"Chief... Chief, what kind of Pokémon is that!?"
The officer beside Jian stared up at the enormous dragon-shaped Pokémon coiling through the storm. It commanded the lightning in the clouds as if the sky itself belonged to it, and the sight left everyone around him shaken.
"You're asking me? Who the hell am I supposed to ask?"
Jian snapped back, his face darkening.
Then he took out a Poké Ball and released a bird Pokémon.
"Pidgeot!"
A large bird appeared in a flash of light, standing nearly one and a half meters tall. Its earth-yellow feathers gleamed under the rain, and several long, colorful crest feathers swept back from its head.
It was Pidgeot, the final evolution of Pidgeotto.
Its strength had already reached Champion-class.
With a Champion cousin like Brutus, Jian had never lacked resources. He was only one year younger than Brutus himself, and although he could not compare to that monster, Jian had still reached Champion-class through his own training.
He turned to a middle-aged officer beside him.
"Captain, take a squad and handle the evacuation. Sweep through Tidefall and make sure no civilians are left behind."
Then Jian looked toward the rest of the Pokémon Police and shouted,
"Everyone else, release your Flying-type Pokémon!"
"Follow me!"
"We're going to hold those berserk Pokémon back until the Defense Force arrives."
Rain hammered down on Jian's face and uniform, but his voice stayed firm.
They were Pokémon Police.
Their job was to protect people.
The danger ahead was extreme, but this was exactly when they had to step forward. They had put on the uniform. They had sworn the oath.
Even if it meant dying, they had to go.
"Yes, Chief!"
The officers saluted in unison, determination burning in their eyes.
"Good."
"Move out!"
Jian jumped onto Pidgeot's back first.
The others released their own Pidgeot as well. Pidgeot was the standard Flying-type partner issued to Hualis Pokémon Police officers; anyone who passed the exam and entered the force would receive one at the Advanced stage.
"Pidgeoooot!"
Flashes of light cut through the rain as more than thirty Pidgeot appeared in the air. One officer after another mounted up, and the squad flew toward the burning Corestone facility.
...
At the same time, Aaron's side had already entered full battle.
Golden aura blazing around him, Aaron stood atop Mega Gyarados's broad head. His hair whipped in the wind, and his black coat snapped behind him as the storm rolled overhead.
Below, the berserk Pokémon army was still tearing through everything in its path.
A cold look appeared in Aaron's eyes.
"Everyone, attack!"
"We can't let them reach the town!"
"RROOOAR!"
"Greninjaa!"
"SNOOORRR!"
"FERNAAAPE!"
His Pokémon answered with fierce cries.
"Greninja, Beedrill—prioritize the Champion-class targets."
"Greninja, activate Tailed Beast Sage Mode and Tailed Beast Cloak. Chidori!"
"Beedrill, these monsters don't have any reason left. Close in with Flash Step and finish them with Twinneedle."
"Snorlax, use Belly Drum, then enter Nika Form. Coat yourself in Haki and use Gum-Gum Gatling."
"Infernape, keep the Fire Punches coming. Take down anything that tries to break through."
"Sceptile, Verdant Bloom Dominion."
"Then bring out the Wooden Golem."
"Charizard, Thunder Dragon's Roar. Burn them down."
Aaron issued command after command, then looked down at Mega Gyarados beneath him.
"Mega Gyarados... unleash your power."
"Thunder Destruction!"
"ROOOOAR!"
Mega Gyarados let out a thunderous roar.
RUMBLE!
Lightning tore through the sky as thunder rolled across the storm.
CRACK-BOOM!
Countless massive bolts came crashing down, lighting up the battlefield and hammering the Pokémon army below.
"GRAAAH!"
The weaker Pokémon struck by the lightning were burned to ash on the spot.
"RRAAAH!"
Even the stronger ones suffered badly, howling in pain beneath the storm. Only Ground-types and Pokémon resistant to Electric-type attacks managed to withstand it a little better.
But that was only the beginning.
Aaron's other Pokémon had already joined the fight.
"Grenin!"
Greninja's mysterious cross-shaped pupils appeared, and markings formed around its eyes as a pale red energy cloak wrapped around its body.
Lightning gathered in its hand, crackling violently with a piercing sound like a thousand birds screaming through the rain.
Then Greninja moved.
It shot toward the enemy at blinding speed.
One strike.
One kill.
A mid-stage Champion-class Nidoking barely managed to turn its head before the shrill crackle of lightning split the rain.
Greninja flashed past.
Chidori tore clean through its body, and Nidoking hit the mud hard, blood spreading beneath it before the rain washed it away.
...