Disclaimer: I do not own Pokemon

Chapter 4 - Dance of Death

Asier stood in front of his newly caught Pokémon, each one staring at him with varying degrees of distrust and defiance. He could feel the tension in the air, thick and almost palpable. The more aggressive Pokémon were clearly not happy with being caught, especially the two Scythers he had acquired from the battle in Viridian Forest. Both were pacing, their scythes glinting ominously in the early morning light, as if daring him to make a wrong move.

But Asier wasn't one to back down. He had faced wild Pokémon, battled Team Rocket, and survived life-threatening situations since arriving in this world. This was just another challenge to overcome.

"Alright, everyone," he said, addressing his Pokémon. "I get it. You're pissed. You don't know me, and you probably think I don't know what I'm doing." His voice was firm, but calm. "But if we're going to get stronger together, we need to trust each other. I'm not going to force you to stay with me if you don't want to. But if you stick around, I promise you'll become stronger than you ever imagined."

The two Scythers exchanged glances, their scythes twitching in a way that made Asier nervous. Clefairy, sensing the tension, floated to his side, her usual cheerful demeanor replaced by a look of determination. Furret stood at attention, eyes locked on the more aggressive Pokémon, ready to intervene if necessary. Larvitar, as usual, was busy gnawing on a rock but seemed to sense the rising hostility, its eyes narrowing slightly as it glanced up at the Scythers.

One of the Scythers hissed, taking a step forward as if to challenge Asier directly. But before it could move any further, Larvitar stood up, stomping the ground with enough force to send a small tremor through the earth. The Scythers halted, their eyes narrowing as they assessed Larvitar's strength.

Furret, who had been observing quietly, suddenly darted forward, positioning itself between Asier and the aggressive Pokémon. Furret stood tall, its fur bristling as it let out a low growl.

"You see that?" Asier said, his voice low but steady. "Furret here isn't backing down. Neither is Larvitar. They trust me, and that's why they're strong. If you want power, if you want to win battles, you need to trust me too."

There was a long moment of silence. The Scythers eyed Furret, then Larvitar, feeling a dangerous aura coming from the both of them. The Scythers doubted they could take either of those two on and paused before finally turning their gaze back to Asier. Slowly, almost reluctantly, they lowered their scythes and backed down.

Beedrill, Parasect and the Metapod all had submitted long before the Scythers but had looked on curiously to see if their trainer could subdue these two who had pretty much ruled over Viridian Forest for quite a long time.

Asier let out a breath he hadn't realized he was holding. "Good. Now that we've got that settled, let's get to work."

Training wasn't just for his Pokémon—it was for him too. Asier had learned quickly that he needed to keep up with his team, physically and mentally. The field behind the Pokémon Center in Viridian City became his training ground. Clefairy and Chansey stood together, once again using Gravity to increase the pressure around them, forcing everyone to push their limits. The weight in the air was almost suffocating, but Asier had grown used to it.

Pidgeotto swooped low, wings beating rapidly as it practiced agility drills, darting between trees and rocks. Clefairy and Furret worked together, with Clefairy using her magic to create small obstacles for Furret to dodge and attack.

Larvitar, as usual, took the training to the next level. It was relentless, hurling boulders with Rock Slide, only to dash forward with Dragon Dance, increasing its speed and power with each move. Asier could see the raw potential in his Pokémon—it was just a matter of time before they became an unstoppable force.

During the training session, the rather large Metapod evolved into an equally large Butterfree who for some reason instantly began a rivalry with Beedrill. The two had began to push each other very hard.

Once their morning training session was over, Asier recalled most of his team, leaving only Clefairy, one of the Scythers, Butterfree, Furret, Pidgeotto, and Larvitar with him. The rest of his Pokémon he left in Nurse Joy's capable hands at the Viridian City Pokémon Center. He had bigger things to worry about now.

