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"I'm so full! That was an amazing meal, meow!" Meowth patted his rounded belly contentedly, purring with satisfaction. The feast they had just enjoyed was truly exceptional, and he couldn't remember the last time he had eaten so well.
"You know, when I think about it, our recent failure was really just bad luck," James remarked, also patting his stomach as he leaned back against a nearby tree. His confidence had returned in full force now that they were away from immediate danger. "After all, we weren't the only ones who had trouble when we encountered that particular trainer."
"Hmph! Don't even mention that guy," Jessie snapped, waving her hand dismissively. Despite her irritated tone, there was a hint of grudging respect in her voice. "Just think about it - even the three Team Rocket executives couldn't get the better of him when they faced off. It's perfectly normal that we would fail when going up against someone like that."
She crossed her arms and lifted her chin proudly, her confidence building as she spoke. "So really, we're actually quite powerful! As long as Team Rocket doesn't run into that specific trainer, we're practically invincible!"
The trio's spirits were indeed high, and rightfully so. Their latest scheme had been remarkably successful up to this point. Not only had they managed to capture a substantial number of evolved Pokémon, but they had also acquired a considerable collection of valuable Evolution Stones. The potential rewards from turning in such a haul would undoubtedly earn them recognition and praise from their superiors.
If only they could actually make it back to turn everything in, it would represent their greatest achievement to date. The key phrase being "if only they could make it back."
Unfortunately, their timing couldn't have been worse. If they had chosen a different escape route, or perhaps decided against stopping for this impromptu picnic, or even simply returned to base for their meal instead of celebrating in the wilderness, their operation might have concluded as the resounding success it had initially appeared to be.
"What a shame, really. Don't you agree, Eevee? Gardevoir?" Eddie's voice cut through their self-congratulatory conversation as he stepped into view from behind a cluster of trees.
When he spotted the three Team Rocket members and observed the iron cage filled with captured Pokémon, the situation became immediately clear to him. Seeing the trio in such high spirits, completely absorbed in fantasizing about their triumphant return, he couldn't help but shake his head with a mixture of amusement and pity.
"Hey! Who goes there? You dare to interrupt Team Rocket when we're—" James began his standard intimidation routine, his voice sharp and authoritative. His hearing had always been keen, and since Eddie made no attempt to conceal his presence, James immediately whirled around to confront the intruder.
However, his aggressive posturing came to an abrupt halt midway through his declaration. As soon as James caught sight of who exactly had approached them, his face drained of all color, turning an alarming shade of pale white. The confident words died in his throat.
"James, what's gotten into you? It's just some random passerby. Are you seriously going to be intimidated by—" Jessie started to scold her partner for his apparent cowardice, turning to look at the newcomer herself.
"Why is Jessie acting strange too? What's wrong with you both, meow?" Meowth chimed in, initially assuming this was just another ordinary trainer they could easily handle.
But as both Jessie and Meowth turned to get their first good look at Eddie, their reactions proved no better than James's had been. Cold sweat immediately broke out across their foreheads, their faces went ashen, and their bodies began trembling involuntarily.
"Look at you three now," Eddie said with a knowing smile, clearly enjoying their dramatic change in demeanor. "Weren't you all so proud and confident just moments ago? Why the sudden change of attitude when you see me?"
He began walking casually toward the iron cage containing the captured Pokémon, his movements deliberate and unhurried.
"Gardevoir, use Confusion," Eddie commanded without breaking stride.
The elegant Psychic-type Pokémon immediately responded to her trainer's instruction. With a subtle gesture and a focused concentration of psychic energy, Gardevoir applied her telekinetic powers to the metal bars of the cage. The iron bars twisted and bent under the supernatural force, creating a large opening in the structure.
Instantly, the imprisoned Pokémon began streaming out of their makeshift prison. One by one, they emerged and quickly positioned themselves behind Eddie, instinctively recognizing him as their liberator. These Pokémon were clever enough to understand that if they wanted to return safely to their natural habitats, their best chance lay in staying close to this powerful trainer.
After completing this rescue operation, Eddie turned his attention back to the Team Rocket trio, only to find himself genuinely amused by what he saw. Not only had the three criminals made no attempt to prevent him from freeing their captives, but they were now obviously trying to sneak away from the scene as quietly and inconspicuously as possible.
Unfortunately for them, the Eevee perched on Eddie's head had been keeping a watchful eye on their movements from the very beginning. The small Evolution Pokémon leaped down from his elevated position and, in a brilliant flash of light, transformed into Flareon. Without hesitation, the Fire-type unleashed a swirling Flame Vortex that completely encircled the three would-be escapees.
"B-Boss, please! Could you find it in your heart to let us go this time?" James stammered, immediately dropping to his knees in the classic begging position that had become their signature move when facing overwhelming odds.
