On the outskirts of Ilex Forest, Delphox's psychic grip restrained Heath, and Klein stepped forward, ready to take him into custody.
But just then, a sudden disturbance rippled beneath Klein's shadow.
Delphox's eyes flashed coldly. In an instant, Klein switched places with a Will-O-Wisp marker, narrowly evading as countless dark tendrils erupted from the ground beneath Heath's feet, engulfing the area in shadow.
A Gengar materialized silently from the darkness.
At the same moment, thin black lines shot out from multiple angles, shattering part of the Will-O-Wisp coordinates Delphox had set up. A chilling, eerie tongue-clicking sound echoed from deep within the forest, filling the air with an ominous presence.
Someone else was here.
This person had completely bypassed Delphox's psychic detection—no ordinary trainer could pull that off.
Klein's expression remained calm. Behind him, his Dream Realm System activated, and three Poké Balls entered deployment mode.
Despite his rugged mountaineering outfit, Klein wasn't some backcountry hiker. His attire was deliberately chosen for battle. While the dramatic, cape-wearing style of some Elite Four members might look impressive, Klein preferred practicality.
Suddenly, a massive serpent lunged from the ground, its fierce gaze locked onto Klein. In response, one of the Poké Balls burst open, releasing a Lucario.
Lucario raised a single palm, unleashing a pulse of psychic energy.
But the attacking Arbok's body twisted unnaturally, the markings on its abdomen shifting in a hypnotic pattern. As the visual distortions rippled outward, Lucario's psychic wave dissipated instantly, and an eerie numbness spread through its body.
The Serpent's Gaze.
Taking advantage of Lucario's momentary hesitation, Arbok's jaws flared with scorching flames as it transformed into a streak of fire, lunging straight at Klein.
Delphox scoffed coldly, summoning countless Will-O-Wisps to form a fiery barrier.
But Arbok didn't flinch. It charged straight through the flames, ignoring the burn it sustained, and continued its relentless pursuit.
Then, in an unnatural display, its shed skin sloughed off, completely nullifying the burn status. With its speed undiminished, it closed in on Klein.
Their goal was clear.
The Arbok and Gengar's trainer was targeting Klein directly. If they eliminated the trainer, his Pokémon would lose coordination, and the battle would be over.
Ignoring the pain from his numbed limbs, Lucario's aura flared as it prepared to strike.
But before it could react, Arbok spewed a venomous purple liquid.
Lucario hesitated for a split second—just enough time for Arbok to reach Klein.
"Impudent!"
Just as Arbok lunged, ready to sink its fangs into Klein—
A massive hand clamped down on its throat.
Arbok writhed in shock, eyes darting upward—Swampert had appeared at Klein's side.
The air shimmered as Swampert's form solidified, its mirage-like camouflage dissipating. Arbok had never sensed it.
With a sinister grin, Swampert lifted Arbok off the ground and slammed it down with tremendous force.
Boom!
Dust exploded as Arbok crashed into the earth.
But at the last moment, its body twisted and shed another layer of skin, narrowly escaping Swampert's finishing blow.
The rapid exchange lasted mere seconds, yet it was enough for Klein to assess the situation.
This opponent was at least on the level of an Elite Four.
—
On the other side of the battlefield, the Gengar calmly extended a hand, electricity crackling between its fingers.
Thunderbolt surged into an energy blade, slicing through the psychic chains restraining Heath.
Freed from Delphox's grasp, Heath staggered backward, still pale from his defeat.
Bisharp and the other Pokémon were quickly recalled. Before Klein could react, a Crobat swooped down, grabbing Heath and soaring upward.
Claydol and Delphox prepared to pursue, but before they could, countless shadows gathered in the air.
Gengar smirked, blocking their path, and fired a massive Shadow Ball.
Delphox countered instantly, releasing a barrage of fiery sparks. The Shadow Ball detonated midair—
But then, a stream of toxic sludge burst forth.
Caught off guard, Delphox was struck and poisoned.
Even without direct combat, Klein could already gauge his opponent's strength.
His expression darkened.
"Did you really think escaping Ilex Forest would be that easy?"
—
A masked figure in dark clothing moved swiftly through the trees, Heath slumped over his shoulder.
Koga—the Poison-type Elite Four of Kanto.
Despite being a newly appointed Elite Four, like Klein, he knew a prolonged fight in Ilex Forest would put him at a disadvantage.
He hadn't planned to fight Klein head-on. His goal had been to rescue Heath—nothing more.
His orders came directly from Giovanni: work with Team Dim Sun's agents to uncover the true purpose of the Kamiyama Foundation.
Yet, the moment he arrived in Ilex Forest, Heath and his group had already clashed with Klein.
Koga was wary of Klein. The Sandstorm Elite's fighting style was aggressive and relentless. A drawn-out battle would be a mistake.
As Koga retreated, an uneasy tension filled the air.
The humidity in the forest began to fade, replaced by an unnatural dryness.
Koga's sharp instincts immediately warned him—something was wrong.
A chilling voice echoed through the darkened woods.
"Where exactly do you think you're going?"
The flickering glow of Will-O-Wisps illuminated the trees.
Then—the ground shook violently.
A monstrous sandstorm roared through the forest.
Tyranitar had arrived.
The ground trembled as the behemoth emerged from its Poké Ball. Swirling sands filled the air, reducing visibility.
Above, Claydol hovered, slowly rotating.
Tiny grains of sand, infused with psychic energy, scattered throughout the entire forest.
Delphox, now seated atop Claydol, closed its eyes, extending its psychic perception across the battlefield.
Koga, Heath, Ice, and Blake Hall—all of them had been locked onto.
The night burned with ghostly blue flames.
A crimson flash streaked across the darkness.
Koga's Gengar barely had time to react before it melted into the shadows to evade the incoming attack—
A Bullet Punch cut through the air like a bullet.
In its wake, Scizor landed, its razor-sharp pincers gleaming in the firelight.
Surrounded by an intense aura from its Swords Dance, Scizor exuded sheer killing intent.
As Klein's strongest assault unit, Scizor's arrival meant Koga had been completely pinned down.
—
Across the battlefield, Ice and Blake Hall weren't faring any better.
Klein's Pokémon had split into three teams, cornering them from all sides.
Guided by Delphox's teleportation network and Claydol's psychic tracking, the ambush had been executed flawlessly.
Koga's eyes narrowed.
"This guy… he really thinks he can take on all four of us?"
As the Poison Elite Four, Koga had his own pride.
Klein's arrogance infuriated him.
A dangerous glint flashed in his eyes as his Arbok coiled beside him, and his Gengar emerged from the shadows once more.
With a flick of his wrist, Koga gave the command.
"Show me, Klein—what gives you the confidence to fight four Elite-level trainers at once?"
The battle was about to explode into full-scale chaos.
Klein's Swampert, Lucario, and Scizor—all fully prepared.
One against four?
That's nothing.
(To be continued…)
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