Chapter 270: Where is Dylan?!

Wallace had been in a great mood today, coming along with Steven to the famous Kanto region.

Teaming up with the Kanto Elite Four to take down the long-standing evil organization, Team Rocket, and eliminate that criminal Aizen once and for all!

Everything had been going so well—this was the strongest lineup the League had ever assembled! The Kanto Elite Four, the four champion reinforcements, plus Dylan as their ace in the hole.

With that kind of force, what evil organization could possibly stand in their way?

But this wasn't how it was supposed to go! Aizen, a terrorist of such danger, shouldn't someone like Dylan or Lance be handling him? Why did he have to run into him?!

"Seems like you still have some misunderstandings about me, Mr. Wallace. I've always held the utmost respect for artists such as yourself."

Aizen opened his Poké Ball with a faint smile. In a flash of white light, a Hydreigon appeared before him.

"Aizen! Today you won't escape justice!"

Wallace flew into a rage at the sight of him—clearly remembering those "artistic photos."

This bastard had actually made his cross-dressing photos public—unforgivable!

Granted… the feedback from that photo set had been surprisingly positive. Many of Wallace's fans even asked for more. He'd gained quite a few male followers, too.

But Wallace wasn't pleased. Some of those male fans had... concerning things to say.

"Oh? Mr. Wallace, you seem quite confident," Aizen said casually and elegantly.

"Is it because you think numbers matter? Whether it's one grain of sand or many, it makes no difference."

"Aizen!"

Wallace was even more furious. What was that supposed to mean—comparing him to a grain of sand?

Unforgivable! This guy was too arrogant!

"Aizen, you're too full of yourself. Do you think I'm still the person you beat before?" Wallace said grimly, pulling out two Poké Balls.

"Oh?" Aizen raised an intrigued brow at Wallace.

"Ever since I lost to you, I've trained day and night. I'm not the same as before!"

Wallace exuded confidence. He had already received replies from Steven and the others—they were on their way.

All he needed to do was stall for time.

Wallace knew he couldn't beat Aizen, but buying time? That much he could do.

After all, Aizen wasn't fighting him with Rayquaza or Koraidon, right?

"Come at me, Aizen!"

And then...

"This... this can't be!"

Wallace stared in shock at his fallen Milotic and Gyarados. He had lost—and faster than he'd even imagined.

How was Aizen this strong? He hadn't even used Koraidon or Rayquaza!

"Seems like you really have improved, Mr. Wallace—your defeat was even quicker this time," Aizen said with a soft chuckle, stepping toward him.

"Damn it! Aizen, don't come any closer—!"

Wallace gritted his teeth. The mockery in Aizen's tone was unbearable.

He grabbed two more Poké Balls, but before he could release them, a dark shadow appeared silently behind him. Razor-sharp claws pressed against his waist.

Wallace froze—Aizen's Zoroark!

"Why so quiet all of a sudden, Mr. Wallace?"

Aizen tilted his head slightly, gazing at the sweat-drenched Wallace.

"..."

Wallace was drenched in cold sweat. He had no idea when that Zoroark had gotten behind him. He didn't dare make a move now.

Steven! Cynthia! Dylan! Somebody help!

Meanwhile, in the president's office at the top of Silph Co., Giovanni sat leisurely on the sofa sipping tea, Mewtwo standing behind him.

"Give it up—the Kanto League is already here. Do you really think you can resist?"

President Silph, still tied up in the corner, tried to reason with Giovanni.

"If you come clean now, the Kanto League might show leniency. What could be more important than your own safety?"

"President Silph, seems you're just another ordinary man."

Giovanni replied calmly, his deep eyes staring into the tea, its surface reflecting a vague image of his own face.

"Team Rocket will not fall. No matter the outcome today, it won't end here."

"I'll show the world the power of Team Rocket."

He put down his teacup and slowly stood, adjusting his black coat and placing a gentleman's hat on his head. He looked out the floor-to-ceiling windows.

