Chapter 304: Three Battles, Dual Weather: Steam and Skyquake

Souls danced with joy; fallen Pokémon were blessed by the spirits of the Tower of Heaven, while the victors were sung of in legend.

N felt his own soul blazing fiercely, like fire—exactly as the silver-gray dragon had said!

Life bloomed in its most radiant form; both fallen Pokémon carried resentment and the wish to fight again, entrusting that desire to the next Pokémon, making them stronger.

“Hm?”

Guang Tai sensed the surge of power within N; that immense will and conviction seemed to have been inherited by other Pokémon.

“If Douzi and Dou are both heroes, then N, their adversary, must possess equal power—does the Seeker’s belief mean that fallen Pokémon pass their conviction to the next, triggering a surge in strength?”

The more battles continued, the stronger the subsequent Pokémon became—this might also be seen as an expression of bond, though Master N called this power—

"Let me show you the ultimate love I pour into my friends!"

“My friends support me, and I support them; fallen friends are not defeated—they pave new possibilities for those who follow. This is the equation of belief and inheritance!”

For some reason, Master N suddenly felt his battle fervor rise, but Guang Tai saw it—the spirits were gathering around him!

And beside him, the spirits of those Pokémon were present too!

Their fighting spirit burned, savoring the beauty of life; battle was the meaning of survival, and so they poured all their strength into the fallen!

All just to witness a fiercer, more powerful battle!

“Third Pokémon: Rapidash!”

As expected, N’s third Pokémon was Rapidash from Summer’s team—a Legendary Pokémon with high base stats and a unique classification!

“Yatu!”

The clear sky still held, and Guang Tai sent out Torterra!

Torterra landed, its leaves tinged with maple hues, its back bearing the sacred white tree; the Rapidash narrowed its eyes—just by appearance, this Pokémon was no ordinary Grass-type weakling. The large dog let out a low rumble.

Intimidate!

On entry, Intimidate causes the opponent to flinch and lowers their Attack stat!

But Torterra remained unmoved; ancient spirit echoed in its will, rendering Intimidate powerless!

At the same time, green light flared across Torterra’s body!

Overgrow, activated at the start—to show respect!

“But… that Torterra’s green power—is that Overgrow?!”

Can that ability activate immediately upon entry?

N felt his knowledge overturned; that should only trigger when HP is low—a surge ability!

Guang Tai: “Theoretically, yes—but my Torterra learned ancient power; under sunlight, Overgrow activates automatically!”

“As for my dragon? I’m saving it for your last two!”

N fell silent, but a smile touched his lips.

The gods of wind and thunder—already infected by this battle—they screamed inside their Poké Balls! They wanted to fight, blaming themselves for poor command!

Ah… perhaps it truly is so, but it doesn’t matter. My defeat only proves my weakness—precisely why I asked for their help, isn’t it?

“Your Torterra isn’t just unique in appearance—it’s unusually fast, and its thoughts are chaotic beyond measure.”

“I can’t read them,” N said, exasperated.

Torterra appeared calm on the surface, but before battle, its mind was always frantic—yet the moment combat began, that anxiety vanished instantly!

“My Torterra’s speed is no ordinary thing. If you think it’s clumsy, you’ll pay the price.”

“Awooo!” Rapidash roared, charging at Torterra at blinding speed, its body wreathed in fierce flame!

Energy Charge! Cover the body in flame to strike, storing power to boost speed!

Torterra, a slow Pokémon, couldn’t handle speed-based foes; N picked up Torterra’s inner mutterings—though outwardly calm, its mental activity was surprisingly intense.

It was deliberating which move to use; chaotic techniques spun in its mind like lottery draws. N realized: this Torterra might be the key breakthrough!

Torterra radiated life energy; silver light glowed across its body!

Iron Defense! Greatly raise Defense!

Guang Tai silently issued the command.

Shell Smash!

Torterra’s body flared red; two consecutive Shell Smashes drastically lowered Defense—but White Herb leapt up and restored all lowered stats!

Attack, Special Attack, and Speed surged dramatically!

“Full Force Tackle!”

