"What are you trying to say?"
Steven's voice sank, low and steady, his fingers once again gripping a Poké Ball tightly.
Although both of his Metagross, his standard one and the shiny ace had already fallen in battle, he still had other main Pokémon under his command.
As long as he hadn't lost the ability to fight back entirely, Steven would never allow Lucas to just walk away freely.
And clearly, Cynthia shared the same thought. She, too, drew out another of her Poké Balls, ready to continue the confrontation.
"The power of Team Rocket isn't any weaker than the Indigo League," Lucas said calmly. "But that's only when compared to the Indigo League alone."
He had already analyzed this with Giovanni before—the odds of Team Rocket winning in an all-out war against the Indigo League.
Back then, he'd estimated a seventy-thirty or perhaps sixty-forty split. Giovanni was strong, and now that he had Mewtwo on his side, his odds were even better.
But did that mean the Pokémon League as a whole was weak?
The Pokémon League was the single greatest superpower in this world, a true colossus that had ruled over trainers for generations whereas Team Rocket had existed for barely a decade.
If this were only the Indigo League, Giovanni might indeed have a fighting chance. But now, the League had even invited champions from other regions to participate in the strike.
And on top of that, with Red and Blue, the two overpowered genius themselves. Team Rocket's odds of victory had plummeted to something like ten to ninety.
Lucas may be a member of Team Rocket, but he was no babysitter. Team Rocket was not his organization.
He had no reason to risk everything for them, nor any obligation to throw himself wholeheartedly into saving Team Rocket from the League's crusade.
To put it bluntly, he could rescue them this time but would he keep doing it forever? That would make him nothing more than Team Rocket's full-time bodyguard.
And besides, Giovanni was gravely ill. Even if Team Rocket somehow triumphed this time, Giovanni would still have to step down to search for a cure and to find Silver.
Without Giovanni, could Team Rocket even still be called Team Rocket? How would they withstand the League's counterstrikes afterward? Their only choice would be to go into hiding.
Lucas had no interest in taking over that mess.
What's more, he had his own plans—the Blackthorn Clan's project, which aimed to enter and eventually dominate the Johto's commercial sector.
If he went all-in to help Team Rocket now, how much resentment would that bring from the League toward his clan?
That would make the Blackthorn family's future dealings several levels more difficult—and Lucas wasn't stupid enough to sabotage his own plans.
At this moment, he had already stalled four champion-level trainers and nearly crippled their strongest Pokémon. That alone was more than enough to justify his position as a Team Rocket executive.
Now, all he was really doing was enjoying the thrill of watching two great powers collide.
"What exactly do you mean by that?"
Steven's brows furrowed deeply. Was this man implying that Team Rocket's defeat was inevitable? If so, then why stand in their way?
"I've worn this Team Rocket uniform for quite a while now," Lucas said, his gaze drifting into the distance, his lips curling slightly. "I suppose I'll miss it a little."
In that direction, a tornado of ice crystals that almost stretched across the sky came into his view.
It seemed that Boss Giovanni was enjoying himself quite a bit as well, with such a grand display.
To be honest, Lucas couldn't help but feel a faint pang of nostalgia. After all, his time as a Team Rocket had been… rather entertaining.
"But this uniform doesn't suit you," Cynthia said softly, pressing her lips together, her tone heavy. "Lucas, are you really willing to be a member of an evil organization that people can only fear?"
Among everyone present, Cynthia understood Lucas the best. They'd crossed paths many times before.
Was Lucas truly evil? Perhaps. But most of the time, he simply followed his own whims. He acted because he wanted to, not because he was driven by malice.
To him, the monotonous peace of daily life was dull—unbearably dull.
Cynthia couldn't comprehend that kind of thinking. Her values were completely different from his.
She desired a world where people could live peacefully and happily, while Lucas simply didn't care.
But what she did know was this: if Lucas ever stood completely against the League, that would be the greatest catastrophe this world had ever faced.
