Lucario's Over-the-Top Effort for Love!!**
The ancestor of Raikou?
Thunderdrum?
…What kind of Pokémon was that supposed to be?
Ethan was completely stunned as he listened to the system's explanation.
He subconsciously looked toward the two Thunderdrums approaching from the distance—one large, one small.
The larger Thunderdrum was terrifyingly powerful.
1.89 — late Totem-tier.
The smaller one, however, was far less imposing.
1.23 — roughly on par with the Shiny Shinx.
Judging from the way the smaller Thunderdrum kept glancing around curiously as it walked, it was clearly still a child.
As the two Thunderdrums drew closer, Qin Yingying's face lit up with joy.
"Big Lei! Little Lei! I'm back!"
At her voice, the massive Thunderdrum—Thunderdrum—was the first to spot her.
"Rui—GONG!!"
A thunderous roar echoed through the valley.
The smaller Thunderdrum froze for a split second… then her eyes sparkled.
"Rui-gong~!"
She broke into a trot and threw herself straight into Qin Yingying's arms.
Despite being called "Little Lei," her size was already comparable to Entei.
The impact sent Qin Yingying tumbling backward.
"Haha—alright, alright, Little Lei!"
"I know you missed me too!"
As the young Thunderdrum rubbed against her enthusiastically, Qin Yingying laughed until she was breathless.
At that moment, the larger Thunderdrum let out a deep, warning growl.
"Rui—GONG."
He was clearly scolding her.
Right now, Little Lei was still weak—撞ing Qin Yingying like that was harmless.
But if she kept the habit as she grew stronger, it would become dangerous.
Little Lei instantly wilted, like a child being lectured by an older brother.
Her ears drooped. Her mouth puffed up in frustration.
Yet her attention quickly shifted.
She noticed Ethan, Meloetta, Metagross, Lucario, and Entei.
Curiosity overtook her sulkiness.
She stretched her long neck forward, openly inspecting the group.
Meloetta, perched on Ethan's shoulder, floated up to meet her gaze.
The two little ones stared at each other—wide-eyed.
Qin Yingying burst out laughing.
"You two really locked eyes already?"
"Little Lei, let me introduce you.
This is Meloetta, this is Ethan, and over there are Lucario and Entei."
"They're all friends I met while traveling."
Little Lei blinked, then chirped brightly.
"Rui-gong~!"
It was a cheerful greeting.
Ethan smiled softly.
"Hello, Little Lei."
"Hi there!" Meloetta chimed happily.
Hearing human speech, Little Lei froze in shock.
Before she could react further, the large Thunderdrum—now standing by the Thunderforged Bath—let out another low roar.
"Rui—GONG!"
Qin Yingying smiled.
"Go on, Little Lei. Your brother's calling you."
"Once you finish absorbing the lightning, I'll play with you again."
Little Lei nodded and trotted off into the Thunderforged Bath.
Compared to the agony Lucario and the Shiny Shinx had endured earlier, Little Lei looked completely relaxed.
She practically treated the lightning pool like a hot spring.
But then—
The large Thunderdrum frowned.
Clearly dissatisfied.
His eyes flared with light.
The sky instantly darkened.
BOOM!
A colossal bolt of lightning slammed straight down onto him.
Instead of pain, his expression turned… satisfied.
Then another bolt.
And another.
Thunder roared without end as lightning crashed into his body again and again.
His aura grew heavier. Deeper.
Yet instead of unleashing that power recklessly, he began channeling it—carefully transferring lightning energy into Little Lei.
Little Lei's presence surged explosively.
Even Ethan felt certain that, at this moment, most Elite-tier Pokémon wouldn't stand a chance against her.
But the power was too much.
Excess lightning overflowed from her body and poured back into the Thunderforged Bath.
And at that exact instant—
[Ding! Congratulations, Host: Red Opportunity — Thunderforged Bath acquired]
[Opportunity Critical Strike…]
[×38 Multiplier confirmed]
[Golden Opportunity obtained: Thundercrash Orb]
The lightning in the pool rapidly dissipated.
At the same time, a glowing sphere began forming in Ethan's hand.
It was similar in texture to the Magma Orb he'd obtained at Sea Cliff Island—but instead of molten magma, it contained countless strands of golden lightning.
The moment Ethan grasped it, his body tingled faintly.
This orb was clearly different.
Magma Orb enhanced fire affinity and control.Thundercrash Orb focused on body tempering through lightning.
The Thunderforged Bath had merely gathered lightning.
The Thundercrash Orb was its refined evolution.
The only drawback?
According to the system, only Electric-type Pokémon could actively draw out its power.
Ethan didn't mind.
Little Lei was a Golden Opportunity.
That meant one thing—
If he handled it right, she could become his partner.
Little Lei suddenly stopped mid-play.
She tilted her head, staring at Ethan.
Something about him felt… irresistible.
She trotted over, circling him, clearly trying to locate the source.
Ethan chuckled.
"Looking for this?"
He opened his palm.
The Thundercrash Orb shimmered into view.
Little Lei froze.
So did Luxray, and even the massive Thunderdrum in the distance.
The lightning density inside the orb was unmistakable.
"Rui-gong~!"
Little Lei nodded eagerly.
Ethan smiled and gently nestled the orb into the cloud-like mane around her neck.
The reaction was immediate.
Little Lei let out a soft, blissful sound—not pain, but comfort.
The lightning was purer. Gentler. Perfectly suited to her.
From afar, the large Thunderdrum watched silently.
His gaze toward Ethan changed—curiosity replacing indifference.
After half an hour, the large Thunderdrum called out again.
Playtime was over.
Reluctantly, Little Lei returned the Thundercrash Orb to Ethan before following her brother back into the depths of Falling Thunder Valley.
She glanced back more than once.
Ethan smiled faintly.
This won't be impossible.
The real obstacle is Big Lei… but fate always finds a way.
They stayed in the valley, cooking lunch over an open fire.
During the meal, Qin Yingying—acting as chief strategist—kept pushing Lucario to deliver food to the Shiny Shinx.
Awkward but sincere, Lucario went.
The Shiny Shinx didn't reject him.
They even chatted for a bit.
That single interaction ignited Lucario's motivation completely.
From that day on—
Lucario trained like a madman.
Daily visits to the Thunderforged Bath.
Bruised, battered, relentless.
All for love.
By the end of half a month, his strength soared.
Elite Peak.
On the brink of Commander-tier.
Meanwhile, Ethan's bond with Little Lei grew steadily.
Even Big Lei's attitude softened—though he remained watchful.
Winter deepened.
Snow blanketed Falling Thunder Valley.
And one night—
Beyond the valley, in the frozen wilderness—
A five-person team quietly advanced toward the forbidden zone.
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