I, Gary, Want to Become a Pokemon Master

"Aggron, Mega Evolve!" Ghetsis commanded, holding up the Keystone.

The Keystone reacted to the Mega Stone on Aggron, triggering a burst of energy. In an instant, Aggron underwent Mega Evolution—its body became even more metallic and imposing, as if no force in the world could breach its ironclad armor.

[Lv. 65 Aggron ♂ / Champion-Class Potential]

Gary's eyes narrowed as he watched the transformation.

"So Team Rocket has a Pokémon capable of reaching Champion-class strength..." he muttered in surprise.

Though this Aggron hadn't yet reached true Champion level, with the assistance of Mega Evolution, it could rival a Champion's might in battle.

"Mr. Wallace, do you need my help here?" Gary asked, already anticipating a confrontation.

Wallace, calm and composed as always, shook his head. "No. Leave this group to me. You focus on rescuing Zinnia."

"Understood!"

Without wasting another second, Gary leapt onto Articuno's back and soared toward the round tower situated on the far end of the Aether Marine Platform.

Latios had previously conveyed an illusion to Gary: Rayquaza was being imprisoned within a massive chamber. The only structure large enough to contain such a colossal Legendary Pokémon was the tower that stood more than ten meters tall—clearly built for something much bigger than a standard Pokémon.

"Don't let him pass! Aggron, use Stone Edge!" Ghetsis ordered, thrusting his hand forward.

CRASH!

Before Aggron could launch its attack, a powerful Hydro Pump came crashing down on it, knocking it backward.

"Damn it! You—go help the others. I'll handle this!" Ghetsis snarled to the Rocket Grunts. He was aware that no powerful Trainer was stationed at the round tower, which made it a weak point.

The Rocket agents tried to make their way toward the tower—but two new figures blocked their path.

"Swampert!"

"Walrein!"

The two Pokémon slammed down onto the battlefield with thunderous presence. All eyes turned to Wallace, who now held two additional Poké Balls.

Clearly, Swampert and Walrein were his.

"I said, no one leaves," Wallace declared, his voice low but laced with icy authority.

A wave of tension swept over the battlefield. Even though Wallace was often considered the weakest of the regional Champions, he was still a Champion. His presence radiated power that ordinary Trainers simply couldn't match.

"Found it! Articuno, let's descend." Gary pointed downward as the Articuno swooped in.

Because the Aether Marine Platform was guarded by sophisticated electronic surveillance, they had to disrupt it using intense magnetic interference. Zapdos had been assigned to emit a magnetic field strong enough to disable communications and internal controls.

Without that interference, the experimentation would continue unchecked—and it was that very technology that had allowed Team Rocket and the Aether Foundation to capture Rayquaza in the first place.

"If we can shut down the systems completely, their operation falls apart," Gary thought to himself.

After landing on top of the massive tower, Gary inspected the structure and quickly spotted a hatch that looked like it could be opened.

"This must be how they brought Rayquaza in," he said. "Tyranitar, break it open!"

He threw a Poké Ball.

"Tyranitar—go!"

"Tyaaaan!"

With a roar, Tyranitar delivered a crushing blow to the metal plate beneath their feet.

CLANG!

The plate dented deeply, echoing with a resounding metallic thud.

Inside the tower...

Dr. Zager and another researcher frantically stared at the instrument panels, which were now blinking erratically.

"The magnetic interference... all the systems are shutting down!" the other scientist shouted.

The device restraining Rayquaza had been spraying continuous sedatives to keep the Legendary Dragon calm. Without that mechanism functioning, Rayquaza was moments from waking.

"Dr. Zager, the containment's failing!"

Zager gritted his teeth. "The experiment's failed. We're pulling out."

Though reluctant to abandon the research, he had no choice. The Hoenn League had already caught wind of their activities. Any further delay would only make matters worse.

"You can't just walk away from this!" the Aether Foundation's lead scientist, Sparky, growled. "Team Rocket is neck-deep in this too. Do you think the League will ignore that?"

Zager adjusted his coat coolly. "We were partners, not subordinates. Don't mistake collaboration for allegiance. And frankly, do you think Team Rocket fears the League?"

Ever since Giovanni—Banmu in certain translations—took over the organization, Team Rocket had evolved from a profit-driven crime syndicate into a world-dominating force, using Legendary Pokémon as tools of power.

This time, their shared goal with the Aether Foundation had been to study Infinity Energy, harnessing Rayquaza's unique biology to convert and store that energy. It would've changed everything.

But now...

BOOM!

The tower shook as Tyranitar continued hammering the ceiling from above.

"They're breaking in!" Sparky shouted, stepping back in panic.

"It seems Ghetsis failed," Zager muttered, unmoved. "Goodbye."

With that, he recalled his Pokémon, gave a cold glance at Sparky, and left the tower with the remaining Rocket agents.

BANG! BANG! BANG!

More strikes echoed as the thick metal ceiling finally gave way. A crack opened up—and through it, the glint of a dark green serpent's body became visible.

"Tyraaan!"

Tyranitar unleashed Superpower, finally tearing open a massive hole in the ceiling.

Gary recalled Tyranitar to its Poké Ball and leapt through the gap.

"Eevee!"

Eevee used Psychic, enveloping both itself and Gary in a faint aura, allowing them to descend slowly into the chamber.

As they floated down, Gary caught his first look at Rayquaza.

The sky dragon was restrained by thick metal rings that coiled around its body and limbs. Its powerful arms—clawed and muscular—were bound tightly, and its mouth was clamped shut with an iron muzzle. Its golden eyes were closed, its breathing steady but shallow.

[Lv. 115 Rayquaza – Deity-Class]

Gary's heart pounded.

This was the highest-level Pokémon he had ever seen—far beyond the power of any other he'd encountered, even Legendaries like Articuno or Zapdos.

Suddenly—

THUD!

Rayquaza's eyes snapped open.

Two golden, reptilian pupils focused directly on Gary and Eevee.

"F-Freakin' hell!" Gary gasped.

"Vee!" Eevee squeaked in terror, clinging to Gary's shoulder.

Though classified as a Dragon-type, Rayquaza's appearance resembled that of an eastern dragon or a serpent deity. Its slitted, snake-like pupils seemed to pierce directly into one's soul. The immense pressure from its gaze alone caused Gary to break into a cold sweat.

Fortunately, the muzzle on its mouth prevented it from releasing a Hyper Beam or Dragon Pulse. But even so, the restraints were starting to strain under Rayquaza's movement.

The dragon let out a muffled growl, its coils writhing ever so slightly, and the steel surrounding it groaned under the strain.