"Team Rocket won't be getting back up today," Lucas said flatly, not even glancing at her. "But some people… shouldn't stay here."
He had his own mind—no one could change his decisions. To be feared wasn't such a big deal to him anyway.
Turning his head, Lucas's gaze sharpened as he looked over Steven and the others, a faint smirk forming on his lips.
He wouldn't save Team Rocket as a whole but some individuals, he would take with him.
It would be too much of a waste to let them be captured by the League especially Giovanni. And besides…
He wanted to give a performance before his departure.
For a trainer, what could possibly be more exhilarating than shining before the strongest organization in the world—the Pokémon League itself?
Especially here, in the perfect stage that was Saffron City.
"Lucas! We will not let you leave!"
This was the League's largest crusade in history, sending multiple champion level trainer to erase the criminal organization, Team Rocket.
If the League let the Team Rocket leadership and their boss escape, then even if the final result is victory, it will undoubtedly be a failure for the League! And a shame!
Steven frowned slightly. That kind of outcome would be disastrous. But…
"Oh? And what gave you the courage to say that?" Lucas's brow arched, an amused glint in his eyes.
He looked at Steven, curious. Both of his Metagross had already been defeated, yet he still dared to block his way?
"I've played with you guys long enough," Lucas said, chuckling lightly. "Now, if you'll excuse me…"
He raised his hand slightly toward the sky, signaling to Reshiram and Lunala.
"ROOOAAAR!"
"Laaaa~!"
The two Pokémon immediately understood. Their cries split the air as Reshiram's tail turbine flared with blazing light, and Lunala's entire body shimmered with lunar brilliance.
Full Moon Form.
Overdrive Mode.
"Aggron!"
"Togekiss!"
Steven and Cynthia's hearts clenched in icy dread. Without hesitation, they sent out their ace Pokémon once more.
But in the next instant, pillars of cyan flame and dark radiance surged downward.
Fusion Flare! Moongeist Beam!
"Hyper Beam!"
"Hydro Cannon!"
Aggron, Togekiss, and Haxorus all unleashed Hyper Beams together, while Mega Blastoise launched a gigantic spiraling Hydro Cannon.
The attacks clashed in midair, shockwaves rippling outward in deafening waves.
But soon, in the reflections of their shrinking pupils, the twin beams of blue fire and darkness tore straight through the counterattacks—crashing down mercilessly.
BOOOOOM!!!
The explosion roared so loudly it could rupture eardrums. The ground itself cracked and split apart.
"…Guess I should go check on Boss Giovanni," Lucas murmured, eyes narrowing at the dazzling spectacle ahead.
With a faint smile, he recalled Reshiram and Lunala, turned on his heel, and walked leisurely toward the battlefield where Giovanni was fighting.
His Dragonair floated beside him silently, loyal and watchful.
The white coat he wore billowed violently in the gale, but he walked forward, unfazed.
He wasn't interested in the chaos behind him, only in how Giovanni was doing.
Compared to the other Rocket executives, Giovanni was the only one who truly mattered.
Lucas wouldn't let him fall into the League's hands. For all his ruthlessness and ambition, Giovanni had treated him well during his time in Team Rocket.
They'd worked well together and perhaps, one day, they might again.
"Chairman Loki… he's got more guts than I thought," Lucas muttered, glancing at his phone.
With Mewtwo, Giovanni had held a real chance of victory in this war.
But Chairman Loki had taken the threat of Team Rocket far more seriously than anyone expected—inviting multiple regional champions to join the assault.
Even with Lucas holding off four champion level trainers by himself, the rest of Team Rocket had already collapsed.
Both he and Giovanni had been tied down but the League still had several champion level trainers left to hunt down Team Rocket's remnants.
The news on his screen showed that even Karen had fallen though thankfully, Marnie and Green had rescued her before Lorelei and Agatha could capture her.
If even someone of Karen's caliber had fallen, then the rest of the Team Rocket elites didn't stand a chance.
