Chapter 59: Lightning in an Instant

Chapter 59: Instant Thunder

A relentless barrage of wild lightning struck down from the heavens, the deafening roar of thunder echoing across the universe.

Matt, drenched in cold sweat, struggled to his feet and glanced around. Sparse vegetation lay scattered among the shattered rocks, the ground slick and damp beneath the torrential rain, making it difficult for him to keep his footing.

He reached into his right hand and pulled out a Poké Ball, tossing it forward.

With a crack, an intense heat erupted at his side, vaporizing the falling raindrops into wisps of white smoke. Before him appeared a creature resembling a large canine, its orange-red fur striped like a tiger, long flaxen hair flowing across its body in a lively, graceful manner. Flickers of fire occasionally burst from its wide jaws, and its brown eyes held a solemn, dignified expression.

This was one of Matt's companions: Arcanine.

Under normal circumstances, releasing a Fire-type Pokémon in such heavy rain would be unwise. The rain dampens their fiery energy and affects their mood significantly.

But Matt had no choice. After suffering the psychic assault from Meowstic, his body was greatly weakened. Even after a brief rest, he still felt dizzy and every step sent sharp pain through his head.

What he needed most now was a Pokémon that could carry him through this harsh environment in search of Iron Tyranitar's trail. Among all his companions, Arcanine was the only one suitable for riding.

At this desperate moment, despite the unfavorable conditions, he had to rely on it.

White smoke from the vaporized rain swirled around them. Arcanine felt the dampness and stickiness seeping into its fur, whining in distaste and shaking its thick coat, scattering a shower of glittering raindrops.

Matt reached out and gently rubbed Arcanine’s forehead, softly offering words of comfort. Then he mounted its sturdy back.

The warmth unique to Fire-types radiated beneath him, easing the stiffness that had set into his body under the cold rain.

He marveled inwardly—Arcanine truly lived up to its reputation among trainers: powerful, loyal, gentle, and, as a mount in perilous times, swift and stable.

From his backpack, Matt took out specially prepared Pokémon food for Iron Tyranitar and held it in front of Arcanine’s nose so it could catch the scent.

Arcanine barked, its powerful voice confirming the scent, filling Matt with a sense of reassurance.

With a powerful lunge, Arcanine propelled itself forward, crushing stones beneath its paws as it raced toward their target.

The rugged terrain was nothing to Arcanine, who sped across it as if it were flat ground. Matt squinted against the rain, riding steadily and gazing ahead.

They pressed onward, growing ever more distant.

As the thunder overhead grew increasingly frequent, Matt’s intuition became stronger: Iron Tyranitar was just ahead!

…

This was a deep and vast canyon, its walls lined with dark stone, utterly devoid of green.

Wild, silvery lightning thundered and roared above, its brilliance almost terrifying.

Matt stood at the canyon’s mouth, crouching low to inspect the ground. Amid the rain-soaked mud, he found a massive two-toed footprint.

He frowned, thinking carefully—he knew this print well. It could only belong to his Iron Tyranitar.

“That direction—is it heading deeper into the canyon?” he wondered, casting his gaze into the gloom.

Silent and desolate, the barren, dark ground showed no trace of life.

Ignoring the rising sense of danger, Matt pressed on, leading Arcanine into the canyon.

His deep bond with the Iron Tyranitar he’d raised since childhood could not be severed by any vague premonition of peril.

In the darkness of night, lightning flashed overhead, and man and beast walked silently through the canyon.

Amid the dense sound of rain, an unusual crackling of electricity suddenly broke the monotony.

Matt raised his weary eyes and looked ahead.

In the darkness, he could barely make out a humanoid silhouette.

A chill wind seemed to pass, and Matt suddenly became alert. Clearly, the figure ahead wasn’t human.

Few adventurers dared enter the Clara Mountains—fewer still ventured so deep as Matt had.

Beside him, Arcanine crouched low, lips curling to reveal sharp teeth, growling a warning, sparks of fire flickering across its body.

A blinding bolt of lightning split the sky, illuminating the canyon.

In that fleeting moment, Matt saw the figure clearly.

It stood upright like a feline, yellow fur streaked with black and blue lightning patterns covering its body; icy blue eyes gleamed with cold indifference; long yellow hair braided like a human’s flowed from its neck, swaying gently; blue electric sparks crackled around it, vaporizing the rain into wisps of smoke.

As an experienced trainer, Matt felt a hint of familiarity, but he couldn’t immediately identify this Pokémon.

The tense silence was broken as the electric Pokémon, its body shimmering with blue light, stepped forward.

That single step sent a cascade of sparks exploding into endless blue arcs, dancing wildly through the air.

The dark canyon lit up as if by a lantern.

A surge of malice emanated from the humanoid Pokémon, forcing Matt to stumble backward.

Another bolt of thunder crashed, and a flash of blue light blinded him—the Pokémon vanished.

"Where did it go?" Matt wondered. Suddenly, his world began to spin.

In the spinning vision, he saw his own body, headless, neck scorched black.

A realization dawned in his mind.

“Oh, I… died?”

…

His head rolled.

Zeraora shook its right hand, flicking the blackened remains aside.

It tilted its head. The intruder seemed… weak?

Arcanine’s eyes blazed red, howling madly as flames erupted from its body.

The Poké Balls at the corpse’s waist trembled violently, three powerful Pokémon forced their way out.

Fury and grief surged.

Four Pokémon charged at Zeraora.

Their racing figures reflected in Zeraora’s icy blue eyes, its expression cold and merciless, yellow fur bristling in a sudden flare.

Thunder rumbled.

The canyon flashed with brilliant blue light once more, and with several plaintive cries, calm returned.

No one noticed, in the darkness, a black and yellow Poké Ball silently rolled to the side.