My Pokemon Turned into Girls?!

The battle didn't last long. With their overwhelming numerical advantage lost, the remaining Team Rocket grunts stood no chance against the combined forces of two Gym Leaders and Kazuki.

The ground was a mess, littered with traces of various elemental energies. As the Team Rocket members fell one by one, the rest realized they were outmatched and chose to surrender.

Sabrina's psychic abilities were as convenient as ever. The captured Team Rocket members were spared the hassle of being tied up—they were simply turned into dolls and that was that.

"That… what kind of Pokémon is that?"

Lt. Surge's eye twitched slightly as he stared at the black-armored beast standing in the center of the battlefield.

During the battle, there was one that relied on its speed advantage, darting around like a black flash, dodging all attacks and swiftly taking down enemies. There was another that stood still, using its terrifying psychic power to immobilize its foes…

But none of these left as much of an impression as the "war machine" that charged through everything, shrugging off all attacks and casually swatting aside anyone in its path, rendering them unable to fight.

He had thought that Magnemite was Kazuki's strongest Pokémon, but when he released all of them, each one turned out to be more outrageous than the last.

"Lairon, a Pokémon from the Hoenn region. It's normal that you wouldn't know about it, Gym Leader Lt. Surge."

Kazuki answered while stroking the neck of Hei, who had run over to him to seek praise after finishing off the enemies.

"Don't underestimate me. I'm not that ignorant," Lt. Surge said, examining the black armor with a thoughtful look. "I've never trained a Lairon, but I know its armor is supposed to be silver-white. A pitch-black one… is it a shiny Lairon?"

"Something like that…" Kazuki gave a vague answer, quickly changing the subject to prevent further questions. "What we've dealt with so far are just the grunts. The most critical task isn't done yet. It's not a good time to chat."

"You're right." 

Lt. Surge wasn't one to lose sight of priorities, so he didn't press further. 

"According to the intelligence I've gathered, Team Rocket has likely sent out an executive-level figure. The next battle will be tough, so everyone, be careful…"

---

"Master Raviel, it seems all our comrades outside have been taken down."

Inside the factory, a tall elite Team Rocket member in a black uniform leaned down and whispered to Raviel.

However, Raviel remained calm despite the dire news, only feigning a sigh as he said:

"I heard. Sigh, the younger generation of Team Rocket is getting worse and worse. They can't even handle such a simple task. I wonder what the boss's funds are being spent on."

You're part of that younger generation too… The elite member thought this but didn't dare say it out loud.

He knew that this executive had earned the boss's favor at a young age through cruel methods and a cold demeanor. Even now, while his tone remained calm, his eyes hid a venomous, icy light.

"So, Master Raviel… what should we do now? We've already got what we came for. Should we retreat?"

As he spoke, the elite member instinctively glanced toward the Evolution Association members. Only half of the delivered Pokémon had been transported away, and those people likely wouldn't be willing to leave just yet.

"No rush. Since the guests are coming, let's prepare a gift for them." Raviel casually tossed a Poké Ball in his hand as he spoke.

"Understood." With the order given, the elite member didn't insist on his own idea. He immediately returned to the team, relayed the instructions, and began preparations.

At the same time, Raviel walked over to Professor Shiratani and spoke in a calm tone: "My apologies, Professor Shiratani. We've just received word that the intruders will be here soon… Of course, this is our oversight, so if you wish to evacuate, we'll ensure your safe departure."

"What?! That's unacceptable! Only half of the materials have been sent back. If we return like this, I won't be able to explain it to the Association!"

"Now, now, don't get worked up. I'm only concerned for your safety. If you wish to continue the transaction, Team Rocket will naturally accompany you. We just hope you'll be prepared, because…"

A fierce glint flashed in Raviel's eyes as he looked toward the light at the entrance, where three figures were gradually growing larger. He softly added, "The guests have arrived."

With a swift motion, he drew two Poké Balls from his waist. In a flash of red light, a bat with a massive mouth and two connected purple bloated spheres floated into the air.

"Weezing, Poison Gas."

Upon hearing the command, the numerous holes on the purple spheres began to spew toxic purple gas, slowly drifting toward the entrance.

As Raviel initiated the attack, the other Team Rocket elites and Evolution Association members quickly reacted, releasing their Pokémon.

The thick purple mist gradually approached, but before it could envelop the intruders, it split open in the middle, creating a clear path. 

The figures of three people and a group of Pokémon appeared before them. 

Among them, an Alakazam's eyes glowed green—clearly, it was responsible for neutralizing the Poison Gas.

"The new Gym Leader of Saffron City, Sabrina. The veteran Gym Leader of Vermilion City, Lt. Surge. And one… unfamiliar young man." Raviel listed the identities of the "guests" except for Kazuki, now understanding why just three people had wiped out the group of grunts they had stationed outside.