"So many champion level trainers gathered…" Lucas chuckled softly. "Quite the spectacle."
"League Champions join forces to defeat an evil legendary trainer? Tsk tsk~ this title is really good."
As his figure disappeared around the corner, Lucas's mind was already running ahead—wondering just what kind of thrilling scenes those champions would show him next.
"Come to think of it," he mused, "Rayquaza would love this kind of setting. Maybe it's time to let it make an appearance. Necrozma too, perhaps."
"And poor Lunala will just have to put up with it a bit longer—fusing with Necrozma for a Dawn Wings performance sounds quite stylish."
Yes, while the League's side grew increasingly desperate in their grand crusade. Lucas was already thinking about how best to make his next dramatic entrance.
Moments after he left, the explosions faded, and heavy rain began to pour, washing away the smoke and dust.
"Is everyone okay?"
A battered Steven staggered to his feet, glancing anxiously at the others.
The energy shock from that blast had been overwhelming—even with their Pokémon shielding them, they'd been thrown a long distance.
"I'm fine," Cynthia said, frowning as she pressed a bruised arm. Her black dress was smeared with mud, her expression cold. "He didn't intend to hurt us directly. He just wanted to stop us from interfering."
She was right—their situation had been perilous, but Reshiram and Lunala's attacks hadn't been aimed directly at them.
If they had been… none of them would still be standing.
"He's probably gone to help the other Rocket executives," Cynthia concluded.
Though Lucas's words earlier had been vague, it was clear enough that he meant to assist the upper echelon—likely to extract Giovanni.
"Are you all still planning to chase him?" Blue asked, his tone uneasy.
He wasn't feeling great—being completely outclassed by Lucas was a bitter pill to swallow for someone as proud as him.
"Of course," Steven said firmly. "Team Rocket must be crushed once and for all. They're far too dangerous."
"And what exactly do you plan to fight him with?" Blue snapped, frowning. "You saw his strength just now. We can't beat him."
Indeed, Lucas's power was in another league entirely. Against Reshiram, Lunala, and that shiny Dragonair, all they could do was barely hold out.
Under those conditions, what could they hope to achieve? Blue didn't want to go get beaten up again.
He'd already fulfilled his promise to Red—he'd fought with everything he had. But no matter how hard he tried, he simply couldn't win.
"Well," he sighed, taking out Blastoise's Poké Ball, "since you've made up your minds, good luck. I'll be cheering for you—from a safe distance."
He turned as if to leave, recalling his Pokémon. He wasn't suicidal.
Blastoise couldn't fly, and his Pidgeot had already been downed by Lunala. How was he supposed to chase Lucas?
He had no interest in playing the part of the useless observer again.
But just as he was about to walk away, his phone buzzed.
A message from Red. Only three words:
"Danger! Hurry!"
Blue cursed under his breath. "Damn it, Red! I was in danger too, and you didn't see me calling for backup!"
Still grumbling, he shoved the Poké Ball back into his pocket and jumped onto Blastoise's back, heading straight toward Red's location.
After all, Red was his little brother in spirit—and a big brother couldn't just ignore a cry for help.
"Most likely, it's near where the Rocket boss is," Seeing Blue leave, Steven said after a moment's thought, turning to Cynthia and Iris. "Let's head there too."
Even if Lucas wasn't there, capturing Giovanni would still be a decisive victory.
But… things weren't looking good for Giovanni.
(End of Chapter)
(Author's Note: Some readers said Team Rocket can't possibly lose because Lucas is on their side. But remember what I said earlier—Lucas may be with Team Rocket, but Team Rocket isn't his. He's only an executive, while Team Rocket belongs to Giovanni!)
(So yes, Lucas can show off all he wants in this battle, but he won't truly go all-out against the League. That would break the story's logic. Key members will be rescued, but Team Rocket's defeat is inevitable.)
(As the saying goes: "Team Rocket may have lost—but I didn't lose." That's about the meaning here. Next, Lucas will 'change outfits' and continue to toy with the League in new ways.)