บท 38: Pokemon: I Transmigrated Twice [38]
"Hey! Joker, someone's coming up!"
Will, who was guarding the door, turned pale at the sound of footsteps and shouted into the storage room to Stephen.
"Ha..."
Stephen exhaled, quickly scanning the wild Pokemon in the cages with sharp eyes.
"Although I think this plan is unreliable, if you choose to stay here, maybe that blue-haired old man, Oji-san, can provide you with long-term support."
He glanced at the Pokemon.
"Now that the noise has gotten this loud, even if you want to escape, it's uncertain whether you'll make it. You guys choose."
Hearing Stephen's words, the Murkrow and Ursaring exchanged glances. As expected, they didn't scream about rejecting this world or refusing to acknowledge it as theirs—like one might have anticipated.
Becoming a human's pet Pokemon?
What a joke.
"Alright," Stephen continued, "the original plan was to release you, have you turn right, break into the room at the end of the corridor, crash through, and jump off the balcony. It was the fastest escape route I prepared for you."
"But now, thanks to this stupid dog, the plan is ruined."
Stephen shot a look at Houndour. Seeing Houndour lower its head in silence, Rihua quietly reached out, wrapping her arms around its neck in a protective embrace.
"We're out of options. We'll have to split up and run. Given the situation, we can only rely on luck."
Stephen spread his hands.
"Um..."
At that moment, Rihua hesitantly raised her hand, looking like a student about to ask a question.
"If we had some bait to attract attention, could we buy more time?"
"Bait?"
Before Stephen could respond, Will blinked in confusion. A few seconds later, his expression shifted to one of horror, as if he'd just been assigned a death mission. He pointed at his face.
"No, no. You're not asking us to be the bait, are you?"
Is this girl out of her mind?!
"There are top-tier trainers downstairs! Being the center of attention would be asking for death! I, Magic, am only here for fun—not to die!"
Stephen couldn't help but laugh.
Does this girl think she's Luffy—a saint who does all the work for free?
Helping in small ways was fine, but sacrificing himself? Ha—maybe in the next life. And for that foul-tempered Houndour? No chance.
"No, that's not it!"
Rihua quickly explained, waving her hands.
"What I mean is... you could use me as a hostage. It'd be safer..."
Isn't that how it works in TV dramas?
"Isn't that still the same?!"
Will shouted.
"In the end, aren't you still asking us to attract attention?"
"Found them! In the storage room! Someone's entered the storage room!"
At that moment, several security guards from the banquet stormed upstairs.
"Run!"
Stephen hissed.
The CUrsaring with their cubs and the Murkrow exchanged one last glance before rushing out the door, splitting up and bolting in two directions.
"The goods are escaping!"
"Quick! Stop them! These are for Master Caishen!"
The guards froze for a moment before signaling their Pokemon to form a human wall, blocking the way.
"Roar!"
The Ursaring used its massive size to send one of the Flygons flying. The Murkrow followed, creating instant chaos.
The guards scrambled to respond, hurriedly pulling out their Pokéballs to summon reinforcements.
Beep—!
Stephen pressed the button on his Poke Ball Disruptor.
The guards suddenly realized their Pokéballs were unresponsive.
In the next moment, the Ursaring led their cubs and the Murkrow crashed into them, leaving them dazed.
"It's Joker!"
"Team Rocket! Team Rocket is here!"
"Alarm! Alarm! Team Rocket has invaded! Requesting backup!"
The stunned guards shouted down the stairs. One of them gritted his teeth and crawled to the wall, slamming his hand on the alarm.
Beep-beep-beep!!!
The piercing alarm echoed throughout the villa.
"Joker!? Team Rocket?!"
The upper-class guests downstairs, including Ritsuki, froze in shock at the words.
"That guy?!"
Claire's expression shifted as she immediately remembered Stephen's powerful Beedrill.
Master Elder Dragon squinted under his white eyebrows and whispered to his son and granddaughter,
"Protect the crowd."
"Yes!"
Claire and her father quickly gathered the guests in the hall, using their Dragonite to cast double Protection moves, shielding everyone inside.
Meanwhile, Master Elder Dragon retrieved a Pokéball from beneath his armor, pressing its power button twice.
"Really can't start it. Lance lost fairly."
He chuckled lightly.
"I'm curious to meet this Joker. Did he invent all this?"
Hearing the clan leader's words, Claire smiled bitterly.
"Master, don't go running off."
Caishen raised an eyebrow curiously. "
The noise is coming from upstairs. Let's go see."
"Mr. Caishen, you're the guest. This small matter shouldn't trouble you," Ritsuki quickly interjected, trying to dissuade him.
At the same time, a sinking feeling crept over him.
Upstairs? Could it be... Team Rocket's target is those trapped Pokémon?!
"This commotion is too big; we should assist. Aldus, Altair."
Caishen gestured to his two sons. The twins, distinguishable only by their hair and clothing, nodded in unison before quickly heading upstairs.
"Then I'll excuse myself for now. My apologies," Ritsuki said, following them.
Damn Joker. Damn Team Rocket.
Did they come to his house just for those little things? If they wanted them, they could've contacted him privately! He would've sold the Pokémon for a reasonable price.
...
In the storage room, the three Houndours looked anxiously at the limping Houndour beside Rihua.
Already injured before being captured, it had refused to eat the food given by humans during its captivity. Now, after being hit by Umbreon twice, it could barely stand.
"If you don't leave now, you really won't make it out," Stephen reminded them.
"Whimper~"
The three Houndours looked conflicted. Abandoning their comrade—especially the offspring of their leader—was unthinkable.
"Tsk~"
Stephen clicked his tongue, tossing a Pokéball to Rihua.
"Catch it and hide it."
Rihua caught the Pokéball and hesitated for a moment. Finally, she said softly, almost pleadingly,
"Houndour, please, let me catch you."
Houndour met her gaze for a long moment before glancing toward its comrades. This time, understanding that throwing a tantrum would only delay them further, it lowered its head.
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