" Hmph. Such impudence." Giovanni stated.

" Sir?" I hesitantly spoke up, stepping forward.

Red reached for my hand, but I shook my head.

" Sir, I just want to ask you something," I continued. " Why do you see Pokemon as tools? Pokemon are living, such as yourself. They fight for you because they want to!"

Giovanni smirked. " What foolishness. Pokemon are tools. They have powers us humans do not have. They must be used."

" But why not actually catching the Pokemon? Why stealing?"

" Mia, drop it." Lillie whispered.

" Yeah, it's not worth it!" Paulo replied.

I ignored them. " Sir, Pokemon are family! They fight because they want to!"

Giovanni's smirk only deepened as I stood my ground, challenging his views. His sharp eyes glinted with disdain, and for a moment, I felt a chill run down my spine. But I refused to back down. My fists clenched at my sides as I met his gaze.

"Foolishness," Giovanni muttered under his breath, though the bitterness in his voice was laced with something darker. "You don't understand. Pokémon are just tools to be used, nothing more. The sooner you realize that, the better."

"That's where you're wrong!" I shot back, my voice growing steadier. "I've seen Pokémon fight alongside humans, not because they have to, but because they choose to. They trust us. They love us. And that's not something you can take away."

Red squeezed my hand from behind, but I still didn't turn to face him. His touch was comforting, but this was something I had to do on my own. I had to stand up for Pokémon and what they deserved.

"Pokemon are not yours to control!" I continued, stepping closer to Giovanni, my voice unwavering. "You can steal them all you want, but they will never truly belong to you. Not like that."

Giovanni's smile twisted into something cruel. "You think you can change my mind, girl?" His voice lowered into a dangerous growl. "I've been using Pokémon to further my own goals for years. And I've seen firsthand what they can do when controlled properly. What makes you think you can teach me anything?"

I took a deep breath, refusing to let his words shake me. "Because I believe in something more. I believe Pokémon are partners, not tools to be discarded and replaced. You're the one who's blind."

Behind me, I could hear Lillie and Paulo muttering, but I blocked them out, my focus solely on Giovanni. He might be the leader of Team Rocket, but I wasn't afraid to face him head-on.

For a moment, it was silent, the tension hanging thick in the air.

Then, Giovanni's expression changed-his smugness replaced with a cool, calculating demeanor. "You have spirit, I'll give you that. But spirit alone won't save you."

Without warning, he summoned his Pokémon-his massive, intimidating Rhydon and the sleek Persian. They stared us down with their cold, calculating eyes.

"You think you're the first to challenge me with such idealism?" Giovanni sneered. "Let's see how long that idealism lasts when you're staring defeat in the face."

I didn't flinch. I wasn't backing down. "I don't need to defeat you to prove a point. I just need you to see Pokémon the way they truly are-partners, friends, not objects for exploitation."

Giovanni laughed darkly. "Then you'll learn the hard way. Let's see if your words hold any weight after this."

Red stepped forward, his silent determination obvious. He stood next to me, ready to fight beside me, and I felt a surge of strength flow through me.

"Let's do this," I whispered, knowing that our bond with Pokémon was something no one could take away.

Giovanni's eyes narrowed, and he nodded to his Pokémon, preparing for battle. It was time to show him, once and for all, what it truly meant to fight for Pokémon.

I collapsed to my knees, my breath ragged and shallow, the weight of defeat crushing me. My hands were scraped, bloodied, and my clothes torn from the battle that had just ended. But it wasn't just my body that hurt. It was my spirit. Giovanni had made it clear-his vision of the world was far stronger than mine.

I tried to push myself up, but the pain in my arms and legs was too much. Red was kneeling next to me in an instant, his hands gently resting on my shoulders as he helped steady me. His face was filled with concern, his usual silent strength now radiating more than ever.

"You okay?" Red asked quietly, though his eyes told me he already knew the answer.

I gave him a small, pained smile, though it didn't reach my eyes. "I... I'm fine. Just... just a little bruised."

But the truth was, I didn't feel fine. I felt defeated, humiliated even. Not by the battle itself-those were just scratches and bruises that would heal. But by the way I had failed to make Giovanni see reason. My ideals felt so small, so fragile against the cold, ruthless power he wielded.

Lillie and Paulo came running over, their faces pale as they took in the sight of my injuries. Misty and Erica weren't far behind, their expressions a mixture of shock and concern. "Mia!" Lillie gasped, kneeling beside me. "You're hurt!"

I shook my head weakly, trying to push them away, though I had no strength left to do so. "It's not-"

"Don't you dare say it's nothing!" Paulo snapped, kneeling down as well and carefully taking my hands into his. "Mia, look at you."

I didn't have the energy to argue with him. Instead, I let my head fall back, leaning against Red's chest as he carefully held me. I could feel his heartbeat, steady and strong, contrasting sharply with the chaos that was swirling inside me.