"Yeah, that's right! We haven't really done anything too terrible this time, have we? Just pretend you never saw us and let us walk away," Jessie pleaded, joining James in his undignified but potentially life-saving posture.
"Please, meow! I really don't want to go flying through the air again, meow!" Meowth added his own desperate plea to the chorus. "It doesn't feel cold when we're launched into the sky, but the landing is always so painful, meow!"
The familiar sight of the kneeling, begging Team Rocket trio appeared before Eddie once again. Even now, facing certain defeat, they still lacked the courage to actually battle him directly. Their only hope was that he might show mercy and simply let them escape without the usual painful consequences.
"Now, now, don't be so formal about this," Eddie replied with a bright, cheerful smile that somehow managed to be both friendly and slightly menacing. "We're old acquaintances by this point, aren't we?"
He gestured for Gardevoir to step forward, and the Psychic-type gracefully moved to his side.
"Here's what we're going to do," Eddie continued in the same pleasant tone. "Just like that time with Eevee, I want you to send out your Pokémon to battle against my Gardevoir here. If you manage to win, I'll let you go free without any further punishment."
The three Team Rocket members' initial instinct was to refuse this seemingly generous offer. However, they quickly realized that outright rejection would likely result in the same painful launching they were trying to avoid, so perhaps accepting the challenge was actually their better option.
Moreover, as they studied Gardevoir more carefully, they noticed that her aura didn't seem overwhelmingly powerful. She appeared to be a Pokémon that had only recently reached the advanced level - maybe, just maybe, they actually had a chance of victory.
"Forget this! We're going to get blasted off anyway if we refuse," Jessie declared, her natural impulsiveness taking over. "Why not give it a shot and see what happens!"
"Come out, Arbok! Use Acid!" she shouted, releasing her signature Poison-type Pokémon and immediately launching into an aggressive attack strategy.
"I was expecting you might choose Lickitung instead," Eddie commented thoughtfully, observing the large purple serpent as it prepared its attack. "Can't you see that Gardevoir is a Psychic-type? That gives her a significant type advantage."
He shrugged casually. "But I suppose it doesn't really matter in the end. Gardevoir, dodge the attack and counter with Psybeam!"
Gardevoir maintained her composed expression as she faced the incoming assault. With perfect timing, she used Teleport to instantly relocate herself, effortlessly avoiding the corrosive acid attack that splashed harmlessly where she had been standing just moments before.
From her new position, the Psychic-type immediately retaliated by firing a concentrated beam of psychic energy directly at Arbok. The supereffective attack struck the Poison-type with devastating force, causing the serpent Pokémon to cry out in agony before collapsing to the ground. At only level 26, Arbok stood no chance against Gardevoir's level 30 prowess and type advantage.
"Not again! We can't lose like this!" Jessie cried out in frustration, watching her partner writhe in pain. "James, stop standing there and help me!"
"Right! Come out, Victreebel! Use Vine Whip!" James responded immediately, rushing to support his teammate by releasing his own Pokémon without any concern for the concept of a fair one-on-one battle.
When Victreebel emerged from its Poké Ball, it initially moved to perform its habitual greeting of trying to swallow James's head whole. However, the Grass-type quickly noticed Eevee nearby - the same Eevee that had defeated it in their previous encounter. This sight immediately caused Victreebel to abandon its playful antics and focus seriously on the battle at hand.
The Flycatcher Pokémon lashed out with its powerful vines, attempting to ensnare Gardevoir with its signature move. However, before Eddie could even issue a command, Gardevoir had already taken action. Once again utilizing Teleport, she vanished from her original position and reappeared directly behind the surprised Victreebel.
With her opponent having no time to react or defend itself, Gardevoir delivered a devastating uppercut-style Fire Punch that sent Victreebel flying through the air. While Gardevoir's physical attack statistics weren't her strongest attribute, and Victreebel's defensive capabilities were mediocre at best, the blow still packed enough force to cause significant damage.
The Fire Punch alone wasn't enough to completely defeat Victreebel, but it certainly left the Grass-type badly injured and disoriented. As Victreebel hung suspended in the air from the force of the impact, Gardevoir pressed her advantage and followed up with a precisely aimed Psybeam.
With a pitiful cry of defeat, Victreebel crashed heavily to the ground, finally succumbing to the overwhelming power difference between itself and its opponent.
"Did I choose the wrong opponents for this?" Eddie wondered aloud, watching the completely one-sided battle unfold before him with growing disappointment. "Why are you all still so incredibly weak?"
He had originally hoped that this encounter might provide Gardevoir with some valuable battle experience and training, but it was becoming clear that he had severely overestimated Team Rocket's current capabilities. The crushing nature of the battle had made it thoroughly boring rather than educational.
"I'm starting to think I should have just blasted you off from the very beginning instead of bothering with this charade," Eddie muttered, shaking his head in mild frustration at the anticlimactic nature of their confrontation.