Pokemon: Resurgence Chapter 79

Hi all, 

Here’s the second chapter for the week. Lucas returns to Rayquaza’s floating island and visits Maxie’s resort.  

Chapter 79

The ocean breeze whipped through Lucas's hair as Saphira glided over the waves. Far below, dozens of boats dotted the water like toys scattered across a blue carpet. Government vessels, marked with Hoenn's flag, formed a loose perimeter several kilometres from Rayquaza's floating structure. 

Beyond them, fishing boats and pleasure craft lingered at a safe distance, their decks crowded with people straining for a glimpse of the legendary Pokemon. Excited shouts carried across the water as people spotted them. Camera flashes sparkled like stars against the ocean's surface.

A cluster of reporters' boats floated near the government perimeter, microphones and telephoto lenses aimed skyward.

"At least they're not stupid enough to get closer," Lucas said. "Or use their flying Pokemon to get a closer look."

By evening, his face would be splashed across every channel again. There was no helping it, as the Prime Minister wanted those samples today. He would rather have approached during the evening when his movements would go unnoticed. He considered using Dante to teleport to the island, but that would have raised questions he didn’t want to answer. Besides, he had already been seen riding on the back of Rayquaza. After that, this felt minor by comparison.

Saphira touched down on the floating structure's stone surface. Lucas dismounted and summoned Icarus, Max, and Nero. Although he wasn’t expecting trouble, he felt more secure with his Pokemon beside him. 

He scanned his surroundings nervously, almost expecting to see Rayquaza appear, angry that he was invading its territory. Despite recently helping out the legendary Pokemon, Lucas didn’t expect any favours. He just hoped Rayquaza didn’t attack first, and allowed him to explain himself.  

Movement caught his eye. A flock of Altaria glided between the temple spires, their cloud-like wings stark against the ancient stone. Near the base, a group of Aron munched on loose rocks, their metal jaws grinding with rhythmic precision. 

"Would you look at that?" Lucas said. "Rayquaza's got roommates. I’m surprised it lets other Pokemon invade its territory."

He noticed several more Pokemon species in the distance. Most couldn’t fly, so he wondered how they had gotten onto the island. 

"Who cares about them?” Meowth said. “This place must be full of rare loot."

“I hope so.” 

Lucas opened his quest menu. After accepting the Prime Minister’s request, he’d received another quest for the Hoenn region. 

==========

New Regional Quest! 

Meteorite Rock: Collect material samples from the floating structure for analysis. It may be prudent to get Rayquaza’s permission first. 

Reward: +500 reputation with the Hoenn region, +1 skill point.

==========

“Let’s get going.” Lucas closed the menu and started walking towards the temple in the centre. He would follow the quest's advice and get permission from Rayquaza first.

They travelled for several minutes and Lucas noticed how the structure was starting to change. In several areas, the ground had been churned up, with dirt implanted into it, along with several plants. A grass-type Pokemon crouched nearby, coaxing a sapling upward before Lucas's eyes. Piles of rocky material were sitting next to it, which meant he had an easy way of collecting the samples.

“Rayquaza must have found a way to break through solid ground,” Lucas murmured. 

Or perhaps the legendary Pokemon had always possessed such power. It looked to be transforming this island structure into a living ecosystem, explaining why wild Pokemon had begun moving to the island. Perhaps Rayquaza persuaded the Pokemon to move here or did so by force.  

A level 29 Manectric prowled onto their path, sparks dancing across its spiky fur. 

Lucas looked around before he unclipped a pokeball. He didn’t think anyone could observe them from this distance, so he felt secure in releasing his legendary Pokemon. 

Raijin burst forth with a piercing screech. His wings spread wide, electricity arcing between his golden feathers. 

The Manectric's eyes narrowed, assessing this new threat. For a moment, it looked like it was about to turn around and flee, intimidated by the presence of a legendary Pokemon. Without warning, it launched forward in a blur of blue fur. Electricity crackled around its fangs as it leapt, aiming for Raijin's wing.

Raijin shot skyward, wind whipping from his wings. The Thunder Fang snapped shut on empty air. Before the Manectric could recover, Raijin banked sharply and unleashed a Thunder Shock. Lightning forked downward, splitting the air with a deafening crack.

