Chapter 85: Don't Risk Your Life, Dare to Flirt with Karen?

"So... it's because of Giovanni?"

Xiao Lan's pretty cheeks crumpled into a knot from the tangled thoughts, looking utterly shocked.

She had roughly understood what Mamen meant: joining Team Rocket was due to discord with Giovanni? Or perhaps to prove herself?

But Xiao Lan still didn't understand; was the bond with family so fragile?

Xiao Lan, who had been snatched away since childhood and separated from her family, desperately longed to return to her parents' side; in her view, family was an extremely precious bond.

It was precisely by relying on that longing for family that she had persisted in that organization.

"Little brother, are you okay?"

Looking forward, she found that the figures of Mamen and the others had already vanished; Xiao Lan couldn't help feeling complicated, then she turned to look at Red.

"..." Red shook his head.

"Really, Gym Leader Giovanni has created a super boss for the Kanto League; who knows if Champion Karen and the others can deal with him."

Xiao Lan complained, but to be honest, she felt this Mamen was probably beyond what Karen could handle; he was unbelievably strong.

Hmm, it was all Giovanni's fault.

If Giovanni had properly loved and cared for Mamen since childhood, how could this guy have joined Team Rocket due to psychological reasons?

"..."

Red remained silent, simply quietly recalling his Blastoise and Venusaur before turning to leave.

This was Red's first such crushing defeat; in fact, to him, Mamen didn't even count as a qualified opponent.

Mamen... Mamen!!!

A indescribable gleam flickered in Red's crimson pupils as he constantly recalled the image of Mamen and the Armored Mewtwo gazing at him together.

Next time, it absolutely won't be like this!

Elsewhere, this area's environment was now largely covered by frost and snow.

"Thunder Punch!"

Metagross's two giant claws lit up with crackling lightning as it slammed heavily down upon the Sealeo.

The Sealeo skillfully flicked its tail, its body spinning at high speed to become a rotating ice top, sending ice shards flying.

An Ice-type Ice Spin!

Boom!

The Ice Spin met the Thunder Punch thrown by Metagross; the two attacks collided heavily. Metagross's strength was great, and the Sealeo was clearly at a disadvantage in a direct clash.

But by leveraging the rotation of the Ice Spin and a clever force, the Sealeo actually used the impact to push itself backward after colliding with the Thunder Punch.

And because of the Ice Spin's energy, the lightning transmitted upon contact with the Thunder Punch only slightly affected the Sealeo.

"Hydro Pump!" Karen's gaze was cold.

"Psychic!"

Lapras's Hydro Pump headed straight for Metagross, but Caitlin naturally wouldn't sit idly by; instead, she had Tapu Lele provide support.

Psychic intercepted the Hydro Pump; the two attacks collided violently before finally exploding.

"So strong!"

Caitlin's delicate face was serious; the intense collision kept her emotions constantly high.

No wonder she is one of the strongest Elite Four members, Karen; she is too powerful!

The scene fell into stalemate once more, but Caitlin understood she was still at a disadvantage; Karen's Ice-type lineup in a positional battle was simply too strong.

If Metagross wanted to get close, it could only charge head-on, but the Blizzard combined by Sealeo and Lapras was truly terrifying.

But even if Metagross forced its way into close range, Karen, with her incomparably rich battle experience, knew exactly how to handle Metagross.

For the first time, Caitlin felt a sense of not knowing how to proceed with the battle.

But at the same time, she was enjoying this battle, this powerful enemy!

"Your strength is indeed not bad, but you are still not my match."

Karen's gaze was cold; by now in the battle, she had roughly figured out Caitlin's level.

"The outcome hasn't been decided yet, Champion Karen; saying such things now is merely too arrogant."

Caitlin did not think so; as long as the final moment hadn't arrived, who knew what might happen?

To train herself, she always ensured she didn't use 'despicable' tactics; after all, she was a Psychic-type user!

But if it came to a critical moment, naturally ensuring her own safety would take priority; Caitlin didn't want to get thrown in jail and eat prison food.

"Is that so? You might as well think about whether you can get used to the prison food ahead." Karen looked sideways and said lightly.

Caitlin likewise looked in that direction and saw a burly, shirtless man slowly approaching.

"Elite Four Bruno!"

Caitlin's expression changed slightly; this was indeed Bruno, one of the Kanto Elite Four!

"Karen, haven't you resolved it yet?" Bruno's deep voice came through.

"Didn't I ask you to guard the outside?" Karen said coldly.

"Those two Executive Officers have already been captured; I waited a while and came to give you a hand."

Bruno replied in a muffled tone; he was busy lifting weights, and waiting outside for so long was simply unbearable.

