Chapter 25

Leaf and her Ivysaur stepped forward, poised and ready to engage the raging Gyarados. But just as they made their move, Mankey leapt ahead, eyes blazing with excitement and fists clenched, clearly itching for the fight.

Emmet glanced at Mankey with an incredulous look. "Mankey, are you out of your mind? What's the game plan here?"

Mankey turned around and gave Emmet a puzzled expression as if the answer was obvious. "Man-key," he chattered while shaking his tiny fist, putting extra emphasis on the last syllable, as if that explained everything.

Emmet's forehead creased with frustration. "Mankey, you can't even walk on water, let alone throw punchs from a distance. How did you expect to fight a Gyarados in its natural habitat?"

"Get it together, Mankey. You can't just charge at anything that looks tough. Use that primate brain of yours!" Emmet snapped but without much heat, pointing towards the Gyarados for emphasis.

Getting the point, Mankey slunk back with a defeated slump in his posture. Clefairy, unable to contain herself, burst into giggles, nearly rolling on the sand in laughter.

Ignoring the theatrics, Emmet moved toward the wary Feebas. He delicately removed the lure from its mouth and initiated a Heal Pulse. The light from his palms enveloped the fish Pokemon, soothing its wounds. "Clefairy, a little Heal Pulse backup, please," he called out, and Clefairy obliged, adding her own healing magic to the mix.

Seemingly infuriated by the display of compassion, Gyarados roared and surged toward the shore. But before Mankey could even consider intercepting, Ivysaur unleashed a Solar Beam straight at its face. Simultaneously, Emmet's Pidgeotto descended from the sky, executing a flawless Aerial Ace that landed with so much force, the Gyarados's head was buried in the sand.

Sylveon wasn't about to be outdone. With a flick of her ribbons, she unleashed a Magical Leaf attack, a technique she had picked up from Ivysaur. The leaves hit Gyarados with such impact that it let out a startled cry and retreated into the ocean as fast as its battered body could carry it.

Mankey looked even more dejected, if that was possible. The little primate drooped its shoulders, regretting the missed opportunity to prove his strength against such a formidable opponent.

Focused on the task at hand, Emmet continued to channel healing energy into the Feebas, who appeared exhausted and malnourished. Meanwhile, Leaf directed the Pokemon squad, ensuring they kept a vigilant eye on the surrounding waters for any signs of another Gyarados ambush or other unexpected surprises.

Extending his Aura toward the fish Pokemon for a deeper examination, Emmet felt two distinct things. First, this was a female Feebas. Second, there was no pre-existing bond to another trainer in her aura. This presented two possibilities: she was either a wild Feebas, which seemed improbable given their native habitat was very far off, or she used to have a trainer who was no longer alive or had abandoned her. The sadness and anger radiating from her seemed to point to the latter.

Reading the aura more closely, the fatigue and resentment the Feebas projected made Emmet lean toward a grim theory. Her trainer was probably dead, and she had been navigating through grief and this bay's dangerous waters on her own.

Channelling feelings of calm, compassion, and acceptance through his Aura, Emmet tried to provide a psychological balm before he spoke. "Feebas, I can sense the sorrow and anger you're going through. You've lost someone important to you recently, haven't you?"

Leaf's hand flew to her mouth, eyes widening with shock and a tint of compassion. Emmet turned his attention back to Feebas. "I'm truly sorry for your loss. I can capture you and ensure that you're taken to a facility where you'll be cared for, then sent back to your native region."

A swirl of confusion and indecision emanated from Feebas, causing Emmet to pause. "I sense you're uncertain. There's another option, but it's one I hesitate to mention," he said cautiously.

Leaf looked at Emmet, her eyes filled with curiosity but she remained silent, allowing him to handle the delicate situation. Feebas seemed equally puzzled, but her aura hinted at a spark of curiosity, eager to know what this alternative path could be.

Choosing his words carefully, Emmet opted for a fabricated story that would still allow him to help Feebas and would not alert Leaf that he had one last major secret in his sleeve. "My psychic abilities once provided me a glimpse into future events. I suspect the S.S. Anne sank recently, and if your trainer was on board, they probably didn't make it."

Leaf's eyes went wide, almost impossibly so, but she stayed silent. Feebas looked up at Emmet, her fins quivering as she whispered her own name, "Fee-bas," as if nodding in agreement with his conjecture.

