Pokemon: Sandstorm Elite

The cold wind howled.

The solemn expanse of Mt. Silver lay shrouded in an oppressive atmosphere, as the Johto League displayed its full might.

"As promised, I created the opportunity for the assassination. But from here on out, you're on your own. Sorry."

The voice over the communicator was sincere but firm. Creating the chance to take down Johto's High Councilor was already the limit of their capabilities—beyond this, he would have to rely on himself.

"I understand. Send me the coordinates of the Kamiyama estate."

The Kamiyama family had remained in seclusion for years, and few knew their exact whereabouts. After a moment of hesitation, the other party decided to transmit the information.

"From now on, I won't be contacting you anymore. You can rest easy."

Ending the call, the masked assassin listened to the approaching footsteps in the distance and took a deep breath.

He had to survive.

Because there was still one final task left undone—the downfall of the Kamiyama patriarch, the true mastermind behind the tragedy in Hoenn years ago!

On the ground, Arcanines from the police force tracked the assassin's scent. In the skies, flying reconnaissance Pokémon surveyed the landscape for any suspicious individuals.

Behind the battlefield, six Alakazam hovered, their spoons glowing with psychic energy as they searched for any traces of their target. At the mountain's edge, an invisible frost spread across the land. From his vantage point atop the peak, Pryce surveyed the entire battlefield with a piercing gaze.

Two Elite Four members—Will of the Psychic-type and Karen of the Dark-type—led separate divisions, advancing from both sides. Their overwhelming forces formed an inescapable net, sealing off every possible escape route.

A thunderous explosion shattered the tense silence—Will had located the assassin. His Xatu fired a Psychic blast, but in response, an Eelektross emerged, gliding through the air with shocking speed.

Electricity crackled as the masked assassin finally revealed himself. In a flash of light, his Blaziken leaped forward, unleashing a fierce Flamethrower. Xatu, however, summoned a protective barrier, nullifying the flames before retaliating with a powerful Psywave.

With a heavy impact, Blaziken stumbled backward. The assassin tightened his grip on his Poké Ball, his expression unreadable as his enemies closed in.

"Your crimes have claimed countless lives in Johto. It's time you atone for them!" Will declared, his voice unwavering.

"Atonement?"

The assassin let out a cold chuckle. "You expect me to atone for the lives of those wretched fools? Don't make me laugh."

The moment his words fell, a brilliant energy wave shot forward, striking Xatu head-on. Simultaneously, Blaziken's back ignited in a raging inferno as it charged forward with a Blaze Kick.

At the last moment, an enormous pillar of ice erupted from the ground, blocking the attack. A Dewgong landed gracefully, waves of water swirling around it before crystallizing into drifting snowflakes.

"Pryce!"

The moment Pryce arrived, Eelektross surged forward, unleashing a devastating Zap Cannon. The freezing mist shattered upon impact, forcing Dewgong and Xatu to evade. Yet, just as the assassin attempted to vanish again, a razor-sharp Icicle Spear struck him, leaving behind a trail of blood on the ground.

A sudden unease gripped Klein's heart. His fists clenched as a strange feeling of impending danger settled deep within him.

Meanwhile, amidst the lingering smoke, Delphox controlled countless ghostly flames, shaping them into floating Fire Lotus petals. Opposite her, Mega Banette gripped its twin blades tightly, eyes burning with malice.

Sakaki, perched atop Giratina, twirled his scepter. "Your Delphox… it seems she has mastered Prankster's ability as well?"

At this point, Sakaki was certain—Delphox had used Imposter, perfectly copying Mega Banette's ability.

However, Mega Banette remained unfazed. Its body flickered and dispersed into shadow, activating Phantom Force. In an instant, a black light surged forward, its twin blades merging into one as it lunged at Delphox with unparalleled speed.

The countless Fire Lotus petals spun in a mesmerizing pattern, weaving an intricate attack route under Delphox's control.

At the same time, a tiny flame flickered at the tip of Delphox's wand. Though small, it burned with an extraordinary intensity, condensed with pure destructive energy.

Mega Banette sliced through one of the flames, only to realize too late that the fire behind Delphox was growing even stronger. A pair of high-temperature Flame Wings had begun to take shape.

With a mighty flap, a rain of burning embers cascaded down, surging toward Mega Banette like a meteor shower!

Amidst the raging firestorm, Mega Banette weaved through the attacks with lightning-fast Shadow Sneak movements. Just as it dodged one wave of flames, Delphox exhaled a scorching Flamethrower straight ahead.

Both Pokémon unleashed their full strength, but Delphox pressed on relentlessly. Its fiery wings shimmered as it gracefully spun, conjuring a ring of fire. Moving like a regal queen, Delphox advanced toward Mega Banette, preparing a decisive strike.

With no room to evade, Mega Banette had no choice but to meet the attack head-on. It crossed its blades, bracing for impact as the firestorm surged toward it.

The collision was violent—flames clashed with steel, sending shockwaves rippling through the battlefield. Though its wings were torn apart, Delphox remained steadfast, retaliating with a flurry of flaming tendrils.

Despite its resilience, Mega Banette had taken a heavy toll.

Delphox's sharp eyes caught the subtle signs of its weakening state.

This was the moment.

If she continued to exchange blows through Prankster's priority moves, it would only prolong the fight, giving Mega Banette time to regain its footing. That was not an option.

Giratina was still looming, its presence a constant threat.

Giratina let out an ear-splitting roar, its body dissolving into countless shadows. A vast field of Shadow Force engulfed the battlefield, as if the entire world had been swallowed by darkness.

In response, Mega Salamence roared to the heavens. Its Aerilate ability activated, converting its Hyper Voice into a forceful aerial blast. The soundwaves tore through the darkness, trying to pierce through the spectral realm.

A thunderous explosion erupted.

Both Giratina and Mega Salamence bore new wounds, yet neither yielded an inch. Their prideful gazes remained locked in an unrelenting aerial duel.

Meanwhile, Delphox's Fire Lotus rotated at an increasing speed. The flames on her wand burned with an even greater intensity, yet she continued to keep her fire focused—concentrated into a single, devastating point.

Mega Banette's movements were becoming more predictable. Each time it evaded, each time it countered, Delphox tracked its patterns.

And finally, she found the opening.

"Strike while the iron is hot."

With unwavering determination, Delphox seamlessly channeled her elemental power. A Grass Knot wove itself into a spiraling Fire Whip, striking toward Mega Banette with explosive force.

The impact shattered one of Mega Banette's fiery blades. It staggered backward, momentarily off balance.

But even in its wounded state, it did not falter. Before Delphox could launch another attack, Mega Banette conjured a defensive barrier, swiftly retreating to reassess.

Delphox narrowed her eyes.

With a graceful step, she adjusted her position. The moment Mega Banette attempted to escape, her flames condensed into a single burning Ember, bursting forward like a thousand fiery sparks scattering into the night.

(To be continued…)