The thick trees of the Pokémon garden swayed gently under the breeze of the early morning. A sense of calm filled the area, but it was the calm before the storm. Zoroark snarled in front of them, baring its sharp fangs.
"Zoroark, Night Slash!" the Pokémon Hunter barked.
Zoroark lunged at Drapion with lightning speed, claws glowing a dark, menacing hue. Drapion didn't flinch. With fierce determination burning in his eyes, he blocked the attack with a well-timed Cross Poison.
Charizard took to the skies, letting out a roar. "Flamethrower!" Akira commanded. A stream of fire burst from Charizard's mouth, but Zoroark countered with a Dark Pulse, the two attacks exploding mid-air. Ame saw her chance.
"Mawile, Fairy Wind now!"
The pink gust blew straight into Zoroark, causing noticeable damage. Charizard swooped down, landing a Rock Smash that finally knocked Zoroark unconscious.
"You fools!" The hunter growled, returning Zoroark. He pulled out another Pokéball. "Then face my strongest – Hydreigon!"
The brutal dragon-type emerged with a triple roar.
"Charizard, Dragon Claw!"
"Mawile, Moonblast!"
Hydreigon proved his worth. He intercepted Dragon Claw with Dragon Tail and snuffed out Moonblast with a surprise Flamethrower. Then he charged a devastating Hyper Beam and unleashed it. The blast rocked the field.
Hydreigon dominated. Drapion attacked again and again, but each attempt failed to hit.
"Why does he keep trying?" the Hunter muttered. "He's hopeless."
"Because he wants to protect everyone," Akira said, stepping forward.
"He fights for his old trainer," Ame added.
Akira's aura flared. A mysterious red light shimmered around him. His eyes narrowed.
Hunter."What is this?"
"I don't know what this power is," Akira said, "but I call it Bond Power from now. Because it comes from our bond."
The hunter's eyes widened. "Bond… power? Protection… Is that really strength?" His voice faltered, and the past returned to him.
Flashback
He once had a loyal partner – Ordis, a loyal Arcanine. They were inseparable. But one day, an evil team ambushed them. He tried to protect Ordis, but was overwhelmed. No one came to help. He begged for aid, but was met with silence. That day, he changed.
He gave up on trust.
Present
The hunter clenched his fists. Akira's Charizard attacked with Dragon Claw, landing a solid hit.
"If what you say is true," the hunter said, voice breaking, "prove it!"
"Charizard, Dragon Pulse!"
"Mawile, Moonblast!"
"Drapion, Cross Poison!"
All three attacks struck simultaneously. Hydreigon let out a final cry and collapsed.
The officers arrived, having tracked the illegal activity.
"You're under arrest," one said.
The hunter didn't resist. As he was escorted away, he turned to Akira.
"Always protect your Pokémon…"
Ame tilted her head. "Why would he say that?"
"Because he understood something," Akira replied. "Even bad people have reasons. That's what my mom always taught me."
Kal approached. "Thank you again, both of you."
Suddenly, Rhypireor and his team emerged. Kal raised his staff in defense.
"You again?"
But the Rock-type didn't attack. Instead, he placed fruits in front of the group as an offering.
"They're apologizing," Akira said.
Drapion stepped forward and extended a claw. Rhypireor shook it.
"Looks like he's finally making friends," Kal smiled.
"Akira," Kal said, looking serious, "take Drapion with you. He needs to grow stronger."
Akira turned to Drapion. "Do you want to come with us?"
Drapion turned, thinking. Rhypireor nodded toward him, as if saying, I'll protect this place now.
Drapion looked at Kal and back at Akira. He stepped forward.
"Then let's travel together," Akira smiled, holding out a Pokéball.
Drapion nodded, and with a flash of light, he joined the team.
"Take care of him," Kal said, wiping a tear.
"I will."
The next morning, the sun rose high, casting golden light over the clearing. Rhypireor stood with his team, watching as Akira, Ame, and now Drapion walked toward the horizon.
Their next adventure awaited.
---
To be continued...