"I've been training to become strong enough to take down Team Rocket," Emmet explained earnestly to Feebas. "They're the real villains here. They attacked the S.S. Anne, causing it to sink and, likely, leading to your trainer's demise. If you join me, you'll be part of something bigger—avenging those who've been wronged."

Emmet then turned to Leaf, keenly aware of the gears turning in her mind judging by how intently she was glaring at him. "Look, I had these dreams—or maybe they were premonitions—about the S.S. Anne sinking. That's partly why I hesitated to get on board. In these dreams, I saw individuals dressed in Team Rocket uniforms making a quick escape from a sinking ship while carrying bags. We can delve deeper into this later, but that's the gist."

"Fee-bas!" The fish Pokemon's call broke the tension, redirecting Emmet's focus to her expectant gaze.

"So, Feebas," Emmet picked up where he'd left off, "if you're on board with me, literally and metaphorically, I can capture you, and we can train together. You'll become a part of my team, dedicated to bringing down Team Rocket."

"Wait, hold on," Leaf interjected, "you can't use Pokemon native to other regions in the Indigo League. That's against the rules."

"I'm well aware," Emmet replied, nodding. "That's why I double-checked if Sylveon could participate. She's allowed because she's an evolved form of Eevee, native to Kanto and Johto. But don't worry, I have a plan."

Turning back to Feebas, Emmet said, "I'm not asking you to fight in the official battles. What I am asking is for you to become a registered support Pokemon for me. When you evolve, you'll be licensed as a water mount. You can also lend your skills in unofficial battles or any scrapes we find ourselves in. Maybe I will be able to get a license to use you in official battles, but I can't see it happening soon, however I will do my best. How does that sound?"

Emmet helps Feebas get to a more deep spot in the water, giving her space to consider his offer. He then sits beside Leaf on the sand, his eyes flicking from the water to her.

Taking a calculated risk, Emmet reaches over and gently takes Leaf's hand. A wave of relief washes over him as she not only allows the contact but actually leans into him, gripping his hand back.

They sit in comfortable silence for a few minutes before Leaf finally speaks up. "I'm sorry for pulling away from you," she says, her voice tinged with vulnerability. "It's just... the aura bond, our future together, it all became so overwhelming. I got scared. I needed to think, to sort it all out, you know?"

"I get it, Leaf. I really do," Emmet replies, his words carrying the weight of his own fears. "I'm scared too, but it hurts to think you're pulling away because of something I've done. I understand your fear, but n my case it's compounded by the guilt of putting you in this situation. It… sucks."

"There's nothing for you to feel guilty about," Leaf counters. "We're in this together. I've had time to think and I understand why you kept secrets. But those secrets are ours now. We can't have secrets between us anymore."

Emmet tries to lighten the atmosphere. "So, does that mean I have to tell you my favorite color now, or do I still get to keep a few minor secrets?" he jokes.

"No major secrets," Leaf replies, her gaze fixing him with unyielding seriousness. "This aura bond is for life, Emmet. We have to trust each other completely to make it something positive for both of us."

The moment hangs in the air before Emmet speaks again. "Alright, one last big secret then," he starts cautiously. "Along with EM, I get these... flashes of potential futures. Specifically, they've shown me important events related to Ash Ketchum. It's how I knew how to evolve Eevee into Sylveon, and it's also how I knew what Feebas was. These glimpses helped guide me, but now you need to know about them too."

Leaf narrows her eyes, studying Emmet's expression. "So you've been having these glimpses for a while, huh? How reliable or useful are they?" She unconsciously squeezes his hand a bit, waiting for his answer.

Emmet scratches the back of his head nervously and meets her gaze. "They're, uh, hit-or-miss. They give me surface-level intel about big events involving Ash, but beyond that? Zilch. Especially if it's unrelated to him."

Leaf tilts her head, eyebrows furrowed. "What do you mean 'useless'? You're saying these visions can't tell us about other important stuff?"

Emmet shakes his head, making a dismissive gesture with his free hand. "Exactly. Like, I had zero intel about Team Rocket's shenanigans at Mt. Moon or what they're really after."

Leaf sighs, her shoulders slumping a little. "That's unfortunate. It would've been really helpful to have something, anything, to prepare us for whatever Team Rocket is planning."

Emmet seems suddenly uncomfortable. He starts to fidget, tracing invisible patterns in the sand with his finger. Leaf notices and her eyes narrow.

