Gary woke up sputtering, "Peh, peh, peh," spitting the water out of his mouth.
He rubbed his soaking-wet hair, thoroughly annoyed.
But when he saw the concern in Ash's eyes, Gary could only suppress his irritation.
He strongly suspected Ash had done it on purpose—but he had no proof!
"Gary, you okay?"
"I'm fine."
"That's good. Then let's move—we've already pinpointed Darkrai's location."
As he spoke, Ash immediately turned toward the forest ahead.
He was terrified that if he waited even one more second, he'd burst out laughing.
Gary's current state was just too funny.
At some point, the once-bright moon had been swallowed by thick clouds.
Because of that, the forest—where paths had still been visible—was now pitch-black.
Ash activated his Aura powers and took the lead, guiding everyone forward.
Behind him, Dawn nervously tugged at the hem of Ash's jacket.
Such a small gesture naturally didn't escape Cynthia's notice.
But she didn't say anything.
Saying too much wouldn't be appropriate—after all, her relationship with Ash was far too ambiguous.
She yearned for him, yet restrained herself.
That was the heart of a mature woman.
Longing for Ash to take the initiative, yet holding her emotions in check.
Only she herself knew these feelings.
As they moved deeper toward the area where Dark Void had been fired from, the sounds of battle grew clearer.
Judging by the noise alone, there were a lot of enemies.
Which made sense.
Whether it was Darkrai or Cresselia, neither was something an ordinary Trainer could handle—even if the opponent was Team Rocket.
These were Legendary Pokémon.
As they drew closer, the darkness thickened.
Clearly, Team Rocket had used some method to suppress all light in this area.
But—
What was Team Rocket's purpose in doing so?
Ash didn't know, and it didn't matter.
All he needed to do was crush Team Rocket's scheme and fulfill Mewtwo's request: rescue Cresselia.
At that moment, Ash—who had been moving forward—suddenly stopped.
"Ash, what's wrong?" Cynthia walked up beside him, puzzled.
She couldn't tell why he'd stopped so abruptly.
If not for the darkness, she would have noticed the strange look on his face.
Through his Aura, Ash had sensed three familiar presences.
They were Team Rocket's trio.
But their behavior was… odd.
They seemed to be dismantling some kind of device.
If Ash wasn't mistaken, it was probably the equipment plunging this area into darkness.
"It's nothing. Let's hurry—Darkrai can't hold on much longer."
Ash shook his head and didn't bring it up.
Cynthia hated evil with a passion.
Even though the trio often ended up doing good deeds, they were still Team Rocket.
Better not interfere.
Meanwhile, the livestream audience also saw Team Rocket's trio through Ash's Aura perspective.
[Lance]: There are two Team Rocket factions in this forest—but one side has an inside man. Anyone know who the mole is?
[Jessie]: Definitely not me! I'm a diehard Team Rocket member!
[James]: And not me either! I'm Boss Giovanni's biggest fan!
The audience burst into laughter.
If it's not you two, then who—me?
[Ariana]: You two are unbelievable! Either acting as guides or straight-up traitors! Team Rocket really can't survive without its "Dragon and Phoenix"!
[Jessie]: You bird-brain with glasses! We're loyal to Team Rocket! Boss Giovanni is watching us!
So that's your justification for sabotaging elite operations?
[Lance]: No, no, you don't understand their good intentions. They're protecting Team Rocket's reputation!
[Ariana]: That confirms it—you're a mole too! Even League people are defending them!
"Enough, Ariana. They're not undercover agents."
At Viridian Gym, Giovanni stopped Ariana from sending more messages.
Ariana snapped to attention instantly, drenched in cold sweat.
What kind of situation was this?
They'd sabotaged Team Rocket operations so many times already—and yet the Boss hadn't punished them?
Could it be… the mole was me?
Or worse—everyone except me was a mole?
The more she thought about it, the more terrifying it became.
(Gin: So you've heard my story too?)
Back in the forest—
Ash and the others kept moving.
As they closed in, the sounds of battle grew even louder.
They could even hear Team Rocket shouting.
"Hey! I advise you to stop resisting and come back with Team Rocket obediently! Otherwise, don't blame us for getting rough!"
