Chapter 121: Protecting Precious Memories, Part 2
The smoke from the explosions, the people fleeing frantically like tiny ants, the various Pokémon trembling and hiding in caves, refusing to show their heads, and also, the wide view from high above looking down—everything intoxicated the Poacher General Captain standing on the shoulder of the Steel God Pillar, Registeel.
For the first time, he discovered that in this world, besides the money he couldn't abandon, there was another thing that could make him so addicted.
And that was the power to override everything!
And using this power, in the midst of constant destruction and devastation, a different kind of pleasure arose in his heart.
It seemed as if a voice had been constantly whispering in his ear.
"Yes, just like this. As long as you possess this power, why must you continue to be hunted like a rat crossing the street?"
"Destroy, destroy to your heart's content. Annihilate everything you see before you."
"Destroy those who hate you, destroy the things that disgust you."
"DESTROY!"
Only the whites of his pupils and his pitch-black sclera remained in the General Captain's eyes. He couldn't help but crack a crazed smile.
"Legendary steel giant, Registeel, completely destroy this place!"
The black mist from the black Poké Ball he was holding grew thicker.
"Omm—" The seven points of light, shimmering with an ominous red-black glow, flashed. Then, facing forward, Registeel slowly raised its hand.
…
"Grandpa Ono, Grandma Ono, you have to escape quickly!"
The young girl pleaded with the two elderly people.
Grandpa Ono, who had been staring blankly at Ming Rizhao ever since she and her group had appeared, said nothing in the face of the girl's persuasion.
Grandma Ono wiped away her tears and revealed a gentle smile.
"You all leave. You don't need to mind us. Taking us with you will only slow you down." Grandma Ono still tugged at Grandpa Ono's sleeve. "Besides, we have a promise with someone. We have to be here, to wait for her to come back and eat the cake we made."
"So, we cannot leave."
Facing the two somewhat stubborn elderly people, Ming Rizhao was in a bind. She looked at Officer Jenny beside her as if asking for help.
Then the two young women began persuading them together.
But no matter what they said, Grandma Ono just kept shaking her head. Instead, she pushed Ming Rizhao and Officer Jenny, urging them to escape quickly.
Until Ming Rizhao, in her desperation, said something.
"The cake shop can be rebuilt if it's gone! But if you two are gone, we'll never be able to eat such delicious cake again!"
"I... still want to be able to eat the cake you make with your own hands!"
Grandpa Ono's body trembled. He seemed to remember something. He stared intently at Ming Rizhao, then closed his eyes.
And opened them again.
"Let's go!"
Grandpa Ono took a deep breath, as if having made a difficult decision, and then spoke.
"?"
Grandma Ono's hand, gripping Grandpa Ono's sleeve, suddenly tightened.
"Let's go! It is indeed time to leave."
Grandpa Ono patted Grandma Ono's hand and repeated himself in a certain tone.
Grandma Ono's tears began to fall again.
"I'll listen to you."
Although they didn't know why the two elderly people had suddenly changed their minds, being willing to leave and seek shelter was a good thing after all.
Ming Rizhao and Ralts quickly helped the elderly couple pick up the things they needed to take. Officer Jenny, seeing the matter resolved, also breathed a sigh of relief and prepared to return to the main group.
"!"
But just then, the fur on Rio's body suddenly bristled.
An extreme sense of danger that made his scalp tingle came from behind him.
Subconsciously, Rio turned his head to look.
And then shouted frantically.
"Quick! Get over here to me!!!!!"
An imposing wave of energy was now gathering between the giant's raised hands. A massive energy ball radiated terrifying fluctuations, and the light from the energy was so bright it was blinding.
"[Dig][Dig][Dig][Dig][Dig]..."
Seeing that it was already too late to escape, Rio had a flash of inspiration and desperately used [Dig]. His claws dug frantically at the ground. Fortunately, this ground was not irrigated with hard concrete but was still soil. Moreover, after the tremors from the giant's walking, the soil structure underneath was relatively loose. Therefore, under Rio's vigorous digging, a large pit sufficient to accommodate several people appeared.
The group, alerted by Rio, had already seen the giant energy ball. Terrified, they couldn't help but run towards the large pit Rio had dug.
…
"Come on, Registeel."
The General Captain, whose entire body was now wreathed in black mist, to the point where his original form could no longer be seen, laughed.
"[Hyper Beam]!"
He no longer cared if he would harm his own subordinates, nor did he care about the consequences of using this powerful move. He only wanted to vent his desire for destruction to his heart's content.
Just as that voice had said.
"Destroy everything!"
"Hahahahaha..."
The rampant laughter was drowned out in the roar of the massive energy cannon of [Hyper Beam]. The giant energy ball in Registeel's hands sparked and crackled, and then, it shot out violently, destroying everything in its path!
