"Parker, are those Nidoking still lingering in front of the Gym?" Fox Princess asked, her voice tight with anxiety.
"They want to occupy the Viridian Gym and make it their territory. They've been testing our defenses for days," Parker replied, his jaw set. "Fox Princess, it's not safe here. Get to the basement. I will defend the Viridian Gym until Master Feng Che returns."
Parker spoke through gritted teeth. If the Viridian Gym were taken by a wild Pokémon swarm, it would be a devastating blow to Feng Che's reputation.
At that moment, the sound of powerful wings beating echoed from the sky. Feng Che descended like a silent predator on the back of his Corviknight. Looking down at the sea of purple armor surrounding his Gym, his expression darkened with cold anger.
The Nidoking stood fierce—purple hides rippling with muscle, white bellies heaving with each breath. Their most lethal feature, the large, venomous horns atop their heads, glinted in the artificial light. With triangular, predatory eyes and tails capable of snapping telephone poles like matchsticks, they were living engines of destruction.
Feng Che knew these Nidoking had only stayed back because of the psychic seal Mewtwo had left on the building. But now, bolstered by the presence of their Alpha, the swarm was beginning to push through that pressure.
"It's a good thing I didn't stay in Celadon any longer," Feng Che mused. "But why are they so obsessed with the Gym? Nidoking are usually territorial mountain dwellers; they don't besiege human buildings without a reason."
Nidoking Alpha: I can smell it... the scent of a Toxic Orb inside that stone nest.
Nidoking Alpha: If I can secure that orb and place it near our eggs, my offspring will be born with unparalleled toxins and strength.
The Alpha's eyes burned with greed as it stared at the Gym.
Nidoking Alpha: The building emits a terrifying pressure, but I've watched for a month and seen no powerful Pokémon. I must act tonight. The eggs are close to hatching; any later and the opportunity is lost.
"Well... the joke is on me," Feng Che sighed, hearing the telepathic thoughts. "It was the Toxic Orb I brought back that lured them here."
The Alpha tilted its head back and let out a deafening roar. In response, the dozens of Nidoking surrounding the Gym roared back, their collective voices drowning out every other sound in the Viridian forest.
The commotion finally triggered the autonomous guardians Feng Che had left behind: the Sigilyph and Claydol. They shed their stone-like "statue" forms, floating into the air as a golden Light Screen enveloped the Gym. The two guardians worked in tandem, launching a volley of Shadow Balls at the invaders.
Nidoking Alpha: Hmph, child's play.
The Alpha's tail glowed silver—Iron Tail. It leaped with explosive power, swatting a Shadow Ball out of the air like a tennis ball. The orb struck an ancient tree nearby, snapping it in half with a violent explosion.
"The defenses are active! They've started their assault!" Parker shouted, preparing to charge out, but Fox Princess grabbed his arm.
"Parker, stay! You're no match for that swarm! We have to trust the Master's defenses. I can't lose you!"
"If no one commands the guardians, the defenses will eventually fail," Parker argued, shaking her off. "The Master saved us; I won't let his Gym fall!"
Just as he reached for the door, Feng Che's voice resonated clearly in both their minds: "Parker, Fox Princess, I'm back. It's dangerous out there—stay inside and leave this to me."
Feng Che flicked two Poké Balls from his belt. "Go, Gyarados and Flygon!"
The moment Gyarados emerged, the moon was swallowed by massive, churning storm clouds. The wind began to howl, swirling fallen leaves into the sky.
Nidoking Alpha: Why is the moon gone? It glared at the darkening sky with pure hatred. It loathed the rain; the wetness made its skin feel heavy and irritated. Nidoking Alpha: I need to end this quickly.
The Alpha lunged at the golden barrier. Its left hand erupted in fire, its right crackled with electricity. It slammed a Fire Punch and a Thunder Punch simultaneously into the Light Screen. The impact left blackened scorch marks on the energy field while lightning skittered across its surface.
Nidoking Alpha: Strong defense... but not strong enough.
It let out another roar, and the entire swarm began charging their fists with elemental energy.
"Impressive. This entire clan knows the Elemental Punches," Feng Che noted, a cold smile playing on his lips. "How did a group this talented go unnoticed by Team Rocket? If they were being 'raised' in the Viridian Forest, someone in the organization owes me an explanation."
Under the concentrated assault of dozens of Nidoking, the Light Screen finally shattered. The feedback sent the Claydol and Sigilyph spiraling to the ground. But as the Nidoking surged toward the doors, a wall of churning sand rose up to meet them.
The Sand Tomb completely enveloped the Gym, forming a shifting, abrasive shield.
The Nidoking Alpha is leading the charge against the sand shield. Should Feng Che use his Gyarados to wash the swarm away with a "Hydro Pump" powered by the rain, or have Flygon use "Earth Power" to trap the Nidoking in the very earth they stand on?