Like going to the PokeMart to spend his earned prize money on a state-of-the art traveling bag that could digitize and store items resulting in no extra weight being added to him. Although he had no idea how this technology worked it sure was convenient…and expensive. It cost him 5000 Pokemon Dollars. Along with the camping gear he finally got, a huge stock of meals and pokemon food and PokeBalls…well it left a stinging sensation he did not like. Not to mention, he still did not have the capability to purchase TMs to teach all his Pokemon a good variety of moves.

When will the day come where I can spend money like a rich man, without worry and care?

He couldn't help but daydream.

Asier adjusted the strap of his bag, the crisp morning air filling his lungs as he trekked along the well-worn path leading out of Pewter City. The towering cliffs of Mt. Moon loomed in the distance, casting a long shadow over the road ahead. His team—Clefairy and Larvitar—walked beside him, both in high spirits after the Gym victory. Still, the thought of the challenges ahead weighed on him. He wasn't just preparing for battles anymore; danger seemed to lurk at every corner.

A few miles out of the city, he spotted a man sitting near a makeshift stall on the side of the road. A large wooden sign next to him read: "RARE MAGIKARP FOR SALE – ONLY 500 POKÉDOLLARS! GOLDEN MAGIKARP FOR 1000!"

Asier raised an eyebrow, his pace slowing. The man noticed him approaching and immediately stood up, flashing a wide grin beneath his thick mustache. His outfit—a tattered red jacket and worn-out hat—screamed "shady dealer," but Asier found himself curious despite the red flags.

"Ah, you there! Yes, you, young trainer!" the man called out, waving enthusiastically. "How about investing in the future of your Pokémon journey? Magikarp! The most powerful Pokémon once it evolves!"

Asier stopped a few feet away from the stall, glancing at the large wooden tank the man had set up. Inside, a couple of Magikarp listlessly swam in circles, occasionally bumping into the glass. There, floating among them, was a shiny gold-colored Magikarp, shimmering under the morning sun.

"You're really selling Magikarp? You do know they're practically useless, right?" Asier asked, arms crossed.

The man laughed heartily, clapping his hands together. "Ah, but you don't know the secret of Magikarp! Sure, they might seem weak, but with just a little patience and training, they evolve into Gyarados—the mighty dragon of the sea!" His eyes gleamed with opportunism. "For only 500 Pokédollars, you can have one of these future powerhouses. And if you're feeling fancy, the golden one is a steal at 1000!"

Asier snorted. This guy's got a real sales pitch, I'll give him that. He crouched down, watching the Magikarp flop lazily in the water. Clefairy peeked over his shoulder, her eyes narrowing suspiciously at the man. Larvitar, meanwhile, didn't seem interested, preoccupied with gnawing on a nearby rock.

"Are you sure about this?" Asier asked, not able to keep the sarcasm out of his voice. "I've heard Magikarp are barely useful. It's like carrying around a wet sponge."

The man waved off his concerns. "Pfft! That's all part of the charm! Just imagine the look on your opponent's face when your weak little fish transforms into a fearsome Gyarados! Besides, wouldn't you want to show off a golden Gyarados? Very rare!"

Asier felt his wallet burning in his pocket, but something kept him from walking away. The golden Magikarp was rare, sure, and Gyarados were definitely powerful. But do I really want to waste money on a fish that's probably going to flop around uselessly for the next few weeks? Still, the idea of owning a shiny Gyarados sounded cool, even if it meant a bit of extra work.

Clefairy tugged at his sleeve, frowning up at him as if saying, "Don't waste your money."

"Yeah, I know," Asier muttered to Clefairy. "But…"

Shiny Gyarados…wait…could it be this Magikarp is painted golden? I remember this happening in one of the episodes…or am I tripping?

Clefairy crossed her arms and turned away, unimpressed with the idea. Larvitar glanced up from its rock and gave a slight growl, agreeing with Clefairy.

Asier chuckled. "Tough crowd, huh?"

