Chapter 73: I Won't Let You Go

Ariana was very cautious. As a high-ranking officer of Team Rocket, she had always been a prime target for the Kanto League.

If she made a mistake, she could end up in jail, serving a life sentence. If she wasn't careful, she would have been captured long ago.

Moreover...

"You're the Gym Leader of the Rota Gym, Dylan?" Suddenly, Ariana seemed to recall something, frowning as she looked at Dylan.

"Is it an honor that Miss Ariana knows of me?" Dylan remained as polite as ever.

Seeing Dylan admit it, Ariana squinted slightly, her eyes flashing.

During the S.S. Anne incident, Team Rocket's Archer was defeated by two young boys, which caused quite a stir.

Ariana had asked Archer about it, and he said that if it hadn't been for a female clown interfering from the sidelines, he wouldn't have lost.

That female clown must have been that annoying girl.

So, judging by this, Dylan's strength should be less than Archer's? And she herself was only slightly weaker than Archer.

With this calculation, she should be able to take down Dylan? Ariana analyzed.

But the sudden attack just now felt a bit off, so she decided to test it out again.

Ariana made up her mind and threw out another Poké Ball.

A Vileplume, with an indigo body and a large flower on its head, appeared before Ariana.

"Dylan, what do you mean by getting a Pseudo-Legendary Dragon-type baby?"

Compared to Ariana's 'deep contemplation,' Leah was more concerned about what Dylan had said.

"After the S.S. Anne incident, the Kanto League rewarded me with a Dratini," Dylan admitted without hiding anything.

"Ah??" Erika was taken aback by this.

Even Leah, who had been calm, was also startled.

Dratini, the pre-evolution of Dragonite, was extremely rare and valuable. Given that it was a reward from the League, its talent was surely guaranteed.

A Dratini with excellent talent was so rare that it was virtually priceless on the black market.

"Such a loss! Such a huge loss!" Erika, realizing the significance, kept slapping her forehead in regret.

"But Dylan, can you handle her alone? After all, she is one of the Four Executives."

"What do you think?" Dylan chuckled at this quirky girl and turned his gaze back to Ariana.

Even a week ago, he was confident in defeating Ariana, let alone now.

His Meowscarada had already reached level 61!

"Miss Ariana, what do you think?"

"Arbok, use Fire Fang!"

Ariana did not respond verbally. Instead, with a serious expression, she ordered her Pokémon.

Arbok's fangs ignited with flames as it slithered towards Meowscarada.

"Still haven't learned your lesson." Dylan's tone was calm.

"Sucker Punch."

Meowscarada's gem-like eyes flashed with dark light, its claws surrounded by a black glow, and it disappeared in an instant.

A Dark-type Sucker Punch!

When it reappeared, Meowscarada was right in front of Arbok, giving the cobra a menacing grin before striking with its right claw.

Sucker Punch hit Arbok's neck hard, making it hiss in pain.

But Meowscarada didn't stop there. It lifted Arbok with its right claw and pushed it forcefully.

Bam!

Arbok was slammed against the wall, causing it to crack like a spider web.

Arbok closed its eyes in pain, its body going limp.

"Meow~!"

Meowscarada held Arbok high with one arm, tilting its head as it gazed at the fallen cobra. With a smug and sinister smile, it let out a mocking purr.

'Weren't you going to dance? Why can't you dance now?'

"Dylan, your Pokémon is quite wild." Leah watched in amazement. From any angle, this Meowscarada didn't seem like a tame Pokémon.

It had an unmistakable aura of wildness and evil!

Erika nodded in agreement with Leah, her eyes shining as she stared at Meowscarada. As a Gym Leader specializing in Grass-types, she was captivated by its wild and powerful charm.

Arbok, sensing Meowscarada's contempt, began to struggle again.

Boom!!

Meowscarada exerted force with its right arm, smashing Arbok's head into the wall, creating a deep crater.

"Arbok!"

Ariana's expression changed. This Meowscarada's strength was indeed unusual!

Even though Sucker Punch was a priority Dark-type move, it shouldn't be so fast that her Arbok couldn't react at all.

The most likely explanation was that this Meowscarada was much stronger than her Arbok!

"Vileplume, use Moonblast!"

Ariana immediately ordered Vileplume to attack. She had initially planned to use Arbok to distract Meowscarada and then have Vileplume ambush or attack Dylan and the others.

But unexpectedly, Arbok was defeated so quickly.

This was not the strength of an Elite Four member!

Ariana watched the sinister Meowscarada, gritting her teeth.

Although she was not as strong as Archer and the other top officers, she was second only to Archer among the Four Executives.

But now her main Pokémon, Arbok, was defeated in just a few moves. This was unreasonable!

"Sucker Punch." Dylan smiled.

Vileplume let out a cry as a virtual moon appeared behind it, scattering moonlight.

A Fairy-type Moonblast!

But before the attack could form, the ghostly Meowscarada appeared behind Vileplume, its sharp claws tearing through the air and striking down.

Sucker Punch hit directly, sending Vileplume flying and interrupting its Moonblast.

"Night Slash."

Meowscarada swiftly charged at Vileplume again, its face twisted in a wicked grin. Its purple-black claws slashed down at Vileplume.

A Dark-type Night Slash!

Night Slash struck Vileplume's chest hard, causing it to scream in agony.

Seeing Vileplume still howling, Meowscarada quickly struck again with Night Slash, sending Vileplume into a deep sleep.

Yes, Vileplume had fainted.

"This..."

Seeing Vileplume defeated so quickly, Ariana's face changed drastically. She was now certain!

This Meowscarada was probably Champion-level! Even if it was Elite Four-level, it shouldn't be able to crush her like a bug.

Archer, you bastard! Even if you didn't want to lose face in front of your colleagues, you shouldn't have lied about your defeat! This screwed her over!

If she had known Dylan was a Champion-level, she would have fled immediately! The difference between Elite Four and Champion-level was significant.

"Miss Ariana, it seems your strength isn't as impressive as I thought."

Dylan stepped forward, smiling faintly at the pale Ariana.

Meowscarada stood one step ahead of Dylan, arms crossed, tilting its head as it observed the three humans.

Ariana's face turned even paler, and the two Team Rocket members behind her were trembling.

Ariana gritted her teeth. There was only one option left.

"Mr. Dylan, it was my mistake. I apologize for my rudeness. Please forgive my earlier disrespect."

Ariana lowered her proud head, her tone softening as she pleaded with Dylan.

Very perceptive.

She had no choice; she couldn't win.

Ariana did have other Pokémon, but what was the point? This Meowscarada, like a ghost, had defeated her main Pokémon in a few moves.

And this Meowscarada didn't seem like a normal Pokémon at all!

Ariana feared that this dark, sinister Meowscarada might attack her next.

"Oh?" Dylan was surprised, his expression turning strange.

Erika and Leah were also surprised. Team Rocket's high-ranking officer was begging for mercy so quickly?

"Mr. Dylan, what do you think?"

Ariana glanced at Dylan's expression, hoping for a chance.

She had decided that if Dylan spared her, she would pack up and leave Celadon City as soon as she returned to the base!

Dylan pondered for a moment.

"Actually, even if you beg, I won't let you go."

Dylan quickly decided, speaking to Ariana.

"Ariana, you know the League will pay a good price for you. Maybe you could help me get a talented Larvitar or another Pseudo-Legendary Dragon-type."

Ariana's face froze.

"Anyway, Team Rocket is doomed. It would be good for you to get familiar with the prison environment early."

Dylan was serious; it was clear from his tone and expression.

End of Chapter