The thunderclouds rolled closer, accompanied by an overwhelming sense of pressure. Beneath them, a golden figure dashed toward their location, moving at incredible speed.
Its appearance resembled that of a saber-toothed tiger, with golden fur, muscular limbs, and sharp fangs. A black, steel-like crest adorned its forehead, framed by "X"-shaped whiskers. Its back was covered in a flowing, cloud-like mane, while its tail resembled a crackling bolt of lightning.
The approaching figure was none other than Raikou, one of the three legendary beasts of Ho-Oh's guard.
"This is..."
Upon seeing the approaching Raikou, Pryce's pupils shrank slightly, and his face showed a trace of astonishment.
"Raikou?"
Even Pryce, seasoned as he was, hadn't expected to encounter Raikou here.
Johan, on the other hand, wore a look of helpless resignation.
It was only a matter of time. Raikou showing up now was within Johan's expectations.
Having already encountered Suicune and Entei—and earning their recognition—Johan wasn't too nervous about this final encounter.
As Raikou drew closer, thunder rumbled through the air, and the heavy storm clouds loomed low, threatening to descend upon them.
"Why does it feel like it's coming with hostility?" Johan muttered under his breath.
Buzz.
Johan immediately felt the Rainbow Wing in his pocket begin to glow rapidly, as though warning him of something.
This forced Johan to be more cautious.
The next moment—
BOOM!
A golden bolt of lightning descended from the heavens, striking the ground in front of Johan and leaving a smoldering black crater in its wake.
At this, Gengar and the others tensed up, quickly forming a protective line in front of Johan.
"Did you somehow offend Raikou?" Pryce asked, frowning.
"I... don't think so?" Johan replied, though he wasn't entirely certain.
Raikou's demeanor made it clear it was here for a fight.
That first bolt of lightning, which deliberately missed, wasn't a mistake. It was a warning. The next strike wouldn't miss.
Was this because Raikou had sensed Johan's use of Aura to activate the Rainbow Wing?
If that were the case, shouldn't Marshadow be the one to confront him instead of Raikou?
Or could this be another trial for the "Rainbow Hero"?
When Suicune appeared, it hadn't attacked.
When Entei appeared, it only clashed briefly with Charcadet's flames.
And now Raikou had arrived, seemingly eager for battle?
Why did Ash get a pass with just a meeting?!
Double standards, huh?
Regardless, Raikou had come for a fight.
"We might have to battle this time," Johan said in a low voice. "Stay alert."
"Ka-kah!"
Gengar nodded seriously, while the others prepared themselves as well.
From Raikou's presence, they could all feel an immense threat.
Meanwhile, Pryce observed Johan and Raikou, his gaze shifting between the two.
"Do you need my help?" Pryce offered.
Logically speaking, someone recognized by Entei and even granted the power of Sacred Fire shouldn't be antagonized by Raikou.
In fact, Pryce could sense Raikou's overwhelming presence but no malice from it.
Johan shook his head.
"Not for now."
His rejection stemmed partly from the lack of hostility he sensed from Raikou through Aura.
It was also because, moments earlier, the Pokédex had updated Raikou's information:
[Raikou]
Type: Electric
Ability: Pressure
Moves: Leer, Charge, Extreme Speed, Thunder Shock, Quick Attack, Spark, Bite, Calm Mind, Roar, Thunder Fang
Mood: Excited (Finally, another "Rainbow Wing" Chosen One!)
Status: Excellent
Friendship Level: 30 (It has no hostility toward you and even carries some goodwill.)
No hostility—but it wanted a fight. Clearly, this was another trial.
If that was the case, Johan couldn't back down.
Taking a deep breath, Johan began barking orders:
"Toxic, Hypnosis, Will-O-Wisp! Tinkaton, Swords Dance! Kubfu, ready Detect! Dragonair, use Dragon Dance!"
Even Pryce couldn't hide his astonishment at the seamless flow of Johan's commands.
He had to admit: Johan had exceptional talent for directing battles with multiple Pokémon simultaneously.
