Pokémon : The Perfect Path

Velkris stood at the entrance of Mt. Moon, his thoughts still tangled from the overwhelming surge of memories that had just flooded his mind. The images of battles fought, words exchanged, and the presence of a familiar yet distant bond continued to swirl in his head, leaving him disoriented. He felt as though he had lived another life—one he couldn't fully grasp, yet one that felt undeniably real.

As he tried to piece everything together, his mind suddenly cleared. The haze that clouded his thoughts dissipated like mist under the morning sun, leaving behind a sharp clarity he hadn't felt moments ago. His eyes widened slightly as he realized what had happened. This wasn't natural.

Marshadow.

His gaze flickered toward the shadowy figure that hovered nearby, its form flickering like a dying ember in the darkness. Velkris instinctively knew that Marshadow had intervened, using its abilities to restore his focus. Taking a deep breath, he straightened himself and locked eyes with the mythical Pokémon.

"…You're the one who did this, aren't you?" Velkris asked, his voice steady now. "You cleared my mind."

Marshadow remained silent, its expression unreadable.

Velkris exhaled, trying to keep his emotions in check. "Why?" he asked. "Why did you show me those memories? Were they mine?" He paused before adding, "Was that you in those memories… with Sir Aaron, the legendary Aura Guardian? Were we… partners in that life?"

For a moment, the only response was silence. Then, slowly, Marshadow raised a small, shadowy hand and pointed—not at Velkris, but at the pendant resting against his chest.

Velkris followed the gesture, his fingers instinctively curling around the cool metal. The weight of the pendant suddenly felt more significant, as if it carried an answer he had yet to uncover. He didn't need words to understand what Marshadow was trying to tell him.

That pendant… it will lead me to the truth.

Before he could ask anything else, Marshadow's form flickered one last time before vanishing into the shadows, leaving Velkris standing alone at the cave's entrance.

He remained there for a long moment, staring at the empty space where Marshadow had been, his mind racing with questions he had no immediate answers to. The memories, the connection to Sir Aaron, the pendant—everything felt like a puzzle with missing pieces, and he wasn't sure when he'd be able to put them all together.

Letting out a deep sigh, Velkris turned his gaze toward the night sky. The weight of everything that had happened pressed against him, but exhaustion was finally settling in. His body ached from the long day, and his mind had been through enough.

"…I need some rest," he muttered to himself.

With that decision made, he turned and began walking back toward the Pokémon Center, his steps slow but steady. The cool night air helped calm his thoughts, and by the time he reached the building, a quiet sense of acceptance settled over him.

After checking if Nurse joy was awake at the front desk, he headed to his assigned room, letting himself collapse onto the bed without a second thought. His body relaxed almost instantly, and within moments, he drifted into a deep sleep.

__________-The Next Morning-___________

A sharp knock on the door roused Velkris from his slumber. Blinking groggily, he pushed himself up, rubbing his eyes before glancing at the clock. Morning had arrived faster than he expected.

The knocking continued.

"Coming," he called out, stretching his limbs before making his way to the door.

When he opened it, Nurse Joy stood there, offering him a polite smile.

"Good morning, Velkris," she greeted warmly.

"Good morning, Nurse Joy," he responded, his voice still laced with sleep.

Her expression remained professional, but there was a hint of something serious behind her eyes. "When you're ready, could you meet me in the medical room? I'd like to talk to you about Primeape's condition."

Velkris's expression sharpened at the mention of the injured Pokémon. He gave a short nod. "I'll be there in a minute."

"Take your time," Nurse Joy said kindly before walking away.

Once she was gone, Velkris quickly freshened up, splashing cold water on his face to shake off the lingering drowsiness. He changed into clean clothes, his mind already shifting back to Primeape. Despite everything that had happened last night, he hadn't forgotten about the Pokémon he had saved.

When he finally made his way to the medical room, Nurse Joy was already there, standing near a recovery bed where Primeape lay resting. The fighting-type Pokémon had bandages wrapped around its arms and torso, but it was awake.

"How is it?" Velkris asked, stepping closer.

Nurse Joy offered a reassuring smile. "It's going to be fine, but it'll need long-term care and rest to fully recover. The injuries were severe, but thankfully, you got it help in time."

Velkris exhaled in relief before shifting his gaze to Primeape. The Pokémon was staring at him—but the moment their eyes met, Primeape immediately turned its head away with a huff, crossing its arms as if sulking.