Clearly visible outside—a young man with crimson hair in a blue outfit stood on the back of an Aerodactyl, arms crossed, coldly staring at Giovanni.

And a Dragonite nearby had fire building up in its mouth.

Boom!

A blast of fire erupted, melting the glass and shooting toward Giovanni—Dragonite's Flamethrower!

Mewtwo's eyes flashed with psychic blue light. It raised one arm, and an invisible wall of psychic power surged forth.

The searing flames crashed against it violently but couldn't break through, finally exploding with a boom.

"Hmm?"

Lance's eyes narrowed slightly. He had never seen this silver Pokémon before.

It must be the legendary Pokémon Dylan mentioned, the one in Team Rocket's hands.

"So rude, Lance. You've always been such an annoyance."

As the glass melted from the intense heat and wind blew in, Giovanni pressed down on his hat, eyes shaded beneath the brim as he glared at Dragonite, his tone full of mockery.

"Filthy rat. Say whatever you want—you won't be talking much longer."

Lance's lips curled in a cold grin, crimson hair hanging down, eyes like icy daggers.

"Still with the clownish bravado, Lance? Don't you have any new lines?" Giovanni said flatly.

"With that tiny brain of yours, I doubt you'd come up with anything else."

A smirk tugged at Giovanni's lips. He was enjoying the growing fury in Lance's aura.

"Heh… disgusting rat. Keep barking. Let's see how long you last."

Lance sneered coldly.

This evil root of Team Rocket had escaped him twice. This time, Lance wasn't letting Giovanni leave Saffron City alive.

Breathing the same air as scum like him made Lance sick.

He would annihilate all evil!

"Dragonite, Dragon Rush!"

Battle!

17th Floor.

Steven rushed in after seeing Wallace's message, but it seemed he was already too late.

"Wallace? Wallace?!"

"Too late? That idiot! I told him to be careful!"

Steven looked worried. He could clearly see signs of battle here.

He hadn't expected Wallace to be so unlucky—to run straight into Aizen.

"Mmmph! Mmmph mmmph!"

Just then, muffled cries echoed nearby. Steven froze—it sounded like Wallace.

He hesitated for a moment, then walked over to a small closed room. The moment he opened the door, Steven's face twitched violently.

Wallace's white cape had been stripped off. He was wearing a schoolgirl uniform, a long green wig, and his mouth was taped shut.

He was hanging from the ceiling by a rope. And because the skirt was a bit short, Steven got a very unwanted view from below.

Expressionless, Steven covered his face. His eyes felt violated.

Wallace really was a flamboyant freak. Always acting noble and elegant—and yet wearing red underwear?

"Mmmph mmmph!!"

Seeing Steven, JK Wallace became extremely animated, signaling to him frantically.

"Alright, alright—stop wiggling! My eyes are dying!"

Steven quickly turned away, summoned his Skarmory to bring Wallace down and untie him.

"Damn it! That bastard Aizen! How dare he humiliate me like this! I'll never forgive him!"

"Waaah! Steven, he made me take naughty schoolgirl photos!"

Wallace was practically in tears, raging at the demon who'd done this.

"So you actually took them?" Steven's face twisted into a very odd expression.

"He said if I didn't, he'd go after you! For your safety… I had to sacrifice myself," Wallace said, avoiding eye contact.

He wasn't about to admit that Aizen had threatened him with another couple's photo shoot with Steven. Him in girl clothes again.

Unforgivable. If Steven had worn the dress this time, Wallace might've agreed!

"Wonder when Aizen's going to upload them," Steven mused, stroking his chin. He was… mildly interested.

After all, Wallace did look pretty good in those shots. From a bro's perspective, Steven thought he had potential.

"What did you say, Steven?" Wallace asked, puzzled. Steven's voice had been too soft to catch.

"Nothing. Just get changed, quickly."