The electric-type tried to dodge but Raijin's attack proved too fast. Electricity slammed into the Manectric, driving it back several steps. Its fur stood on end, smoking slightly from the impact. Though resistant to electric moves, the sheer power behind Raijin's attack left it visibly stunned.

Manectric shook off the hit and retaliated with Discharge. Blue lightning exploded outward in a spreading web. Raijin barrel-rolled through gaps in the attack. He had exceptional agility in the air.

Raijin's feathers bristled as he channelled electricity. The paralysing wave rippled outward, but Manectric countered with its own Thunder Wave. The attacks collided in a shower of sparks, cancelling each other out.

The wild Pokemon snarled in frustration. It charged forward, electricity coating its entire body as it prepared Quick Attack. At the same time, Raijin tucked his wings and plummeted into a dive.

They met in an explosion of speed and power. Manectric's Quick Attack carried it upward as Raijin plunged downward. The impact sent both Pokemon reeling, but Raijin recovered first. Before the Manectric could touch the ground, he slammed into it from behind.

The force drove Manectric into the stone floor. Cracks spiderwebbed outward from the point of impact as dust billowed up. Manectric's legs twitched as it struggled to rise, refusing to stay down. Electricity sparked between its fangs, gathering power for one final attack.

Raijin's eyes blazed as he actuated Ancient Power. Stones ripped free from the ground around him, suspended in rippling waves of energy. The young Zapdos screeched, and the rocks shot forward like missiles.

The first impact drove Manectric back, and the second sent it flying. It crashed to earth and lay still, its fur crackling with residual energy.

"That was too easy," Lucas said to Raijin. "Nice work."

The battle had gone smoother than anticipated. He expected some resistance from Raijin in following his orders, but the Pokemon had been surprisingly cooperative. 

Eight levels separated Raijin from Manectric, yet victory came with startling ease. The only thing holding the legendary Pokemon back was a lack of experience. It was a reminder that Raijin was an absolute monster, and he would do well to level him up as soon as possible.  

They pressed onward and continued to battle the occasional wild Pokemon. Even though he had been here before, the sheer scale of the structure still surprised Lucas. It was a testament to Rayquaza’s power that it had slowed the structure down as it fell to Earth.

"Over here!" Meowth waved from behind a fallen pillar, his tail swishing with excitement. "I found a hidden item.”

Lucas picked up the hidden item, which revealed itself to be a small crystal shaped like a dragon’s head. He examined it closely but couldn’t determine what it was used for. A quick search of the Archives identified the item for him. 

"A Dragonium Z," Lucas said. "Saphira needs this for her evolution."

Fortunately, the structure was considered an urban environment so hidden items didn’t have to be dug up.

They continued walking until they approached the temple. Lucas' pace slowed with each step, his heart drumming against his ribs. Meeting Rayquaza again brought a fresh wave of anxiety flooding through him.

Rayquaza emerged from the temple and flew towards him. The memory of their last encounter—plummeting through the atmosphere at terminal velocity—flashed through his mind.

"Why did I agree to this?" Lucas asked himself.  

Rayquaza's eyes locked onto him as it spoke, its voice a series of rumbling syllables that formed its name in different pitches and tones—the universal language of Pokemon.

"He knows why you're here," Meowth translated. "Says he'll allow it but wants something in return."

"What's it after?" Lucas asked.

Rayquaza responded with a series of deep rumbles that filled the chamber.

"There's treasure hidden on the island," Meowth translated, his tail swishing with excitement. "Another thing Arceus left behind. But Rayquaza can't find it, and wants us to track it down."

"Could be a hidden item," Lucas mused.

"Makes sense why it needs our help then, Meowth.”

Lucas pondered this revelation. Could legendary Pokemon not detect or interact with hidden items? He’d never considered the question before but it seemed the System was omnipotent. And how did Rayquaza know about items it couldn't find in the first place? Before he could dwell on it further, a notification appeared:

===========

New Legendary Quest!

Recipe for Success: Find Arceus's hidden treasure within Rayquaza's Temple.

Reward: +1000 favourability with Rayquaza, +1 skill point.

===========

"Alright," Lucas nodded to the legendary Pokemon. "I'll help search for it."

