something dark and sinister.
"A graveyard… for you League lapdogs."
The mocking words hit Lance's ears like a slap.
A lapdog of the League?
Lance's expression turned deathly cold. A suffocating aura of killing intent rolled off him, flooding the room like a blizzard.
But Giovanni didn't so much as flinch, he only smiled.
The silence that followed was heavy, eerie… dangerous.
Then—
Lance laughed. A low, hollow sound, devoid of warmth.
"Ha… ha ha ha… Interesting. Truly interesting."
But the laughter cut off abruptly.
His eyes turned razor-sharp, his voice dropping to a deadly whisper.
"Rat, Let's see if you can still run that mouth…"
"…after I tear it apart myself!"
"Dragonite, Dragon Rush!"
…
Fifty-Ninth Floor.
The elevator doors slid open, and Steven stepped out, followed by Cynthia and the others.
They hadn't taken more than a few steps before a voice greeted them.
"My apologies, everyone," said a calm, melodic voice. "But this path… is closed."
Standing in front of them was a handsome young man in a white cloak, smiling faintly.
And behind him—
A majestic white dragon, its sapphire eyes glowing with divine brilliance, gazed down upon them with ancient majesty.
The overwhelming power of a Legendary Pokémon swept through the hall like a storm.
Reshiram.
And standing before them, Lucas Blackthorn, Team Rocket's strongest executive.
They were now face to face with—
The Legendary Trainer himself.
(End of Chapter)