The man leaned forward, his voice lowering as if he were letting Asier in on a secret. "I tell you what. Since you seem like a serious trainer, I'll knock 100 Pokédollars off the golden Magikarp. That's a bargain you won't find anywhere else!"

Asier looked the man in the eyes, sizing him up. He could tell this guy was used to hustling naive trainers out of their money.

Shaking his head, he turned around but before he could take two steps, a loud crash echoed from behind him. Asier whirled around to see that the tank had burst, water flooding the road as the Magikarp flailed helplessly on the ground. The golden Magikarp, among the others, was flapping around, its glossy scales shining under the sunlight.

"What the—" Asier started, but the words died in his throat when he saw the cause of the destruction.

A massive, hulking Rhyhorn barreled through the forested path, its armored body tearing through trees and rocks like they were nothing. A moment later, its trainer—a burly man dressed in dirty hiking gear—came rushing after it, waving frantically.

"Stop! Rhyhorn, I said stop!"

The Rhyhorn snorted, its massive feet pounding the ground as it rampaged toward the Magikarp on the road. Asier's heart leaped into his throat. If the Rhyhorn stomped over the flopping fish, they wouldn't stand a chance.

"Clefairy, use Gravity to stop that thing!"

Clefairy raised her arms, her eyes glowing as a heavy pressure fell over the area. The Rhyhorn's charge slowed, its movements sluggish as if it were wading through molasses. With a deep growl, the beast came to a halt mere feet from the Magikarp.

The hiker finally caught up, panting heavily as he tried to calm his Pokémon. "Thanks, kid! Rhyhorn got a little overexcited. Didn't mean for him to cause all that damage."

Asier sighed in relief, nodding toward Clefairy, who relaxed and let the gravity return to normal. The Magikarp, meanwhile, continued to flop helplessly on the ground, clearly confused by the chaos.

"No problem," Asier muttered. "Just make sure it doesn't happen again."

The man scratched the back of his head sheepishly. "I'll do my best. Good luck with those fish."

Asier watched as the man led his Rhyhorn away, leaving the broken tank and soaked road behind. He looked back at the dealer, who was frantically scooping up the Magikarp and tossing them back into another tank.

"Figures," Asier said with a smirk before throwing a Pokeball at the golden Magikarp and catching it.

"My good sir…you will have to pay for that golden Magikarp you just caught."

"Karma's a bitch ain't it? There is a price to pay for saving your Magikarp so go scam other trainers." Asier taunted before turning away from the scene leaving behind a sour and sulking shady salesman. He glanced at Clefairy and Larvitar. "Alright, let's get out of here. We've got a long way to go."

As they continued down the path toward Mt. Moon, Asier's mind drifted back to the shiny Magikarp now resting in the Pokemon Center. Let's hope this thing turns out to be worth it.

He pushed the thought away and quickened his pace. There were bigger things to worry about now. And if that Magikarp ended up being a scam, well, at least he would end up with a Gyarados soon.

Asier walked briskly along the path leading away from Viridian City, the sun just beginning to rise over the horizon. His team was finally starting to shape up after intense training, but something still nagged at him. His journey was only beginning, and despite his growing confidence, he knew he needed to be prepared for anything. He glanced at his team, walking beside him. Clefairy, Furret, and Larvitar were in their usual energetic states, while Pidgeotto soared high above, scouting the area ahead. One of the Scythers from his recent capture trotted behind, cautious but obedient after their earlier confrontation.

A few miles into the forested area, the tranquility of the morning was shattered by the distant sounds of shouting. Asier's heart quickened, and he motioned for his Pokémon to follow closely. He sprinted toward the noise, adrenaline coursing through him. As he got closer, he could hear familiar voices—Team Rocket.

"Come on, Nidorino, you're gonna make me rich!" Jessie's voice echoed through the trees, followed by the cackle of James and Meowth. "And Nidorina, you're just the icing on the cake!"

