The cold winds of the Glaseado Mountain Range howled as Iron Thorns stomped and snarled, the unstable energy of two timelines pulling at its form. Its sharp claws tore into the frozen ground, causing tremors that shook the mountainside.
Kai watched it carefully, calm despite the chaos.
He understood now: Iron Thorns wasn't malevolent. It was lost — trapped — confused.
But if left alone in this unstable state, it could hurt itself or others.
Kai drew in a breath, steady and deep.
"We'll have to bring it down," he said, voice unwavering. "We need to make it unconscious, fast and clean."
Geeta, arms crossed, frowned. "You're sure you can do that without harming it?"
Kai gave a quiet nod. "I'll make sure of it."
He glanced down at Chimchar, who clung to his leg, eyes wide with worry.
"You stay back," Kai murmured to Chimchar. "It's not safe for you to join this one."
Chimchar hesitated, then bravely nodded.
Kai straightened up, faced the trembling mountainside — and gave a sharp, piercing whistle.
In an instant, the air shimmered with bursts of brilliant light.
One after another, Poké Balls on Kai's belt opened, releasing his entire team with thunderous force.
The ground shook under the weight of their arrivals:
Roaring Moon roared into the skies, its massive wings casting a looming shadow.Flutter Mane floated out, wreathed in an eerie, glowing mist.Iron Valiant landed with a flash, twin blades gleaming under the cold sun.Slither Wing buzzed aggressively, wings flaring.Sandy Shocks sparked with crackling magnetic energy, scattering snow.Great Tusk stomped the ground, snorting mist into the frozen air.Brute Bonnet growled lowly, spores already charging in the air around it.Scream Tail twirled lightly, its high-pitched hum beginning to rise.Koraidon let out a deep, rumbling cry, scales glittering with primal energy.Miraidon zipped around with an electric roar, circuits flashing neon bright.
Geeta and her Elite Four instinctively stepped back, stunned by the overwhelming pressure radiating from Kai's team.
"This... this is not just strength," Rika muttered. "This is something else."