Two Gym Leaders… and among the top-tier ones at that. 

As for the young man, his background was unclear, but given that he was with these two, his strength likely wasn't to be underestimated.

This is a bit tricky… Raviel thought, stroking his chin. 

Originally, they had only planned to deal with Lt. Surge at most, along with the Vermilion City police and some League investigators. 

Now, they were slightly short on manpower.

"Awoo!"

The howl of the Mightyena exploded like thunder, instantly reverberating through the entire factory, suppressing the momentum of the Pokémon belonging to Team Rocket and the Evolution Association members.

"Intimidate? A Mightyena with such potential, huh? Interesting." Raviel immediately recognized the source of the invisible pressure, and because of that, he also understood just how rare a Mightyena capable of such an effect was.

As for its Trainer… that black-haired boy who looked like he had just started his journey showed no fear or even a hint of nervousness in the face of the group of menacing thugs on their side. 

Interesting! Truly interesting!

"Weezing, keep releasing Poison Gas to disrupt them. Golbat, prioritize the Trainers with Sludge Bomb!"

On Team Rocket's side, there were numerous Weezing and Koffing. 

None of them chose to use direct attack moves; instead, they all followed Raviel's Weezing and opted for Poison Gas.

There was no other reason. With their rich experience in life-and-death battles, they knew just how terrifying Psychic-type Pokémon could be in unregulated wild battles, especially when it was the Psychic-type Pokémon of a Psychic Gym Leader. 

Compared to powerful but narrowly focused attack moves, the dispersed toxic gas of Poison Gas was more effective at restraining Alakazam's psychic abilities.

"Alakazam… can't act."

The tactic proved highly effective. After communicating telepathically with Alakazam, Sabrina relayed the unfortunate news to the other two.

"Don't worry, leave the main attack to me! Electivire, let them taste your Thunderbolt!"

Upon Lt. Surge's command, the two antenna-like yellow horns on Electivire's head began to spark with electricity, quickly forming into a golden current that shot forward.

But the other side wasn't about to back down either. 

Golbat and Arbok fired streams of poison, while several Houndoom spewed hellish flames from their mouths. 

The attacks from both sides collided, creating a temporary stalemate.

At that moment, the Golbat that had received Raviel's command darted through the chaotic energy flow. 

As it approached Kazuki's group, it opened its large mouth and spat out a concentrated ball of poison.

Alakazam was already unable to spare any extra psychic power to stop the Sludge Bomb from falling. 

Just as it was about to land and explode among the group, the black-armored beast leaped into the air, biting down on the entire ball of poison.

Without chewing, it swallowed the poison whole, a look of disgust in its eyes: "Lairon~ (That was disgusting.)"

Although the taste made her feel nauseous, the deadly poison contained within had no effect on her steel-forged body. Raviel frowned as he watched this scene:

"Steel-type? How annoying~ Such a creature that leaves no room for exploitation."

However, if you can block Golbat's overt attack, what about the ones from the shadows?

While commanding his Pokémon to clash head-on with the enemy, Lt. Surge didn't notice the pools of purple, rotting liquid slowly creeping toward his feet.

These were Grimer and Muk that had used the move "Minimize." 

Their drastically reduced size made them difficult for ordinary people to detect, making them the perfect choice for ambushes. 

Even many experienced investigators had fallen victim to these inconspicuous little things. 

This was the "gift" Raviel had prepared for Kazuki's group.

If they were ordinary Trainers, they might have indeed suffered a major setback when encountering such underhanded tactics for the first time. 

Unfortunately for Team Rocket, their opponents today included someone who couldn't be judged by normal standards.

Before the shrunken piles of sludge could reach Lt. Surge's legs, a wave of psychic energy pressed down on them, eliciting cries of pain.

Startled by the sound at his feet, Lt. Surge quickly jumped back several steps and looked down, only to see several Grimer and Muk with swirling eyes.

"Thanks." Seeing Sabrina floating in the air with her eyes glowing green beside him, Lt. 

Surge realized he had escaped danger thanks to her help and quickly expressed his gratitude.

However, the girl didn't even acknowledge him, continuing to use telepathy to have Espeon and Mr. Mime set up defensive dual screens. 

Those piles of sludge had just been detected by her psychic senses and dealt with as an afterthought. 

If they weren't currently fighting side by side, she wouldn't have bothered with that annoying old man.

Seeing that the firepower exchange between both sides had reached a stalemate and that their defensive barriers were gradually being completed, what they needed now… was a surprise force to break through this deadlock.

Kazuki was also fully focused, because what came next was: "Hei, Lairon, it's our time now!"