Asier reached the scene, hiding behind a thick tree to observe what was happening. Two Pokémon—a Nidorino and a Nidorina—were cornered against a rocky outcrop, snarling and trying to fend off Team Rocket's Pokémon. Jessie had her Ekans out, while James commanded his Koffing. Meowth, of course, was running his mouth as usual, taunting the helpless pair.

The Nidorino growled in warning, its horn glowing dangerously, while Nidorina positioned herself protectively in front of the larger male. They were clearly outmatched, and Asier's gut twisted. He knew how Team Rocket operated—if they caught these two Pokémon, their futures would be bleak. He couldn't let that happen.

Asier narrowed his eyes and stepped out of the shadows, his voice cutting through the noise. "You three again? Don't you ever give up?"

Jessie turned, her face twisting into an angry snarl. "You! You little pest! We don't have time for you today!"

James let out an exaggerated sigh. "Oh, come on. Can't you let us finish our work in peace?"

"Not happening." Asier raised a Pokéball, signaling his team to prepare for battle. "You know the drill. Furret, Scyther, let's go!"

Furret immediately darted forward, his small form a blur as he charged at Ekans with Quick Attack. The impact was enough to throw the snake Pokémon off balance, causing it to hiss in frustration.

Scyther followed up with Night Slash, forcing both Ekans and Koffing to the ground, their bodies sporting deep gashes. Meowth yowled as he tried to avoid getting caught in the attack, stumbling to keep his balance.

"Ekans, Bite that furball!" Jessie commanded, her eyes flashing with rage.

"Furret, dodge it!" Asier called, watching as Furret barely avoided the venomous fangs. "Now, follow up with Slash!"

Furret's claws glowed white as he slashed at Ekans, knocking it backward into a tree. The serpent Pokémon writhed in pain, clearly struggling under the weight of Clefairy's Gravity.

James wasn't about to let them get off easy. "Koffing, use Smog! Let's make things a little more toxic around here!"

Koffing inhaled deeply, ready to spew out a cloud of poisonous gas, but before it could release the attack, Pidgeotto swooped down from the sky with a gust of wind, dispersing the poison before it even formed.

"You guys are getting predictable," Asier muttered, his eyes flicking to the cornered Nidorino and Nidorina. They were watching the battle intently, their ears twitching with nervous energy.

Larvitar, sensing Asier's attention, stepped forward, his powerful form glowing with the buildup of energy from Dragon Dance. The ground trembled slightly as Larvitar launched a Rock Throw, aiming straight for Meowth.

"Meowth, move it!" Jessie screeched, but it was too late. The rock connected, sending Meowth tumbling backward into a pile of leaves, groaning in pain.

"We're outnumbered!" James cried, panic clear in his voice. "This is a disaster!"

Jessie gritted her teeth. "We'll deal with you later, kid. We've got bigger things to worry about!" She reached for her Pokéballs, recalling Ekans and Koffing. James did the same, and the trio scrambled to make their escape, Meowth limping after them.

When will those three learn? From the anime, they had sad backstories and turned to the life of crime because it was where they found belonging but seriously with the skills they showed…they are just wasting their life away being nothing more than a gimmick for Ash and trouble for him to overcome on occasion. With their skill…if I get strong enough and can change them…maybe I will try to hire them…

Asier let out a sigh of relief as the commotion died down. He turned his attention to the Nidorino and Nidorina, who were still crouched defensively near the rock wall. He approached them slowly, careful not to appear threatening.

"Hey, it's alright now," he said gently, kneeling down to their level. "Team Rocket's gone. You're safe."

Nidorina stepped forward first, sniffing the air cautiously, her eyes softening as she recognized that Asier meant no harm. Nidorino, though still wary, lowered his horn, his aggressive stance easing.

Asier pulled out two empty Pokéballs and held them up. "Look, I'm not going to force you, but if you want to join me, I can help you get stronger. I'll make sure nothing like this happens to you again."

