"It's a pity Lt. Surge couldn't make it," Koga sighed. "Apparently, a swarm of Gyarados is laying siege to the Vermilion City beaches."
"The two of us are enough," Sabrina replied, tossing her cascading black hair with effortless confidence. "Opening the Spirit World rift is a simple matter of ritual. Once it's done, the League will have no choice but to deploy their Elites here to contain the chaos. That will be our opening."
She narrowed her eyes, a hint of confusion flickering in her gaze. "The League guards the Legendary Birds with their lives. To seize them, we must drown Kanto in chaos. If Ghost-types flood the region, it will be a resounding slap to the League's face. But... it's strange. This operation has been suspiciously smooth. Why hasn't the League noticed any of our movements?"
"Kanto is vast," Koga said dismissively. "The League can't watch every shadow. It's only natural they'd slip up."
Outside Lavender Town
Agatha stood silently, watching the thick black clouds swirl around the Pokémon Tower.
"Those Rocket fools... they're likely patting themselves on the back for a job well done," she muttered.
The Ghost-type Master leaned on her cane. "Natural Ghost-types are becoming too rare in Kanto. If Rocket wants to do the heavy lifting of opening that rift for me, I'll let them. I'll keep the League blind until the gate is open. Then, I'll step in and claim the harvest for myself."
She sighed deeply. "The League has grown too dark, too corrupt. It's time I expanded my own power base."
Her shadow elongated, and the mischievous silhouette of a Gengar emerged. It was through Gengar's surveillance that Agatha knew exactly who was in that tower.
"Sabrina and Koga... Gym Leaders moonlighting as Rocket lackeys. What a farce." Agatha's form began to sink into her own shadow. "Well, I'm planning a coup myself. I suppose I shouldn't throw stones."
Pokémon Tower — 5th Floor
Weezing unleashed a massive cloud of toxic gas, completely obscuring its form.
"Litten, Flamethrower!" Feng Che commanded.
The kitten spat a roaring dragon of fire. The moment the flames touched the concentrated gas, a violent explosion rocked the tower. The entire structure groaned and swayed, and the ground beneath Lavender Town trembled.
"What was that?! Is the tower collapsing?" the Rocket grunts outside panicked, but Koga's voice rang through their communicators: "The tower is secure. Stand your ground."
Inside the smoke, Litten's paws ignited. "Fire Lash!"
Two three-meter-long whips of compressed fire erupted from Litten's claws. It lashed out, striking Weezing across its central face. The impact left two searing, glowing welts, and the poison-gas Pokémon let out a pained shriek.
Remarkable, Koga thought, watching from the security feed. That fire manipulation is masterful. Most Fire-types only know how to spit flames, but he's shaping them.
"Litten, finish it! Flame Charge into Fire Fang!"
Litten ignited into a sphere of white-hot fire, vaporizing the falling poison needles before they could touch its fur. It slammed into the Weezing's base, causing the gas inside the Pokémon to ignite. BOOM. The triple-headed Weezing deflated like a burst balloon.
"Koga, your Weezing is done," Sabrina said with a faint, mocking smile.
"Heh. It's just a gas Pokémon; it'll recover," Koga replied, though his eyes betrayed his growing interest. "But I think it's time I met the boy myself. My hands are itching for a duel."
The 6th Floor
When Feng Che stepped onto the next level, Koga was already there, leaning against a pillar in the darkness. A massive, intimidating Arbok coiled behind him, its hood flared to show a terrifying pattern.
"Feng Che," Koga said lazily. "Your fight with Hoshikari was a spectacle, but I've been waiting for a real test. Defeat my Arbok, and you prove you have the right to stand among us."
Pokémon: Arbok Potential: Green Level: 36
"Go, Corvisquire!"
"A species unknown to this region," Koga noted. "But well-groomed. Its feathers have a metallic sheen."
"His name is Corvisquire," Feng Che said. "And I think you'll find him quite memorable."
Corvisquire dived. Koga countered immediately: "Arbok, Poison Sting!"
A barrage of needles flew like a storm of black rain. Corvisquire swerved with unnatural agility, weaving through the needles as if they were stationary.
"Speed is impressive, but can you handle the pressure? Glare!"
Arbok's hood pattern seemed to come alive, its hypnotic eyes locking onto Corvisquire. "Don't look, Corvisquire! Hurricane!"
The bird shut its eyes and flapped its wings, creating two localized twisters that shredded the hypnotic focus.
"Iron Tail!" Koga barked.
Arbok's tail turned a shimmering silver, slicing through the twisters with ease. Corvisquire seized the opening and performed a high-speed Drill Peck, aiming for the head.
"Venoshock!"
Arbok spat a tide of purple toxin, but Corvisquire performed a barrel roll mid-air, avoiding the poison and slamming its beak into Arbok's skull with the force of a falling hammer. The snake's head hit the floor with a heavy THUD, leaving it dazed and seeing stars.
Its defense is incredible, Feng Che noted. That Drill Peck could pierce alloy, yet Arbok is still conscious. Koga's training is no joke.
Koga snapped his fingers, and Arbok ceased its attack. "Enough. You've passed. Follow me to the 7th floor."
The 7th Floor (The Ritual Chamber)
Sabrina was sitting at a mahogany table, enjoying afternoon tea. Four Gengar were attending to her—two fanning her and two massaging her legs. Her long, pale legs were encased in black silk, her red dress highlighting her curves. She looked like a bored goddess.
"Finished? Is there a winner?" she asked without looking up.
"I'm satisfied with his progress," Koga said.
Just then, a holographic projector flickered to life. The stern face of Giovanni appeared.
"Sabrina, Koga, Feng Che. Good. You're all here." Giovanni's voice was smooth and commanding. "How is the progress on the Spirit Gate?"
"We are ready, Leader," Sabrina said.
"Good. Open the rift and evacuate immediately. Let the League clean up the mess in Lavender Town while we move on our primary targets. And Feng Che..." Giovanni looked at the boy with a rare smile. "Your intel on the Grand Canyon was impeccable. We secured a prime haul of fossil Pokémon before the League even knew what was happening. Once this mission is over, return to Headquarters. I have a new assignment for you."
What? Feng Che thought, his mind racing. The original plan was to keep me undercover in the League. Now he wants me back at HQ? Is Rocket really that short-staffed, or is Giovanni planning something much bigger?
"I've pinned down the League's primary forces for now," Giovanni laughed, stroking his Persian. "Do your work quickly. Kanto is almost ours."
The transmission cut out.
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