"It's been a long time, Blue~"
Lucas turned his head slightly, flashing a grin as he greeted Blue.
Surprised?
Truth be told, Lucas was quite surprised. If it had been Red standing here instead, he wouldn't have batted an eye.
After all, unlike the kind-hearted Red, Blue was someone whose nature, while not evil, was far closer to chaotic neutrality.
This Blue, who had yet to be defeated and "corrected" by Red was an extremely proud and self-centered Trainer.
Yes, extremely proud and extremely arrogant.
In his heart, there was only the pursuit of the title "the strongest." To him, anything troublesome or outside that goal wasn't even worth his time.
This trait of his could be seen everywhere—in his in-game dialogue, his reaction during Pokémon Origins when he and Red met Silph Co.'s injured secretary, and even in his later challenge against the Elite Four.
In Origins, if not for Red's insistence, Blue wouldn't even have bothered to help that wounded secretary.
And even then, he only agreed to take the secretary for treatment out of a sense of obligation. That alone spoke volumes of how much he detested getting involved in "pointless" matters.
In his eyes, Team Rocket wasn't even worth acknowledging. So long as they didn't interfere with him, he wouldn't bother. His world revolved solely around the concept of being the strongest.
Of course, after being defeated by Red, he changed…
But right now, seeing Blue appear here in Saffron City—and clearly involved in the war between the League and Team Rocket—was beyond unexpected.
"Lucas… so that's how it is."
Lucas found the situation rather curious, while Blue's eyes widened in recognition and surprise.
He remembered Lucas vividly.
For someone as proud as Blue, defeat was intolerable especially that one time at the Viridian Gym, where Lucas's Tyranitar had utterly overwhelmed him, defeating three of his Pokémon in a row.
That humiliation had burned into his memory ever since.
But never did he expect that their next encounter would be under such circumstances.
"You're actually with Team Rocket?"
Blue's sharp eyes flicked toward Cynthia and Steven, noting the battlefield before him. Lucas was clearly fighting them, and from the situation alone, it was obvious—Cynthia and the others represented the League.
So, what did that make Lucas? Did it even need to be said?
Cynthia, Steven, and Iris watched silently. None of them interrupted.
"Ah~ Team Rocket's senior executive, Lucas Blackthorn—should I introduce myself like that?"
Lucas smiled faintly, offering Blue a gentlemanly bow.
Blue stared at him for a moment before slowly curling his lips into a grin.
"Well, isn't that interesting."
With a flick of his wrist, Blue tossed out two Poké Balls.
From one, a massive Pidgeot spread its wings and soared into the air. From the other, a Blastoise landed heavily, slamming the ground beneath it.
"You've gotten stronger, Blue."
Lucas's gaze swept across the two Pokémon, and the corner of his mouth lifted a little higher.
Blue's strength had increased tremendously, far beyond what it was at the start of the year. He was now only a step away from entering the ranks of top-tier Champions.
His growth rate was monstrous.
Back when Lucas had fought him, Blue was merely a mid-level Champion. But in less than a year, he'd nearly closed that gap.
"Lucas, ever since losing to you, I've been training harder than ever!"
Blue raised his head slightly, his expression filled with pride.
For him, defeat wasn't the end it was simply motivation to stand back up and win again.
And right now… was his chance!
He would become the world's strongest Trainer, that had always been his dream, one that had never changed.
And to reach the top, he had to conquer every mountain before him.
To Blue, Lucas was that mountain.
"What a pity," Lucas chuckled softly, "but I'm afraid you'll be disappointed again today."
"The gap between us has only grown wider, Blue."
"Hah, confident as ever. Let's see if you can back it up," Blue retorted, his eyes burning with determination.
As much as he wanted to sound cocky, he knew very well that Lucas was a terrifyingly strong opponent.
Especially when those Pokémon were involved—
The white dragon, Reshiram! The shining Shiny Dragonair!
The moment his gaze met theirs, Blue could feel their overwhelming presence press down upon him.
His pulse quickened—not out of fear, but excitement.
If it were a one-on-one battle, he knew the odds were still against him. But this time, he wasn't fighting alone—he had comrades at his side!
…
Elsewhere
BOOM!
A loud explosion echoed through the city. Machamp was blasted into a nearby building by a fierce Flamethrower.
Houndoom landed lightly, eyes cold and sharp as it faced Hitmonlee.
"Phew~ that wasn't easy," sighed Karen as she brushed back a strand of her hair and smiled faintly. "Big guy, looks like you're not my match today. How about giving up while you can?"
Though she currently held the upper hand, Karen clearly didn't want to keep fighting.
Bruno's combat style was far too violent, and his battle experience was immense. Even with type advantage, facing him head-on was exhausting.
This chance to injure Machamp had taken her considerable effort.
"Sorry, but the chairman gave us strict orders," Bruno said with a firm shake of his head. "We're to capture every last Team Rocket members, especially the executives."
Despite being pushed back, he didn't seem the least bit disheartened. If anything, his eyes burned brighter.
Fighting a strong opponent like Karen was exhilarating.
"Tch~" Karen clicked her tongue in annoyance.
"Looks like I'll have to knock you out first. Besides, that kid Will's my little follower—I might as well avenge him while I'm at it."
Since Bruno refused to back down, Karen straightened up and focused again.
"I wonder how Lucas and Giovanni are doing now…" she muttered. "From the looks of it, Team Rocket might really be finished this time."