There was a long pause as the two Poison-type Pokémon exchanged a look. Nidorina was the first to approach, nudging the Pokéball in Asier's hand with her snout before tapping the button. The ball clicked shut, and after a moment, the soft *PING* indicated a successful capture.

Nidorino hesitated for a moment longer, his gaze locked on Asier. There was something in his eyes—determination, maybe, or perhaps a recognition of strength. After a brief pause, he stepped forward and tapped the second Pokéball with his horn.

"Welcome to the team," Asier said, a smile spreading across his face as he stood up, while the two Pokeballs were teleported away. "Good job, everyone. Let's keep moving."

With Nidorino and Nidorina added to his team, Asier continued on his journey. They walked in relative silence for a while, with Pidgeotto scouting ahead and Clefairy humming softly to herself, while the rest of his team were in his Pokeball. Asier's mind wandered back to the Zubat he had noticed earlier. Something about the way they were acting just didn't sit right with him.

It wasn't long before they reached the outskirts of Mt. Moon. The entrance to the cave loomed ahead, dark and foreboding, but Asier wasn't intimidated. He'd been through enough strange situations in this world already, and a cave full of Zubat wasn't going to scare him off.

As they approached the cave, Asier noticed even more Zubat hanging from the trees nearby, far more than he'd seen earlier. They were all clumped together, their eyes barely open, as if they were trying to escape something.

"What's going on here?" Asier muttered to himself. He pulled out his phone and did a quick search on Zubat behavior. The results were clear—Zubat didn't normally act like this. They should have been inside the cave, avoiding the sunlight, not huddled together outside.

His gut told him something was wrong, and as much as he didn't want to dive into yet another potential disaster, he knew he had no choice. He needed to figure out what was going on and the fact that in order to get to Cerulean city, the quickest way was through Mt. Moon.

Asier recalled Pidgeotto and called out Larvitar before they cautiously made their way into the cave, the air growing cooler as they stepped into the shadows. The cave was eerily quiet, save for the occasional drip of water from the stalactites above. The farther they ventured inside, the more unnerving it became. There were no signs of wild Pokémon scurrying about, no Zubat flapping through the air. It was too quiet.

"Stay sharp," Asier whispered, his eyes scanning the darkened path ahead. His Pokémon…more specifically Larvitar, sensing the tension, huddled closer to him, his eyes gleaming in the low light while Clefairy skipped without a care in the world.

They followed the path deeper into the cave, the silence growing more oppressive with each step. Then, up ahead, Asier noticed something strange. A string of electric lights, strung up along the cave walls, casting an unnatural glow over the rocky terrain.

"This doesn't feel right," Asier muttered. He quickened his pace, his gut telling him that whatever was going on, it wasn't good.

As they rounded a corner, the cave opened up into a massive underground chamber. Asier's breath caught in his throat as he took in the scene. In the center of the chamber was a large crater, where a meteorite had once struck long ago. And surrounding the crater were dozens of Team Rocket grunts, operating strange machinery connected to the meteorite.

Several large, intimidating Pokémon stood guard—Weezing, Crobat, and Machamp—each one watching the perimeter with a cold, menacing gaze. And at the center of it all was a man dressed in a pristine white Team Rocket uniform, his presence commanding the attention of everyone in the room. His sharp, calculating eyes scanned the operation, barking orders to the grunts without hesitation.

"Team Rocket again…" Asier muttered under his breath. His mind raced as he quickly assessed the situation. This wasn't just a few grunts trying to catch Pokémon—this was something bigger. Much bigger.

He also saw a huge group of Cleffa, Clefairy and a few Clefable all locked in cages some distance away.

Why is this so different from the anime now? Does this mean that not everything I know will be of relevance from now on?

He looked back at Clefairy and Larvitar, who could not see the situation in the cave but could hear all the noise. He motioned them to back off a bit before he too retreated.

