High in the storm clouds, the Red Gyarados continued to stir the winds. On the ground, the Nidoking Alpha slammed its feet into the mud and launched itself toward the dragon, its horn glowing with the sharp light of Smart Strike.
Gyarados twisted its massive body with effortless grace in mid-air, dodging the lunge. Before the Alpha could recover, Gyarados whipped its tail around, a spiral of high-pressure water coating the heavy appendage as it delivered a crushing blow.
BAM!
The Alpha was sent crashing back into the earth, cratering the mud. Immediately, Gyarados opened its maw and unleashed a point-blank Hydro Pump.
The Nidoking Alpha stood its ground, bracing against the staggering pressure of the water jet. A cold, predatory smirk suddenly crossed its face.
In that instant, a violent discharge of electricity erupted from the Alpha's body. The current scorched its own skin, turning sections of its purple armor black, but the golden lightning traveled up the stream of the Hydro Pump toward Gyarados.
Against any normal Gyarados, this counter-attack would have been lethal. But Feng Che's Gyarados had awakened an Electric sub-type. The bolts that would have paralyzed another Pokémon felt like nothing more than a mild itch.
The Red Gyarados glowed with a golden aura as it finished charging its own counter-move. A blinding pillar of Hyper Beam erupted from its mouth.
The Alpha watched in horror as the energy beam approached. It tried to leap away, but its legs suddenly gave out. The single upright scale on its neck flattened; the Outrage had ended, leaving the Alpha in a state of total exhaustion.
Just as the beam was about to vaporize the Alpha, a blue silhouette lunged in front of it. The Nidoqueen had thrown herself into the path of the blast to protect her mate.
Nidoking Alpha: NO!
The Alpha watched, eyes bleeding with grief, as its mate was swallowed by the white light. The world went dark.
THUD.
The Nidoqueen, scorched black and smoking, collapsed onto the mud.
"An impressive pair," Feng Che noted, descending from the balcony. He flicked two Poké Balls, successfully containing both the King and the Queen. "As for the rest of the clan hidden in the valley, we'll round them up at dawn."
Feng Che had captured every Nidoking that participated in the siege. He turned to the fallen Sigilyph and Claydol, using Heal Pulse to restore them. Once recovered, the ancient guardians reverted to their stone-like states, resuming their vigil.
"Master, you're back!" Fox Princess and Parker hurried to meet him.
"These are the Nidoking from the attack. Take them to the recovery center and help them restore their stamina," Feng Che said, handing Parker a stack of Poké Balls. "I'm going to get some rest. At sunrise, we head out to finish the job."
The Life Garden
Feng Che retired to his room—a sunlit glass conservatory with a built-in Grassy Terrain.
"Shaymin, I'm leaving the King and Queen in your care."
One of his greatest gains in the Sinnoh region had been this Shaymin, who possessed a personal "Life Garden." As long as a Pokémon still drew breath, Shaymin could pull them back from the brink.
"Leave it to me!" Shaymin squeaked, puffing out its chest.
Shaymin took the two Poké Balls into its garden and released the battered King and the charred Queen. The Nidoqueen was in critical condition, her body convulsing from the shock of the Hyper Beam.
"Don't worry, don't worry. I'll have you restored in no time," Shaymin murmured.
It spat a seed into the soil and radiated a pale green light. Within moments, a two-meter-tall medicinal plant resembling aloe vera matured. Shaymin squeezed the cooling sap over the Nidoqueen's burns, easing her pain instantly. Then, it activated a massive Grassy Terrain, funneling the life essence of the garden into the two giants.
Slowly, their breathing stabilized. The Queen's scorched skin began to flake away, replaced by fresh blue scales. When they finally opened their eyes, they looked at each other and then at the tiny Shaymin. Realizing they had been saved, they bowed their heads in gratitude.
"Don't thank me, thank Feng Che," Shaymin chirped. "From now on, you're part of the Viridian Gym. Your job is to protect this place."
The King and Queen nodded solemnly.
The Rocket Scavengers
At a nearby Team Rocket outpost, a scout named Quark burst into an office.
"Commander Chakra! Our squad has located a hidden nest of Nidoqueen guarding a massive cluster of eggs!" Quark reported, panting heavily.
Chakra, who was busy experimenting on a Koffing, looked up, eyes gleaming. "Nidoqueen in the Viridian Forest? Rare indeed."
"Boss Giovanni's birthday is coming up. Take a detachment and secure those females. If they prove too difficult to handle, use these." Chakra handed Quark two specialized Poké Balls. "Wipe out the defenders and bring me every high-aptitude egg in that nest."
Dawn Alarm
The next morning, just as the first light hit the forest, the Nidoking and Nidoqueen resting in the Gym suddenly bolted upright. They had heard a chorus of desperate, agonized roars echoing from the deep woods.
Distressed, they smashed through the Gym's front doors and sprinted toward the forest. Shaymin immediately hurried to wake Feng Che.
"Shaymin? What is it? Why the rush?" Feng Che asked, still half-asleep.
"It's bad, Feng Che! The King and Queen just smashed through the doors and ran toward the forest. They heard a distress signal from their clan. I think the nest is under attack!"
The last remnants of sleep vanished from Feng Che's mind. "The clan is in trouble? Mewtwo, find out what's happening."
"I placed a marker on the King and Queen," Mewtwo replied, its purple aura flaring. "Let's see what's causing such a panic..."