180. Caught

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Boom boom!!!

"Huh..." Ash, who was running along the road with Pidgeotto, searching for Pikachu and the others, suddenly heard a loud noise coming from the other side of the forest.

"Pidgeotto, see what's going on!" Ash immediately signaled Pidgeotto to investigate after hearing the sound.

"Caaw!!"

Pidgeotto flew into the sky, circling for a moment before spotting something not far away, smoke rising in the distance. Without hesitation, it swooped down to show Ash the situation ahead.

"Is it over there?" Ash asked after Pidgeotto's report. He realized something was happening up ahead, possibly involving Pikachu and the others, and quickly told Pidgeotto to lead the way as he hurried toward the scene.

Meowth: "Shameful people taking advantage of the crisis, meow!" 

Near the two mechanical Pokémon that had been severely damaged, Meowth stood battered, his face swollen from the battle. Pikachu and the others showed no mercy, defeating them with ease.

Ekans and Koffing were still out cold, and even if they were up, they wouldn't stand a chance in this situation.

"Than-diao!!!"

At that moment, a cry came from above, and a figure dove down from the sky, wings tucked in, landing gracefully on the ground. Pikachu and the others immediately recognized Pidgeotto and rushed toward it.

"Pikachu, everyone!!"

Ash arrived just after Pidgeotto, breathing a sigh of relief when he saw Pikachu and the group safe. He also noticed the two mechanical Pokémon nearby, beaten beyond recognition. "I had a feeling it was something like this," he muttered, unsurprised.

"Pika-pika!!"

"Axew!!"

When Pikachu and the others spotted Ash, they happily dashed toward him, jumping into his arms one after another. Ash almost lost his balance from their excitement but felt the warmth of their affection. He smiled, clearly overjoyed.

Ekans and Koffing looked on enviously as Pikachu reunited with Ash. They longed to find their own Trainer, while Meowth, still bruised, couldn't help but feel disheartened, always being overshadowed by Ash's group.

"Are you all okay?" Ash asked Pikachu with a warm smile.

"Pika!!" Pikachu and the others shook their heads cheerfully, indicating they were fine. Just then, Ash noticed Meowth sneaking away in the background.

"Huh? Why are you here?" Ash called out.

"Uh... we just happened to pass by, meow!" Meowth stammered, trying to cover his tracks, though inwardly he was panicking.

"Never mind, we need to find Misty and Brock. Let's head back." Ash decided to let it slide, recalling Charmander to its Poké Ball while leaving Pikachu and Pidgeotto out. He instructed Pidgeotto to keep searching from the air while he and Pikachu headed off.

Koffing: "Whoah! (What now?)"

Ekans: "Boo, boo! (Let's follow him, maybe we'll find our Trainer! Let's go!)"

Meowth: "Hey, wait for me! Don't go running off without me, meow!"

Meowth watched as Ekans and Koffing trailed after Ash without waiting for him. Nervously glancing at the wreckage around them, Meowth shook off his fear and hurried after them.

On the other side of the forest…

Boom!!!

A deafening noise erupted as a huge figure collapsed to the ground with a wail. As its massive body struck the earth, a cloud of dust rose into the air.

"Onix!!" Brock called out, staring in worry at the large figure in front of him—it was his Onix, lying on the ground, clearly defeated. Nearby, Misty crouched down, cradling her Starmie, her face filled with the same concern.

"They're... so strong!" Misty said, fearfully eyeing Ariana, the woman standing before them.

Ariana stood confidently, and in front of her, a towering, slender Pokémon slithered. Over three meters long, its body was dark purple, and it hissed, flicking its snake tongue. A menacing grimace-like pattern spread across its wide, flattened neck, exuding a terrifying sense of power and oppression.

This was an Arbok, the evolved form of Ekans. Though smaller in size than Brock's Onix, the difference in power was clear—Onix had been utterly defeated.

Misty couldn't believe how strong this woman, Ariana, was. She had assumed Team Rocket's strength was comparable to Jessie and James, but Ariana was on an entirely different level.

Jessie and James were equally stunned. They hadn't expected Ariana to be this powerful. It became obvious that someone of her strength must hold a high rank in Team Rocket. No wonder she'd dismissed them earlier, claiming they were too insignificant to know of her.

"Your abilities aren't bad," Ariana said smugly, "but the gap between our levels is just too great."

Brock and Misty frowned at her words, while Jessie, for once, realized the gravity of the situation. Even she could tell Ariana was someone not to be trifled with, and she had no idea what to do next.

"Capture them!" Ariana commanded. From the surrounding woods, several figures emerged—Team Rocket members clad in black uniforms, moving swiftly to surround the group.

"Darn it!!" Misty gasped, panic taking over. Brock clenched his fists in frustration, realizing there was no way they could resist now. Ariana was far too strong.

"Wait, wait, we're on your side!" James shouted in desperation, hoping to stop the inevitable. The Rocket grunts hesitated for a moment, glancing at Ariana for confirmation.

"Their identities are irrelevant. Arrest them all." Ariana dismissed James' plea without a second thought. Even if Jessie and James were legitimate members of Team Rocket, she had no reason to let them go, especially after the earlier conflict.

Upon hearing Ariana's command, the grunts wasted no time. They pulled out ropes and advanced toward Jessie, James, Brock, and Misty.

"What are you doing? We're the boss's right-hand team! How dare you treat us like this! The boss won't forgive you when he finds out!" Jessie shouted angrily. But before she could say another word, she was already tied up. Misty and Brock were also quickly restrained, their hands bound tightly.

"Take them away! We'll hand them over to the boss," Ariana ordered coldly, recalling her Arbok back into its Poké Ball.

"Yes, ma'am!" the grunts replied, immediately escorting their captives as they prepared to leave.