Even from this distance, she could feel the tremors of the larger battle raging elsewhere.
The League had gone all out, five champion-level Trainers from other regions had joined forces with Kanto's own Elite Four.
And on Team Rocket's side?
Only Giovanni, Lucas… and herself.
Three Champions against nine…
No, eleven—though Karen didn't know about Red and Blue's presence yet.
"If things start looking bad, I might need to retreat," she murmured. "No way I'm rotting in a League prison."
The thought alone sent a chill down her spine.
After all, once the battle for Saffron City ended, if Team Rocket fell, who would bail her out?
Connections and money were required for that and if the organization collapsed, neither would remain.
Especially not for a Champion-level Team Rocket executive like her.
But just as Karen weighed her options, a biting cold crept through the air, silent yet suffocating.
Her instincts screamed danger.
"Houndoom!"
Without hesitation, Karen shouted.
Houndoom leapt in front of her, a crimson vortex erupting around its body.
Hot air swirled outward in a wave of Heat Wave, clashing head-on with the icy Blizzard that had rushed toward them.
BOOM!
The collision of fire and ice triggered a violent explosion of steam and light.
Karen narrowed her eyes.
"Well, well… I was wondering which coward would try a sneak attack," she sneered, her tone laced with venom. "Turns out it's our very own Ice Queen, Lorelei~"
"Oh, now it all makes sense. No wonder you stoop to backstabbing when your strength's lacking, that's all you've got left."
"What a ridiculous thing! As expected, trash is still trash. They only show off their strength with words."
A cold, razor-sharp voice cut through the steam. Lorelei emerged slowly, her icy gaze fixed on Karen with killing intent.
This woman, she'd remember her face forever.
"My, my~ hasn't the esteemed Elite Four member Lorelei become forgetful?" Karen said mockingly, folding her arms with a smirk.
"If I recall correctly, the last time we met in Celadon City, you were the one who lost to the 'trash' you're looking at now, weren't you?"
"The same 'trash' that beat you to a pulp and does it mean your even worse than trash?"
Her tone dripped with sarcasm. Karen had zero fondness for Lorelei.
It was her first time in charge of Team Rocket's base, but she was sleeping soundly when the base was raided by Lorelei... She had no choice but to retreat.
And the next time, in Celadon, Lorelei had the gall to call her "trash" again and again right to her face.
Could she possibly have a good attitude toward her after that?
Hell no.
Karen was the kind of woman who wouldn't even hold back from snapping at Lucas, so why would she be afraid of Lorelei?
"Hah! You think I'd lose to something that crawls around in sewers like you?" Lorelei snapped, her cold tone rising as frost began to swirl around her.
The memory of her last defeat still stung like salt in an open wound.
But would she admit it? That she'd lost to this venom-tongued, foul-mouthed Rocket?
Never.
Even if she had lost, she'd rather die than admit it.
She, Lorelei, would never share the same sky as this woman.
"Wow~"
Karen feigned astonishment, widening her eyes theatrically.
"Lorelei, my dear, are you going senile? I heard older women tend to lose their memory easily. Maybe you should go see Nurse Joy for a checkup."
She said it with an utterly straight face, as though sincerely offering advice though her tone couldn't have been more mocking.
Lorelei's breath quickened, her icy glare cutting like knives.
"You're the one who's sick!" she finally exploded, her voice echoing through the street.
Did that witch seriously just call her mentally ill? And even suggested she see Nurse Joy—a nurse who treats Pokémon?!
Was this woman implying she wasn't even human?!
Never in her life had anyone dared insult her like that!
"Oh, come now~ don't be angry, Lorelei. Anger's bad for your health," Karen teased with a smirk. "You're already cold as an ice block—if you keep that temper up, no man will ever want you."
That did it.
Lorelei's face twisted, her composure cracking.
"Hah! Don't make me laugh. Even at my worst, I'm leagues above you. Look at that body of yours—what's there to compare?"
Lorelei straightened, pushing up her glasses, a cool smirk forming as she gazed down at Karen in smug disdain.
Karen's smile stiffened.
She glanced down at herself, then at Lorelei…
Fine. Maybe her figure was a bit slimmer compared to Lorelei's fuller curves.
But still—
"Ha! Do you even know what the word refined means?" Karen shot back, laughing out of pure irritation.
"Refined? You?" Lorelei scoffed. "Please. You're a Rocket thug. The only thing refined about you is your delusion."
The two women locked eyes, sparks flying between them as the air grew thick with tension.
"Old hag," Karen sneered, raising her hand. "Let's see how you like this!"
The Key Stone on her bracelet shimmered brightly, bursting with radiant light.
In an instant, Houndoom was engulfed in a beam of energy—when it faded, the towering form of Mega Houndoom stood in its place, radiating terrifying power.
Yes, Karen had gone straight into Mega Evolution!
"Come at me with everything you've got," Lorelei said coldly. "Today marks the end of Team Rocket."
"Mega Houndoom! Use Dark Pulse!"
"Lapras! Ice Beam!"
Their voices rang out almost simultaneously.
Darkness and frost collided violently, tearing through the city streets in a storm of light and sound.
At that moment, neither woman saw anything but her rival.
Maybe… in another world, this might even look like love.
Meanwhile, ignored off to the side, Bruno sighed.
"(-_-)"
(End of Chapter)