"What did you do? When the system alerted me to an intruder, I assumed it was merely a Rocket who had stumbled in here, but you somehow took all of the Spirit Water."
A pretty blonde woman wearing a white cloak approached from the entrance.
"What's Spirit Water? I have no idea what you're talking about."
Silas played coy, hoping to extract additional information from her.
"There are no such things as coincidences. How did you even get in here?"
"Would you believe me if I said I was lost?"
The woman grew frustrated and pointed threateningly at Silas.
"I must capture you for questioning."
"Haha, I guess you figured it out, but what can you do about it?"
Silas smiled menacingly.
This was war. He would take whatever he wanted, and if she intended to stop him, she would have to kill him.
Silas and the woman simultaneously released their Pokémon for battle.
She sent out a Gabite, Druddigon, and Altaria. All three Pokémon were Level 41.
Silas responded with Electabuzz, Espeon, and Vibrava.
His voice sounded directly within his Pokémon's minds.
"Defeat them using your own methods. I'll spectate this time."
Vibrava and Electabuzz charged into battle using Quick Attack to close the distance.
Espeon used Calm Mind while the other two engaged directly.
Upon reaching the enemy, Vibrava attacked Altaria using Steel Wing and Iron Tail, while Electabuzz used Ice Break on Gabite.
"Druddigon and Gabite, use Dragon Claw! Altaria, use Captivate on Espeon. It thinks it can simply use Calm Mind in front of us, so let's teach it a lesson."
Watching the battle, Silas could only laugh.
This woman clearly had no idea what Espeon's ability was.
Altaria fired heart-shaped energy from its mouth toward Espeon. However, the moment the heart reached her, it rebounded and flew back toward Altaria.
The energy struck Altaria and absorbed into her cotton-like wings, sharply reducing her Special Attack.
Electabuzz engaged Druddigon while Vibrava battled Gabite.
Although the woman's Pokémon were underleveled, Silas had to admit that they were decent.
The problem lay with their trainer.
She had made a grave error in judgment.
After Espeon completed Calm Mind, she used Teleport and appeared directly above Altaria before slamming a massive Shadow Ball into her back.
The attack caught Altaria completely off guard, resulting in a critical hit.
From close range, Espeon mercilessly followed with Power Gem. She created an enormous rock from condensed energy and smashed it into the fallen Altaria, knocking her unconscious.
Afterward, Espeon used Stored Power to disrupt Druddigon and Gabite.
Despite both Pokémon being locked in combat with her teammates, Espeon expertly targeted each one.
The orbs created by Stored Power moved like homing missiles.
Seeing his opportunity, Vibrava's body erupted with powerful draconic energy as he unleashed his strongest move.
Outrage.
Under the combined assault of Stored Power and Outrage, Gabite quickly fell into a dire state and was soon defeated.
While distracted, Druddigon was overwhelmed by a powerful Ice Break combination attack.
Silas' Pokémon had swiftly defeated the woman's entire lineup of Dragon-type Pokémon.
Vibrava's use of Outrage and Electabuzz's Ice Break had completely overwhelmed them.
However, the true MVP was Espeon.
The moment she took action, the enemy Pokémon were doomed.
The woman's initial demeanor had not matched her level of skill. Silas had expected a great battle, yet his Pokémon had defeated hers within minutes without receiving any direct commands from him.
She was the perfect victim for Team Rocket.
She possessed rare Pokémon but lacked the combat ability needed to protect them.
"If you behave yourself and hand over all of your valuables, I can let you go."
Silas genuinely intended to release the woman.
She was far too weak for him to take seriously, and a small part of him found her attractive, so he had no desire to kill her unless necessary.
Suddenly, the woman produced a black gem and attempted to crush it.
Frogadier was faster.
Silas hadn't even noticed when Frogadier slipped into her shadow, but the surprise attack caught her completely off guard.
In a single motion, Frogadier severed her head.
Silas picked up the gem and was shocked by what he discovered.
Its grade was exceptionally high.
The gem allowed its user to unleash a single attack with power at the peak of the Advanced tier.
The battles throughout the base had sharpened Silas' instincts alongside those of his Pokémon. Soaking in the Spirit Water had also allowed them to recover considerably, leaving them prepared for anything.
He quickly searched the woman's corpse before returning her injured Dragon-type Pokémon to their pokeballs.
While searching, Silas turned toward his Pokémon and spoke warily.
"Electabuzz and Espeon, continue using Calm Mind. This woman was far too weak to be the only layer of security. We might have company soon."
Both Pokémon nodded and immediately entered meditative states.
Since they weren't actively battling, they could fully concentrate on their meditation.
Silas collected every valuable item the woman possessed before turning his attention toward the oasis itself.
Numerous rare herbs grew throughout the area.
With Spirit Water serving as their water source, the herbs were abnormally abundant and of exceptionally high quality.
Silas could use these materials to produce large quantities of high-grade Pokéblocks. If necessary, he could also sell them for points and purchase whatever resources he needed.
Silas spent some time clearing out the oasis, but only a few minutes into the process, he sensed an approaching presence and frowned.
"I knew it. Espeon, Electabuzz, get ready. We have company."
"We're ready, Boss! I'm at +3, and Electabuzz is at +2."
"Yeah, leave it to us."
Electabuzz confidently punched the air.
Silas couldn't help smiling at the sight.
Hearing his Pokémon reassure him through Telepathy warmed his heart.
The man who appeared was familiar.
Silas had seen him around the base, so he knew the man was a member of Team Rocket and technically an ally.
However, Silas remained cautious.
He would never completely trust anyone other than his own Pokémon.
"Hey, kid. What is this place?"
The man was bald but possessed both a beard and mustache. He stood at an average height but had a muscular build.