Defense, debuffs, crowd control, and offense—all angles were covered.
While Johan's strategies weren't yet a fully developed system, it was clear he excelled at fighting "dirty."
This level of control would have been impressive even among Pryce's generation.
"Ka-kah!"
Gengar opened a rift and disappeared into it, reappearing behind Raikou. It spat a viscous, toxic substance that splattered onto Raikou, turning its fur a faint purple.
"Oowoo~~"
Ninetales' eyes glowed blue, casting Hypnosis. The drowsiness briefly disrupted Raikou's stride, making it stumble.
Charcadet seized the opportunity to unleash bursts of flame, which exploded on Raikou's body, leaving singed patches of fur.
"Garrrr!"
Raikou growled, stunned by the swift assault.
It had given Johan ample warning but hadn't expected him to strike so decisively the moment its intentions were clear.
"Garrr!"
Raikou roared, its body crackling with electricity. Snakes of lightning lashed out, scattering across the area. The electric surge disrupted Gengar's poison and shook off Ninetales' hypnotic influence.
Meanwhile, Tinkaton gleamed as it completed Swords Dance, and Dragonair soared higher, finishing its Dragon Dance.
Johan remained composed.
"Dragonair, Extreme Speed into Dragon Rush!"
"Kubfu, get ready to guide the attack!"
"Ninetales, use Helping Hand!"
"Draaa!!"
Dragonair ascended and cloaked itself in a shimmering blue-purple dragon aura. With a burst of speed, it dove straight toward Raikou.
Simultaneously, Kubfu's Detect and Ninetales' Helping Hand enhanced its precision and impact.
Boom!
Dragonair struck Raikou head-on, slamming it into the ground and leaving it briefly immobilized.
"Now, Tinkaton—Gigaton Hammer!"
"Cha!!"
As Dragonair retreated, Tinkaton charged forward, hammer raised high. Its weapon gleamed with metallic brilliance as it slammed it down onto Raikou.
Crash!
The ground fractured under the force of the blow, and Raikou, still recovering, found itself dazed once again.
"Charcadet, Overheat!"
"Ka-kah, Hypnosis again!"
Johan's Pokémon unleashed a relentless barrage of attacks, exploiting every opportunity to overwhelm Raikou.
By now, Pryce was wiping sweat from his forehead, his face pale.
Dear lord.
This wasn't a battle—it was an ambush.
Every one of Johan's Pokémon had at least one crowd control move, and they executed them with flawless timing.
Raikou, a Legendary Pokémon, had barely had a chance to respond.
"Dang. Raikou's defenses are insane," Johan muttered.
Pryce: "..."
You're actually trying to take down Raikou?!
Suddenly, Raikou roared with a deafening thunderclap, sending waves of lightning radiating outward.
The golden light blinded everyone, forcing Johan to yell, "Defend!"
Using Protect, Substitutes, and Detect, Johan's team managed to shield themselves.
Thankfully, Ninetales' Aurora Veil softened the impact, giving everyone enough time to recover.
But Johan noticed something on Raikou's Pokédex entry.
[Mood: Furious (To heck with the chosen one!)]
Johan: "..."
After a tense pause, Johan subtly grabbed the Mega Evolution pendant dangling from his glasses, prepared to activate Gengar's Mega Evolution if necessary.
Raikou glared at Johan, its mane crackling with lightning.
Johan forced a sheepish grin.
You're the one who wanted a fight.
After staring him down for three seconds, Raikou let out one final roar.
The storm clouds above scattered, and it disappeared in a flash of golden light, vanishing over the horizon.
As it left, the Pokédex updated again:
[Mood: Frustrated (What are you even guarding with this nonsense?!)]
"It's gone?" Johan asked, confused.
"I… I think so," Pryce replied, his voice dry.
Meanwhile, Tinkaton nudged Johan's arm with a sly grin and opened its hand.
Resting in its palm was a shiny, golden object.
Johan's jaw dropped.
Raikou had been pickpocketed.
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Powerstones?
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