…That was how the script was supposed to go. Whether it was the General Captain standing on the Steel God Pillar's shoulder or Rio's group and their Pokémon huddled in the pit, that's what they all thought—one thinking with glee, the others thinking with despair.
What was different was that someone stopped it all.
"Metagross, Mega Evolve!"
"Display your power, Mega Metagross! Use [Giga Impact]!"
A voice very familiar to Rio, Ming Rizhao, and Ralts sounded.
In mid-air, a metallic Pokémon, its entire body blue-green, its body shaped like a discus, with thick legs extending from the four directions of its body, two red eyes, and a silver "X"-shaped cross on its face, was carrying a person with the bearing of a noble scion.
The moment Steven's voice fell, a pin on the chest of the casual suit he was wearing—a rainbow-colored round stone with a genetic pattern—bloomed with a colorful, splendid light. The Metagross beneath him was enveloped in this light and also trembled. A phantom of a genetic pattern also appeared on its head. Wrapped in white light, Metagross rapidly changed its shape. Finally, its four limbs became enormous, its giant claws held forward, a sharp spike protruded from where its mouth was, and the "X"-shaped cross changed from silver to gold.
That was Mega Evolution! Mega Metagross!
"Mega Evolution!"
Rio watched with longing in his heart, his eyes full of envy.
Mega Metagross, unleashing [Giga Impact], slammed hard into the giant Steel God Pillar.
"CLANG—"
The collision of steel against steel, a loud, resounding sound traveled far.
Even if Metagross had Mega Evolved into Mega Metagross, its 2.5-meter size, compared to the over-20-meter-tall Registeel, was like an ant trying to shake a great tree.
However, under this impact, the Steel God Pillar was involuntarily pushed back a small step.
With this one step back, the energy orb that had been gathering its power instantly lost control.
"Skarmory."
The Metagross beneath him flew out to ram the Steel God Pillar, so Steven, who was riding on it, was naturally without a mount and began to fall.
A white light flashed. A large bird clad in steel armor flew out from a Poké Ball and steadily caught its trainer.
"Claydol."
Yet another Pokémon was summoned by Steven. It was a clay doll Pokémon with many eyes and its body covered in mysterious patterns.
Claydol levitated in the air with its psychic power, rotating slowly, awaiting its trainer's command.
"Use [Teleport]!"
Steven pointed his finger at the energy orb that was about to explode.
"Mmm-mmm," Claydol stopped rotating, and then its numerous red eyes lit up. The giant energy orb in the distance was enveloped in pink psychic power in a very short time, and then with a "swish," it disappeared.
And then.
"BOOM—"
A violent explosion sounded high in the city's sky. The aftershock of the explosion even directly dispersed a large patch of gathered clouds, revealing a bright, clear day.
"Mr. Steven!"
Ming Rizhao cried out in pleasant surprise and, together with Officer Jenny, helped the two elderly people out of the pit.
Hearing the girl's cry, Steven gently patted the Skarmory beneath him, then slowly descended before the group.
"You are Ming Rizhao, correct? We meet again."
Steven still had that elegant demeanor. He nodded at the girl, then saw Rio and smiled at him.
"Mr. Steven!"
Officer Jenny also stepped forward and saluted. Whether it was out of respect for the former regional champion or gratitude for saving their lives this time, Officer Jenny had to give Steven a salute.
"I came here because I received a message from Norman," Steven said, turning his gaze to the giant in the distance that was trying to stabilize its body. "I didn't expect this fellow to have such an accident."
"Um... we went to Mr. Norman's house and gym to check. Mr. Norman isn't there, and his wife has left Verdant Leaf City with the main group of evacuees."
"We were entrusted by Uncle Wattson from Zidian City to find Norman."
Ming Rizhao added.
Before coming to rescue the two elderly people, Ming Rizhao and Rio had already driven the motorcycle all over the places Norman might be but couldn't find any trace of him. What was even stranger to them was that the originally simple-looking Pokémon Gym—now, never mind simple, the entire gym had vanished from its spot, leaving the girl and the Pokémon staring blankly for a long time. If it weren't for the unchanged road sign, they would have almost thought they had gone to the wrong place.
Hearing what Ming Rizhao recounted, even the usually calm Steven couldn't help but frown.
"You are... the Middel Region Champion, Steven Stone?"
On Registeel's shoulder, the General Captain shouted downwards.
Whether it was because the General Captain naturally had a loud voice or for some other reason, his words were heard clearly by everyone (and every Pokémon) below.
☆☆☆
-> SUPPORT ME WITH POWER STONE
-> FOR EVERY 200 PS = BOUNS CHAPTER
☆☆☆
-> 20 Advanced chapters Now Available on Patreon!!
-> https://www.pat-reon.co-m/c/Inkshaper
(Just remove the hyphen (-) to access patreon normally)
If you like this novel please consider leaving a review that's help the story a lot Thank you