Rayquaza studied him intently before retreating into the depths of the temple.

"That was surprisingly civil." Lucas retrieved a sample container from his bag. "Let's get what we came for."

"And keep watch for the loot," Meowth added eagerly. "Just imagine what Arceus might have left behind."

"Try to contain yourself."

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

The exploration of the structure proved challenging. Lucas and his Pokemon worked through the courtyards and collapsed buildings, facing coordinated attacks from wild Pokemon. However, his team's current strength made short work of these encounters. Unless he encountered level sixty and above Pokemon, he didn’t foresee any trouble dealing with them. 

Hidden items littered the structure, but accessing them required careful navigation. Most were tucked into precarious positions such as narrow crevices and hidden within unstable buildings. 

The first item they found was a Moon Stone, followed by a technical machine for Draco Meteor. Three Comet Shards appeared in quick succession, which could be sold for a good amount among collectors. A theme started to emerge, centred around space or dragons. It made sense, given it was Rayquaza's domain.

The most significant discovery came when Meowth located a fossilised fragment protruding from a crumbling wall. The Archives identified it as a Pokemon fossil for Dracozolt.

Lucas stored it away. While currently useless in Kanto where fossil revival remained impossible, he could see if the Hoenn region was doing better in this aspect. 

A shadow fell across Lucas as they entered the temple's inner sanctum. Thick columns lined the passage, their surfaces etched with weathered Rayquaza motifs. Meowth darted ahead, investigating a partially collapsed corridor.

Meowth gestured toward a gap in the rubble. "Something's hidden behind this wall."

Lucas squeezed through the narrow opening, stone scraping his shoulders. He caught sight of the shadowy pokeball on the ground and reached for it. As soon as the hidden item was stored in his inventory, he immediately grabbed it.

“Is this what Rayquaza was looking for?” 

==========

Recipe: Effort Amplifier Pill Recipe

Description: Dramatically enhances a Pokemon's training capabilities by doubling their potential effort value gains. Effects are permanent but the pill can only be used once per Pokemon. Side effects include increased appetite and temporary fatigue while the body adapts….

==========

The second recipe made his eyes widen:

==========

Legendary Effort Amplifier Pill Recipe

Description: An enhanced version specifically formulated for legendary Pokemon and the player’s official Pokemon. It triples the Pokemon's effort value gains. It has the same effects as the inferior version. The recipe requires a lot of valuable and rare ingredients...

==========

"This is mental," Lucas said, studying the ingredient lists. 

The recipes' complexity exceeded anything in Lucas's current alchemical knowledge. While some ingredients were familiar, others were completely foreign. The brewing process involved precise temperature control and specific atmospheric conditions, with multiple stages that had to be perfectly timed. One mistake would ruin the entire batch. The legendary variant proved even more demanding.

However, the potential benefits justified the difficulty. The standard Effort Amplifier could double a Pokemon's effort values, adding an extra hundred points to their stats. 

The legendary variant promised even greater results. For his team, it meant their stats could reach heights previously thought impossible. 

Lucas returned to the temple where Rayquaza waited. He explained what he had found, which made the legendary Pokemon happy, based on Meowth’s translation.

A notification pinged. 

==========

Recipe for Success Quest completed

Reward: +1000 favourability with Rayquaza (Current: Liked: 780/2000), +1 skill point.

==========

Another quest immediately followed:

==========

New Legendary Quest!

Legendary Amplification: Create the Legendary Effort Amplifier pill for Rayquaza.

Reward: +3000 favourability with Rayquaza, +2 skill points.

==========

"The recipe is complicated," Lucas told Rayquaza. "Some ingredients will be hard to find. I'll need time to gather everything and perfect the process."

Rayquaza considered his words before nodding slowly. It rose into the air and retreated into the temple depths, apparently satisfied with his explanation.

With the legendary's approval secured, Lucas approached a pile of debris near the temple entrance. He collected samples of the hardened rock and stored them in containers. Some of them he was keeping for himself. 

==========

Meteorite Rock Quest completed: 

Reward: +500 reputation with the Hoenn region,  (Current: Neutral (200/1000) +1 skill point.

==========

Lucas grinned. All these quests were providing him with a steady supply of skill points. 

