"Infernape, Fire Punch! Take down that Electabuzz!"
The Pokémon Hunter smirked as his Electabuzz cracked its fists together, sparks flying. Behind him stood a snarling Houndoom, and beyond them loomed a large reinforced cage, several captured wild Pokémon shackled inside with electric restraints.
"Electabuzz—Thunder Punch!" the Hunter barked.
"Jigaah!"
Electabuzz charged forward, fists blazing with electricity. But two seconds later, it was hurled backward by a single devastating blow from Infernape, collapsing in the dirt with a strangled cry.
The Hunter's eyes bulged. "What—impossible! Its strength is… monstrous!"
His shock quickly twisted into greed. "This one's not going to the underground arena. No… I'll capture it myself."
He fumbled for a shock bracelet designed to subdue Pokémon. "Houndoom, Flamethrower—pin it down!"
"Doooom!"
Houndoom's jaws split wide, spewing a stream of searing flame.
Infernape didn't flinch. Instead, it roared and charged straight through, its fists igniting with wild fury. Flames licked across its body, yet it pressed on, madness in its eyes. Its fiery punches tore through the blaze, scattering it like smoke.
The Hunter recoiled. "It's insane… the flames are only making it stronger!"
Houndoom hesitated, growling uncertainly.
But it was too late. Infernape was already upon it. One savage punch shattered Houndoom's fangs, launching the Dark-type dozens of meters into the air before it crashed with a howl.
The Hunter's hands shook as Infernape's shadow fell over him. With a strangled gasp, he fired the bracelet. A steel band snapped shut around Infernape's torso and discharged a violent surge of electricity. The Hunter exhaled in relief as the Fighting-type convulsed, wreathed in sparks.
"Fortunate… I fired in time," he panted, turning the voltage to maximum. "Now you're mine!"
But then—
Crack!
The bracelet shattered like glass, fragments falling to the dirt.
Infernape lifted its head slowly, eyes blazing with cold fury. Its gaze promised death.
The Hunter's jaw slackened. "No… no, no, no—"
He collapsed to his knees, babbling. "Brother, forgive me! I didn't mean to—life forced me—I—"
Infernape's fist silenced him, hurling him through the trees like a ragdoll. He hit the ground with a wet crunch and didn't rise.
Cheers erupted from the cage behind them.
"Pika pika!""Nidooo!""Meep!"
The captive Pokémon cried out desperately. Infernape turned, strode to the cage, and with a single punch shattered the lock. The door swung wide, the freed Pokémon rushing out to nuzzle him gratefully.
But Infernape, expression grim, only grunted and stalked off into the forest, seeking the next target of its rage.
High above, Ethan rode astride his Charizard, scanning the forest below. He guided the dragon to descend near the crater where the Hunter's broken body had landed.
The man's chest was caved in, blood spilling down his chin as he coughed. He looked up weakly as Ethan approached.
"Save… me…" the Hunter rasped.
Ethan crouched, rifling through his coat pockets. He found a phone, pressed the man's bloodied finger to the scanner, and unlocked it.
"Save me…" the Hunter pleaded again.
Ethan's eyes were cold. "Why would I? That Infernape you tried to steal is mine. You'll stay here and face punishment—from the very Pokémon you abused."
He transferred the man's funds to his own account, dropped the phone, and turned to leave.
"I… I have news!" the Hunter wheezed desperately. "About Raikou—the Thunder God!"
Ethan froze mid-step.
The Hunter grinned faintly through the blood. "It's true… cough… This hunt was preparation. My team has been gathering Electric-types for the capture operation."
Ethan's eyes narrowed.
"Save me… and I'll share it all. Otherwise, it dies with me," the Hunter croaked.
Instead of replying, Ethan picked the phone back up and scrolled. A messaging app was open, a group chat titled Thunder God Operation. Twelve members. Daily posts of captured Electric Pokémon.
He remembered the cage—mostly Electric-types.
A new message pinged. The group leader had tagged everyone: How many have you caught today?
Ethan smirked and typed in a number matching the captives in the cage.
Too few, the leader replied. Work harder. The operation begins in two months. Once Raikou is caught, all of us will be rich beyond imagination.
Ethan's lips curled into a smile. "So that's the plan…"
He looked down at the Hunter, who stared back, terror dawning in his eyes. "What are you going to do?"
"Nothing," Ethan said, crouching. "Just changing the fingerprint on your phone."
The man tried to protest, but Ethan only grinned, saved the new settings, and stood.
"Thank you for the tip. I'll notify the Pokémon Police. Whether you survive until they arrive… depends on your willpower."
He mounted Charizard, who spread its wings wide.
"Good luck," Ethan said coldly, and the dragon launched skyward, leaving the broken Hunter behind.
Ethan's gaze sharpened as the wind whipped across his face. Raikou… two months. If Rocket or hunters are moving, I'll move faster. The Thunder God will be mine.