Chapter 271: My Bro Dylan Is Unstoppable!
"Wow~ This is one intense fight."
On the tenth floor, by the window of an office, Dylan leaned against the windowsill, watching the chaos below with great interest.
"Karen, are you sure it's okay for us to just stay here?"
Lillie sounded a bit helpless. Though her brother had told them to play it by ear and just coast through the mission, Karen was taking that a little too literally...
Ever since they entered the Silph Co. building, Karen had hidden them in this office, just lounging around watching the battle between Team Rocket and the League trainers down below like it was a movie.
Lillie couldn't help but feel a little guilty.
"Aiya, it's fine. We'll go out in like ten minutes, make a little appearance, and that'll be enough for proof we were here."
Karen shrugged. If they were out in the open too early and ran into Steven and the others, they might blow their cover.
Especially with people she knew around—harder to slack off then.
"Tyrantrum is seriously adorable."
Karen popped out an energy cube and fed it to her Tyrantrum. The big dino's eyes squinted in delight as it munched, and Karen looked completely charmed.
BOOM!
A sudden explosion startled both Karen and Lillie.
Karen quickly looked out and saw a Metagross and a Mega Salamence locked in combat.
"That's Steven and Zinnia!" Lillie immediately recognized them.
"Mhm, Champion Steven's in trouble," Karen squinted thoughtfully.
Meanwhile, up in the sky—
Mega Salamence gathered blazing flames in its mouth, unleashing a massive Fire Blast at Metagross.
Metagross dodged, but a moment later, Mega Salamence beat its blood-colored wings, sending a storm of fiery red shockwaves crashing forward.
They hit Metagross dead on, and it let out a painful cry.
"Fire Blast!"
Mega Salamence dove again, flames blazing—until a Gyarados flew in, its massive tail surrounded by water as it whipped at the Fire Blast.
BOOM!
The flames exploded, the shockwave blasting both Metagross and Gyarados.
"Stop fighting!"
Walance, riding his Aerodactyl, didn't even have time to worry about his poor Gyarados as he shouted toward the two combatants.
But clearly, Zinnia wasn't going to listen to someone she'd already defeated.
"Zinnia! That's enough!"
Steven, flying on his Skarmory, looked at the Mega Salamence before him—and Zinnia, riding her Altaria just behind it.
Zinnia's cold eyes stared Steven down.
"My father has already acknowledged his past mistakes. I know our family owes your sister a great debt. No matter how angry you are, I can accept it."
Steven said gravely.
"But this isn't the way, Zinnia. Team Rocket is an evil organization. You shouldn't be fighting alongside them."
They had run into Zinnia on the 31st floor, and the moment she saw Steven and Walance, she attacked without hesitation.
Maybe out of guilt, Steven hadn't let Metagross launch any serious counterattacks. Their fight had spilled out of the building.
Walance had followed on Steven's Aerodactyl.
"Ridiculous. You think you get to tell me what to do?"
"Just because Joseph got tossed in jail, you think it's all over? Steven, you think I'll just let him off that easily?"
Zinnia sneered.
Steven's heart sank. As he expected, even a confession couldn't quell Zinnia's rage.
But he wasn't surprised. A late apology was a cheap offering—and if Joseph hadn't learned of Zinnia's existence, he might never have come forward at all. In the end, it was fear of Zinnia that drove him to it.
Walance stayed quiet. This was Steven's family issue—and Walance knew that Zinnia's desire for revenge was entirely justified.
"What would it take for you to forgive my father?" Steven asked seriously.
"Whatever it is, just say the word. I'll do it."
As a son, this was all he could do—to help Joseph atone. He couldn't stand by and watch his father be harmed.
Zinnia gazed at Steven, and silence fell. After a long pause, she took a deep breath.
"If you know what happened back then, do you know who else was involved?"
"The Johto Pokémon Association. The Hoenn Mauville Company. Devon Corp. And the Berlitz family of Sinnoh."
Steven already knew from Joseph.
"The Mauville Company's long gone. Its upper management disappeared. Berlitz is in Sinnoh."
"But the Johto Pokémon Association—they were the organizers and masterminds. Steven, if you really feel sorry for my sister, help me find the executives from Mauville."
Zinnia said with a blank expression.
After the 'Rayquaza Capture Incident', the Mauville Company lost to Devon and collapsed into bankruptcy.
"Steven?" Walance looked slightly uneasy.
"..." Steven's face darkened. Tracking down Mauville's old execs wouldn't be easy.
But as the Hoenn Champion, and with Devon's resources and connections, he could do it.
Still...
"I can help you find the ones who were involved. I'll arrest them myself and bring them to justice."
Steven quickly made up his mind and answered gravely.
Zinnia stared into his eyes. Steven returned the gaze, heavy-hearted.
He knew if he found those people and handed them over to her, there was no telling what she would do.
"Zinnia, I'll help you. I'll fight for your sister's justice. Even if it means standing against the Johto Association or the Berlitz family—I'll stand by your side!"
Steven declared firmly.
"I'm the Champion of Hoenn. I own Devon Corp. I have both the power and the resources to help you."
"But Zinnia, you can't—mustn't—let vengeance ruin your life. Even your sister wouldn't want to see you like this."
Steven understood her desire for revenge—but if she went too far, it would stain her forever.
And he knew... the people she wanted to hurt were hardly innocent.
"I don't need your lectures," Zinnia snapped coldly.
"Get out of here, Zinnia. You can't win today."
"Oh please, you think you guys are guaranteed to win?"
Zinnia couldn't help but laugh at the pair.
