As Team Rocket retreated down the corridor, Gengar's mischievous smirk widened from the shadows.
The eerie wind, the ghostly laughter it was all Gengar. Just a few minor tricks to scare the intruders.
But he hadn't expected them to be that easy to spook. They'd bolted like frightened Meowths after just a single scare!
Gengar shrugged and shook his head at Kai. "Seriously? And they call themselves Team Rocket? That was just sad. Total embarrassment to their name."
Kai sighed. "Enough fooling around. Let's run them out before they cause any real trouble."
They hurried off in pursuit, but the three bumbling Rockets rattled and, fleeing blindly, stumbled right into trouble.
By sheer dumb luck, Jessie, James, and Meowth ended up at the door to Maya's chambers. Their eyes lit up.
They barged inside without hesitation.
Kai had just reached the doorway when a scream tore through the air from inside—
Without pause, Kai kicked the door open and charged in. Under the soft moonlight, he saw a scene of chaos: Maya and Jessie locked in a tug-of-war over the golden ceremonial staff.
Each clutched it with both hands, straining in opposite directions. James and Meowth stood awkwardly at the side, clearly unsure if they should even be involved.
As Kai burst in, both sides froze.
James turned pale, his voice shaking with panic. They had just found the staff. Why was Kai already here!?
Maya, on the other hand, lit up with relief. "Kai! They're trying to steal the Sea Soul! Stop them!"
Perhaps it was the adrenaline of seeing him, but Maya's strength surged and she yanked the staff closer toward herself.
Jessie stumbled. She hadn't expected that burst of strength and seeing Kai only made her more frantic. "Damn it! Why is this woman suddenly so strong!?"
Kai advanced, eyes locked on them.
Jessie panicked. "Hey! Don't just stand there! James! Meowth! Do something!!"
"Us?" James blinked. "You want us to fight him?! That's KAI!"
"Just shut up and stall him! I need this staff!" Jessie shouted through gritted teeth, still struggling against Maya.
Grumbling, James, and Meowth stepped between her and Kai.
James summoned Weezing, while Meowth readied his claws, sparks dancing between his paws.
But Gengar stepped forward, radiating menace.
Even before the fight started, Weezing and Meowth instinctively backed up.
Meowth caught himself and roared, trying to psych up. He lunged at Gengar.
Gengar didn't even flinch.
With a sidestep and a single flick of his tongue Lick, he paralyzed Meowth on the spot, leaving the poor feline twitching.
James winced. "...That was fast."
Still, he had to try.
"Weezing! Sludge Bomb!"
The blob of toxic goo launched forward but Gengar calmly charged a shadowy sphere in his palm.
Shadow Ball ripped through the Sludge Bomb and slammed straight into Weezing, sending it flying into the wall.
Both Pokémon were down in seconds.
James didn't even pretend to be brave. He dove behind Jessie, trembling.
"You useless cowards!!" Jessie shrieked, still fighting Maya for control of the staff.
But with Gengar closing in, her face twisted. She knew it was over.
With a frustrated growl, she finally released the staff and reached into her belt not for Poké Balls, but for two small orbs.
Kai recognized them just as they hit the floor with a clatter.
A thick, blinding cloud of smoke erupted.
Kai coughed, staggering backward and shielding his eyes.
At first, he assumed they were simply trying to escape.
Maya's voice. Sharp. Frightened.
By the time the smoke cleared, the room was wrecked—and empty.
Jessie, James, Meowth, Weezing... Maya...
Even the golden staff was missing.
Kai dashed through the broken window onto the temple balcony.
There drifting into the sky on a makeshift hot air balloon was Team Rocket. He could faintly hear Jessie's signature laugh echoing in the wind.
Kai exhaled slowly, a wry smile curling at his lips.
"Well... guess I shouldn't be surprised."
He wasn't furious. Just... mildly annoyed.
They were persistent, he'd give them that.
That was bold even for Jessie.
Still shaking his head, Kai grabbed a Poké Ball from his belt and tossed it high.
In a burst of light, Charizard soared out, wings unfurling in the moonlight.
"Let's go," he whispered.
With a powerful beat of its wings, Charizard shot off into the night, chasing the balloon through the starlit sky.
Don't forget to drop some PowerStones!💎💎💎
For early access to advanced chapters on p@treon.
Thank you so much for your support and for reading!