Catching on to his hesitance, she probes, "Is there really nothing that could give us an edge?" She leans in slightly, searching his face for clues.

Taking a deep breath, Emmet finally says, "Well, maybe there is something. I think I know who's pulling the strings for Team Rocket, and what their ultimate weapon might be." His eyes dart away momentarily before reconnecting with hers.

Leaf's eyes widen dramatically. Every news channel has been clamoring for any information about Team Rocket's leadership. The League has been throwing money at the problem, but to no avail.

Reading Emmet's strained expression, she murmurs, "By the look on your face, this isn't going to be good news, is it?"

Looking dead serious, Emmet turns fully to face her. "The man behind Team Rocket is Giovanni, the Viridian Gym's Leader. And he has something that's a game-changer—an artificial legendary Pokemon named Mewtwo." His eyes stay fixed on her, waiting for her reaction.

Emmet braces himself for a reaction—any reaction. Whether it be the awe or fear one might reserve for a war hero like Giovanni, or the reluctant respect for a renowned Gym Leader and former Elite Four member. Or maybe the sheer terror at the idea of Giovanni commanding a legendary Pokemon like Mewtwo.

But none of that comes. Leaf's reaction isn't awe, fear, or even disbelief.

Leaf locks eyes with him, her expression inscrutable. "Are you certain about this? Giovanni and Mewtwo, you're sure?" Her hand tightens around his as she awaits his response.

He simply nods, his eyes meeting hers unflinchingly.

Her grip on his hand loosens, but her voice is firmer than ever. "Then we have to bust our tails training. We've got a Gym Leader-slash-war-hero-slash-possible-terrorist and his legendary Pokemon to deal with."

Emmet's eyes widen, his jaw dropping a smidge. "I've got to admit, that wasn't the reaction I was expecting from you," he says, a mix of awe and relief flooding his face.

Leaf leans in, her eyes fierce. "I'm not in this to play the hero, Emmet. My family runs the Celadon Gym. If a war—any kind of war—breaks out, I'll be dragged into it, willing or not. So I might as well be as prepared as I can be." She punctuates her point by squeezing his hand, almost daring him to disagree.

Emmet rubs the back of his neck, looking somewhat worn but resolute. "Look, I'm already grinding away constantly to become strong enough before the Ash-Mewtwo showdown happens, which is slated for some time before the Indigo Plateau Conference." His shoulders tense up, as if carrying the weight of impending doom.

Leaf crosses her arms and shakes her head, a flicker of frustration dancing across her face. "That's not enough. Do you know what Pokemon Giovanni uses? And what's Mewtwo's type?"

Exhaling, he answers, "Giovanni likely uses the same Pokemon as he does for the eighth-badge challenge, maybe one or two trump cards we are not aware off; I don't have info on any changes. Mewtwo is Psychic-type." His eyes meet hers, trying to gauge her reaction.

Leaf nods, almost thoughtfully. "Then we need to focus on countering that. Dark, Ghost, and Bug types should be on our priority list." Her eyes narrow, as if already plotting training regimens and matchups.

Emmet shakes his head, a grimace settling on his face. "It's not that simple. While types matter, they won't guarantee victory. Especially against Mewtwo. From what I've glimpsed, Mewtwo is taken down by another legendary—Mew."

Nodding, Leaf concedes, "I get that types aren't a surefire win. But they can negate some secondary effects that a Psychic Pokemon might unleash." Her brow furrows as she emphasizes her point.

Emmet looks puzzled, scratching his head. "Secondary effects? What do you mean?"

Leaf looks him square in the eyes, letting the gravity of her words sink in. "Look, having a Pokemon of one of those types near us can protect us trainers from Mewtwo's psychic powers. Gym Leaders and even League officials usually keep a Dark or Ghost type around precisely for that reason."

Emmet's eyes widen as a realization dawns on him. Professor Oak, the man he'd always seen as a fortress of knowledge, had a Gengar hovering near him, right alongside his champion-level Alakazam. Why hadn't he connected the dots before? If even Oak did not feel safe enough beside his famous Alakazam, then getting another layer of protection in the form of a Ghost or Dark type was a must.

Still a bit stunned, Emmet speaks up. "You know, I thought having some mastery over Psychic abilities myself would make me less susceptible to attacks from Psychic Pokemon."

