Lorelei felt the veins at her temples throbbing violently, as though a little drum were beating inside her skull. The cold mountain wind swept through her long burgundy hair, but could not dispel the anger and shock in her heart. She had imagined countless possibilities: Team Rocket might use the city's terrain to mount a desperate resistance, might lay trap after trap, or might even take hostages when cornered.
But she had never imagined that they would undercut her like this, putting her in check without spilling a drop of blood.
Standing between her and her suppression force was Erika. The Celadon Gym Leader who represented the Pokémon League's official authority and was beloved by the citizens. The Trainers behind her all wore Rainbow Badges on their chests, symbols of their Pokémon League affiliation. They represented the Pokémon League's standing in Celadon City and the will of the city's people.
Force a battle?
The thought flashed through Lorelei's mind for only a second before she immediately quashed it. What would that mean? It would mean a member of the Elite Four attacking a Pokémon League Gym Leader, the Pokémon League's regular troops opening fire on a city under a Gym's protection. She could not bear that charge. This would not merely be a serious violation, but a political scandal that would shake the very foundations of the Kanto League's rule. Once proven, never mind wiping out Team Rocket-even her own position in the Elite Four would be in jeopardy.
"All units, hold your positions! Without my orders, no one is to make a move!" Lorelei issued the command to her troops through her communicator, suppressing her fury.
She urged the Lapras beneath her toward Erika's defensive line, alone. Lapras glided gracefully over the ground, the chill radiating from its body