Asier's breath was shallow as he crouched, looking at both of his pokemon while his mind raced, thinking of a plan. Before long, he thought of something.

The plan was risky, no doubt about it, but in this situation, risks were all he had. The objective was clear: collapse the cave and bury Team Rocket's operation under tons of rock and debris. The meteorite chunks were secondary, something to collect if they got the chance.

He gave a quick glance at Larvitar, who was no longer gnawing on stones or looking for dirt to eat like it usually did. The Pokémon's sharp eyes reflected determination. This was no time for play—Larvitar knew that. Asier clenched his fists, the memory of Team Rocket searing through his mind. They were responsible for Larvitar's mother's death, and now they were here, deep in Mt. Moon, threatening another innocent group of Pokémon.

"Larvitar," Asier whispered, keeping his voice steady despite the anger bubbling inside. "This is Team Rocket—the same scum that took your mom. We can't let them win. You're going to eat through the rock beneath that meteorite and make it fall. Got it?"

Larvitar growled in response, its small body tense with purpose.

"I know it's dangerous," Asier muttered, more to himself than to his Pokémon, "but we're not getting out of this any other way. Stay under and try to collapse the cave and bring the Meteorite away."

With a final pat on Larvitar's head, he sent the Pokémon off to begin digging under the meteorite. The tunnel disappeared into darkness as Larvitar advanced. Asier quickly ran out of the cave, pulled out his phone and dialed the universal number for the Kanto Police.

The line clicked, and a familiar voice answered, "Cerulean Police Department, Officer Jenny speaking."

"Officer Jenny, my name is Asier Rao. I'm inside Mt. Moon, and there's a serious situation with Team Rocket. They're running a huge operation around a meteorite, and they've got Pokémon imprisoned. I need backup—now."

Jenny's tone was calm but wary. "Trainer Asier, we'll need to verify your claim. Are you saying Team Rocket is active inside Mt. Moon?"

"That's exactly what I'm saying," Asier replied, trying to steady his breathing. "There's at least a dozen grunts, and I saw their admin. They've set up machinery around a meteorite, and they're holding Cleffa, Clefairy, and Clefable in cages. If you don't send help fast, they'll be gone with whatever they're doing."

There was a moment of silence on the line as Jenny processed the information. Asier's heartbeat quickened—he couldn't afford a delay. Then, her voice came back, more authoritative. "Give me your ID.

Asier quickly pulled up his ID on his phone. "69042."

"This call will be logged under your record. If it turns out to be a false report—"

"It's not a false report!" Asier snapped, his frustration getting the better of him. He took a deep breath, forcing himself to stay calm. "Look, I know what's at stake. If this turns out to be a prank, I'll bear the consequences. Just get here."

"Understood. Backup is en route, but it will take time. You need to stay safe and avoid confrontation until we arrive. We'll track your location through your trainer ID."

"I'll do my best," Asier said before ending the call. He threw his phone near the entrance so that they could track it and turned back toward the cavern, his heart still racing. He couldn't afford to wait. Every second that passed, Team Rocket's plan moved closer to completion.

Seriously…this kind of thing is way different from the games and anime…its like way harder?

Despite his doubts, his feet still pushed him forward. Perhaps the death of that Tyranitar affected him more than he realized? Maybe he was becoming quite immersed in this world, subconsciously forgetting the fact that he was in a real life world and not in a game or anime where a simple restart button would allow for unlimited tries.

Asier returned to the scene of the operation, keeping to the shadows as he approached the mouth of the cave. He crouched low, peeking around the corner. The grunts were still busy, operating their machinery while their Pokémon stood guard.

Then, Clefairy, who had been unusually quiet, caught sight of something. Her eyes widened, and she darted toward the center of the cavern. Asier's heart skipped a beat as he realized what she was heading for—not the cages, but the meteorite.

"Clefairy, stop!" Asier hissed, but the fairy Pokémon was already too far ahead. She was drawn to the meteorite by instinct, the energy calling to her.