Velkris blinked before a smirk tugged at the corner of his lips.

"…Tsundere much?" he muttered under his breath.

Primeape's reaction only confirmed it. Even though it refused to make eye contact, Velkris could tell—it was thankful that he had saved it. It just didn't want to admit it.

Shaking his head in amusement, Velkris stepped closer. "You don't have to say anything," he told the stubborn Pokémon. "Just focus on recovering."

Primeape didn't respond, but Velkris swore he saw its ear twitch slightly.

Nurse Joy chuckled. "Looks like you've made an impression."

Velkris let out a soft laugh before his expression turned thoughtful.

"I've been thinking," he said, glancing at Nurse Joy. "Primeape still needs long-term care, right?"

She nodded. "Yes, it would be best for it to rest in a safe environment where it can fully recover."

Velkris hummed, then turned back to Primeape.

"I know a place where you can get the care you need," he said. "I'm going to send you to someone who can take great care of you—Professor Oak. He's one of the best Pokémon researchers out there, and his lab is home to many strong Pokémon. You'll be safe there."

Primeape turned its head slightly, curious but still pretending not to care.

Velkris smirked. "Yeah, yeah. Keep acting tough."

Looking back at Nurse Joy, he asked, "Would that be okay?"

She nodded. "That's no problem at all. I'm sure Professor Oak would be happy to take it in."

With her approval, Velkris took out a Poké Ball and recalled Primeape into it. Then, he walked over to the Pokémon transfer machine.

Once Nurse Joy reassured him that Primeape was stable and only needed time to recover, Velkris nodded in appreciation.

"Thanks for everything, Nurse Joy. Since it needs long-term care, I'd like to send it to someone who can look after it properly."

Nurse Joy tilted her head. "You mean Professor Oak?"

Velkris nodded. "Yeah. I already informed him about Primeape's condition—how it was chained and drugged by poachers. He agreed to take it in once it was well enough for transfer."

She smiled warmly. "That's a good choice. Professor Oak has plenty of experience with Pokémon rehabilitation. He'll make sure it recovers fully."

"Then I'll send it over now."

Velkris turned to Primeape, who was still sulking with its arms crossed. He sighed before speaking in a steady voice.

"I know you're not thrilled about this, but this is for your own good. You need rest, and Professor Oak will take care of you. Once you're better, you'll be free to do whatever you want. But for now… trust me on this."

Primeape remained silent, but its ears twitched slightly—an unspoken acknowledgment.

Taking that as the best response he was going to get, Velkris tapped a button on the Poké Ball, recalling Primeape in a flash of red light. With the Poké Ball secure in his grasp, he walked over to the Pokémon transfer machine. He placed the ball into the designated slot before pressing a few buttons on the terminal to initiate the transfer.

The screen lit up, and moments later, Professor Oak's familiar face appeared. The seasoned researcher greeted him with a nod.

"Ah, Velkris! I see you're ready to transfer Primeape."

"Yeah. Nurse Joy confirmed that it's stable enough to be moved. It still needs long-term care, though."

Oak gave an approving hum. "That's fine. I'll make sure it gets all the care it needs. You did a good thing saving it, Velkris."

Velkris offered a small smile. "I just did what was right."

The machine beeped, signaling the completion of the transfer. Professor Oak picked up the Poké Ball on his end, glancing at it thoughtfully before speaking again.

"You know… this isn't the only Primeape I've taken in recently."

Velkris raised an eyebrow. "Huh?"

Oak turned the camera slightly, revealing another Primeape in the lab. But instead of resting quietly, this one was—

Velkris blinked. "Is that—?"

The Primeape on screen lunged at Professor Oak, attempting to land a punch. Oak swiftly dodged, adjusting his lab coat with an exasperated sigh. "Calm down, now! You're going to knock something over—oh no, not the books—!"

The screen wobbled slightly as Oak hurried to stop the chaos. Velkris, despite himself, let out a chuckle.

Velkris stared at the screen, his mind processing the revelation.

Gary caught a Primeape?

That shouldn't have happened.

Ash wasn't supposed to catch a Primeape until much later, which meant the one Professor Oak had now couldn't be his. And besides Ash, the only other trainers in this area who could have caught a Primeape were Gary and… that other guy. But realistically, the chances of some random trainer catching a Primeape and sending it to Professor Oak were slim.

