Chapter 206: The Three Admins (Part 3)
The thick mist hung heavily over Mist Lake as Archer scoffed, tossing out his Poké Balls.
His Houndoom let out a low, spine-chilling growl, its demonic horns curling menacingly as its black fur and bone-like ridges gleamed ominously. It looked like a beast straight out of hell. But beneath its terrifying exterior was unwavering loyalty—a trait ingrained in Houndoom packs that relied on coordination for hunting. That very loyalty was why Archer had chosen it as his primary partner.
Beside it, Victreebel swayed slightly, its gaping maw revealing razor-sharp fangs dripping with corrosive fluids. It was one of the most ruthless predators in tropical jungles, a nightmare to any Bug-type Pokémon unlucky enough to cross its path. Within its pouch-like body, digestive acids churned, capable of liquefying prey in mere hours.
On the other side, Torkoal exhaled thick black smoke from its shell, glowing red eyes betraying a hidden aggression. Though it appeared slow and passive, its true joy lay in watching its victims burn slowly—a cruel trait Archer had carefully nurtured. But the real reason it stood at his side was simple—Drought.
The moment Torkoal landed, the mist burned away, replaced by a blazing sunlight that cut through the haze, revealing the Pokémon hidden within.
Archer sneered. "You're joking, right?" His laugh echoed through the trees as he took in the sight before him. Lotad, Slowpoke, Magikarp.
"Is this supposed to be a challenge?" He shook his head in amusement. "Houndoom—Solar Beam!"
A chilling howl filled the air as Houndoom absorbed the sunlight, a bright green glow forming in its maw. But just as it was about to fire, a raging torrent of water shot out from the mist.
The unexpected attack forced Houndoom to redirect its Solar Beam. The two forces collided, sending a shockwave through the air.
Houndoom's eyes widened in disbelief. Even with a type advantage, it was struggling?!
Archer's expression darkened. "Torkoal, Victreebel—support Houndoom!"
As the battle escalated, both Pokémon began absorbing sunlight, but before they could launch their attacks, the rain began to fall.
A single cold raindrop splattered onto Archer's forehead.
He looked up.
Thick storm clouds had gathered overhead, consuming the once-bright sky. The drizzle quickly turned into a downpour, draining the sunlight in seconds.
"You—!!" Archer's fury ignited as he glared at the Pokémon he had just mocked.
They had deliberately distracted him—keeping him occupied while using Rain Dance to completely negate his strategy!
Houndoom let out a snarl of frustration, its flames flickering weakly under the relentless rain. It despised the damp. It was as if a blazing inferno had been suddenly doused by a tidal wave.
Archer's nails dug into his palms. Enough.
His hand clenched over the Rocket emblem on his chest, feeling the cool gemstone embedded within it pulse faintly.
"We're done playing games." His voice was dangerously low.
"Houndoom—return to me."
As Houndoom landed beside him, the red-black pendant around its neck began to glow faintly.
Archer sneered. "Feel honored," he said coldly. "You're about to witness true power."
He raised his wrist, energy crackling between him and his Pokémon.
"Houndoom—Mega Evolve!"
A brilliant flash of light erupted, engulfing Houndoom. Its howl reverberated through the storm, shaking the very air.
A clawed red paw slammed into the ground as a wave of heat blasted outward, scorching the battlefield.
Mega Houndoom had arrived.
The bone cuffs around its legs snapped open. Its twin horns curled even higher, its chest and shoulders bristling with jagged spikes.
Its spinal ridges twisted into fang-like protrusions, its forked tail whipping wildly in the growing heatwave.
A suffocating aura engulfed the battlefield.
Raindrops evaporated before they even touched Mega Houndoom's skin.
Archer grinned savagely. "Now… this is true power."
But something was wrong.
His breath quickened, his blood boiling with adrenaline. Mega Evolution required deep trust between Trainer and Pokémon.
But Houndoom wasn't connected to him through trust—only blind, fanatical loyalty.
And loyalty without balance led only to madness.
"Torkoal! Victreebel! Fix the weather—NOW!" His voice snapped like a whip.
The two Pokémon flinched, scrambling to obey. They had never heard their Trainer sound like this before.
Slowly, the downpour weakened. The storm clouds began to dissipate.
Archer laughed hysterically.
"Yes… THAT'S more like it."
His arms spread wide.
"Mega Houndoom—show them the flames of the sun itself! Infernal Abyss!"
Mega Houndoom's blue flames surged into an unstoppable inferno. The scorched ground cracked, steam hissing from the fissures.
Then—
A melodic hum echoed through the mist.
And the rain returned.
Not just a drizzle—
A downpour.
A deluge.
A flood.
Archer's smile vanished instantly.
"…No. No." His hands clenched into fists.
Then, realization struck—
"…I've been played."
The moment his team wasted time changing the weather—
Someone else had reversed it again.
His eyes darted through the mist, searching for the culprit.
Then—
He saw it.
A serpentine figure glided through the fog.
A shimmer of blue scales.
A piercing, elegant gaze.
Archer froze.
"…Milotic."
The Guardian of Mist Lake.
As realization hit, a colossal whirlpool erupted, swallowing Mega Houndoom whole.
It had no time to react.
The raging vortex engulfed it completely.
When the waters finally settled, Mega Houndoom lay limp on the ground.
Defeated.
"…What?"
Archer's knees buckled, his body collapsing into the soaking mud.
His breath came in ragged, shallow gasps.
"…One hit?"
His head snapped up—glaring at the mist.
But Milotic was already gone.
It had lost interest.
It had already decided—
Archer was no longer a threat.
And Sunset Forest remained undefeated.
(To Be Continued…)