The Team Rocket trio drove a small truck to the outskirts of the Sycamore Research Institute.
After spotting Professor Sycamore, James grinned and spun the steering wheel, executing an exaggerated drift before crashing straight through the entrance.
The truck screeched to a halt directly in front of the Professor.
Inside the institute’s tearoom, Ash, who had been enjoying afternoon tea, immediately sensed the disturbance with his Aura.
His expression turned helpless.
“Those three again.”
At the same time, Serena and Bonnie, who had just stepped into the garden, also noticed the sudden commotion.
Jessie crossed her arms and said with a smug smile, “Long time no see, Professor Sycamore.”
Professor Sycamore narrowed his eyes cautiously.
“It’s you?”
Meowth stepped forward, revealing a sly grin.
“For the sake of Team Rocket, please come with us, meow.”
“You’re that talking Meowth from before?
Incredible, how did you even learn to…” Professor Sycamore began, clearly intrigued.
Before he could finish, Jessie threw out a net, trapping him instantly and tossing him into the truck.
Seeing this, Serena and Bonnie rushed forward without hesitation.
They opened the truck door, trying to rescue him.
However, the moment they climbed in, James slammed the accelerator.
The truck sped away.
Nearby, Chespin, who had witnessed Serena jumping into the truck while carrying a basket of macarons, immediately chased after it.
Ash arrived a moment too late.
“Pidgeot, chase that vehicle.”
Mega Pidgeot was not used this time, but even in its normal form, its speed was more than enough to keep up.
Sophie quickly reacted as well.
“I’ll contact Officer Jenny.”
“Chespi!”
At that moment, Chespin held up a broken piece of macaron and called out to Ash and Clemont.
Clemont adjusted his glasses.
“A macaron crumb?”
Ash nodded slightly.
“Serena must have left a trail.
Let’s follow it.”
With Chespin’s keen sense of smell, the group followed the scattered crumbs along the road, heading toward the outskirts.
Meanwhile, inside an abandoned factory.
Team Rocket had already returned and was preparing their next move.
When they opened the truck door, they were surprised to see Serena and Bonnie inside.
The two had barely recovered before Jessie and James quickly tied them up with tape.
Meowth picked up a shard of glass, his eyes gleaming.
“We just want the secret of Mega Evolution, meow.
Hand it over, and we’ll let you go.
If not…”
He dragged his claw across the glass.
The piercing screech echoed inside the truck, making everyone wince in discomfort, including Jessie and James themselves.
This reckless intimidation tactic, which hurt both sides equally, left Professor Sycamore with little choice.
For the sake of everyone’s safety, he handed over the data storage card containing his research.
Having obtained what they wanted, Team Rocket immediately moved to the next phase of their plan.
…
On the way to the abandoned factory, Ash and Clemont unexpectedly encountered Meyer riding his electric scooter with Ampharos.
Clemont barely had time to shout, “Something’s happened!” before Meyer sped off in the direction they pointed.
Realizing the urgency, Meyer twisted the throttle and drove straight into the forest.
Not long after, Ash and Clemont spotted Pidgeot circling above a dilapidated factory.
“Pidgeot!”
Seeing Ash arrive, Pidgeot descended quickly and relayed the situation.
After recalling it, Ash and Clemont approached the factory cautiously.
Through a gap in the wall, they confirmed that Serena and the others were still safe.
However, Chespin’s attention was completely focused on the basket of macarons.
The moment it saw them, it squeezed through the gap and slipped inside without hesitation.
Ash was speechless.
Even in a situation like this, that Chespin was still thinking about food.
Still, Ash did not act immediately.
He remembered that the robot Team Rocket had prepared this time was far more advanced than usual, and it would be worth dealing with properly.
Inside, James had already completed downloading the data and began rapidly typing on the keyboard.
Lines of code scrolled across the screen as he programmed the machine.
By the time he finished, Chespin had already been discovered.
Seeing the situation escalate, Ash kicked open the door and stepped inside.
“Team Rocket, you’re surrounded.
Surrender now.”
“The brat again?”
Taking advantage of their brief distraction, Ash and Clemont quickly freed Serena and Bonnie.
Meowth regained his composure and immediately jumped into the robot, activating it.
The massive machine came to life.
Professor Sycamore’s eyes lit up with excitement.
“Incredible.
What power.
Even as an enemy, this is an impressive invention.”
Clemont’s eyes also shone.
“The structure and design are remarkable…”
Ash interrupted them bluntly.
“Now is not the time to admire it.
Everyone, get outside first.”
He grabbed Serena’s hand and led everyone out of the factory.
The building was old and unstable.
Fighting inside would be too dangerous.
Behind them, Meowth piloted the robot as it rolled forward in pursuit.
Chespin, even while escaping, insisted on carrying the basket of macarons.
However, after running only a short distance, it tripped and scattered the pastries everywhere.
Seeing this, Clemont immediately turned back to help.
Ash reacted instantly.
“Gible, use Draco Meteor.”
Gible appeared and launched its attack at the robot.
The explosion did not break through its armor, but it successfully bought enough time for Clemont to pull Chespin away.
James laughed confidently.
“What a shame.
That attack can’t even scratch our machine.”
Ash remained calm.
“With your budget, I doubt the materials are that good.
Gible, use Swords Dance.”
“Pikachu, Iron Tail.”
Pikachu dashed forward and struck the robot, creating an opening while Gible powered itself up.
Meowth, overly confident in the machine’s durability, did not bother to counterattack.
Thud!
Pikachu’s Iron Tail slammed into the robot’s chest, leaving a deep dent.
At the same time, Gible completed its Swords Dance.
Ash’s gaze sharpened.
“Team Rocket, let’s see if you can keep that confidence.
Gible, Dragon Claw.”
Gible charged forward, its enhanced power allowing it to push through the robot’s mechanical arms.
It tore through the tracks, disrupted its movement, and finally seized the moment to rip off one of its arms completely.
Not far away, hidden atop a tree, Meyer, now wearing his Blaziken Mask, observed the battle.
Seeing this display of strength, he stopped Blaziken, who had been ready to intervene.
Ash’s ability had already exceeded his expectations.