After a series of self-destructing attacks, the number of ordinary experimental Pokémon had already begun to shrink.
However, the giant chimera was a different story. After absorbing so much destructive energy and stolen life force, it had become a true threat.
"Wwwwwwu!"
The flame attacks that once held the monster back barely worked now.
Its healing speed was so extreme that it outpaced the damage from the flames.
With its energy restored, the chimera unleashed everything it had. Hundreds of thousands of heads rose together, and thick red-black beams poured from their mouths, filling the air until it was hard to breathe.
At first, the chimera's energy had only reached Champion level, somewhere between Level 84 and 86. What made it so dangerous was not raw power but its incredible regeneration and strange body. Now, though, its Aura Power had crept past the Champion level itself.
The jump in numbers looked small, but the real gap was enormous. To put it in perspective, even David's father, leading a team of top Champion-level Pokémon, would still lose to the elder Salamence of his family — the ancient Dragonite guarding the Ten Thousand Dragons Nest Secret Realm.
Right now, the strongest trainer present was Presley, a quasi-Champion. No one else's strength came close to this level of battle. Together, two Champions and six Elite-level Pokémon — including David's Dragapult and Miles's Infernape — were barely holding the line. That was only possible because most of the chimera's strength came from stolen destructive energy and absorbed life force, not from its own true power. If this had been a Pokémon that had truly reached Legendary status, Presley would have given up already.
"What do we do, David? It looks like Uncle Presley and the others can't hold on much longer."
Miles watched from the air, pacing like an ant on a hot stove.
"There's nothing we can send in. Most of the Public Security Bureau, the Gym trainers, and the Special Security Bureau are still fighting those creatures out in the wild. It will take time to call them back, and even then, they might not be strong enough to help here."
"We can't count on them showing up in time. Our best chance is the Navy fleet."
Luke said this calmly, working through the problem in his head.
"But Uncle Presley and the others are about to be overwhelmed!"
David was sweating hard now. He thought for a long moment but couldn't find an answer, so he began digging through his system storage, hoping to find something useful.
"I've got it!"
David's eyes suddenly lit up, as if he'd struck gold.
[Pokémon Attribute Enhancement Pack (Six Doses): A booster made by a secret organization. When used, it sharply raises a Pokémon's strength in one of its natural attributes. Warning: This is the result of genetic experiments and carries a high risk of genetic collapse. Use with care. Each Pokémon may take only one dose.]
Last semester, right after the midterm joint exam, David had won this unstable enhancement potion in a lottery draw. At the time, he thought he'd landed something great, but once he read the fine print about genetic collapse, he lost interest and tossed it into his system storage, where it had sat ever since. He never expected to need it — yet here it was, exactly when he needed it most.
Calling it a treasure wasn't an exaggeration. If it could bring down this monster, that's exactly what it would become.
David looked at the potion sitting in his storage, then glanced at the Alakazam standing beside Luke. A spark of gold flashed in his eyes as an idea came together.
"Don't worry, I've got a plan."
He reached into his bag as if pulling something out, but really, he was quietly drawing the box of enhancement potions from his system space.
"What's that?" Miles and Luke asked, both curious.
"Remember what I told you over winter break? This thing was taken from the End Church. My mother looked it over and found it has a very high chance of causing total genetic collapse in whoever takes it."
"Which makes it perfect for a genetically altered monster like this one!"
David gave them a half-true explanation. As for how he knew so much about the potion's effects, he was glad his mother worked as a Pokémon doctor — it made the excuse easy to believe. Luke already knew who David's mother was, so he didn't question it further.
"Luke, to make this work, we're going to need your Alakazam."
David handed the potion to Luke and pointed toward the Alakazam. Luke understood immediately. He took the potion, said a few quick words to his Alakazam, and the Pokémon vanished with Teleport, potion in hand.
Down below, Presley, riding on his Charizard, was struggling just as badly. Crazy as the chimera seemed, its instincts were sharp — it had clearly noticed the trainer directing the battle from above. It kept turning its attacks toward Charizard, forcing several close calls.
After twisting through the air to dodge another blast, a voice suddenly reached his mind.
"Uncle, it's me, David. Try to keep the monster distracted — we've got a way to deal with it."
Presley knew his nephew had Aura Power, but he hadn't realized it had grown strong enough to reach him from hundreds of meters away.
"Got it!"
With no better option, he chose to trust David completely.
"Everyone, attack with everything you've got! Salamence, use Dragon Rush!"
"Roar!"
The other Pokémon opened fire with ranged attacks to cover him, and Salamence spread its wings. After climbing high into the sky, it dropped like a falling star, driving straight toward the chimera.
"Wwwwwwu!"
The monster let out a furious roar at the sight of Salamence's attack. Ignoring every other blow landing on it, it turned all its focus on Salamence and charged straight ahead.
"Perfect timing!"
Up above, the group watching from the sky lit up, shouting together in relief.
Check out My New book Pokemon: C.H.A.O.S