Pokémon: Above the Top

The Game Corner was as lively as ever. Sato entered calmly, accompanied by Zoroark, who was disguised as a young man.

Now that it had evolved, Zoroark's personality had become much more composed. It walked with an air more human than even some actual people.

This time, Sato avoided playing the Lucky Spin game—he was worried that if his luck was too good again, it would attract unwanted attention.

Instead, he casually played low-risk games, but his true focus remained on observing the security personnel.

The venue was large, and the guards constantly patrolled, making it difficult to get an exact count. However, Sato quickly noticed one major change compared to the previous night—patrol frequency had more than doubled!

Loose on the outside, tight on the inside.

For several hours, he and Zoroark wandered through the entire Game Corner, blending in with the crowd.

Sato even took the time to teach Zoroark some simple games, letting it adapt to its human illusion. Once satisfied, he ended the night's reconnaissance.

Before leaving, he made one final check—the painting on the wall near the Lucky Spin area remained unchanged. Only then did he calmly exit.

On the third day, Sato didn't enter the Game Corner himself. Instead, he waited outside, letting Zoroark go in alone.

Everything seemed normal, except for one thing—several people were lingering around outside, walking back and forth without ever leaving.

On the fourth day, Zoroark entered the Game Corner as usual. However, just three minutes later, it returned with urgent news.

The painting had been changed!

"Go into hiding. Stick to the plan."

"Zoro~"

Even while maintaining its illusion, Zoroark's growl sounded somewhat strange. But at that moment, no one paid attention to the sound.

Zoroark re-entered the Game Corner, while Sato turned away and left, heading straight for the Pokémon Center.

At 8:45 PM, Sato arrived at the Pokémon Center.

His first stop was the reception desk, where he booked a room for the night. However, instead of heading inside, he walked straight to the outdoor training grounds.

"Haunter, Spinarak, work on your moves," he instructed casually while keeping an eye on the continuous flow of trainers coming in and out of the Pokémon Center.

The minutes ticked by.

8:58 PM.

He called back Haunter and Spinarak, acting as if he were simply giving them a break.

8:59 PM.

He fed both Pokémon High-Grade Pokéblocks, and they happily devoured them, oblivious to the real reason behind Sato's sudden generosity.

They didn't understand why, but food was food.

"It's happening!"

9:00 PM.

Sato felt a moment of complete silence, like the world had frozen for an instant.

The moment his lips formed the word "Protect," Haunter—who was especially sensitive to danger—instantly activated its protective barrier!

—BOOM!

Every window in the Pokémon Center shattered simultaneously as an explosion engulfed the building in flames.

The fireball rose high, lighting up half of Goldenrod City. Those nearby felt the ground tremble beneath their feet.

Fiery debris blasted outward, scattering like burning meteors.

Haunter's Protect absorbed the brunt of the impact, shielding them from the blast wave and incoming debris.

A split second later, Spinarak—finally reacting—activated its own Protect, reinforcing the barrier and ensuring their survival.

Dark Energy surged within Sato's body. The ringing in his ears, the pain, the dizziness—he shut them all out, focusing only on his objective.

Without hesitation, he rushed into the burning Pokémon Center.

"Haunter, find Nurse Joy!"

The situation was dire, but Haunter didn't waste time playing tricks.

Using its Ghost-Type perception, it began scanning for life signals within the wreckage.

"Spinarak, use String Shot!*"

Sato pointed toward a fallen trainer, unconscious and bleeding from a deep wound on their arm.

Without hesitation, Spinarak wrapped the wound tightly, stopping the bleeding.

That was all Sato could do for now.

"Haunter!"

The ghost let out a chilling cackle—it had found something.

"Move!"

Sato's eyes turned pitch black, Dark Energy coursing through his veins. His vision cut through the smoke, allowing him to navigate the burning ruins without slowing down.

The front desk was up ahead. If Nurse Joy was anywhere, she should be there.

However, the faint yet rapid footsteps did not escape Sato's ears.

"Haunter, Shadow Ball barrage!"

Without hesitation, a dozen small Shadow Balls scattered in all directions. Two dazzling Air Slashes shot out from the right flank, slicing through two of the Shadow Balls.

Footsteps approached. Three Team Rocket grunts, clad in black uniforms, emerged one after another, stepping into Sato's view.

In the thick smoke, a Crobat lurked silently—the Air Slash from earlier was its doing.

"He actually survived the explosion?" One of the grunts spoke in surprise.

"Less talking, find Nurse Joy first!" The deep voice came from another grunt. "Arbok, Bind!"

"Haunter, scatter Shadow Balls!"

The other two Team Rocket grunts stepped back slightly, clearly prioritizing their search for Nurse Joy, dead or alive. Sato had the same goal, so he used Haunter alone to block the three of them.

"You're asking for it! Arbok, Acid! Crobat, Wing Attack! Kill them!"

From the shadows, Crobat and the powerful Arbok emerged, while the other two grunts sent out their Pokémon—two Houndour!

"Haunter, Shadow Ball! Carvanha, Water Gun to hold off the Houndour!"

This time, Haunter conjured only two Shadow Balls, but they were much larger and darker!

Boom! Boom!

Both Crobat and Arbok were blasted away. Haunter, taking on two opponents at once, completely suppressed them!

Carvanha also demonstrated its potential. Despite being out of water, it rapidly condensed airborne moisture to form a weakened Water Gun, pushing back both Houndour repeatedly!

The advantage of high-potential Pokémon was clear. Even though they had yet to fully mature, they could still dominate against opponents of the same level!

"Zzzzt!"

Out of nowhere, strands of sticky silk shot from behind the three Team Rocket grunts, instantly binding their belts, preventing them from releasing more Pokémon.

"Zoro!"

"Sharrrrk!"

Haunter and Carvanha pressed their advantage. Without their trainers' orders, the four opposing Pokémon could do nothing as Spinarak wrapped their owners tightly in webbing.

Three minutes later, without commands, the four Pokémon quickly fell. Haunter remained lively, while Carvanha suffered injuries and had to be recalled.

Without resolving Carvanha's mobility issue on land, its battle performance would always be limited.

Soon after, Sato found Nurse Joy unconscious at the reception desk. Her body was pinned under a severely wounded and bloodied Chansey.

…

Outside the Silph Co. building, League trainers had already surrounded the area. The plan was to begin the full assault at 9:30 PM, swiftly securing the lobby to minimize chaos.

But Team Rocket, already aware of the operation, had preemptively bombed the Pokémon Center!

Inside an inconspicuous small building, a massive screen displayed footage of the Pokémon Center engulfed in flames.

Most of those in the room wore police uniforms, with Officer Jenny of Goldenrod City seated near the front. At the head of the room sat none other than one of Johto's Elite Four—

The commander of this operation to purge Team Rocket from Goldenrod City—Bruno, the Fighting-type Elite!