Launch a ground-impact attack infused with total willpower—immense power, the ultimate “close-range” Ground-type move!

Torterra charged at Rapidash!

BOOM! The collision of the two titans shook the Tower of Heaven’s floor; this ancient tower, built with incomprehensible technology, didn’t collapse even under violent combat!

Ground-type energy exploded; Rapidash let out a pained howl!

N’s gaze sharpened—he sent his will.

Now—use Reversal!

Rapidash’s pained expression vanished; its eyes snapped wide, body twisted, and it slammed back into Torterra!

The force shook the very sky!

Pour all strength into the attack—the lower your HP, the greater the move’s power!

The effect of this blow—

N’s expression grew grim.

Rapidash’s counterattack had landed—but Torterra’s body blazed with brilliant light. That was “Photosynthesis”!

The sacred tree on Torterra’s back swayed; the Revival Herbs emitted power. Only now did N see the strange plants on Torterra’s back—Ability Herb and Revival Herb?!

These weren’t held items—they grew directly from Torterra’s body!

“What?!”

Impossible to comprehend!

Countless branches sprouted from the tree, gathering massive Grass-type energy!

Powerful “Wood Hammer”!

The blow crushed Rapidash, nearly knocking it unconscious!

“Belief is inherited… I firmly believe—don’t give up, Rapidash!”

N suddenly abandoned mental command; under his shout, the Rapidash—whose HP had dwindled to a flickering candle—let out a roar!

Howl! Raise morale with a loud cry, boosting Attack for self and allies—then Flame Charge!

The impact nearly flung Torterra into the air; Guang Tai now felt Rapidash’s power surging!

The strength of the two fallen Pokémon flowed endlessly into Rapidash’s body; the spirits of the Tower of Heaven amplified it!

POP! Torterra’s body ignited—Flame Charge’s secondary effect: Burn!

“A 10% chance triggered? Belief doesn’t just boost power and near-death surges—it increases the chance of secondary effects too.”

Burn: Suffers damage each turn; physical attacks deal reduced damage.

“Huh!” Torterra regrouped; Rapidash had become a formidable foe. It began using Quick Attack to find openings—against a +2 priority move, even Shell Smash’s speed boost meant nothing.

But luckily, Guang Tai had gained the ability to act first via the Unova Link—a form of priority, risky against Quick Attack, but if timed right—

Rapidash gathered flame in its mouth. To land a one-hit KO, Overheat was ideal—but if it failed, Overheat’s side effect would lower its Attack, requiring time to recover.

So the safer choice—Quick Attack + Flamethrower!

Rapidash felt N’s conviction; it knew Torterra was the breakthrough. Defeat this Torterra, and the surrounding Pokémon spirits would cheer for it!

This was the stage to prove its strength, the place to blaze with life’s radiance—it couldn’t be defeated in disgrace!

Go now!

That was exactly what Rapidash thought—then, in the next instant, Torterra began glowing!

Intense light blinded Rapidash instantly!

“Aooo!”

Flash! Emit blinding light to lower the opponent’s accuracy!

Of course, at critical moments, this move could also serve as… “Solar Beam”!

“Whoa, we got flashed too!”

“So intense…!”

Even the spectators weren’t spared!

Seizing the moment Rapidash was blinded, Torterra attacked!

Burn? For a Torterra that could grow its own healing fruit, that meant nothing!

Full Force Tackle, infused with will, struck Rapidash again—this time, the impact was devastating; the dog was flung back, struggled to rise, then collapsed with a final howl!

“Yatu!”

Torterra declared victory.

Barely won—almost got one-shot, but I outplayed you!

N pressed his hat down, squinting open his eyes; the blinding flash had nearly blinded him too, and everyone around was the same—while Guang Tai had prepared, wearing black glasses.

Click. Click-clack!

Angry sounds came from his waistband—Thunder and Tornadus could no longer hold back. So far, Guang Tai hadn’t lost a single Pokémon; if this continued, defeat was inevitable!

They were symbols of immense power—the gods of wind and thunder! They would not lose to the emissary of Landorus!

