Alex tilted his body slightly, sharp eyes scanning the battlefield before him. The wind carried the scent of earth and dust, while the growls of the Poochyena pack echoed threateningly.
Retreat? Trying to escape Riolu's reach? It was already too late.
A sharp sound rang out as Riolu decisively shed the super heavy protective gear that had been holding its body back. The metal pieces clattered to the ground with a dull thud, dust rising in the air. In that instant, the strength and speed that had been suppressed were unleashed — every muscle tensed, its eyes flashing cold and sharp like a blade.
"Luna, use Teleport to bring Rocky here." Alex's voice was brief but firm. "Rocky, keep using Rock Smash — finish them off!"
The command left his lips, and Alex sprang into action, feet pounding the ground as debris scattered. His target wasn't the Pokémon — it was the Team Aqua members standing behind them. He knew well, if he shattered their plan, they would hold a grudge. And to keep his identity secret, he had to capture them all.
The air thickened as Ralts — "Luna" — pressed her small hand to her chest. A pale purple light spread, the space around them seeming to twist before Riolu vanished in an instant. A second later, it appeared right in front of the last two Poochyena.
The punch came down like thunder. The heavy impact echoed as the two Poochyena were knocked backward, scraping across the ground leaving marks. Without pausing to see the result, Riolu charged forward again, its fist glowing with a dim white light — the sign of a Rock Smash about to strike.
Chaos erupted in shouts. Team Aqua members instinctively stepped back — but it was already too late. Another strike landed; two gray-furred bodies collapsed, eyes rolled back, completely unable to fight.
"Run! Run now!" The Team Aqua captain's hoarse yell trembled with desperation. Without Pokémon to protect them, they were like naked prey before a predator's claws. Everyone knew if the Alliance responded in time, prison bars awaited them.
But just as the thought of escape flickered, Alex closed in.
His hand curled into a sharp edge like a blade. A swift, powerful strike hit the neck of a panicked man. "Ah…!" — he gasped in pain, then collapsed like a log.
People in the Pokémon world often had greater physical strength than ordinary humans but mostly relied on Pokémon for combat. Their bodies were rarely truly trained. Alex, a seasoned martial artist, was a nightmare to foes like them.
Within moments, four soldiers lay defeated, leaving only the Team Aqua captain.
Riolu, having finished off the last Poochyena, dashed beside its master with cold eyes. Alex pointed to the groaning men on the ground, speaking quietly but firmly enough to make the captain break out in cold sweat: "If you don't want to end up like them, I advise you surrender."
The captain drew a sharp breath, sweat streaming down his face. Just moments ago, he had barked orders, relying on his numbers. Now, he was alone, with no escape.
"I… we are Team Aqua! Do you know the consequences of defying us!?" he shouted, voice trembling more than threatening.
Alex's eyes darkened, cold as steel. He stepped forward, twisted his hips, clenched his right fist. The punch landed squarely on the captain's stomach. Thud! The impact echoed loudly, the man was thrown nearly two meters, curling in pain, breath ragged, sweat pouring down his forehead.
"I gave you a chance," Alex withdrew his hand, voice low and cold. "You didn't listen."
Within minutes, the entire Team Aqua had been subdued.
In the distance, Mr. Stone and May stood motionless. Especially Mr. Stone, who had thought his fate sealed but now witnessed the exact opposite. May's eyes widened, her small fangs showing as she gasped. Alex was not only an excellent trainer but a true warrior — his strikes fast, precise, and without hesitation.
Alex approached, bent down to pick up Team Aqua's communicator, then crushed it with a squeeze. The plastic cracked sharply. He pulled some cords from his backpack and tossed them to Riolu. "Rocky, tie them up."
Riolu quickly bound each of them, knots as firm as steel.
"Thank you so much!" Mr. Stone said with relief and respect. "Just a small matter. Chairman Stone, please contact Officer Jenny and Alliance investigators to deal with them. And… be careful out there. There will be a next time if they fail now." Alex replied, a faint smirk tugging at his lips as the system notified mission completion.
Sirens sounded in the distance, faint at first in the wind, then growing louder. The sharp wail accompanied images of Pokémon Alliance police cars racing in, tires screeching on gravel roads, leaving long black streaks.
Alex glanced back, eyes calm. He knew the mission was over; the rest was the Alliance's responsibility.
May remained near Mr. Stone, arms folded over her chest to steady herself. Her heart still pounded after witnessing what had just happened. The image of Alex single-handedly taking down a group of Team Aqua was etched deep in her mind. She bit her lip, thinking: This person… is unlike any trainer I've ever met.
"Chairman Stone," Alex spoke evenly and firmly, "I'll leave them here for the Alliance to handle. This is the evidence and all information related to the case." He handed the data collection device to the man and stepped back toward Riolu.
Mr. Stone grasped the device tightly, eyes full of gratitude. "You saved my life… and this research plan. I don't know how to thank you enough." He dug into his coat pocket and pulled out a shiny silver card. In the center was the Devon Corporation logo, below it read: VIP Member.
"Take this. It's Devon's VIP card, granting you access to many special services and devices. Consider it my thanks."
Alex took it, fingers brushing the smooth cold surface. He nodded lightly. "Thank you. I'll use it when needed."
In the distance, car doors opened one after another. Officer Jennys stepped out, hands ready on holsters, eyes sharply surveying the scene. Some quickly approached the tied-up Team Aqua members, checked their condition, and began filing reports on the spot.
Alex looked at Riolu and gave a brief nod. The pair silently turned and left the scene. Under the setting sun's long shadows, their footsteps were steady and resolute.
Behind them, Mr. Stone watched with a quiet sigh. "That young man… is not only strong but also deeply mysterious."
The wind blew past, carrying the clinking of chains from the arrested Team Aqua members being led to vehicles. The sun dipped low, bathing the road in golden light, but in Mr. Stone's heart, the image of Alex stood out — cold, determined, and hard to fully understand.