WEE-OO! WEE-OO!
Sirens cut through the rain as several police cars rushed into Tidefall.
Jian and the others had arrived.
"Chief, the road ahead is packed. We can't get the cars through," one officer reported from the front seat. "People are panicking, and some have already fallen. If this keeps up, we're going to have a stampede."
"What!?"
Jian's expression changed. He stood up and looked out the window.
Sure enough, the street ahead was jammed with people running toward them in terror, as if something monstrous were chasing them from behind.
"Everyone out!"
Jian made the decision immediately and jumped out first.
"Yes, Chief!"
The others followed at once.
...
"Hurry! Those Pokémon are coming!"
"Stop pushing! I can't breathe!"
"Help! Someone help me up!"
"Someone fell! Stop shoving!"
"Mommy! I want Mommy!"
"My daughter! Has anyone seen my daughter!?"
"The Pokémon Police are here!"
"We're saved!"
The residents of Tidefall were fleeing through the rain in a chaotic wave, shoving and stumbling over one another as panic spread through the streets.
When they saw the police cars ahead, desperate hope finally appeared on their faces.
Jian and the officers stepped into the downpour, their expressions grim as they faced the surging crowd.
Jian grabbed a megaphone and shouted,
"Everyone, listen to me!"
"I'm Jian, Chief of the Grit City Pokémon Police Department!"
"Do not panic! Stop running!"
"Help anyone who has fallen, then evacuate in an orderly line!"
"Stay calm. The Pokémon Police are here. We won't let the danger reach you."
His voice carried through the rain and across the street.
After hearing that the chief himself had arrived, the panicked crowd finally steadied a little. People stopped shoving long enough to pull those who had fallen back to their feet.
Jian immediately ordered the Pokémon Police to clear the road and guide the residents away in organized groups.
"Chief, bad news!"
A young officer, soaked from head to toe, ran up to Jian and reported with a pale face.
"According to the residents, a huge group of berserk Pokémon rushed out of Corestone. Their strength is at least Gym-level, and some may have reached Champion-class."
"They're heading this way right now."
"What!?"
"A huge group of Gym-level and Champion-class Pokémon!?"
Jian's face tightened.
"How many?"
"At least four hundred. Maybe more."
The young officer's voice trembled.
Against a force like that, their team would barely slow it down.
"Contact the Pokémon Defense Force!"
"Request immediate support!"
Jian gave the order without hesitation.
"Yes, Chief!"
The young officer nodded and rushed back toward the cars.
At that moment—
"ROOOOAR!"
A tremendous dragon roar tore across the sky, freezing everyone in place.
Every head turned upward.
High above the burning Corestone facility, a massive dragon-shaped Pokémon coiled among clouds glowing with firelight.
Lightning flashed.
Thunder followed.
CRACK-BOOM!
Countless bolts of lightning crashed down from the storm and struck the Pokémon army below.
"RRAAAH!"
"ROOOAR!"
Agonized cries rang out as the lightning tore through the berserk Pokémon. The weaker ones collapsed on the spot, while the stronger ones howled in pain beneath the storm.
Lightning continued flashing overhead.
Thunder rolled across the sky.
Below, the screams of the Pokémon army blended with the roar of the rain, forming a terrifying chorus that echoed all the way to Tidefall.
The evacuating residents stood frozen in the street, too stunned to move.
Jian stared at the enormous dragon-shaped Pokémon in the sky, disbelief written across his face.
"What kind of Pokémon is that...?"
His throat tightened.
"Is that... Rayquaza!?"
...