"Pikachu, use Thunder Wave!"
Leyns voice tore through the air like lightning itself.
A sharp crackle erupted as yellow arcs of electricity danced from Pikachu's cheeks, snapping through the air and hitting all three of the wild birds—one large Fearow and two Spearow—before they could strike. The sudden jolt wasn't meant to hurt them; it was enough to paralyze, freezing their wings mid-beat and forcing them to land roughly on the ground.
Leyns heart was pounding so hard it felt like it might burst through his chest. He sprinted forward, boots scraping on the dirt, and reached Leaf, who had stumbled backward and fallen when the birds first dived. She was trembling, wide-eyed, her hands clutching her skirt.
"Leaf! Are you okay?" he shouted, quickly stepping in front of her.
She nodded shakily, her voice barely a whisper. "Y-Yeah… but—"
Leyn glanced at the birds. The Fearow was already shaking off the paralysis, its eyes blazing with fury. "Listen," he said quickly, his tone firm despite the adrenaline coursing through him. "The moment I take down those two Spearow, you run back to the lab, understand? Don't stop, don't look back."
Leaf bit her lip and nodded, tears threatening to fall. "But—"
"Go when I say," Leyn cut her off, stepping forward protectively. Pikachu's tail sparked beside him, its cheeks flaring with electric energy.
The paralyzed Spearow twitched weakly on the ground. Leyn pointed forward. "Pikachu, Thunder Shock—now!"
Bolts of lightning flashed, striking across the clearing. One Spearow shrieked as it was hit directly, collapsing onto the ground in a fainted heap, smoke rising gently from its feathers. The other two managed to escape—the Fearow with an enraged screech and the last Spearow diving low and fast to avoid the blast.
The Fearow's eyes glowed red. It let out a furious, ear-piercing cry and swooped down like a living missile. "Fearooow!" It slammed its wings forward, launching a Pursuit aimed straight at Pikachu.
"Quick Attack, Pikachu—move!"
Leyn's command came just in time. Pikachu darted aside in a silver blur, the wind from Fearow's wings nearly throwing it off balance. The little Pokémon countered with a quick strike against the remaining Spearow, landing a clean hit that sent it spinning away.
The Fearow saw this and screamed in rage, its feathers bristling. Leyn felt the air pressure shift—the predator's killing intent fixed entirely on him now. He could see it gathering power, readying something far worse.
"Leyn!" Leaf's voice trembled as she saw the danger.
The Fearow flapped high into the air, then folded its wings, its body gleaming white—it was about to use Aerial Ace.
"Move!" Leyn shouted, pushing Leaf hard to the side toward the lab's direction. But as he turned, the world seemed to blur. The Fearow was already on top of him. There was no time to dodge.
"RUN!" he roared, throwing his arms up to block.
The blow slammed into him like a hammer. The impact sent Leyn sprawling backward, pain exploding across his arms as the Fearow's talons hit shallow but bloody scratches. The boy hit the ground, dust flying around him.
Leaf screamed, tears streaming down her face, but she forced herself to turn and sprint toward the lab, just as Leyn had told her.
The Fearow hovered, preparing to strike again. Leyn grimaced, forcing himself up despite the pain. He scooped up a handful of sand and flung it straight into Fearow's eyes. "Take that!"
The bird shrieked, momentarily blinded. "Now, Pikachu—Thunder Shock!"
Electricity roared through the air once more, hitting Fearow square in the chest. The blast forced it back, its body twitching with static, but it didn't fall. If anything, it only made the creature angrier. It glared down, its feathers puffed up, and suddenly lunged again, beak glowing—it was using Fury Attack.
"Pika!" Pikachu cried out as it barely dodged the first jab. The second and third grazed its side, leaving faint red marks. Leyn took a few hits too—shallow scratches on his arm and cheek, but it burned all the same.
"Hang in there, Pikachu! Quick Attack—then Thunder Shock again!"
Pikachu darted forward like lightning, striking Fearow's side with a quick burst of speed, then jumping back and releasing another Thunder Shock. The combination hit true this time, making the Fearow flinch. Smoke rose from its feathers, but still—it didn't fall.
Fearow shrieked louder than ever, the sound cutting through the dusk like thunder. It took off high into the sky, wings glowing faintly—it was charging up another Aerial Ace, even stronger than before.
Leyns breathing quickened. He couldn't track its movement anymore. The light was dim, the sky painted in orange and purple hues. His arms hurt, his heartbeat thudded in his ears, but still—he didn't run. He couldn't.
He closed his eyes for just a moment, feeling the faint vibrations in the air. He could tell. The direction… the pressure. It wasn't coming from the front this time.
It was from behind.
"Pikachu, behind us!" he shouted.
Pikachu spun just in time. "Pika!!"
"Quick Attack and dodge right!"
Fearow shot down like a bullet—Pikachu met it halfway. The two collided in midair with a heavy impact that sent sparks scattering everywhere. Both Pokémon landed hard, sliding across the ground, panting heavily.
"Come on… get up…" Leyn murmured, his hands trembling. Pikachu slowly stood, shaking dust from its fur, sparks flickering weakly from its cheeks. Fearow, though battered and smoking, was still glaring down at them with pure rage.
"Alright, buddy," Leyn said softly, his voice steady now. "One last time. Let's finish this."
Fearow roared, beating its wings as it lunged downward once again.
Somewhere behind them—
voices were shouting.
"Leyn! Pikachu!"
"Get away from there!"
But neither Leyn nor Pikachu heard them. Their focus was absolute.
The world had narrowed to a single heartbeat.
"Thunder Shock—full power!"
Pikachu's cheeks flared with golden light, brighter than ever before. Electricity surged, crackling violently around it. Just as Fearow was about to strike, Pikachu unleashed a massive surge of lightning, the sound deafening, the air vibrating from the force.
"PIKAAAA—CHUUUUU!!"
The thunderbolt struck Fearow directly, illuminating the entire clearing. The explosion of light and sound forced everyone to shield their eyes. When it faded, Fearow crashed onto the ground, twitching weakly before falling still. The remaining Spearow scattered into the distance, fleeing in terror.
For a moment—
no one moved.
The adults stood frozen where they had stopped running, the echoes of thunder still rolling faintly in the air. Their expressions were a mixture of disbelief and awe, their eyes wide, breath caught in their throats.
There, in the fading orange light of dusk, stood a boy and his Pokémon—both panting, bruised, but unbroken.
Leyn's arm was full with cuts, his clothes torn and dusty. Pikachu stood at his side, sparks still flickering faintly from its cheeks, its eyes burning with fierce determination.
The sight left everyone speechless.
A moment frozen in time—
a trainer and his partner standing victorious beneath a crimson sky.
And in that silence… the wind carried only the faint hum of fading electricity.