Chapter 37: Dylan! I Challenge You!

Archer and Proton retreated, and this operation was undoubtedly a failure.

After all, for Archer, Dr. Fuji was the main target, and it took them a lot of effort to locate him.

But there was no choice; at least another objective was achieved.

On Dylan's side, they first went to the captain's quarters to rescue the poor captain and then returned to the hall.

The hall was still in chaos, as the Rocket members had not yet received the retreat signal.

"Red, Dylan, you're back!"

As soon as Ash and the others saw Dylan's group return, they immediately rushed over.

Ilene walked up to Dylan, scanning him from head to toe with concern. She breathed a sigh of relief when she saw he was unharmed.

After all, Archer, a senior Rocket executive, was their opponent, and Ilene was naturally worried.

"How did it go? Did you beat Archer?"

Ash asked eagerly.

"Of course! With my help, we totally thrashed Archer," Leah said proudly, her hands on her hips.

Red and Dr. Fuji remained silent, while Dylan nodded in agreement.

"Wow! Amazing!"

"No surprise from you guys!"

"What about Archer? Didn't you catch him?"

Ash and his friends were thrilled.

"No, the Rockets had more than one senior executive on this mission, so we decided not to pursue," Dylan shook his head.

Even if they had three senior Rocket executives, it would have been difficult to delay them for long.

And after all, they were on the S.S. Anne in the middle of the ocean. If they pushed Archer too hard, the consequences would be unimaginable.

Not to mention the numerous Voltorbs and Electrodes in the hold. Although Dylan had a powerful weapon, it wasn't his Pokémon, and it was uncertain if it would help catch Archer and the others.

"What a pity," Ash said, disappointed.

"It was the right decision. The Rocket members are too reckless and could have done anything," Brock said rationally. Ensuring their own safety and that of the passengers was clearly more important than capturing Archer.

"The Rocket members are retreating," Misty noticed the Rockets in the hall starting to withdraw.

"Archer must have notified them," Dylan deduced at a glance.

"Don't let them escape! These scoundrels!" Ash shouted with righteous indignation. It was one thing not to catch the executives, but letting the regular Rocket members escape was out of the question.

"Yes, let's detain them. Officer Jenny should be arriving soon," Dylan said.

The rest of the task was easy.

Without Archer and Proton, the remaining Rocket members were leaderless. With Dylan and Red joining the fight, they quickly defeated all the Rockets and detained them.

Half an hour later, the Vermilion City police arrived and took over the S.S. Anne, placing the Rocket members in handcuffs. Officer Jenny approached Dylan and the others.

"Thank you for your help. The Rockets even dared to hijack the S.S. Anne. Without your intervention, the consequences would have been unimaginable," Officer Jenny said with a serious expression, having understood the entire situation.

"It's what we should do, though it's a pity we couldn't capture Archer and Proton," Red remained cool, while Leah stayed out of the limelight. Dylan stepped forward to speak.

"You've done an excellent job. We will definitely catch those two dangerous individuals," Officer Jenny said, shaking her head. Archer and Proton, being Rocket executives, were not easy to capture. She was more interested in the trainers who could defeat Archer.

"Would you mind giving us your names? I'll apply for a reward and make sure your heroic deeds are known," Officer Jenny asked with a smile, respecting Dylan and the others' decisions. Not everyone liked publicity, especially since they had antagonized Team Rocket.

Dylan's eyes brightened. This was a great opportunity to advertise the Rota Gym!

"I'm Dylan, a gym leader from Rota."

"..."

"Hehe, I don't need any recognition. Give my share to Dylan and Red," Leah smiled and withdrew again, not wanting to attract attention. If her organization noticed her, it would be troublesome.

Dylan noticed the complex emotions in Leah's eyes. This cheerful, lively girl hid many secrets. But Dylan said nothing, as there was nothing he could do for her against that organization.

"Alright, I understand," Officer Jenny nodded, looking curiously at Dylan.

"Are you also a gym leader?"

"Yes, I was just accompanying a friend on this cruise. I didn't expect this to happen."

"I'm sure you're an excellent gym leader," Officer Jenny smiled. She hadn't heard of the Rota Gym, but any gym leader who could defeat Archer would surely become famous.

"I'll do my best," Dylan replied.

Officer Jenny didn't stay long as there were many Rocket members to process. Fortunately, the passengers were mostly unharmed, except for one person...

On the deck, Tobias stood lost, staring at the endless horizon, his expression bleak.

"Mr. Tobias, rest assured, we will capture the Rockets and retrieve your Pokémon," an officer said sternly, but Tobias was unresponsive.

He felt his life was over, his mind returning to the moment when Proton forced him to abandon Darkrai...

Tobias couldn't imagine Darkrai's look when he made that choice.

His eyes welled up, and he pulled out his phone, dialing a number. With the interference device off, the S.S. Anne was returning to Vermilion City.

The call connected quickly.

"Tobias, are you okay?" An elderly, kind voice answered.

"Grandpa..."

Hearing his grandfather's voice, Tobias couldn't hold back his tears.

"Grandpa, the Darkrai you gave me... It was taken by Team Rocket."

Tobias felt both wronged and sad.

"..." On the other end, the old man was too shocked to speak.

Darkrai was taken by Team Rocket? How did this happen? Even with his status, a legendary Pokémon was incredibly precious. Darkrai followed Tobias because of the old man's connection to its ancestor.

"Grandpa..."

"Don't be sad, Tobias. Those Rockets..." The old man's voice was tired. Team Rocket was a pest in Kanto.

"I have information on a Latios. I can give you its location, but Tobias, this is the last time I'm helping you," the old man said sternly. Finding legendary Pokémon was extremely difficult, and helping his grandson contradicted his principles.

But Tobias was his grandson, so he would help one last time. If Tobias still couldn't succeed, then so be it.

"Thank you, Grandpa," Tobias said with teary eyes, understanding his grandfather's disappointment. Damn Team Rocket! I will have my revenge!

...

In Vermilion City, at the Pokémon Center.

"What a trip! But it's time for me to go," Leah said, retrieving her healed Pokémon from Nurse Joy and waving goodbye to Dylan and Red.

"Bye-bye," Dylan smiled.

"Goodbye."

Red, rarely speaking, responded. Except for family and a certain rival, he was usually silent.

Leah smiled and prepared to leave.

Red turned his gaze to Dylan, his eyes burning.

"?" Dylan raised an eyebrow.

"Dylan, I want to challenge you!" Red said eagerly.

Hearing this, Leah, who was about to leave, stopped and turned around, her eyes sparkling.

Wow! Are these two powerhouses about to fight?!