"Why did you do it, Mia?" Lillie asked softly, her voice laced with worry. "You knew the odds weren't in our favor."

"Because..." I trailed off, my throat tightening. "Because I believe in Pokémon. And I wanted him to see it. I thought... I thought if I could just show him-if I could just make him understand..."

"But you did," Misty said gently, her tone surprising me with its warmth. "You did show him. You stood up for what you believe in, even if it didn't go the way we wanted. That takes more strength than any battle."

I closed my eyes, absorbing her words, even though the ache in my chest refused to subside. "It didn't matter," I whispered. "He still doesn't understand."

"That's not the point," Erica added firmly. "It doesn't matter if he understands. What matters is that you showed yourself what you believe. You didn't give up."

I swallowed hard, feeling the sting of tears in my eyes, though I fought to keep them at bay. It wasn't supposed to end like this. I wasn't supposed to feel so... helpless.

Red, ever the quiet supporter, gently lifted me up, his arm around my shoulders. His eyes, even without words, told me that no matter what happened, we would move forward together. "We'll get him next time," he whispered, his voice soft yet resolute.

But I couldn't help the sinking feeling in my chest. Next time... Would there even be a next time? Or was this all just a cruel reminder of how small my ideals seemed in the face of true evil?

As the group helped me to my feet, my legs still shaky, I knew one thing for sure: this battle had only just begun. And no matter how many scars I wore, no matter how many times I fell, I would keep fighting for Pokémon, for their freedom, and for everything they stood for.

I just hoped that one day, Giovanni would see what I saw.

As we stepped out of the building, the cool evening air hit my face. I was still leaning heavily against Red, his arm wrapped securely around me as he carried me. My legs were too shaky to hold me up, and my body still ached from the battle. But his presence kept me grounded, his steady heartbeat in sync with my own as I clung to him, unwilling to let go.

The sound of footsteps and hurried voices reached us before I saw them. Standing just outside were Brock, Sabrina, Surge, Blue, Lance, and Lorelei. Their expressions shifted immediately when they saw us-shock, concern, and confusion flashing across their faces.

"What happened to her?" Brock's deep voice was the first to break the silence. His brows furrowed as he stepped closer, his eyes scanning me for injuries.

Sabrina's gaze was intense, though her voice was calm. "She looks like she's been through a battle."

"No kidding," Surge said, his gruff tone betraying his worry. "Mia, you look like you went ten rounds with a Machamp. What happened?"

Blue stepped forward, his usual smug demeanor replaced with genuine concern. "Mia, are you okay? And why is Red carrying you? Did something happen inside?"

I buried my face into Red's jacket, unable to meet their eyes. I felt too vulnerable, too raw. Red tightened his hold on me slightly, his silent way of saying he had me.

Lance's crimson eyes narrowed as he looked between me and Red. "This isn't just about a battle, is it?" His voice was calm but carried an edge of authority. "What happened in there?"

Lorelei crossed her arms, her cool demeanor giving way to a softer expression. "Mia, you don't have to explain if you're not ready, but you look like you've been through hell."

Red's gaze swept over them all, and for a moment, he looked like he was going to stay silent as always. But then, to everyone's surprise, he spoke.

"She stood up to Giovanni," Red said, his voice steady and calm but laced with pride. "She tried to reason with him, to make him see that Pokémon aren't tools. And when that didn't work, she fought."

Everyone froze, their eyes widening in shock. Sabrina's lips parted as if to say something, but she hesitated. Lance exchanged a look with Lorelei, his expression unreadable.

"She... stood up to Giovanni?" Brock repeated, his tone incredulous. "Mia, you went head-to-head with the leader of Team Rocket?"

"She didn't back down," Red added, his voice firmer now. "Even when she knew the odds were against her, she didn't give up."

Blue let out a low whistle, shaking his head. "That's... wow, Mia. That's gutsy. Stupid, but gutsy."

"I'm fine," I mumbled, my voice muffled by Red's jacket. "I just... I couldn't let him get away with saying those things about Pokémon."

Lance stepped forward, his gaze softening. "You're braver than most trainers, Mia. But bravery doesn't mean pushing yourself to the point of collapse."

"She's hurt," Lorelei said, her tone sharp as she gestured to me. "We need to get her somewhere she can rest."

Red nodded, already moving to step past them, his grip on me firm yet gentle. "I'll take care of her."

As they watched us leave, I could feel their eyes on me-some filled with admiration, others with concern. But I didn't look back. I stayed close to Red, his warmth and presence the only thing keeping me from breaking down completely.

As we walked, Red leaned down slightly, his voice low and meant only for me. "Mia, you're stronger than you think. Don't ever forget that."

I glanced up at him, my eyes meeting his for a brief moment, and I felt a small spark of hope amidst the pain. For the first time in a long time, I believed him.