" Dwarf, today sister will teach you how to talk properly."
Karen's mouth is filled with thick malice, two white lights flash in front of her.
A strong Houndoom and an Umbreon appear before Karen.
That's right, Karen specializes in Dark types.
"Hmph! Capture them all!"
Carr lets out a cold laugh and raises his arm to give the order.
Behind Carr, Team Rocket members all release their Pokémon—Murkrow, Raticate, Arbok, etc.—completely surrounding Karen and the others.
"A rabble."
Karen runs a hand through her long hair, seemingly unfazed.
Carr's face remains grim; this woman is too arrogant.
He's eager to see if, once he catches her, she'll still wear that smug look.
But…
The situation is proving somewhat unexpected for Carr. Although he has the numerical advantage, Arbok and the others have just attacked.
Two Dark Pulses from the opposing Houndoom and Umbreon slam through, and Team Rocket's lineup can't hold.
In just two Dark Pulses, Team Rocket's Pokémon are all lying on the ground, none standing.
Carr's face darkens; he glances at Karen and her two Pokémon with suspicion and anger.
"Dwarf, looks like your subordinates are a bit weak. Do you want to step in personally?"
Karen's smile carries a taunt, amused as she eyes Carr.
"Or should you scurry away with your tail between your legs? A figure like you should be gone in no time, right?"
"What are you arrogant about?!"
Carr snaps, his temper flaring.
"Beat these useless fools, you're enjoying this, aren't you? Filthy woman, I'm nothing like them."
Carr coldly opens four Poké Balls, and a giant Steelix looms in front of him.
Beside the Steelix, there are three Forretress.
"Oh?" Karen tilts her head lazily.
"Let me show you—my power as Team Rocket's foremost of The Three Beasts!"
Carr proudly lifts his chin, though by any measure his height is short and his appearance looks like a child.
"Tsk, I'm keen to see it," Karen folds her arms, she's intrigued.
"Hmph! Open your eyes wide and watch closely!"
Carr is confident, but he's just a small fry; who in this entire Johto could be his match besides the Elite Four?
Before Lord Damian arrives, get these two guys under control!
...
When Damian and the others arrive at Ogi Isle, what they see makes Damian fall silent.
Every ordinary Team Rocket member is crouched to the side, not daring to lift their heads.
And Carr…
Carr is glowering with a bruised eye, tied up and tossed on the ground, looking as pitiful as possible.
This is creepy for Miki and Zuki; isn't Team Rocket the strongest evil organization in the Kanto region? Even Indigo League can't deal with Team Rocket.
"Lord Damian!! Lord Damian, save me!"
Carr, feeling utterly humiliated, sees Damian and erupts, calling out.
"…"
Damian looks at Carr with disbelief; he hadn't expected Carr to be in this sort of bind.
But seeing Karen and Will, Damian understands.
If it were only Will, Carr might have been able to run away despite losing.
But the disparity in strength between Carr and Karen is too great; there's no way to escape.
"Hm? Oh my— kid, we meet again."
Karen is looking at Damian as she glances up from her phone, a brow lifts, and she greets Damian with a smile.
"Indeed, what are the odds, beautiful?"
Damian steps forward, glancing at the two Pokémon at Karen's feet: a Houndoom and an Umbreon.
"I never expected such a handsome, sunny boy to be a Team Rocket member—this is quite the surprise."
Karen tilts her head, pretending to be surprised.
Though she sensed early that this encounter with Damian wasn't ordinary, she hadn't expected him to be tied to Team Rocket.
And from Carr's "Dwarf" tone and attitude, it seems this kid holds a high status within Team Rocket.
"Many things in this world are full of surprises. Since we've met before, could you please release my subordinate first?"
"Although he's a disgrace in front of you, he's still an executive in our organization."
Damian eyes Carr.
"Since you're a kid, I'll let you speak first."
Karen narrows her eyes slightly, then reveals a beautiful smile.
Will's Xatu glows blue; under its psychic control, the ropes binding Carr fall away.
Carr stands up quickly and rushes to Damian's side.
"Lord Damian, I'm so sorry."
Carr didn't expect to be defeated and captured; his face is hard to hide.
Mainly because he hadn't anticipated this woman's strength would be so great.
His ace Steelix was knocked out by a single Flamethrower from Houndoom, and Forretress' Self-Destruct failed to hit Houndoom and Umbreon.
Initially, Umbreon took the hit, but that was just the start.
With Karen prepared, Forretress' Self-Destruct didn't land on Houndoom or Umbreon.