As for Gladion and Athena...

"Be quiet!"

Officer Jenny handcuffed Gladion and Athena and led the two into the police car.

Athena's expression was grim, while Gladion looked down at the handcuffs on his wrists, sinking into deep thought.

He, the young master of the Aether Foundation, one of Alola's genius trainers, the man wielding the Silvally, was about to go to jail.

This was his first time in Kanto, and he'd already ended up in a police car.

This... is this right?

Gragia was not doing well at all. Mamon, my lord, come save me!!

"Two high-ranking executives? You captured Mr. Gragia and Young Lady Athena?" Gardelia's beautiful brows furrowed.

"Ah~ seems to be the two of them." Siebold glanced at Gardelia, thought for a moment, and replied as such.

Gardelia fell silent.

"In that case, come with me and take her down together. Don't waste time."

Karen didn't say anything more; her impression of Siebold wasn't particularly good.

Siebold said nothing. Hitmonlee lightly rose on its toes and stretched twice.

Gardelia's expression immediately grew several degrees more solemn as she looked at Karen and Siebold flanking her on both sides.

This was no joke—facing two Kanto Elite Four members at the same time.

The battle continued!

But without a doubt, even against Karen alone Gardelia was at a disadvantage; after Siebold joined the fight, the situation became even more one-sided.

Karen's Pokémon excelled in positional and ranged combat, while Siebold's Pokémon excelled in close-quarters combat. Under their combined assault, Gardelia had a very hard time holding on.

Not long after, Metagross fell to Hitmonlee's Blaze Kick. Tapu Lele was also considerably injured.

Gardelia immediately sent out Gardevoir and Gothitelle, but it was still to no avail.

Karen and Siebold were far too strong. Facing two opponents at once was still too much pressure for Gardelia as she was now.

Gardevoir and Gothitelle also fell one after another soon after. Only Tapu Lele was still holding on with great difficulty, but it too was panting and covered in wounds.

"Looks like this is it."

Gardelia let out a breath. She had already given it everything she had; her current limit was exactly this.

"To be able to do this much, I really ought to praise you a couple of times. But in the end, the evil Team Rocket can only end up with a result like this." Karen said coolly.

"Champion Karen seems to have victory in hand?" Gardelia's lips curved into a gentle smile, and her tone returned to its elegant, natural self.

"Hmm?" Karen's brows furrowed slightly. Watching the composed Gardelia, her eyes flickered—what did this mean?

Were there other Team Rocket experts here?

"Although I really don't want to say something like this, if you want to take me away, you'll have to get past him first."

The smile at the corner of Gardelia's lips seemed to soften even more, and her tone carried an inexplicable pride.

Him?

Siebold scratched his head. In other words, there was another Team Rocket powerhouse hiding?

Karen's expression gradually cooled.

"Do you think I'm right? Mamon." Gardelia asked slowly. She had already sensed it—Mamon's presence.

Psychic abilities could be quite sensitive at times.

And as long as Mamon was nearby, she could feel completely at ease.

"Tsk~ If you want to bully Gardelia, you really do have to ask me first."

A frivolous voice came from not far behind Gardelia.

Amid a creepy "hehehe" sound effect, a youth in a white shirt and black pants slowly stepped out of the shadows.

Mhm, but the next second, as Mamon stepped on a shadow, the "sound effect" vanished.

"Mamon? And... Erika?"

Karen's eyes narrowed slightly. Looking at this youth, she recognized him—Giovanni's son Mamon, who had now also joined Team Rocket.

Then Karen's gaze fell on Erika behind Mamon. That dazzlingly bright floral kimono clashed jarringly with the ruined battlefield.

Erika also noticed Karen's gaze and helplessly gestured toward Mamon.

"I see. Kidnapping an official Gym Leader—Mamon, you've got quite the nerve."

Karen's expression instantly chilled as she looked at Mamon and said coldly.

"I'm already in Team Rocket, Champion Karen—that's a real laugh coming from you." But Mamon wasn't about to indulge Karen at all; he shrugged and shot back.

"And speaking of big, it's still you, Champion Karen, who's bigger."

Mamon clicked his tongue in wonder as he looked at Karen's chest. So fierce!!

Gotta say, Karen's figure was really amazing. Mamon didn't even dare imagine how nice it would feel to wash his face with those.

And upon hearing Mamon's words and gaze, Karen's face immediately darkened, her eyes gloomy and icy.

Good lord!! This kid!!

Even Siebold showed a stunned expression. Bro? Got a death wish? You dare to flirt with that woman Karen?

You're way too wild!

(End of chapter)