Everything that had happened was witnessed by Nemona.
As if infected by Dragonite’s overwhelming power and Michael’s calm composure, Nemona’s eyes widened, and she couldn’t help letting out a short, sharp gasp.
‘So…
This was what a Trainer was.’ The helplessness she had felt when the kidnappers had abducted her flashed through her mind, and at that moment, she silently made up her mind.
Michael didn’t notice the change in Nemona’s mindset.
After taking out his phone and confirming that the message he’d sent to the Mesagoza Police Department had been delivered, he looked toward what appeared to be the warehouse and muttered, “Things are settled over here.
Luxray and the others should be just about done too.” Michael jumped down from Dragonite before carefully lifting Nemona off its back.
With her chin resting on Michael’s shoulder, the tips of Nemona’s ears flushed slightly red.
She felt he was unbelievably dependable.
Suddenly, while basking in the sense of security Michael gave her, Nemona noticed a pair of sharp, eerie purple claws slowly emerging from his shadow under the sunlight, creeping toward his legs.
Her pupils contracted, panic filling her face.
Neither Michael, whose attention was focused on the warehouse, nor Dragonite in the sky noticed a thing.
…
A short while earlier…
Led by Luxray, the five Pokémon divided up their roles with perfect coordination.
The moment they burst out of their Poké Balls, they sprinted straight for the warehouse.
As it charged forward, Luxray’s yellow eyes began to glow brighter and brighter until they shone with an almost golden radiance.
Its brilliant golden eyes burned with intensity as its species’ unique ability, X-Ray Vision, came into effect.
The sheet metal and brick walls were no longer obstacles to its sight.
Everything inside the dilapidated warehouse was laid bare before it.
Several Pokémon guarded the windows on the east and west sides.
At the center of the warehouse were five people, three children lying weakly on the ground and two adult kidnappers.
Luxray narrowed its eyes, considering how to deploy everyone so the children could be rescued without the slightest accident.
Charging straight in wouldn’t work.
Their size would give them away instantly.
Using Intimidate like Dragonite had to overwhelm the enemies would undoubtedly be the easiest solution, but one mistake could endanger the already terrified and emotionally fragile children.
The only option was to carefully control who the pressure was directed at.
Neither Luxray, Swampert, nor Ceruledge possessed that level of precise control.
Which meant, only Serperior might be able to pull it off.
Lowering its voice, Luxray let out several low growls, conveying its plan.
Soon, Serperior, who had already reached the edge of the warehouse, replied, “Ser-per!” (No problem!) Luxray gave a slight nod.
Swampert and Ceruledge would suppress the Pokémon guarding the western window.
Luxray would handle those by the eastern window alone.
The moment their assault drew the kidnappers’ attention, Serperior would overwhelm the kidnappers with Intimidate before rescuing the three children using Vine Whip.
The instant the plan was finalized, all four Pokémon sprang into action.
Wrapped in a suit of crackling lightning, Luxray smashed through the wall and window with explosive force, instantly electrocuting the three Crobat guards unconscious.
Swampert raised its muscular right arm high overhead.
Ceruledge leaped onto it in one fluid motion before Swampert hurled it toward the western window.
At the same time, the flaming greatswords on Ceruledge’s arms ignited with resentful fire.
Bitter Blade cleaved through three Raticate and the wall behind them, knocking them unconscious in a single strike.
The three Pokémon had excellent control over their strength.
Their attacks were decisive, but not lethal.
At the same time, as the bearded kidnapper and the tall, skinny one froze in shock, Serperior’s Intimidate surged toward them like a tidal wave, instantly causing their bodies to stiffen.
Serperior controlled it perfectly.
Not a trace of the pressure reached the three children.
Emerald-green vines sliced through the air, wrapping around the three terrified children, who had been dragged along by ropes held in the kidnappers’ hands, and gently pulled them back to Serperior.
Everything proceeded in perfect order.
Everything…
except for Mimikyu.
Standing blankly by the entrance, Mimikyu looked left and right in confusion, only to realize…
It had been overlooked again.
This wasn’t unusual.
Luxray and the others weren’t ignoring it on purpose.
It was simply because Mimikyu’s naturally faint presence caused everyone to unconsciously overlook it.
Still…
Mimikyu sadly extended the Shadow Claws hidden beneath its ragged disguise, claws capable of tearing through steel, and dejectedly poked one claw against the other for a while.
Then it decided to go find the only person who would never ignore it.
Michael.
After all, Luxray and the others had already finished everything.
Mimikyu melted into the shadows beneath the wild grass, traveling from one shadow to another until it slipped into Michael’s shadow as he jumped down from Dragonite.
A few breaths later, Mimikyu emerged from within Michael’s shadow and stretched out a Shadow Claw, intending to tug lightly on the hem of Michael’s cropped pants so he’d notice it.
Instead, it saw the frightened expression on the little girl perched on Michael’s shoulder.
Tilting its head, Mimikyu hesitated before letting out a puzzled cry.
“Kyu?” “Huh?
Mimikyu, how’d you end up here?” Michael reacted immediately.
The instant he heard Mimikyu’s confused voice, he knew the little one had hidden itself in his shadow again.
Nemona’s panicked expression froze.
It quickly changed into one of confusion and blank astonishment.
‘This Pokémon called Mimikyu…
was Big Bro’s partner?’ Which meant…
She’d panicked for nothing.
Thankfully, Michael hadn’t noticed the change in her expression.
Otherwise, she would’ve embarrassed herself in front of someone she admired.
Yes.
In such a short time, Michael had already become someone Nemona admired just as much as her parents and her older sister.
Carefully retracting the sharpness of its Shadow Claws, Mimikyu climbed onto Michael’s left shoulder.
The little Pokémon practically melted with happiness, nearly collapsing into a puddle as it greedily absorbed the “Trainer Energy” radiating from Michael, soothing its slightly wounded heart.
Then, all of a sudden, Mimikyu noticed that Nemona had already climbed out of Michael’s arms.
Holding onto his right arm, she secretly watched Mimikyu.
For some reason, an indescribable feeling welled up inside Mimikyu’s heart.
Before it could figure out what the strange emotion meant, it suddenly noticed something odd.
Even Dragonite had only noticed it after hearing Michael’s voice.
But this girl…
She had seemed to notice it from the very beginning…?
…
Not long after Michael had subdued the three kidnappers, human scum who only dared prey on children from the shadows, the long-overdue wail of police sirens echoed in the distance.
At the same time, an extremely luxurious-looking sedan followed behind the police cars.
Michael glanced at Nemona, who was comforting the other three frightened children, and a faint smile spread across his face.
Then he turned toward the trio of kidnappers, who had been thoroughly bound by Serperior’s Frenzy Plant, wrapped so tightly they looked as though they’d committed some unforgivable crime.
Serperior had even thoughtfully sealed their mouths shut, ensuring none of their filthy language would offend Michael’s ears or the children’s.
Michael chuckled.
“Congratulations, gentlemen.
You’ve each earned yourselves a shiny pair of silver bracelets.”