Carr isn't a decent person; he's ruthless, so upon realizing this, he orders Forretress to charge Karen and the two herself to use Self-Destruct.
But before Forretress advances, Houndoom's attack intercepts, and Will's Xatu isn't just props.
Then, there's no suspense—Carr is defeated…
"Remember this lesson, off you go."
Damian nods; this defeat isn't terrible for Carr; it's enough to rein in his arrogance a bit.
Carr's face is sour and grim as he retreats to the side, glaring at Karen.
Karen raises an eyebrow; the dwarf actually dares glare at her?
"Beautiful, though I don't want to conflict with you, I've heard Carr say you attacked our Team Rocket people, and now…"
Damian turns back to Karen and Will.
"Are you here to wait for Lugia?"
"That's right, Kid; Lugia is important to us. Could you do us a favor?"
Karen remains smiling; although she knows Damian isn't simple, she's confident in her own strength.
"You want to catch Lugia?"
"If we can catch it, that'd be best."
"Then I'm afraid I must say I'm sorry—my goal is Lugia as well."
"That's a pity; then it looks like we'll have to spar, Kid."
Karen stands, brushing her gray-blue long hair with a graceful movement, her eyes gleaming with a hint of eagerness.
"I wonder if you can satisfy me. If you're just like that Dwarf, I'd be disappointed."
Karen's smile becomes a sharp, malice-laden grin.
She loves a challenge and people who are interesting; she's quite curious about Damian.
But if this man's strength isn't up to par, it would be a disappointment.
"In that case, let's make a bet."
Damian twirls a Ultra Ball with his fingers, offering a sly smile to Karen.
"Oh?"
Karen's interest is piqued.
"If you beat me, I'll drop and leave; in the future, when Team Rocket sees you, you'll be our honored guest."
"But if I beat you, Beautiful, you'll join Team Rocket, become one of us. How about that?"
Damian lays out his ideology.
Hearing this, Karen's eyes narrow; she weighs the pros and cons in her head.
"Kid, this bet is not equal at all."
Karen says.
If she beats him, Damian should take his people and leave; if she loses, she would join Team Rocket and serve them—such a trade makes no sense.
"Then what would you like to do?"
Damian doesn't rebut.
"If I win, you'll help us catch Lugia, and if I need you and Team Rocket in the future, you'll give your all too."
"If I lose, I join Team Rocket."
Karen lays out her decision; she's thought this through.
Masked Man tasked them with capturing Green and Silver, the traitors, with Lugia and Ho-Oh as secondary goals. For Karen and Will, both tasks are hard: Kanto is huge, they're only two people, and Green and Silver are adept at evading detection.
Finding Ho-Oh and Lugia would be even harder.
As for Lugia and Ho-Oh… better left unsaid.
But with Team Rocket's resources, Lugia's location is there! That's why this time Lugia's location is known to Team Rocket.
"Deal."
Damian grins, tossing a gold badge toward Karen.
Karen catches it, puzzled, then looks at Damian with a hint of confusion.
Carr's eyes widen in realization when he sees the badge.
"This is our Team Rocket top-tier Admin badge—status above executives. Pretty sweet, huh?"
Damian smiles, glad to have snagged another top-tier Admin.
"Kid, are you assuming I'll join you? You're pretty confident, or are you looking down on me?"
Karen toys with the badge, amused.
Karen was raised by the Masked Man; among the masked organization, she's one of the strongest besides the Masked Man himself.
"Not that I underestimate you, but the outcome is already decided."
Damian opens two Ultra Balls.
The majestic Suicune descends with a cold dignity to Damian's left; the ominous Annihilape lands on his right.
"Suicune? Interesting."
Karen recalls Umbreon, switches to Weavile; Umbreon took two Self-Destructs in Carr's battle and isn't in great shape.
Weavile, four times weak to Fighting, is still confident; Annihilape won't land on Weavile easily.
The real prize remains the gorgeous, noble Suicune—the legendary Pokémon. Damian has indeed caught it.
Karen licks her lips, a smug grin forming.
"Houndoom! Flamethrower!"
"Weavile! Fake Out!"
Karen acts first and decisively.
Houndoom's fiery breath shoots toward Annihilape with a column of flame.
Weavile dives low and darts toward Suicune, its speed amplified by the Fake Out channeling.
Smack!
Weavile's claw lands square on Suicune's face.
Suicune's gaze becomes ice-cold, dark, as if the frost itself bites.
Damn It! I Am Suicune! How Dares You Slap Me?!
You'll pay for that!
~~~
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