But it still wasn't over.
Before Sting could react, the scruffy man's voice rang out again.
"Gallade... use Teleport!"
"Finish it with Fire Punch!"
"Gallade!"
Gallade vanished from sight and, in the blink of an eye, appeared behind Genesect.
Its fist ignited with blazing fire as it drove forward with brutal force.
"Genesect... dodge!"
Sting's pupils shrank as he shouted in panic.
But Gallade was simply too fast.
Genesect had no time to react before Fire Punch landed cleanly.
BOOOOM!
A violent explosion erupted.
Genesect was blasted away and slammed into the ground, carving out a deep crater.
Smoke billowed everywhere as shattered stone rained through the air.
"Genesect!!"
Sting cried out in horror.
But the Genesect lying in the crater had already lost the ability to battle.
Its golden armored shell had been shattered, with sparks crackling across its body.
As a Bug / Steel-type Pokémon, Genesect was four times weak to Fire-type attacks.
That Fire Punch had hit with devastating force.
Seeing Genesect defeated, fear flashed through Sting's eyes.
He immediately reached for a Poké Ball, trying to escape.
"Greninja... Water Shuriken!"
"Then Flying Thunder God!"
Aaron made his move at that exact moment.
He had been watching Sting for a while now.
Kicking someone while they were down was one of his favorite hobbies.
He immediately ordered Greninja to strike.
"Grenin-JA!"
Greninja was sick of Sting too, so it attacked without hesitation.
Several Water Shuriken shot forward, piercing straight through Sting's hand as he reached for the Poké Ball.
"AAARGH!"
Caught off guard, Sting screamed in pain.
The Poké Ball fell to the ground.
Just as he bent to grab it with his left hand—
A black figure appeared directly in front of him.
Dead-fish eyes stared at him without emotion.
Sting: "..."
Cold sweat instantly poured down his forehead.
He froze in place, staring in terror at the suddenly appeared Greninja.
At that moment, the scruffy man and Gallade also walked over.
The man glanced at Greninja, then took out a pair of special restraints and cuffed Sting's hands together.
All of his Poké Balls were confiscated as well.
"Hello... may I ask who you are?"
"Thank you for saving me."
Aaron walked over and sincerely thanked the man.
"My name is Colin."
"I'm a member of the Dragon Protectors assigned to protect your family."
The scruffy man still wore the same calm expression as he showed Aaron an identification card.
Aaron looked at the ID and immediately understood.
Brutus had told him before that the League Pokémon would arrange protection for his family.
But he had never expected someone this strong.
Earlier, Aaron had already checked Gallade's status panel.
Its strength had reached Peak Champion-Class.
Just one step away from Champion level.
Aaron thanked him again.
"Mr. Colin!"
"Thank you so much for helping me."
Even if Colin hadn't stepped in, Aaron believed he would have survived.
Still, he was genuinely grateful.
And especially thankful to the man who had been secretly protecting his family this whole time.
Colin's eyes still carried that lazy look as he replied flatly:
"No need to thank me."
"It's just part of the job."
"Just a little overtime tonight."
Aaron's mouth twitched slightly.
Colin was truly a strange man.
A Peak Champion-Class powerhouse...
and he was talking about overtime?
The regional overtime culture had gone too far.
(I hate overtime!!)
Soon after, Colin took Sting and Genesect away using Teleport.
Aaron also returned home.
Tonight had been dangerous, but disaster had been avoided.
Lying on his bed and staring at the ceiling, Aaron thought quietly:
"I almost died tonight."
"That was way too close."
"I can't be this careless again."
"Hive Organization..."
"You've come after me again and again. Do you really think I'm easy prey?"
"Once I rescue Darkrai, you'll be the first ones I wipe out."
Aaron clenched his teeth.
"But it's about time I clear the Hidden Dragon challenge."
"Only those under eighteen can enter."
"It's time to go."
Aaron naturally still remembered the mission reward for reaching first place on the Hidden Dragon Tower rankings.
That reward included Might Guy's Eight Gates technique.
There was no way Aaron would miss that.
"I'll leave tomorrow."
"It's summer vacation anyway. I'll travel and adventure on the way there."
With that thought, Aaron closed his eyes and drifted off to sleep.
…
Meanwhile, in a certain prison, Grub's cell door opened.
Grub, who had been trembling in the corner, jolted upright and shouted:
"I'll never betray the organization! Give up already!"
But when he turned around, he saw a prison guard bringing another man inside.
The moment Grub saw the man's face, shock filled his expression.
"Sting!?"
"How did you get caught too!?"
The man brought in was Sting, captured by Colin.
The moment Sting saw Grub, hatred twisted his face.
He charged forward roaring:
"Grub... you trash!"
"You leaked the organization's secrets. You deserve to die!"
Before Grub could react, Sting kicked him across the cell.
The two immediately started brawling.
Only after the guards rushed over and dragged them into separate cells did things calm down.
With swollen eyes and a busted nose, Grub stared out the window in despair and muttered:
"When the hell did I leak the organization's secrets!?"
Grub sank into deep confusion.
...