That left only one real possibility.

It had to be Gary.

Velkris leaned back slightly, crossing his arms. In the anime, Gary had always been deliberate about the Pokémon he caught. He didn't just capture anything—he only went after Pokémon that met his high standards. His team was built around strong, capable Pokémon, ones that he deemed worthy. That's why he had Pokémon like Nidoking, Arcanine, and Blastoise in the original timeline.

But now…

Now, he was catching Primeape?

That didn't fit the Gary he remembered. It wasn't that Primeape was weak—far from it—but it wasn't the type of Pokémon Gary would have usually bothered with. If anything, Primeape was more of an Ash-type capture: wild, difficult to control, but with immense potential once properly trained.

So what changed?

Velkris frowned. Had Gary's mindset shifted in this reality? Had he started catching Pokémon differently? If so, what did that mean for the rest of his team? Would he still end up with Blastoise? Would he still have his signature powerhouse Pokémon?

Or was this just the beginning of a completely different path for Gary?

Velkris exhaled, pushing those thoughts aside for now. He had enough to worry about already. But still… he made a mental note.

Gary Oak was already deviating from the timeline he knew.

And that meant anything could happen.

________________________________________

Oak finally got the situation under control and turned back to Velkris. "Ah, yes. This one belongs to Gary. He caught it recently. Quite the handful, as you can see."

Shaking off the thought, he nodded. "Well, looks like you've got your hands full. I'll leave Primeape in your care."

Oak smiled. "Don't worry. It'll be in good hands."

Velkris exhaled, relieved that Primeape was now in a safe place. But before he could end the call, he remembered something important.

"Professor, do you have any updates on Lance?"

Oak's expression grew more serious. "Yes, actually. He'll be waiting for you once you've crossed Mt. Moon. If everything goes as planned, you should meet him soon."

Velkris nodded, his mind already preparing for what was ahead. "Got it. Thanks, Professor."

"Take care, Velkris. And good luck."

The call ended, leaving Velkris standing in front of the now-empty transfer slot. He took a deep breath, centering himself.

With Primeape taken care of and his next destination set, he was ready to move forward.

The morning air was crisp as Velkris stepped out of the Pokémon Center, his bag slung over his shoulder. He took a deep breath, allowing the fresh air to clear away any lingering fatigue from the previous night. The events surrounding Primeape and his discussion with Professor Oak still lingered in his thoughts, but he had no time to dwell on them.

Mt. Moon awaits.

After making sure everything was in order, he gave one final glance at the Pokémon Center before heading down the dirt road that led toward the towering silhouette of Mt. Moon in the distance. The looming mountain range was bathed in the soft glow of the morning sun, and a sense of anticipation filled him.

The journey was not going to be easy. He knew that.

Yet, a part of him welcomed the challenge.

_______________________________________

As he walked, the sounds of nature filled the air. Pidgey fluttered between the branches of nearby trees, their soft coos blending harmoniously with the rustling leaves. A group of Nidoran—both male and female—were gathered near a patch of tall grass, playfully nudging each other before scurrying away at the sight of him. He even spotted a pair of Sandshrew digging small burrows into the soft soil, their little claws expertly churning the earth.

Velkris smiled slightly.

This was the kind of thing he loved about traveling—watching Pokémon in their natural environment, free from the constraints of battle and training. It was a reminder that the world of Pokémon wasn't just about fighting. It was about coexistence, about living alongside these creatures in a shared world.

However, just as he was beginning to enjoy the peaceful atmosphere, a strange sound caught his attention.

A low, rhythmic tapping.

It wasn't the sound of a Pokémon scurrying or rustling in the bushes. No, this was something deliberate. Almost… mechanical.

Velkris slowed his pace, his eyes narrowing as he turned his head toward the direction of the noise. It was coming from within the entrance of Mt. Moon, the large cavernous opening ahead.

The sound sent a small shiver down his spine.

Something's not right.

As Velkris made his way through Mt. Moon, the dim glow of bioluminescent fungi provided faint illumination against the damp cavern walls. The rhythmic dripping of water echoed in the silence, broken only by the occasional rustling of Zubat flitting through the shadows.

Then, a strange sound reached his ears—muffled voices and shuffling footsteps.

His instincts flared.

He pressed forward, weaving between jagged rocks. As he rounded a bend, a trio stepped into view.

"Prepare for trouble!"