Without N’s control, two Poké Balls flew open; with howling winds, torrential rain, and heaven-shaking upheaval, the two wind-and-thunder deities stormed onto the battlefield!

Wild winds sliced like blades; surging thunder boomed like heavenly drums. Tornadus and Thunder stared at Guang Tai, roaring their challenge!

You, divine messenger, don’t grow too arrogant—we haven’t even stepped onto the battlefield yet!

"It’s Tornadus and Thundurus—the legendary Pokémon of Kuiji City!"

Fenglu’s expression turned serious; she had been tense, eyes locked on the battlefield.

“It’s like watching a myth unfold.”

Mr. Wa also stared in shock, gripping his brush tightly.

Could someone actually capture the wild Storm Gods and make them battle as Pokémon?!

These two young fighters on the battlefield are extraordinary!

“Doubles? No, make it triples—triple battles are unique to Unova, aren’t they?”

Guang Tai suggested to N:

“It seems they can’t hold back anymore. You really brought these two Pokémon to help—and they’re hostile toward me because I represent Land Cloud.”

“No, there’s something more—greed for a certain thing. I see.”

Guang Tai looked at the two Pokémon: “You want the Verdant Gem?”

“Port?”

“Tuo!”

The Storm Gods exchanged glances—they now knew what had drawn them: the treasure.

It was the Verdant Gem! No wonder it strongly attracted them, flying-type Pokémon! If they could claim that gem, Thundurus challenged Guang Tai!

If you lose, hand over the Verdant Gem to us!

Tornadus and Thundurus harbored deeper thoughts—they both wanted the Verdant Gem, then use its power to crush their brother! Clearly, even after obtaining the gem, they’d still have to fight each other!

“You know the rules—if you want it, come and take it.”

(An incomprehensible ukulele sound.)

Guang Tai threw out his remaining three Poké Balls!

The blazing Bug Pokémon, Heatran, emerged and automatically triggered a small-scale sunlight, briefly suppressing the weather anomalies caused by the Storm Gods, creating a vacuum zone. Heatran radiated intense light and heat, spitting flames, glaring—unafraid of the ancient gods, even eager to fight!

Heatran felt its condition was perfect!

“Woof!” Litleo and Politoed appeared on either side. The Wave Warrior and the Ancient Dragon stared solemnly; Tornadus and Thundurus swept their gazes over the three Pokémon.

A Bug Pokémon that generates light and heat? Rare, powerful—but still unevolved.

A blue puppy, Litleo, extremely rare—but Fighting is completely weak against Flying, and it hasn’t evolved either!

As for that giant dragon, its roar was deafening, giving me a strange sense of pressure—but its color clearly marks it as Water-type, nothing to fear!

And Politoed and Litleo’s thoughts…

Legendary Cloud Gods?!

This is truly a perfect chance to test our strength!

And since we’re fighting the King of Plasma, I can finally unleash my fury.

Give it everything—full power, full heart!

Litleo gently placed its tiny paw on its chest and silently recited the incantation Guang Tai taught it.

Wave energy resides within my heart!

Politoed let out a furious roar!

What ancient cloud gods—did you open rain just for me?!

I’ve waited too long to let loose! If it’s a Legendary Pokémon… hunting it would be fun!

Don’t collapse too quickly!

Politoed’s gaze turned fierce—entered hunting mode!

“Triples? Fine—let the final battle reach its climax! Settle this in one blow!”

N’s last Pokémon was, of course, his ever-present Darmanitan. The fiery baboon landed, spotted Guang Tai, and nodded respectfully from afar.

Hmm, familiar face—but today, we’re opponents!

Wanlong: “Darmanitan—Fire-type power will be suppressed in rainy, windy weather.”

N smiled: “No problem. Darmanitan inherits the strength of fallen allies!”

“Perhaps type advantages aren’t that important.”

These words stunned Guang Tai.

What, now Master Big N wants to be a reverse-type master?

The battle erupted!

Heatran wriggled, igniting flames and sunlight; the little bug charged forward without hesitation!

Brilliant flames erupted—it looked like a miniature sun!

“Such intense sunlight—this Heatran’s talent is extraordinary.”

