Pokemon: Gym Leader

"Wait… was that Will just now?"

As he hurried down the corridor, Proton suddenly froze mid-step. He could have sworn he just heard Will's voice—was he yelling… Karen's name?

"I heard it too. Looks like they ran into Dylan," Lt. Surge said gravely.

"In that case, there's no point in hiding anymore. Dylan is already inside—we should use this chance to head for the exit."

Archer spoke in a serious tone. As much as he hated to admit it, the two new executives were beyond saving right now.

If an opportunity arose in the future, they could think about rescuing them then.

"Agreed!"

Proton and Lt. Surge immediately nodded, the three of them dashing toward the exit.

"At least we have a lot of executives present this time. That lowers our chances of running into Dylan. Once we escape safely, I'll make sure to visit them often."

Proton exhaled, trying to lift the heavy mood.

"Proton, for the love of Arceus, please stop jinxing us," Archer groaned, his temple twitching.

By now, he was convinced that Proton was cursed—every time he opened his mouth, disaster struck.

"Archer! We're companions, aren't we? How could you say that?"

Proton looked deeply hurt.

Jokes aside, Archer was one of his closest allies—they had been through hell together!

"It's not that I don't trust you…"

Archer sighed, realizing his words might've been too harsh. Back when he was at his lowest, Proton had been the one to help him regain his confidence.

Damn it… I'm a terrible friend!

Archer cursed himself internally. Proton is my companion!

But before he could say anything more—

"Oh~ I knew it! Archer, Proton, we really are destined to meet again!"

A familiar, cheerful voice echoed from around the corner.

Archer, Proton, and Lt. Surge froze in place.

Their faces drained of color.

Archer's words caught in his throat, his entire body stiff as he turned to look ahead.

A figure dressed in black slowly emerged, flanked by two young women.

Dylan.

"Dylan…"

Archer's already pale complexion turned deathly white. His expression was that of a man who had just seen a ghost.

Proton and Lt. Surge were equally shaken, their eyes filled with sheer terror.

And then—

Both Archer and Lt. Surge snapped their heads toward Proton, glaring at him with dagger-sharp stares.

You goddamn jinx! You ACTUALLY summoned him here!!

Proton was completely dumbfounded. What the hell is wrong with my mouth?!

"Fate never allows us to miss each other, you see? We always find our way back together. It's destiny."

Dylan's warm, gentle smile remained unchanged as he looked at the three men, his gaze lingering especially long on Archer.

"Archer, are you surprised?"

At those words, Archer stumbled back a step, clutching his chest. His throat felt tight, his breathing rapid.

"Dylan!!" Archer gritted his teeth. Am I surprised? AM I SURPRISED?! Of course I am!!

"Even though we stand on opposite sides, I've always considered you and Proton as close companions."

Dylan's voice was full of sincerity.

"After I send you both to prison for rehabilitation, once you've completed your sentence, I promise I'll personally come pick you up. Then, we'll celebrate together over drinks."

Dylan smiled warmly.

"Though, I can't say for sure if you'll ever finish your sentence."

…Wait… Is he… serious?!

Lt. Surge's eyes nearly popped out of his skull.

How could someone say something so terrifying with such an honest, straight face?!

And the worst part was—Lt. Surge couldn't sense a single trace of insincerity in Dylan's words.

Dylan actually meant it.

What kind of twisted logic is this?!

"I consider you my best companion, so I'm going to send you to prison for hard labor"—HOW does that make sense?!

Lt. Surge was in shock.

"Gee, thanks a lot…"

Archer squeezed those words out through clenched teeth.

"No need to thank me, Archer. You know, I'll never forget the first time we met. You were elegant, charismatic—even in the face of danger, you remained unshaken. It left a deep impression on me."

Dylan placed a hand on his chest, his smile radiating genuine admiration.

"I still remember it vividly."

"I REGRET NOT BLOWING US BOTH UP WHEN I HAD THE CHANCE!!" Archer practically screamed.

