Pokemon: Sandstorm Elite

Klein's blade movements were not reckless or wild. Though his fury burned intensely, he forced himself to stay calm, leaving no openings for his opponent.

In this world, humans possessed extraordinary physical abilities. Ever since the catastrophe in Hoenn, Klein had rigorously trained his body. The sword technique he now wielded had been a gift from Elite trainer of the Fighting-type specialists. He had only been practicing for a few days, but it was already far beyond that of a mere novice.

The masked man moved with uncanny agility, his folding fan flickering as his torn robes swirled around him. But Klein's dagger danced relentlessly, cutting through the fabric with each precise strike.

"Ruining Miss Erika's precious robe like this… Elite Klein, you're such a brute," the masked man sneered.

Klein ignored the taunt and continued his fierce assault. As the two trainers dueled, Mega Salamence, now fully recovered, attempted to rejoin the fight—only to be intercepted by Alolan Muk, which manipulated the falling snow to block its path.

Blizzards swirled as Mega Salamence released a jet of searing flames to melt the ice, but the sinister, toxic snowflakes seeped into its body like venom.

Scizor and Lucario, being Steel-types, were immune to poison and endured the frigid battlefield as they clashed against Pangoro, which had transformed into a Fire-type thanks to its Protean ability.

Flames surged as Pangoro summoned a massive inferno, the purple-hued snow evaporating into a sinister mist. The battlefield grew chaotic, forcing Scizor and Lucario to retreat momentarily. However, instead of fighting separately, the two Pokémon synchronized—Lucario using its aura to track Pangoro's erratic movements while Scizor launched Bullet Punches with surgical precision.

The two armies clashed at full force. Tyranitar, having amplified itself with Dragon Dance, formed a colossal sand-fist, slamming it down upon the enemy lines. Mega Gardevoir responded instantly, unleashing a powerful psychic beam to counter the impact.

Tyranitar's Cradily, perched on its shoulder, extended its tentacles, attempting to entangle the battlefield. But Mega Gardevoir's pre-set psychic barriers detonated, shattering the roots before they could take hold.

On the other side of the battlefield, Swampert, having just sent Greninja flying with a punch, scanned the area. Greninja had not returned to the fight, but Swampert paid it no mind.

Sensing Klein's fury, Swampert's gaze darkened. With no immediate threats targeting it, it seized the opportunity to unleash its power.

The fifth Curse.

The final Curse.

Heat waves rippled from its body as Swampert clenched its fists. The ground quivered beneath its presence, its sheer aura of dominance sending tremors across the battlefield.

Every step it took was deliberate, heavy, and unyielding.

Swampert had never been expressive, but years of companionship with Klein had forged an unbreakable bond of trust.

Years ago, in Hoenn, Klein had stumbled through the ruins of a devastated city, his face pale as he dug through debris, searching for survivors.

"Over here! A Marshtomp—it's still breathing!"

Hope flashed in his eyes as he carefully lifted the injured Marshtomp from the rubble. Ignoring his own wounds, he scavenged for medical supplies, desperate to save it.

When Marshtomp finally opened its eyes, the first thing it saw was Klein's relieved smile.

That day, it lost its parents to the disaster—but it gained a trainer it would follow for life.

"Marshtomp, let's become stronger together."

Those words had never left its memory.

Swampert never asked for anything in return. It only wished for Klein to never feel that pain again. It would be his shadow, his sword, his shield.

BOOM!

The ground exploded.

Klein and the masked man both felt the Seafoam Island peak tremble violently. They each retreated as Tyranitar conjured a sand barrier to shield Klein, though the corrosive poison was already eating away at its defenses.

As Klein landed, he noticed that the ground beneath his team—Tyranitar, Lucario, and Scizor—had softened into fine sand.

This level of control… it had to be Swampert.

A Ground-type finisher?

The summit of the Seafoam Islands began to collapse.

Realizing the danger, the masked man and Mega Gardevoir's expressions twisted in shock. Psychic threads lifted Pangoro and Muk into the air, desperately trying to evade the disaster.

But it was too late.

Swampert stomped.

The peak sank.

Klein recalled his Pokémon and leapt onto Mega Salamence's back, watching Swampert unleash the final strike.

The sheer impact sent shockwaves through the entire battlefield. Mega Gardevoir shrieked as its psychic threads snapped, unable to withstand the raw power. The levitating Pangoro and Muk were flung to the ground, barely dodging the full force but still rattled by the aftershock.

The masked man, though protected by Mega Gardevoir, had landed with a pale face. "Six stacks of Curse… what a monster. But too bad, it didn't land a direct hit."

"You fell for it," Klein's voice cut through the dust. "Who told you this was Earthquake?"

The masked man's smirk froze.

Swampert stomped again.

Stomping Tantrum.

When the first attack misses, the second doubles in power.

This time, the entire island trembled.

A deafening explosion erupted, reducing the summit to rubble. Pangoro and Muk were instantly knocked out, and the masked man himself was buried under the falling debris—only to be pulled away at the last moment by Greninja.

"That Greninja…"

As the dust settled, the remains of the Seafoam Island summit told the tale of a battle of unprecedented ferocity. Klein recalled Swampert at the last second, but the masked man's Pokémon lay in ruin, awaiting the League's retrieval.

Meanwhile, on the distant shores of the island, the masked man—now battered, clothes in tatters—staggered to his feet, a shadow of his former elegant self.

"That bastard… how dare he?"

This battle had been a near-total defeat. He had underestimated Swampert's sheer endurance, allowing it to stack six Curses—an unimaginable threat.

He turned his gaze toward Greninja, his voice laced with fury. "Why didn't you keep it in check?"

Greninja said nothing.

The masked man suddenly laughed—a chilling, eerie sound. With a nonchalant motion, he adjusted his tattered clothes.

"No matter. It's pointless to blame you. The League will be here soon, but retrieving my Pokémon later won't be difficult. My official standing in the League gives me enough authority to reclaim them."

"As for you, Sandstorm Elite Klein… I'll make sure to deal with you properly next time."

As he reached for his Poké Balls—a blade slashed across his throat.

Eyes widening in disbelief, the masked man stared at Greninja.

Greninja's gaze was cold, devoid of emotion—as if the person before it was nothing more than a stranger.

Clutching his bleeding throat, the masked man gasped, "Why… would you betray me…?"

This was his very first partner.

Greninja offered no response. With a light push, it sent him toppling backward. Blood trailed in the air as the masked man collapsed, his laughter gurgling into silence.

With the last of his strength, he pressed a release switch on his Poké Ball, setting Greninja free.

"Sorry… I kept you caged for too long…"

As the masked man's life faded, Greninja stepped onto the waters of the Seafoam Islands.

The storm had passed. The sun cast golden rays upon the ocean, blending with Greninja's silhouette.

For the first time… Greninja was free.

(End of Chapter)