Chapter 169: Team Rocket Retreats

The Aftermath of Crobat's Attack

"This… this can't be…"

Silver's face paled.

He stared in horror at the spot where Ash had been struck.

A direct hit from Crobat's attack—there was no way a human could survive that.

Even Pidgeotto, who had been mid-air, was frozen in shock. Its beak trembled as if it wanted to say something, but no words came.

From across the room, Petrel let out a burst of laughter.

"Hahahaha!"

His expression twisted into something feral, his teeth bared in a wicked grin.

"This is what happens when you fight against Team Rocket!" he sneered. "A direct hit from Crobat? Against a human body? There's no way you could survive that!"

But then—

A voice cut through the thick Smokescreen left behind by Crobat's attack.

A voice cold as ice.

"You're right. A human body can't withstand that attack…"

WHOOSH!

A sudden shockwave blasted through the smoke, dispersing it in an instant.

Petrel's eyes widened in shock.

"What?!"

His jaw tightened as he turned toward the source of the voice.

And there—

Standing unharmed within a translucent white energy barrier—

Was Ash.

And beside him—

Sabrina.

Sabrina's Arrival

"Sabrina…"

Petrel's face darkened, his lips pressing into a thin line.

Of all people…

He had never expected her to be here.

But now, standing beside Ash, was Sabrina—the Psychic prodigy of Saffron City.

At her side stood Alakazam, its twin spoons hovering in mid-air as faint purple energy pulsed around it.

A high-level Alakazam—one whose strength rivaled even the Pokémon of Elite Trainers.

"Alakazam, use Psychic."

Sabrina's voice was calm—devoid of emotion, but laced with an unspoken authority.

Alakazam didn't even move.

But in the next instant—

A pulse of pinkish-purple energy rippled through the room.

Crobat is Crushed!

Crobat froze.

A moment ago, it had been hovering menacingly above Ash—

But now—

It was trapped, suspended mid-air by Alakazam's powerful Psychic energy.

"Kazam!"

With a flicker of Alakazam's spoons, Crobat was violently hurled through the air—

Straight toward Petrel.

Petrel's eyes flashed as he quickly sidestepped—

CRASH!

Crobat slammed into the back wall with a deafening impact, sending chunks of concrete flying.

The entire section of the wall collapsed, exposing the outside cityscape below.

Crobat tumbled to the ground, its wings twitching weakly beneath the rubble.

It had taken super-effective damage—a Psychic-type attack against a Poison/Flying Pokémon.

It was barely conscious.

Ash's Shock

Ash's heart pounded in his chest.

He had been seconds away from death—

And now, Sabrina had saved him.

His breath was shaky as he tried to steady himself.

"Miss Sabrina…"

He exhaled, glancing at the woman beside him.

Sabrina, as always, wore a calm and unreadable expression.

But before Ash could even thank her—

She turned her gaze toward him, her cold green eyes locking onto his.

"You're welcome."

Her voice was eerily calm, yet held an unmistakable weight to it.

And then—

With the same composure, she added:

"I wouldn't want the person I like to die here."

Silence.

For a brief moment, the entire room was dead quiet.

Ash blinked.

"Huh?"

His brain short-circuited.

Silver, who had been watching from behind, looked equally baffled.

Even Petrel, despite being a Team Rocket executive, paused mid-strategy, momentarily thrown off by Sabrina's statement.

The words could easily be misinterpreted—

But right now, no one had the time to think about that.

Instead, the battle downstairs had begun.

The Alliance Strikes Back

Meanwhile—

On the first floor of Silph Co., the Alliance strike team had made its move.

A team of high-ranking trainers, officers, and Pokémon League enforcers had stormed the building.

"Move in! Neutralize all Team Rocket forces!"

Pokémon battles broke out across the entire building.

The Rockets on the lower floors had already been overpowered—

And now, the higher-ranking grunts were being pushed back.

Petrel's Realization

"Tch…"

Petrel gritted his teeth, his sharp mind quickly piecing things together.

Sabrina being here meant only one thing.

The Alliance had already infiltrated the building.

That meant—

They had lost this battle.

Even if he could hold his ground against Sabrina, the other Rockets wouldn't be able to hold off an entire Alliance squadron.

It was only a matter of time before they were forced to retreat.

Petrel clicked his tongue in frustration.

"Damn it!"

A Final Warning

He slowly shifted his gaze back to Ash.

The kid had survived Crobat's attack.

The kid had help from Sabrina.

And now—

This kid had directly interfered with Team Rocket's operations.

That wasn't something Petrel would forget.

His eyes narrowed, locking onto Ash's face.

Then—

With a voice dripping in venom, he muttered:

"You… You've made a powerful enemy today, kid."

His lips curled into a dark smirk.

"The Rockets won't forget this."

A sharp chill ran down Ash's spine—

But he refused to look away.

Instead, he stared Petrel down, his fists clenched.

"I'm not afraid of Team Rocket."

His voice was steady—his determination unwavering.

Petrel let out a dry chuckle.

"Oh, you will be."

Then—

BOOM!

A smoke bomb exploded, filling the room with thick, black mist.

By the time it cleared—

Petrel and his remaining Rockets were gone.

To Be Continued…