Pokemon: Sandstorm Elite

By the time Klein and Lance arrived at the Cinnabar Island Research Facility, the scene was one of utter devastation.

Scattered across the battlefield were the corpses of countless Pokémon—including newborns, barely given a chance at life.

Klein knelt beside a lifeless Sandshrew, its small body already cold. Frozen in its final moment of fear and pain, it lay still in his arms.

A sharp ache pierced Klein's chest.

With communications slowly restored, local trainers and officials—including Silver and Blaine—arrived at the scene.

When they saw the horrors before them, their expressions twisted with grief and fury.

This world had always fostered a deep connection between humans and Pokémon.

For centuries, the League had ingrained the belief that Pokémon were sentient, intelligent beings worthy of respect.

And now, standing before this atrocity, Nurse Joy broke down in tears.

Through the wreckage, Tyranitar and the others emerged, carrying an unconscious Professor Fuji.

Seeing the carnage, the four Pokémon were no less enraged than Klein.

Perhaps—

If they had noticed the danger sooner…

So many would not have had to die.

"Let's bury them," Klein finally said.

Tyranitar let out a low, mournful cry.

A storm of sand swept across the land.

The earth split open, forming a deep chasm.

One by one, the fallen Pokémon were laid to rest.

"May your next lives be free of suffering."

As the ground sealed itself once more, Klein's gaze hardened.

The local Pokémon Center and League staff had managed to fully restore communications.

Klein reached into his coat pocket—

And pulled out a Mega Keystone necklace.

Lance, sharp-eyed as ever, caught the small yet significant detail.

A Mega Keystone?

Does he actually own a Pokémon capable of Mega Evolution?

Klein had traveled across multiple regions—Unova, Hoenn, Kanto, even a short stay in Kalos.

Yet, in all recorded battles, he had never been seen using Mega Evolution.

A memory surfaced.

"These two Luxury Poké Balls, deep crimson and lined with gold—I had them custom-made at a high price. Do you like them, Klein?"

A matching pair of blood-red Poké Balls.

He had taken one, and in return, had given her a gift as well.

Klein smiled.

"Of course I do," he had said. "But I also have something for you, Rosa."

A necklace.

With a Mega Keystone embedded inside.

Before Rosa could protest, he had already fastened it around her neck.

"You were just saying you needed one, right?"

The warmth of his breath near her ear had made Rosa's cheeks flush.

"Idiot," she had muttered. "Don't you need one too?"

Klein had simply grinned.

"Even without Mega Evolution, I won't be weaker than you."

"Rosa… lend me your strength."

A second blood-red Poké Ball materialized.

The moment it appeared, Tyranitar's sandstorm surged violently.

For years, this Poké Ball had remained sealed.

Only Tyranitar's power could suppress what was inside.

But now—

Klein could finally unleash it.

He took a deep breath.

"Come out, Salamence."

In an instant, the sky darkened.

A pair of massive wings unfolded.

A monstrous dragon emerged, its blood-red wings slicing through the air.

The burning winds of destruction followed its descent.

The fearsome glare in its eyes sent chills down everyone's spine.

This was a beast bred for battle.

And yet—

Before its final evolution, it had been obedient.

Now, it was an entirely different creature.

It was known as the Crimson Crescent.

A dragon whose rage could set entire landscapes ablaze.

A Pokémon so feral that even its own trainer was not safe from its fury.

Tyranitar's sandstorm suddenly shifted.

Tentacruel emerged, its usual carefree demeanor gone.

Its tentacles glowed, laced with deadly venom, ready to strike if Salamence lost control.

More than once, Salamence had turned on Klein in training.

Even with Tentacruel and Tyranitar's combined efforts, its wild instincts could barely be contained.

It wasn't just aggressive—it was born to kill.

A force that could not be tamed.

All of Klein's Pokémon surrounded him.

Each one ready to intervene should Salamence go rogue.

At Professor Oak's Breeding Facility, Salamence had been kept in isolation to prevent it from endangering other Pokémon.

Even inside its Poké Ball, it had been restrained by Tyranitar's sandstorm, preventing it from releasing its wrath.

This Pokémon—

This monster—

Was the strongest and most unstable member of Klein's Sandstorm Team.

Klein stepped forward.

"Will you fight alongside me, Salamence?"

A deep growl rumbled from the dragon's throat.

It narrowed its eyes at the boy before it—

And then, with an arrogant huff, it lowered its body.

A silent invitation.

Klein could ride.

Lance frowned.

"What are you planning?"

Klein activated his VR headset.

A holographic map flickered into existence.

"During the battle earlier, Swampert planted a tracker on the masked woman."

Lance's expression darkened.

"Where is she headed?"

"Seafoam Islands."

Blaine immediately spoke up.

"The magnetic storms around Seafoam are even more dangerous than Cinnabar. It's too risky—"

"I'll go with you," Lance offered. "Dragonite can handle the weather."

Klein shook his head.

"You need to stay here."

Lance followed his gaze.

Outside the ruined research facility, the families of the victims had begun arriving.

As they took in the horrific sight, their wails of grief filled the air.

"This is a disaster," Klein said quietly.

"The League needs someone here to manage the crisis."

Lance was the better choice.

He could provide comfort, reassurance, stability.

Klein, on the other hand…

Had never been suited for that kind of work.

He turned to Salamence.

"To Seafoam Islands!"

This time—

No restraints.

No limits.

He would let Salamence's fury run wild.

As if sensing its trainer's intent, the dragon grinned, baring its fangs.

Then—

The Mega Keystone around Klein's neck shone with brilliant rainbow light.

In an instant—

Their energies merged.

Mega Evolution—Mega Salamence.

A roar shook the heavens.

Clouds tore apart, and the chaotic winds surrounding Cinnabar Island were split open in an instant.

Salamence's flight was even wilder than Dragonite's.

Without hesitation, it launched forward, tearing through the sky at breakneck speed.

High atop the snow-covered peaks of Seafoam Islands, a small Eevee nuzzled against a golden-haired boy.

The boy lifted his gaze toward the horizon.

"Huh. The weather today seems… unusually chaotic."

(End of Chapter.)