"And make it double!"

Velkris let out a sharp breath, immediately recognizing Jessie, James, and Meowth.

They stood in front of a large steel cage filled with trembling Clefairy. A stolen Pokémon smuggling operation.

"I should have known it was you three," Velkris muttered.

Jessie flicked her hair back with a smirk. "Oh? Recognizing greatness, are we?"

James adjusted his rose. "Indeed! But enough chit-chat. You're interfering with Team Rocket's business!"

Meowth extended his claws. "Yeah! So we're gonna have ta teach ya a lesson!"

Jessie pulled a Poké Ball from her hip. "Time to show this brat what we're made of! Go, Arbok!"

James followed suit, hurling his own Poké Ball. "Weezing, get in there!"

Meowth cracked his knuckles, stepping forward. "And I ain't sittin' this one out either!"

Velkris frowned. A three-on-one battle. Fine. He had three Pokémon too.

He took a deep breath and threw two Poké Balls into the air.

"Come on out, Gible! Nidoran!"

With twin flashes of light, Gible and Nidoran materialized.

Gible bared its fangs, eyes gleaming with primal excitement, while Nidoran stomped forward, twitching its ears.

"Battle time," Velkris murmured. "Let's go."

Jessie wasted no time.

"Arbok, Poison Sting!"

James followed.

"Weezing, Smog!"

Arbok lunged forward, fangs dripping with venom, while Weezing expelled a thick, toxic cloud.

Velkris reacted instantly.

"Nidoran, Counter! Gible, Stone Edge!"

Nidoran braced itself, and as Arbok struck, it retaliated—striking back with double the force. Arbok hissed in pain, slithering backward.

At the same time, Gible stomped the ground, summoning sharp stone pillars that pierced through Weezing's smog, smashing into its bloated body.

"Ow! Weezing!" James cried.

Jessie clenched her fists. "Tch! Arbok, Bite that Nidoran!"

Velkris narrowed his eyes.

"Nidoran, Sucker Punch!"

As Arbok lunged, Nidoran struck first, a shadowy fist colliding with Arbok's face. The Poison-type reeled back.

"Meowth, get in there!"

Meowth leapt at Gible, claws glowing with Fury Swipes.

Velkris countered. "Gible, Fire Fang!"

Gible snapped its jaws open, fangs igniting with flames, and bit down hard on Meowth mid-air.

"Yowww!" Meowth howled, flailing.

The battle was fast-paced and chaotic, but Velkris saw an opening.

"Nidoran, Double Kick on Arbok!"

Nidoran sprang forward, landing two consecutive kicks to Arbok's face.

The serpent slammed into a rock, groaning in pain.

Jessie growled. "You little—Arbok, get up!"

James wiped his forehead. "Weezing, use Sludge Bomb!"

A glob of toxic sludge hurled toward Nidoran.

Velkris reacted fast. "Nidoran, Dig!"

Nidoran burrowed underground, just barely dodging the attack.

James gawked. "Oh, come on!"

Before they could react, Nidoran shot out from below, slamming into Weezing!

The impact was powerful—far stronger than Velkris expected.

Nidoran landed gracefully, and suddenly, a glow surrounded it.

A notification flashed in Velkris' mind.

[ Nidoran has learned {Dig}! ]

Velkris smirked. "Perfect."

Jessie clenched her fists. "Arbok, Wrap that Gible!"

Arbok lunged, coiling tightly around Gible!

Velkris gritted his teeth. "Gible, Dragon Rush!"

Gible's body glowed with draconic energy, thrashing wildly. The force sent Arbok flying into Weezing, knocking them both down.

James groaned. "Not again!"

Jessie was furious now. "Meowth! Do something!"

Meowth, still staggering, snarled and rushed at Ralts, claws extended.

Velkris narrowed his eyes.

"Ralts, Confusion!"

Ralts glowed blue, catching Meowth mid-air and hurling him across the cavern.

As Meowth landed, a second glow surrounded Ralts.

[ Ralts has learned {Teleport}! ]

Velkris exhaled sharply. "Good, you guys are improving."

Jessie and James weren't giving up.

"Arbok, Glare!"

"Weezing, Tackle!"

Arbok's piercing eyes locked onto Gible, attempting to paralyze it.

Velkris' mind raced.

"Gible, Dragon Dance! Ralts, Double Team!"

Gible began to glow, its power and speed increasing as it resisted the paralysis.

