At the command of Hayate, the members of the escort team confronted the Team Rocket.
"Three of you, focus on protecting the Pokémon eggs in the car," Yuga said to Beidou and the other two.
"Yes!" The three of them responded in unison, then quickly ran towards the vehicle.
At this moment, Yuga summoned his Florges, "Florges!"
Florges understood instantly. Several vines emerged from the ground and swiftly bound the nearby Team Rocket members who were attempting to tamper with the Pokémon eggs in the vehicle.
Meanwhile, Hayate and Tyson faced off.
Tyson's two Fearows were fierce, with sharp beaks resembling drills, attacking Hayate's Pidgeot.
However, Tyson's strength still fell short compared to Hayate's. Even though it hadn't reached the level of a pseudo-Elite. As soon as Tyson's two Fearows rushed forward, they were quickly blown away by the powerful gusts created by Hayate's Pidgeot.
The two Fearows were sent tumbling, feathers scattered, struggling to get back on their feet.
Not one to show mercy, Hayate saw that Tyson's Fearows had fallen, and he immediately ordered his Pidgeot to capture Tyson.
Just as Pidgeot was about to seize Tyson, a purple figure shot out from the nearby woods, landing on Pidgeot's back, causing it to crash to the ground.
As Pidgeot screeched and landed, Hayate finally saw that the purple figure was a sturdy Arbok.
At this time, Arbok was tightly wrapped around the neck of Pidgeot. Pidgeot's eyes were bulging due to the strangulation, its mouth was wide open, and it was panting hard. Its two wings kept flapping the ground. But he just couldn't break free from the shackles of the Abo monster.
After that, a young man with long, deep blue hair emerged from the woods, giving Tyson a stern look.
"No use! Don't be a hindrance here," the young man said firmly.
Tyson's face stiffened, "Yes, Captain Pierce." He then took his two Fearows and went to help other Team Rocket members.
While the Team Rocket grunts wore black masks to hide their identities, the leaders like Captain Pierce had no need to conceal themselves. They were well-known figures on the League's wanted list.
"You're from Team Rocket!" Hayate stated firmly as he looked at Captain Pierce.
Although Team Rocket wasn't a known presence in the Hoenn, the staff at the Pidgey Express worldwide knew about various evil organizations worldwide because these organizations might target them someday.
Team Rocket was well-known in Johto and Kanto, and even the League couldn't deal with them. They were indeed a powerful criminal organization, the true rulers of darkness.
Compared to Team Rocket, the Team Aqua and the Team Magma in the Hoenn region were like a mere small fry.
"Correct! Impressive, as expected of the young boss of Pidgey Express, you are well-informed," Captain Pierce said with a smile.
"But shouldn't you be more concerned about your Pidgeot first?" Captain Pierce pointed at the struggling Pidgeot on the ground, which was still bound by Arbok's vines.
This Arbok was also a pseudo-Elite level Pokémon, and it seemed even stronger than Hayate's Pidgeot.
"Pidgeot, Uproar!" Hayate ordered.
Upon hearing its trainer's command, Pidgeot opened its mouth and emitted a series of loud, piercing cries. The close-range sound waves tortured Arbok's ears, forcing it to release its grip on Pidgeot's neck.
Upon regaining its freedom, Pidgeot quickly ascended into the air. After stabilizing itself, it launched Razor Wind attacks towards the Arbok on the ground, but the Arbok agilely evaded them all.
The Arbok's body was incredibly flexible, allowing it to effortlessly dodge Pidgeot's Razor Wind by twisting its body.
Meanwhile, Yuga, having thrown the Team Rocket members near the vehicle out of the battle, assessed the situation on the battlefield. He decided to assist Hayate by taking down the pseudo-Elite level Team Rocket member on the opposite side.
Team Rocket had a significantly larger number of members compared to the escort team. If they didn't quickly eliminate the leader, Yuga feared their rescue mission would fail.
Just as Yuga took a step forward, intending to bring Florges to Hayate's aid, a Dark Pulse descended from the sky and struck the ground beneath Yuga's feet, halting his progress.
"Oh my, I didn't expect the Verdanturf Gym Leader to get involved in this mess," a crisp female voice sounded in Yuga's ears.
Yuga looked up and saw a woman dressed in a white uniform, holding the foot of a Honchkrow, descending from the sky and landing on the roof of a nearby vehicle.
The white uniform was reserved for high-ranking Team Rocket officers.
"Ariana?" Yuga muttered the name quietly.
Yuga had never known Ariana personally, not in his past life nor his current one. He only became aware of her from the League's wanted list after becoming a Gym Leader.
Ariana was one of Team Rocket's Four Executives and one of the top-ranking individuals on the League's wanted list.
"Ah, am I really that famous? Even the Gym Trainers from Verdanturf recognize me?" Ariana chuckled while covering her mouth.
Ariana had fiery red semi-long hair and a voluptuous figure, giving off a somewhat seductive vibe.
"But even if you recognize me, you can't pass through today," she continued, taking out a Poké Ball and releasing an Arbok. Then, together with her Honchkrow, they advanced towards Yuga.
As one of Team Rocket's most formidable Four Executives, Ariana was undoubtedly a Pokémon Trainer of Elite level.
The Honchkrow had wings radiating with dark energy and used Feint Attack, diving straight from the sky towards Yuga's head.
If this Honchkrow's wing made contact, Yuga's head and neck would be separated.
Before the Honchkrow could approach Yuga, however, Gengar emerged from Yuga's shadow. With both hands grabbing Yuga's armpits, Gengar swiftly moved him, narrowly avoiding the Honchkrow's attack.
With the Honchkrow's attack missing, Ariana's other Pokémon, Arbok, like a guided missile, leaped from the roof and charged at Yuga, who was being held by Gengar.
Ariana's attacks were ruthless, nearly lethal every time. All of her moves were directed at Yuga, the Pokémon Trainer.
The Arbok employed the move Poison Jab, its body radiating a dense purple glow. It seemed as though touching it would cause instant corrosion.
Gengar, however, was incredibly fast. With Yuga in its grasp, it swiftly landed on the ground, and at Yuga's side, Florges positioned herself, launching a strong Psychic attack.
Before Arbok could get near Yuga, it was blown away by Florges's powerful Psychic force.