"Corvi~"
The Corviknight growled, its crimson eyes locked on Dream. The frightened Dreepy darted toward Al for safety—only to bump into his chest.
Al was already moving, his senses sharp, his gaze fixed on the steel bird above. Mero stayed close at his side, casually gnawing on a berry even in the tense air.
"Must be the same one we crossed paths with yesterday," Al muttered, one hand stroking his chin as if he weren't concerned at all.
But when he felt Dream tugging frantically at his leg, her little body trembling, he finally looked down.
"Dree~ Dreepy~"
She pointed with her glowing tail, her desperation evident. Al's brows furrowed.
Then, his vision blurred. In an instant, he was no longer standing by the fire. He was in front of the Corviknight, his sudden appearance startling the steel giant.
The bird froze only for a moment. Then, breaking from its stupor, it spread its wings wide and lashed out, launching a vicious strike straight at Al.
---
Corviknight's beak glowed with deadly light as she dove straight for Al.
But before the strike could land, Mero shot forward, his tiny foot slamming against the steel bird's cheek. The impact sent a ripple through the air, just enough to deflect the blow.
Al exhaled sharply, realizing only then that he'd been holding his breath.
Catching sight of Zai lying injured on the ground, he wasted no time. He sprinted forward, dropped to his knees, and carefully pulled the fainted Zigzagoon into his lap.
"Pocket, give me a dozen Oran Berries."
The pocket watch snapped open, its mechanical voice answering promptly: [Yes.]
A cascade of plump blue berries spilled into Al's hands, and he immediately began feeding them to Zai one by one.
But as he focused on his task, something brushed against his back—fast, like a blade cutting the air. Al twisted his head just in time to see Mero flipping through the air, landing neatly on all fours.
The little Morpeko's cheeks sparked as he glared up at Corviknight. The steel bird's wings spread wide, her crimson gaze locked right back on him.
Al gently closed the pocket watch, tucking Zai into its pocket dimension for safety. Then, rising to his feet, he met Mero's determined eyes.
He gave a single nod.
Mero grinned, baring his teeth. Sparks crackled louder across his cheeks as the tension between predator and challenger filled the riverside clearing.
---
"Mero, Quick Attack to get close—then Double Team!"
Al's voice rang sharp, and Mero shot forward like a bolt of lightning. In the blink of an eye, he was nose-to-beak with the towering Corviknight.
The bird's talons shimmered with steel light as she swung down, but her strike met only air.
Mero blurred, vanishing into a streak that split into two… then four… then dozens. In seconds, illusions of the tiny Pokémon circled Corviknight, darting and weaving until their numbers were impossible to track.
Corviknight twisted, head snapping side to side, eyes flashing with frustration. She beat her wings hard, summoning a howling Tailwind. The sudden gale shredded through some of the clones, scattering them like mist. Metallic light gathered along her wing—she was winding up for Steel Wing.
Al's command cut through the chaos. "Dark Pulse!"
Every Morpeko turned in unison, eyes glowing, dark energy crackling along their cheeks. A sphere of shadow power surged forward. Corviknight braced, folding her wings to block—
But Al's voice came again. "Now—Take Down!"
From her blind side, the real Mero slammed in with full force, his small body carrying an impact that rattled her massive frame. Corviknight screeched as both tumbled to the ground in a crash of feathers and sparks.
Al didn't hesitate. "End it—with Thunder!"
Mero's entire body flared, yellow arcs of electricity racing across his fur until he was a living storm. With a roar of energy, he unleashed it point-blank, the blast engulfing Corviknight in blinding light and deafening thunder.
Behind Al, Dream spun in circles midair, squealing and clapping like she was watching her favorite hero on stage. Zai, who had snuck back out during the Double Team, was wagging her tongue with excitement, eyes wide at the display.
---
Crunch, crunch, crunch.
Al's boots pressed into the carpet of dry leaves as he stepped closer to the Corviknight. The massive steel bird loomed in silence, feathers glinting faintly, eyes sharp and unblinking.
Al held his breath and pulled a berry from his pocket. Without a word, he dropped it onto the ground before her.
"Arise and serve me," he said, his voice firmer than he felt.
Inside, his thoughts spun like a storm.Did I really just say that? Oh my Arceus, am I smiling? No—don't smile, calm down.
The Corviknight lowered her head, hooked beak tapping the berry once before swallowing it whole. She straightened, wings shuffling, and then… bent low in a bow.
Al blinked. For a moment, he stood frozen, the realization crashing over him. A grin threatened to break free as he reached out, running his hand along the cold, armored feathers of her side.
"Thank you," he murmured, his voice softer now. "For this… and for letting me discover what I can really do."
The Corviknight tilted her head as his hand brushed against her crest. Al's smile finally broke through.
"And now… a name." He paused, eyes narrowing in thought, then brightened. "How about Luna?"
The great bird gave a low, resonant cry—acceptance echoing in the forest air.