“It says the child of the ancient city’s god must not lose?”

N’s expression turned utterly astonished.

Child of the ancient city’s god?

What was this Pokémon’s past? He wanted to read further—but time ran out.

Politoed let out a powerful battle cry from behind!

Dragon’s Roar—boost morale, making our moves more likely to land critical hits!

“Though the Storm Gods fight each other, Thundurus completely dominates Tornadus in type—yet Tornadus still holds its own. Does that mean Tornadus is stronger?”

Guang Tai suddenly spoke—and Thundurus’s forehead bulged with furious veins!

What?! How dare you say Tornadus is stronger than me!

Damn new-generation field boss—no taste at all!

I thought the divine messenger would bring profound insight, but you speak such crude nonsense!

“Thundurus, don’t be distracted! That’s provocation!” N sighed helplessly.

Trainers use words to confuse their Pokémon in battle.

This was something he’d done before!

But enraged Thundurus had already swung a powerful Arm Hammer at Tornadus—luckily, N had already communicated telepathically with Tornadus, preventing the absurd scene of brothers fighting on the very first move.

But in that tiny opening, Heatran had already charged straight ahead!

Supercharged flames engulfed its entire body!

Solar Blade Charge!

The blow sent Thundurus flying from midair; it felt searing heat on its chest and cried out in pain!

So hot! So hot! So hot! What’s wrong with this little bug? Where is this ultimate power coming from?!

“Very effective? Power beyond imagination.”

Thundurus isn’t weak to Fire—Fenglu, a Flying-type expert, knew that only a Pokémon of exceptional strength could make the Thunder God show such a reaction.

Has Solar Blade’s power reached the level of type advantage? But Heatran hasn’t even evolved!

Nearby, Tornadus narrowed its eyes and instantly unleashed a Hurricane!

But the next moment, an even greater storm rose from the ground, shattering Tornadus’s Hurricane!

Mimic: Hurricane!

Litleo made the motion of releasing Wave energy, instantly copying Tornadus’s Hurricane—this enraged Tornadus, which immediately used its signature move: Leaf Storm!

Meanwhile, Thundurus snatched Heatran midair and unleashed a powerful Thunder Wave!

The little bug was blasted skyward—but its five antennae suddenly spewed flames, hovering like a rocket insect. The maneuver stunned everyone. Meanwhile, the long-overlooked Darmanitan fixed its gaze on Politoed.

Guang Tai immersed his mind into the battlefield; his will began to transmit!

N didn’t back down—he fully trusted his companions. Only Darmanitan could understand this; Tornadus and Thundurus were too arrogant to fully connect.

“Roar!” Politoed let out a dragon’s cry, whipping its two tails—violent Dragon Storm surged from the ground, sweeping toward Darmanitan and pulling Tornadus and Thundurus down from the sky!

Dragon Storm—creates a massive whirlwind around the opponent, pulling them in for attack. Sometimes causes flinching!

“Hmph!” Dismissing Dragon Storm’s challenge, Thundurus and Tornadus sneered—storms were child’s play to them. They simultaneously unleashed Leaf Storm and Thunder Storm, overpowering Dragon Storm with sheer force and pushing it back!

But from within the storm, a thick jet of steam erupted, scalding boiling water striking Tornadus full force!

The impact surged through its entire body!

“Waaah!”

Tornadus felt its body rapidly heat up—the scalding steam carried unmatched power, nearly melting it!

What move is this?! Why is its power so immense?!

N: “That move… a Water-type move, used under intense sunlight, still has this power?”

Though the Two Clouds had triggered weather anomalies, Heatran alone had intensified sunlight so fiercely that the area became sunshower—meaning… are rain and sunlight coexisting?

Politoed had the most authority on this.

This is something never seen before!

Steam—when used under intense sunlight, its power increases by 1.5x; under rain, its power also increases by 1.5x!

When both sunlight and rain bonuses apply…

Then, whose rain is this?

Wanlong’s glasses were soaked by rain, blurring her view of the battlefield—but the entire area, from sky to ground, was now shrouded in thick steam:

“Rain and sunlight are coexisting! Theoretically, that’s impossible.”

