The Champion-level Gigantamax Grimmsnarl loomed into view, its overwhelming Dark-type energy radiating outward like a storm cloud, turning the sky above almost pitch black. Its monstrous face and enormous frame pressed down on everyone like a physical weight. Both Meyer and Ocean felt their expressions harden.
Lapras, Corviknight, Grimmsnarl — this was already the third Gigantamax Pokémon.
Meyer's jaw tightened. If he hadn't brought his exceptionally powerful Mega Swampert, their odds in this fight would have been very poor.
Then, just at that moment, "White Gloves" Layne produced a Poké Ball and flung it forward.
Fairy-type energy surged high into the air as Gigantamax Hatterene materialized, her entire body wrapped in a blazing aura of Fairy energy, like a towering witch standing against the heavens.
A fourth Gigantamax Pokémon?!
The sight of four Gigantamax Pokémon in one place drained the color from both Meyer and Ocean's faces. Standing off to the side, Whitney and Edwin were equally shaken to their core.
Only now did they truly believe that "Giovanni" had been telling the truth. He really had unlocked the secret of Gigantamax — and they found themselves believing his promise even more firmly.
Any executive of Team Rocket who proved themselves worthy would be granted a Pokémon with Eternal Gigantamax — a permanent, unending power.
Edwin clenched his teeth. If they made it through this, he would claim one of those powerful Eternal Gigantamax Pokémon for himself. And then there was Alto Mare to think about.
Even if these four Gigantamax Pokémon couldn't stand against Mega Swampert, escaping should still be within reach.
Jacob was caught off guard. He turned to look at Layne, puzzled. Hadn't Gigantamax Hatterene been with Raya? Why did Layne have it now?
Layne, hidden behind his "White Gloves" mask, felt Jacob's gaze but paid it no mind. He said coolly, "The rest of you, fall back behind Gigantamax Corviknight. We'll hold the rear."
The reason Layne had Gigantamax Hatterene was simple: Raya was worried about Jacob.
Ever since becoming a mother, Raya had grown quietly anxious about the people she cared for. Even knowing Jacob had prepared thoroughly, she couldn't stop herself from fretting. So she had quietly asked Layne to bring Gigantamax Hatterene along — just in case.
It was better if they never needed it. But if things truly turned dangerous, Hatterene might be the one thing that saved Jacob's life.
"Long," Jacob said, glancing over. He had almost used a different name. "Take… Syl… Phoenix and go ahead." The real name had nearly slipped out, but he caught himself, using the codename instead.
"Understood." Nina gave a short nod. She knew there wasn't much she could contribute here. She turned to Sylvia beside her. "Let's move."
"Mm." Sylvia nodded, but her eyes stayed on Jacob for a moment longer. A faint trace of worry flickered in her gaze — and alongside it, a quiet longing stirred in her heart. If she had a Gigantamax Pokémon of her own, she could stand beside Jacob instead of being someone he had to protect.
The life they had built together had not come easily. She treasured it more than anyone. She would not let anyone take it from her.
"Giovanni." Meyer faced Team Rocket at full force with no fear on his face — only a measured, confident smile. "Your strength is impressive. But we are not truly enemies. Imagine what we could accomplish if Team Rocket's power stood alongside mine."
He spread his arms slightly, his voice carrying an almost magnetic quality. "Join with me. Let us shape this world together."
Jacob listened to Meyer's smooth words and felt the corner of his mouth pull into a cold smirk.
He could work alongside many people. But not Meyer. Never Meyer.
From their very first meeting, Meyer's attitude toward him had shifted again and again, impossible to read. A man like that — one who would bend any rule and cross any line to reach his goals — was not someone Jacob could ever trust at his back. Beyond that, Meyer was the Champion of the British Empire, yet he carried no loyalty toward his nation. His eyes only ever held his own ambitions. He simply wanted to reign over Great Britain as its king.
Partnering with someone that self-serving would be no different from trying to tame a Gyarados barehanded.
"I don't cooperate with people like you," Jacob said with a quiet, humorless laugh, shaking his head.
Meyer didn't look offended in the slightest. A faint smile stayed on his face. "Mock me if you like. You are no different from me. But since that's settled — let's get started. It has been quite a while since I've been able to fight at full strength."
"Swampert! Full-power Waterfall!"
"Metagross, Meteor Mash!"
"Duraludon, Thunderbolt!"
"Gliscor, Knock Off!"
"Klefki, use Taunt on Lapras!"
"Ferrothorn, Leech Seed!"
"Gholdengo, Make It Rain!"
Meyer's commands rang out in rapid succession, and every Pokémon moved at once.
Mega Swampert surged forward, its thick arms churning with water energy. It launched itself like a missile, closing the distance at a terrifying pace. The blue shape cut through the air so fast that it was barely more than a blur — like a streak of light too quick for the eye to follow.
Faced with the Champion-level Mega Swampert's charge, Jacob didn't hesitate for even a moment. He called out immediately, voice sharp and clear: "Grimmsnarl — cover us! Max Guard!"
Mega Swampert was fast, but Grimmsnarl's Prankster Ability gave it a different kind of speed — the kind that moved before any other Pokémon could react.
Normal-type energy surged out in an instant, and Gigantamax Grimmsnarl erected a towering barrier in front of the group, shielding them completely.
BOOM.
A tremendous force crashed into the Max Guard — and shattered it clean through.
The Max Guard had broken?
But even so, it had done its job. The barrier held just long enough to absorb Mega Swampert's crushing blow, protecting everyone behind it.
Meanwhile, Meyer's other Pokémon were already in motion.
Klefki dashed forward and used Taunt directly on Gigantamax Lapras — its clear goal being to lock Lapras out of using Perish Song. And that goal made perfect sense. Gigantamax Lapras's Perish Song was simply unfair in a battle of this scale. Once that move rang out, every Pokémon on the field — save for the peak Champion-level Mega Swampert — would be forced to switch out or risk fainting within three turns. Meyer had clearly done his homework, and he was not about to give Lapras a free opportunity to use it.
Metagross, Duraludon, Gliscor, and Ferrothorn all struck according to their trainer's orders.
"Whitney, Edwin — stop them," Jacob called out.
"Got it," both of them answered at once, directing their own Pokémon forward.
"Baxcalibur, Glaive Rush!" Edwin commanded, sending Baxcalibur crashing into the fray. At the same time, he reached for a second Poké Ball and released his other trusted Pokémon — a Champion-level Ursaring.
"Ursaring, Fake Out!"
Jacob watched Edwin send out his second Pokémon and take the offensive without any hesitation. Something in his chest loosened just a little.
He had worried, if only briefly, that after seeing Meyer's raw power, Edwin and Whitney might start reconsidering their loyalties.
Edwin stepping forward to attack on his own put most of those doubts to rest.