Read up to 30 advanced chapters exclusively on my Patreon at - patreon.com/LoverrBoy
---------------------------------
"Scizor!!!"
With Scizor's fierce cry, the Mega Stone tied around its neck erupted in blinding light. Crimson energy chains burst from the stone, linking with the blue chains emitted by the Key Stone in Liam's hand. The two opposing lights intertwined—then fused into a brilliant rainbow radiance!
The dazzling glow enveloped Scizor's entire body. A sound like a shell cracking echoed across the battlefield, and when the light faded, a transformed Mega Scizor stood proudly before Liam!
"Scizor!!"
"...Another one evolved?!" The Masked Man's expression stiffened. Standing on Ho-Oh's back, he turned sharply toward Liam. "But this one feels different from that Garchomp earlier. What kind of stone was that?"
He was wary now—deeply wary.
"Hey, Champion," the Masked Man sneered. "I'll admit I'm impressed seeing yet another of your Pokémon evolve. But this Scizor—no, this Evolved Scizor now—surely isn't as strong as your Garchomp, right? If I recall, Scizor's a Bug and Steel type. Even your Ground-type Garchomp couldn't handle Ho-Oh. You really think a Pokémon at a type disadvantage stands a chance?"
Liam gave him a calm smile.
"When," he asked softly, "did I ever say Scizor was here to fight Ho-Oh?"
He snapped his fingers. "Scizor, Arcanine—those four are yours. Don't hold back. Teach them a painful lesson they won't ever forget!"
"Scizor!"
"Arroo!!"
Both Pokémon roared in answer. Fueled by adrenaline and long-simmering fury, Scizor and Arcanine lunged into battle. Their combined power crashed against the Masked Man's four remaining Pokémon—Scizor with newfound strength from Mega Evolution, Arcanine with the burning dominance of its Fire-type attacks. The enemy lines buckled under the pressure almost instantly.
"Oh?" The Masked Man's voice dripped with sarcasm. "So you're saying you've got something even stronger up your sleeve? Heh. I suppose I'm almost looking forward to it."
"Then by all means," Liam said quietly, raising his left arm, "look forward to it."
On his wrist shimmered a faintly glowing golden ring.
"Open, ring of bonds! Answer my call—come forth Moltres!"
At his command, the golden band shot from his wrist and hovered midair, expanding rapidly as radiant light burst forth. Within seconds, it widened into a massive golden gateway, five meters across!
A sharp, majestic cry pierced the heavens.
"Skreeee!!"
A ball of living fire erupted from the portal, soaring skyward before bursting apart in a storm of flame. Out spread the blazing wings of a legendary Pokémon—a divine bird wreathed in fire.
"Th–That's Moltres! The Fire-type Legendary of Kanto! How in the world is it here?! What is that ring?!"
The Masked Man could barely contain his disbelief. He'd thought he'd seen everything today, but the reappearance of a living legend shattered that notion.
A soft hum echoed as the golden ring shrank back to its original size and zipped through the air, reattaching itself to Liam's wrist. Moltres circled above, its eyes glowing with recognition.
"Skree! Skreeee!!"
It swooped down, lowering its flaming head affectionately against Liam's cheek, trilling happily like a long-lost companion finally reunited.
"Haha, I'm glad to see you too, Moltres," Liam said, gently stroking the Pokémon's fiery plumage. "But this time... we've got a real battle ahead. I'll be counting on you."
"Skree?"
When Moltres turned and spotted Ho-Oh in the distance, its eyes blazed with fierce resolve.
"That's right," Liam murmured. "Our opponent's strong. Garchomp's already been taken down, so we can't afford to let our guard down—not even for a second. Stay sharp, partner."
"Skreee!!"
Hearing that Garchomp had fallen only stoked Moltres's determination. It flared its wings wide, twin trails of fire streaming behind it as it rocketed upward with Liam on its back.
"Alright, Masked Man," Liam said coldly. "Let's continue this battle."
"Tch! Don't get cocky! It's just a Moltres! Ho-Oh, go! Use Flamethrower!"
"Gyaaa!!"
Under the Masked Man's command, Ho-Oh roared, unleashing a massive torrent of searing flame.
"Evade it, Moltres—then use Flamethrower too!"
"Skreee!!"
Moltres spun through the air, narrowly dodging the inferno before countering with a fiery beam of its own. Twin pillars of flame collided in midair, painting the skies crimson and gold.
"Enough wasting time, Ho-Oh! Use Brave Bird!"
"Gyaaa!!!"
Ho-Oh halted its flames and surged forward, its body engulfed in blue-white energy, rocketing toward Moltres like a comet.
"Wait for it, Moltres…" Liam's voice was calm, precise. "When it closes in—use Sky Attack."
Moltres nodded slightly, hovering motionless as Ho-Oh barreled down.
"Now, Moltres!"
"Skreeee!!"
The moment before collision, Moltres vanished in a flash of white light, soaring upward faster than lightning. It flipped in midair, energy flaring brilliantly, and dove—its body a spear of divine light—straight toward Ho-Oh!
"Ho-Oh, turn and meet it head-on!" the Masked Man shouted, panic tinging his voice.
"Gyaaa!!"
Ho-Oh twisted in the air, flipping upside down to charge upward toward its foe—
BOOM!!
The two divine birds slammed together in a cataclysmic explosion. Fire and shockwaves tore across the clouds, and four figures tumbled from the smoke—Moltres, Ho-Oh, and their riders: Liam and the Masked Man.
As they plummeted, the Masked Man's eyes burned with desperation.
"Ho-Oh! Use Sacred Fire—on that human!!"
"Gyaaa!!"
Even as it fell, Ho-Oh's eyes snapped open. A torrent of golden flame surged from its beak, roaring across the sky—straight toward the falling Liam.