The Enthralling Power  

"Quick, quick! Someone has escaped from the research facility! Everyone, get up and prepare to intercept!" 

"Shut down all internal facilities in the institute! Activate all cameras and locate the escapee—" 

"Report!! High thermal activity detected in the southeast sector—likely the escapee!" 

"Attention! The escapee is the Gym Leader of Cinnabar Island! Everyone, exercise extreme caution!" 

"Investigate all personnel! Find out who else is missing besides Blaine!" 

"..." 

The chaotic voices gradually became orderly. These Team Rocket members had undergone military training and were well-prepared for emergencies like this. Following protocol, they swiftly initiated a systematic, sweeping search. 

The on-duty members sprang into action first, while those resting quickly woke up, dressed, and joined the search with their Pokémon in tow. 

Many researchers woke up in terror, only to face the grim-faced Team Rocket members and their Pokémon as they underwent interrogation. 

"Report! According to our investigation, aside from Blaine, the escapees include Pokémon research expert Professor Oak and Ryuusuke, the subject of the Mewtwo project. Awaiting further orders, Captain!" 

"Hmph. If it were just Blaine escaping, he might be hard to deal with. But dragging along two deadweights changes everything. Relay my command—the Mewtwo project is nearly complete. Blaine, Professor Oak, and that boy are no longer necessary. Eliminate them, dead or alive. But be careful—Blaine is a Gym Leader. He won't go down easily!" 

"Yes, Captain!" 

The reporting member saluted and quickly left to relay the orders from the facility's highest-ranking officer. 

"You really think Team Rocket wouldn't prepare in advance? Blaine, you've always been under close surveillance. That hasn't changed!" 

The Team Rocket captain removed his white lab coat, revealing the pitch-black uniform emblazoned with the letter 'R.' He put on his cap, grabbed a Poké Ball, and strode out. 

--- 

"Damn it, the plan's gone wrong! I didn't expect Team Rocket to notice so quickly!" 

In a narrow corridor, Ryuusuke and Professor Oak rode swiftly on the back of a Rapidash, its fiery mane flickering like real flames yet radiating only warmth instead of heat. 

Despite its incredible speed, riding it felt surprisingly smooth—even for Ryuusuke, who had never ridden a horse before. 

Beside them, Blaine clung to the back of a massive Arcanine, its towering two-meter frame jostling unsteadily as it ran. Compared to the comfortable ride of Rapidash, Arcanine clearly wasn't the best choice for a mount. 

Seeing its sheer size and muscular build, Ryuusuke was certain that the official Pokémon data was a lie—this beast could probably send a grown man flying with a single charge, shattering bones on impact. 

The situation was worse than expected, but Blaine remained calm. As a seasoned Gym Leader, his strength was enough to defend an entire city. 

He spoke steadily, "…But it's fine. Very few in Team Rocket know the full details of the Mewtwo project, and there are no high-ranking officers stationed here. Our chances of escape are still high!" 

"When I was brought here, I noticed this facility is built underground on a remote island, surrounded by ocean. Blaine, your specialty is Fire-type Pokémon—what's the plan after this?" 

Professor Oak held onto Rapidash firmly while shielding Ryuusuke. Despite being a researcher, he seemed unnervingly experienced in combat situations. 

"Don't worry, I've already considered that. Earlier, I made an excuse to leave the facility and borrowed a powerful Lapras from Misty, the Cerulean City Gym Leader. Even though I don't specialize in Water-types, with Lapras, we can navigate and fight on the open sea. 

To avoid raising suspicion, I didn't bring her in—she's waiting offshore. Once we meet up with her, no ordinary trainer will stand a chance against us out there!" 

Hearing that Blaine had everything prepared, Professor Oak nodded in relief before turning to Ryuusuke. "…Ryuusuke, hold onto Rapidash tightly. Don't worry—as long as we're here, you'll be safe!" 

His tone was grave, carrying a fierce determination to protect the fifteen-year-old boy at all costs. The technology of injecting Pokémon cells into humans had originated from Professor Oak's own research—something he had casually mentioned, never expecting Team Rocket to actually carry out such inhumane experiments. The guilt weighed heavily on him, knowing Ryuusuke had nearly lost his life because of it. 

"Look out—enemies ahead!" 

Blaine's warning came just as two Team Rocket members appeared in the corridor, their Pokémon already poised to attack. 

"Golduck, Poliwhirl—Water Gun!" 

The dopey-looking duck opened its beak, while the frog-like Pokémon raised its hand. Though the move was called "Water Gun," the pressurized jets that shot forth were anything but playful—more like high-powered fire hoses. 

"They prepared this many Water-types just for me?! Ignore them—they're just stalling for reinforcements! Rapidash, charge through! Arcanine—Flamethrower!" 

At Blaine's command, Arcanine unleashed a searing blast of fire without slowing its stride. The narrow corridor instantly turned into an inferno, the heat so intense the air itself seemed to glow red. If not for Rapidash's protection, Ryuusuke's skin would have burned from the sheer temperature. 

While Water-type moves were strong against Fire-types, that was only relative. If the power gap was vast enough, Fire could overpower Water. 

Moreover, Ryuusuke had read enough to know that type advantages only mattered if the attack landed. Even if Water was a hundred times stronger, it meant nothing if it never hit. Energy clashes were simply about raw power—this wasn't a game with hit rates or turn-based combat. Strength was absolute. 

The overwhelming flames vaporized the Water Gun attacks instantly, the residual heat blasting into Golduck and Poliwhirl with a pained screech. The two trainers behind them weren't spared either, their agonized screams ringing out as the flames licked at their bodies. 

Though the Water Gun had weakened the attack slightly, preventing them from being incinerated on the spot, their skin was left covered in grotesque, bubbling burns. 

Blaine and Professor Oak didn't even blink. Rapidash and Arcanine leaped over the fallen trainers and their Pokémon, charging forward without pause. 

As they turned a corner, Ryuusuke glanced back and saw the two Rocket members shakily pulling out syringes—likely burn medication—and injecting themselves. But given their horrific injuries, they were teetering on the brink of death. If not for the risk of being surrounded, Blaine would have undoubtedly finished them off. 

At that moment, Ryuusuke became even more certain—this world was dangerous as hell. 

But the power of Pokémon… was utterly enthralling.

To be continued…