Golden Opportunity: The Legendary Ancestor of Raikou — Thunderdrum!!**
When two opportunities appeared at once, Ethan was momentarily caught off guard.
But before he could focus too much on the Thunderforged Bath—the red opportunity located at the center of Falling Thunder Valley—
The valley itself erupted into motion.
Electric-type Pokémon poured in from all directions.
Small Pokémon dove eagerly into the Thunderforged Bath, one after another.
As they entered, the lightning that had seemed "sealed" within the pool suddenly surged, streaming straight into their bodies.
A few seconds later, most of the weaker Electric-types climbed back out, their energy clearly replenished.
Only a handful of commander-tier Pokémon remained inside.
Unlike the weaker ones, which merely replenished energy, these stronger Pokémon were using the violent lightning to temper their bodies.
At the center of the pool sat a muscular Electivire, eyes closed, enduring the lightning head-on.
Under the stimulation of thunder, its physique visibly strengthened.
Even so, the danger was obvious.
Despite being at commander peak, Electivire could only last about three minutes before stumbling out, drenched in sweat and utterly exhausted.
"Luxray~"
Seeing the pool empty again, Lei turned toward Entei and let out a low growl.
He was inviting Entei into the Thunderforged Bath.
Lei might be competitive and proud, but he wasn't ungrateful.
Entei had taught him proper running techniques earlier—
This was his way of returning the favor.
Seeing the pool reactivate, Lei eagerly made the offer.
Qin Yingying smiled.
"This lightning pool is a real treasure," she explained.
"It uses natural thunder to temper a Pokémon's body."
She released her Pawmot, which immediately dashed into the pool, clearly familiar with the place.
"Entei can go in too," she added.
"And if you have any Pokémon that need body strengthening, Ethan, now's the time."
"If we wait until Big Lei or Little Lei come back, we won't get another chance."
Lei nodded vigorously in agreement.
Ethan glanced at Entei.
Years of companionship meant no words were needed.
Entei strode calmly into the Thunderforged Bath.
"Entei, how does it feel?" Ethan asked.
"En—tei!"
The confident roar said it all: Easy.
Ethan chuckled—then reached for another Poké Ball.
"Riolu~"
The moment Riolu appeared, it instinctively braced itself.
Training time already?
Ethan laughed.
"Relax. Not training today."
"I found a special place for you."
Riolu followed his gaze—
And saw Entei soaking in a pool crackling with golden lightning…
Looking far too comfortable for something that should've been agony.
Riolu blinked.
Is… is Entei into this kind of thing?
Before Riolu could spiral too far, Ethan explained.
"That's the Thunderforged Bath."
"The lightning here tempers the body directly."
"Three minutes inside is better than a full day of training."
"You've always wanted to evolve, right?"
"You already meet the requirements."
"You're just lacking physical durability."
"Train here a few times, and you'll evolve."
Riolu's eyes widened.
Evolution?!
He had been anxious about it—no matter how hard he trained, there'd been no sign.
But staring at the crackling lightning, hesitation crept in.
Being electrocuted…
That hurt.
Just then—
The golden Shinx Ethan had noticed earlier glanced at Riolu with calm indifference.
"Shinx~"
Then, without hesitation, it leapt straight into the Thunderforged Bath.
That Shiny Shinx was only at early-elite level.
Yet it dared jump in headfirst.
That single glance felt like mockery.
Riolu's pride ignited.
What—am I really scared of this?!
"Rio!"
With a sharp bark to hype himself up, Riolu charged in.
The moment Riolu entered the pool, pain exploded through his body.
Unlike Entei, Riolu's strength was far lower.
Lightning tore through his muscles, forcing out a cry of agony.
He almost turned back immediately.
But then—
"Shi—nx!"
The Shiny Shinx nearby was also trembling, teeth clenched, enduring unbearable pain.
It had already stayed inside for half a minute—far longer than expected.
Seeing a Pokémon weaker than himself—and a female one at that—refusing to quit…
Riolu slapped himself hard.
Can't even handle this and you want to be strong?
Dream on.
He sat down cross-legged in the pool.
The pain was real—
But so was the growth.
Riolu could clearly feel his body being reforged under the lightning.
Ethan hadn't lied.
As Riolu endured the agony, he found himself stealing glances at the Shiny Shinx.
Small.
Fragile-looking.
Yet unbelievably stubborn.
Somewhere along the way—
Admiration quietly turned into affection.
But Riolu refocused.
Right now… I endure.
However, the Shiny Shinx was reaching her limit.
She tried to step out—
And realized she couldn't move.
Whether from exhaustion or neural overload, her limbs refused to respond.
Panic set in.
Electric-types had resistance—but this was heavenly lightning, far beyond ordinary current.
Yet no one noticed.
To the onlookers, she looked impressive.
Even Entei, after leaving the pool at his own limit, didn't realize anything was wrong.
Riolu did.
He sensed it.
Just as he tried to stand—
He found his own body locked in place.
No movement.
No voice.
But seeing Shinx's condition worsen, something snapped inside him.
Move!
Ethan noticed Riolu's trembling immediately.
"Metagross—now!"
But before Metagross could act—
Riolu erupted in brilliant white light.
Ethan froze.
"Is Riolu… evolving?!"
By all logic, Riolu should've needed another month.
But the Thunderforged Bath… and sheer will—
The small body expanded.
Light surged.
And when it faded—
A tall, blue-and-black figure stood where Riolu once was.
Lucario.
Before Ethan could congratulate him—
Lucario moved.
In a blur, he scooped up the Shiny Shinx and dashed out of the pool.
"Lucario!"
He placed her gently beside Ethan.
Seeing the Shinx's unstable condition, Ethan immediately understood.
"Brimstone—now!"
Hatterene appeared instantly.
Life Dew.
Heal Pulse.
Under Hatterene's Healer Heart, the Shiny Shinx's condition rapidly stabilized.
Moments later, her eyes fluttered open.
Lucario visibly relaxed.
"Luca…?"
He anxiously asked if she was okay.
"Shinx~"
Her soft cry was filled with gratitude.
Lucario's ears reddened instantly.
After thanking Ethan and Hatterene, the Shiny Shinx slowly walked back toward her home.
Lucario watched her retreating figure, worry etched across his face.
Qin Yingying chuckled knowingly.
"Can't take your eyes off her, huh?"
"You like her, don't you?"
Lucario's face turned crimson.
She laughed.
"Then go for it!"
"That Shinx is famous in the Luxray clan—plenty of suitors."
"She's proud, sure."
"But you just pulled off a classic hero saves the beauty."
"Looks like you've got the advantage."
Lucario swallowed and stared after her.
Maybe… she's right.
Then—
BOOM!
A thunderous roar shook the valley.
Heavy footsteps echoed from deep within Falling Thunder Valley.
Out stepped a colossal Pokémon—nearly ten meters tall.
It had a long, giraffe-like neck and bore a striking resemblance to the legendary Raikou—
Yet was clearly something else.
Behind it followed a much smaller counterpart, barely two meters tall.
Ethan stared, stunned.
His vast Pokémon knowledge told him one thing—
This species shouldn't exist.
And then, the system chimed.
[Ding! Detected: Golden Opportunity
Legendary Origin — Thunderdrum,
Ancestor of Raikou]
Ethan's breath caught.
A legendary ancestor…
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