Strongest Lottery System in Pokémon World

Chapter 9: Team Rocket's Trio

[Congratulations! You have obtained a Metal Coat!]

"Metal Coat?"

Marcel repeated the system notification in curiosity.

[Metal Coat: an item that allows specific Pokémon to evolve.]

"I know that," he muttered.

As a loyal fan of Pokémon, Marcel was well aware of its significance. The Metal Coat was a key item used to evolve Scyther into Scizor and Onix into Steelix. It also boosted the power of Steel-type moves when held.

"This isn't a bad pull."

While the item wasn't as game-changing as his previous rewards, it was still quite valuable. Items like the Metal Coat were rare, as reflected in the scarcity of Pokémon like Scizor and Steelix.

Whether he gave it to Metagross to enhance its Steel-type moves or saved it for evolving a future Scyther or Onix, the Metal Coat was sure to come in handy.

As Marcel pondered where in Kanto he might find Scyther or Onix, the Pokémon Center's door suddenly swung open.

Ash burst in, followed closely by a breathless Misty.

The moment Ash spotted Marcel, he sprinted over. "Marcel, how's Pikachu?!"

"Keep your voice down," Marcel said, glancing at the other trainers in the Pokémon Center who were now staring.

Ash froze, scratching his head in embarrassment before lowering his voice. "How's Pikachu?" he asked again, his concern evident.

"There's no danger. Pikachu's being treated now," Marcel reassured him. "But in the future, try not to provoke flocks of wild Pokémon like that."

Ash nodded sheepishly, the memory of being chased by the Spearow still vivid in his mind.

"By the way," Marcel added with a smirk, "what are you going to do about Misty's bike?"

Ash flinched, his gaze darting toward Misty, who stood nearby holding her wrecked bicycle.

"Yes, Ash," Misty said sharply, her anger still simmering. "Give me back my bike!"

Ash winced at the sight of the twisted frame and broken wheel. "I'm… really sorry," he said, looking genuinely regretful.

Misty's anger softened slightly. While Ash had been reckless and inconsiderate, he seemed willing to take responsibility.

But before she could let it go, Ash added, "But I don't have any money…"

"What?!"

Misty exploded, her earlier forgiveness vanishing in an instant.

Ash raised his hands defensively. "I promise I'll pay you back—slowly!"

Before Misty could unleash another tirade, the doors of the Pokémon Center suddenly blew open with a deafening boom!

---

A plume of smoke filled the entrance, spreading rapidly through the room. Trainers gasped, some screaming in panic.

"Hahahahaha!"

Loud laughter echoed ominously from the smoky doorway.

"Who's there?!" Ash shouted instinctively.

Marcel's mouth twitched as he realized what was happening. Here we go…

From within the smoke, a red-haired woman struck a dramatic pose, her back turned to a blue-haired man holding a rose.

"Since you asked so nicely," the man said, smirking as he stepped forward.

"We'll answer with style!" the woman declared.

"Prepare for trouble!"

"And make it double!"

"To protect the world from devastation!"

"To unite all peoples within our nation!"

"To denounce the evils of truth and love!"

"To extend our reach to the stars above!"

"Jessie!"

"James!"

"Team Rocket blasts off at the speed of light!"

"Surrender now or prepare to fight!"

"Meowth! That's right!"

The small, cat-like Pokémon leapt between them, striking a pose of its own.

---

The Pokémon Center fell silent. The dramatic introduction hung awkwardly in the air, unacknowledged by the stunned audience. Even the hissing sound of the lingering smoke bomb seemed louder than the trio's entrance.

Team Rocket Trio shifted uncomfortably, unsure how to recover from the lack of response.

Suddenly, the silence was broken by slow clapping.

"Bravo!" Marcel said, smirking as he applauded. "That's some dedication to your performance."

"Why, thank you!" Jessie and James bowed graciously.

But as they straightened up, their expressions turned serious. "Now then," Jessie said, releasing a Poké Ball, "hand over your Pokémon!"

"Yes," James added, throwing his own Poké Ball. "Team Rocket is here on official business. Surrender all your Pokémon immediately!"

The trainers in the Pokémon Center froze in fear, finally registering them beyond their weirdness. The R symbol on their chest and that uniform was unmistakable. They were, indeed, Team Rocket's.

"Run!" someone shouted, and a stampede of trainers surged toward the door.

"Weezing, use Smog to block their escape!" James commanded.

"Weez-ing!"

Weezing floated into the air and unleashed a thick cloud of poisonous gas, halting the fleeing trainers in their tracks.

One brave trainer tried to fight back. "Pidgeotto, use Gust to blow the gas away!"

A Pidgeotto burst from its Poké Ball, flapping its wings powerfully to disperse the smog.

But Jessie remained unfazed. "Arbok, use Poison Sting!"

A torrent of poisonous needles shot from Arbok's mouth, striking Pidgeotto before it could fully clear the smoke. The Flying-type Pokémon fell to the ground, unconscious.

"Pidgeotto!"

The trainer rushed to its side, cradling the injured Pokémon.

The other trainers hesitated, fear gripping them as they realized they were no match for Team Rocket.

"Why hasn't Officer Jenny arrived yet?!" someone cried.

Meanwhile, Ash turned to Marcel, his voice cutting through the chaos. "Marcel, what is Team Rocket?"

Marcel sighed, rubbing his temples. Trust Ash to ask a clueless question at the worst possible time.