Chapter 305: Team Rocket and Professor Lawrence III

During the intermission, highlights of the previous matches were replayed on the stadium's large screen. 

The most frequently shown clip featured Pidgeot's Air Slash annihilating Rhydon's Stone Edge.

The crowd, which had grown quieter during the break, erupted in excitement and speculation upon seeing the clip again. 

Exclamations and heated discussions filled the stadium, as no one could comprehend what had happened in that moment.

Professor Oak, seated in the audience, was among those studying the phenomenon. From his observations, he deduced that this event wasn't a simple case of Air Slash overpowering Stone Edge. Instead, it seemed to involve a collapse caused by some peculiar force.

Despite his expertise, Professor Oak couldn't derive any concrete conclusions from the footage alone. He resolved to question Ash after the match.

Elsewhere, Misty and Brock overheard the buzzing discussions of the spectators around them. 

A proud smile spread across their faces as they basked in the praise for Ash and his Pidgeot.

Meanwhile, the discussion was even more intense online. Social media and forums were flooded with comments dissecting the event, with trainers and casual viewers alike sharing their thoughts.

"This is unbelievable! Ash's Pidgeot took down Rhydon's Stone Edge with Air Slash! That shouldn't even be possible!" exclaimed one astonished commenter.

"Pidgeot and Rhydon are both Silver-level Pokémon. They should be evenly matched!" another replied.

"Exactly! Not only that, Stone Edge is stronger than Air Slash in terms of raw power. How could this happen?"

—---

Amid the speculation, a prominent scholar known for his groundbreaking research on Pokémon moves weighed in. He shared his analysis online, garnering significant attention.

"This was not a simple case of Air Slash overpowering Stone Edge," the scholar began, attaching a screenshot of the collision. 

"If you look closely, you'll notice that when the two moves made contact, Stone Edge didn't immediately shatter into pieces. Instead, it vanished without debris."

He continued with further evidence: "This is what we call a localized collapse. Such phenomena are typically associated with moves like Hyper Beam or Giga Impact. 

However, even those moves require a championship-level Pokémon to achieve such destruction."

The scholar uploaded another image for comparison—a still frame from the previous Kanto Region Championship. 

In the image, Lance's Dragonite used Hyper Beam to obliterate an opponent's Ice Beam, causing a partial collapse.

"However," the scholar noted, "Pidgeot's Air Slash goes beyond this. The move didn't just overpower Stone Edge. It annihilated it entirely, as if matter collided with antimatter. This capability has only ever been associated with the legendary Pokémon Giratina."

He concluded, "Giratina, said to command antimatter, can nullify any move. Pidgeot's Air Slash resembles that legendary power."

The scholar's theory gained widespread recognition, but debates continued as others proposed alternative explanations. 

Despite the heated discussions, no one could definitely explain Pidgeot's feat.

The incident transcended Kanto, sparking global intrigue. Reporters scrambled to interview the Elite Four and regional champions, hoping for insight.

Lance, who was currently managing affairs in Johto, was one of the many high-profile figures following the match. 

When he witnessed Pidgeot's Air Slash, his shock mirrored that of the ordinary viewers—but for entirely different reasons.

As a champion-level trainer and senior figure in the Pokémon League, Lance had access to knowledge beyond the public's reach. 

He immediately suspected that Pidgeot's Air Slash wasn't an ordinary move.

"This looks like the power of destruction," Lance murmured, recalling classified records of Giratina's abilities.

The phenomenon matched descriptions of Giratina's manipulation of antimatter, an ability detailed in League archives. 

While many dismissed Giratina as a myth, Lance and the League's upper echelons knew better.

"If that's true," Lance thought, his gaze fixed on Ash's image on the screen, "this boy is truly extraordinary. Not even eleven years old, and his Pokémon is exhibiting traces of a legendary power. Ash's future in the Pokémon world is undeniable."

---

At Team Rocket's headquarters, research on Pidgeot's secret technique, Aerial Ace, was still ongoing. 

However, progress was slow due to a lack of information. Now, with the revelation of Pidgeot's Air Slash, Giovanni was shaken.

"Double the efforts on Pidgeot's Air Slash research!" Giovanni barked, pacing his office.

Just then, one of his subordinates entered. "Boss, Professor Lawrence III wishes to speak with you," the grunt reported.

"Lawrence III?" Giovanni's eyes narrowed. Even he was familiar with the name. Professor Lawrence III was a brilliant yet unhinged scientist, notorious for his groundbreaking and often dangerous experiments.

"Put him through," Giovanni ordered after a moment of thought.

The call connected, and Lawrence III's voice, dripping with pride and arrogance, echoed through the office. "Ah, Giovanni. It is a pleasure to speak with you."

"What do you want, Lawrence III?" Giovanni asked curtly. He knew the professor wouldn't waste time on pleasantries.

"I require financial support from Team Rocket," Lawrence III said bluntly, his tone betraying no hesitation. 

"My research has reached a critical phase, but I'm being hunted by the League and have no funding."

"And what do I gain in return?" Giovanni's expression remained unreadable, but his interest was piqued.

Lawrence III's voice grew even more confident. "Anti-gravity technology... and a weapon capable of harming gods."

Giovanni's eyes widened ever so slightly. "Elaborate."

Lawrence III chuckled, his voice laced with triumph. "I've unlocked the secrets to developing a technology that can defy gravity. More importantly, I've made breakthroughs in harnessing energy that could rival the power of Gods themself."

Giovanni leaned back in his chair, his mind racing. The implications of such technology were immense. 

If Lawrence III's claims were true, this could elevate Team Rocket's influence far beyond Kanto—and even challenge the legendary Pokémon themselves.

"Very well," Giovanni said at last, a sly smile forming. "You'll have your funding, Lawrence III. But don't disappoint me."

The call ended, and Giovanni stared out the window, deep in thought. Team Rocket's future was about to take a dramatic turn.

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