"You really think the likes of you can beat Aizen and the Rocket leader?"
"Aizen's strong, sure," Walance grumbled, "But Dylan's even stronger!"
My bro Dylan is freaking unstoppable!
"Sure, Dylan's strong," Zinnia replied, "But what about the Rocket leader?"
"You're missing the point."
The Draconid girl spoke calmly.
BOOM!
A deafening explosion erupted from the top of Silph Co.
Steven and Walance looked up, their expressions changing. From the blast, a Dragonite was blown out of the building, spiraling toward the ground.
That was... Champion Lance's ace Dragonite?
Walance frowned deeply. It looked like even that Dragonite had been pushed back.
That's Champion Lance of Kanto!
"Even if you have Aizen, you don't have Dylan. But even then—who can stop the Rocket leader with a high-tier legendary on their side?"
Zinnia's signature fearless grin slowly returned as she opened another Pokéball.
Noivern appeared beside the Mega Salamence, wings flaring.
"You thought victory was a sure thing—but that's your arrogance talking."
"Salamence! Fire Blast!"
"Noivern! Dragon Pulse!"
Battle!
Even two-on-one, Zinnia showed no fear. Dragon-type trainers never back down from a fight.
"Meteor Mash!" Steven had no choice but to engage.
Metagross raised all four arms and clashed with the incoming Fire Blast in a massive explosion.
Meanwhile, Walance had Gyarados dodge Noivern's Dragon Pulse.
"This doesn't look good, Steven. I'm not sure we've got enough strength," Walance said, watching the fearsome Zinnia.
No, it's just you who's not strong enough.
Steven's face stayed blank. Whatever, he was used to Walance by now.
"Zinnia's a dragon specialist. We need to get her to the ground."
Steven said seriously. He didn't want to fight her, but there was no other choice. They had to defeat her first.
But Zinnia was seriously strong—and as a dragon specialist, most of her main Pokémon could fly.
And Steven? Aside from Metagross, Skarmory, and Aerodactyl, none of his main team could fly. (In the remakes, Steven's ace includes Aerodactyl.)
Walance? Even worse. His only flyer was Gyarados—and that Gyarados wasn't at full strength after getting wrecked by Aizen earlier.
Fighting in the sky was a huge disadvantage. Zinnia held all the cards. As far as Steven was concerned, Walance was just dead weight.
What, was he supposed to have Aerodactyl carry Walance up there to brawl?
Yeah right. Walance would probably curse out his entire family tree if that happened.
...
39th Floor, Silph Co.
"Garchomp! Dragon Rush!"
Cynthia thrust out her arm, commanding Garchomp with authority.
Garchomp let out a mighty roar, leaping high as it gathered pure dragon energy around its body, forming the shape of a vicious dragon.
Dragon Rush!
"Dragon Claw." Aizen ordered calmly.
Koraidon bared its fangs, its muscular arms glowing with sharp blue-green light.
Dragon Claw!
Koraidon stomped forward, meeting the incoming Dragon Rush head-on with a vicious slash.
BOOM!!
The two attacks collided in an explosion of power, shockwaves shattering the floor beneath Koraidon.
"Togekiss, Air Slash!"
Taking advantage of the clash, Cynthia had her waiting Togekiss strike.
Gracefully gliding forward, Togekiss beat its wings, sending slicing wind blades toward Koraidon.
"Strong Garchomp, as expected of Champion Cynthia."
Aizen clapped softly in appreciation.
"But it's still not enough. Koraidon."
Koraidon growled low and viciously, suddenly lunging forward with force. Its Dragon Claw tore through the Dragon Rush, slamming Garchomp hard.
Garchomp cried out and was blasted back—the Dragon Claw hit hard.
Then Koraidon swung its left arm and shredded the incoming Air Slash.
Cynthia frowned, biting her lip. As expected, Koraidon was too powerful.
Even her ace Garchomp could only trade blows briefly—any longer, and it would be overwhelmed.
She looked to the other side. Diantha was commanding her Floragato and Ceruledge against Aizen's Hydreigon and Zoroark.
But it wasn't going well. Cynthia had hoped Diantha could finish up and come help her.
"Champion Cynthia, I think we might need backup."
Diantha looked grim. Even though Aizen wasn't giving many commands, both Hydreigon and Zoroark fought like veterans—strong and experienced.
"Seems like you two are under some pressure. You know, I'm an artist myself. Maybe I can help you relax a little."
"You both have great figures and elegance—and you're Champions! Such a rare opportunity. How about some photos together?"
Aizen pulled out a pair of black-framed glasses and smoothed down his slicked-back hair. His whole vibe shifted—refined and gentlemanly—as he addressed the two Champions.
Yes, an artist needed to look the part.
"...?" Diantha blinked. Did Aizen just say what she thought he said?
"You..."
Cynthia was stunned too.
This guy had this kind of hobby?
"You can trust my skills. Steven and Walance both praised my work."
Aizen said with total confidence. He was very good at artistic photos! And to be honest, Cynthia and Diantha both had top-tier looks—Cynthia especially.
"Aizen's... into photography?" Diantha whispered to Cynthia.
Cynthia was silent.
Suddenly, she remembered those "artistic photos" of Steven and Walance that had circulated online after she returned to Sinnoh.
Knowing those two, there was no way they agreed to that willingly.
But they weren't fake either. She'd even asked Steven and Walance once.
They just stammered and dodged the question. Now, Cynthia finally understood.
And she felt a chill. If Aizen had done that to them... what would happen if he got her and Diantha?
Would it... be normal?