CHAPTER 412: LIGHTNING STRIKES TWICE

Shadow Lugia’s moves were devastating. It took considerable courage just to stand before such an attack. But for most trainers, that courage would be meaningless.

For John, however, a champion with extensive experience battling legendary Pokemon, this was just another day at the office.

"But that’s all you’ve got!" he called out with a confident grin.

Mega Gardevoir teleported away with John in a flash of psychic energy, while Zeraora transformed into pure electricity and shot straight through the dark storm like a living lightning bolt.

The dark storm was mighty, but also cumbersome. With Zeraora’s incredible speed, bypassing the swirling tornadoes was like weaving between two stationary pillars. In an instant, Zeraora materialized directly in front of Dark Lugia.

An electrified fist shot forward.

"Plasma Fists!"

BOOM!

The impact rang out like thunder. Lugia’s entire body trembled from the devastating blow. Fortunately, its legendary physique was sturdy enough that it didn’t plummet from the sky again, though it came dangerously close.

ROOOOOAAAAAR!

The corrupted legendary roared in fury and pain.

Lugia quickly counterattacked, swiping with its massive black wings, trying to swat Zeraora like an annoying mosquito. But the result was... well, about as effective as you’d expect.

The incredibly fast Zeraora was like an untouchable, but extremely irritating fly. While effortlessly dodging every attack, it continued landing devastating blows on the much larger legendary.

"Shadow Lugia, use Dark Shock!" Lovrina commanded desperately.

Her orders were utterly useless.

Dark Lugia became covered in a black energy coat and thrashed left and right, but still couldn’t land a single hit on Zeraora. The speed difference was simply too great.

Lovrina tried to direct Lugia’s attacks again, but Mega Gardevoir had already activated Future Sight. No matter how Dark Lugia attacked, Mega Gardevoir would always resolve it with a well-timed Teleport, and even had a free hand to coordinate attacks with Zeraora.

No matter what strategy Lovrina attempted, it was easily countered by John’s superior tactics.

On the frozen sea surface below, Mega Garchomp and the Shadow Dragonite were locked in their own brutal battle. Mega Garchomp was systematically suppressing the dark Dragonite with its overwhelming physical prowess, wearing down its stamina bit by bit. Victory was only a matter of time.

John floated in mid-air, watching both battles with a calm expression. He didn’t send out any additional Pokemon or give instructions to speed up the process. Instead, he simply glanced at his watch.

"Thirty-seven seconds..."

"All Shadow Pokemon, attack!" Lovrina shrieked in frustration.

Unable to defeat Zeraora and unable to capture John, Lovrina was beyond desperate. She pulled out a device to control every Shadow Pokemon on Route 108, ordering them to launch a coordinated assault.

Attack Mega Gyarados, Mega Garchomp, and John himself. Every Shadow Pokemon within range would attack with reckless abandon.

"Oh? I almost forgot to harvest some experience," John said casually, watching the sea fill with approaching Shadow Pokemon.

Fragile and numerous, where others saw a dangerous swarm of Shadow Pokemon, John saw floating experience points just waiting to be collected.

"Why don’t you go collect some experience," John said, tossing a Pokeball with casual indifference.

A Totem Venusaur landed heavily on the ice with a satisfying thud.

"Petal Blizzard!"

Countless green leaves and pink petals erupted from the flower on its back, covering a hundred-meter radius. A gentle breeze began to flow, quickly forming a pink tornado that swept through the surrounding Shadow Pokemon like a harvesting machine, clearing them out with ruthless efficiency.

John mentally reviewed his Pokemon lineup while watching the carnage.

Team One: Zeraora, Greninja, Gardevoir, Gengar, Hariyama, Tyranitar.

Team Two: Blaziken, Gyarados, Salamence, Wobbuffet, Slaking, Venusaur.

He still had plenty of other Pokemon available, but John hadn’t assembled his third team yet. The main reason was simple, it wasn’t necessary. He was going to focus on perfecting these two lineups first. If any of his remaining Pokemon proved stronger than the current second team members, he’d make substitutions.

Competitive employment was a must, after all.

Even in John’s rarely-used reserve lineup, there were Pokemon with incredible potential like his Shiny Aggron, Cristal Steelix, and Shadow Aerodactyl.

Currently, among the second team, Venusaur was probably the lowest level. The average level of the other second team Pokemon was above 78, so John was planning to level up Venusaur. When he faced real champion-level rivals in the future, it would have a chance to contribute.

The plan was simple and effective.

Venusaur: (Thank you, Miss Lovrina, for giving me the opportunity to shine.)

In the distance, Lovrina watched in horror as the Totem Venusaur systematically harvested her Shadow Pokemon army.

A sudden realization struck her like a lightning bolt.

"I’ve been transforming all these common Pokemon into Shadow Pokemon for nothing! Why didn’t I transform powerful Pokemon instead?"

"Zeraora, Garchomp, Gardevoir, Gyarados, Venusaur, if I could transform them all into Shadow Pokemon, plus Dark Lugia, I would have the power to rule the world!" Lovrina couldn’t help but lick her lips, her eyes gleaming with barely concealed greed.

"Lugia, maximum power! Dark Storm!" she screamed.

Shadow Lugia’s crimson eyes suddenly blazed even brighter, as if someone had installed additional light bulbs inside them.

A hurricane began building across the entire Route 108 waterway, flowing like a monsoon, condensed and oppressive.

Dark Lugia flapped its wings with tremendous force.

Hundreds of pitch-black tornadoes sent water spiraling into the sky! The dark mass advanced forward like the sea itself rising hundreds of meters, or a massive tidal wave galloping across the ocean.

It was as if an ancient god from the depths of the ocean had opened its mouth, wanting to bite off a piece of the land. Any creature caught within those jaws would be mercilessly devoured.

John stood calmly in the air. This time, he didn’t have Mega Gardevoir teleport him away, and he didn’t even recall his Pokemon.

"Ten minutes are up," he said quietly.

One minute had passed, which meant the effect of his hidden power boost, doubling the power and range of his moves, had recharged.

The last time had been offset by Multiscale, so this time would be the finishing blow.

"Zeraora, Dynamax!"

John took out a Pokeball to recall Zeraora, then immediately released it again.

Instantly, a "titan of light" appeared above the sea, towering over the battlefield.

"Max Lightning!" John commanded, calling for a Dynamax move based on Plasma Fists.

Facing the wave of darkness approaching from all directions, Zeraora slowly raised its massive hand. White lightning flickered across its entire body, but quickly gathered in its right fist like a ball of electricity condensed to its absolute limit.

The giant Pokemon thrust forward, unleashing a blinding flash of thunder.

In an instant, an astonishing white aurora blazed across the sky, piercing straight through the enormous dark waves, punching through them completely, and then driving directly into Shadow Lugia’s chest.

The battle was about to reach its climactic conclusion.