----
After parting ways with Jimmy and the others, Charizard carried Kai and Erika swiftly eastward above the forest canopy.
They hadn't flown far when a familiar shape approached them head-on.
It was Scyther Kai's own.
As soon as it spotted him, Scyther began waving its scythe-like arms, signaling urgently.
Kai had sent Scyther to follow Gengar, who was tracking Raikou. Clearly, it had found something.
Kai tapped Charizard's neck, guiding it toward Scyther.
Once the two Pokémon were flying side by side, Kai called out, "Did you find Raikou?"
"Scy!"
Scyther nodded and tried to speak, but without Gengar to translate, Kai couldn't understand more than the basics.
Scyther immediately darted ahead, leading them to a small lake nestled deep in the forest.
From the back of Charizard, Erika pointed excitedly.
"Look! It's Raikou!"
Sure enough, on a large boulder beside the lake, Raikou was curled up, licking its wounds.
Like animals on Earth, beast-type Legendary Pokémon often had natural healing enzymes in their saliva. For Raikou, this instinctive behavior wasn't just survival was self-repair.
Kai had Charizard descend a safe distance away to avoid spooking it.
They dismounted and crept forward silently, using the sounds of running water to mask their footsteps.
On the other side of the lake, Gengar peeked out from behind a tree and flashed Kai a thumbs-up.
Kai didn't know what it meant but he kept his eyes on the prize.
As they approached the lakeshore, they finally emerged from the tree cover.
Raikou noticed.
The Legendary Beast snapped to alertness, rising to its feet. But it was already too late.
Kai stepped forward, Scyther at his side, and met Raikou's gaze.
"Raikou," Kai said calmly, "I came to battle you."
Raikou's pupils narrowed.
It recognized him immediately.
This was the same human who had defeated it before alongside the three Legendary Birds. The memory alone made Raikou's legs tense. It had no desire to relive that nightmare.
This opponent was the last thing it wanted.
Without hesitation, Raikou turned to flee.
But before it could take more than a few steps, a large shadow dropped from above Charizard, landing directly in its path.
Raikou turned, only to find Gengar grinning before it, also blocking its escape.
Trapped.
Raikou let out a defiant snarl and braced for battle.
Kai reached into his belt and tossed out a Poké Ball.
A flash of light and the towering form of Crystal Steelix emerged, its crystalline body gleaming in the sunlight.
Kai wasn't planning to gang up on Raikou. This was going to be a one-on-one battle mostly.
Raikou was still recovering from its injuries, but even weakened, its power couldn't be underestimated. It was, after all, a Legendary.
Crystal Steelix, however, had one big advantage complete immunity to Electric-type moves.
That alone would level the field.
"Crystal Steelix, use [Tackle]!"
Steelix rumbled forward, its massive body crashing toward Raikou like an avalanche.
With no room to dodge, Raikou had no choice but to meet the charge head-on.
But it didn't panic. In a flash, it blurred sideways using [Quick Attack] to dart out of the way just in time.
As they passed, Raikou twisted its head and sank its fangs into Steelix with [Crunch]!
The massive serpent roared in pain and swung its tail wildly. Raikou let go and leaped away with practiced agility.
Kai couldn't help but grin.
"Impressive."
Every movement Raikou made was calculated, sharp like a seasoned hunter. It struck with precision, always looking for the perfect opportunity.
But Kai believed in his partner.
"Steelix, [Rock Tomb]!"
The crystal serpent opened its jaw wide and from above, a hailstorm of jagged boulders rained down.
BOOM. BOOM. BOOM.
The rocks slammed into the earth one after another.
Raikou danced between them, agile as ever.
Kai wasn't surprised. He never expected [Rock Tomb] to hit.
The point wasn't damage it was control.
As the terrain became littered with boulders, Raikou's movement slowed. It couldn't weave and dash as freely as before.
Meanwhile, Steelix's slow, lumbering bulk was hardly affected. Even the biggest stones crumbled under its weight.
With Electric-type moves nullified and now its speed compromised, Raikou's options were shrinking fast.
Steelix surged forward again, crashing through trees like matchsticks.
Raikou, backed against the water, made a risky move.
It baited Steelix turning its back and pretending to stumble. When Steelix lunged, Raikou sidestepped and let momentum carry the massive serpent straight into the lake.
KER-SPLASH!
A tower of water erupted as Steelix plunged beneath the surface.
As the ripples spread, Raikou turned to Kai with a glint of triumph in its eyes.
Rock- and ground types were notoriously vulnerable to water. Everyone knew that. Even Pokémon.
Steelix was too heavy to climb out. The lake was Raikou's ally now.
Only… something wasn't right.
Raikou expected panic. Desperation.
But when it looked at Kai he was smiling.
Not panicked.
Not surprised.
Just… smiling.
----
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