Chapter 136:Elite Raid! Serperior's Power!

Above the Towada Lake ranger base.

In the clouds, a black airship hovered.

“Finally, I’ve waited for you.”

Makototaka smiled uncontrollably as he looked at the screen showing Natsume and Celebi's group.

“Cough, cough.”

Makototaka began to cough violently.

Saharan, standing beside him, murmured, “Celebi, it really is Celebi.”

“It seems that your eyes, which can see the future, were indeed given to you by Celebi.”

“That’s right.”

At this point, Makototaka dropped the pretense.

“My abilities truly came from Celebi.”

“Ten years ago, the space-time distortion struck Hikari-jō.”

“A volcanic silhouette appeared in the sky.”

“I saw flames and lava flowing on the ground.”

“I thought I was going to be done for.”

“But unexpectedly, Celebi suddenly appeared.”

Makototaka recounted his experience at that time.

“Back then, the whole of Hikari-jō was glowing with a green light.”

“It was beautiful.”

“Celebi used Nature Power to seal the breaking space.”

As Makototaka spoke, he seemed nostalgic: “The sight of the volcano about to erupt right in front of you, along with the power displayed by Celebi, was truly spectacular.”

Saharan asked doubtfully, “But you were just an ordinary person back then, right?”

“Even if Celebi dedicated its power to protect Hikari-jō, it shouldn’t have been something you could handle.”

Makototaka smiled: “Of course, I couldn’t do it alone.”

“But that was Celebi!”

“Who could resist the temptation of traveling through time and space?”

“After Celebi appeared, there were even some who directly attacked Celebi.”

“Even a country-level trainer like Tahara took action against Celebi back then.”

As Makototaka spoke, he had a somewhat self-satisfied expression: “Fortunately for me.”

“I don’t know why, but a shockwave from an explosion sent me flying.”

“And it conveniently knocked me onto the Time Ripple.”

“To my surprise, the power of the Time Ripple strangely fused into my body.”

There are indeed people in this world who are that lucky.

They seem to do nothing at all, yet immense fortune comes their way.

Makototaka is not special; he simply happened to be in the right place at the right time.

In reality, under those circumstances, if it weren't for Makototaka, there would certainly have been others who would have become like him.

Saharan listened to Makototaka and furrowed his brow slightly: “I think I understand.”

“Are you saying it’s possible that Hikari-jō has been destroyed once before, and then Celebi came to save the city?”

After a moment of contemplation, Makototaka replied, “That is a possibility.”

“After all, judging by what happened at that time, if Celebi hadn't shown up, Hikari-jō would definitely have been destroyed.”

Saharan looked at Makototaka and asked, “But do you still want to catch Celebi?”

Makototaka paused slightly, looking at Saharan before saying, “Trust me, I won’t truly harm Celebi.”

“I just need to borrow its power.”

Saharan sighed: “Fine, I'll help you this time; consider it a favor returned.”

“Just hope you remember what you said.”

Makototaka patted Saharan on the shoulder: “Be careful, this Natsume from Morimachi isn’t easy to deal with.”

“The Jirachi incident started because of him.”

Makototaka had once considered getting involved with the Jirachi matter, but his instincts warned him that participating would be fatal.

Saharan replied casually, “I know him.”

“But being able to defeat that Champion Medicham is probably just due to Jirachi's power.”

“He definitely still has a long way to go before being on par with a true Elite.”

After saying this, Saharan stood at the entrance of the airship and took out a Poké Ball.

“Come out, Skarmory.”

“Skarmory~”

With a flash of red light, Skarmory appeared in the air.

Saharan sat on Skarmory's back.

He didn’t mind revealing his identity.

Makototaka had already blocked signals in this area.

The moment he made his move, the Towada Lake ranger base would also be controlled.

Makototaka had spent so much money and gathered so many people for this moment.

So, no one would disturb them here.

After it was all over, they just needed to erase Natsume and his group's memories.

Erasing memories is not a difficult task for Psychic-type Pokémon.

After Saharan descended,

Makototaka squeezed his eyes shut tightly.

He attempted to see the future.

Suddenly, Makototaka felt a wave of dizziness in his head.

He couldn’t see anything.

The feeling of being unable to grasp the future filled Makototaka with fear.

In the shadow of the airship, a steel-clad Pokémon suddenly appeared.

It looked at Makototaka, and a voice echoed in his mind.

“Do I not need to help?”

This was telepathy.

Makototaka rubbed his face firmly and said coldly, “Let’s see how Saharan does first.”

“If he can’t capture Celebi, then you can take action.”

“But if he does manage to get Celebi…”

“Steel Mewtwo, your opponent is probably him.”

Steel Mewtwo floated in front of Makototaka.

It was a humanoid Pokémon.

It wore a steel battle suit made from treasure metals, with a special gem embedded in its chest.

