Charon showed no fear at all. His expression remained cold and composed as he spoke.
"You should worry about your current situation instead," Charon said indifferently. "The guards outside have already fallen asleep under Bronzor's Hypnosis. As for the guards inside, they should have been taken care of by Toxicroak by now."
He lifted his chin slightly, his tone filled with confidence.
"Hurry up and hand over the Lustrous Orb. Everything we're doing is for Team Galactic's great plan."
Ash took several steps forward without hesitation and shouted back, "Stop joking around! We're not giving you the Lustrous Orb!"
"That's right!" Dawn stepped forward as well, standing firmly beside Ash.
"Pika!"
"Piplup!"
Pikachu and Piplup rushed to their Trainers' sides at the same time, eyes sharp, bodies tense, ready to fight at any moment.
"What brave children," Professor Carolina said with admiration.
Gary was speechless.
This really wasn't the time to be praising people. He couldn't tell whether Professor Carolina wasn't nervous at all, or whether Cynthia's presence made her feel completely at ease.
"Useless struggle," Charon said coldly. "Bronzor, Hypnosis."
Before the command even fully left his mouth, Gary had already acted.
"Garchomp, Shadow Claw!"
Gary threw a Poké Ball forward.
Bang!
A powerful Garchomp burst out in a flash of white light, its sharp eyes locking onto Bronzor instantly. Dark, ghostly energy gathered around its claws as it lunged forward like a violent storm.
"Garchomp!"
Slash—!
The Shadow Claw struck Bronzor head-on before it could release Hypnosis.
Clang!!
Bronzor was sent flying several meters backward, spinning in midair before slamming into the wall. Its body shook once… and then went completely still.
It was knocked out instantly.
"Oh! Garchomp?!"
"Gary, you actually have Garchomp?!"
Ash, Dawn, and Brock all cried out in shock. None of them had expected Gary to have already subdued such a powerful Dragon-type Pokémon.
"Annoying brat," Charon said impatiently. "You again. Last time in Veilstone City, it was also you two."
Cynthia stepped forward calmly.
"Garchomp… come forth."
She tossed her Poké Ball lightly.
Bang!
A far more imposing Garchomp appeared, landing heavily on the ground. Its presence alone caused the air in the hall to feel heavier.
[LV76 Garchomp / Quasi-Legend]
Gary glanced at Cynthia's Garchomp.
It was more than twenty levels higher than his own Garchomp—and even one level higher than Lance's Dragonite from years ago.
Of course, Lance's Dragonite had been level 75 three years ago. After so much time, it was almost certain that its level had increased further and would not be inferior to Cynthia's Garchomp now.
Cynthia turned to Officer Jenny and said calmly, "Miss Jenny, we'll hold them here. Please take the Lustrous Orb and retreat."
"Understood," Officer Jenny replied seriously. "You must be careful."
Cynthia then added, "Grandma, and Mr. Cyrus, please leave immediately."
"I understand," Professor Carolina nodded.
Cyrus lowered his head slightly, his voice filled with guilt. "I'm truly sorry, Professor. I've dragged you into this."
"It's fine," Professor Carolina said lightly. "Leave it to my granddaughter—and these brave children as well."
She had complete faith in Cynthia's strength. And with Ash, Gary, and the others here, especially Gary, there was no reason to worry.
"This way!" Officer Jenny said quickly.
She didn't choose to retreat along the same route. Instead, she led everyone toward another exit.
But just as they turned—
Five figures in Team Galactic uniforms appeared, blocking the path completely.
They formed a tight formation, cutting off the retreat route.
Among them stood a red-haired executive at the front. After causing the explosion at the Celestic Ruins, he had rushed here to regroup with the main force. Facing Cynthia, Team Galactic dared not underestimate her and had dispatched nearly all available personnel.
Crash! Bang!!
Suddenly, the glass ceiling above the hall shattered.
A short blue figure dropped down from the broken window, landing right between Ash and Brock.
Before anyone could react, another figure followed immediately.
A Toxicroak leapt down, its crimson claws gleaming as it punched straight toward the blue figure's abdomen.
Bang!!
"Croa—!!"
The blue figure was sent flying backward. Its eyes turned white as it collapsed to the ground, fainting instantly.
It was Toxicroak.
And standing there calmly was Croagunk.
Gary was stunned.
Croagunk had just taken down a much stronger Toxicroak in a single hit.
It seemed that Toxicroak had provoked it earlier, and Croagunk had remembered the insult very clearly. The moment it found the chance, it struck without mercy.
Everyone froze for a moment.
Although Team Galactic's Pokémon weren't particularly high-level, there were simply too many of them. More than twenty Pokémon in total—it wouldn't be an easy fight.
"For all of us, fighting like this is meaningless," Charon said coldly. "Stop resisting and hand over the Lustrous Orb."
"I don't care what your plans are," Cynthia replied, her voice firm and cold. "But Sinnoh's national treasure will never be handed over to you."
She raised her Poké Ball again.
"Come forth—Gastrodon."
Bang!
A large Gastrodon emerged, its body radiating calm yet overwhelming pressure.
[LV73 Gastrodon / Champion]
Gastrodon, a Pokémon of the fourth generation, possessed Water and Ground typing, a vast move pool, and the powerful Storm Drain Ability. It was widely known as a natural counter to Water-type attacks.
"Garchomp, Stone Edge," Gary ordered without hesitation.
"Gar!"
Garchomp roared as sharp stone pillars burst from the ground, slamming into the surrounding Golbat.
Several Golbat were knocked out instantly.
"It's strong," Professor Carolina muttered. "But it's still far inferior to my granddaughter's Garchomp."
Gary: "......"
Even now, the old lady still had the mood to belittle him.
"Since you refuse to hand it over," Charon said coldly, "we'll take it by force."
"Toxicroak—Dark Pulse!"
The remaining Team Galactic members also issued commands, and the Golbat swarmed forward.
In an instant, the entire hall erupted into chaos.
However, neither side dared to use their full strength.
If they did, the Historical Research Center would collapse. More importantly, the Lustrous Orb was still here. If it were damaged, it would benefit no one.
Smoke, shockwaves, and flashes of light filled the hall.
And within this chaos—
Team Rocket finally made their move.
They had been waiting for this exact moment.
"It's finally happening," Gary thought quietly, watching closely.
Jessie, James, and Meowth slipped through the confusion, quietly approaching the transport cart.
They grabbed the Lustrous Orb and rushed toward the window.
"What are you doing with the Lustrous Orb?!" Officer Jenny shouted sharply.
Everyone froze.
At the mention of the Lustrous Orb, all eyes turned toward the trio.
Jessie and James stood stiffly, completely stunned.
James, holding the Lustrous Orb, panicked. His hands slipped, and the orb slid off his head, falling straight toward the ground.
"Meowth!"
Meowth reacted instantly, leaping forward and catching the Lustrous Orb midair.
Everyone let out a collective sigh of relief.
Team Galactic did the same. If the Lustrous Orb were destroyed, their entire plan would fail.
"Nice catch, Meowth!"
"Yeah, that was close!"
"So dangerous, meow…"
The Team Rocket trio wiped sweat from their brows.
"What? That Meowth can talk?!" Professor Carolina exclaimed in shock.
Although Meowth speaking was shocking, the real focus remained the Lustrous Orb.
"Meowth… uh… then again—"
"You're Team Rocket!" Ash shouted.