He opened his menu and browsed through his skills. The Synthesis skill caught his eye. Without hesitation, he spent six points to max out the skill. It would increase his chances of creating the pill, leading to more skill points once he completed Rayquaza’s quest.

"Best get these back to the Prime Minister." 

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

After giving her the samples, the Prime Minister handed Lucas a thick manila envelope. Inside lay official documents authorising him to purchase Hoenn property at thirty percent below market value, with the government agreeing to compensate sellers directly. The paperwork included some restrictions—no properties near military installations or other restricted areas without special approval.

Back at the hotel, Lucas found Sabrina sprawled on the sofa, with Sheldon—the Omantye she captured in the Seafloor Cavern—perched on her lap. A news anchor's voice filled the room:

"Let's discuss the extraordinary events we witnessed today,” Thomas Maxwell said. “Lucas Walker, a foreigner from Kanto—not only survived close contact with Rayquaza during the crisis but appears to have earned its trust."

"That's right, Tom," Sarah, his co-anchor replied, leaning forward. "Earlier footage captured Walker being carried off by Rayquaza during the Mauville hospital evacuation. Hours later, he returned unharmed. And now this—landing on the floating structure Rayquaza brought down from orbit."

The screen split to show the original clip of Rayquaza lifting Lucas away, and today's footage of him dismounting Saphira onto the structure.

"Our experts are baffled," Tom said. "They don’t understand how Walker can interact with Rayquaza without reprisal. He accessed the structure with permission from both the legendary Pokemon and Hoenn authorities."

"Sources in the Prime Minister's office confirm this wasn't a rogue action," Sarah added. "The government sanctioned his visit, though they've declined to explain why. This raises serious questions about Walker's sudden influence in Hoenn affairs."

"And let's not forget—this isn't his first legendary encounter. Walker was present during the Zapdos incident at the Kanto power plant. He was being interviewed by a news station when Meew appeared and whisked him away. He also assisted in evacuating Cinnabar Island when Moltres claimed it. Now Rayquaza..." Tom shook his head. "It defies explanation."

"We're trying to reach out to Walker for comment, but the trainer is proving elusive. We will keep you updated…"

"You're officially famous in the Hoenn region," Sabrina said. “Or is it infamous?” 

“Let’s go with the latter. Being famous is overrated.” Lucas collapsed next to her. "The shit just hit the fan. People are starting to connect the dots about my relationship with the legendaries.”

“Should we return to Kanto?” Sabrina asked. 

“Not for the moment. There are still things I want to do here. But I will need a disguise if I venture outside.”

“The face-changing potion?” Sabrina's eyes lit up. “I’ve always wanted to try it.”

“Well, here’s your chance. You’re going to attract just as much attention as me.”  

“Is it too late to trade you in for a better model?” Sabrina joked before pausing. “How did it go?” 

“Great. Rayquaza and I are best buddies now. It even rolled out the red carpet for me.”

“Yeah right.”

His phone buzzed—Shichiro's name flashed on the screen.

"About time you called," Lucas answered. “I expected you to blow up my phone with calls like an insecure partner.”   

"Don't get smart with me," Shichiro snapped. "I’m not going to mince words. I want samples from that structure."

"It'll cost you."

"You little—"

"Ow!" Lucas rubbed his arm where Sabrina had smacked him. "I'm joking. I grabbed extra samples. I can give you some out of the pure generosity of my heart."

"Sabrina’s still there isn’t she?" 

“Uh-huh.”

“Finally, my niece's relationship with you is working in my favour.” Shichiro paused. "This incident raises some questions. First Mew and Mewtwo, and now Rayquaza. Your involvement with legendary Pokemon keeps growing. What the hell is going on?"

"Catching up on Hoenn news, are you?"

“Answer my question.”

Lucas opened his mouth to respond but movement on the television caught his attention. The news had switched to footage of Ocean Paradise—Maxie's artificial island resort.

"Sorry, got to go," Lucas said, hanging up before Shichiro could protest.

Maxie's carefully groomed image filled the screen as he addressed reporters from his office overlooking the resort's marina.

"My heart breaks for those affected by this tragedy," he declared, hand pressed to his chest. "Ocean Paradise pledges five million pokedollars toward relief efforts."