Ralts, meanwhile, created afterimages, confusing Weezing.

Velkris saw his chance.

"Nidoran, Sludge Bomb on Weezing!"

Nidoran hurled a glob of toxic sludge—right into Weezing's face.

BOOM!

Weezing spun, colliding with Arbok.

Velkris smirked. "Time to finish this. Gible, Draco Meteor!"

Gible roared. A storm of glowing meteors rained down.

BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

The entire cavern shook from the impact.

Jessie, James, and Meowth screamed as they were launched into the air.

"Looks like Team Rocket's blasting off agaiiiiiiiin—!"

With a twinkle in the sky, they were gone.

Velkris sighed, running a hand through his hair. "That was a mess..."

His Pokémon stood strong, panting but victorious.

He gave them a nod. "You all did well. Let's keep moving."

With Team Rocket blasted away, Velkris took a deep breath, regaining his composure. His Pokémon—Gible, Nidoran, and Ralts—stood at his side, panting but victorious. The Clefairy, once trapped behind cold steel bars, now hopped around him in a flurry of gratitude, their soft voices chiming in thanks.

One particularly bold Clefairy approached him, tugging at his shirt with its tiny hands.

"Hm?" Velkris looked down.

The Clefairy's round eyes were filled with concern. It pointed toward a dark tunnel deeper into the cave.

Something was wrong.

Velkris frowned. "Something's up ahead?"

The Clefairy nodded urgently.

Velkris exhaled sharply, steeling himself. He could turn back now, leave the mystery unsolved… but that wasn't who he was.

"Alright. Let's check it out."

He returned Gible and Ralts to their Poké Balls, keeping Nidoran out for backup. The Poison-type hopped forward, ears twitching, sensing the tension.

With careful steps, Velkris moved deeper into the pitch-black tunnels of Mt. Moon.

The deeper Velkris traveled, the more unnatural the silence became.

Dripping water. Distant echoes. A faint breeze.

Then—a whisper of wings.

Velkris halted. His eyes narrowed as he spotted shadows shifting along the cave walls.

Velkris moved quickly, following the distressed Clefairy deeper into Mt. Moon's tunnels.

As they ventured further, the air grew thick, the cave walls closing in. The once distant echoes of flapping wings now roared like a raging storm.

Then—they struck.

A horde of Zubat descended from the ceiling in a coordinated ambush, their shrill cries bouncing off the cavern walls.

Velkris reacted instantly.

"Nidoran, Sludge Bomb—spread it out!"

Toxic sludge exploded mid-air, splattering across the walls and forcing several Zubat to fall back. Some dodged, but a few took direct hits, screeching in pain as the poison seeped into them.

Velkris exhaled. That should slow them down.

Then—the real threat appeared.

A large, battle-scarred Golbat hovered at the center of the swarm, its piercing yellow eyes locked onto Velkris.

It didn't rush to attack. Instead, it observed—calculating.

Velkris frowned. That's not normal wild Pokémon behavior.

The Golbat screeched, and the remaining Zubat stopped their erratic movements. They began to fly in organized patterns, covering blind spots and cutting off escape routes.

Velkris' stomach dropped. It's leading them like a real commander.

This wasn't just a battle. It was a warzone.

Velkris took a deep breath. If Golbat was going to fight smart, he'd fight smarter.

"Nidoran," he said, his voice steady, "Toxic Spikes—cover everything."

Nidoran's eyes flashed, and suddenly—purple, jagged spikes didn't just scatter on the ground.

They sprouted from the floor, walls, and ceiling—like toxic stalagmites and stalactites piercing through the cave!

The entire battlefield transformed, leaving barely any room for Zubat to maneuver freely.

Golbat's eyes narrowed. Its easy mobility was gone.

Velkris smirked. Try flying now.

Golbat flapped its wings once, slowly, calculating.

Then—it vanished.

A flicker of movement—Golbat was already behind Nidoran.

"Air Cutter!"

Velkris barely had time to react.

"Nidoran, Dig—NOW!"

Nidoran burrowed underground just as blades of wind sliced through the air, shredding toxic spikes in its path.

Velkris clicked his tongue. That thing is FAST.

Golbat hovered, its ears twitching, listening.

Velkris' eyes widened. It's tracking movement underground. It won't fall for a direct attack.

"Fake it out! Move left, then strike with Sucker Punch!"

