"Who's there?!"
Aiden Flint's expression darkened as he was suddenly attacked.
Although the assailant had already revealed her affiliation—Team Aqua—he still hadn't seen her face.
A moment later, as the smoke began to disperse, a woman stepped forward.
She wore a blue uniform with a matching headscarf tied tightly around her head. She was about average height, her looks unremarkable, but the pressure she carried was anything but ordinary. In her hand was a Poké Ball, and at her side stood the Mightyena that had launched the sneak attack earlier.
The instant Aiden laid eyes on her, recognition flashed through his mind.
Shelly.
One of Team Aqua leader Archie's most trusted lieutenants—
A high-ranking executive of Team Aqua.
Mightyena. Walrein. Sharpedo.
These were her signature Pokémon.
Aiden quickly checked Mightyena's status, and only then did he breathe a little easier.
"Ding! Target data acquired."
Pokémon: Mightyena
Level: 36
Ability: Quick Feet
Type: Dark
Potential: Blue
Moves: Crunch, Snarl, Fire Fang, Thunder Fang, Ice Fang, Howl
Mega Evolution: Unlockable
Thirty-six levels was no joke—but the gap in potential was enough.
"Milotic, be careful," Aiden said calmly.
Though the opponent was strong, Milotic's gold-tier potential more than compensated for the level difference.
Milotic's gaze hardened.
Anyone who dared attack her Trainer was unforgivable.
To be safe, Aiden released Pidgeotto and Grovyle as well.
Shelly snorted.
"You blocked Mightyena's attack? Not bad. But meddling in Team Aqua's affairs means you're asking for trouble."
"Mightyena—Thunder Fang!"
The dark wolf lunged forward.
"Milotic, Hydro Pump. Grovyle—Bullet Seed!"
A massive column of water erupted head-on, slamming into Mightyena and blasting it backward. Before it could recover, Grovyle's Bullet Seed barrage followed, striking relentlessly.
The combination attack was clean and ruthless.
Mightyena staggered, injuries piling up.
Shelly's expression twisted in anger.
"You little—Walrein! Ice Beam!"
A second Poké Ball burst open, and a massive Walrein emerged, unleashing a freezing beam the instant it appeared.
Aiden's pupils shrank.
"Ding! Target data acquired."
Pokémon: Walrein
Level: 40
Ability: Thick Fat
Type: Water / Ice
Potential: Purple
Moves: Ice Fang, Ice Beam, Aurora Beam, Powder Snow, Body Slam
A level 40, purple-tier Walrein.
That was real danger.
"Pidgeotto—Air Slash, intercept!"
Compressed blades of wind slammed into the Ice Beam, but the power gap was too large. The attack barely slowed.
"Milotic, Hydro Pump, then Aqua Ring! Grovyle—Energy Ball!"
The three Pokémon moved in perfect coordination.
Hydro Pump neutralized the Ice Beam head-on, while Energy Ball smashed into Walrein's flank. At the same time, Aqua Ring formed around Milotic's body, restoring her stamina continuously.
A prolonged battle—Aiden had already prepared for it.
Shelly clenched her teeth.
"To think I'd struggle against a brat like you… disgraceful!"
"Walrein, Hydro Pump! Mightyena—Crunch!"
"Milotic—Whirlpool, trap them both!
Pidgeotto—Wing Attack, amplify the vortex!
Grovyle—Energy Ball, fire into the storm!"
The battlefield erupted.
Milotic's Whirlpool swallowed both enemies whole. Pidgeotto's Wing Attack intensified the spinning current, while Grovyle's Energy Ball detonated inside the vortex.
Mightyena was the first to break.
"Ding! Mightyena defeated!"
EXP gained: 380 (shared)
Milotic → Level 32
Grovyle → Level 32
Pidgeotto → Level 31
When the whirlpool dissipated, Mightyena lay unconscious. Walrein remained standing—but barely.
Shelly clicked her tongue.
Then—
Police sirens wailed in the distance.
"Tch."
She glared at Aiden.
"Lucky you. I'll remember this."
A smoke bomb hit the ground.
By the time the smoke cleared, she was gone.
Aiden didn't chase.
Team Aqua never acted alone. Shelly had clearly been buying time—whatever they wanted had already been taken.
And Aiden knew exactly what that meant.
The Red Orb. The Blue Orb.
Groudon. Kyogre.
Let them try.
When the gods awakened—
He would be there.
And with Rayquaza, he'd decide how this story ended.
Moments later, Officer Jenny arrived with her unit, securing the area.
She approached Aiden and saluted.
"Sir, are you injured?"
"No," Aiden replied calmly. "But I did exchange blows with a Team Aqua executive."
Jenny's eyes widened.
After verifying his identity and confirming witness statements, her tone softened.
"My apologies, Mr. Flint. Thank you for your assistance."
Aiden nodded once.
The flames were out.
But the storm had only just begun.
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