Lucas snorted. "I’m sure the bastard had something to do with Groudon’s awakening."

"The authorities probably suspect as much," Sabrina said. "He's hardly subtle about his extreme views—just like Archie from Team Aqua."

The camera panned across crowded beaches and packed restaurants. While Hoenn was in chaos, Ocean Paradise thrived. Tourists and refugees alike crowded its shores, seeking escape from the devastation.

"Trust Maxie to come up smelling of roses," Lucas said. His eyes narrowed as an idea took shape. "Fancy a trip to paradise?"

Sabrina turned from the screen, fixing him with a knowing look. "This isn't about a vacation, is it?"

"Could be both. But mostly I want to poke around and see what Maxie's been up to." 

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

The boat's engines thrummed as it approached Ocean Paradise. Lucas gripped the railing, studying the artificial island taking shape through the sea mist.

The entire structure functioned as a mobile platform, capable of repositioning across the sea. A blend of powerful electrical engines and trained water Pokemon propelled the floating resort, though it only shifted position to evade storms or dangerous sea Pokemon. 

Ocean Paradise showcased the impressive engineering that went into it, especially given the world's technological limitations. White sand beaches ringed the perimeter, their pristine shores dotted with luxury hotels and sparkling pools. They were enclosed by large walls that shielded the resort from the ocean's waves. Behind the hotels, a sprawling theme park dominated the island's heart.

Lucas found Maxie’s naming convention amusing. He never expected him to name his resort after the very thing he despised.  

Beside him, Sabrina ran her fingers through her new blonde hair. The face-changing potion had transformed her features completely—Lucas thought the hair dye might have been overkill, but he couldn't argue with the results. His altered appearance seemed subtle in comparison, though it should withstand scrutiny.

They followed the crowd down the gangplank onto the dock, joining the stream of visitors heading towards the theme park entrance. The queue snaked between velvet ropes as families shuffled forward to the ticket booths. Speakers mounted on decorative posts filled the air with upbeat music, broken by the occasional announcement echoing across the plaza.

"Two tickets," Lucas told the attendant, sliding over two hundred pokedollars. She handed back two plastic cards emblazoned with the resort's logo.

"These track your park points," she explained. "You can earn them by playing one of the numerous games on offer or purchasing them directly. Exchange them for exclusive prizes at the gift shops. They come preloaded with fifty points."

She handed them a brochure. It listed dozens of items—evolution stones, technical machines, pokemon, and rare ingredients. Lucas paused at one entry. It was one of the ingredients needed for his amplification potion, something he couldn’t find in Hoenn. If he found a game he was good at, he could earn points and purchase the ingredients. The only issue was that the game cost pokedollars.

"Classic tourist trap," he said as they entered the park. "Charge for entry, charge for games, charge to buy points directly when you're frustrated with winning them."

"No one seems bothered by it," Sabrina replied.

The crowds packed every corner of the park. Children tugged their parents between rides while groups of teenagers huddled around gaming stalls, seeking elusive prize points. Smoke wafted from food vendors, carrying the aroma of barbecue and sweet treats across the plaza.

They paused to watch a Camerupt-themed merry-go-round spin past, its seats packed with laughing riders. A group of tourists posed for photos with someone in a Numel mascot costume.

"Got to admire the business model," Lucas said. "Build an island outside territorial waters, where the rules are looser..."

"Perfect cover for less legitimate enterprises," a familiar voice cut in.

They turned to find Detective Moore, dressed in cargo shorts and a gaudy tropical shirt. 

Lucas opened his mouth to reply, then caught himself—he was meant to be in disguise. "Have we met?"

Moore's weathered face creased with amusement. "The disguise is clever, Walker, but not clever enough." 

"How—?"

"Thirty years in law enforcement teaches you to look past surface changes. Your mannerisms give you away."

"What brings you here?" Sabrina asked.

"I’m still waiting on the Prime Minister to sign off on the Samiya operation,” Moore explained. “Meanwhile, I have a witness who spotted Maxie near the Cave of Origin when Groudon emerged. Can't prove anything yet, but..."

Lucas snorted. "Quite a coincidence."

"No such thing in my line of work." Moore's eyes swept the crowd. "Keep your eyes open. Notice anything unusual, let me know."