Cynthia raised her hand, signaling everyone to stop.
Under Ash's puzzled gaze, she calmly explained her plan.
"If we charge in recklessly, both sides may treat us as enemies. Ash and I will deal with Team Rocket. Darkrai, you have the advantage at night—make sure no one escapes."
"Understood, Champion Cynthia," Darkrai replied.
Ash, despite his impulsiveness, listened to Cynthia very well.
He even gave up the tempting idea of charging straight in.
Gary, however, grew anxious.
"Champion Cynthia, then what about me?"
Cynthia hesitated.
Given how Gary had just been hit by Dark Void…
She seriously suspected this kid was even more abstract than Ash.
(Cynthia: Why didn't you dodge?
Gary: Because I wasn't afraid.
Cynthia: Why weren't you afraid?
Gary: Not afraid means not afraid!)
Just as Cynthia was struggling to decide, Ash spoke up.
"Gary, stay here and protect Dawn. You're the one I trust the most."
"Then… okay!"
Ash was a professional when it came to dealing with Gary.
No matter how unwilling he felt, once Ash said he was the most trustworthy—
Gary could only accept it.
"Ash, be careful," Dawn said softly.
"Don't worry, Dawn! Leave everything to me!"
With that, Ash led Cynthia toward Team Rocket's position.
Darkrai followed, melting into the darkness.
Only Gary and the combat-inept Dawn were left behind.
To show off his strength, Gary immediately summoned his ace Blastoise and Umbreon.
"You're Dawn, right? With me here, nothing will happen to you."
Gary puffed out his chest confidently.
Dawn, however, looked deeply worried.
This guy really didn't seem reliable at all…
"Ash…"
Elsewhere—
Green was getting increasingly annoyed watching the chat.
Blue really had zero sense of awareness!
Always sticking close to Red and ruining her plans!
Luckily, now that they were in Olorun Castle, Queen Ilene—one of the few who knew Red's identity—had personally come out to greet them.
Blue's eyes lit up with interest as he looked at Queen Ilene.
"Greetings, Your Majesty. My name is Blue. We'd like to stay in Olorun for a while."
Blue stepped forward and took the Queen's hand.
"Champion Blue, you're too kind," Queen Ilene said, smoothly withdrawing her hand.
Seeing this, Green's eyes flashed.
While Blue was distracted by the Queen's beauty, she decisively grabbed Red and Yellow by the hands and pulled them toward the tower.
Once she shoved them into the palace garden, she slammed the gate shut and walked off triumphantly.
Time to celebrate—dessert time!
Mission accomplished!
In the garden, Yellow and Red stared at each other awkwardly.
Just as Yellow was about to say something—
Red walked straight toward the statue of Sir Aaron, the Aura Guardian.
"So this is the Aura Guardian…"
Yellow froze on the spot.
...
Back to the battlefield—
Under Ash's guidance, Cynthia circled behind Team Rocket.
There were ten of them, all wearing elite Team Rocket uniforms.
Their Pokémon weren't fodder like Zubat.
Rhyperior, Crobat, and other high-level Pokémon were surrounding Darkrai.
Behind Darkrai, the severely injured Cresselia was being protected.
Facing so many enemies, Darkrai was clearly exhausted.
The situation was worse than expected.
Seeing this, Cynthia decisively threw a Poké Ball.
Her ace Garchomp appeared.
Ash also tossed out a Poké Ball.
One of the Pokémon he'd brought this time—
His Hoenn ace: Sceptile.
"Ash, I'll hold Team Rocket back. You go help Darkrai."
Cynthia gave crisp orders.
"Leave it to me!"
Once everything was arranged, Cynthia immediately commanded:
"Garchomp—Draco Meteor!"
A dazzling light shot skyward, illuminating the pitch-black forest like falling stars!
"Who's there?! Don't you know Team Rocket is conducting business here?!"
The sudden change instantly drew their attention.
As elites, they hadn't even noticed someone approaching!
When they turned around, they saw the golden-haired woman bathed in starlight—and the Garchomp beside her.
"Me? You've heard the name Cynthia, haven't you?"