This gem resembled a Mega Stone.

“Is the opponent him?”

Steel Mewtwo looked at Makototaka with confusion: “You are companions, right?”

“Companions?”

Makototaka scoffed: “If I actually got Celebi, who’s the companion of whom would be hard to say.”

“Especially someone like Saharan, that hypocrite.”

“Don’t let his righteous appearance fool you; he’s much more hypocritical than I am.”

“He clearly enjoys all the benefits I provide him, yet always wants to distance himself from me.”

“He looks down on my character, but he can’t refuse the advantages I bring him.”

“He knows what I’m up to isn’t good, so why is he still helping me?”

“On the surface, he tells himself he’s just repaying a favor—what a nice excuse.”

Makototaka spread his hands: “That way, he can stand on his moral high ground.”

“But essentially, it’s because he understands that helping me will definitely bring him greater rewards.”

Makototaka smiled and added: “We both look down on each other, yet we also use one another.”

“But in this world, it’s people like me and him who can rise to greatness.”

The expression on Steel Mewtwo’s face was completely obscured by its metallic mask.

Makototaka couldn’t discern Mewtwo’s expression.

Makototaka looked up slightly and continued gazing at the floating Steel Mewtwo: “The truth is, people are pretty much the same.”

“They are all ordinary.”

“It’s just that at certain times, they make different choices and become different people.”

“Good people and bad people can exchange roles.”

“Like me— to a small number of people, I might not be a good person.”

“But to the majority of people, I am certainly a good one.”

Steel Mewtwo thought: “Humans are truly complex beings.”

“Natsume, someone is coming.”

Inside the treehouse, Gardevoir suddenly spoke up.

Natsume looked out the window of the treehouse.

“Come out, Tyranitar!”

A beam of red light shot toward the front of the treehouse.

“Roar~”

The ground shook, and with a roar, the suddenly appearing Tyranitar let out a bellow in the direction of the treehouse.

“Tyranitar?”

Yuki exclaimed, “Why is Tyranitar here?”

Yuuji replied calmly, “It’s Saharan.”

“The Saharan from the Western Region.”

Natsume quietly said, “A Elite, huh.”

“Dragonite?”

Dragonite tilted its head, looking at the Tyranitar outside.

Natsume stood up and said, “Let’s go see what this Elite wants.”

Natsume lifted the leaf curtain of the cabin and stood on the platform, looking at Tyranitar.

Name: Tyranitar
Type: Rock/Dark
Level: 1v73
Ability: Sand Stream
Individual Values: HP 31, Attack 31, Defense 31, Special Attack 31, Special Defense 31, Speed 31
Moves: Stone Edge, Protect, Fire Punch, Earthquake
Inherited Moves: Iron Defense
Potential: Champion  
Absorbed Treasure: Smooth Rock, Hard Stone, Muscle Band 

This Tyranitar’s level was only one below Dragonite, and it had absorbed three treasures.

As a Champion-level Pokémon, such strength was not unexpected.

“Celebi.”

Celebi peeked from behind Natsume's shoulder, curiously watching as Skarmory and Saharan flew over.

Yuki and Yuuji also followed out.

“Saharan.”

Yuuji called out loudly, “Did you come here for something?”

Saharan replied, “I received intel that a Celebi needs protection here.”

“So, I came specifically.”

“This child is Celebi, right?”

Saharan looked at Celebi hiding behind Natsume and asked, “Can you hand it over to me?”

Yuuji retorted, “Hand it over to you?”

“You received intel from Makototaka, didn’t you?”

“He hasn’t come, has he?”

Saharan looked at Yuuji and said, “It seems you have a lot of misunderstandings about me.”

Yuuji responded directly, “If you really want to protect Celebi, can you please lift the signal blockade here?”

Saharan shrugged in regret: “It seems we’re not going to come to an agreement.”

“Tyranitar, take action, but be careful not to endanger their lives.”

Hearing this from Saharan, Natsume chuckled, “That’s a bit hypocritical, Saharan.”

“If a near-godly level Tyranitar goes all out, even the excess energy waves wouldn’t be something ordinary people could withstand.”

“I think you’re well aware of that.”

Saharan squinted his eyes as a cloud of sand swirled around them.

“Since that’s the case, wouldn’t it be better for you to just hand over Celebi?”

Natsume smirked: “I may say that, but it seems Saharan really considers me an ordinary person.”

“To be honest, my Dragonite hasn’t had a proper battle against an evenly matched opponent up until now.”

“I hope you can make this a thrilling experience.”

Notice: Elite Challenge mission triggered.

Task Requirements: Defeat Elites from various regions in battle.

Mission 1: Defeat Western Region Elite Saharan.

Quest Reward: Type Gems Draw 3; Treasure Draw 1; Rare Candy *1.

“Dragonite~”

As soon as Natsume finished speaking, Dragonite dashed to Tyranitar’s front through the howling wind.