Leaf shakes her head, a slight smirk crossing her lips. "You'd be right, but there's a caveat. An elite-level Psychic Pokemon, or worse, a legendary, would laugh at those defenses. Trust me, the tutoring given to Gym Leaders and their families cover dozens of cases where strong Psychic types broke through trainer's mental defenses with ease."

Emmet grins, a look of pride flashing across his face. "For a Ghost type, I've got it covered." He pats a Pokeball at his belt, as if signaling an ace up his sleeve.

Leaf glances at the Pokemon meandering around them—Sylveon, Mankey, and Firefly. "Oh really? Care to enlighten me?"

Pumping his fist, Emmet brims with excitement. "Mankey here will be evolving into a Primeape any day now. After that, we'll work on unlocking his second evolution into an Annihilape. That's a Fighting and Ghost type, just so you know."

Leaf's eyes widen, astonishment and curiosity flooding her face. "Wait, what? Annihilape? Does any of our other Pokemon have some secret evolution I should know about?"

Emmet shrugs, his hand rubbing the back of his neck. "Nah, not that I'm aware of. Trust me, if there was, I'd be the first to tell you."

Leaf gets up and begins pacing, her arms flailing as if physically laying out a battle plan. "Alright then, we need to act fast. You need a water type from either Kanto or Johto in case you can't get a license to use Feebas. Then, we evolve all our Pokemon and grab the Celadon and Saffron badges. After that, straight to Lavender Town for me to get a Ghost type."

Emmet gets up to not be sitting while she is pacing and cocks an eyebrow, recalling a cautionary note from Professor Oak. "You remember Oak specifically warned me against letting Firefly evolve too quickly, right? I'm pretty sure the same goes for your Ivysaur."

Leaf throws her hands up in a gesture of exasperation, almost knocking her hat off. "Oak's working on an old playbook. Firefly isn't just a Charmeleon with a normal development curve; she's been under EM for months! Look at the size of her fangs or how bright her tail flame is, face it, she's been ready to evolve since before your bout with Lt. Surge!"

Emmet's eyebrows furrow, as he crosses his arms. "Why are you getting so worked up? We've got time. As long as we're not goofing around, we'll be ready."

Leaf stares at him as if he's just announced the earth is flat. "Time? Emmet, you just told me Team Rocket is led by Kanto's strongest Gym Leader, who also happens to have a legendary Pokemon. My family is tied to a Gym; they're potential targets- I'm a potential target. And let's not forget your mom is out there investigating these goons!"

Stung by Leaf's reminder, Emmet flinches, uncrossing his arms and looking down. He doesn't say anything, but his eyes meeting hers say it all. She's right.

Leaf steps closer, her eyes determined. "I don't want us to be just 'ready,' Emmet. I want us to be so overqualified for whatever challenges lie ahead that when the shit hits the fan, we're not even in the splash zone."

Nodding at Leaf, Emmet turns to face the sea. He takes a deep breath and shouts, "Feebas, come forth!"

A splash, and there's Feebas, popping his head above the water. Emmet walks up to the edge of the water, kneels down, drenching his pants, and extends two Pokeballs, one in each hand.

Holding the left Pokeball closer to Feebas, he speaks softly but clearly, "If you touch this one, I'll send you to Professor Oak's Pokemon Ranch. You'll be well taken care of until we can arrange your trip back to Hoenn."

Moving the right Pokeball closer now, Emmet's eyes lock onto Feebas. "But if you touch this one, you're signing up for a mission. I'll train you, make you into a powerhouse. You'll get your shot at revenge sooner than you'd think. After that, you'll have the choice. You can go back to Hoenn, or stay with us permanently. What do you say?"

With zero hesitation, Feebas slams into the right Pokeball. The capture device pings in confirmation, locking into place. Emmet straightens up, turns his back on the sea, and grins at Leaf, holding up the newly secured Pokeball. "Well, look who chose the path of revenge and glory!"

Still holding the Pokeball, he says, "All right, one more water type from Kanto or Johto and we're outta here. Then it's training time in the forest near Celadon. What do you think?"

He notices Leaf isn't responding. Her eyes are distant, almost glazed over. "Hey, Leaf, you with me? What's going on?"

She snaps out of it, her eyes wide. "The water... it's receding."

"What?" Emmet says, puzzled. Then something clicks in his head. He looks down and finds only sand where water was sloshing against his legs just moments before.

Emmet's eyes widen as he spots a towering shadow on the horizon. His gut sinks, and dread washes over him. A massive wave is barreling toward them, gaining speed.

