Chapter 144: I'll Go Myself

The clash between Draco Meteor and Steel Beam ended with Dragonite slightly at a disadvantage. However, Dragonite had exerted all its strength, significantly weakening the impact of Steel Beam. Thanks to the sandstorm's boost, Tyranitar barely managed to endure the powerful Steel-type attack.

Although the assault failed once again, Celesteela knew its time was up as the Ultra Wormhole rapidly began to shrink. If it didn't leave now, returning would no longer be an option.

But it wouldn't be long. Just one more year, and it could return through another Ultra Wormhole—this time without the current restrictions holding it back.

Celesteela's four thrusters, located on its arms and underside, ignited in unison, propelling its massive body toward the Ultra Wormhole. It cast a final, unreadable glance around the battlefield before slipping through the collapsing portal.

The moment Celesteela passed through, the Ultra Wormhole's contraction suddenly intensified. In just a few seconds, its size had been reduced by more than half.

As the portal shrank, a powerful suction force surged from above.

The countless shattered rocks, broken apart by Celesteela's attack, and the unconscious Lunatone and Solrock—defeated in the earlier battle—were all dragged toward the vortex. Among them was Maki.

Before he could react, Maki was caught in the powerful gravitational pull. Within moments, his body was lifted off the ground and drawn toward the sky, heading straight for the collapsing Ultra Wormhole.

"Dragonite!"

With no other choice, Maki shouted for Dragonite. Though exhausted from unleashing Draco Meteor, Dragonite immediately activated Extreme Speed, pushing itself forward with all its might. However, its reaction speed was noticeably slower than before.

"Bwoooah!"

At the last possible moment, Dragonite managed to grab hold of Maki. But before either of them could catch their breath, the Ultra Wormhole—now reduced to just two meters in diameter—suddenly intensified its suction force. Even Dragonite, caught off guard, stumbled mid-air.

Its body was yanked downward, straight into the collapsing portal.

Under normal circumstances, Dragonite would have been able to handle this. Even with the added gravitational pull, saving Maki wouldn't have been an issue.

But the battle against Celesteela had drained it. That final Draco Meteor had sapped too much of its strength.

And right after that, Dragonite had used Extreme Speed again in a desperate bid to save Maki, worsening its fatigue.

The moment they were pulled into the Ultra Wormhole, the turbulent energy waves caused Maki to lose consciousness.

In his dazed state, he felt the claws gripping him loosen—but he didn't know when Dragonite had let go.

Drifting helplessly through the chaotic energy currents, Maki had no idea where he was being taken.

Meanwhile, inside his Poké Balls, his Pokémon stirred restlessly. His Charmeleon and the others seemed to sense the danger outside and tried to emerge.

But Maki had locked the Poké Balls beforehand—without his direct command, they couldn't release themselves.

Ironically, this safeguard ensured their safety. In this unpredictable vortex, there was nothing they could do to help. If they had been released, they might have been scattered and lost forever.

Dragonite, with its strength, might have been able to find a way out on its own. But the others? They weren't nearly strong enough to survive the chaos.

Maki had no idea how long he had been drifting in the energy storm—only that a long time had passed.

Still unconscious, he faintly heard voices.

"Oh? You're finally awake? That's a relief."

...

Saffron City – Psychic Gym.

"That guy Maki… Why hasn't he contacted me in days?"

In her room, Sabrina stared at her communicator, lost in thought.

Lately, Maki had been reaching out less frequently, but he would always respond quickly when she messaged him.

Yet this time, an entire day had passed—and there was still no word from him.

She knew he had Dragonite with him, so there shouldn't be any danger… but even so, she couldn't shake her unease.

If another two days passed without any news, she decided, she would contact Giovanni herself.

...

Viridian City – Team Rocket Base.

"Mt. Moon collapsed?"

Giovanni fell silent as he scanned the report presented to him by Proton.

"Yes… for some unknown reason, Mt. Moon suffered a major collapse. And according to our last known intel, that was the last place Maki was before he went missing."

Kneeling on one knee, Proton kept his head bowed. Sweat beaded on his forehead, some of it dripping into his eyes—but he didn't dare move to wipe it away.

It had been a long time since he had seen this expression on Giovanni's face.

An overwhelming pressure, as if crushing his very soul, kept Proton frozen in place.

"Find him."

Giovanni's voice was calm, but there was an unmistakable edge to it.

"Take as many men as you need. Maki had my Dragonite with him—if anything happened, there would be some kind of trace. Even if you have to level all of Mt. Moon, you will find him."

Too much time had passed.

Not only was Maki missing, but even Dragonite had disappeared.

None of this felt right.

Closing his eyes, Giovanni leaned back in his chair. The Persian that had been resting in his arms jumped down, curling up silently at his feet.

Giovanni felt… tired.

The last time he had felt like this? Probably when his mother—the former leader of Team Rocket—went missing.

That had been the most exhausting period of his life.

"Yes, sir!"

Proton lowered his head once more, then stood up to carry out his orders.

Yet even in his own heart, a sense of unease had begun to take root.

"…Wait."

Just as Proton was about to leave, Giovanni's voice called him back.

Taking a deep breath, Giovanni steadied himself before continuing.

"Do not let word of Maki's disappearance spread. Especially not to Sabrina or Silver—they must not find out."

"…Understood."

Realizing Giovanni's intent, Proton didn't question the order.

"And one more thing."

"You won't be going to Mt. Moon."

Proton hesitated. "…Then what about Maki?"

"I'll go myself."

Rising from his seat, Giovanni casually tossed a Poké Ball into his hand.

"…Yes, sir."

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