“Slowbro might spoil you, but we won’t!”

Without delay, it was time to act.

Lorelei was caught off guard by the sudden appearance of Snorlax and Kadabra. Her instinctive reaction was to reach for the Poké Balls at her waist, preparing for battle, but Kadabra’s Disable seized control of her body, leaving her temporarily paralyzed and unable to move.

Seeing its master about to face danger, Slowbro abandoned all concern for helping Articuno regain its sanity. It used Psychic to repel the legendary bird, then immediately pivoted to launch a Water Pulse at Kadabra.

Kadabra waved the silver spoon in its right hand with fluid precision, using Psychic to redirect the Water Pulse harmlessly elsewhere. Its eyes flashed with displeasure at the Slowbro that dared attack it.

If Red hadn’t explicitly instructed both Kadabra and Snorlax not to harm Slowbro, the newly evolved Psychic-type might have already engaged in full battle. Fortunately, Kadabra obeyed Red’s commands with unwavering discipline—otherwise it might have received a harsh lesson from the deceptively dopey-looking Slowbro, whose strength far exceeded that of the recently evolved Kadabra.

With Kadabra occupied by Slowbro’s interference, Snorlax had to face the emotionally rampaging Articuno alone. The massive Normal-type’s repertoire consisted mostly of close-combat techniques rather than long-range attacks. Within moments, Articuno’s icy assault had frozen Snorlax solid, though the determined Pokémon managed to use Fire Punch just in time to melt the ice encasing its body.

“Miss Lorelei, we mean no harm,” Red said urgently, hurrying to her side. He gently placed his hand on her arm, his psychic energy dispelling the Disable effect. “Please make sure Slowbro calms down.”

Kadabra’s restraint had been a necessary measure to prevent Lorelei from sending out additional Pokémon that might interfere with their mission.

“You are?” Lorelei asked, studying this mysteriously ‘cold-resistant’ young man with curious eyes. Though his face seemed familiar, Articuno’s rampage had left her too flustered to immediately place his identity.

“Red from Pallet Town,” he explained with characteristic calm. “That guy Lance occasionally mentions me to you all, right?”

“So you’re Prof. Red!” Lorelei exclaimed, recognition dawning. “It’s an honor to meet you!”

‘More than occasionally,’ she thought wryly. ‘Lance tells us about your exploits every single time he returns to Indigo Plateau…’

After recognizing Red’s identity, Lorelei quickly instructed Slowbro to cease its attacks to avoid harming Kadabra.

Kadabra shot one final displeased glare at the seemingly foolish Slowbro before using Teleport to appear beside Snorlax, ready to assist in subduing the rampaging Articuno.

The silver spoon gleamed as Kadabra waved it with practiced authority, azure light blazing from its eyes as it used Psychic to seize control of Articuno’s body.

Seeing his opening, Snorlax charged forward with excitement, its right fist wreathed in flames as it delivered a devastating Fire Punch to Articuno’s chest.

Scorching flames instantly engulfed Articuno’s form. The searing pain made the legendary bird desperate to struggle, but Kadabra’s relentless Psychic hold rendered it completely immobile.

The rampaging Articuno had been burning through its own stamina reserves. Its previous battle with Slowbro had already left it exhausted—now it was operating on fumes alone.

“Red, Articuno just suddenly went into a rampage,” Lorelei said anxiously, unable to bear watching the legendary Pokémon suffer further. “Please don’t continue harming it!”

“Don’t worry, Miss Lorelei. I won’t get serious until Articuno’s body has fully recovered,” Red assured her, then looked toward Snorlax. “Snorlax, use Body Slam to help Articuno calm down!”

Kadabra lowered its spoon, and the controlled Articuno felt an overwhelming gravitational force pressing its entire body against the ground. Snorlax beamed with joy, leaping with all its considerable might before pressing its massive form onto Articuno—nearly sending the legendary bird to the afterlife.

“Although wild legendary Pokémon may show hostility toward humans, they won’t attack on sight,” Red explained to Lorelei as he approached the fallen Articuno. “Especially ones like Articuno that help travelers who collapse from cold in snowy mountains. If Articuno would actively attack, it only proves that humans came here before and attacked it first.”

Ignoring the instinctive waves of cold air radiating from Articuno’s body, Red placed his hands on the legendary bird and channeled his Viridian Power.

Emerald light enveloped Articuno’s form, gradually healing its injuries and soothing its tormented spirit. The legendary Pokémon released a comfortable sigh, gazing at Red with grateful, benevolent eyes.

If only Snorlax would get off its body, Articuno might be even happier.

Under Lorelei’s astonished gaze, drops of black liquid began seeping from Articuno’s body. Red concentrated the substance into a floating sphere using his psychic powers.

“This liquid’s composition seems similar to Gyarados genes,” he murmured, studying the dark substance with growing concern.

Suddenly, Red’s senses flared with warning. A murderous aura approached from the shadows. He spun and fired an Aura Sphere toward the threat, but two crossed wind blades intercepted his attack, creating a violent explosion that neutralized both techniques.

“I intended to make Articuno enter a berserk state to capture it,” a cold, alluring voice echoed from the cave’s depths. “But I didn’t expect to encounter two League ‘important figures’ here on Seafoam Islands.”

A woman emerged from the shadows—seductive, dangerous, and roughly Lorelei’s age. Her figure rivaled Lorelei’s impressive curves, with subtle hints of surpassing them entirely. She radiated an enchanting, soul-stealing charm, her alluring perfume making it impossible to remain calm in her presence. Even other women might struggle to resist her magnetic pull. Vibrant red hair framed her face, accentuating her seductive aura.

Both Red and Lorelei tensed upon seeing the distinctive “R” logo emblazoned on her winter uniform’s left chest.

“I didn’t expect to encounter Team Rocket here,” Red said, his expression hardening into a frown.

“It’s an honor to meet you both,” the woman purred, her voice like silk over steel. “I am Ariana, one of Team Rocket’s four executives.”

Noticing Red’s steady gaze fixed on her, Ariana mistakenly assumed he was mesmerized by her presence. She blew him a seductive kiss, attempting to disturb his mental state with her crude charm offensive.

Unfortunately for her, the performance had no effect whatsoever. Red wasn’t like Brock, defenseless against mature women’s wiles.

Ariana’s theatrical display only heightened Red’s wariness. His attention focused more intently on the Murkrow perched on her shoulder—the Dark-type that had shattered his Aura Sphere with Air Slash.

Though Murkrow appeared full of openings, Red recognized the deception. Any Pokémon capable of easily countering his techniques couldn’t possibly be as weak as it seemed.

“Seafoam Islands doesn’t welcome Team Rocket’s intrusion,” Lorelei said coldly, her hostile gaze fixed on both Ariana and her Murkrow. “Especially not executive-level figures like you.”

If not for Ariana’s unauthorized intrusion, perhaps her relationship with Articuno wouldn’t have soured so dramatically. Before this incident, Lorelei had often visited Seafoam Islands to commune with the legendary bird. Their bond had run deep—otherwise she never would have risked her life by refusing to battle the rampaging Articuno.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep