Proton

"Hey, is he alright?" Surge looked at Billy, who was trying to bandage Zero2hero, who was currently still "unconscious."

"He's alright... I guess."

Despite saying that, Billy wasn't sure at all and looked at Zero2hero with concern.

The group had returned to the warehouse to recover, especially those who had been whipped, leaving their backs bruised and sore.

"IT HURTS!!" One guy yelled in pain, trying to squirm but being held down by Hitmonchan.

"Hang in there," Misty said, continuing to spray medicine on his back.

"Thank you! The food is delicious!" A few people took rice balls from Leaf, eating happily.

"Thanks, this dish is around 1000 pokedollars!"

"WHAT?! WHY SO EXPENSIVE???" He spat his rice onto the person next to him, who almost screamed as rice got in his eye.

Surge watched the group's lively atmosphere and remembered his time in the army.

Back then, it didn't matter who you were—once you were a soldier, you were brothers.

Drinking the same beer, eating with the same spoon, even using the same spot to do your business! Truly brothers! (Gross.)

Billy looked at everyone's cheerful scene and then back at Zero2hero.

Zero2hero was still stiff, not breathing, his eyes clouded, and his body cold.

…I don't want to believe it. He's probably just having some technical issues and can't respawn right now.

Because this is a game, right?

"ALRIGHT, BOYS AND GIRLS! We're moving out! This time, there won't be any breaks! We'll be too late otherwise!"

Hearing that, everyone stood up, even those who were injured.

Seeing this, Billy tried to carry Zero2hero on his back, as well as their luggage.

…wait, how did I forget these?

"Menu."

An info screen popped up, showing a bag icon.

…damn author, you forgot this feature, didn't you? (Sorry.)

Storing everything in the bag while no one noticed, Billy turned his attention to the Poké Ball holding Zero2hero's Pidgey.

'Looks like it still doesn't know what's going on since Zero2hero retrieved it during the battle.'

Billy sighed, shrunk the Poké Ball, and put it in his bag along with his own Pokémon, then hoisted Zero2hero onto his back.

…his body's so cold.

Billy followed the others, carrying Zero2hero on his back.

"Where are we headed, lieutenant Surge? It's so dark here, it's like staring into my wife's underwear!"

"Your wife will be sad to know her husband doesn't care about her," Lieutenant Surge looked at the man and sighed.

He then turned back to the map along with three others, discussing the plan.

Meanwhile, Misty and Leaf kept glancing at Billy, who was carrying Zero2hero.

"Hey... do you think he's okay?" Leaf whispered in Misty's ear.

"...I don't know, I hope he's alright."

Billy's face looked troubled and uncertain, although he was trying not to show it.

"Should we go help him?"

"Definitely, he's a young trainer like us, so we have to help him, right?"

Just as the two were about to head over, Surge called out loudly to the group.

"We'll cross the bridge now, so please be careful. It's dangerous—falling would mean certain death!"

"Are we really out of options?" Leaf asked.

"Yes, this is the only path to the power room. The other routes... I'm afraid Team Rocket has taken control of them."

Fighting Team Rocket made Surge realize just how many of them there were, and they were likely planning something significant. But if they had enough time to deal with whatever Rocket was aiming for, that would be great.

"Let's hope so... MOVE OUT!"

The whole group followed Surge, the darkness making everyone a bit uneasy.

Along the way, they encountered a few Pokémon blocking their path, but each was easily handled.

When they reached the iron stairs, they began ascending. Their footsteps echoed in the dark.

"This is the iron bridge," Surge warned, "There's no railings here, so step carefully."

Leaf swallowed, looking down into the deep, dark chasm that seemed bottomless even under the beam of a flashlight.

"What was this hole for?" Misty asked curiously.

"It used to hold a massive, perpetual power generator. After running for over a hundred years, it started deteriorating, so they removed it to prevent an explosion."

"How did they even remove something that big?"

"Ask the author," (I don't know, don't ask me).

"Why didn't they just fill the hole? What if someone falls in?" a guy remarked.

"Budget cuts. Besides, this area is restricted, and hardly anyone passes through here."

Just as Surge finished talking, he suddenly stopped, causing everyone to freeze in place.

"What's wrong, Lieutenant?" Leaf asked.

"...Step back."

"What-"

"STEP BACK!!"

Out of nowhere, a powerful energy orb containing three elements shot toward them.

Surge gritted his teeth and summoned Raichu, commanding it to use Iron Tail to deflect the energy orb.

Raichu obeyed, smacking the orb back, where it flew past someone's face and exploded.

The explosion lit a nearby area in flames, fortunately not blocking their path.

But in the light of the fire, a face appeared along with the person's Pokémon.

"Porygon2 and... Proton?!" Lieutenant Surge looked at the man in front of him, shocked as the man smirked.

Proton was one of Team Rocket's four Admins. Unlike the other three, he operated openly, so everyone knew about him, but no one had ever managed to catch him.

Out of the four, he was the boldest and most reckless!

"Congratulations on making it here. Just a bit further, and you'll be meeting Zapdos."

"Zapdos?" Many were confused.

Though Zapdos was one of the trio legendary birds, not everyone knew about it, as these three birds rarely appeared in public.

"Zapdos? What do you want with it?"

"It'd ruin the fun to say," Proton replied, raising his hand with a cruel smile.

"Besides... the dead should stay silent."

"!!"

Porygon2 immediately released a powerful psychic energy that Surge and Misty recognized instantly.

Trick Room!

"H-Hey?! Why does it feel like I'm moving slower than usual?" Everyone was disoriented, and Surge tried to command Raichu.

However, Trick Room was a unique move that altered the speed of every living creature (and their move too) within its range.

Fast Pokémon would be slowed down, and vice versa.

This meant...

"Porygon2, Tri Attack."

Porygon2 shot an energy orb containing three elements toward them, its speed incredibly fast within the Trick Room!

In an instant, a powerful explosion blasted everyone back.

"AGHHH HELP!" Fortunately, some managed to grab onto the bridge, allowing a few who were still on it to come to their aid. But there was one unlucky person...

Billy stood in shock as Zero2hero plummeted. He hadn't had time to prepare, and the Tri Attack explosion had caused him to lose his grip.

Now he knelt, watching Zero2hero fall into the hole, unable to do anything.

A devilish laugh echoed, full of twisted glee. Proton laughed, looking at the furious Surge.

Proton was a sadist

"You demon! Do you treat human lives like they're worthless?" Surge clenched his fists, glaring at Proton.

"As long as it helps the Boss take over the world, what do lives even matter?" Proton taunted.

"Yo-"

A loud bang startled everyone, drawing their attention.

"FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK!!!!" Billy was pounding his fist against the iron bridge so hard that blood began to flow from his hand.

He stood up, his eyes blazing with fury as he glared at Proton.

"YOU'RE DEATH! SO FUCKING DEATH!"

"I'M GONNA FUCKING MURDER YOU!!!!"