A vast expanse of yellow mane spread outward in the shape of lightning, crackling snap-pop electrical currents filling the space around its body. The astonishing amount of electricity stored within it was stimulated into activity, forming a lightning barrier that enveloped its exterior.
Sharp lightning horns, powerful limbs, and a pair of blood-red eyes brimming with madness—every feature radiated danger. Strands of lightning burst forth from between its mane, gathering above its head to form thunderclouds, and in the next instant, several bolts of lightning split the sky and struck toward the retreating Noivern.
Noivern beat its wings hard, its massive body carving a nimble arc through the air, narrowly evading the falling lightning before returning to Silas's side, where it confronted the Electric-type Pokémon head-on.
"Are you okay?"
Pulling his gaze away from the Electric-type Pokémon, Silas asked Noivern with concern.
"Noi!"
Electric currents flickered across its body as Noivern bared its teeth and shook its head, indicating that it was fine.
"You, honestly…"
Silas shook his head helplessly. "Next, let Cyclizar take over. You rest for a bit."
"Cyc~!"
(Leave it to me, little bro. Watch me shine.)
Cyclizar shifted into its battle form and patted its chest toward Noivern.
Turning his attention back to the Electric-type Pokémon, Silas murmured, "A Mega Manectric that underwent Mega Evolution on its own… this is a huge discovery."
Under normal circumstances, Mega Evolution required a Trainer to have a Pokémon capable of Mega Evolution hold a Mega Stone, and only after a deep bond was formed between Trainer and Pokémon could Mega Evolution be achieved.
Yet the Mega Manectric before them had no Trainer at all.
"ROAAAR!" Rumble!
Its roar was mixed with thunder as Mega Manectric charged straight at them.
"Cyclizar, it's up to you."
Silas patted the Pokémon beside him, which was itching for a fight.
Cyclizar let out a fierce cry as intense lightning erupted around its body, a bolt of electricity blasting apart the thunderclouds overhead. In the next instant, Cyclizar transformed into an unknown streak of lightning, piercing through Mega Manectric's body before it could even react.
BOOM!
A thunderous explosion echoed through the surroundings. Mega Manectric was sent flying hundreds of meters away like a kite with its string cut, crashing back toward the power plant and knocking down an energy tower.
Hovering in midair, Miraidon's electronic eyes swept the area with cold indifference. Its alloy claws clenched tightly, and the thunderclouds overhead instantly slipped free from Mega Manectric's control.
The next moment, blinding lightning flooded the sky. Thick bolts of Thunder crashed down one after another, relentlessly bombarding Mega Manectric's position.
"What kind of Pokémon is that?"
After escorting the three members of the emergency team to safety, Diantha hurried back at once. What she saw was a Pokémon hovering above the power plant like a god descended from the heavens.
"Tyrant…"
Tyrantrum shrank back timidly, taking two steps backward. A suppression born of bloodline alone made it unable to face that Pokémon directly.
"Garde!"
Another Poké Ball at Diantha's waist opened, and her ace Pokémon, Gardevoir, leaped out. Its eyes glowed with powerful psychic energy as it watched the Pokémon warily.
"Tyrantrum, return for now."
Diantha recalled the suppressed Tyrantrum and said to Gardevoir, "Teleport—take me over there quickly."
Teleport, a Psychic-type move, allowed the user to instantly move from one location to another. Diantha had refrained from using it earlier because two members of the emergency team were ordinary people who had not undergone special training and would not have been able to endure the intense dizziness caused by Teleport.
It was an awful sensation—like being struck hard on the back of the head without warning.
...
"Why would Manectric undergo Mega Evolution on its own?"
With his hand resting on Miraidon's metallic head, Silas stared at the Mega Manectric lying before him, defeated and unable to move. It still had a breath left in it and was struggling to rise.
There was no trace of reason left in its blood-red eyes—only destruction and madness remained.
"Forget it."
If he couldn't figure it out, then he wouldn't bother.
"I'll just report it to the League and let the professors rack their brains over it."
Professionals should handle professional matters; he would focus on running his ranch properly.
"Rai~"
Miraidon gave a reminder as its body reverted from crackling lightning back into Cyclizar's form. Cyclizar licked Silas and held out its claws expectantly.
"Cyc!"
(A little red flower!)
"Here you go. Good thing I brought one with me."
Taking a small red flower from his inner pocket, Silas stuck it onto Cyclizar's forehead. Cyclizar grinned foolishly and covered its head with its claws.
"Meow!"
After witnessing the strength of its companions, Litten had remained unusually quiet throughout the entire battle. Only now did it cry out, reminding Silas that someone was approaching.
Turning around, Silas waved toward a person and a Pokémon outside the power plant. "Diantha, over here, come quickly!"
Diantha jogged over to his side, her gaze inevitably drawn to the battered Pokémon lying in the lightning-scorched pit. As someone who had mastered Mega Evolution herself, she couldn't help but exclaim in shock.
"Mega Manectric? How is that even possible?!"
After a long while, Diantha gradually calmed down. She understood the gravity of the situation—this could be a major breakthrough in the study of Mega Evolution.
"Contact the League and have them send someone to take custody of it," she said.
"Alright."
Diantha activated a watch-like device on her wrist to establish a connection, explaining to Silas as she did so, "This is an Xtransceiver, a new invention from the Unova region with camera functionality. It supports up to four-person calls, and the League is currently rolling it out to Trainers."
"Oh."
The call connected, and the person on the other end was Drasna of the Elite Four. The two of them briefly reported what had happened at the power plant. After listening, Elite Drasna nodded.
"Understood. You've both worked hard."
"Not at all."
Silas and Diantha shook their heads in unison—the rewards for League missions were anything but low.
"I'll have Professor Sycamore go and take custody of it, and we'll place this spontaneously Mega-Evolved Manectric at the Sycamore Pokémon Laboratory."
Professor Sycamore was the foremost authority on Mega Evolution research in the Kalos region; there was no better choice. The Elite Four member then asked whether either of them had been injured, and only after receiving a negative response did she end the call to make the necessary arrangements.
The emergency team had been safely escorted out, and the culprit behind the power plant shutdown had been identified. Mega Manectric possessed a special ability—its body could store an astonishing amount of electricity, directly draining the power from the Pokémon inside the plant, which was what caused the massive blackout.
For now, the two of them couldn't leave yet; they needed to keep an eye on Mega Manectric.
Diantha observed Silas's three Pokémon. Litten watched her cautiously, while Noivern limped slightly, clearly having gone through a fierce battle—it definitely wasn't the mysterious Pokémon in question. Her gaze naturally settled on the foolishly grinning Cyclizar nearby.
Could it be that one?
As they waited idly, Silas struck up conversation from time to time.
"Diantha, has there been any conclusion about the cause of the Pokémon riot that hit Lumiose City?"
Pulling her gaze back, Diantha replied, "Elite Wikstrom personally investigated and discovered dozens of Pokémon and human stone statues at the center of the disturbance."
"After cross-referencing League Trainer records, those people were identified as a group of unregistered poachers."
Diantha leaned in slightly and lowered her voice.
"The Pokémon that turned them into stone was the Legendary Pokémon that symbolizes death—Yveltal."
(End of Chapter)