Chapter 282: Darkrai
Athena's words sent a wave of disbelief through the gathered Team Rocket members.
It wasn't that they doubted Lady Athena—it was just too shocking to process.
Sird was one of Giovanni's most trusted executives…
No, wait—Giovanni himself was the one who acted against him.
So… it was true!?
As realization set in, the surrounding Team Rocket members instinctively reached for their Poké Balls, their gazes wary as they turned toward Sird.
With Giovanni personally taking action and so many Team Rocket operatives surrounding him...
"It's over, Sird," Athena declared.
She was certain—there was no chance for Sird to escape.
Yet, despite having Beedrill's stinger against his neck, Sird showed no trace of panic. Instead, she ignored the threat behind him and looked at Giovanni with curiosity.
"Can I ask how I was exposed?"
The moment she spoke, she effectively admitted to being a spy.
Even though the gathered Team Rocket members had already suspected the truth, hearing it directly was still hard to believe.
Sird was already a high-ranking executive in Team Rocket—what did Team Galactic have that was worth betraying them for?
Even after repeated crackdowns by the Pokémon League, Team Rocket was still far stronger than Team Galactic in terms of influence.
Giovanni: "…"
He didn't answer.
Not because he didn't want to—but because the truth was somewhat embarrassing.
He couldn't very well tell everyone that Asahi was the one who informed him, could he?
But even his silence was an answer in itself.
Sird thought for a moment, recalling her recent actions and those he had come into contact with. Before long, a possibility came to mind.
"Heh… I see. I never expected this."
Sird let out a low chuckle, lowering her head so that his expression was obscured.
Giovanni had no intention of continuing the conversation. With a glance, he signaled to a subordinate, who immediately stepped forward with a pair of handcuffs.
But the next second—
Whoosh!
A flash of black light.
Giovanni's Beedrill was instantly knocked back several meters.
The sudden change in the situation caught everyone off guard.
When they turned back to Sird, a shadowy, black Pokémon with white hair and a red collar-like growth around its neck hovered behind him.
It was clear that this Pokémon was the one that had repelled Beedrill.
Giovanni's expression darkened the moment he recognized it.
"The Nightmare Pokémon… Darkrai."
Sird smiled and bowed slightly. "Apologies, Boss Giovanni, but I have a reason why I can't be captured."
Her words were met with a blinding flash—Giovanni's Beedrill, now in its Mega Evolved form, lunged at her.
Like a streak of yellow lightning, Mega Beedrill shot toward Darkrai.
Giovanni's eyes were cold and resolute.
He had been caught off guard earlier, but now, with type advantage and Mega Evolution, even Darkrai wouldn't be a match.
However, Sird had no intention of engaging Giovanni head-on. Having served under him for years, she understood his strength all too well.
"Dark Void," she commanded.
Darkrai raised a hand, summoning a swirling mass of dark energy before launching it at Beedrill.
Beedrill didn't hesitate—it swung its twin stingers to slash through the energy sphere.
The moment its stingers made contact—
A silent explosion.
The dark energy ball scattered.
Wherever the energy spread, both Pokémon and humans alike felt their consciousness slipping, a deep exhaustion washing over them as their bodies wavered.
Dark Void—any Pokémon caught in its range, along with those nearby, would instantly fall asleep.
Had Giovanni not reacted swiftly, using his Aggron as a shield, he too would have been affected.
And in that brief moment—
Sird and Darkrai vanished without a trace.
Giovanni looked around. His Beedrill, struggling to stay awake, was swaying drowsily, while his subordinates had collapsed all around him, fast asleep.
His expression turned grim.
—
Asahi had no idea that, despite Giovanni's prior preparations, Sird had still managed to escape.
Had he known, he would have undoubtedly sent an email mocking Giovanni relentlessly.
At that moment, he was a guest at Norman's Petalburg Gym.
As a coastal city, Petalburg had suffered significant damage in the recent disaster. Norman had been busy overseeing the post-disaster recovery efforts for days.
Fortunately, with Devon Corporation's reconstruction team and the Pokémon Association's support, the rebuilding process was underway, allowing Norman a brief moment of respite.
Seated at a table, Asahi and Norman discussed the current state of Hoenn.
As Petalburg's Gym Leader, Norman had a deeper understanding of the devastation Hoenn would have suffered if not for Asahi's intervention.
After expressing his admiration for Asahi's selfless heroism, he solemnly conveyed his gratitude.
Asahi waved it off. "No need to thank me. I'm actually more interested in having a battle with you, Norman."
"A battle?" Norman was slightly surprised.
He wasn't sure why Asahi suddenly wanted to challenge him, but since it was Asahi asking, he certainly wouldn't refuse.
Besides, he was curious—just how strong was Asahi?
With the Gym temporarily closed to challengers due to the recent crisis, there was no need to worry about the battle arena. The two quickly moved to the battlefield.
