"Haunter..."
Su Feng knelt on the ground, cradling the unconscious Haunter in his arms. His face darkened like storm clouds as he glared at the cackling Sableye, his eyes simmering with barely contained rage.
"Torchic—calm down."
Torchic had been lunging wildly at Sableye, its physical attacks useless against the Ghost-type. The futility only fueled Sableye's mockery.
"Torchic!" Su Feng's voice sharpened, low and dangerous—a predator's growl.
Miraculously, Torchic halted, its fiery feathers trembling with suppressed fury.
Su Feng took a shaky breath, his heartbeat pounding in his ears. Anger and clarity warred within him—a paradox that defined him.
Sableye—Ghost/Dark-type. Lower level than Haunter. Won through cowardly tactics.
Haunter had held back to protect him. Now, only Torchic remained—but its Normal-type moves couldn't touch Sableye.
Unless...
"Evolve, Torchic." Su Feng's voice cut through the cave's chill. "You've been ready. This rage—use it! For Haunter!"
"Chirp!"
Torchic's screech echoed as blinding white light erupted from its body.
Sableye's grin vanished. It lunged with a Shadow Claw, but—
WHOOSH!
A torrent of searing flames erupted, scorching the air. Sableye recoiled just in time, its claws singed.
When the light faded, Torchic stood transformed—taller, fiercer, flames dancing at its wrists.
Combusken.
"Keeeee!"
Its cry shook the cavern. Sableye scrambled backward, but Combusken was already moving—a blazing comet of vengeance.
CRASH!
A Flame Charge slammed Sableye into the wall. The cave trembled as rubble rained down.
"Kee!" Combusken pressed its taloned foot against Sableye's chest, flames flickering in its eyes.
Su Feng approached, cold fury in his tone. "You could've challenged us fairly. But you chose cowardice."
He knelt to tend to Haunter, his hands steady despite the storm inside. Combusken stood guard, its flames casting long shadows over Sableye's crumpled form.
[OMG TORCHIC EVOLVED!!]
[Combusken's design is SICK!]
[Sableye had it coming!]
[Is Haunter okay!?]
Su Feng forced a smile for the drone. "Apologies for the chaos. Crisis handled. Combusken—formerly Torchic—is now Fire/Fighting-type. Stronger, but with more weaknesses. Evolution's a double-edged sword."
He glanced at the unconscious Sableye. "As for why it attacked... Greed. Carbink's gems tempted it. But we'll discuss that later."