Behind Gabite, a dense swarm of Magnemite gave chase, buzzing and crackling with electricity. Amid this buzzing cloud, an Electabuzz surged forward, tearing through every obstacle in its path just like Gabite, smashing metal and debris without mercy. It frequently coordinated with the Magnemite swarm, sending chaotic bolts of lightning crisscrossing through the chamber, electrifying the entire area with dangerous energy.

The layout of the area worked entirely in Lt. Surge's favor—narrow passages and a maze of conductive metal obstacles. The small Magnemite could slip through tight gaps, utilizing the metal's conductivity to unleash devastating electric attacks. For Ash and Logan, this battlefield was a death trap. Movement was hindered, strategy crippled.

So, after a brief glance at each other, they knew—they had to escape.

"How the heck are there this many Magnemite?! How is he commanding them all?!"

Caitlin clung tightly around Logan's neck. Though frustrated by her own helplessness, there was an undeniable sense of security in his arms. As Gabite darted through the chaos, the wind whipping around them, she dared to look back—and nearly fainted at the sight of dozens of electrified Magnemite flashing and zipping after them. Her scalp tingled in terror.

"Not all of them belong directly to Lt. Surge," Logan explained tightly. "Some are under the command of his subordinates, who he gives orders to, and they relay commands to the Magnemite. It's indirect—but effective. The rest are wild ones he's caught, barely trained at all."

"…We're essentially fighting a Rocket Corps elite unit led by a Gym Leader!"

As Logan spoke, Gabite found an opening—leaping upward and slashing open a weak spot in the ceiling with its Dragon Claws. It vaulted up, breaking through to the floor above with Logan in tow.

Even for a Gym Leader, it was unreasonable to train dozens of strong Magnemite. A single trainer can best coordinate with 6 to 12 Pokémon. Commanding more than that severely reduces overall combat effectiveness.

"I heard Lt. Surge was in the military—squad-based tactics are his specialty!"

This strategy of indirect, unit-based coordination was its own kind of battlefield art, and very few trainers could pull it off. Lt. Surge was one of the rare masters.

"Ash!"

Logan shouted. Ash instantly understood. Pikachu leapt onto Ash's shoulder, clinging tightly as he jumped recklessly from a high platform. Logan reached out just as Gabite leapt again and caught Ash's hand mid-air.

"Hyper Beam!"

"Thunderbolt!"

Logan and Ash issued simultaneous commands. A colossal energy beam surged upward, entwined with crackling lightning. With an earth-shaking explosion, the overhead deck shattered—Gabite burst through the ceiling and landed on the outer deck of the S.S. Anne.

It was night. The eastern sky was only beginning to pale with the first blush of dawn. Stars glittered above—and then, suddenly, bolts of lightning rained down like swords from the heavens. The wooden deck cracked and scorched behind them.

Ash and Logan both broke out in cold sweat. If they'd been surrounded even a second longer, there would've been no way out. They would've been electrocuted—or impaled.

The night sky was lit white by the bolts of thunder. Raichu and Electabuzz quickly followed from below, landing behind Ash and Logan. And slowly, eerily, Lt. Surge began to rise—hovering upward from the lower deck, carried by the levitating Magnemite holding onto him like living thrusters.

They now stood face-to-face on the S.S. Anne's largest deck, a storm-filled battlefield.

"HAHAHAHA! So this is where you've chosen to die, huh?! Come on, boy—whatever tricks you've got left, use 'em now! I'm not like Sabrina. I come at full power right from the start!"

Surge laughed wildly, muscles bulging as he stood between Raichu and Electabuzz. Lightning danced at their feet, scorching holes into the deck, each flash like a drumbeat of doom.

"Hey! Why are you stealing those Pokémon?!"

Ash bent slightly, one hand near his Poké Balls. He was trying to buy time—to throw Surge off balance.

"Steal? That's a nasty word," Surge replied with a sneer. "Pokémon are meant to grow strong. Those idiots treating them like pets or showpieces are wasting potential. We're just saving them, helping them find the right path. And if we make a little profit or run some experiments along the way? Even better. HAHAHAHA!"

Dozens of Magnemite floated ominously behind him. He was supremely confident—and brazen about it.

"Gabite—Dragon Pulse!"

Logan didn't wait. While Surge was still laughing, he issued the command. Gabite immediately opened its jaws—but not at Surge. Instead, it aimed skyward and released a massive Dragon Roar into the air.

"ROOOOOAAAR—!"

The deafening roar made Caitlin cover her ears. The intense sound echoed across the ocean, drowning out even the waves and causing the S.S. Anne's glass windows to tremble.

Moments later, lights flicked on in many of the ship's cabins. Voices shouted from below. Surge's expression darkened.

"…I see. You used Dragon Pulse's soundwave to wake everyone on board. Trying to expose me, huh?"

"Exactly," Logan smirked. "Unless Team Rocket's ready to burn your Gym Leader identity, you still have a role to play. And a Gym Leader attacking trainers with a literal army of Pokémon? Not exactly a good look."

"Hah! Now I believe you really beat Sabrina. Anyone who made that terrifying woman flinch must be serious."

Surge raised his hand. The swarm of Magnemite retreated into the holes in the deck.

Just as Logan predicted. If Surge still wanted to be a Gym Leader, he couldn't risk going all-out in front of witnesses. An organized Pokémon assault by dozens? Unacceptable.

Logan finally relaxed. A bunch of Magnemite wasn't the issue—it was the commander behind them. Especially when that commander was a trained military officer and a Gym Leader with Rocket agents as backup.

One Gym Leader alone was already tough—but with a Rocket unit? That was a nightmare fight.

"Even without the Magnemite, I'm still the Vermilion City Gym Leader! You came to challenge me, right?! Well—this is it! A double Gym challenge. You both face me, right here, right now."

"There are no rules for this battle... only one condition:"

"The loser—DIES!!"

RUMBLE——

Dark clouds rolled overhead. Lightning flashed. Thunder cracked like a war drum. The entire deck—now transformed into a sea of thunder

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