The energy ball shimmered with an eerie glow, half of it radiating psychic energy while the remaining half pulsed with an ominous blue hue. Aoki studied it carefully, convinced there was more to this artifact than what Lugia had revealed. The legendary Pokémon had been deliberately vague about its full capabilities, and while Aoki hadn't pressed for answers, he knew further investigation would be necessary to uncover its secrets.
With a mighty flap of its silver wings, Lugia departed alongside the three legendary birds - Articuno, Zapdos, and Moltres - leaving behind a world returning to uneasy peace. "Truly worthy of a legendary," Aoki mused silently, watching the majestic creatures disappear into the horizon. However, Lugia's departure triggered an unexpected consequence - the wild Pokémon across the island erupted into violent frenzy.
Team Rocket operatives still stranded on the ground suddenly found themselves in grave danger as the enraged Pokémon turned on them. Aoki moved methodically through the battlefield, clearing the area and disposing of fallen Pokémon into the alien dimension storage system. While these remains held some scientific value, Aoki had little interest in such macabre trophies. Left unattended, they would quickly degrade anyway.
He hesitated when it came to dissection, especially performing such procedures in front of his own Pokémon team. Still, he couldn't help feeling regret about the lost opportunities - that powerful Ampharos and majestic Charizard would have made valuable specimens. A senior Champion-level Pokémon's worth was indeed considerable.
"Slowking, return Regice," Aoki instructed. Though the distance back to his base was considerable, for Slowking's teleportation abilities it would take no more than thirty minutes. As Slowking vanished with Regice, Aoki prepared his own departure from the volcanic region.
After a moment's consideration, he summoned his Flygon, mounting the desert dragonfly Pokémon to survey the other two mountains. If his calculations were correct, Shadow should still be at Zapdos' former roost. As they approached, the scale of destruction became apparent - the entire mountainside had been ravaged beyond recognition.
"Shadow's power has not only recovered but grown stronger," Aoki observed, assessing the battlefield. The Pokémon Catalyst had clearly worked as intended, restoring and even enhancing Shadow's capabilities beyond their original levels. "He actually pulled off such a risky gambit," Aoki thought with grudging admiration.
After suffering severe injuries, Shadow had gambled most of his resources on the Catalyst to forcibly restore his strength, then patiently waited for the right moment. Now, after completing successive missions, his power had surpassed its previous peak. Truly, Dark and Shadow lived up to their reputations as Giovanni's most favored operatives.
Dismounting from Flygon, Aoki spotted a lone figure standing atop the ruined peak, body bearing numerous wounds but posture radiating strength. He approached calmly. "Mission accomplished, I see," Aoki remarked with a knowing smile.
Shadow simply nodded before fixing Aoki with an intense gaze. "That Pokémon earlier..." His voice carried equal parts awe and hunger for knowledge.
Aoki confirmed the unspoken question. "Lugia."
"So it really was..." Shadow trailed off, the legendary's name hanging in the air between them.
Their conversation was interrupted as Dark arrived at the summit. "Where's Rocks?" he demanded immediately.
Shadow seemed to realize the omission. "Yes, where is Rocks?" Given Aoki's arrival from the volcanic region where Lugia had landed, the implications were clear.
"Dead," Aoki stated matter-of-factly, as if reporting the weather. The lack of surprise from his companions spoke volumes about their expectations.
"Not just Rocks - his brother Brownis fell as well," Aoki continued.
"Brownis?" Dark and Shadow exchanged glances, clearly both familiar with him.
Aoki proceeded to recount events, carefully editing details. He described Rocks battling Moltres, then Brownis emerging from hiding. The brothers' ambition to claim both Moltres' genetic material and the legendary itself had enraged Lugia, who annihilated them in anger before departing with the injured legendary trio.
The story, containing enough truth to be credible, still left unanswered questions. How had Aoki evaded Lugia's notice while observing everything? But such details seemed unimportant now.
"Did you secure the Moltres sample?" Dark pressed.
In response, Aoki produced the test tube containing Moltres' blood, swirling the precious liquid before them. With their primary objective achieved, the exact circumstances of Rocks and Brownis' demise became academic.
"We should move," Dark suggested. "Our Pokémon are badly injured, and the island's wild Pokémon have gone berserk after Lugia's appearance."
The others agreed immediately. Remaining on the chaotic island posed unnecessary risk. As for the other Team Rocket members, their survival would depend on individual skill and luck.
To obtain samples from Articuno and Zapdos, Dark and Shadow had pushed their teams to the limit. Few Pokémon remained combat-ready after those brutal encounters. With self-preservation now paramount, concern for subordinates became a luxury.
Dark summoned a battered Crobat while Shadow called forth an injured Pidgeot - both Pokémon showed extensive battle damage, testament to the ferocity of their clashes with the legendary birds. Using their remaining flying types, the trio ascended toward the concealed Sky Fortress, which had prudently withdrawn further during Lugia's appearance.
As the leaders departed, surviving operatives scrambled to follow on whatever flying Pokémon they could muster, many falling prey to the island's rampaging wild Pokémon during the desperate escape.
Upon reaching the fortress, the three proceeded directly to the command center. What had originally been a gathering of four top operatives was now reduced to three. With no need for pretense among the survivors, Aoki discarded his previous disguises.
At the room's center stood a test tube rack bearing three precious samples: a golden-red liquid radiating heat, a golden-white solution crackling with electricity, and a bluish-white fluid emitting cold vapor - the blood of Moltres, Zapdos, and Articuno respectively. Their primary mission stood completed beyond expectations.
Standing together before the communication console, the three prepared to contact their leader. The screen flickered to life as they initiated the connection to Giovanni, ready to deliver their report on the mission.