Locking eyes with Leaf, the urgency boiling over, he shouts, "Leaf! All Pokemon, to the cliff, NOW! We need to climb, and fast!"

Without missing a beat, their Pokemon scramble toward the cliff, clambering up the slope they had descended earlier. Emmet bolts toward the cliff, grabbing Leaf's hand and pulling her along. He barely notices how tightly her hand clings to his, as if life depended on it.

Just as they near the base of the escape route, Leaf tugs him back. "Wait! Our stuff, it's still at the camp!" she yells, her voice tinged with panic.

Cursing under his breath, Emmet says, "Go, get up the cliff. I'll grab our stuff."

Leaf's eyes harden. "No way, I'm helping you. We're not leaving anyone or anything behind," she insists. Emmet steals a glance back; the monstrous wave is inching closer every second, time slipping away like sand through fingers.

Breathing heavily, Emmet quickly explains, "Listen, that cliff's too high for us to use psychic powers to yank up our gear. I need you up there, coordinating our Pokemon. I'll pack what I can with my psychic abilities and then follow you. We have to move now!"

Leaf hesitates for a heartbeat, then leans in, giving Emmet a quick peck on the lips. "Don't you dare die on me," she says, locking eyes with him for just a moment before she turns to sprint up the cliff.

Emmet pushes the unexpected kiss to the back of his mind; he can't afford to dwell on it now. His legs propel him toward their campsite. Every piece of gear, every morsel of food, every cherished item—it's all in their tents, stuffed in their backpacks.

Skidding to a halt at the camp, Emmet closes his eyes, focusing. Psychic energy wraps around zippers, pulling tents open. Backpacks hover in mid-air as items rapidly fly into them like magnets to a fridge.

Ah, the quirks of telekinesis. Emmet could 'feel' the objects he was levitating as if he were physically touching them. That meant when it came to storing Leaf's clothes, every... single... item... he was acutely aware of what he was doing. "Oh, Arceus, this is exactly what I needed right now," he mutters, his face flushing a deep shade of red.

With everything seemingly in order, Emmet looks up to the cliff where Leaf stands. He gives her a thumbs-up, only to see her gesturing frantically behind him. Her eyes are wide, her hand movements erratic, and her mouth forming what he assumes to be not-so-nice words.

Dread curling in his stomach, Emmet turns around and his eyes go wide. What he sees isn't just a wave; it's a liquid mountain, a gargantuan wall of water bearing down on him as if Kyogre itself was out for vengeance. This was not a natural wave, this was a Surf attack. A huge Surf attack probably powered by a few strong Pokemons.

Quick calculations run through his head. The tents are a lost cause; there's no time to dismantle and pack them. Forgoing formalities, he flexes his psychic powers to lift both his and Leaf's backpacks into the air. With a mental push, he sends them flying towards Leaf on the cliff. "Catch!" he yells, hoping his aim is as true as a Pidgeot in flight.

The backpacks soar upwards and Ivysaur's vines shoot out, catching them in mid-air. No time to celebrate; Emmet sprints toward the cliff wall. Screw the sloping path, he opts for a more direct approach. Gathering Rock Energy into his legs, he kicks into the cliffside, making footholds as he goes. Then, using psychic energy, he propels himself upwards. It's as if a Machamp is tossing him up the wall.

He can't make it in one go; that would be too easy. But three jumps seem to do the trick. Each time, he digs in with Rock Energy and catapults himself higher with a surge of psychic force. He's almost there; he can feel Ivysaur's vines snaking down to meet him. Just one more push...

With one final burst of effort from Ivysaur, Emmet finds himself yanked up and over the cliff edge. He's safe—for the moment—but the danger is far from over. No time for a victory dance, not even a cheeky dab.

A sense of urgency grips everyone; words are unnecessary. Emmet, Leaf, and their team of Pokemon bolt toward the forest's edge. They're almost there, feet pounding the earth, when an ear-splitting roar fills the air. The ground shakes as if an Onix just belly-flopped from a high dive. Emmet and Leaf lose their footing and tumble, splashing into mud as water showers down on them.

The world is a blur—mud, water, and chaos. Emmet tries to blink the muck out of his eyes, squinting to make sense of the situation. The ground had stopped quaking, but his internal compass was still doing doughnuts.

