As Giovanni's Beedrill unleashed Pin Missile, countless purple-glowing needles shot across the battlefield like a deadly storm.
Facing the attack, Infernape roared and released a torrent of Flamethrower.
The sea of flames instantly swallowed every incoming missile.
Seeing the attack fail, Giovanni immediately changed tactics.
"Beedrill!"
"Poison Jab!"
Buzz!
Beedrill's wings vibrated violently.
Its body became a crimson blur as it shot directly toward Infernape.
Aiden smiled.
"Wait for the opening."
"Then use Fire Punch!"
Infernape narrowed its eyes.
Every movement of Beedrill was reflected in its pupils.
The instant the giant insect closed the distance and its twin stingers erupted with poisonous purple light—
Infernape moved.
Boom!
A furious roar erupted.
Flames exploded around its right fist.
Empowered by Iron Fist, the burning punch slammed forward.
Fire Punch.
Versus.
Poison Jab.
The collision shook the battlefield.
Purely in terms of strength—
Infernape had the advantage.
The impact blasted Beedrill backward.
Yet Giovanni's ace was far from ordinary.
The moment fire and poison collided, the purple venom began eroding the flames themselves.
The toxic energy actually corroded the fire.
Had Infernape been even slightly weaker, it would have been poisoned during the exchange.
Aiden's eyes brightened.
This Beedrill truly was impressive.
It had been a long time since he encountered such a formidable opponent.
Of course—
If he simply released every Legendary Pokémon he owned, Team Rocket would be crushed instantly.
But that would be boring.
More importantly—
His psychic intuition kept warning him.
Giovanni still wasn't finished.
There were more cards hidden up his sleeve.
Suddenly Giovanni laughed.
"Beedrill."
"Mega Evolve!"
A brilliant light erupted.
The Mega Stone resonated.
The battlefield was flooded with dazzling energy.
When the light faded—
Mega Beedrill appeared.
Its body had become more streamlined.
Its stingers longer.
Sharper.
Deadlier.
Even its tail needle radiated terrifying poison.
"Ding! Mega Beedrill's current attributes are as follows:"
Pokémon: Mega Shiny Beedrill (Special)
Divinity: None
Level: 94
Ability: Adaptability
Type: Bug / Poison
Potential: Red
Bond Evolution: Not unlocked
Mega Evolution: Active
Moves: Fury Attack, Focus Energy, Twinneedle, Toxic Spikes, Pin Missile, Fell Stinger, Endeavor, Poison Jab...
Looking at the monstrous Pokémon before him, Aiden smiled.
"As expected."
"A man like you possessing a Mega Stone isn't surprising at all."
"In that case..."
"Infernape."
"Bond Evolution."
The moment those words fell—
A different kind of evolution began.
Unlike Mega Evolution—
Bond Evolution granted an even greater increase in power.
Milotic.
Infernape.
Both occupied the highest tier among Aiden's combat Pokémon because of this ability.
Three abilities combined.
An increase equivalent to six entire levels of power.
Making them among the strongest Pokémon of their species in the world.
Brilliant light erupted.
When it faded—
An evolved Bond Infernape stood before Giovanni.
Flames condensed into a blazing staff in its hand.
The pressure surrounding it increased dramatically.
Giovanni narrowed his eyes.
"Always a perfect counter."
"Aiden."
"It seems you won't be satisfied until I'm completely defeated."
Aiden smiled.
"Of course."
"By your own logic, the strongest person decides everything."
"You believe power grants authority."
"Well."
"I'm stronger than you."
"So I get to decide Team Rocket's fate."
"Seems perfectly reasonable, doesn't it?"
Giovanni suddenly burst into laughter.
"Exactly!"
"That's exactly how the world works!"
"Still…"
"I never expected Lance and the League to fail."
"In the end…"
"A monster like you appeared."
"But I won't lose."
"Not here!"
"Mega Beedrill!"
"Pin Missile!"
Thousands of poisonous projectiles erupted once again.
This time even more terrifying than before.
Aiden immediately responded.
"Infernape!"
"Fire Blast!"
Roar!
A gigantic flaming symbol exploded forward.
The flames devoured everything in their path.
Boom!
The battlefield vanished beneath an ocean of fire.
Yet—
Mega Beedrill escaped.
Its incredible speed allowed it to evade the attack at the last moment.
The Pokémon reappeared beside Giovanni.
At almost the same time—
The battle between the Regis and the cloned Legendary Birds finally reached its conclusion.
The first to fall was Zapdos.
No—
To be more precise.
The first to die.
Regirock's devastating assault shattered the clone completely.
The black light within Zapdos' eyes faded.
Its body crashed to the ground.
Motionless.
Seeing the first clone fall, the balance shifted instantly.
Registeel finally received support from Regirock.
After all—
Rock-type attacks naturally countered both Zapdos and Moltres.
Meanwhile Registeel had been fighting at a disadvantage against Moltres.
With assistance arriving—
The outcome became inevitable.
Soon.
Moltres followed Zapdos.
The clone lost all signs of life.
As for Articuno—
Regice simply froze it solid.
The final clone was completely sealed within eternal ice.
Three Regis.
Three victories.
The balance of power shattered.
The advantage now belonged entirely to Aiden.
...
Watching three Legendary Titans surround him, Giovanni immediately called for reinforcements.
"Mewtwo!"
At once, Mewtwo abandoned its current battle and rushed to Giovanni's side.
A massive psychic barrier spread outward.
The Regis found themselves temporarily blocked.
But in that brief moment—
Deoxys struck.
Boom!
A devastating psychic attack landed directly on Mewtwo.
Mewtwo groaned in pain.
Yet despite the damage, it still stood firmly in front of Giovanni.
Protecting him.
Defending him.
Aiden looked at the scene.
Then spoke calmly.
"Giovanni."
"You've lost."
For a moment—
Silence filled the battlefield.
Then Giovanni laughed.
Laughed louder than ever.
"Lost?"
"Team Rocket has existed for over sixty years!"
"You think a brat like you can destroy it so easily?"
"Mewtwo!"
"Psystrike!"
This time—
Mewtwo stopped holding back.
Crack!
Crack!
Crack!
The restraints covering its body began falling away.
One piece after another.
The armor that had imprisoned it for years shattered completely.
Then—
Its eyes turned crimson.
An overwhelming psychic storm erupted across the battlefield.
And for the first time—
Everyone present realized.
The Mewtwo they had been fighting until now...
Had never been using its full power.
...
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