He melted back into the stream of tourists.

"Reminds me of Looker," Lucas said. "Married to the job."

"I hope he nails Maxie for something," Sabrina replied. "I doubt we'll stumble across anything incriminating."

"Such pessimism. We'll find something."

"By wandering the theme park?"

Lucas grinned. "We might as well have some fun first. Maybe cost Maxie some pokedollars while we're at it."

"And how exactly do you plan to manage that?"

"By finding a game where our special talents give us an edge."

They circled the fairground until finding a booth labelled "Lucky Numbers." Ten white envelopes lay on the table. A security guard with a Hypno stood at the entrance, looking out for anyone who tried to cheat.

"Test your intuition!" The operator beckoned them closer. "Each envelope contains a number between one and ten. Make a bet up to one thousand points and pick an envelope. Choose correctly, and earn double the points. Choose wrong, lose everything.”

Lucas studied the setup while Sabrina approached the counter. The operator pushed the line of envelopes forward.

"You may touch them, but no opening until after you've guessed," he explained.

Lucas glanced at the Hypno. He wondered if it could detect Sabrina’s psychic abilities.  

Sabrina's fingers brushed the first envelope. Through her psychometry, the impression came instantly—someone writing the number '4' less than an hour ago. She immediately spent her fifty points to bet on the envelope.

Sabrina earned fifty points with the correct guess.  She continued modestly—small bets, deliberate misses to deflect suspicion. But as her points accumulated through her "lucky hunches," spectators began gathering. The operator's smile faltered while onlookers whispered about the improbable winning streak.

The security guard and his Hypno walked over and watched her closely, trying to determine how she was cheating. Even more security guards materialised at the crowd's edges. 

A man in a pressed suit shouldered through the onlookers. "I'm a manager of the theme park. I'm afraid I'll have to shut this down.”

"Shut it down?" Lucas pitched his voice to carry. "Because my girlfriend's on a winning streak?"

"Sir, if you'll just—"

"Funny how that works." Lucas turned to address the crowd. "They'll take your money all day, but heaven forbid someone actually wins."

A teenager pushed forward. "He's right! I lost three thousand points yesterday—the odds are atrocious! Why don’t you leave the lady alone?"

More voices joined in, sharing similar stories. The manager's professional mask cracked as the crowd's mood soured.

"This is a misunderstanding." He forced a smile. "Perhaps we could resolve this in my office?"

"No misunderstanding." Sabrina brandished her points card. "I followed every rule. Your security couldn't detect any cheating because I didn’t need to. Just lucky, I guess."

The manager's eyes darted between the angry faces and the security feeds showing no evidence of foul play. Finally, he focused on their astronomical point total.

"I will double your winnings," he said, jaw clenched. "But you're done with this game."

"Our pleasure." Lucas guided Sabrina away after she collected her points. "Fancy trying another game?"

"You're terrible." But her eyes sparkled with suppressed laughter.

They continued exploring the park until they came across the Survival Arena. A circular battle stage dominated the space, surrounded by tiered seating filled with spectators. A digital board displayed the rules and point system.

The survival format challenged trainers to win consecutive battles with a single Pokemon. Before entering the arena, scanners assessed each Pokemon's energy levels to determine approximate strength. Opponents stayed within five levels of the challenger, with points doubling each round—starting at two hundred and fifty for the first victory. Trainers could collect winnings after any match, but a loss meant walking away empty-handed. The entry fee cost five hundred pokedollars.

"Should I give it a shot?" Lucas mused.

Sabrina raised an eyebrow. "Looking to relieve Maxie of more money?" 

"True, but this one's down to skill. No cheating."

Lucas unclipped Nero's pokeball. The dirt arena suited his Krokorok perfectly.

He handed over five hundred pokedollars and submitted Nero for assessment. The scanner confirmed his Krokorok at level forty.

The first challenger sent out a level thirty-eight Graveler. Nero made quick work of it, by primarily spamming Earthquakes. Two hundred and fifty points earned.

Lucas gave Nero instructions to be more careful with his energy reserves. His condition had to be carefully managed to survive as many battles as possible. 

A level forty-two Gligar proved trickier, using its aerial advantage. But Nero's Stone Edge knocked it from the sky, doubling their points to five hundred.