"I heard you Hoenn trainers prefer Double Battles… Let's make it a Double Battle!"
Norman had no reason to refuse.
They took their positions on opposite ends of the battlefield. With a brief exchange of glances, both trainers released their Pokémon simultaneously.
Boom!
Four flashes of white light.
Norman sent out a slothful-looking Slaking and a wobbling Spinda that seemed to induce dizziness just by looking at it.
Asahi's gaze swept over the two Pokémon before settling on Slaking.
"So this is your Slaking, huh, Norman?"
He looked at the massive, yawning Pokémon lying lazily on the battlefield, propping its head up with one hand.
Something about its posture reminded him of certain… questionable illustrations he'd seen before.
Damn it. His mind was contaminated.
Norman, meanwhile, observed Asahi's Pokémon in surprise.
Contrary to his expectations, Asahi had chosen two Hoenn Pokémon—a stunningly elegant Milotic and a Swampert, one of Hoenn's starter Pokémon.
He had assumed Asahi would use Kanto Pokémon.
But there was no time for idle thoughts—the battle had begun.
Norman's sharp gaze focused as he swiftly issued his command.
"Spinda, use Guard Split!"
Spinda wobbled forward, raising its arms as a shimmering light connected it to Swampert.
In an instant, Swampert felt an inexplicable weakness, as if its sturdy defense had been drained away—while Spinda, in contrast, suddenly seemed much more resilient.
Norman didn't give a command to Slaking, yet it suddenly shed its lazy demeanor, charging forward like a rampaging beast.
Taking the first move, Norman had the upper hand.
Asahi, however, remained calm.
"Milotic, Rain Dance!"
"Swampert, Muddy Water!"
A deep, resonating cry echoed across the battlefield—
As Milotic let out an ethereal cry, dark clouds rapidly gathered on the ceiling—despite them being indoors.
Raindrops fell onto Swampert's body, and feeling its power surge, Swampert opened its mouth and unleashed a muddy, earth-toned torrent.
Muddy Water!
The attack shot straight toward Slaking.
Although Slaking wasn't slow, it was in the middle of a full-speed charge and had no way to dodge. It took the full brunt of the attack.
Of course, this didn't surprise Asahi.
What did surprise him, however, was what happened next.
Rather than resist, Slaking simply let itself collapse onto the ground, dispersing most of the force from Swampert's attack.
Was this the legendary "fall where you trip and just stay down"?
Asahi had that thought for a moment, but he didn't let it slow him down.
"Milotic, Surf!"
Water swirled around Milotic as it gracefully moved its body, summoning a massive wave.
"Swampert, Hammer Arm!"
Swampert leaped onto the wave, using the momentum to propel itself forward, raising its powerful arms to strike Slaking.
With the added force from Surf, if the attack connected, even Slaking would take serious damage—especially since its Truant ability was limiting its movements…
Without hesitation, Norman waved his hand. "Spinda, Skill Swap!"
A glow enveloped Spinda as it linked to Slaking.
The next moment—
"ROAR!"
Slaking abruptly sprang to its feet, grabbing the previously limp Spinda from its sprawled position and tossing it onto its shoulder. Then, clenching its fists, it swung with full force.
Hammer Arm!
Hammer Arm vs. Hammer Arm!
The two attacks collided, sending a deep, resonating shockwave through the battlefield.
Swampert, being both lighter and weaker in raw strength, was sent flying backward.
Meanwhile, Slaking was engulfed by the oncoming wave.
"As expected… Skill Swap."
The moment Norman sent out Spinda, Asahi had already guessed his plan.
Swapping Spinda's Own Tempo ability with Slaking's Truant, creating a Slaking without its usual limitations…
Without Truant holding it back, Slaking's power skyrocketed.
As the wave receded, Slaking pounded its chest and lunged at Milotic.
Giga Impact!
But just as it took two steps forward—
Its movements suddenly halted.
Beneath its feet, the solid ground had somehow turned into a quagmire.
"When did this happen!?" Norman's expression showed his shock.
"Just now," Asahi smirked. "Surf wasn't just for attacking Slaking—it was to conceal the quicksand… No, I should call it a Mire Trap instead."
Given Slaking's massive Attack stat of 160, Asahi predicted that, without Truant, it would immediately try to engage Swampert and Milotic in close combat.
So, when Surf hit Slaking, Asahi had Swampert use Sand Tomb to set up a trap in its path.
The moment Asahi finished speaking—
Swampert pressed all four limbs against the ground, channeling energy into it. A shockwave spread outward, striking the trapped Slaking.
Earthquake!
The battlefield trembled violently, and Slaking let out a pained grunt.
However, with a base stat total of 670, it wasn't going down that easily…
....
To read an advance 180+ chapters before public release
And
Support me at [email protected]/NahinS77