Heavy, hurried footsteps echoed through the cold metal corridor, each beat like a war drum striking the oppressive air inside the cabin. The cabin door did not open normally. Instead, with a piercing shriek of twisting metal, a tremendous force smashed it inward in its entirety. The frame buckled, sparks sprayed from the hinges, and a burly figure burst in with the corridor's cold wind at his back.
Apollo's bulk almost completely blocked the doorway. In the dim cabin light, the contours of his rock-hard muscles cast broad shadows that swallowed Matori's petite figure whole. His crimson hair resembled a blazing flame, mirroring the fury threatening to erupt from his eyes. It was raw, undisguised rage, mingled with the shock of betrayal and intense killing intent, like a male lion whose territory had been invaded.
"I'll ask you one last time. What are you doing?" His voice was low, yet carried thunderous force that made the cabin's metal walls hum. His gaze pinned Matori like two red-hot branding irons, then swept past her to Ye Li, restrained in an energy field behind her. "Why are you attacking Lord Ye Li?"
The question churned in his chest, almost burning away what remained of his reason. In his eyes, Ye Li had become far more than an ordinary executive. This seemingly frail man was the absolute linchpin of their operation's success, the hero who had led them through the fog and subdued a legendary Pokémon. More importantly, Ye Li was someone their boss, Giovanni, had personally promoted and held in high regard, an indispensable part of Team Rocket's future plans.
To Apollo, laying a hand on Ye Li went beyond mere internal power struggles. It was an open challenge to their boss's authority, a denial of everything this great operation meant. It