" I thought you said no battling this week." Jessie teased from the balloon.

" When you stole my brother's Pikachu and Gary's Arkinine, all deals were over." Wisty said. " Eevee Charmander Clefairy Jigglypuff Rockruff Amura Sprigatito Deerling Altaria Totodile Chikerita you know what to do!"

Wisty's Pokémon unleashed a barrage of attacks into the sky, their combined energy lighting up the area.

"Charmander, Flamethrower! Eevee, Swift! Rockruff, Stone Edge!" Wisty called out with determination, her voice carrying over the chaos.

Her team responded immediately, their attacks roaring toward Team Rocket's balloon. But nothing worked. Every move dissipated just before impact, as though an invisible shield was protecting the floating basket.

Jessie smirked, leaning against the edge of the balloon. "Is that all you've got? I expected more from you, Wisty. And after all that talk!"

Wisty gritted her teeth, her fists clenching at her sides. She could feel the heat of frustration rising in her chest. "What's going on?" she muttered under her breath, eyes darting around for a clue.

Ash and Gary stood nearby, equally baffled. "Wisty, let us help!" Ash called out, his eyes on Pikachu, who was thrashing furiously against the net.

But Wisty shot him a glare over her shoulder. "I said I've got this! Just stay back!"

Ash flinched but nodded, respecting her determination. Gary crossed his arms, his Arcanine growling from the net. "We need to figure out what they're using. It's like all of our moves are being nullified."

Up in the audience, Delia Ketchum sat on the edge of her seat, her heart pounding as she watched her daughter fight. "This has gone far enough," she muttered, standing abruptly.

"Delia, wait," Professor Oak said, catching her arm.

"But she's-!"

"She's handling it," Oak interrupted calmly but firmly. His eyes never left Wisty, his voice steady. "You've got to let her finish. If you intervene now, you'll only undermine her confidence."

Delia hesitated, her eyes darting between Wisty and the balloon. Finally, she sat back down with a reluctant sigh, though her hands gripped the edge of her seat tightly.

Wisty's mind raced as she growled under her breath. Nothing was working. Flamethrower, Swift, Ice Beam, Razor Leaf-every move she commanded was useless against the shield.

Up above, Meowth leaned lazily over the edge of the basket. "Face it, kid. Dis ain't yer lucky day. Dis new shield tech we got makes yer Pokémon attacks about as useful as a Magikarp floppin' around on dry land!"

Jessie laughed loudly. "Why don't you just give up and run home to your mommy?"

"Not happening!" Wisty snapped, her voice fierce. Her Pokémon lined up beside her, breathing hard but ready for more.

Ash stepped closer, his hands cupped around his mouth. "Wisty, we've got to figure out their weak spot! There's always a weak spot!"

"I know that, Ash!" Wisty snapped, her eyes blazing as she stared down the balloon. "Just... give me a minute to think!"

Jessie smirked at James, who was fiddling with some controls. "Looks like the little brat is starting to crack."

But Wisty wasn't cracking. She was calculating. Her mind was a whirlwind of strategies, trying to piece together a plan. Her Pokémon stood by her, their faith in her unwavering.

The crowd watched in hushed anticipation, Delia biting her lip anxiously while Professor Oak remained stoic.

"I'll show them," Wisty whispered to herself, her eyes narrowing. "They won't get away with this."

She wasn't going to back down. Not now. Not ever.

Wisty's eyes lit up as the pieces of her plan fell into place. She turned sharply to Ash, her voice firm and commanding.

"Ash! Run to the Pokémon National Preservation Center and get your Larvitar!" she shouted.

Ash blinked in surprise, momentarily thrown off. "Bu-"

"GO!" Wisty cut him off, her tone leaving no room for argument. Her fiery determination sent a jolt through him, and without another word, he bolted toward the center, Pikachu's desperate cries ringing in his ears.

Gary stepped forward, frowning. "Larvitar? How is that supposed to help?"

"Trust me," Wisty said, her voice low and intense as she focused on the balloon above. "If this works, we might actually stand a chance."

Jessie raised an eyebrow, clearly unimpressed. "What's the little brat plotting now?"

James adjusted his monocle, peering down at the scene. "Whatever it is, we've got plenty of time. That Larvitar won't make a difference against this technology!"

Meowth cackled. "Yeah, dere's no way they can touch us! We're invincible!"

Wisty ignored them, her mind racing as she continued barking commands to her team. "Altaria, keep them distracted with Dragon Pulse! Chikorita, use Vine Whip to reinforce the net Pikachu and Arcanine are in! Everyone else, stay alert for any sudden moves!"

Altaria soared high, unleashing shimmering waves of energy toward the balloon. Though the attacks dissipated before hitting the shield, they served their purpose-keeping Team Rocket on edge.

Gary crouched beside Wisty, his voice low. "Are you sure about this? That Larvitar is just a kid."

Wisty nodded, her expression grim but resolute. "I know. But Larvitar's Rock and Ground types might be exactly what we need to break through that shield. Trust me, Gary. It's our only shot."

Above them, Jessie was starting to look annoyed. "What's taking them so long? Shouldn't we have left by now?"

James waved a hand dismissively. "Relax, Jessie. They're just flailing around at this point. Nothing they do can-"

Suddenly, the sound of pounding footsteps drew their attention. Ash burst back onto the scene, his Larvitar cradled carefully in his arms.

