Pokemon: Sandstorm Elite

Klein's Moonblast attack was overwhelming.

The combined effect of the silver moonlight and the hail-boosted energy surge left Weavile nowhere to run.

A blinding beam of lunar energy engulfed the battlefield.

By the time the light faded, Weavile lay motionless.

Fawn silently recalled her Pokémon.

She didn't say a word.

Her expression remained blank, but Klein could see the storm brewing in her eyes.

For a moment, he wanted to say something.

But what could he even say?

So, he simply stood there.

Waiting.

Fawn's final Pokémon was her Alolan Ninetales.

When it reappeared, its expression brightened upon seeing its father on the battlefield.

The young Ninetales trotted forward, tail swaying happily.

But before it could get close—

A low, commanding growl from Klein's Ninetales stopped it in its tracks.

The young Ninetales froze, its ears flattening in disappointment.

After a brief moment of hesitation, it reluctantly took a few steps back, assuming a battle stance.

"Ice Shard!"

Fawn's command rang out.

Her Ninetales flicked its tails, launching a storm of razor-sharp ice blades toward its opponent.

But Klein's Ninetales barely reacted.

Instead, the surrounding blizzard intensified, forming an intricate barrier of swirling snowflakes that effortlessly blocked the attack.

"The difference in strength is too big."

Fawn's Ninetales had performed well throughout the Regional Tournament.

But now, facing an Elite-level Pokémon, the gaps in its experience and training were clear.

It hadn't even learned Aurora Veil yet.

The battle was dragging out.

Not because Klein wanted to crush Fawn.

But because he was testing her Ninetales.

Examining its reactions, its instincts, its potential.

No matter how it dodged, the icy mirrors covering the battlefield reflected every movement.

It couldn't escape its father's watchful gaze.

Meanwhile – Cinnabar Island Pokémon Center

Silver sat in the lounge, flipping through a training manual.

His eyes were sore.

"Why is all this stuff so hard?"

Some of the concepts were so advanced that even the answer key made no sense.

He sighed.

Then he glanced up at the TV screen, watching the battle unfold.

"Unbelievable!"

The announcer's voice echoed across the stadium.

"Both are Alolan Ninetales, but Klein's mastery over hail battles is on another level!"

"Honestly, at this point, I'm starting to think he's secretly an Ice-type specialist!"

"No wonder the internet keeps saying he's secretly in love with Lorelei!"

Silver raised an eyebrow.

"Since when did tournament commentators get so gossipy?"

He reached for his phone, planning to call the broadcast station and file a complaint about unprofessional journalism—

But at that moment—

The lights in the Pokémon Center went out.

The power outage spread instantly.

From the Pokémon Center to the coastal research facilities, everything went dark.

Backup generators failed.

Emergency lights didn't activate.

It was clear—

This was no accident.

This was an attack.

A sense of unease settled over Silver.

Even though he was Giovanni's son, he had also undergone League training as a junior ranger.

His instincts kicked in immediately.

"Houndour, come out!"

With his Pokémon by his side, Silver sprinted toward the power grid control room.

Upon arrival, the smell of burnt wires filled the air.

Nurse Joy turned toward him, relieved to see someone in a League uniform.

She quickly explained what had happened.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the island, an important facility was now completely defenseless.

The Cinnabar Research Lab.

A high-security fossil research center owned by Silph Co.

Its location?

Just three kilometers away from Klein's academy.

Cinnabar Research Lab – Under Attack

Dr. Fuji, the lead scientist, stood by the shattered main doors, his face pale.

"The communication systems are down," he muttered.

"We can't even send out a distress signal."

This wasn't just a blackout.

Whoever had done this had systematically disabled all possible countermeasures.

Then—

A figure stepped through the ruined entrance.

A woman in a long black coat, holding a delicate black parasol.

A Pikachu mask concealed her face.

She walked slowly, almost playfully, as if strolling through a garden.

But Dr. Fuji immediately sensed danger.

Then, he noticed something.

The scent of blood.

It was faint, but unmistakable.

And as his gaze shifted—

His stomach dropped.

The security personnel outside—

The Pokémon guarding the entrance—

They were all dead.

"Who are you?"

One of the remaining researchers demanded.

Before Fuji could stop him, the scientist stepped forward.

A flash of red.

A streak of movement.

The scientist collapsed, a deep slash across his throat.

A second later—

More bodies hit the ground.

Their lives snuffed out instantly.

Dr. Fuji stumbled back, heart pounding.

The Pikachu-masked woman simply laughed.

She tilted her head slightly, and at her side—

A Greninja materialized.

But something was wrong.

This wasn't an ordinary Greninja.

Its body was wreathed in dark flames, and its eyes glowed with eerie intensity.

Before she could take another step forward—

A storm of sand erupted from above.

Greninja reacted instantly, forming a barrier of swirling water, blocking the sandstorm's force.

The masked woman giggled.

"So, that explains why he's only using Ice-types in his battle right now…"

"His Sandstorm team is all here."

The dust settled.

Standing in the ruins of the entrance, Klein's Pokémon had arrived.

Tyranitar.

Scizor.

Lucario.

Swampert.

They encircled Dr. Fuji, positioning themselves in a defensive formation.

The Pikachu-masked woman took a step forward, her voice playful yet dangerous.

"The infamous Sandstorm Squad."

"So terrifying~."

Then, in a blink, Lucario launched a charged Aura Sphere at Greninja's back—

But the dark flames around Greninja flared, and—

The attack passed through it.

Dr. Fuji's eyes widened.

"Impossible!"

Greninja was Dark- and Water-type.

How did it ignore a Fighting-type attack?!

Indigo Plateau – Tournament Grounds

Back at the battle arena, Klein's expression suddenly changed.

A message from his Dream System had come through.

Cinnabar Island was under attack.

And whoever was responsible…

They had already killed dozens.

Klein's fist clenched.

Then, he turned to Fawn—

His gaze cold and piercing.

"Lil Sprout…"

"Did you have something to do with this?"

Fawn flinched at the intensity in his voice.

Then, gritting her teeth, she forced herself to meet his gaze.

"Yes. That big sister said she would help me find evidence. She told me to keep you distracted."

Klein's voice dropped to a dangerous whisper.

"Do you have any idea what you've done?"

(End of Chapter)