Read up to 30 advanced chapters exclusively on my Patreon at - patreon.com/LoverrBoy
---------------------------------
"Hey, Kaz! The ones lying on the ground look like those people from the Hunter Group! We're supposed to be working with them, right? So technically, they're on our side too, huh? Hehe, if we save them, they'll definitely be grateful to us!"
A young girl's voice drifted through the forest. Judging from her tone, she wasn't alone—she was talking to someone else.
"Shut up, Sham! How many times have I told you—don't shout my name when we're out on a mission! Can't you ever remember that?"
This time, a boy's voice answered. It was calm and cold, and he didn't sound particularly happy.
"You're one to talk! You keep shouting my name all the time! So what if you're three years older? Don't act like my dad! Hmph, whatever—if you won't help, I'll take care of them myself!"
Right after she said that, Liam and his companions saw two small figures step out from the forest and appear before them.
They were just kids—one boy and one girl, both wearing half-masks that covered part of their faces, giving them a mysterious air.
"Uh… kids?"
This time, it was Axu who spoke. He stared at the boy and girl in front of them—both about the same age as Eusine and Morty—and couldn't help blurting out his surprise.
"Hmph! You think kids are weak? Don't you guys have two kids in your team too?! How dare you look down on us! I'll show you a lesson! Come out, Meowth!"
The girl named Sham puffed up in anger, her uncovered cheek round with indignation. She threw out three PokeBalls in a huff, and three Meowth appeared before the group.
"Hey, Sham! The teacher told us to wait here for him, not to stir up trouble. Don't get involved! Let's just leave before something bad happens. If the teacher finds out, don't expect me to cover for you."
Kaz spoke with a helpless tone, rubbing his temple as he watched Sham prepare for battle.
"Hmph! You always bring up the teacher to scare me! Fine, fine, I'll let you off this time. I won't waste my time on you. I've got better things to do—bye~!"
Although Sham looked clearly annoyed at Kaz's words, she still didn't dare to argue further. She turned away, waved dismissively at Liam's group, and began to leave with her three Meowth.
But—
"Suspicious individuals! Stay where you are and submit to questioning! Electrode, Swift!"
"Bzzzzzz!"
Just as Kaz and Sham were about to leave, Eusine gave the command. Electrode opened its mouth and launched a volley of glowing golden stars, which struck the trees in front of Kaz and Sham, scattering bark and splinters everywhere. The two had no choice but to stop.
"Hey! That's so unfair! I said I'd let you go, and now you're attacking us?! Fine! You asked for it! Meowth—use Pay Day!"
Furious, Sham spun around and pointed at Liam's group, commanding her Pokémon to attack.
"Meowth!" ×3
At her shout, all three Meowth sprang into action, unleashing a storm of shining gold coins that rained down like bullets toward Liam and the others.
"Electrode! Charge Beam!"
"Bzzzz!"
"Manectric! Use Discharge!"
"Raay!"
"Murkrow! Wing Attack!"
"Caw!"
The incoming barrage was fierce, but Eusine, Morty, and Axu reacted instantly. Brilliant arcs of electricity shot across the field, shattering coins midair, while Murkrow's Wing Attack deflected any that slipped through. None of them were injured.
"Manectric! Thunder Wave!"
"Raay!"
As the last of the coins clattered to the ground, Axu seized the opportunity. Golden sparks shot from Manectric's fur, striking Sham and her Meowth in an instant. In moments, all three Meowth—and Sham herself—were paralyzed, their bodies twitching as electricity danced over them.
"You've got no chance left. Just surrender peacefully."
Seeing that his attack had hit, Axu placed a restraining hand on his still-eager Manectric. Looking at Sham's pained expression, he hesitated, feeling a pang of sympathy. Raising his voice, he tried to persuade her to stop resisting.
"Heh… hehehe! That little jolt? That's nothing compared to the punishments our teacher gives! You're just bullying us because you have more people. But that's fine… hehe… because I'm not alone!"
Though her body was numb and she could barely move, Sham showed no fear. Sitting on the ground, she smirked up at Axu, her eyes gleaming with mischief.
And just as she said that—Kaz, who had been silent until now, suddenly shouted:
"Houndour—Roar!"
"Grrr!" ×3
In an instant, three fierce Houndour burst from the surrounding grass, forming a triangle around Liam's team. They let out simultaneous, ear-splitting roars—and the Pokémon standing beside Liam and his companions were immediately forced back into their PokeBalls!
"What the—?! When did they—?!"
Axu's eyes widened as Manectric vanished in a flash of red light, sucked back into its PokeBall. Before he could react, another click sounded—and his Feraligatr emerged onto the field.
On Liam's side, Steelix appeared beside him in a flash of light.
"Don't stop, Houndour! Keep using Roar!"
"Grrr!" ×3
But just as Steelix and Feraligatr appeared, the three Houndour roared again—sending both Pokémon right back into their PokeBalls.
"Hmph! That's it, Houndour! Don't stop! Now—Piloswine! Use Blizzard!"
Kaz smirked coldly, tossing another PokeBall. A small Piloswine appeared and snorted fiercely, unleashing a freezing Blizzard that surged across the field.
The icy wind howled closer—but two flashes of light burst out beside Liam and Axu again. This time, Manectric reappeared alongside Steelix. Eusine and Morty, however, seemed to be out of usable Pokémon and stayed back.
"Steelix! Stone Edge!"
Facing the raging Blizzard, Liam stayed perfectly calm. The moment Steelix appeared, his command rang out.
"Gaaaah!"
With no hesitation, Steelix slammed its massive tail into the ground. A thunderous quake followed, and countless jagged stones erupted upward, forming a barricade of stone spikes that blocked the oncoming Blizzard completely.
The shockwaves from the attack shook the ground violently. The three Houndour staggered, losing their balance and momentarily forgetting to roar again.
Now was the chance—
"Manectric! Wild Charge!"
At Axu's command, Manectric's body was instantly wrapped in raging lightning. Its form blurred in the storm of sparks. With a furious roar, it charged forward, smashing through one of Steelix's stone pillars—and slammed headfirst into a terrified Houndour, sending it flying into a nearby tree with a deafening crack.
The entire trunk shuddered from the impact.