Beneath the ground, Nidoran shifted left—then suddenly shot out from the right!

Golbat's eyes widened. It had miscalculated!

Nidoran's Sucker Punch connected, slamming into Golbat's face!

Golbat reeled back, its fangs clenching in frustration.

Then—it smiled.

Velkris' heart skipped a beat. That's not good.

Golbat let out a series of low screeches, its wings flapping slowly, deliberately.

The Zubat responded instantly, shifting their flight patterns.

Velkris' stomach dropped. It's setting up a formation.

Then—Golbat attacked.

"Supersonic!"

A powerful, disorienting soundwave rippled through the cavern.

Velkris' ears rang, his vision blurring slightly.

But he wasn't the target.

Nidoran staggered, its movements becoming sluggish.

Velkris clenched his fists. Damn. Confusion.

Golbat swooped in.

"Poison Fang!"

Velkris gritted his teeth. I need a counter—NOW.

"Nidoran, Counter! Take the hit and strike back double!"

Golbat's fangs sank into Nidoran's shoulder.

But instead of crying out, Nidoran tensed, muscles flexing—then SLAMMED into Golbat with twice the force!

Golbat was hurled across the cave, smashing into the jagged Toxic Spikes along the walls.

It twitched, panting.

For the first time, Golbat looked… rattled.

Velkris exhaled sharply. He had an opening.

Velkris locked eyes with Nidoran.

"This is it. Sludge Bomb—max power!"

Nidoran's Sheer Force activated.

Toxic sludge gathered in its mouth, but unlike before, the poison pulsed with raw, destructive force—no side effects, just sheer impact.

Golbat's wings twitched—it knew it couldn't dodge.

But it still tried.

Golbat forced its body to move, wings beating frantically.

Too slow.

The Sludge Bomb struck clean.

A direct, overwhelming impact—Golbat crashed onto the cavern floor, unmoving.

Silence.

Then—the Zubat scattered.

Velkris exhaled, his heartbeat finally slowing.

He stepped forward, staring down at the fallen Golbat.

Then, Golbat's body twitched.

Velkris tensed, expecting another attack.

But Golbat didn't move aggressively.

Instead, it slowly raised its head and stared at him.

For the first time, Velkris saw something other than hostility in its eyes.

Acknowledgment.

And then—it fled.

Velkris didn't stop it.

He simply watched as it vanished into the darkness.

Nidoran won. But that thing… it wasn't just a wild Pokémon.

The Clefairy gathered around, celebrating their freedom.

But Velkris wasn't focused on them.

He knelt beside Nidoran, resting a hand on its head. "You did amazing."

Nidoran gave a tired, satisfied nod.

But Velkris' mind was elsewhere.

Golbat wasn't acting on its own.

It was organized. Trained.

That meant only one thing—someone had been commanding it.

Velkris' eyes darkened.

Team Rocket was still in Mt. Moon.

And now—he was sure they were watching him.

Velkris exhaled, rolling Nidoran's Pokéball between his fingers before recalling the exhausted Pokémon. The battle with Golbat and its Zubat horde had taken its toll, and pushing Nidoran further would be reckless.

He had chosen not to use Gible in this fight for a reason—Mt. Moon wasn't just another battlefield. Here, one Sandstorm or Earthquake could bring the entire cave down. This wasn't the anime, where logic twisted to fit the protagonist. Things didn't always work out like Pikachu magically beating legendaries but losing to a newbie's starter.

That was the past.

Now, Ralts would take the lead. It was strong, versatile, and could handle any immediate threats until Nidoran recovered.

Taking a deep breath, Velkris sprinted forward, following the path Golbat had taken.

As Velkris moved deeper into the cavern, he noticed something disturbing—it was too quiet.

No wild Pokémon. No Zubat swarms. Just emptiness.

His instincts screamed at him to be careful.

Then—voices.

He skidded to a stop, gesturing for the Clefairy behind him to stay back and remain silent. Peeking out from behind a boulder, his eyes widened.

A massive clearing in the cave, filled with cages.

Dozens of Pokémon were chained up, especially Clefairy.

Velkris clenched his fists. He had no idea there were this many Clefairy in Mt. Moon. If he didn't stop this now, their entire population could be wiped out.

But he wasn't reckless. Rushing in like an idiot would only get him captured or worse.

He had to be smart.

He had to ambush them.