Back then, he had been on a ship full of Electrode. Why hadn't he detonated them all and taken Dylan down with him?!

He should have done it.

He should have done it.

"This is exactly why I say you're too extreme, Archer. Besides, I had Mew in my bag back then. Even if you had set off those explosions, I would have been perfectly fine."

Dylan sighed.

Archer felt another sharp pain in his chest. He quickly covered his mouth, struggling to suppress the urge to cough up blood.

But the longer he looked at Dylan's bright, genuine smile, the harder it was to contain himself. His vision darkened—

Thud.

Archer collapsed.

"ARCHER!!"

"Shit! He passed out—what do we do?!"

"We need a medic! No, wait—chest compressions! Tilt his head back—"

Proton and Lt. Surge immediately rushed to their fallen companion's side. Lt. Surge, who had way too much experience in this area, started giving orders.

Dylan, watching the unconscious Archer, fell into deep thought.

"Whoa. Dylan, you're insane! You're the first person I've ever seen knock out a Team Rocket Executive from sheer rage! Respect!"

Leah gave him a thumbs-up, visibly impressed.

Lillie: (—)

Dylan: "…"

After a few minutes of emergency care, Archer slowly regained consciousness—only to be greeted by Lt. Surge's face, looming way too close.

"Wha… what happened…?"

Archer's head was still spinning.

"Archer, you need to take better care of your health. How did you suddenly get anemia?"

Dylan's tone was full of concern.

Archer's mind cleared in an instant.

Right… I PASSED OUT.

"Dylan!!"

Archer shot to his feet, glaring at him.

"Anemia?! My ass! You pissed me off so much I blacked out!!"

"Ah, don't worry, Archer. Once you're in prison, you won't have that problem anymore," Dylan assured him with a smile.

"Oh, and Athena has been waiting for you. You won't be lonely."

"CURSE YOU, DYLAN! YOU'RE TOO ARROGANT!!"

Proton finally snapped. Dylan was way too full of himself!

"Oh?"

Dylan raised an eyebrow, eyes gleaming with interest.

"Sounds like you want to challenge me, Proton? Well, I don't mind. I've missed battling you guys, too."

Dylan waved his hand, and Pecharunt drifted forward, its body glowing faintly with violet energy.

The moment Dylan made a move, Proton immediately retreated, positioning Archer and Lt. Surge in front of him.

"Companions, what do we do now?"

Proton's face twisted in frustration. Do we actually fight him? Because I'm pretty sure we can't win…

Archer and Lt. Surge twitched, giving Proton a look so sharp it could cut steel.

"Don't be afraid, you guys! Take down the evil Dylan! Go, brave Rocket members!!"

Leah cheered them on enthusiastically, clearly enjoying the chaos.

Lillie: (▽｀)

"It looks like there's no way out of this today," Archer muttered, taking a deep breath to steady himself. He straightened his back and pulled out a Poké Ball.

"Dylan! We fight to the death today! Even if our opponent is you, we will never surrender!"

Archer believed in his unyielding spirit. His presence was like that of a warrior preparing for a heroic last stand.

"That's right! Team Rocket never kneels!" Proton passionately echoed his companion's words, hyping him up.

"Dylan, I, Lt. Surge, am no coward!" Lt. Surge grinned ferociously. Since there was no escape, they might as well go all out!

"You guys truly are admirable. But… Pecharunt."

Dylan's eyes gleamed with amusement as he watched the three executives make their final stand. Such commendable determination… Let's make this even more fun.

"Lt. Surge, Proton."

"Huh?"

Just as Lt. Surge and Proton opened their mouths, Pecharunt flicked its mask, sending two small, sticky poison mochis flying straight into their mouths.

"What the hell is this?!"

Lt. Surge and Proton's expressions changed immediately. They desperately tried to spit out the foreign substance, but it had already dissolved.

Then…

"Proton? Lt. Surge?"

Archer stared in shock as the two turned around and faced him.

