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[Thunder Punch]!
Electricity surged from Kael's right fist, the high-voltage current feeding into his entire body. Within the magnetic field, his speed spiked, every muscle primed for impact.
The electric roar was deafening. Yellow arcs flared outward, each wave of air popping with static.
A corona of golden lightning cloaked his body, and his narrowed eyes locked onto the grounded Cramorant like a laser cannon about to fire.
BOOM!
The earth shook violently. Dirt exploded into the air as Kael's strike landed, a shockwave rippling outward half a second later, laced with lingering sparks.
On the sidelines, Trevor was working frantically to stabilize Yanmega, his face tense. Out of the corner of his eye, he glanced at the battlefield.
Allen had already released his Snorunt. Pale frost swirled around the small Pokémon, glittering ice particles forming in the air.
A faint blue glow gathered at its mouth the [Ice Beam] was ready, waiting for Cramorant to reappear.
Wind from the blast swept over them, carrying a faint sting of electricity. Allen shielded his eyes with his forearm, scowling.
When the dust settled, the scene became clear.
A massive crater scarred the center of the field, cracks radiating outward. Black scorch marks marred the ground.
Kael stood in the middle, breathing hard, his right arm trembling. The [Thunder Stone] pendant on his chest pulsed as it worked to replenish the nearly depleted reserves in his body.
That attack had taken everything he had [Thunder Punch], powered up through [Charge], and boosted further by [Magnet Rise]. It was the strongest hit he could deliver.
Peering cautiously into the crater, he saw thin wisps of smoke curling upward.
In the center lay a charred, unmoving body the Cramorant.
"…What?"
Kael's brow furrowed. He knew exactly how strong he was, and while his attack was powerful, it shouldn't have been enough to completely drop a Pokémon that had injured Yanmega so badly.
What he didn't realize was that after firing its [Missile Barrage] with Barraskewda, the bird had been little more than a paper tiger barely holding onto Elite-level strength.
Worse still, as a Water/Flying-type, it was quadruple weak to Electric moves. His fully charged blow had landed squarely before it could dodge.
The result? Instant knockout.
Allen stared into the crater, stunned, a bead of sweat rolling down his temple. His estimation of Kael's strength and the Flaaffy he'd rented from the organization shot through the roof.
Trevor's Yanmega was a Professional Ace-level Pokémon, carefully raised from childhood, even capable of contending with certain Elites under the right conditions. And yet, the strange bird had crippled it in a single hit.
Now, that same bird had been one-shotted by Kael's Flaaffy.
In Allen's head, the math didn't lie:
Yanmega (strong) < Cramorant (stronger) < Flaaffy (strongest).
Meanwhile, Trevor kept working on Yanmega, torn between relief, vindication, and gratitude toward Kael.
---
One Hour Later – At Lake Shoreline
The crater still scarred the ground, but the campsite was empty.
The duo had moved quickly after all, the commotion they'd caused was far too big. Staying risked attracting more trouble.
They chose a new campsite high up in a massive tree, its thick branches hidden under dense leaves.
Allen and Trevor sat side by side, keeping a wary watch.
"How's Yanmega?" Allen asked quietly.
Trevor shook his head, his tone heavy. "Stabilized for now… but recovery's uncertain."
Allen sighed. "Should we head back—"
"No." Trevor cut him off sharply. "The mission continues. I still have other Pokémon… and we have that Flaaffy, don't we?"
A small smile tugged at his lips.
Allen smirked back. "…Alright."
Silence settled between them. The night forest echoed with strange calls. Allen leaned against the trunk, eyes drifting to the distant mountains silhouetted under the starlit sky.
Beside him, Trevor had already dozed off lightly, though his brow remained furrowed even in sleep.
Allen's gaze hardened. Whatever doubt he'd felt was gone, replaced by firm resolve.
---
Inside the Poké Ball, Kael lounged comfortably in a pile of fluffy wool. Thanks to the [Thunder Stone] pendant, the energy he'd spent earlier had been fully restored.
A notification pinged in his mind.
[Defeated Pokémon: Cramorant]
[Experience: +51]
His status updated:
[Species: Flaaffy]
[Level: 25 (26/100)]
[Moves: Tackle, Growl, Thunder Wave, Hidden Power (Dragon), Thunder Shock, Cotton Spore, Charge, Thunder Punch, Magnet Rise, Take Down, Electro Ball]
[Evaluation: A Flaaffy with immense potential]
"Oh? Leveled up again? And… [Electro Ball]?"
A grin spread across Kael's face. He immediately moved to the open space inside the ball, gathering electricity in his hands.
BZZZT!
Sparks danced wildly as a bright yellow sphere of condensed power formed in his palm.
Ideas began to swirl in his mind… and he couldn't wait to test them.
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~Support with 200 PowerStones = 1 Bonus Chapter
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