He catches sight of their Pokemon, strangely still on their feet. They're positioned between the cliff and their trainers, as if forming a protective barrier. A moment of puzzlement crosses Emmet's face, but he's quick to realize that these critters know what they're doing.

Eyes clearing, Emmet gazes towards the cliff—or what used to be the cliff. It's gone, replaced by a steep ramp of broken earth that descends into a muddy mess below. The idyllic beach, their tents—wiped clean off the map. All that remains is a swirling mess of brown water, debris, and "—wait a minute. Are those Gyarados down there?" He shouted. The scarred Gyarados was back and seemed to have brought friends.

Emmet's eyes lock onto each of his Pokemon, shifting into high-gear strategy. "Firefly, set up Sunny Day now, we need the advantage! Sylveon, start stacking Calm Minds; we're going to need you at peak strength. Clefairy, step back, be on Heal Pulse standby; I'll call for you. Mankey, get those Bulk Ups going, we can't afford to be weak. Pidgeotto, fly up high, stack Agility and keep an eye out for the most aggressive Gyarados, harass them from above,"

Leaf, her eyes sharp and focused, barks out her own set of commands, seamlessly picking up where Emmet left off. "Ivysaur, cover the area with Stun Spore, then focus on firing off Solar Beams when you've got a clear shot. Oddish, you're doing the same; use Growth and then Solar Beams. Pidgeotto, keep the air currents flowing with Gust; we need that Stun Spore to hit its mark. After that, stack Work Up and start harassing the Gyarados that seem the most dangerous. Coordinate with Emmet's Pidgeotto!"

Emmet keeps his gaze locked onto the advancing wall of Gyarados, but his confusion about Leaf's choice of moves is too strong to ignore. "Stun Spore? You're not going with Poison Powder or Sleep Powder? What's the plan?"

Leaf's eyes narrow, her fingers gripping an empty Pokeball a bit tighter to stave off her anxiety. "Did you see that Surf attack? The sheer force pulverized the cliff! My guess is these Gyarados are too strong to worry about Poison Powder. And Sleep Powder? Come on, Emmet, with all this water misting about, it's just going to get washed away."

Emmet's eyes narrow as he watches the Gyarados, their massive bodies momentarily sluggish, clearly enraged by the Stun Spore that now courses through them. They let out guttural roars that echo like the howls of the damned, their fins twitching in violent spasms. "Good. Slow down, you monsters," Emmet mutters under his breath.

Leaf's Ivysaur and Oddish unleash Solar Beams with lethal accuracy. The beams tear through scales and flesh, leaving burnt, gaping wounds on the Gyarados. They try to retaliate, jaws opening to unleash a counterattack, but are intercepted by the Pidgeottos' Aerial Ace, talons digging into eyes and gills. The sea serpents scream in agony, writhing as they take the full brunt of the Solar Beams.

"Firefly, get ready. Dragon Dance, now! And once they're in range, hit them with the most disorienting Growl you've got. I want their senses shattered," Emmet shouts, a ruthless edge to his voice.

Emmet knows that Growl is not nearly powerful enough for this chaos. But as he scans the battlefield, he's certain that Firefly's fire moves wouldn't do enough damage, even under Sunny Day. He wants Firefly ready for a brutal melee alongside Mankey, smashing and clawing if these sea beasts dare to set fin on dry land.

"Syl—Sylveon," the Pokemon whimpers, locking eyes with Emmet. He realizes she's reached her limit with Calm Mind, her psychic energies maxed out.

"Alright, Sylveon, construct the most impenetrable Light Screen you can. Then, hurl Magical Leaf with all the force you can muster—I want those leaves to cut them, understand?" The words are out of Emmet's mouth before he can think, determination overriding caution.

As Sylveon's Light Screen materializes, Emmet clenches his fists, silently urging the Gyarados to make the fatal mistake of coming closer. The Light Screen will make the Gyarados think twice about long-range moves, and if they enter his Pokemon's melee range, he'd relish the chance to see them being torn apart by Mankey's fists and Firefly's claws.

Leaf's hands are clenched into fists, nails digging into her palms. She watches the battlefield, her heart pounding in her chest. Her Pokemon are going full tilt, buying time for Emmet's team to position for the final onslaught. She knows it's only a matter of moments before the Gyarados close the gap, and Firefly and Mankey will need to step up. The few Hydro Pumps they sent could barely pass through Sylveon's Light Screen before turning into a weaker Water Gun jets.

