A sharp gleam flashed through Aaron's eyes as Genesect's status panel appeared before him:
[Name: Genesect No. 18]
[Gender: None]
[Nature: Slowpoke]
[Type: Bug / Steel]
[Ability: Download]
[Base Stats: 600]
[Level: Champion Class (Mid Stage)]
[Potential: Fixed due to modification]
[Moves: Quick Attack (Perfect), Techno Blast (Perfect), Fell Stinger (Perfect), Golden Claw (Mastered), Fury Cutter (Mastered), Lock-On (Mastered), Flame Charge (Mastered), Magnet Bomb (Mastered), Signal Beam (Mastered), Tri Attack (Proficient), Slash (Proficient), Metal Sound (Proficient), X-Scissor (Proficient), Hyper Beam (Proficient), Bug Buzz (Proficient), Self-Destruct Together (Proficient), Zap Cannon (Proficient)...]
[Description: Genesect, an ancient Pokémon revived and mechanically enhanced. The cannon on its back possesses terrifying destructive power...]
...
"Holy hell!?"
The moment Aaron saw Genesect's level, he blurted it out.
"Are you people insane!?"
"You sent a Champion-class Pokémon after a high school student!?"
"Do you have no shame!?"
Aaron's expression twisted in disgust.
He truly hadn't expected the Hive Organization to be this shameless.
They had actually sent someone at this level.
How was he supposed to farm experience off that!?
Inside his head, Aaron had already cursed the Hive Organization's leader a thousand times.
"Just wait..."
"The moment I bring back my friend Darkrai, your whole Hive Organization is finished."
Aaron swore to himself.
This was bad.
His Pokémon definitely couldn't defeat a Champion-class opponent.
Still, he had Frog Boss.
There was no way the enemy could catch him.
What worried Aaron most was his family.
The whole reason he had come to the back mountain was to lure this guy away.
He didn't want his family dragged into it.
He could escape himself, but if this shameless bastard targeted his family afterward, that would be a disaster.
Do I have to call Darkrai again?
Aaron found himself caught in a dilemma.
…
Across from him, the Hive Organization man froze when Aaron said the Pokémon's name.
He immediately demanded:
"Kid... how do you know that Pokémon's name!?"
He really was shocked.
These Genesect units had always been kept under the organization's highest secrecy.
Outsiders should know nothing about them.
Yet this kid recognized it instantly.
How could the black-robed man not be alarmed?
Then realization struck him, followed by rage.
"That damn Grub!"
"He leaked the organization's secrets. He deserves to die!"
He immediately thought of the captured Grub and assumed the information had come from him.
His expression darkened.
In a prison cell somewhere, Grub sat weakly in the corner and suddenly sneezed.
"Ah-CHOO!"
"Huh!?"
"Did I catch a cold?"
"Or is the organization thinking about me?"
"Come save me... I didn't tell them anything."
"Waaah..."
..;
Poor Grub.
He had no idea he'd already been labeled a traitor.
If he knew, he'd probably pass out from anger.
…
"Kid... remember this."
"The man killing you is Sting!"
"When you meet the Devil, don't forget my name."
The black-robed man, Sting, revealed a cruel smile.
Then he turned toward the Genesect beside him and ordered:
"Finish him, Genesect No. 18!"
"Use Tri Attack!"
"SKREEEE!"
Genesect No. 18 let out a metallic shriek.
Three differently colored beams condensed instantly and blasted toward Aaron.
The speed was terrifying.
Aaron barely had time to react.
Just as he was about to have Greninja carry him away with Flying Thunder God teleportation, a voice rang out through the forest.
"Gallade... use Psycho Cut!"
Immediately after—
A pink blade of psychic light shot out from the woods and collided with Genesect's attack.
BOOOOM!
A massive explosion erupted.
Violent winds and energy shockwaves tore outward in every direction.
The surrounding trees were instantly swept clean.
Aaron and Greninja leaped behind a distant tree, barely avoiding the aftermath.
So this was the power of a Champion-class Pokémon.
One move had nearly erased part of the forest.
But what Aaron wanted to know most now was—
Who had helped him?
Aaron stared into the woods.
A figure slowly emerged, accompanied by Gallade.
"Who are you!?"
Sting's expression darkened as he shouted.
This had completely exceeded his expectations.
Judging from the power of Gallade's attack just now, that person was at least a Champion-class Trainer.
That meant trouble.
Step. Step. Step.
As the figure drew closer, a thin, scruffy man appeared before them.
His face was covered in beard stubble.
His eyes carried a lazy calmness.
Without expression, he looked at Sting and said flatly:
"A sewer rat doesn't deserve to know my name."
Sting's face sank.
He said coldly:
"Then die."
"Genesect... use Techno Blast!"
"Kill him!"
"SKREEEE!"
Genesect screeched as powerful energy surged through its body.
The force gathered into the cannon on its back.
A terrifying beam fired straight at the man.
BOOOOM!
The sheer power warped the surrounding air.
"Gallade... Sacred Sword."
The scruffy man remained expressionless as he gave the command.
"Gallade!"
Gallade gave a sharp cry.
A radiant Sacred Sword rapidly formed in its hand, blazing with light.
It slashed downward at the incoming blast.
BOOOOM!
A huge explosion erupted.
The immensely powerful Techno Blast was split apart by Gallade's sword as easily as slicing tofu.
"What!?"
Sting cried out in disbelief.
...