Dragonite swung its arm, and a massive Dragon Claw rapidly condensed.

Dragon-type energy swirled in the wind.

Bang!

With a tremendous roar, a massive sandstorm erupted around them.

“Roar!”

In the midst of the wind and sand, Tyranitar formed a shield made of sand that spun in front of its body.

The swirling sand absorbed the impact of Dragon Claw!

“Roar!”

Tyranitar gathered an intense chill in its hand.

Ice Punch!

Dragonite’s clenched fist ignited with flame.

Bang!

The blue ice and the scorching flame collided, sending energy’s shockwave radiating outward.

Oranguru immediately used Protect to shield its cabin.

Natsume, along with Serperior and Gardevoir, stepped out from behind the barrier.

“Serperior~”

Serperior focused on the Skarmory in the sky.

Whoosh~

A strong wind surged around them.

In front of Serperior, Leaf Storm rapidly condensed.

Saharan glanced at Serperior and said, “Skarmory, use Air Slash!”

Skarmory, level 72, was also an Elite-level Pokémon.

“Skarmory!”

Skarmory cried out, rapidly condensing a giant blade about a hundred meters long.

This blade seemed capable of slashing the sky!

“Skarmory!”

The rapidly spinning Leaf Storm was equally formidable.

The massive storm appeared to be a pillar connecting heaven and earth.

Whoosh!

Air Slash came slicing down.

Bang!

Another astonishing shockwave spread outward.

The long sword coming from the sky cleaved through the Leaf Storm, creating a massive gash.

The Air Slash shattered it little by little.

The overflowing energy whipped toward the surrounding space like a storm.

The trees around them became chaotic, as if they were toys being squeezed.

Branches were ruthlessly torn apart, letting out piercing howls and cries.

Fallen leaves, broken branches, and grains of sand spilling from Tyranitar danced in the air, colliding like a miniature whirlpool.

“Serperior, use Frenzy Plant!”

“Serperior!”

Serperior’s tail slammed the ground, and massive vines erupted from the earth, shooting toward Skarmory in the sky.

The vines grew at an incredible speed, surpassing Skarmory's flying height in an instant.

“Protect!”

“Chà!”

A protective barrier illuminated around Skarmory's body.

However, in the next moment—

Bang!

The enormous vine came crashing down.

Crack!

The barrier shattered!

At the same time, Frenzy Plant slammed down again!

“Skarmory, fly!”

Skarmory, focused on Serperior, suddenly felt a tingling sensation throughout its body.

An inexplicable fear surged from deep within.

Not only Skarmory, but Saharan also felt that chilling pressure.

Serperior unleashed Glare!

Whoosh~

This fear caused all four of Saharan’s Poké Balls to open instantly.

“Reuniclus~”

A Reuniclus grabbed Saharan and instantly vanished from the spot.

Skarmory was ensnared by Vine Whip and violently slammed into the ground.

Meanwhile, Vaporeon, Excadrill, and another Ferrothorn were also thrown to the ground.

“Awooo~”

Arcanine shook its fur.

Flame Charge!

Arcanine rushed toward Ferrothorn without hesitation.

“Celebi!”

Celebi glanced at Arcanine and then reached out a hand toward it.

A special energy spread into Arcanine’s body.

Celebi used its support on Arcanine.

Arcanine’s target was clear—it was Ferrothorn!

“Excadrill!”

Excadrill and Vaporeon had also begun their assault at this time.

They charged toward Serperior, one from the left and one from the right.

“Vaporeon.”

“Milotic.”

Arcevee and Milotic both wanted to help.

Natsume raised a hand to stop them: “Take it easy; we don’t need you to fight just yet.”

Serperior looked down with disdain at Excadrill and Vaporeon.

“Serperior~”

Skarmory, still being swept by Frenzy Plant, was already dizzy from the strikes.

Serperior controlled the Frenzy Plant and hit toward Excadrill and Vaporeon.

This was the forest; it was Serperior's home ground!

The ground surged as numerous plant vines emerged continuously.

The land was overturned.

“Gardevoir~”

Gardevoir floated in front of Natsume.

Light suddenly burst forth from both Natsume and Gardevoir.

In front of the treehouse, Yuuji looked at Natsume in surprise.

“Natsume, the Gym Leader, is stronger than I imagined.”

“Celebi~”

Celebi glanced back at Yuuji.

It wore a proud and pleased expression, as if it had just received a compliment.

However, nobody was paying attention to Celebi at that moment.

In the sky, protected by Reuniclus, Saharan's expression turned grim.

Natsume’s Serperior was just too strong.

Moreover, since it was daytime with the sun shining brightly, and the venue was a forest.

Saharan had a feeling that if his Pokémon continued to face Serperior one by one, aside from Tyranitar, there would be no Pokémon able to stand up to Serperior.