There's Something Off About My Pokémon [83]

Damn it.

Wang Yingjie's body tilted as the flames licked his arm, but he couldn't let go. If he did, it would be his death!

At that moment, his Wartortle leaped onto Honchkrow's back, the sudden weight causing the bird to cry out in pain. The Wartortle aimed at the Flamethrower and countered with a Water Gun, but the water was instantly evaporated by the fire. Seeing his trainer in danger, Wartortle let out a desperate cry, launching a powerful torrent of water.

Hydro Pump!

The immense force of the blast lifted Honchkrow a meter higher into the air. Flapping its wings frantically, the bird looked at the ceiling above, its eyes gleaming with hope. Wang Yingjie's arm was already covered in blood, but he clenched his teeth and held tightly to Honchkrow's sharp talons.

"Well done, Wartortle!" Wang Yingjie grunted, his voice strained with pain. The glass ceiling of the West Lake Arena was now within reach.

Suddenly, a deafening boom shook the entire stadium! Wang Yingjie wobbled, nearly falling off Honchkrow, but managed to cling to the bird's leg. Its talons dug into his hand, and he bit down hard on his lip, the metallic taste of blood filling his mouth as he fought to stay conscious.

The glass above shattered!

Shards of glass, as sharp as knives, rained down from above. "Honchkrow, use Steel Wing!" Wang Yingjie shouted. Honchkrow's metallic wings shielded him from the deadly shards, narrowly saving him from being shredded.

As the ceiling cracked open like an egg, a man in military fatigues stood among the intact glass, a cruel smile stretching across his face.

"Well, would you look at that? Still alive, huh? Lucky bastard."

"The operation was supposed to start at 4:30. You're ten minutes late," Wang Yingjie said coldly, climbing off Honchkrow. His arm hung limp at his side, completely numb.

"You know me, I'm never on time," the man laughed, recalling his Golem, which had just finished smashing open the ceiling with Earthquake. He grinned triumphantly. "I bet that idiot Miao Bo's been ripped to shreds by the gym leader by now."

Wang Yingjie glared at him. "A leader who didn't participate in the action has no right to speak like that."

The man, Ren Li, shot Wang Yingjie a venomous glance, tempted to throw him off the 20-meter-high ceiling. But the memory of Wu Ye's chilling smile made him reconsider.

"Tch." Ren Li spat on the floor. "Get on the helicopter."

Behind Ren Li, a helicopter's rotor blades kicked up a fierce wind. No one could have guessed the extent of Team Galactic's power. Today's attack was merely a small demonstration, and the price of that demonstration was dozens of innocent lives.

As the helicopter rose higher, Wang Yingjie clutched his bloody arm, watching the shrinking arena below.

I need to become stronger. Much stronger.

---

Inside the arena, the aftermath of the attack was devastating.

Lu Cheng looked around with growing anxiety. Shattered glass littered the ground, equipment lay in ruins, and seats were stained with blood. The cries of a small girl caught his attention. Rushing over, he gently lifted the injured child and called out to those still in the stadium, "Is there anyone here with a healing Pokémon?"

The situation had calmed slightly. The remaining criminals had been subdued, their limp bodies tied together by Duobi's massive hands. The toxic gas from the overworked Weezing had spread throughout the arena, turning Lu Cheng's face an alarming shade of green.

Just then, he felt a hand on his shoulder.

"Leave the rest to us," said the tall officer in the police uniform, Duobi's trainer. She patted his shoulder and added, "You've done well."

Lu Cheng nodded silently. This was no longer his fight. The professionals would handle the cleanup.

But who were these terrorists? And why was Wang Yingjie involved? So many questions swirled in his mind, filling him with confusion.

A-Le nudged Lu Cheng gently. "Hey, your back..."

It was only then that Lu Cheng realized how much pain he was in. The gash from Zubat's attack stretched across his back, and blood had soaked through his shirt.

"Hiss—" Lu Cheng hissed in pain.

"Lu Cheng!" A voice rang out from the stands, and a woman dressed in black came running toward him.

"Mu Mei-senpai!?" Lu Cheng stared at her in shock. Her hands were stained with blood, causing his heart to skip a beat.

"Are you hurt?"

"No." She shook her head, her hair messy from the chaos. "I've been helping the female announcer set up a first aid station. We've been treating the injured."

"Then help me out too," Lu Cheng said with a wry smile. "I only just realized how much this hurts!"

Mu Mei blinked in surprise and moved closer to examine his back. Her lips pressed into a thin line as she saw the deep gash. "Lie down at the aid station, now!" she ordered. "If we don't treat that soon, it'll get infected!"

At that moment, Lin Yuan approached, having finished her battle. The man she'd been fighting was unconscious, struck down by Bisharp's backhanded sword. Lin Yuan, now barefoot and carrying her high heels in one hand and Lu Cheng's trophy in the other, smiled and said, "You forgot this."

Lu Cheng's eyes lit up. "Sis—"

"MOM!"

Mom? Who said that?

Lu Cheng froze, glancing at Mu Mei beside him. She had already run ahead and was hugging Lin Yuan tightly. Despite the blood staining Mu Mei's clothes, Lin Yuan gently stroked her daughter's hair and smiled. "You did well, Mei'er."

"Mom?" Lu Cheng stammered, staring at the two. "Mu Mei-senpai, she's your..."

"Yeah, she's my mom," Mu Mei said with a sweet smile. "And she's also the gym leader of Jitian Gym!"

Lu Cheng gaped, looking between the two women. Lin Yuan met his gaze with a knowing, almost teasing smile. His heart sank. I've really embarrassed myself this time...

"Is this your classmate?" Lin Yuan asked her daughter, still smiling. "Why haven't I heard about him before?"

"Mom, I told you! He's the junior I've been tutoring."

"Junior, huh?" Lin Yuan looked Lu Cheng up and down, her gaze sharp enough to make him shiver.

Then, her smile grew wider, identical to Mu Mei's. "Well, you're quite charming."

She handed the trophy to Lu Cheng, who fumbled to take it, stammering, "Th-thanks, um, thank you, Auntie..."

Lin Yuan's eyes narrowed. "Who are you calling 'Auntie'?"

"Sister!" Lu Cheng quickly corrected himself, nodding furiously.

"Good. Now, let Mei'er take you to the aid station to get that wound treated," Lin Yuan said, casting a cold glance at the unconscious hooded men lying on the ground. "We'll handle the rest here."

---

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