Pokemon: Rising From The Dark

The time had just come to noon, and after finishing lunch at the Pokémon Center, Aoki took to Route 44, the only road east of Mahogany Town.

Aoki, who had been paying attention to their behavior, sneered. "Want to run now? It's too late." The voice was not loud, as if speaking to himself.

"Gastly, take care of the one who escaped first. Slowpoke, use Psychic on the Koffing that was fighting Murkrow! Miltank, use Milk Drink!"

Gastly, who had been hiding in the shadows, was always ready, but the two were on guard against him, and the two Koffing weren't leaving. Gastly had no time to waste dealing with them, and sometimes, the enemy you can't see is the most terrifying.

When Kevin turned around and ran, Gastly knew the time had come, especially with Aoki's command.

He quickly slipped through the shadows and appeared in front of Kevin. Under his horrified gaze, Gastly used Hypnosis, making him fall asleep.

Pokémon moves have obvious effects on humans who lack resistance. Ordinary people will sleep for at least three hours after being hypnotized.

Under the combined attacks of Slowpoke and Murkrow, Kevin's only remaining Koffing was unable to escape and was taken down by Murkrow.

The remaining young man did not run. He saw Kevin's fate and knew fleeing would only make him die faster.

His only Koffing, like his last hope for survival, hovered close beside him, not daring to stray.

With a hint of panic in his eyes, he glanced at Aoki from time to time but did not dare to make eye contact.

The original plan had been simple. The person opposite them, wearing an ordinary League training uniform, didn't seem stronger than either of them.

In their experience, League trainers were sheltered. They had never truly seen blood. Even if they were stronger, the two were confident they could eliminate him.

But now, even if he were beaten to death, he wouldn't believe that this seemingly harmless, even slightly dim-witted boy across from him could act so decisively and viciously.

If Gastly hadn't attacked at the start, Kevin's Golbat wouldn't have been overwhelmed so quickly.

Aoki looked at the nervous young man and walked forward slowly, not ordering his Pokémon to continue attacking.

The Team Rocket grunt saw Aoki approaching from the corner of his eye. Panic mixed with hope—if Aoki wasn't killing him immediately, there was still a chance to turn things around. If given the opportunity, he would make sure this League trainer learned what a real fight was.

A real battle wasn't just about Pokémon!

He moved his hand toward the storage compartment on his Team Rocket belt. If he could get close enough, he could grab his dagger and take down the trainer in front of him.

But if he reacted quickly enough—took Aoki's Pokéballs and recalled Slowpoke and Murkrow—he could turn defeat into victory and profit greatly.

Thinking of this, excitement flickered in his heart, but he dared not show it.

Aoki stopped two steps in front of him, a smile on his lips as he looked at the man, who seemed to have accepted his fate.

"I'll ask you a few questions. As long as I get the answers I want, I'll let you go."

Hearing Aoki's words, the man's eyes lit up instantly, but he quickly lowered his head, afraid Aoki would notice. He feigned submission and said, "Ask away."

When it came to pretending to be weak, he was a master.

Aoki didn't waste words and asked directly, "Who is in charge of the Team Rocket base in Mahogany Town now?"

The Team Rocket grunt hesitated. This question?

"Uh, the top officer in the base is Lady Athena. Only Dr. Shiranui holds equal authority." Anyone with inside knowledge would know this.

"Athena?" Aoki thought. "Athena is one of Team Rocket's four generals. In terms of rank, she's on the same level as Sabrina."

Dr. Shiranui was also someone Aoki was familiar with—a high-ranking scientist within Team Rocket specializing in Pokémon evolution. He would soon begin experiments at the Lake of Rage base.

Eventually, he would create the red Gyarados, an exceptional feat.

"What stage has the Lake of Rage Research Base reached now?" Aoki asked his next question.

"Ah?" The Team Rocket grunt froze.

The difficulty of the questions had suddenly jumped from beginner to expert level. How could he possibly know something so classified?

But he knew what would happen if he couldn't answer. He had already guessed the consequences, and sweat began to form on his forehead.

After three seconds of silence, he suddenly dropped to his knees, shouting, "I... I don't know! I really don't know!"

He wasn't foolish enough to make something up. He knew that anyone aware of Team Rocket's research at the Lake of Rage wouldn't be an ordinary person. The first question had likely been a test.

In reality, he misunderstood Aoki. Aoki genuinely didn't know who was in charge of the Team Rocket base in Mahogany Town. In his previous life, the commander had vanished, and a squad leader had taken over. Though a higher-ranked officer had arrived later, Aoki hadn't known who it was.

This question was to confirm whether Team Rocket's Mahogany Town base had been targeted by the League yet.

In his past life, the League had been unable to tolerate Team Rocket's arrogance in Mahogany Town, leading Pryce to launch an assault.

This raid had caused massive casualties for Team Rocket. Though the League suffered losses, they still managed to cripple the base.

Aoki had been assigned to this base after that event.

Now that he knew the top commander was still in place, a League raid could happen at any moment, meaning time was short.

The second question had simply been a way to avoid keeping his word and letting the grunt go.

The kneeling Team Rocket grunt hadn't given up yet. Under Aoki's amused gaze, he suddenly lunged forward, pulling a dagger from his belt and slashing at Aoki, who stood only a step away.

But just as he sprang forward, he found himself suspended in mid-air.

Slowpoke, standing beside Aoki, glowed with a blue aura, lifting him effortlessly with Psychic. Every movement had been anticipated.

Under the grunt's horrified gaze, Murkrow slashed his throat without hesitation. His only remaining Koffing was already hypnotized by Gastly.

The entire battle lasted barely ten minutes. Two overconfident Team Rocket members lay lifeless before Aoki.

Even in death, they likely didn't understand why this boy, who looked like a typical League trainer, was so ruthless and calm in battle.

Kevin, still under Gastly's Hypnosis, lost his life in his sleep, and his last remaining Koffing was swiftly taken down by Slowpoke and Murkrow.

As for the Golbat and Ekans from earlier, Aoki saw some value in them, so he let them live.