Boom!!!!
Under Xiaozhi's tense gaze and Fang Yuan's calm gaze, Thunderbolt collided with Sand Splash, and the spinning Sand Splash effortlessly swallowed the entire electric current—
On the field, Pikachu panted heavily.
Eevee also showed a tired expression, after all, a "Great Move" and "Super Skill" like the Sand-spouting Counter-shield consumed a considerable amount of energy when used by a Pokemon like Eevee.
......
"Hey, did you see that?"
"That Eevee, Meowth..."
"Actually put Pikachu, who has defeated us countless times, in trouble!!"
During Xiaozhi and Fang Yuan's battle, in secret, a few sneaky figures began to discuss—it was Team Rocket Fang Yuan had encountered before.
Team Rocket Trio, intent on capturing Pikachu to present to Boss Giovanni for promotion and wealth, saw that Fang Yuan's Eevee was so powerful and mastered such miraculous skills, their eyes went wide with greed.
Their only female member, Jessie, looked almost ablaze with fury, glaring fiercely at James and Meowth.
"Idiots, what did I tell you? If we had listened to me before and caught that Eevee, we would have already been promoted and rich!!"
"But you wanted to capture it as a pet before..." James muttered.
"Enough, look! Pikachu and Eevee are now tired from the battle, covered in injuries. Isn't this the best opportunity for us to act and capture both Pokemon in one fell swoop?!" James quickly chimed in after noticing Jessie's murderous gaze.
Indeed, the scene on the field appeared just as he described.
"Right!" Reminded by James's words, Jessie looked and immediately realized.
Now, wasn't it an excellent chance to capture them?
"What to do..." Meowth sharpened its claws, a glint appearing in its eyes, "Let's move up the capture plan, from Pikachu Capture Plan to Pikachu and Eevee Capture Plan!"
"I have a feeling it's going to be great, Meowth."
.........
"Damn it—Is there no other way?"
At this moment, since both Quick Attack and Thunderbolt posed no threat to the Sand-spouting Counter-shield, Xiaozhi began to sweat profusely, and the pressure from participating in the Alliance conference resurfaced in his heart.
After many fruitless attacks, Pikachu, too, was exhausted. Though speed attack tactics were its strength, its clear weaknesses were its physical strength and defensive power, at least for now.
"Xiaozhi..." Brock and Misty said worriedly.
Is there no hope left?
"Looks like you're out of options now."
Similarly, as Xiaozhi appeared helpless against the Counter Shield, Fang Yuan felt somewhat regretful in his heart. Eevee had controlled the power of Sand Splash to match Pikachu's level. As long as Pikachu and Xiaozhi came up with the right techniques, in theory, it could be countered.
But it seemed that Xiaozhi at this stage hadn't yet reached the tactical maturity of his future self.
"Eevee, let's use Quick Attack as well." Finally, Fang Yuan issued the attack command.
This battle, too, should come to an end.
Fishing complete, it was about time for the fish to take the bait.
When Fang Yuan gave the order, Eevee didn't respond immediately to Fang Yuan's command but raised its head instead.
Seeing its opponent suddenly look up, Pikachu across the field also slightly raised its head.
Pikachu: ◔‸◔
"Pika... (There's nothing...)"
Pikachu's thought had not settled for two seconds when a large net suddenly fell from the sky, covering the entire battlefield in an instant. The speed at which it descended was astonishing, and both Pikachu and Eevee, in the middle of the field, were directly engulfed by the net!!
Seeing this, Xiaozhi, Misty, and Brock were immediately shocked and dismayed.
"What's going on!!!"
"Pikachu, are you okay?" Xiaozhi shouted worriedly.
Fang Yuan looked towards Eevee, quite unconcerned.
Everything was within his and Eevee's anticipation...
Then, as expected, several laughs followed, and from behind a cloud, a Meowth Balloon swiftly floated into view.
"We heard someone ask 'What's going on!'."
"Ha ha... since you've so sincerely asked..."
On the Meowth Balloon, Team Rocket delivered their classic lines, alerting Xiaozhi and the others as to who was causing trouble again.
Hearing the lines, Fang Yuan also criticized in his mind—this line must have been made up just to drag things out, right?! As an antagonist's monologue, it lacked any aura of menace!
After the lines were delivered, the figures of Team Rocket Trio, Jessie, James, and Meowth, along with the balloon, became clear.
"Team Rocket!!!"
Seeing James and the others, Xiaozhi was furious; these people always interfered whenever he was battling.
It was utterly infuriating!
"Pikachu, use Thunderbolt!!" Xiaozhi angrily commanded, directing the trapped Pikachu.
"Pika!!!"
Upon hearing this, Pikachu immediately stopped struggling, looked up into the sky, and started to charge electricity, preparing to release Thunderbolt toward the sky to repel Team Rocket.
"Pika—Pi!!!"
However, after Pikachu released the electric charge, Thunderbolt did not form. Instead, the current spread directly to the surrounding area along the large net!
"Bwoo!!!"
Eevee, also under the net, was directly shocked. Although it could virtually ignore an electric shock of this magnitude, the momentary numbing still almost made it burst into fury.
Eevee: (╬￣皿￣)
Damn it, why had Fang Yuan told it not to move.