Weather normally overrides earlier weather—but if the Pokémon initiating weather is overwhelmingly powerful, even identical weather moves or abilities struggle to suppress it.

The weather changes caused by the Wind and Thunder Gods are the best example; two years ago, the Hoenn region also experienced uncontrollable severe weather, said to have been triggered by a legendary ancient Pokémon!

It’s said that the combustion insect’s sunlight ability could—

Huh? Wait, does a Combustion Insect even have a sunlight ability?

Even Wanlong couldn’t help but ponder; she was extremely learned, but Pokémon matters weren’t simple to unravel—even the most knowledgeable Pokémon Professor had many unanswered questions.

Hmm, whether manual sunshine or ability-triggered, this Combustion Insect’s power is truly extraordinary—nothing like what an unevolved Pokémon should be capable of.

“Just now, that person said this Combustion Insect is a child of the gods?” Fenglu asked, puzzled.

Wanlong: “Regardless, write it down—it’s excellent creative material!”

“But—” Fenglu pursed her lips, a rare look of thought crossing her face:

“That blue giant dragon—the Water-type moves it used, I’ve never seen anything like them! That power doesn’t seem to come from just rain weather.”

Could it be that the sunlight boost is also affecting it?

But do such moves even exist?

That kind of power—even the legendary Wind and Thunder Gods couldn’t withstand it!

“Tuo!” Tornado Cloud reeled, dizzy and nearly vomiting blood, blasted down from the sky!

Thunder Cloud saw this, swung its arms, and unleashed a massive Thunderbolt!

Leohru took the stance for releasing Psychic Energy, preparing to mimic it.

The next instant, its body suddenly stiffened.

Darmon Monkey was beckoning to it!

Taunt! Provokes the opponent into anger, forcing them to use only damaging moves for a short time!

Mimic is a status move.

Even the most powerful Sharingan is useless if sealed.

This made Mao Xiaogou snarl!

“Awooo!”

Hey, taunt again!

How evil is this move?!

Mao Xiaogou immediately abandoned the idea of using Mimic for support and charged straight at Darmon Monkey!

Thunder Punch + Close Combat!

Meanwhile, Darmon Monkey chuckled, its forehead glowing silver under N’s command!

Iron Head + Arm Hammer!

Lightning Punch clashed with Iron Head; Mao Xiaogou engaged in fierce combat with the red-furred monkey, but Darmon Monkey let out a chuckle—then suddenly changed form.

Darmon Mode.

When at a disadvantage in battle, it retracts its limbs and becomes motionless like a rock.

This is Darmon Mode.

Its body turns blue, eyes pure white; Defense, Special Defense, and Special Attack surge dramatically, Speed drops, and its type becomes Fire + Psychic.

A powerful psychic force surged forward!

Leohru was paralyzed by the psychic force—Psychic Surge. Mao Xiaogou snarled, while Darmon Monkey emitted a low, chanting hum.

Fortunately, Mao Xiaogou knew many Psychic moves.

Its eyes glowed with ferocious energy; black energy formed on its claws. Under Darmon Monkey’s confused gaze, it unleashed a precise Dark Pulse, shattering the psychic force and blasting the monkey away!

What was that?

A malice infused with cosmic stars…?!

Combustion Insect struck Thunder Cloud with Rocket Flare Blitz, but Tornado Cloud, grounded, unleashed a barrage of Air Blades skyward!

“Roar!”

Tornado Cloud panted, lowering its head—only to see the ancient dragon hurtling straight toward it!

Ugh!

The green-skinned muscle beast seized Wave Water’s upper and lower jaws with all its might, veins bulging on its forehead, refusing to let Wave Water open its mouth!

This blue dragon spews superheated steam from its mouth—so if you seal its jaws—

Tornado Cloud’s eyes bulged!

Absolutely cannot let it spit!

By the way, this dragon I’ve never seen—

It’s incredibly strong!

“Ooooo!” Tornado Cloud roared!

A green dragon claw smashed in from the side!

Tornado Cloud was flung away by the tremendous force.

Wave Water opened its maw, and the intense dual-weather steam gathered again within!

