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Team Magma retreated.
Courtney had arrived full of confidence, only to leave in disgrace. Her carefully planned operation never even had a chance to unfold, marking the mission as a complete failure.
Shelly, of course, had no idea that Courtney was already at a disadvantage before she arrived. She assumed Team Magma withdrew simply because they realized they were no match for Team Aqua. That thought filled her with smug satisfaction.
So?
You ambushed us earlier now it's your turn to taste defeat.
After glancing at Professor Cozmo, Shelly waved her hand sharply, ordering Team Aqua's grunts to advance into the position Team Magma had just vacated, launching another encirclement around Kai's group.
Cozmo might have escaped once—but sooner or later, he would belong to Team Aqua.
However, the moment battle resumed, Shelly realized something was wrong.
Just like before, Misty, Zinnia, and Professor Cozmo hadn't changed their Pokémon. Poliwrath, Starmie, Salamence, and Solrock continued fighting on the front lines.
Only Kai had adjusted his lineup—recalling the type-disadvantaged Tyranitar and sending out Scizor instead, pairing it with Dragonite.
In truth, Team Magma and Team Aqua were roughly equal in strength, both in elite members and rank-and-file grunts. And just like Courtney earlier, Shelly had completely underestimated Kai and his companions.
When she didn't see that terrifying Electric-type Pokémon, Shelly even felt relieved, assuming it had already been taken down by Team Magma. With overwhelming numbers and the enemy exhausted from back-to-back battles, she thought victory was assured.
But reality quickly proved otherwise.
One by one, Team Aqua's Pokémon began to fall.
Shock rippled through Shelly as she finally understood these people were far stronger than she had imagined.
Without hesitation, she pulled out a Poké Ball.
With a sharp throw, a massive blue Pokémon appeared on the battlefield thick-skinned, tusked, and imposing.
Walrein.
An Ice- and Water-type Pokémon with a layer of blubber thick enough to withstand subzero temperatures. Its tusks never stopped growing, capable of shattering ten-ton icebergs with ease and even if broken, they would regenerate.
Though not towering in height, Walrein stood out unmistakably among the surrounding Crawdaunt.
A crimson Aurora Beam fired straight toward Dragonite but Kai had already anticipated it.
Scizor flashed forward, positioning itself directly in the beam's path. Its pincers crossed sharply as it unleashed X-Scissor, the intersecting energy colliding head-on with the Aurora Beam.
BOOM!
The two attacks exploded midair, canceling each other out in a violent shockwave before dissipating.
Seeing how formidable they truly were, Shelly demanded the same answer Courtney had earlier.
"Just who are you people?!"
This time, Zinnia remained silent.
Kai answered calmly instead.
"You don't need to know. Just understand this while we're here, you're taking no one with you."
Shelly stared at him for a long moment before her expression suddenly changed.
"…I remember you now. You're the one who ruined our operation at Devon Corporation. And now you've rescued Professor Cozmo right from under us."
Kai wasn't surprised. Everyone involved in the Devon incident had been arrested including one of Team Aqua's executives. That they could still identify him meant their intelligence network was far more efficient than expected.
But he didn't care.
Zinnia and Professor Cozmo exchanged glances, clearly surprised that Kai had already clashed with Team Aqua before.
New grudges layered atop old ones only deepened Shelly's hatred.
Yet hatred didn't change reality.
Her subordinates' Pokémon were collapsing rapidly, and even Walrein was being forced back step by step.
Then—
Kai threw another Poké Ball.
Lightning crackled as Raikou landed on the battlefield.
The moment Shelly saw it, her heart sank.
Only now did she fully understand why Team Magma had retreated so decisively.
Clenching her teeth, she immediately issued the withdrawal order.
Shelly was nothing if not decisive she knew when a battle could not be won.
Before leaving, she shot Kai a chilling glare.
"Don't celebrate too early. No one crosses Team Aqua and escapes unscathed."
With a wave of her hand, Team Aqua withdrew completely, vanishing into the terrain.
"…Finally over," Misty sighed, dropping onto a nearby rock.
After everything she'd been through with Team Rocket, threats like Shelly's barely registered anymore.
Professor Cozmo, however, looked deeply apologetic.
"I'm sorry for dragging you into all of this."
"It's fine," Zinnia replied calmly. "No matter how large their forces are, Meteor Falls isn't a place they can dominate."
Kai nodded. "Besides, I was already on their bad side. With or without today, they wouldn't have let me go."
Cozmo smiled wryly. "Even so… you saved my life. I don't know how to repay you."
After confirming both teams were truly gone, Zinnia escorted them back to the main cavern path before stopping.
They said their goodbyes, and Kai, Misty, and Professor Cozmo continued toward the exit together.
What Kai had assumed would be a simple shortcut had turned into quite the adventure capturing a Beldum, acquiring Key Stones, and rescuing a scientist from two villain teams.
Definitely not a wasted trip.
By the time they emerged from the cave, the sky was filled with stars. A glance at the clock showed it was already past 9 p.m.
"What will you do next?" Kai asked.
"Head home," Cozmo replied. "I live in Fallarbor Town. Care to visit?"
Kai thought briefly, then shook his head. "No Gym there and I'm short on time."
After parting ways, Misty cupped her hands and shouted, "Professor! Be careful don't get kidnapped again!"
Cozmo laughed and waved before disappearing down the mountain path.
Concerned about a nighttime ambush, Kai and Misty continued traveling under the moonlight, finally camping after midnight.
Exhaustion claimed them instantly.
They didn't wake until the sun was already high overhead.
After preparing breakfast, Kai noticed something was wrong.
They had somehow looped back near Rustboro City.
"…You've got to be kidding me," Misty muttered, staring at the map.
Kai massaged his temples. "Mountain terrain, winding paths, no landmarks at night. We didn't realize we were circling back."
For the third time, they were back here.
With no other choice, they pressed on entering a forest bordering the city.
Not long after, a boy suddenly jumped out from the bushes.
Kai tensed until he realized it was just a young Trainer, accompanied by a towering Heracross.
"You're Trainers too?" the boy asked excitedly.
Kai nodded.
"Then battle me!"
After a moment's hesitation, Kai agreed.
"My name's Jiro Sawama. I just started my journey!"
Before Kai could respond—
Another identical boy stepped out behind him.
Misty blinked. "Wait… you're twins?!"
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~Support with 200 PowerStones = 1 Bonus Chapter
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For early access to advanced chapters on P-atreon:
P-atreon/iamxeno
(Just remove the - hyphen to access normally)
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