----
With Raikou breaking free and disappearing into the forest, panic finally gripped Team Rocket.
Their base had already been destroyed, and now their most valuable target was gone again. If they failed here, this mission would be a complete disaster and they'd have nothing to show for it but losses.
They tried to regroup, desperate to chase after Raikou.
But Jimmy and the others weren't about to let that happen.
Unlike Rocket's selfish desire to capture, their intent was to protect. They understood that keeping Raikou caged in that barrier any longer would only cause it more pain.
So when Kai destroyed the crystal and set it free, they felt no regret only relief.
Now, the two sides clashed again.
Rocket tried to break through. Jimmy's group pushed back. Pokémon from both sides gave it everything they had resulting in a second deadlock.
But this time, Rocket was running on fumes.
Their forces had been stretched too thin. Kai's Pokémon took advantage of every opening, hammering them into submission. The tide quickly turned.
Charizard, in particular, was unstoppable ripping through their mechanical shark with teeth and claws, turning the once-imposing machine into a smoking pile of scrap.
Seeing the battle slip away, Attila and Hun tried to retreat but with their Pokémon falling one after another, they had no escape route left. Before long, they were surrounded and forced into a last stand.
"Damn it!" Hun clenched his fists, eyes darting around the battlefield. He knew it was over.
Gardevoir's final [Psychic] blast crushed Rocket's last Pokémon.
Silence fell.
"It's over," Eusine said, wiping sweat from his brow.
For him and Kudō, both not regular battlers, the intensity of the fight had been overwhelming. They had to stay completely focused just to avoid becoming a liability. Now, with the danger passed, they finally allowed themselves to breathe.
No doubt, the fight had been going poorly at first. But the moment Kai arrived, everything shifted.
Like a dam breaking once the pressure point was hit, the entire fight collapsed in their favor.
And they couldn't help but marvel at how strong Kai's Pokémon were.
Jimmy, meanwhile, pulled out some rope from his bag. With help from Eusine and Kudō, they bound the remaining Rocket members together.
Hun, though heavily built, tried one last show of defiance only to freeze when Charizard leaned down and stared him in the face. The beast's growl rumbled deep and low.
That was enough to kill any resistance.
Attila, ever the cold one, glared at Kai.
"We underestimated you," he said darkly. "We all did. Just like the other Executives, we assumed too little. This was our mistake."
He paused, narrowing his eyes. "But don't think catching us and shutting down one base will end Team Rocket. You're not even close."
"I know how deep your rot runs," Kai replied casually. "And I know cutting off a few limbs won't kill the whole beast. But don't worry… the rest of your friends won't be far behind."
Attila scoffed and looked away, refusing to say more. That defiance was all he had left.
Jimmy walked over to Kai, eyes full of concern.
"Raikou…?"
Kai glanced at him, then smiled. "I had one of my Pokémon follow it. Want to come with me?"
Surprisingly, Jimmy hesitated and then shook his head.
"That's okay. This is enough."
Everyone stared at him, even Marina.
"Jimmy, are you serious?" she asked, wide-eyed.
Jimmy smiled not cocky or boyish, but genuinely calm. "I love Raikou, I really do. But I never wanted to catch it. And from the way it looked at us, I could tell—it still doesn't trust humans. It belongs in the wild. That's where it should be."
Kai nodded, quietly impressed by the maturity in Jimmy's answer.
He turned to Eusine and Kudō. "What about you two?"
They both shook their heads.
"I'll pass," Eusine said. "Suicune has always been my goal. Seeing Raikou today was just a bonus."
Kudō added, "Same here. I've already collected the data Professor Elm requested. I'm satisfied."
Kai hadn't expected such restraint but it only increased his respect for them.
Still, he had no intention of letting Raikou slip away again.
After missing his chance the first time, Kai was determined. This time, he wouldn't fail.
Just then, a new face stepped forward a slightly chubby boy with gray spiked hair and a friendly grin.
"I'll go with you!" he said cheerfully.
Kai blinked.
Who are you?
He didn't recognize him at all.
Thankfully, Marina stepped in. "This is Jackson! He started his journey from New Bark Town with Jimmy and me!" (He has two names, Vincent or Jackson)
Kai studied the boy.
He wasn't actually fat just stockier than most kids his age. Clean, fair-skinned, with an average look but a genuine, bright smile.
Apparently, this Jackson had appeared in the anime, though Kai had no recollection.
Either way, it didn't matter. He wasn't about to bring this guy on a Raikou hunt.
Kai turned to the others. "Well then, I'll leave the rest of the Rockets to you. No need to head back to the Pokémon Center I'll take it from here."
He gave them a wave and turned to leave.
But Jimmy stopped him one last time.
"Kai!"
He looked back. "What is it?"
"You're entering the Silver Conference too, right?"
"Of course."
Jimmy grinned. "Good! Our battle got interrupted yesterday we never finished it. But I like saving the best for last. So let's settle it at the tournament!"
Kai chuckled. "I'll be waiting."
With that, he and Erika mounted Charizard and soared into the sky, heading in the direction Raikou had vanished.
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