A piercing air-raid siren tore through the skies above Eterna City
Immediately afterward, the citywide broadcast system began urgently repeating an announcement.
"Emergency notice! Emergency notice! Eterna City is entering Level-1 Alert immediately!"
"All residents must return to their homes at once! Do not go outside! Repeat—do not go outside!"
"An abnormality has occurred at the Mausoleum of the First Emperor! Ghost-type energy levels are out of control! The dormant Ghost-type Pokémon inside have erupted into a large-scale rampage!"
"All available Elite-rank Trainers and above in the city are requested to proceed to the Mausoleum immediately! Support Gym Leader An Ming of the Impermanence Gym and defend our home!"
The noise of the city froze instantly.
After a brief moment of panic, crowds began retreating efficiently and orderly back toward their homes.
The astonishing response speed was largely thanks to the many "rumors" that Rocket Express employees had "accidentally" spread earlier.
Now that the warnings had proven true, that lingering doubt in people's hearts instantly turned into decisive action.
The bustling streets rapidly emptied, like the tide receding.
In contrast, Trainers scattered throughout the city dropped whatever they were doing and rushed toward the Mausoleu without hesitation.
"Ceruledge! Bitter Blade!"
An Ming roared.
His muscles bulged as he forcefully broke free from the immobilizing technique.
Twisting his body, he narrowly avoided a bizarre Confuse Ray, then shouted his command.
Ceruledge crossed its blazing blades. Ghostly flames condensed into a massive spectral sword aura that slashed forward violently!
The terrifying blade pressure sent a Dusknoir crashing back into the surging tide of Ghost-type Pokémon that had tried to break through the defensive line.
Taking the chance, An Ming inhaled sharply. His chest heaved as sweat soaked through the back of his shirt.
Looking toward Professor Oak, who was simultaneously operating instruments while directing Dragonite, his voice turned hoarse.
"Professor! This can't go on! At this rate, it's only a matter of time before we're exhausted to death!"
"The Ghost-type energy index is dropping! We need to find a way to calm the violent energy affecting those Ghost Pokémon!"
Professor Oak glanced at the readings on his computer and let out half a sigh of relief before issuing a command.
"Dragonite, Dragon Rush! Break open a path!"
"ROOOAR—!"
Dragonite's furious roar shook the battlefield.
With a powerful kick it forced back the Dusknoir entangling it, then spread its wings and soared skyward!
Massive Dragon-type energy gathered around its body, forming the phantom image of a gigantic roaring dragon head!
The next instant—
It crashed down into the densest cluster of Ghost Pokémon with devastating force!
The ground trembled.
Dust blasted skyward.
A massive circular vacuum zone was instantly cleared, buying the crumbling front line precious breathing room.
Calm them down?
Easier said than done…
An Ming gritted his teeth as he watched the Ghost Pokémon, which seemed completely incapable of fatigue.
Each one was as powerful as a Totem Pokémon, yet completely devoid of reason—only mindlessly throwing out attacks and charging recklessly.
They didn't care whether they were injured or not.
Even when knocked back, they would stand up again moments later.
There seemed to be no clear way to end this battle.
Fortunately—
He was not fighting alone.
"Steelix, Wide Guard! Where the hell is the support?! Put up dual screens already!"
"Don't worry, I've got you! Grimmsnarl, Light Screen! Reflect!"
"Hold them back! Stop that Banette! Damn it—I said stop it, not block me!"
"Watch out! A Golurk is getting through! Blast it back with Water Pulse!"
"Nurse Joy! Someone collapsed over here! Please get them out of the line!"
Countless voices of Trainers echoed across the battlefield.
At a time like this, An Ming could not retreat.
Nor would he.
This was his duty as a Gym Leader.
And the pride of being one of the Sinnoh Elite Four.
He had to stand at the very front.
"Ceruledge!"
Wiping sweat from his eyes, An Ming clenched his fist and shouted.
"Fire Spin! Build a wall!"
Ceruledge's twin blades erupted with towering flames as it leapt into the air like a phantom.
