Chapter 102: Dark Clouds

A small purple figure suddenly leaped from the bushes, scattering countless tiny broken leaves in the air. Max froze, his eyes wide with shock. A barrage of shadowy orbs burst from the Gengar behind him, streaking toward the floating form. Boom! Boom! Boom! Without any chance to defend itself, the corrosive energy of the Ghost-type combined with crushing force sent the purple figure flying. Squeak! It tumbled to the ground, letting out pitiful cries. Only then did Max snap back to his senses, a grave look on his face laced with disbelief. Pichu? He gave a self-deprecating smile, tugging at his lips. The captain of the Shadow Star reconnaissance team, shaken by a mere little Pichu? His rigid body finally relaxed as he stepped forward, intending to inspect the wailing Pichu before him. Tick tick tick. A faint ticking sound emanated from inside the small Pichu. What is this...? Max halted, the earlier ease still lingering on his face. His expression suddenly stiffened and froze. Time seemed to halt, and a gentle white light emerged from the Pichu's purple fur like still water. Max's waist muscles tensed; he whipped his head around as if shouting at his own men, beads of sweat flying through the air in graceful arcs. The Gengar behind him wore an expression of alarm, a vague semi-transparent barrier just forming in its hands to shield its master. Then everything was swallowed by the dazzling white light surging from the Pichu. Boom— The blinding pure white radiance rose like divine light from heaven, illuminating a radiant orb against the dark earth shrouded in thick storm clouds. Scorching rays tore apart and annihilated anything they touched, reducing it to the finest dust. The ground was whipped into a maelstrom of dust and debris by the violent winds, carrying twigs and leaves in a sweeping gale. A massive crater opened in the center, its edges fissured like a spiderweb, radiating outward. The explosion's searing heat baked the central soil into a molten, dark-red paste. At the pit's rim lay a battered humanoid figure, scarred and broken. Cough! Cough! Max felt searing pain coursing through every part of his body. Damn it! Bang— A charred, muscular arm slammed into the earth ahead, spraying dust everywhere. Gotcha! That harmless-looking little Pichu had hidden a ferocious explosive unique to the Magma Team. The rest of his men behind him... Even he himself, had it not been for the Gengar burning its life force in the final moment to forge an unyielding shield, would not have escaped. Sixteen team members and their Pokémon—every last one annihilated! Max's hands trembled as he tried to rise. Suddenly, clattering footsteps approached from the forest behind him. Casual, unhurried, a mocking voice drifted through the air. Yo! Isn't this Shadow Star's Max? What's going on? Why are you lying on the ground like a dog? Veins bulging in his neck, Max clenched his jaw until his teeth ached. With a mighty effort he forced himself upright, body swaying. His voice emerged hoarse and laced with murderous rage. Sos! You son of a bitch, I'll kill you! In Sos's narrow, reptilian eyes, a cold gleam flashed. Just you? He sneered and tossed a Poké Ball. Toxicroak, kill him. The chill in those words seemed to freeze the very air. Swish— A clamor rose from the woods, and a blue-red Pokémon appeared among the trees. It resembled a humanoid arrow frog, its glossy red-and-blue skin glistening with viscous poison. A long, razor-sharp red claw extended from its fingertips, reeking of blood. A frog-like air sac on its chin pulsed with each breath, the guttural sounds issuing from it. Enduring the agony, Max reached for his waist. His form stalled; his pupils shrank to slits. Vanished... His Poké Balls had disappeared! He spun toward the deep crater behind him, only to find nothing but inky darkness. Damn it! In this desperate hour, he realized every Poké Ball had been lost in the blast. Toxicroak advanced unhurriedly toward Max, its orange-yellow eyes gleaming with mockery. Like a cat toyed with a mouse, it savored the prey's frantic expression in its final moments. Deep purple venom coiled around its fingertips like a serpent, flicking out a crimson tongue. What now? The shadow of death loomed like a demon, dripping the most venomous saliva upon the living soul. Suddenly, as if recalling something, Max's hands shook. He roughly tore open his ruined jacket and rummaged inside. It should... it should be here. Like a drowning man clutching a straw, he finally drew out a small black waist pouch. A lock of black iron sealed it shut. Inside that pouch—his last hope—was the elite Pokémon he had rented from the organization. Before departing, lacking space on his belt, he had placed the Poké Ball inside the waist pouch he carried. He had never expected to use it now... Under the threat of death, panic flickered in Max's movements, yet his mind remained clear. His only chance lay in this Pokémon, buying time however he could. The explosion's roar could be heard from half an island away. He believed his teammates... Hey! Max. You don't think your men will come to rescue you, do you? Max's body jerked; he glared at Sos with eyes full of murderous intent. Ha ha. Sos laughed disdainfully. You really think Magma Team would send only me? Don't worry, they'll be here soon to join you. Ha ha ha... Amid the sinister laughter, Max's strength drained away. His legs buckled and he collapsed to the ground. The black-and-yellow Poké Ball in his grip rolled free. High above, amid the heavy clouds that swallowed the sky, a faint lightning flicker appeared, and the low rumble of thunder rolled across the heavens. Startled by the deafening crash, the black-and-yellow Poké Ball suddenly split open a jagged fissure from the middle. In that instant, the clouds gathered.