Read up to 30 advanced chapters exclusively on my Patreon at - patreon.com/LoverrBoy
---------------------------------
"Bastard! Aren't you afraid your tongue will get twisted talking big like that!? Kim, go help the civilians below! I'll handle this guy myself!"
Iga's arrogant words made Yasha fume with rage. Flames of anger burned in his chest as he turned to Kim, telling her to handle the chaos below while he stayed behind to face the enemy alone.
"...Alright, but be careful. I'll leave Skarmory to you. Don't you dare get yourself hurt!"
For once, Kim didn't argue. Her tone carried clear concern before she turned and directed Togekiss to dive toward the battlefield below.
"Heh, still such a worrier... Skarmory, I'm counting on you."
Watching Kim soar away, Yasha smiled softly before patting Skarmory's neck with a quiet chuckle.
"Skraaa!!"
The steel bird gave a sharp cry and nodded solemnly—it understood its partner well.
"Alright! Let's get started! Come out, Honchkrow! Umbreon!"
With a flick of his wrist, Yasha threw two PokeBalls. Out came a sleek black Umbreon with golden rings glowing faintly, and his injured Honchkrow, who had just been recalled earlier to recover.
Umbreon landed firmly atop Skarmory's head, glaring fiercely at the enemy ahead. Honchkrow flapped its wings beside Yasha, still showing faint signs of pain.
"Honchkrow, use Roost! Umbreon, fire Shadow Ball!"
Noticing Honchkrow's lingering injury, Yasha extended his arm for it to perch on, allowing it to rest its wings and heal. Meanwhile, the Umbreon on Skarmory's head opened its mouth wide and launched a dark, pulsating orb toward Iga in the air.
"Mismagius! Use Shadow Ball too!"
"Miii!!"
A dark sphere fired back from Iga's side, meeting Umbreon's attack midair. The two Shadow Balls collided—BOOM!—an explosion erupted, and black smoke billowed across the sky.
At that same moment, Kim, riding her Togekiss, reached the temple platform. The Temple was under siege by the Hunting Group—hordes of members commanding countless Pokémon were attacking fiercely.
Yet their assault was held back outside the platform. Because standing on it were dozens of trainers—participants from the Whirl Cup—fighting desperately to defend the shrine!
In the midst of battle, Delia commanded swiftly. Her Pokemon responded instantly, striking down several oncoming Pokémon with fluid coordination.
Beside her, Kaz's expression was tense as he issued his own commands.
"Blaziken! Use Blaze Kick! Lairon! Use Take Down!"
Kaz's two Pokémon—his Hoenn starter's final evolution, Blaziken, and a regional powerhouse, Lairon—were both among his strongest.
"Togekiss! Use Psychic! Wide range!"
"Kisss!"
Arriving just in time, Kim ordered Togekiss to unleash a sweeping attack. A radiant pink glow burst outward, blanketing the entire platform. The Hunting Group' Pokémon that had made it onto the platform were blasted back instantly.
Those still standing froze in fear—their courage broken by the overwhelming psychic power. None dared to take another step forward.
"With me here, you're not getting any closer!"
Kim leapt off Togekiss and landed beside Delia, her eyes sharp and voice brimming with confidence as she glared at the bewildered Hunters.
"Kim! Wow, that was amazing! You knocked out so many Pokémon at once! How did you do that!?"
After spending a day together, Delia and Kim had become good friends. Now, watching Kim's power in action, Delia's eyes sparkled with admiration.
"Hehe, my Togekiss's Ability is Serene Grace—it makes added effects happen more often. I had it use Psychic, which can cause opponents to flinch. That's why those Pokémon are too scared to fight back."
Kim proudly placed her hands on her hips and smiled at Delia.
"Ohhh! I get it now! That's amazing—your Togekiss is incredible!"
Delia turned toward the graceful white Pokémon standing protectively at the front, admiration shining in her eyes.
"Looks like you really like Togekiss, huh, Delia? That's perfect—after this is over, I'll give you a Togekiss Egg! You said yesterday you wanted to be a Breeder, right? It'll be good practice for caring for Pokémon eggs."
"But... let's finish this fight first! Togekiss! Use Aura Sphere!"
"Kisss!"
Seeing how much Delia loved Togekiss, Kim promised her an Egg with a smile—but there was no time for chatter now. She smirked coldly as the Hunters' Pokémon began recovering from their fear and immediately gave the order to attack again.
"Alright! I'm holding you to that, Kim! You can't go back on your word! Come on, everyone! Let's finish off these bad guys! Go! Riolu, use Aura Sphere! Aipom, use Swift! Lapras, use Water Pulse! Everyone, let's do this!!"
Fired up by the promise of a Togekiss Egg, Delia's determination flared. She tossed her remaining PokeBalls, releasing her full team—except for the exhausted Wartortle, the fragile Shuckle not suited for the chaos, and her hidden ace, Arcanine.
The other five Pokémon launched a furious counterattack alongside Kim's Togekiss.
Inspired by their teamwork, the other trainers on the platform also released their remaining Pokémon, joining the offensive.
With the trainers' combined effort, the Hunting Group began to falter—the tide of battle was shifting decisively in favor of the defenders.
But just then—
"Shiftry! Use Leaf Storm! Gengar! Use Shadow Ball! Alakazam! Use Illusion!"
"Jolteon! Use Thunder! Flareon! Use Flamethrower! Vaporeon! Use Water Pulse!"
Two cold voices rang out from below the platform.
In the next instant, six powerful Pokémon appeared in unison, launching their attacks. The violent surge of energy rained down upon the defenders—instantly suppressing their momentum and giving the battered Hunting Group a chance to regroup!