Chapter 87: Stormy Encounter with Team Rocket

The wind lashed against the window, rain streaking in diagonal lines as the ship rocked beneath my feet. From the luxury suite's glass, I could see the ocean churning, the dark clouds overhead already promising chaos. A storm, just like I expected.

"Looks like there's a storm coming," I said, turning away from the window.

Erin didn't bother looking up, her fingers toying with Raichu's fur as he sprawled lazily on the plush carpet. Raichu's eyes flicked up at me, a grin splitting across his face before he launched himself toward me. I caught him mid-air, his warm, crackling energy buzzing through my arms. He let out a series of high-pitched, gleeful laughs, the kind that made you forget about impending danger for a second.

Erin followed Raichu, her steps quiet. She wrapped her arms around me from behind, resting her chin on my shoulder. I glanced at her reflection in the window, my lips tugging into a half-smile.

Before I could speak, the door to the suite slammed open.

I froze. Erin stiffened, her grip tightening, but Raichu went completely still in my arms, his muscles tensing. 

Standing in the doorway, drenched from the rain, was a man wearing the unmistakable black-and-red uniform of Team Rocket. Elite member, judging by the silver insignia on his chest. His eyes went wide when he saw us, probably just as shocked to find kids in a high-end suite as we were to see him.

We locked eyes for a split second, and in that moment, everything clicked.

I didn't give him the chance to react. I tossed Raichu toward him without a word.

"Raichu, Thunderbolt," I ordered, my voice barely above a murmur but relaxed.

Raichu's electricity exploded across the room, a blinding flash followed by the crack of thunder. The Team Rocket member didn't even have time to move. He collapsed into a heap, unconscious, the charred edges of his uniform still smoking.

I exhaled through my nose, walking toward him while Raichu puffed out his chest with pride. Erin picked him up, her expression calm.

I crouched down and grabbed the man by his collar, dragging him across the floor like a sack of potatoes. His limp body thudded against the carpet as I hauled him inside and locked the door again, for good measure shoving the nearest sofa in front of it. No one was getting in here unless I wanted them to.

A few minutes passed before the man stirred. His eyes fluttered open, confusion and fear settling in as he realized he was tied to a chair, bound with thick ropes. Raichu was back in my lap, his tail twitching as he watched the man, while Erin stood behind me, her calm gaze fixed on our captive.

The Team Rocket guy's face paled when he saw us like that. He squirmed in the chair, but it was no use. He knew he was stuck.

"You're here to rob all the trainers, aren't you?" I said, my tone still relaxed, almost conversational. I leaned back in the armchair, Raichu's weight a comfortable presence on my legs.

The man's eyes darted around, looking for an escape. "How do you know?"

I smirked, tapping my fingers against the chair's armrest. "Why should I tell you?"

He opened his mouth, but I cut him off, standing up slowly. "Jesse, James, and Meowth. Same old crew, right?"

His face twisted into shock, and I could practically hear the gears turning in his head, trying to figure out how I knew.

I reached for Alakazam's Pokéball, releasing him into the room. His serious eyes flicked over to the man in the chair, barely interested.

"Alakazam," I said, still in that calm, measured tone, "throw him out the window."

The man's eyes bulged in panic. "Wait, wait! What do you mean—!"

But Alakazam's psychic energy wrapped around him, lifting him effortlessly from the chair. He flailed for a moment before the glass shattered and the storm outside swallowed his scream. I felt the rush of wind and rain for a brief moment before Alakazam sealed the window with a flick of his hand.

I returned Alakazam to his Pokéball, brushing the glass off my jacket.

Erin's quiet voice broke the silence. "Where are you going?"

"I'm heading out for a bit," I replied, already moving toward the door. "You stay here. Raichu will protect you."

Her hand clenched. "Take me with you."

I paused, glancing over my shoulder. Her expression was as calm as always, but there was something behind it, something vulnerable. I almost let her come. Almost.

"You're still scared of Pokémon," I said, my voice soft but firm.

Her lips trembled. She stepped toward me and hugged me tightly, whispering, "Come back soon."

I nodded, gently prying her off and kneeling down to Raichu. "Take care of her, alright?"

Raichu nodded enthusiastically, leaping into her arms. I smiled briefly before turning back to the door, dragging the sofa out of the way.

Before I left, I looked at her one last time. "Don't let anyone in. Not unless it's me, Ash, Misty, or Brock."

She nodded, and the door clicked shut behind me as I walked into the dark, rain-soaked hallway.