Her voice was cold, emotionless—like a biting winter wind.
Before Team Rocket could respond—
Draco Meteor exploded overhead, countless meteors crashing down!
"Damn it! Everyone, dodge!"
At that moment, while everyone's attention was on the meteors—
Ash had already circled to the other side!
"Pikachu—Iron Tail! Sceptile—Leaf Blade!"
Clear division of labor!
Pikachu went straight for Rhyperior, Iron Tail slamming into its face!
Sceptile moved even faster—crossing its arms, an X-shaped Leaf Blade slicing straight through Crobat!
The audience was stunned.
Something was wrong—very wrong!
Didn't you two pick the wrong opponents?!
Both choosing Pokémon that resist your types?!
As expected of you, Ash!
The title of Type Disadvantage Master truly wasn't given for nothing!
And so—
Type Disadvantage Master activated!
Crobat and Rhyperior were sent flying by the sudden assault!
Ash didn't pause.
He rushed straight to Darkrai.
Under Darkrai's wary gaze, Ash raised his hand and released a wave of Aura.
Instantly, Darkrai relaxed.
"Darkrai, I'm here to help."
Ash then took a bottle of Potion from his pocket and walked toward Cresselia.
"Yue~"
"Don't worry. I'll heal you."
As he gently stroked Cresselia, Ash applied the Potion to her wounds.
Though it was only a regular Potion, the effect was immediate.
The surface wounds healed—but that was all.
To fully recover, the darkness blanketing this area had to be lifted.
That part was up to Team Rocket's trio.
With Ash and his Pokémon joining the fight, the battlefield was quickly brought under control.
The situation flipped instantly.
Team Rocket and their Pokémon were completely surrounded by Ash, Cynthia, and Darkrai.
"Damn it! Who leaked the information this time?! Ariana said nothing would go wrong! How did Cynthia end up here?!"
The leader was furious.
This outcome was far beyond their control.
Just Darkrai alone had nearly exhausted them.
Now they could do nothing but talk tough.
Darkrai, however, had no patience.
One Dark Void each—on the house.
A massive Dark Void loomed overhead.
The Team Rocket leader spread his hands helplessly.
"Well… we're done."
The next instant, every Team Rocket member and Pokémon fell into deep sleep.
Just then—
A violent explosion echoed from the forest's edge.
The darkness shrouding the forest began to dissipate.
Moonlight poured down once more.
Bathed in moonlight, the weakened Cresselia slowly rose into the air.
Her wounds fully healed.
Silver moonlight rippled outward—
Her signature move:
Lunar Blessing.
The light washed over everyone.
Darkrai, Pikachu, and the others had all their battle damage completely healed.
Darkrai and Cresselia floated before Ash and Cynthia.
"Thank you for saving us," Cresselia said, her voice as pure as the new moon.
Ash was about to respond—
When several figures stepped out of the forest.
"Darkrai, Cresselia—just behave and let us capture you."
That familiar voice. That familiar tone.
Ash didn't even need to look.
Team Rocket's trio.
The moment Jessie saw Ash and Cynthia, her words got stuck in her throat.
Facing Ash alone, they might still have courage—
But Champion Cynthia?!
"C-Champion Cynthia! Meowth!"
"Uh… we were just passing by, okay?!"
As they prepared to flee—
Ash sighed.
Elite Team Rocket members lay everywhere around him.
They were destined to be taken away by Sinnoh's Officer Jenny.
But considering the trio had acted as inside agents this time—
Ash decided to show mercy.
"Pikachu—Thunderbolt!"
Golden lightning flashed through the forest, turning the darkness into gold.
Team Rocket's trio soared into the sky.
"What a wonderful feeling~!"
!!!
Ash really was too kind.
[Lance]: See? This confirms it! Jessie and James are League moles! Giovanni, be smart and let them go!
[Ariana]: Year-end bonuses canceled! Annual leave revoked! All funding reduced by 50%!
[Jessie & James]: No!! This isn't our fault! You're dead, you four-eyed bird-brain!
[Elesa]: Ash is still the same—always fighting at a type disadvantage. And that Sceptile… it's really strong!
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