The third match pitted Nero against a level thirty-nine Sandslash. Their ground-type moves cancelled each other until Nero's superior speed allowed him to land a decisive Crunch. One thousand points.

A bulky level forty-one Donphan charged forth for round four. Nero avoided its Rollout attacks before trapping it in Sand Tomb, following up with Earthquake. Two thousand points.

The fifth opponent's level forty-three Marowak lasted longer than the others. Its Bone Club kept Nero at bay until he caught it with Foul Play, using its own strength against it. Four thousand points.

Nero's condition had dropped from Perfect to Healthy, but it was to be expected. Most Pokemon would be in a worse condition right now. It was a testament to Nero’s strength. 

A woman stepped onto the opposite platform. Her magenta hair fell in precise geometric angles around a face devoid of expression. Her outfit consisted of a red crop top and shorts. 

"I'm Courtney," she announced, her voice oddly flat. "You battle efficiently. Interest... confirmed."

Lucas hesitated. The woman's flat stare and Team Magma colours set off warning bells in his head. 

Nero's tail swept the arena floor impatiently, his eyes fixed on his potential opponent. Battle fever had taken hold.

"Final opportunity to collect your winnings," the referee announced.

Courtney's empty stare fixed on Lucas. "Continue... recommended."

"We'll continue," Lucas said, pushing down his unease. Eight thousand points waited if they won. Besides, Nero had handled the previous opponents easily enough.

Courtney's lips curved in what might have been a smile. "Analysis... begins."

She summoned a Mightyena onto the stage, which immediately attacked Nero. it launched forward in a blur of black fur. Its fangs crackled with dark energy as it aimed for Nero's throat. The Krokorok twisted sideways, and the Mightyena's jaws snapped shut on empty air.

Nero countered with Crunch, but Mightyena melted into shadows—Double Team. Five copies circled Nero, their red eyes gleaming. Nero slammed his tail into the ground, triggering Earthquake. The shockwave dispelled the duplicates, but the real Mightyena had leapt skyward.

Dark Pulse rained down. Nero dove underground with Dig, the dark energy cratering the spot he'd occupied. He burst up beneath Mightyena, jaws wide, but the dark-type contorted mid-air to avoid the worst of it.

They clashed again and again. Mightyena's superior speed let it dart in and out, landing quick strikes before retreating. Nero's scales bore dozens of bite marks, his movements growing sluggish as his condition dropped from Healthy to Fair.

Mightyena pressed its advantage, fangs wreathed in flames for Fire Fang. Instead of dodging, Nero caught the attack on his armoured shoulder. The flames seared his scales, but the grip gave him the opening he needed. Sand Tomb erupted around them, the vortex of sand cutting off escape.

Trapped together, they traded savage blows. Nero's Crunch met Mightyena's Thunder Fang. Blood spattered the sand-filled air. Depleted condition flashed across Lucas's vision as Nero took another hit.

Mightyena lunged for Nero's exposed throat, but the Krokorok had been waiting for it. He caught its foreleg with Foul Play, using Mightyena's own momentum to slam it into the ground. Before it could recover, he channelled his remaining energy into Earthquake.

The ground buckled. Mightyena yelped as the shockwave caught it point-blank, amplified by the confined space of Sand Tomb. It struggled to stand, legs shaking.

Nero's condition hit Critical, but he seized his chance. His jaws clamped around Mightyena's neck—not to pierce, but to pin. The dark-type thrashed, then went limp in submission.

The referee raised his flag. "Mightyena is unable to battle! Winner: Krokorok!"

The crowd erupted as Nero released his opponent. He swayed on his feet, exhaustion evident in every line of his body. But his eyes gleamed with triumph as Lucas rushed to support him.

Courtney recalled Mightyena, her blank expression unchanged. "Battle analysis complete." 

She turned and walked away, disappearing into the crowd.

Lucas barely registered the announcer declaring their eight thousand-point victory or the crowd's thunderous applause. His eyes tracked Courtney's retreating form as she melted into the sea of tourists. Every instinct screamed that she posed a greater threat than she'd revealed in battle.

So, what do you think? In the next chapter, Lucas and Sabrina cause even more headaches for Maxie. 

Thanks for reading.