"I stumbled in here while battling an enemy trainer. I barely managed to fight her off. She was tough."
The man gave Silas a knowing smile.
"Don't think that act will fool me. I only came here because I tortured the information out of an enemy trainer. There's supposed to be a powerful resource hidden here."
Silas sighed before giving him a wry smile.
"Indeed, you guessed correctly, but I've already claimed it."
"Surely you don't intend to be selfish and refuse to share the spoils with your superior?"
"Selfish would be shamelessly attempting to rob a fellow teammate during a mission."
"I see you have some backbone."
The man smiled coldly.
"It'll be fun breaking it."
As he spoke, the man released four Pokémon.
He possessed an Arbok, Machamp, Weezing, and Victreebell.
Weezing remained directly beside him as a personal guard.
Silas knew this wouldn't be an easy battle, but he took comfort in the fact that most of his Pokémon had recovered considerably.
He scanned the new enemy Pokémon.
Arbok (F)— Level 46
Ability: Shed Skin
Potential: B+
Moves: Rank B Protect, Rank B Poison Fang, Rank B Venoshock, Rank B Poison Sting, Rank B Acid, Rank B Acid Spray, Rank B Poison Tail, Rank B Gunk Shot, Rank B Coil, Rank C Wrap, Rank C Bite, Rank C Glare, Rank C Screech, Rank C Stockpile, Rank C Swallow, Rank C Spit Up, Rank C Crunch, Rank C Haze, Rank C Fire Fang, Rank C Ice Fang, Rank C Thunder Fang, Rank C Sucker Punch, Rank C Aqua Tail, Rank C Dragon Tail, Rank C Iron Tail
Machamp (M)— Level 45
Ability: Sheer Force
Potential: B
Moves: Rank B Karate Chop, Rank B Low Kick, Rank B Revenge, Rank B Vital Throw, Rank B Submission, Rank B Cross Chop, Rank B Strength, Rank C Focus Energy, Rank C Leer, Rank C Seismic Toss, Rank C Foresight, Rank C Scary Face, Rank C Knock Off, Rank C Dual Chop, Rank C Wide Guard, Rank C Bullet Punch, Rank C Bulk Up, Rank C Light Screen, Rank C Fire Punch, Rank C Thunder Punch, Rank C Ice Punch
Victreebell (F)— Level 45
Ability: Chlorophyll
Potential: B
Moves: Rank B Vine Whip, Rank B Growth, Rank B Razor Leaf, Rank B Leaf Tornado, Rank B Leaf Blade, Rank B Leaf Storm, Rank B Acid, Rank B Poison Powder, Rank B Gastro Acid, Rank B Sludge Bomb, Rank C Sleep Powder, Rank C Stun Spore, Rank C Sweet Scent, Rank C Stockpile, Rank C Swallow, Rank C Spit Up, Rank C Slam, Rank C Wrap, Rank C Knock Off, Rank C Sunny Day, Rank C Weather Ball
On Silas' side, Vibrava, Electabuzz, and Espeon stepped forward.
Upon seeing Silas' Pokémon, the man smiled.
"I am Wesley, an Elite Officer. I've been with Team Rocket for many years. Is it wise for you to provoke me over a few resources? How can you enjoy them if you're dead?"
For the first time, Silas became genuinely enraged.
This man was severely underestimating him, but Silas didn't make a move yet.
He would ensure Wesley paid the price.
"I am Elite Officer Odin. We hold the same rank, so you cannot throw your weight around with me."
Silas' expression became cold.
"If you continue attempting to take what belongs to me, you'll end up as a corpse. As you said, the dead cannot use resources."
"I'll have to teach you some respect. Machamp, use Ice Punch on Vibrava."
"Electabuzz, use Charge Beam. Vibrava, ascend beyond Machamp's reach."
Vibrava rapidly climbed in altitude until he was high in the air.
At the same time, Electabuzz condensed a powerful blast of electricity into the form of an electric laser.
The attack struck Machamp's shoulder and thoroughly electrocuted him, but Machamp remained resilient.
Silas sensed Electabuzz's energy rising once again.
"Arbok, use Poison Fang. Victreebell, use Razor Leaf."
"Espeon, use Shadow Ball. Electabuzz, use Charge Beam."
Arbok lunged toward Espeon using Poison Fang, intending to clamp down on her with poison-coated fangs.
Victreebell launched several dozen small leaves toward all three of Silas' Pokémon, each projectile moving like a shuriken.
Espeon fired her massive Shadow Ball.
Suddenly, the pattern on Arbok's hood shifted.
The eyes within the pattern turned pitch-black, and Arbok's speed nearly doubled.
Arbok deftly slithered around Shadow Ball and arrived directly in front of Espeon.
She attempted to bite down, but Espeon leaped into the air.
"Machamp, use Knock Off on Espeon."
"Vibrava, support Espeon with Iron Tail."
As Machamp lunged toward the airborne Espeon, Vibrava intercepted him.
He swung his tail while flipping through the air to maximize the attack's power.
Even then, Machamp held the advantage in raw strength.
Suddenly, a voice sounded from the entrance.
"My, my. It seems the Luminary Court is being mocked."
The newcomer's voice carried through the oasis.
"You are actually right on time. I must thank you. I needed something to vent my anger and you presented yourselves.
A powerful presence appeared behind him.
"Let's go, Regirock."
The instant they heard that name, both Silas and Wesley snapped their heads toward the entrance.
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Thanks for the continued support on my first fanfic!!
Moving forward, every 50 Power Stones, I will release a bonus chapter.
I will also be releasing bonus chapters for milestones. The next ones are 200k views and chapter 200.
Finally, I will be releasing 3 extra chapters once we reach 10 reviews. 5 star reviews are appreciated but not required, I want honest feedback so I can improve.
Once again, thanks for all the support and feedback!