…

At that moment, Silph Co. and its surroundings had become a battlefield. Team Rocket and League forces were clashing in chaos. The sounds of battle echoed everywhere.

Fortunately, the League had more high-level fighters, so the situation was still holding steady—for now.

It wouldn't be long before Team Rocket collapsed completely.

"Hmm~ Finally, someone competent shows up."

On the 25th floor, Karen lounged lazily against a desk, speaking slowly as a cold, elegant woman walked in.

"Lorelei of the Elite Four, huh? You look icy. That's not very nice, you know?"

Karen tapped the desk with her long fingers, tilting her head and eyeing Lorelei with a malicious grin.

Beside her, Houndoom and Umbreon slowly rose, staring intently at Lorelei.

"Karen?" Lorelei adjusted her glasses, glaring coldly at her.

"Oh? The great Lorelei actually knows me? What an honor," Karen said, feigning surprise.

"Lapras, Dewgong, Ice Beam."

Without a word, Lorelei released two Pokémon and attacked.

Lapras and Dewgong opened their mouths, beams of freezing light surging toward Karen.

"Flamethrower!"

Karen raised a brow and ordered Houndoom forward.

Houndoom leapt up, blasting fire from its jaws, clashing head-on with the icy beams.

Boom!

Fire and ice exploded in a shockwave.

"As expected, very strong." Lorelei's cold eyes narrowed slightly. Dylan had been right—this Karen really was a champion-level trainer, and a skilled one at that.

"Tsk tsk~ What a fierce woman. Attacking without even a proper greeting?" Karen swayed her hips, walking to Houndoom's side, smirking at Lorelei.

"There's nothing to say to Team Rocket scum," Lorelei replied coolly.

"Oh~ the mighty Elite Four," Karen said, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. Then her expression turned nasty.

"I just wonder if you'll still look that way when you're on your knees."

…

39th Floor.

Cynthia stepped out of the elevator—just as Acerola emerged from another one nearby.

Both were momentarily surprised, then nodded and continued heading upstairs together.

"The elevator cards must've been hidden by Team Rocket," Acerola said calmly. "I got word from Granny Agatha earlier—Champion Lance is already fighting the Team Rocket boss."

"Team Rocket has four champion-levels. Zinnia's whereabouts are unknown. Karen is on the 25th floor. Lorelei has already engaged her."

"As for Aizen, he was on the 17th floor twenty minutes ago, but according to Steven, he's probably moved on by now."

Cynthia shook her head. "We can't take on Aizen. We should look for Zinnia instead."

She had fought Aizen before. She knew exactly how dangerous he was.

Cynthia was rational—she was willing to fight evil to the end for the League, but not throw her life away meaninglessly.

With Rayquaza in his possession and Koraidon on top of that, Aizen's power had skyrocketed.

Only Dylan might be able to beat him. But no one knew which floor Dylan was on right now.

"Is that so? Aizen's really that strong?" Acerola looked thoughtful.

"Yes. His strength is overwhelming. Not something an ordinary champion can handle. And he controls at least two powerful legendary Pokémon," Cynthia said gravely.

Just then, a smooth, magnetic voice cut in out of nowhere.

"It's an honor to hear such praise from Miss Cynthia."

Cynthia and Acerola immediately tensed.

From around the corner, Aizen stepped out in his white coat, smiling at the two of them.

"Seems fate keeps bringing us together, wouldn't you say?"

He turned to face them fully, his eyes calm.

"Aizen! How are you here?!"

Cynthia frowned. According to the intel, Aizen should've been on the 17th floor.

"Didn't take long to deal with Mr. Wallace," Aizen said with a soft smile. "Now then, ladies, I'm afraid I can't let you go any further."

"Otherwise… my Koraidon might get angry."

Heavy footsteps echoed as Koraidon emerged from around the corner, its savage aura radiating. It loomed behind Aizen, glaring at Cynthia and Acerola.

The Paradise Guardian Dragon—Koraidon!