Velkris' eyes sharpened. He wasn't a self-righteous hero. When it came to Pokémon safety, he'd do what needed to be done—even if it meant using morally gray tactics.

"Ralts, Misty Terrain."

A soft pink mist spread across the area, rolling over the ground like a creeping fog. The Team Rocket grunts coughed, eyes darting around in confusion.

Before they could react—

"Confusion."

Ralts' eyes glowed as psychic energy twisted through the air.

The Grunts' Pokémon suddenly turned on their own trainers, their minds clouded by Ralts' control.

The Rocket grunts panicked, trying to regain control over their berserk Pokémon.

It was working. They were falling apart.

Then—a roar tore through the air.

Velkris' head snapped toward the source of the roar.

A massive Houndoom stepped forward—larger, stronger, and battle-hardened.

Behind it, a tall man in a black Team Rocket uniform with silver trimmings stepped into view. His expression was cold, confident, and completely unfazed by the chaos.

Gideon.

A higher executive in Team Rocket.

"You think a little mist and confusion is enough to beat us?" Gideon scoffed. "You're either incredibly brave or incredibly stupid."

Velkris' eyes flicked to Houndoom. A Dark/Fire-type. It resisted Ralts' Psychic attacks, but Ralts' Fairy-type moves would deal super-effective damage in return.

This wouldn't be easy.

But he'd win.

Gideon wasted no time.

"Flamethrower!"

Houndoom exhaled a stream of scorching fire, turning the mist into a shimmering haze.

Velkris reacted instantly.

"Ralts, Teleport!"

A flicker—Ralts vanished just before the flames engulfed where it had been standing.

Houndoom snarled, searching for its target.

"Now—Fairy wind!"

Ralts reappeared above Houndoom, unleashing a strong Gale of of Fairy energy.

The attack struck Houndoom head-on, forcing it back.

But it wasn't enough.

"Thunder Fang."

Houndoom lunged before Ralts could react.

Electricity crackled around its fangs as it sank its teeth into Ralts' shoulder.

Ralts screamed in pain.

Velkris gritted his teeth. Damn—it's using its speed to counter Ralts' teleportation.

"Ralts, Disarming Voice!"

Ralts let out a piercing cry, infused with Fairy energy.

Houndoom flinched, staggering backward.

[ Ralts learned {"Psyshock"}! ]

Velkris immediately seized the chance.

"Psyshock!"

A burst of psychic force slammed into Houndoom, sending it skidding across the cavern floor.

Houndoom panted, but its eyes burned with determination.

This wasn't just a fight.

This was a test of will.

Gideon's eyes narrowed.

He wasn't about to let some brat win.

"Golbat—attack him directly."

Velkris' eyes widened. What?!

Golbat dove at him instead of Ralts!

Velkris was caught off-guard. He barely had time to react—Golbat was fast.

But then—Golbat hesitated.

For a split second, it locked eyes with Velkris.

A flicker of recognition.

Velkris understood.

It had acknowledged him back in their battle.

And now—it refused to follow Gideon's order.

Gideon's face twisted in rage. "You useless—!"

[ Ralts Learned { Dazzling Gleam }! ]

Velkris smirked. "Now, Ralts—FINISH IT!"

Ralts unleashed a final, devastating Dazzling Gleam.

The explosion of Fairy light engulfed Houndoom, slamming it into the cave wall.

Silence.

Then—Houndoom collapsed.

Velkris had won.

Gideon clenched his fists.

"I should have brought my entire team," he spat. "You think some lucky tactics make you strong?"

He pulled out Houndoom and Golbat's Pokéballs, preparing to recall them.

But then—nothing happened.

His Pokéballs didn't work.

Instead—two white Pokéballs glowed in Velkris' hands.

Both Houndoom and Golbat were recalled into them.

Velkris stared, his mind racing.

Did… I just take them?

Gideon's expression twisted in pure fury.

Gideon's voice turned cold.

"Kill him."

The remaining Rocket grunts hesitated but obeyed, closing in on Velkris.

Velkris shielded Ralts, gripping Gible's Pokéball tightly.

He was outnumbered.

But then—

A WHOOSH.

An orange blur tore through the cave.

Half the Rocket grunts and their Pokémon collapsed instantly.

Velkris smirked.

"He's here."

The Future Champion.

The Flying Type Ace.

The Dragon Master.

LANCE.

To Be Continued...