Suddenly, a burst of light interrupts her thoughts. She looks over to see her Oddish glowing, its shape morphing. The little plant Pokemon is evolving into a Gloom, right there, in the heat of battle. Leaf can't help but feel a mix of awe and fear—awe for her Pokemon's growth, fear for the timing.

Just as she suspected, the pause in attacks gives the Gyarados a momentary advantage. The massive sea serpents start propelling themselves forward with even more fury, unhindered by Solar Beams that had been cutting them down. The absence of one more shooter is making a marked difference, and the tension spikes.

Emmet locks eyes with Leaf and they both step back, putting distance between them and their battling Pokemon. Staying close would only impede the upcoming melee; commands would be lost in the whirlwind of claws, scales, and fangs. They need to let their Pokemon act with their best instincts.

Despite showing signs of fatigue, Ivysaur's leaves tremble as he focuses all his remaining energy. He releases a Solar Beam that is almost blinding in its intensity. It hits a Gyarados square in the face, boring through scales and skull. The massive Pokemon goes limp, its life extinguished in an instant, plummeting into the sea with a final, mournful groan.

Sylveon, not to be outdone, narrows her focus from targeting the whole group to just a couple of Gyarados. She concentrates, and her Magical Leaf attack sharpens into lethal, razor-like blades. They fly through the air, slicing into two different Gyarados. Scales are slashed open, flesh torn apart. The wounded Gyarados drop into the water, their blood painting the sea a gruesome red.

The remaining three Gyarados halt their advance, their eyes narrowing with malevolent intent. Rage is palpable in their guttural roars; it's as if the sea itself is angry. Their gaping maws begin to glow with the gathering energy of Hyper Beam, a devastating attack that could annihilate everything in its path.

"Everyone, fall back now! Sylveon, Protect—right in front of us!" Emmet's voice trembles with dread as he issues the command. The moment is fraught, the seconds ticking down like a time bomb.

Leaf's eyes are wide, but she shakes off the fear. "Pidgeottos, disrupt those Hyper Beams with Wing Attack, aim for their eyes! Go, now!"

Wings of both Pidgeottos glow with a dazzling white light as they soar toward the Gyarados. Emmet's Pidgeotto gets there first, his aim unerring. The bird's wing blade slices right through one of the Gyarados' eyes. A screech of pure agony rings out; the gathering energy for Hyper Beam fizzles out, the attack disrupted.

Leaf's Pidgeotto dives toward the second Gyarados, its wing tearing open a deep gash across the beast's face. A roar of pain erupts, but the Gyarados was closer to completing its Hyper Beam. The pent-up energy explodes outwards, likely killing the Pokemon as it drops lifelessly into the ocean. The aftermath of the explosion catches Leaf's Pidgeotto, sending it spiraling into a tree trunk with a sickening thud.

"NO! Pidgeotto!" Leaf's voice is choked with emotion as she bolts toward the fallen bird, her eyes clouded with worry and fear.

"Leaf, don't! You'll be outside Sylveon's Protect!" Emmet's voice strains with urgency, his eyes widened in alarm. But it's too late—Leaf is already sprinting, her heart pounding louder than the chaos unfolding around her.

Emmet feels his heart plummet into his stomach as panic grips him. Leaf is now vulnerable, outside the safety of Sylveon's Protect. The remaining Gyarados—its eye filled with a malevolent gleam—changes its target. It redirects its gathering Hyper Beam towards the fleeing Leaf, who is now dangerously exposed.

"Firefly, Flamethrower! Clefairy, intercept that Hyper Beam with Psybeam! Do it now!" Emmet's voice is tinged with desperation, his words tumbling out like a cascade of falling stones.

Clefairy attempts to use Psybeam, visibly struggling. Its eyes narrow with concentration, but the energy produced is feeble, almost a mere flicker. Clefairy isn't skilled in using Psybeam, for she had just learned it a couple of days before, and it shows. But Emmet has run out of alternatives, and time is not on their side.

Just then, Leaf's newly-evolved Gloom springs into action, wasting no time waiting for orders. Rushing to the side of Clefairy and Firefly, Gloom absorbs the sunlight form Sunny Day rapidly, its body glowing brighter by the second. With an almost deafening cry, Gloom releases an incredibly powerful Solar Beam, adding its force to the Psybeam and Flamethrower. The attacks converge, creating a triad of energies just strong enough to counter the impending Hyper Beam from the Gyarados.

