Although two long-time partners stood in front of it, Raikou showed no fear. Lightning flickered across its body as it transformed into a golden blur, charging toward the young boy.
A Quick Attack.
As the fastest among Ho-Oh's guardians, its movements had surpassed human visual perception.
Its sharp claws slashed out — to Raikou, killing a fragile human didn't even require using a move.
Whoosh...
The claws struck a rising shadow from the ground, sinking into what felt like a dense swamp. Surprisingly, Raikou failed to hit the boy.
"Hmph, courting death." Electric sparks exploded from Raikou's claws, shattering the shadow into fragments.
A surge of divine heat radiated from the side, wrapping Raikou in a vortex of pure white flames, halting its advance.
It was Entei — the Volcano Pokémon — the only being aside from Ho-Oh capable of wielding Sacred Fire.
Seizing the opportunity, the shattered shadows on the ground reformed into a Gengar.
However, the Gengar looked weakened, the earlier attack clearly having inflicted significant damage.
"Gengar?" Gold recognized the Pokémon that had just saved him. If he wasn't mistaken, this should be Mr. Oliver's partner — a leader-class Gengar.
"Gold, are you alright?" A deep voice echoed, and Oliver Doyle's figure emerged from the air.
"I'm fine... Mr. Oliver? Why are you here?" Gold asked in surprise.
"After the last incident, I've been keeping a close eye on the city. The moment their presence appeared, I rushed over." Oliver's gaze remained fixed on the three Legendary Pokémon, especially Raikou, whose unrestrained killing intent was palpable.
"Humans, take him away."
A voice echoed telepathically in both Gold and Oliver's minds.
"Who?" Both turned toward Suicune, who was staring at them intently.
"But why?" Gold asked anxiously.
Being hunted by Legendary Pokémon — how could he just leave without understanding why?
"You are in grave danger. I'll explain later."
As Suicune spoke, Raikou's electrified claws began tearing through the Sacred Fire vortex.
"Dragapult, take him away."
At Oliver's command, a strange Pokémon emerged — its triangular head black, with a translucent cyan body.
"What kind of Pokémon is that?" Gold had never seen such a creature before. But before he could observe further, the Dragapult merged into him, phasing them both into invisibility.
"Ah?" Gold gasped as his body rapidly faded from sight.
Quickly recalling Exbo and Togebo into their Poké Balls, Gold's entire form vanished into thin air.
Roar!
Raikou's claws tore through the flames, scattering blazing embers into the sky — dazzling yet deadly.
Seeing Gold disappear, Raikou fixed its gaze on Suicune and Entei.
"You let him escape? Aren't you afraid of the evil aura spreading?"
"My Aurora Veil has already locked onto him. He will be found soon. For now, calm yourself." Suicune lowered its defensive stance, speaking calmly.
"Hmph, I am calm. You two are the ones defying orders."
Raikou turned, walking a few steps before glancing back.
"From now on, I'll act alone. If you interfere again... don't blame me for what happens."
With those words, Raikou's majestic figure became a streak of golden lightning, vanishing into the distance without sparing Oliver a glance.
"Go find the boy. I need to follow him — no unnecessary disruptions." Entei instructed Suicune.
Suicune nodded, watching as Entei departed.
Despite being Legendary Pokémon, they had no desire to become enemies of humans. If Raikou were to kill and destroy human cities, it would undoubtedly provoke retaliation. The Champions — those human trainers who commanded Pokémon as powerful as themselves — would surely respond.
"Can we talk now?"
Finally, Oliver's ignored voice broke the silence.
...
"Did you hear? There was a monster at the Battle Square — it bit two people!"
"A monster? A rare wild Pokémon?"
"No... an actual monster..."
Battle Square? That's where I was earlier.
Vivi Krantz's heart stirred as she overheard the rumors. Her Pokémon had just finished treatment, and she was preparing to leave the Pokémon Center.
"Emergency alert: All citizens must remain inside the Pokémon Center. Do not leave."
"Emergency alert: All citizens must remain inside the Pokémon Center. Do not leave."
The broadcast repeated the warning.
"What's going on?"
"An earthquake?"
"A drill maybe...?"
The crowd murmured, though the spacious Pokémon Center of Mandarin Island remained far from overcrowded.
"What's happening out there?"
One person pointed out the window.
Curious by nature — just like Ash — Vivi hurried to the glass.
Outside, a two-meter-long, gray-green creature with eight legs scuttled forward like a spider, pursued by humans and Pokémon alike.
Is that the monster they were talking about?
Before Vivi could get a better look, a helicopter roared overhead.
A rotating machine gun extended, unleashing a hail of bullets.
Rat-a-tat-tat...
The deafening gunfire filled the air, even through the glass.
High-caliber rounds rained down, tearing the creature into bloody chunks — yet it still crawled forward, refusing to die.
"Ugh..." Some women gagged at the gruesome sight.
So this is why they locked us inside...
Scanning the streets, Vivi noticed the entire district was eerily empty — the lockdown was widespread.
Once the creature stopped moving, the pursuers moved in. Their Pokémon froze the remains with Ice Beam, then mechanical arms sealed the frozen pieces into black metal containers.
Finally, the area was scorched with Flamethrower, leaving nothing behind.
"So professional? Not even a trace left behind… It must be the Pokémon League's doing…"
Vivi Krantz understood that only an official organization—like the Pokémon League—could act so openly in broad daylight without fear of scrutiny.
But what exactly was this creature?
She didn't know.
What she did know was that the same scene was unfolding across several locations on Mandarin Island…
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