Spinning through the sky, it slashed downward.
Two roaring streams of fire crashed onto the ground like blazing dragons, spreading instantly into a burning wall of flames stretching across the battlefield.
"Beyond this line—"
An Ming's voice thundered across the field.
"NO ONE PASSES!"
With Gym Leader An Ming as the center, Trainers formed the defensive line.
Officer Jenny commanded police officers to establish a surrounding perimeter.
Behind them, a temporary medical station operated at full efficiency.
Nurse Joy and her Chansey moved tirelessly among wounded Trainers and exhausted Pokémon, healing light flashing constantly.
For the moment—
A fragile balance had been achieved.
An Ming had just barely dodged a sneaky Shadow Ball, and before he could catch his breath—
A Dark Pulse surged straight toward his face!
Damn! I can't dodge this!
"Charmeleon, Dragon Breath!"
"Misdreavus, push it with Psykinesis!"
Two firm voices rang out.
Charmeleon's blazing Dragon Breath suddenly accelerated under Misdreavus's precise psychic push, barely intercepting the incoming Dark Pulse.
"Tha—"
An Ming had barely spoken half a word when he saw who had arrived.
His gratitude was instantly replaced by fury.
"Melissa! Aoyama! Are you two insane?! Who told you to come to the front line?!"
"Aoyama fooling around is one thing—but Melissa, why are you going along with him?!"
"We're not hiding in the back while everyone else fights!"
Aoyama shot back stubbornly, chin raised.
"Why should we be treated differently?!"
"You—!"
There was no time to argue.
An Ming suppressed his anger.
"Stay close to me! Don't take a single step away!"
As more and more Trainers flowed into the battlefield like rivers joining the sea, the defensive line—previously being pushed back step by step—miraculously began to push forward instead.
Then, at this stalemate—
A cold voice descended from the sky.
"Mega Garchomp—Draco Meteor!"
A streak of multicolored light flashed.
Mega Garchomp shot into the clouds like a jet fighter.
Moments later—
Countless blazing meteors infused with Dragon-type energy exploded across the sky before crashing down like a celestial storm!
"Draco Meteor!"
"That range—Garchomp! That's Champion Cynthia's Garchomp!"
"Champion Cynthia! We're saved!"
"Champion Cynthia has returned!"
A person's reputation casts a long shadow.
Every Trainer looked up at the sky.
Descending from above, Cynthia rode atop Mega Garchomp, landing directly within the battle line.
The shockwave kicked up dust like a curtain.
As the haze slowly settled, she rose calmly to her feet.
Behind her, the exploding Draco Meteor illuminated the battlefield like fireworks.
Mega Garchomp's field-clearing Draco Meteor was like a powerful stimulant injected into the army.
The previously collapsing defensive line instantly stabilized like solid bedrock.
A sense of reassurance spread through everyone.
Stronger than ever.
Professor Oak quickly stepped forward and reported the situation at rapid speed.
Cynthia turned back.
Mega Garchomp repositioned itself as several Poké Balls at her waist flashed open.
Milotic.
Spiritomb.
Gastrodon.
Lucario.
Roserade.
The Champion's main team—all deployed.
Commands followed immediately.
"Spiritomb, Trick Room!"
"Roserade, spread Toxic Spikes!"
"Lucario, Aura Sphere—cover Milotic while it sets up Aqua Ring!"
"Gastrodon, suppress them with Muddy Water!"
"Garchomp—Stomping Tantrum!"
Spiritomb's Trick Room expanded across the battlefield.
Roserade's Toxic Spikes spread across the ground.
Lucario's Aura Sphere created a protective zone for Milotic to safely establish Aqua Ring.
Gastrodon's Muddy Water blocked every incoming cursed flame.
Mega Garchomp roared as it slammed the ground, driving back every Ghost Pokémon trying to approach.
Cynthia brushed aside a strand of wind-tossed golden hair.
Then she stepped forward, standing firmly in front of all the Trainers.
Facing the endless tide of Ghost-type Pokémon—
Her spirit burned bright.
Now—
This is my Champion moment.
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