The ancient Pokémon that had been brimming with fighting spirit just moments ago now retreated like a receding tide.
But Chen Mo felt no relief.
Aerodactyl had lost—and fallen here. That could only mean one thing.
Something even more terrifying was coming.
"ROAR!"
As expected, a roar filled with overwhelming pressure descended from above.
Chen Mo turned and looked up.
Under the moonlight, Hydreigon loomed in the sky.
Its crimson eyes locked onto the clearing below—onto the most conspicuous figure standing there: Chen Mo and the Pokémon around him.
[Oh no! I forgot about that thing!]
[Aerodactyl lost that fast? It hasn't even been fifteen minutes!]
[Ancient sky tyrant… still not a match for a modern pseudo-legendary.]
[It's not that Aerodactyl is weak—Hydreigon is just too strong. Mo-baby's in real danger now!]
Dragon-type energy rapidly condensed in Hydreigon's mouth. In the blink of an eye, a ferocious dragon-shaped beam shot toward Chen Mo like a bolt of lightning.
It was targeting the trainer directly!
Chen Mo couldn't possibly outrun Dragon Pulse on foot. Understanding that instantly, Haunter surged forward, once again erecting a dark indigo barrier before him.
The next second—
Dragon Pulse tore through the air with a violent roar and slammed into the barrier.
Boom!
The shield barely held, blocking the first devastating blast.
But then—
A second Dragon Pulse followed immediately, leaving no room to breathe.
This time, Haunter couldn't withstand it. The indigo barrier shattered under the impact. The violent energy blast hurled Haunter backward—straight into Chen Mo.
Both human and Pokémon were sent flying over ten meters.
"Pidge!"
Thanks to the few seconds Haunter had bought, Pidgeotto's body lit up with brilliant white light as it dove from above.
Aerial Ace!
The same decisive strike that once defeated Fearow now crashed into Hydreigon.
"ROOOAR!!!"
Already injured from its clash with Aerodactyl, Hydreigon let out a pained howl.
But the crimson savagery in its eyes only intensified.
Without giving Pidgeotto any chance to retreat, two of Hydreigon's heads snapped with sudden awareness, clamping onto Pidgeotto's back midair.
At the same time—
the central head began gathering dragon energy once more.
Boom!
The shockwave made Chen Mo's pupils shrink.
From the explosion's smoke, a battered Pidgeotto plummeted and slammed heavily into the ground.
"Pidgeotto…"
Too fast.
In barely two minutes, Pidgeotto had completely lost the ability to battle. Haunter, after tanking a Dragon Pulse, was seriously injured as well.
Chen Mo stared at Hydreigon hovering above, radiating overwhelming pressure.
For the first time—
he felt something called despair.
"What do I do…"
Cold sweat streamed down his forehead.
Hydreigon's power exceeded his expectations. Despite battling Aerodactyl and taking Pidgeotto's Aerial Ace head-on, the Insight Eye showed only moderate injuries.
It could keep fighting.
And its Dragon-type energy reserves seemed inexhaustible.
Chen Mo had no idea how to direct his team against such a monster.
"Pichu!"
A voice rang out beside him.
Chen Mo turned.
Not just Pichu—Absol and Roselia as well—stood with heads raised, eyes locked on Hydreigon.
"Ko-jie…"
Haunter rose again, floating above them despite its injuries.
The four Pokémon formed a triangular formation, guarding Chen Mo at the center.
They hadn't given up.
They still wanted to fight.
"I…"
Chen Mo clenched his teeth and cursed himself.
If the Pokémon hadn't abandoned hope, how could he?
He slapped his cheeks twice, forcing clarity back into his mind.
"Pichu!"
The familiar cry sounded again.
Chen Mo looked up.
Pichu had turned back to face him, its eyes filled with unprecedented determination.
It glanced briefly at Electabuzz, who had somehow struggled back to its feet and was watching.
Pichu had always wanted to defeat Electabuzz in its original form.
But now—
this wasn't the time for stubborn pride.
"Pi—!"
Moonlight bathed Pichu's body.
Soft white light enveloped it, growing brighter and brighter.
[Pichu… chose to evolve on its own…]
[I get how it feels, but… will it even matter? Hydreigon's too strong…]
[No matter what, any increase in power helps! Stop being so pessimistic!]
Yet even the encouraging comments felt sparse. The entire livestream was suffocatingly tense.
"Pichu…"
Chen Mo watched as Pichu's silhouette stretched and grew within the evolution light. His own resolve hardened.
At that very moment—
unnoticed by him—
a faint azure glow flickered from his chest, resonating with Pichu's evolution.
"Wait… what?"
Chen Mo finally noticed.
He hurriedly pulled out the pendant hidden beneath his clothes.
As Pichu's evolution light intensified, the black bead at the pendant's base shed its dark disguise, revealing dazzling azure lightning crackling within.
A streak of blue electricity extended from the bead like a thread—
linking Chen Mo and the evolving Pichu together.
Hydreigon seemed to sense it.
Its gaze shifted—not to Chen Mo himself—
but to Zekrom's power crystal.
"ROAR!"
Dragon energy gathered once more. Dragon Pulse was about to fire.
But this time—
someone moved faster.
"Absol!"
An orange-red beam erupted from Absol's mouth, shooting skyward at blinding speed.
Hyper Beam.
The sheer force forced even Hydreigon to dodge, interrupting its Dragon Pulse.
And in that instant—
the evolution completed.
Azure arcs flashed and vanished along with the fading white glow.
Standing there now was a taller yellow figure.
Its eyes burned with unwavering resolve as it stared up at Hydreigon.
"Pika…"
🌟 Early access (60+ chapters ahead): [email protected]/plotwired💬 10 Reviews = 1 Bonus Chapter🔷 100 Power Stones = Another🔥 You decide how fast the story unfolds.