Desperate, Asier shouted, "Clefairy, use Metronome!"

Clefairy raised her tiny hands, her fingers twitching as she summoned the unpredictable power of Metronome. Asier held his breath, praying for something, anything, that could give them an edge.

And then, in a stroke of luck, Thunder Wave surged from Clefairy's hands. The jolt of electricity spread through the cavern, striking the three Pokémon closest to the meteorite—Muk, Crobat, and Machamp. The trio froze, paralyzed by the sudden burst of energy.

Asier's heart leaped with hope. "Nice work, Clefairy!" he called, but before he could move, a brilliant light engulfed her as she touched the Meteorite. Clefairy's form shifted and grew, and within moments, she had evolved into Clefable.

"Clefable…" Asier breathed, awe and relief flooding through him. But there was no time to celebrate.

"Clefable, Metronome again!" Asier commanded, desperate for another miracle.

Clefable's fingers twitched once more, and this time, a piercing screech echoed through the cavern. The sound was unbearable, shaking the very walls of the cave. Asier winced, clutching his ears, but he had to keep going. This was their chance.

He quickly called out the rest of his team. "Scyther, Furret, Pidgeotto, Butterfree—let's go! Butterfree, use Sleep Powder, now!"

Butterfree flapped its wings furiously, scattering a shimmering cloud of Sleep Powder across the battlefield. The Team Rocket grunts and their Pokémon began to stumble, their eyelids growing heavy as the powder took effect.

"Everyone else, attack the grunts!" Asier shouted, though his own voice felt distant in the aftermath of Clefable's Screech. His Pokémon charged forward, Scyther's scythes flashing as it slashed through the cables connected to the machines, Furret darting between the grunts and tripping them up with Quick Attack. Pidgeotto swooped overhead, sending gusts of wind to disorient the enemy.

For a moment, it looked like they were winning. The machines were breaking down, and Team Rocket was being overwhelmed. But then, Archer finally stepped into the fray.

"Enough," the admin growled, his voice cold and menacing. With a swift motion, he released his remaining Pokémon—Crobat, Mightyena, and Magmar.

"Crobat, take out that Butterfree. Mightyena, deal with Scyther. Magmar, burn them all."

Asier barely had time to react. Crobat shot forward with terrifying speed, its wings slicing through the air as it struck Butterfree with a brutal Wing Attack. The Bug-type collapsed to the ground, knocked out instantly.

Mightyena lunged at Scyther, its fangs glowing with dark energy as it sank them into Scyther's side. Scyther let out a pained cry before it, too, fell.

Magmar stepped forward, flames flickering in its mouth as it unleashed a devastating Flamethrower. The heat was unbearable, and Asier could only watch in horror as Furret and Pidgeotto were engulfed in the inferno.

When the flames subsided, his team lay motionless on the ground.

Asier's heart dropped into his stomach. His Pokémon—his friends—were down. He was out of options.

Archer stepped closer, his expression cold and amused. "You really thought you could stop me? Pathetic."

Asier gritted his teeth, clenching his fists in helpless fury. "This isn't over."

I'll just restart and try again…

"Oh, but it is." Archer's smile twisted into something cruel as he turned to Muk, who had finally recovered from the paralysis. "Muk, show him why he should have stayed out of Team Rocket's way."

Muk slithered forward, its massive body oozing as it enveloped Asier in a wave of toxic sludge. He gasped, his breath stolen from him as the suffocating substance wrapped around his chest, pulling him under. The foul, poisonous stench filled his lungs, and he could feel the life being drained from him.

This can't be the end, he thought, panic flooding through him as the darkness closed in.

I…I have to restar…

I can't restar…

This…this is not a ga…

I can't die here...not again…

Help…someone help…me…

To be continued…


Thanks to all the suggestions and pointing out some plot holes in the first chapter which I fixed.

Any suggestions to fixing or improving, I will gladly take.