Team Rocket's Second-in-Command!

For her second Pokémon, Karen chose Gengar.

The chubby Gengar appeared on the battlefield with a wicked grin plastered across its face.

Sizing up its opponent, Gengar swayed its short, rounded claws before lunging forward with [Shadow Claw] toward Blastoise.

Facing the incoming attack, Blastoise had no intention of taking the hit head-on.

It was self-aware enough to know that in its current condition, another direct blow—especially from [Shadow Claw]—would likely knock it out completely.

So, without hesitation, Blastoise dodged to the side, out of [Shadow Claw]’s reach.

But it didn’t realize... it had just fallen into Gengar’s trap.

Seeing Blastoise’s reaction, Gengar’s grin widened into a satisfied smirk.

It had deliberately left this opening.

And just as expected, Blastoise took the bait.

Now, time for the second step.

From behind its back, Gengar suddenly revealed a hidden hand. In its palm, a [Shadow Ball] had been charging, pulsating with dark energy.

In one swift motion, Gengar hurled the sphere forward.

Blastoise, still in the midst of dodging [Shadow Claw], had no idea a [Shadow Ball] was flying straight toward it.

Not that it would have made a difference even if it had noticed.

From the sidelines, Gary had a clearer view of the battlefield than Blastoise did. He immediately saw how his Pokémon was now trapped between [Shadow Claw] and [Shadow Ball].

But there was nothing he could do about it.

Blastoise had no way out.

It had to choose—take the [Shadow Claw] or take the [Shadow Ball].

And in its current state, either one would knock it out.

Besides, even if Gary had shouted a warning, there wasn’t enough time for Blastoise to react.

With no room to escape, Blastoise crashed straight into the [Shadow Ball].

Boom!

A loud explosion erupted as the attack detonated.

Blastoise was completely engulfed in the blast.

And then...

Then it was over.

"Blastoise is unable to battle!" the referee announced after assessing the situation.

Gary, who had already braced himself for this outcome, recalled Blastoise.

Without hesitation, he sent out his third Pokémon—Golduck!

"Gary has chosen Golduck! A Water-type Pokémon with access to a variety of Psychic-type moves—this could be an excellent counter against Gengar!" the commentator explained enthusiastically.

Water-types were neutral to Ghost-type moves, and Golduck’s Psychic-type attacks were super effective against Gengar’s Poison-typing.

A strong tactical choice.

But team composition was only one part of a battle.

Victory wasn’t guaranteed by type advantages alone.

...

Twenty minutes later...

"Golduck is unable to battle!" the referee declared.

"Damn it!"

Gary clenched his fists as he looked at his fallen Golduck—then back at the grinning Gengar on the other side.

This was, without a doubt, the most shameless Gengar he had ever encountered.

It had never fought Golduck head-on.

Instead, it kept kiting Golduck, using its superior speed to stay out of reach.

Every time Golduck launched a [Psychic], Gengar would dart far away.

And the moment Golduck retracted its psychic energy, Gengar would close in, harassing it with [Shadow Claw] and [Shadow Ball] from a safe distance.

At first, Gary hadn’t been too concerned.

Since Gengar’s attacks were meant to chip away at Golduck rather than outright overpower it, the damage wasn’t significant at first.

But what he hadn’t anticipated...

Was that this was the entire strategy.

Gengar didn’t change its approach—not once.

It simply kept up the same relentless cycle, patiently whittling away at Golduck’s stamina.

This match had been the most frustrating battle Gary had ever fought.

And yet, when Golduck finally collapsed, alongside his anger at Karen’s underhanded tactics...

There was also a strange sense of relief.

He didn’t want to fight another battle like this.

Not again.

Gary scowled at the mischievous Gengar, who was now sticking its tongue out at him, making faces.

Enjoy it while you can. Let’s see who’s laughing next.

He grabbed his fourth Poké Ball and tossed it forward.

With a flash of white light, a Scizor—its crimson armor gleaming—appeared on the battlefield.

The moment it landed, Scizor fixed its sharp, steely gaze on Gengar.

It could feel Gary’s frustration toward this opponent.

Without wasting a second, Gary reached into his pocket and pulled out his [Keystone].

"Scizor!"

At his call, Scizor tensed, ready for what was coming.

Gary pressed his hand against the [Keystone]—

A burst of radiant energy flared out.

The colorful light wrapped around Scizor’s body.

The crowd murmured in confusion.

Many spectators didn’t understand what was happening.

Which was completely normal—after all, [Mega Evolution] had not yet become widely known. Only a few had even heard of it.

Fortunately, the tournament’s commentators had done their research beforehand. They quickly explained [Mega Evolution] to the audience.

Watching from the stands, Luo Yuan was quite pleased.

With Gary serving as a walking advertisement, Johto’s understanding of [Mega Evolution] would increase significantly.

Which meant...

Team Rocket’s [Mega Stones] would sell even better.

Unaware that he had just become an unintentional billboard, Gary focused solely on the battle.

As the dazzling glow surrounding Scizor faded, Mega Scizor stood revealed.

Compared to its previous form, its armor appeared even more formidable.

During Gary’s last battle against Luo Yuan, Scizor’s armor had cracked due to rapid heating and cooling. But thanks to Luo Yuan’s [Viridian Power], it had fully recovered.

That entire process had been like a forging ritual.

Now, its armor was tougher than ever before.

Across the battlefield, Karen’s expression turned slightly... complicated.

Not because she was intimidated.

But because that very [Mega Stone] used to evolve Scizor...

Had been transported by her.

It had come from New Island’s research facility, shipped by her to Johto, and then placed by her on the shelves of the Goldenrod Game Corner.

And now, here it was again.

What a small world.

Since Gary had gone all-in with [Mega Evolution], Karen saw no reason to hold back either.

As a Team Rocket Executive, she had been one of the first—aside from Luo Yuan, Giovanni, and Sabrina—to be equipped with a [Mega Stone].

Karen reached into her pocket and pulled out an earring, fastening it onto her ear.

Then, she called out to her Gengar.

In an instant, Gengar was engulfed in a radiant light.

Its form shifted.

Mega Gengar emerged from the glow.

Mega Scizor vs. Mega Gengar!

Gary froze in shock at the sight.

Up until now, he had assumed he was the only one who had mastered [Mega Evolution].

He had even treated it as his secret weapon.

But here he was, in the Top 16...

And he had already run into another Trainer who could do the same.

Despite his surprise, the battle wasn’t over.

Gary snapped back to reality, locking his focus on the battlefield.

His mind raced.

She must have gotten her [Mega Stone] recently.

Meanwhile, I’ve already had a full practice battle against Luo Yuan.

When it comes to familiarity with [Mega Evolution]—

I should have the upper hand.

Confidence surged within him.

"Mega Scizor, attack!"