Pokemon: A different Ash

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"Very good, a smart decision! At least you won't suffer any physical pain!" The man looked at the scene with a proud smile.

"Damn it! You despicable villain!" Kaiser clenched his fists in rage as he watched. Despite being unable to use its special move, Dragonair continued to twist its body in struggle.

"What should I do? How can I save them?"

As Dragonair and Dratini were gradually pulled toward the helicopter's open door, Kaiser felt completely helpless.

"Pidgeot, use Steel Wing!" A voice that sounded like salvation to Kaiser suddenly rang out.

A Poké Ball flew through the air. With a flash of light, a figure burst forth at incredible speed. Wings spread wide, gleaming with metallic luster, it soared toward Dragonair and Dratini. The plan was clear – cut the rope and give Dragonair a chance to escape.

"What?! Weezing, use Hyper Beam!"

The figure standing in the helicopter doorway immediately noticed the attempt. With narrowed eyes, he threw his own Poké Ball, summoning a Weezing.

The larger of Weezing's two heads opened its mouth wide as powerful golden energy rapidly gathered.

BOOM!!!

A blinding beam of light blasted directly toward Pidgeot. The Bird Pokémon, still flying toward Dragonair and Dratini, noticed the incoming danger and looked up just in time to see the powerful attack approaching.

Pidgeot instinctively tried to dodge, but the opponent's attack was too fast. Although it barely avoided a direct hit, Pidgeot was still caught in the energy's aftershock. Losing balance, it was forced to veer away from Dragonair and Dratini's position.

The green-haired man looked down toward Ash and the others. When his eyes fell on Ash, they narrowed with recognition.

"It's you?" The man seemed surprised, as though he knew Ash.

Ash frowned slightly. This was his first time seeing this person, yet the man clearly recognized him.

"After ruining so many of our operations, you're here to interfere again? I'm not as forgiving as Archer and Ariana!" The man's eyes narrowed dangerously.

Ash paused momentarily, processing this information. Anyone who casually mentioned Ariana and Archer had to hold a significant position within Team Rocket. Those two were high-ranking officers, and most Team Rocket members wouldn't dare address them by name.

Based on the man's words, Ash made an educated guess about his identity.

"Proton?" he asked uncertainly. The man looked slightly surprised, but his smile only grew wider.

"As expected from the Trainer who has caught the Boss's attention. You recognized me at a glance. Impressive indeed."

Proton had not only heard about Ash, but had personally investigated him on executive orders. He knew Ash's situation well and had been tracking him for some time. His surveillance had only ended after an unexpected incident, shifting him to other assignments. He hadn't expected to encounter Ash like this.

Proton wasn't the only one surprised. Misty and Brock were equally shocked. How did Ash know so much about Team Rocket's hierarchy? How could he identify these criminals on sight? But now wasn't the time for questions.

Even after recognizing Proton, Ash remained tense. This man was rumored to be the most cruel and dangerous of all Team Rocket executives, yet he commanded high respect within the organization.

His immediate use of Hyper Beam without hesitation certainly supported that reputation.

"Today I'll be taking Dragonair and Dratini with me. We can test your strength another time!"

"Why wait? Let's settle this now! Pidgeot, use Hurricane!"

Ash couldn't simply watch them escape. At his command, Pidgeot rapidly beat its wings, generating a powerful air current.

The strong winds buffeted the helicopter, causing it to shake violently. Seeing this, a cold glint flashed in Proton's eyes.

"I told you not to interfere! Weezing!"

Gripping the doorframe for stability, Proton shouted orders to his Pokémon. Weezing quickly responded, flying around the edge of the Hurricane toward Pidgeot.

"Pidgeot, use Steel Wing!"

Seeing Weezing approaching, Ash quickly counterattacked. Pidgeot ceased generating the windstorm, then spread its wings with metallic gleam once more as it swooped toward Weezing.

The distance between the two Pokémon rapidly decreased. Just before impact, a sneer appeared on Proton's lips. Ash sensed something was wrong, but it was too late to change course.

"Hmph! So naive! Weezing, use Explosion!"

"What?!" Ash's eyes widened in shock, and Misty and Brock gasped in horror.

BOOM!!!

Weezing's body suddenly glowed with intense light, momentarily blinding Pidgeot. A massive explosion ripped through the air with devastating force. Even standing on the ground, Ash and his friends felt the powerful shockwave.

Through the flames and smoke, two figures plummeted simultaneously – Pidgeot and Weezing, both seriously injured.

"Return, Pidgeot!" Seeing his Pokémon falling toward the lake, Ash quickly raised his Poké Ball, recalling Pidgeot before it hit the water.

No one had expected Proton to employ such a mutually destructive tactic from the start.

Without a word, Proton recalled his fallen Weezing. The smile never left his face, but something in his expression gave Misty and Brock chills – as if a knife were hidden behind that smile.

"Young man, I have no intention of having a serious battle with you today. Such naivety will get you killed."

At that moment, a flash of green streaked through the air, followed by the glint of a sharp blade. The rope holding Dragonair and Dratini's net was suddenly severed.

As the Dragon Pokémon began to fall, the green figure halted in midair. Its blade-like wings spread wide, moving so quickly that only their shadows could be seen. With firm, cold eyes, the Scyther from earlier hovered proudly.

"It's Scyther from before!" Misty exclaimed in surprise. She hadn't expected the Bug Pokémon to come to their rescue at such a critical moment.