Leaf reaches her fallen Pidgeotto, her eyes blurry with unshed tears. Her arms wrap around the bird Pokemon tightly as if she could shield it from the world's chaos. Just then, she notices a blinding light coming straight for her. Her eyes lock onto the Hyper Beam. The world seems to slow down as fear freezes her bones. Clenching her eyes shut, she holds her Pidgeotto even tighter. Just in that moment, Gloom's Solar Beam, Firefly's Flamethrower, and Clefairy's Psybeam converge on the monstrous attack.

Emmet, standing behind the safeguard of Sylveon's Protect, can only watch as the combined attacks collide with the Hyper Beam. The sky erupts in a cataclysm of light and energy, and a deafening boom shakes the earth. A shockwave fans out from the epicenter, throwing everything in its path asunder. Thanks to Sylveon's Protect, Emmet and his Mankey escape the brunt of it.

As his vision starts to adjust from the blinding light of the explosion, Emmet hears a furious cry of "Ape!" followed by the sound of a crushing impact, accompanied by a pained roar. For a moment, he's disoriented, but his instincts know—something significant has happened.

When his vision finally clears, he sees his Mankey, now evolved into a Primeape, standing defiantly in front of a fallen Gyarados. Primeape's fist is still crackling with the residual electricity from a perfectly executed Thunder Punch. The Gyarados twitches once and then goes still, eyes glazed over in death.

Relief washes over Emmet as he watches the last remaining Gyarados, the one his Pidgeotto had sliced one of its eyes, slink back into the depths of the ocean, defeated and wary. For a moment, there's silence, a brief respite from the chaos that's just unfolded. 

Swiveling his head, Emmet looks for his other Pokemon and Leaf amidst the wreckage. His stomach drops when all he sees is devastation—no sign of Leaf or any of their other Pokemon. 

Emmet hears the distinctive flapping of wings. His Pidgeotto lands right in front of him, eyes scanning him from head to toe as if evaluating his condition. The connection is unspoken but strong—both trainer and Pokemon relieved to see the other unharmed.

"Good work, buddy. But we need to find the others," Emmet speaks with urgency. "Take to the sky, find Leaf and everyone else!"

Pidgeotto understands immediately, letting out an affirmative chirp before soaring back into the sky. Sylveon is already on the move, bounding gracefully over the debris and rubble that litter the area, its ears perked up, listening for any signs of life.

In the distance, Primeape is tearing through the terrain. Having gone quite far to land that Thunder Punch, he's now racing back to join the search. His power is evident as he lifts fallen trees out of his way with terrifying ease.

Suddenly, Pidgeotto cries out from above, circling a specific spot in the distance. Emmet catches the signal and feels a surge of adrenaline. "There! Let's go!" Without a second thought, he, Sylveon, and Primeape dash toward the indicated location.

Relief crashes over Emmet like a wave as he skids to a halt. Firefly is sitting, visibly in pain but tending to her own wounded arm. Nearby, Gloom and Pidgeotto are bruised and battered but very much alive. They stand vigil over Leaf, who is grimacing, clutching her right thigh as she sits on the ground. Clefairy's soft glow from Heal Pulse surrounds her, trying to mend what's been broken.

Emmet rushes to Leaf and wraps her in a hug that's more like a full-body tackle. "You're okay, you're okay! Everyone's okay, no one's dead," he blurts out, gripping her tightly. His voice quivers with an emotion he can't place — is he reassuring her or himself?

"Ow, ow, my leg, Emmet! Dial down the bear hug a notch, will ya?" Leaf yells, but then she returns his embrace, gritting her teeth through the pain. She can see he's basically on the edge of a breakdown. "Don't worry, you're not getting rid of me that easily!"

"Clefairy!" The pink Pokemon exclaims, waving her arms frantically to get Emmet's attention. It's as if she's saying, 'Hey, hands off, I'm working here!'

Emmet finally releases Leaf and stands up, his eyes scanning the devastation around them. He sees the red patches in the ocean where the fallen Gyarados float. Firefly and Sylveon lock eyes with him, and even Clefairy briefly stops her healing to look his way.

Taking a deep breath, he addresses his Pokemon. "You all did incredible today. We've faced another Mt. Moon, and this time, look at us—this time, we're all okay. We did it. We won't be digging graves today." Emmet's chest puffs up, filled with an immeasurable pride and relief that causes his voice to crack on the last words.