If hit again this time, its HP will drop to the brink of death!

“Porter (Brother, I’m coming to help!)”

Thunder Cloud wasn’t just watching from above—he’d finally wrestled the flying bug by brute force, hurled Combustion Insect away, and now rode the clouds to shield Tornado Cloud!

N transmitted the command mentally.

Shadow Clone, then Arm Hammer.

Though Thunder Cloud was enraged, it still heard N’s order—and instantly split into dozens of illusions, striking simultaneously before Wave Water could react!

Arm Hammer: Swings a powerful, heavy fist to strike the opponent. Speed decreases!

This punch disrupted Wave Water’s move—but Thunder Cloud’s fist was bitten down upon, and then a torrent of flame erupted from Wave Water’s mouth!

“Porter!”

The flame struck Thunder Cloud at point-blank range, scorching the blue-skinned muscle beast black all over.

But Tornado Cloud had already used the moment to recover its HP.

It soared back into the sky and, under N’s command, summoned a violent whirlwind!

Tailwind! Boosts the Speed of all allies!

Thunder Cloud and Tornado Cloud changed their battle style—they now clearly recognized these three Pokémon as formidable foes. What was the special power surrounding them?

Tornado Cloud and Thunder Cloud gathered their strength and slammed into the center of Heaven’s Tower from opposite directions!

Leafstorm × Thunderstorm!

The ancient dragon roared; Mao Xiaogou, tangled with Darmon Monkey, leapt onto Wave Water’s back and unleashed moves in opposite directions!

Dragon Pulse ×2!

The storm and dragon pulses collided, exploding into smoke that mixed with rain, wind, and sunlight, swallowing the battlefield.

“Huh? Equal strength?”

“Held their own against the legendary Wind and Thunder Gods… no, even slightly gaining the upper hand!”

Wanlong read the battlefield!

Though the Wind and Thunder Gods constantly circled, seeking openings, this was in fact a sign of weakness—they’d shifted tactics because direct confrontation proved too difficult. But would this work?

“Mera—”

Huhuhu, the little flying bug’s back!

Combustion Insect flew back like a tiny rocket, delighted by its five-tendril fire burst, and slammed into Thunder Cloud again, blasting it from the sky!

Tornado Cloud turned to assist—but suddenly felt something on its body!

Thud!

Amidst the swirling rain and dust, Leohru used Psychic Energy to pinpoint Tornado Cloud’s location.

Guang Tai’s gaze sharpened; the Illusion Wand gently pointed.

Tornado Cloud frowned, confused by Guang Tai’s action.

Suddenly, it felt something added to its body—and began frantically patting itself down!

The held Berry… the Electric-resist Berry was gone!

A small, strange item had been precisely swapped onto Tornado Cloud!

Now!

Guang Tai smiled, victorious.

Leohru’s lips curled upward, instantly assuming a move’s starting pose!

“What’s that item… Target?”

Fenglu stared at Tornado Cloud in the sky, exclaiming in shock!

“It’s an item developed in Twinleaf City—extremely hard to use. A Pokémon carrying this item—”

“Basically, moves that would normally be ineffective due to type matchups now hit it directly! A strange item!”

Hearing Fenglu’s words, Guang Tai was startled.

So Target already existed? But considering Twinleaf City’s ancient heritage, crafting black tech was child’s play—Target was obtained in Twinleaf City in the games anyway.

Precisely because it was odd, few used it—but sometimes, it delivered spectacular results.

Like now.

An invisible vibration emanated from Leohru’s hand; the ripples condensed and spread through the air and rain around Heaven’s Tower, racing toward Tornado Cloud at blinding speed!

The great bell of Heaven’s Tower began to sway and hum from the vibration—by the time Tornado Cloud realized a force was sweeping toward it, it was too late!

Move: Earthquake!

Flying-type Pokémon are immune to Ground-type moves, but there are three exceptions: first, if they carry a Black Iron Ball; second, if they are forced down; third, if they are carrying a Target!

It is less an earthquake than a skyquake!

A strike from afar triggered a trembling of the sky!

(End of Chapter)