Chapter 62: Zeraora
Chapter 62: Zeraora
The night passed without incident.
Early the next morning, Lu Yun left the cave and continued deeper into the canyon. Along the way, he gradually became aware of the canyon’s peculiarities.
First was the ever-present mass of dark clouds overhead, which seemed as though they would never dissipate. The thick storm clouds shrouded the canyon day and night, blocking out the harsh sunlight from above. Even at midday, the entire canyon was cloaked in perpetual dusk, the light dim and somber.
Being an Electric-type Pokémon, Lu Yun could faintly sense the terrifying thunderbolts gathering within those clouds, waiting for the right moment to come crashing down. It felt like the Sword of Damocles hanging above his head, filling him with dread.
Secondly, there was the chaotic and jumbled magnetic field within the canyon. During his special training with the Electromagnetic Beast, Lu Yun had learned the move “Electromagnetic Levitation,” granting him the ability to manipulate the magnetic field for temporary flight. In his subsequent training, he further delved into the mysteries of magnetism, gradually refining his control. By now, he could manipulate the magnetic field to perform relatively simple actions.
However, as he ventured deeper, Lu Yun noticed that the magnetic field, which he had been able to control at will, was becoming sluggish and resistant. He sensed that there was something within the canyon’s magnetism that he had yet to perceive, something beyond his current abilities. The chaotic magnetic field, he suspected, was not merely a product of nature, but also bore the mark of Zeraora’s presence.
As a powerful Electric-type legendary beast, Zeraora’s bio-magnetic field was beyond the comprehension of ordinary beings. Perhaps, during daily life or battles, the electric and magnetic forces it released had, over time, fused with the natural magnetism of the canyon, giving rise to this bizarrely turbulent field.
Lastly, the air was saturated with an incredibly high concentration of electric energy. This, Lu Yun realized, was likely why such a vast canyon was nearly devoid of wild Pokémon. Though now a full-blooded Electric-type Mareep, as he ventured deeper, even his breathing became labored in the dense electric atmosphere. Lesser Pokémon of other types would likely suffocate after only a few steps.
In truth, Lu Yun was already having second thoughts. This place was far too dangerous and ran completely counter to his carefully laid plan to earn points by playing it safe. Yet, the powerful attraction emanating from the depths of the canyon compelled him to move forward, one step at a time, ever deeper.
...
At that moment, in a hidden corner within the canyon—
Crackle, crackle!
Silvery blue electric patterns rippled through the air like fog. A strange golden pond shimmered with light. On closer inspection, the pond contained not a drop of water, but instead a terrifyingly concentrated golden electric plasma, quietly flowing within, occasionally sparking with tiny bolts of electricity.
In the center of this electric pond stood a towering ancient tree. Its pitch-black, lustrous bark was tough and rough, etched by the passage of time. The massive trunk required several to encircle it, standing straight and proud. Countless withered branches stretched outward, all devoid of a single leaf.
Most striking of all, however, were the small, oval fruits hanging from the desiccated branches. Unlike the ancient tree’s dark, coarse exterior, these fruits were like bright golden bulbs, emitting a dazzling light. Beneath their thin, crystalline skins, condensed liquid energy swirled gently, each one a masterpiece of nature, too beautiful to pluck.
Beneath the tree, immersed in the golden plasma, Zeraora sat cross-legged like a calm guardian. Suddenly, its icy blue feline eyes snapped open, brows arching as if intrigued by something.
A ripple spread across the plasma pond.
In the next instant, Zeraora’s figure vanished.
...
“Huff… huff…” Lu Yun panted heavily, the air before him tinged yellow by the dense electricity it contained. He stopped to catch his breath, but the overwhelming weakness in his limbs nearly sent him collapsing to the ground.
Gritting his teeth, Lu Yun forced himself upright. He knew that in his current state, if he fell, he might never rise again.
“It’s close… I’m almost there,” he silently encouraged himself.
Suddenly, the calm air was disrupted by an unusual fluctuation; the chaos in the magnetic field instantly intensified severalfold.
Sensing something, Lu Yun raised his head and looked ahead.
A streak of silvery lightning flashed before his eyes, and the proud figure of Zeraora materialized before him.
Neither spoke nor acted.
The two Electric-type Pokémon gazed at each other in silence, the air thick with tension.
“So, there’s no escaping after all,” Lu Yun sighed inwardly. He had anticipated this encounter when he resolved to venture into the depths of the canyon. He just hadn’t expected it to arrive so suddenly…
“I was so close.”
An intense unwillingness surged within him.
Lu Yun stared fixedly at the Zeraora before him, electric energy surging madly through his body. Even knowing the difference in their strengths, he was determined to give it a try!
Crackle!
The green Thunder Stone on his chest shone brilliantly, massive currents gathering from every part of his body. A dazzling radiance erupted.
The ambient electricity in the air seemed drawn irresistibly toward the source of that light.
By some strange twist of fate, the move Lu Yun unleashed was bizarrely enhanced by the unique environment.
He brought his palms together, and light blazed between them like a miniature sun, illuminating the dim canyon beneath the storm clouds in an instant.
“Thunderbolt!”
A flash—
A concentrated beam of electric energy shot forth like a laser, leaving a golden trail in the air.
Time seemed to freeze.
Zeraora watched the blazing beam approach, its posture relaxed, a hint of amusement in its eyes.
Without moving from its spot, it raised its right hand. Just as the electric beam was about to strike, a silver-white flash of lightning flickered along its arm, and with a casual wave, the beam was deflected at a right angle as if meeting an impenetrable mirror.
Boom!
The brilliant beam struck the dark rock wall to the side, carving a deep crater and sending shards of stone flying.
A glint of gold flashed at the edge of Zeraora’s vision, and its icy blue pupils narrowed in surprise.
Lu Yun, who had been at a distance, seized the moment when Zeraora’s attention was obscured by the blinding light. Using the powerful force of “Thunder Punch,” he had closed the gap and now stood at Zeraora’s side.
A blinding light flared before Zeraora’s eyes—the fist wrapped in crackling electricity was mere inches away, its force so intense that the wind from the blow ruffled the dense yellow fur on Zeraora’s face.