Somewhere deep within the vast Mt. Coronet, Paul was training with his Pokémon.
After preventing Team Galactic's scheme, he didn't immediately return to Veilstone City. Instead, he remained on Mt. Coronet to continue his Pokémon's training.
Suddenly, a deep, feral roar echoed from nearby.
"Roar—!"
"Ah!"
Paul, in the middle of his training, turned toward the commotion.
"A battle? Something's going on..."
From the sound of it, a powerful Pokémon was nearby. Without hesitation, Paul recalled his other Pokémon and proceeded toward the disturbance with Electivire at his side.
Even before he arrived at the source of the noise, Paul noticed strange symbols floating unusual in the sky. A swarm of Unown—each bearing unique markings soared through the air, their mysterious energy distorting the space around them.
The atmosphere grew ominous, as if a calamity was about to unfold.
Individually, Unown weren't much of a threat—they could only use Hidden Power and were considered some of the weakest Pokémon.
But in numbers, Unown were among the most dangerous. No one truly knew the full extent of their power when they gathered.
"ROAR—!"
Before Paul could get closer, a Steelix with glowing red eyes suddenly burst out from the rocky terrain, rampaging wildly in his direction.
"Viree—!"
Electivire scowled as the hostile Pokémon lunged at Paul unprovoked. Without waiting for a command, it charged forward and delivered a powerful Brick Break straight to Steelix's head.
BOOM!
With a thunderous crash, Steelix was slammed to the ground.
Seeing that it was still moving, Electivire followed up with a Focus Blast, ensuring the Steelix stayed down before exhaling sharply and returning to Paul's side.
"What's going on?"
Paul had encountered frenzied wild Pokémon before, but Steelix was clearly in a state of uncontrollable rage. Something ahead was causing this disturbance, and he hesitated.
It wasn't that he was afraid of wild Pokémon going insane.
He was more concerned about whether his own Pokémon could be affected too.
Paul was still considering his next move when the Unown in the sky suddenly clustered together and surged toward him.
A crimson glow spread across the area, distorting space itself as an eerie presence filled the air.
"Charge up with Motor Drive and don't let them get close."
Paul made a swift decision.
"Viree—!"
No way am I getting taken down here.
Electivire's eyes flickered with determination as it began rapidly gathering energy, electricity crackling through its fur.
Once the Unown swarm drifted slightly closer, it unleashed a massive Thunder, lightning crashing down and engulfing the entire swarm in a brilliant storm of electricity.
Yet, amidst the flashing bolts, the Unown's eyes glowed ominously. A faint, shimmering barrier surrounded them, reducing the impact of the attack as they slowly advanced.
Paul narrowed his eyes.
Despite Electivire's multiple Charge boosts, the Unown's defensive power was growing stronger.
"Keep charging!"
Electivire complied, amplifying its power further.
As soon as the Unown's barrier began to weaken, Paul gave the order.
"Thunder—again!"
CRACK!
Lightning rained down once more, shattering the Unown's defenses and electrocuting them in midair.
But before Electivire could finish them off, the entire swarm suddenly scattered, dispersing like a flock of startled birds.
"Viree—!"
"Wait. Don't chase them."
Electivire had been ready to pursue, but Paul immediately held it back.
After all, just a dozen Unown had been enough to withstand multiple boosted Thunder attacks. Further ahead, hundreds of them were gathering.
This many Unown appearing at once was practically unheard of.
From a distance, Paul carefully observed their movements.
Unlike mindlessly distorting space and driving Pokémon out of control, these Unown seemed to be moving with a purpose—as if searching for something.
Paul chose not to rush in, instead following from a distance, and ready to retreat at a moment's notice.
However, as he trailed them, more wild Pokémon—driven into a frenzy by the Unown's presence—attacked.
Most of them didn't even get close before Electivire took them down with ranged attacks. Those that did manage to approach were immediately struck down with a single punch.
"ROOOAAR—!"
A horrible, growling roar erupted from behind him.
Paul turned to see a massive Aggron approaching, easily as large as Electivire. Its steel-plated body was covered in battle scars, its breath ragged, and its crimson eyes burning with uncontrollable fury.
Each step it took made the ground tremble.
"Focus Blast!"
Paul issued the command without hesitation.
By now, Electivire had already powered up to its peak. Even a Flare Blitz from Infernape would struggle against its raw strength.
But against a raging wild Aggron?
Not a problem.
Focus Blast was four times effective. For any Pokémon below Elite Four level, a direct hit meant instant defeat.
"Viree—!"
Electivire didn't take the fight seriously.
Even when it was still an Electabuzz, it had fought off Aggron before.
Now, as an Electivire, it was an easy win.
It immediately launched a fully charged Focus Blast, aiming to finish Aggron in one shot.
BOOM!
A deafening explosion followed.
"Viree?"
Paul and Electivire both froze.
As the dust settled, Aggron's towering figure remained standing.
A strange metallic glow shimmered in front of its body.
"It used Metal Burst...?"
Paul's eyes narrowed.
Metal Burst was different from Counter or Mirror Coat. It didn't require Aggron to be hit by a super-effective move—it could reflect any attack with even greater power.
"Use Protect—NOW!"
Paul reacted instantly.
Without hesitation, Electivire threw up a shimmering green barrier.
At the same moment, Aggron unleashed its counterattack.
A massive burst of energy erupted from its mouth, even stronger than Electivire's Focus Blast.
Metal Burst!
BOOM!
Even with Protect, the force of the explosion sent Electivire skidding back. Its fur was burned, and it breathes heavily.
"ROOAAAR!"
Still in a frenzied state, Aggron gathered all its remaining strength, its entire body gleaming with steel energy as it charged.
Each thunderous step shook the ground.
Heavy Slam!
"Brick Break!"
Paul remained calm.
"Viree—!"
In a flash of golden light, Electivire surged forward, hands glowing as it delivered a decisive Brick Break to Aggron's head.
BANG!
The heavy impact caused Aggron to collapse and knocked to the ground.
Paul exhaled slowly, watching the distant Unown continue their eerie march.
Something big was happening.
And he was about to find out what it is.
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