Wait… Did you guys just defect?! How could you betray me?!

"Are you possessed?!"

Seeing the eerie purple glow in Lt. Surge and Proton's eyes, Archer immediately understood. He was worried—this had to be some trick of that bizarre, ugly Pokémon.

"Tok-Tok-Tok~"

Pecharunt let out a raspy, mischievous laugh, swaying its body slightly.

Lt. Surge and Proton's eyes flickered with an eerie purple light. They raised their arms in unison—

And started dancing.

Left, right, left, right. Up, down, up, down. Left, right, left, right.

Their moves were… surprisingly well-coordinated.

They're… dancing?!

Archer: "…???"

His eye twitched violently as he watched his two companions perform a choreographed dance routine.

"Tiki-Tiki-Tiki~"

As they chanted some incomprehensible rhythm, they simultaneously tossed out Poké Balls.

A Raichu and a Crobat appeared in front of them.

The two Pokémon hesitated, looking at Archer, then back at their trainers in confusion.

What's happening?

But their instincts told them that a battle was imminent, so they focused their attention on Archer.

"Dylan! You're absolutely evil!! You're a Gym Leader!!"

Archer was fuming—he finally understood what was happening.

Dylan had used some underhanded, disgusting technique to control Lt. Surge and Proton, and now he was making them fight him?!

What kind of vile person does this?!

"What kind of righteous person would do something like this?! How can you be so wicked?!"

Dylan's actions were so villainous that Archer felt like he was the hero here.

"If you have the guts, then fight me directly, Dylan! Stop hiding behind others!"

At this moment, Archer stood like a brave warrior, facing off against a final boss villain.

Leah and Lillie exchanged glances, their expressions… complicated.

For some reason, they suddenly felt like they were the bad guys.

"Archer, you're quite the comedian. You're the one in Team Rocket. I'm a Gym Leader who upholds truth, goodness, and beauty."

Dylan shrugged, looking genuinely baffled by Archer's accusations.

"Besides, Champion Lance once told me that when dealing with Team Rocket, any means are justified—because you are Team Rocket, after all."

"That's despicable! Dylan, that's completely immoral!!"

Archer nearly coughed up blood.

Never in his life did he think he'd be the one scolding someone else for using dirty tricks.

"Morality doesn't apply when dealing with Team Rocket. That's also something Lance taught me."

Dylan said this with a straight face.

Lance never actually told him that—but now he had.

And let's be honest, that is how Lance operates. There was no need for morals when dealing with Rocket scum.

"Archer, you're strong. I believe in you. Even if you're facing two fellow executives, you can handle it."

"As long as you defeat them, they'll wake up. Come on, Archer—you can do it."

Dylan genuinely cheered him on, fully invested in this executive civil war.

"???"

Archer's face darkened.

Dylan, thank you so much for your confidence in me. I really appreciate it.

"Proton! Lt. Surge! I swear I'll save you both!!"

Archer clenched his fists and hurled a Poké Ball.

Houndoom and Weezing appeared in front of him.

"Come at me! I will defeat you both!!"

His fighting spirit burned brightly, his eyes filled with unshakable determination.

The battle began!!

But…

"I'm sorry… I was too weak."

Moments later, Archer was on his knees, staring blankly at the still-dancing Proton and Lt. Surge. His voice was hollow.

Fighting both of them at the same time was just too much.

Especially since Lt. Surge was actually stronger than him.

Not only did Archer fail to defeat them, but they weren't even fighting seriously.

"This guy looks like you broke him."

Leah raised an eyebrow, nudging Dylan playfully.

She was so entertained.

This was the first time she had seen a Rocket Executive mentally destroyed like this.

But honestly? Leah loved it.

When dealing with Team Rocket, anything goes!

"He'll be fine. I believe in Archer." Dylan smiled confidently.

"Archer is resilient. He won't break from just this."

Of course not—because if Archer really lost his spirit, who would Dylan visit in prison for fun chats?

PS: Second update today!