Bai Chen opened his skill interface.
Five new techniques shimmered in the holographic list before him.
Miniaturize (★2), Protect (★3), Air Slash (★3), Gust (★4), Whirlwind (★3).
The last three — Air Slash, Gust, and Whirlwind — were spoils from his battle with Team Skull's Zubat swarm.
All three stemmed from the same principle — manipulating air currents with wings to slice, buffet, or drive away opponents.
Different names, same roots.
And that gave Bai Chen an idea.
Back when he'd earned Nergigante's skill Power Manifestation, it had merged with his own Body Reinforcement to evolve into Titan's Physique.
So… what if similar-type skills could fuse the same way?
If three related abilities could merge, what would be born from that evolution?
He smiled faintly.
"Only one way to find out."
He selected Air Slash and activated the bond stone.
A soft azure glow spread from his hand, flowing through the tether into Nergigante's body.
[Individual "Nergigante" has acquired skill: Air Slash (★3)]
High above, Nergigante let out a low growl, wings trembling with warmth.
Energy coursed through her muscles — light and fierce.
She spread her wings wide and slashed down.
Twin blades of wind tore through the air, striking the Meowth Prime squarely in the chest.
The cat yowled, forced back but not down — then countered, jewel flaring with Power Gem.
Bai Chen's lips curved.
"Not over yet."
He activated the bond stone again.
[Individual "Nergigante" has acquired skill: Whirlwind (★3).
Matching skill type detected: Air Slash.
Skill evolution triggered — new skill obtained: Split Blades (★4).]
Nergigante's eyes gleamed.
She flapped again.
Two blades of wind sliced forth —
Then split midair into four.
Then eight.
The Meowth Prime barely had time to react before the storm of blades tore into him.
Power surged — sharper, denser, faster.
"And now… the final piece."
The bond stone flared bright as lightning.
Waves of light spiraled into Nergigante, her scales shimmering under the glow.
[Individual "Nergigante" has acquired skill: Gust (★4).
Matching skill type detected: Split Blades.
Skill evolution triggered — new skill obtained: Blade Storm (★5).]
"It worked…" Bai Chen's voice trembled with awe.
"It actually worked! Skill evolution is real!"
He raised his hand.
"Nergigante — use Blade Storm!"
"Raaaugh!"
Nergigante roared, wings slicing downward.
Wind erupted like a hurricane — blades within the storm flashing like rain.
Each gust carried an edge sharp enough to scar stone.
The orchard hillside trembled under the onslaught.
Stone walls cracked, tree branches shattered, and even the air seemed to scream.
[EXP +23]
[EXP +22]
[EXP +…]
The weaker Meowth were shredded, scattered like leaves in the gale.
And at the center of it all —
The Meowth Prime had nowhere left to run.
Nergigante folded her wings back, eyes burning crimson.
Her right claw swelled with brute power.
"Extinction Palm!"
BOOM—!
The strike came down like divine punishment.
The rock exploded. Dust billowed.
When the air finally cleared, a crater ten meters wide marked the impact site.
The Meowth Prime's head was half-buried in the cliffside, unconscious.
From behind, Mallow's jaw dropped.
"That… that's incredible!"
Even with its Fur Coat ability halving physical damage, the leader hadn't stood a chance.
[EXP +233]
The battle was over.
Bai Chen approached, boots crunching on the cracked earth.
He crouched, reaching out toward the fallen Meowth Prime.
The bond stone pulsed again.
[Skill copied: Power Gem (★4)]
[Replaced: Miniaturize (★2)]
"Job's done."
He patted Nergigante's head.
She let out a deep rumble, rubbing her horns affectionately against his arm.
The frustration from her loss to Bewear seemed to have finally faded — replaced with quiet pride.
Bai Chen noticed the determined spark in her golden eyes.
"Still thinking about revenge, huh?"
He sighed softly.
"You're strong, but not that strong yet.
The level gap's too wide — and don't forget, that Bewear's got Ice Punch.
One bad hit, and you'd be in serious trouble."
Nergigante grumbled under her breath, but didn't argue.
"You'll get there," he said with a faint smile.
"That was amazing!" Mallow ran up, eyes shining.
"Is that your Pokémon, Mr. Bai?"
But as she approached, Nergigante shrank instantly — shrinking down, wings folding, and vanishing into Bai Chen's backpack.
Bai Chen chuckled.
"Sorry, Mallow. My partner's not very fond of strangers."
"Aww… that's a shame."
"Don't worry," Bai Chen reassured her.
"Once she warms up to you, I'm sure you'll be good friends."
Mallow smiled faintly at that, though a bit disappointed.
The trio resumed their walk toward the berry orchard.
But the closer they got, the stranger the scene became.
Clusters of elderly farmers stood gathered near the entrance, faces tight with worry.
Mallow blinked.
"That's odd. Why are so many people here?"
She hurried forward and called out.
"Hey, mister! What's going on? Why's everyone gathered?"
"Ah, Mallow! It's you."
The old man's face softened immediately.
Mallow was well known on Melemele — half the people here had eaten at her family's restaurant.
"Something wrong?" she asked. "Everyone looks upset."
"It's the iron frames we set up in the orchard," the man explained grimly.
"They're gone. Stolen, all of them."
Another farmer chimed in.
"Same here! We had custom-built frames for the fruit vines — disappeared overnight. If we don't replace them soon, we'll miss the planting season."
"And I lost a hoe," someone added. "Who steals farm tools, for Arceus' sake?"
The small crowd buzzed with frustration.
Mallow clenched her fists.
"Don't worry! We'll find whoever did it!"
"You three?" one of the farmers asked, surprised.
"Leave it to us," Mallow said confidently. "We'll handle it!"
"That would be a great help. If you can catch the thief, we'll make sure you're rewarded."
Bai Chen exhaled softly, amused.
"Guess I just got a new mission.
Protecting Lillie… and solving farm crimes."
Mallow gathered what clues she could from the farmers, then turned to the others, eyes alight with determination.
"Alright — let's investigate!"
They entered the orchard.
It wasn't just home to farmers — wild Pokémon lived peacefully among the groves, coexisting with the humans who tended the land.
But when they reached the most recent crime scene, their smiles faded.
The thief hadn't just taken the iron frames — they'd ripped up the vines too.
Fruit, soil, even roots torn clean from the earth.
"That's… way too much," Mallow whispered.
Bai Chen's eyes narrowed.
"Whoever did this wasn't after tools."
He glanced at the gouged marks in the ground, the torn metal edges glittering faintly under the sun.
"They were after the steel itself."
The wind rustled through the broken orchard.
Somewhere in the distance, a shadow moved.
And Bai Chen's instincts told him —
The next battle was already waiting.
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