"I've got him!" Ash shouted, his voice breathless but determined.

Wisty's eyes gleamed. "Perfect. Get over here!"

As Ash approached, Larvitar looked up at Wisty, tilting its head curiously. She knelt down to meet its gaze, her voice soft but urgent.

"Listen, buddy. We need your help to save Pikachu and Arcanine. You've got the strength we need to break through that shield. Are you with us?"

Larvitar let out a low growl of agreement, its small body tensing with determination.

"Good," Wisty said, standing up. "Now, everyone, get ready. This is it!"

Wisty didn't hesitate as she turned to Ash. "Tell Larvitar to use Screech attack! Now!"

Ash nodded quickly and knelt down to his Pokémon. "Larvitar, use Screech! Give it everything you've got!"

Larvitar inhaled deeply and let out an ear-piercing wail. The sound waves rippled toward Team Rocket's balloon, but the shield shimmered and absorbed the attack, leaving the net holding Pikachu and Arcanine completely intact.

Wisty clenched her fists. "Eevee, AMPLIFY!"

Eevee obeyed, hopping beside Larvitar and channeling her latent energy to intensify the sound waves. The amplified screech was deafening, shaking the trees below and making Team Rocket cover their ears in pain.

But the shield held.

Wisty gritted her teeth. "It's not working," she muttered, then took a deep breath. "Alright, new plan." She turned to Altaria. "Altaria, you're flying me up there."

"What?!" Ash and Gary shouted simultaneously.

"You guys stay down here and wait for my signal," Wisty continued, ignoring their protests. "We're going to handle this up close. Where's Togepi? I need her sniper."

Ash stared at her, utterly bewildered. "Her what?! Togepi has a sniper?!"

"Yes, and I need it now!" Wisty barked, scanning the area for the mischievous Pokémon.

Gary threw his hands up. "This is insane! You're going to get yourself hurt!"

"I don't have time to argue, Gary!" Wisty snapped. "You want Pikachu and Arcanine back or not?"

Before anyone could stop her, Togepi waddled out from behind a bush, holding her trusty sniper with a proud grin. "Toge!"

"Good girl," Wisty said, scooping up the weapon. She climbed onto Altaria's back, securing the sniper strap across her shoulder. "Alright, everyone. Hold the fort down here. Altaria and I are taking this fight to the sky."

Ash reached out, panicked. "Wisty, wait-"

But Altaria took off before he could finish, the powerful Pokémon ascending rapidly toward Team Rocket's balloon.

Jessie leaned over the edge of the basket, glaring down at the approaching duo. "Oh, no you don't!"

James fumbled with a remote. "We'll blast them out of the sky before they even reach us!"

Meowth slapped a paw over his face. "Do ya ever learn? She's got dat crazy look again!"

Wisty smirked as she closed in, her eyes narrowing. "Alright, Team Rocket. Let's see how your fancy shield holds up against this!"

Wisty's mind raced as the distance between her and Team Rocket's balloon closed. "Totodile!" she shouted, her voice unwavering. "Water Gun, now!"

Totodile sprang into action, unleashing a powerful stream of water that hit the underside of the balloon, pushing it back slightly. The force of the water gun made the balloon sway, but the shield didn't falter.

"Chikorita, now!" Wisty commanded, and Chikorita responded by releasing a barrage of sharp Razor Leaves. They sliced through the air, glinting like knives, but Team Rocket's shield absorbed the attack without so much as a dent.

"Amura, it's your turn!" Wisty barked, not letting up.

Amura, the Ice-type Pokémon, summoned an icy blast that coated the shield in a thin layer of frost. The balloon's shielding flickered, showing signs of wear from the chill, but it quickly regenerated.

Wisty scowled. The shield was strong, but she had a plan. "Alright, Togepi, get ready!" she called as she took aim with the sniper.

She steadied herself, calculating the perfect moment. Pikachu and Arcanine were still trapped, and there was no way she was backing down now.

Then, with a deep breath, Wisty fired.

The shot rang out, hitting the very center of the shield. A brilliant flash of energy exploded, and for a brief moment, the shield flickered wildly, weakening under the intense pressure of the sniper blast.

"That's it!" Wisty exclaimed. "Everyone, keep at it! We're breaking through!"

Totodile, Chikorita, and Amura continued their attacks, working in sync to wear down the shield. Wisty's grip on the sniper tightened as she prepared for another shot.

Inside the balloon, Team Rocket was starting to panic. Jessie gripped the side of the basket, eyes wide with alarm. "This can't be happening!" she yelled. "The shield is failing! James, do something!"

James fumbled with his gadgets, trying to reset the shield, but it was too late. The shield flickered once more-and then completely collapsed, shattering under the combined force of the attacks.

Pikachu and Arcanine were freed from the net and fell toward the ground, but they were quickly caught by Totodile, who tossed them safely back to Ash and Gary.

Wisty grinned triumphantly. "Nice work, everyone!"

But before she could celebrate, Team Rocket made their final move.

"Time to blast off again!" Jessie yelled, pushing a button on her remote.

The balloon began to rapidly ascend, pulling away from the scene.

Wisty shot a glare at the retreating balloon. "You're not getting away that easily!"

With a wave of her hand, she signaled to Altaria, who swiftly followed the balloon.