c108: The Pokémon Army Is Coming
"Also, Master Lei, I've probably figured out the cause of all this—it seems someone took something from Zapdos, which triggered this entire incident. If we can find out what that 'something' is, we might be able to avoid a full-scale war."
Chen Xiaoxiao explained gravely, her expression serious.
"Do you know what exactly was taken?" Hall Master Lei asked with furrowed brows.
"I don't. The Electric-type Pokémon don't know either. Maybe only Zapdos does. The people we rescued from the Electric Forest… they haven't left yet, right?"
Chen Xiaoxiao asked with concern.
"None of them left. Don't worry."
Hall Master Lei immediately understood her implication. If someone among those rescued had taken Zapdos's item, it was vital they not escape.
"Everyone quiet down! I have a very important question!"
Hall Master Lei's commanding voice silenced the camp instantly. His authority, long-established as one of Beihu's strongest trainers, had a presence stronger than even some Elite Pokémon.
He motioned to Chen Xiaoxiao to proceed.
Gardevoir and Solgaleo stood beside her, already on alert.
"Did anyone among you pick up or take anything from the Electric Forest recently?" she asked directly, scanning the crowd.
The question was broad, and several people hesitated before answering.
Gardevoir and Solgaleo's eyes glowed simultaneously Confusion activated. Several hesitant individuals were gently lifted toward Chen Xiaoxiao for inspection.
Chen Xiaoxiao followed up, verifying their stories.
Most had only collected common evolutionary stones. One trainer had picked up a Magnet, a useful but fairly standard Electric-type item.
Nothing that could reasonably justify an enraged Zapdos declaring war.
She turned to Hall Master Lei and shook her head in disappointment.
But then, something occurred to her. Her gaze sharpened, and she looked around the group again.
"…Where are Lei Jian and Lei Ye?"
She murmured, not loud, but clear enough.
Hall Master Lei, already watching her closely, caught the movement of her lips.
Hiss! He sucked in a breath sharply.
No. It couldn't be those two...
His expression darkened.
"Lei Jian! Lei Ye! Has anyone seen them?!"
His voice boomed.
People glanced around, whispering. But no sign of the two students.
The teacher from Hanwu University, Mr. Gardener, stepped forward. "Those are the only two students who haven't come back. We've tried contacting them. Nothing."
Hissss…
Another sharp breath escaped Hall Master Lei. If it really was those two…
He clenched his fists. They're dead meat.
But there was no time to dwell. Suddenly, a deafening, high-pitched cry pierced the sky. The ground vibrated violently, echoing like distant thunder. A tremor rippled beneath their feet.
Then a booming stampede, like the march of a thousand troops.
"They're coming."
Chen Xiaoxiao's expression hardened.
"All trainers below Quasi-Elite, gather immediately! Teacher Zhao, take them and retreat ten kilometers to the south. No exceptions! If anyone tries to return or run, have your Pokémon render them unconscious! I'll take full responsibility!"
Hall Master Lei issued orders quickly.
Although he suspected his niece and nephew were at the root of this disaster, there was no time for emotional hesitation. Immediate evacuation of the weaker trainers was priority one.
"Master Lei! Let me stay!"
Teacher Zhao protested.
"I'm the highest-ranked trainer here. That's an order."
Hall Master Lei didn't budge. His tone left no room for argument.
"…Understood. Everyone, move!"
Zhao bit back his pride and nodded, retreating quickly with over a dozen trainers who were below the Quasi-Elite tier.
At that moment, a young logistics trainer on a Swellow flew in, landing beside Hall Master Lei. He opened a large box from his storage bracelet.
"Master Lei, it's ready!"
"Good. Distribute them!"
Inside were specialized sunglasses a high-grade model embedded with light filters, designed for high-flash environments and Electric-type battles where blinding attacks like Flash, Thunder Wave, or Discharge are common.
Chen Xiaoxiao opened her box and raised an eyebrow.
Sunglasses.
Immediately, she understood. "How thoughtful. A seasoned team, no doubt…"
Once everyone was equipped, Hall Master Lei barked further instructions.
"The rest of you spread out! Summon your Pokémon! Avoid using Electric-type moves unless you're resisting! Keep at least one Pokémon with Protect ready at all times to shield yourselves! From this point forward everything depends on us!"
Trainers nodded and deployed their teams. Most of them were Ground-, Rock-, or Steel-type specialists well-suited to resisting Electric-types.
Chen Xiaoxiao took a moment to assess.
Hall Master Lei's Electivire had reached Level 83, true Champion-tier strength. His Luxray, Magnezone, and Vikavolt were all above Level 70 solid Elite class.
First-tier city leaders really lived up to their reputations.
Around her, only a handful of other trainers had Elite-level Pokémon. Most had one or two at best.
She stepped forward and summoned her own team.
"Come out! Sun Pokémon, Metagross, Meowstic, Latias!"
Poké Balls burst open in quick succession. Latias glided out, glowing with calm strength.
This was the first time Chen Xiaoxiao's team had been fully revealed to the others.
Hiss…
Hall Master Lei and several nearby trainers audibly gasped.
"She has a Latias…!"
The moment was brief.
A rumble in the distance brought reality crashing back the electric army was now only a kilometer away.
Everyone tensed.
Chen Xiaoxiao glanced skyward.
Overhead, Zapdos finally came into view soaring across the treetops, thunder crackling behind its wings like celestial drumbeats.
The electric horde stretched for as far as the eye could see thousands of Pokémon, from Electabuzz to Galvantula, from Togedemaru to Manectric, all marching with purpose.
Even rare Pokémon like Eelektross, Magnezone, and Rotom could be seen, surrounded by herds of Flaaffy, Heliolisk, and Tynamo.
A trembling breath escaped several trainers.
This wasn't a wild stampede.
This was an army.
The kind you read about in myths. The kind that defends a god.
"The Electric Forest spans only a few hundred kilometers… Solgaleo's perception covers hundreds. If even it couldn't detect Lei Jian and Lei Ye aboveground… Could they be underground?"
Chen Xiaoxiao's thoughts sharpened like a blade.
"Gardevoir, re-enter the Forest. Search the subterranean layers. Scan for irregular terrain, life signs, or concealed caves. Find Lei Jian and Lei Ye."
She gave the order calmly.
"(Understood, Xiaoxiao.)"
Gardevoir glanced at her with slight concern.
Chen Xiaoxiao smiled, placing a hand on her partner's head.
"Don't worry. If we can't beat them, we'll outrun them. I trust you."
With a final nod, Gardevoir Teleported away in a flash.
Hall Master Lei, standing beside her, had overheard. He gave a grim nod.
If there was any hope of avoiding bloodshed now it rested on finding those two fools and returning whatever they took before Zapdos began its judgment.
As the electric army advanced
Zapdos's cry pierced the sky again, shaking even the clouds.
"Come forth Electivire, Rayquaza Pokémon, Luxray, Magnezone, Vikavolt!"
Lei Master deployed his full squad, ready for war.
Chen Xiaoxiao clenched her fists, then took a steady breath, eyes locked on the storm deity above.
"…Let's end this without a battle, if we can."
But deep down, she knew…
The sky was about to crack open.
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