Fortunately, the giant Steelix used Iron Defense in time. With its astonishing defensive power, it blocked most of the damage from Earthquake.
After the Earthquake's effect ended, Sandslash released Crobat's small wings, dropped from its body, and, aided by gravity, fiercely used Stomping Tantrum to strike Scizor.
"Bang—"
Scizor crossed its pincers to block Sandslash's attack, then pushed forward with force, knocking Sandslash off its arms.
Aside from Dragonite completely overwhelming Crobat, the other four Pokémon were all probing each other's strength.
Meanwhile, Dugtrio nervously observed the massive creature in front of it, afraid that the giant Steelix might swallow it whole in one bite.
Just as the battle was about to escalate further, a crisp sound came from the communication device on Damon's wrist. After seeing the notification, Damon finally let out a sigh of relief.
(Finally, it can end!)
All the data in the underground base of Viridian Gym had already been transferred. There was no need to worry about the League obtaining Mewtwo's cloning data.
From Team Rocket's perspective, even if they couldn't control Mewtwo, they absolutely wouldn't let the Pokémon League benefit from it.
"Not good—Dragonite, stop him now!"
Lance sensed something wrong and quickly gave the order.
Dragonite immediately flapped its wings and rushed toward Damon, but unexpectedly, Crobat above suddenly emitted a piercing noise. In the confined environment, the sound became overwhelming, leaving everyone momentarily unable to adapt.
Taking advantage of this, Dugtrio and Sandslash simultaneously used Stone Edge, unleashing countless sharp stone blades toward Red and the others. Immediately after, they used Dig, burrowing underground and leaving Viridian Gym.
Since the evacuation mission had been completed, Dugtrio and Sandslash had no reason to continue fighting—it was simply too exhausting and unrewarding.
"Thanks for your help, Crobat!"
After speaking, Damon took out a pair of glasses from his pocket and put them on, canceling the release of the Killing Intent Domain.
Damon leapt down from the second floor, grabbed Crobat's small wings, and prepared to leave Viridian Gym.
"Before leaving, let me prepare some little 'gifts' for you!"
With Damon's cold sneer, explosions suddenly rang out throughout Viridian Gym. Clearly, the gym had already been rigged with explosives capable of destroying everything. Fortunately, the non-essential League personnel had already been evacuated outside by Red, preventing casualties.
"Let's get out of here!"
Red took out Poké Balls and recalled the giant Steelix and Scizor. He then used Teleport to take the others away. However, Lance chose to jump onto Dragonite's back, intending to continue pursuing Damon.
Red originally wanted to stop Lance, as he sensed a familiar aura approaching. But after seeing Lance's determined expression, Red lowered his hand and gave up. After all, blindly stopping him would only make Lance more agitated.
Holding onto Crobat's small wings, Damon showed no panic, because he knew Giovanni would never abandon him.
"Don't even think about escaping!" Lance shouted angrily.
Just as Dragonite's claw, covered in green energy, was about to strike Crobat, Lance suddenly urged Dragonite to retreat, as a powerful aura was approaching from not far away.
"As expected, it's that guy!" Red said cautiously.
"Bang—"
Acting on instinct, Dragonite barely managed to block the incoming attack with its claw, only to find that it was a Beedrill repeatedly ramming into it with drill-like twin stingers. With continuous spinning, it amplified the power of its Drill Run.
"Giovanni's Beedrill!" Lance said warily.
Beedrill, emanating a brown, earth-like aura, glanced disdainfully at Dragonite's attempted attack. In its eyes, only its own kind on Red's side was worthy of being its opponent. Although that opponent had yet to fully grow, its hidden potential still excited Beedrill greatly.
After all, its only true rival was its own kind—this filled Beedrill with joy.
"Thank you, Lord Beedrill!" Damon said sincerely, turning his head before leaving quickly with Crobat.
Damon deeply respected strength, and Beedrill's overwhelming power was enough to earn his respectful title of "Lord," even if it was just a Pokémon.
"Dragonite, use Flamethrower!"
Blazing flames erupted from Dragonite's mouth, forming a scorching pillar of fire that surged toward Beedrill, as if it could devour its entire body.
Beedrill did not dodge. Instead, it unleashed an astonishing earth aura, its twin stingers covered in hardened stone blades, and spun its body again to use Drill Run.
To Dragonite's shock, the fire pillar was effortlessly shattered by Beedrill. It then charged forward, nearly stabbing Dragonite's throat. Fortunately, Lance pulled Dragonite away in time, avoiding a fatal blow.
(Giovanni's Beedrill is truly powerful… I didn't expect it to suppress a Dragon-type Elite like this…)
Even as he retreated, Damon couldn't help but glance back at Beedrill's heroic figure, filled with admiration.
"Your arrogance will cost you your life!" Lance said in a low voice. A powerful dragon aura burst from his body, gradually forming the image of a massive dragon, arrogantly looking down on the smaller Beedrill.
Dragon Domain!
Sensing the power of the Dragon Domain, Beedrill showed a hint of caution. It crossed its stingers in front, remaining on guard against Dragonite's attack.
"Dragonite, use Dragon Rush!"
The brown dragon phantom enveloped Dragonite's entire body as it flapped its wings fiercely, rushing toward Beedrill.
Beedrill remained completely calm. It focused its mind and used Hone Claws, then began spinning continuously. Sharp stone blades floated around it, forming a protective outer layer.
Drill Run vs Dragon Rush!
In an instant, the two moves collided midair, producing a deafening sound that echoed throughout Viridian City.
"Boom—"
An explosion erupted in the sky, quickly filling the air with thick smoke.
Many residents of Viridian City looked up in panic, praying that the Gym Leader would come to their aid.
Unfortunately, this was merely a prayer—one that would not necessarily be answered.
"Does the Beedrill species really have no limits? How can it be this strong?"
Gary looked up in disbelief at the Beedrill fiercely battling Dragonite in the sky.
He was extremely puzzled. Wasn't Beedrill just a common Pokémon found everywhere in forests?
Gary had thought Red's Beedrill was already the peak of the species. He never expected Giovanni's Beedrill to shatter his worldview once again, making him intensely curious about this species.
(Could it be that our training methods are lacking?)
As the smoke cleared, Beedrill panted slightly in fatigue. After recovering enough stamina, it arrogantly raised its head, looking at the struggling Lance and Dragonite.
Beedrill glanced downward. Seeing that Team Rocket's key members had mostly evacuated, it crossed its stingers and released countless Pin Missiles, disrupting Dragonite's line of sight.
As Dragonite busied itself dodging the barrage, Beedrill turned around and used Agility, disappearing from its spot. Only afterimages remained, crisscrossing in the air, as if mocking Lance and Dragonite's incompetence.