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Liam stared at the "Raikou" and the white-haired man rushing straight toward him, his mouth opening wide in shock. A moment later he snapped back to his senses and quickly leapt to the side, moving out of Raikou's charging path.
Then—
BOOM! Crash—clatter—!
The "Raikou," carrying the white-haired middle-aged man on its back, smashed straight into the Pokémon Center!
The moment it burst in, the entire Pokémon Center instantly descended into chaos. A wave of terrified screams erupted as many people inside ran out through the now-shattered entrance.
Liam cautiously leaned forward and looked inside.
What he saw was a mechanical "Raikou", its metal body already battered and damaged from repeated collisions, rampaging wildly through the Pokémon Center.
And on its back was still the white-haired middle-aged man, desperately trying to stop the machine. But his efforts were clearly futile.
"Roar! Roar!"
"Ah! Stop! Stop, Raikou!"
The main hall of the Pokémon Center was now completely chaotic. The mechanical Raikou continued jumping and crashing around, knocking over people and smashing into furniture and walls.
Seeing this, Liam frowned slightly. He couldn't tolerate it any longer.
His left hand quickly reached behind him and pulled out a PokeBall. The next moment, he threw it forcefully!
"Come out, Elekid! Use Thunder Wave to restrain Raikou!"
Through Liam's training, Elekid had developed the ability to control electromagnetic waves. He had used it before in his battle with Steven. Elekid could release electromagnetic waves far stronger than ordinary Thunder Wave, capable of both attack and defense. The magnetism created by these waves could even manipulate metal!
"Li-li-li!!"
The moment Elekid appeared, his two cylindrical arms raised immediately!
Several blue-white electromagnetic waves shot out like chains, instantly wrapping around the mechanical Raikou and locking its body in place!
"Ah!!"
BANG!
The white-haired man riding on Raikou was suddenly thrown off when the machine stopped abruptly. He flew through the air and crashed straight into the Pokémon Center's reception counter!
But the situation was far from over.
"ROAR! CLANK—CLANK—CLANK!"
The restrained Raikou suddenly let out a mechanical howl and began shaking violently. Its body trembled harder and harder, and pieces of metal started falling off!
"Ah! This is bad! Everyone run! This thing is about to explode!"
The white-haired man had just managed to crawl out from the wrecked counter. When he saw Raikou's condition, his round face turned pale instantly. Panic filled his voice as he shouted to everyone nearby.
"Elekid!! Throw it out!"
Hearing the warning, Liam's expression hardened. His eyes quickly scanned the surroundings before locking onto the circular ceiling of the Pokémon Center hall.
Without hesitation, he shouted the command!
"Li-li-li!!"
Elekid roared in response.
Even brighter blue-white electric light burst from his body, completely wrapping around the mechanical Raikou. Then, like a massive flail, Elekid swung it through the air!
The mechanical Raikou smashed straight through the roof and flew out of the Pokémon Center—
Then exploded in midair with a thunderous BOOM.
.....
After the chaos finally settled down, the white-haired middle-aged man who had ridden the mechanical Raikou into the Pokémon Center stood there with a deeply apologetic expression, bowing repeatedly to the arriving Officer Jenny and to Nurse Joy, the biggest victim of the incident.
"I'm so sorry! I'm truly sorry! This was entirely my fault! I sincerely apologize to everyone!"
"Mr. Wattson! This time you've really gone too far!"
Officer Jenny glared angrily at him.
"Fortunately no one was injured. Otherwise I would have arrested you!"
"Yes, yes! Thank goodness no one was hurt!"
Wattson nodded repeatedly.
"I'll apologize to everyone who was frightened, and I'll take full responsibility for all the damages. I won't try to escape my responsibility!"
"Alright then."
Officer Jenny sighed helplessly.
"Still, honestly speaking, it's thanks to that young man over there. If he hadn't acted so decisively, this incident could have turned into a real disaster. Mr. Wattson, you must thank him properly."
"With that said, we're done here. Officers, withdraw!"
She turned and led the police officers away.
.....
Liam had already finished giving a brief statement. After the officer left, the white-haired man—Wattson—walked over with a wide smile.
"Haha! Thank you so much, young man! That was really a close call! Luckily nobody was injured, otherwise I'd have been carrying a huge sin on my conscience!"
Wattson greeted Liam warmly, his slightly chubby belly sticking out as he spoke.
"Yes, it really was a close call."
Liam replied calmly.
"You're Mr. Wattson, the Gym Leader of Mauville Gym, right? I'd heard long ago that you enjoy inventing machines. But inventions this dangerous should really be tested somewhere safer. Otherwise, something like today might happen again."
Liam had recognized Wattson immediately. Frankly, he didn't have a good impression of the man's reckless behavior.
"Ah, yes, yes! This time it was completely my fault!"
Wattson nodded repeatedly in embarrassment.
"But thankfully no one was hurt—that's already the best possible outcome. And that's all thanks to you, young man!"
"Of course!"
He suddenly looked down at Elekid beside Liam.
"And I must thank this Elekid too! You've trained it wonderfully! I was stunned by what it did just now! I specialize in Electric-type Pokémon, so I can tell how outstanding your Elekid is. Its strength is undeniable!"
As he spoke, Wattson's eyes never left Elekid. They were full of admiration.
But Elekid clearly disliked the way Wattson was staring at him. He quietly shifted behind Liam and turned his body away.
Seeing this, Liam smiled slightly.
"Mr. Wattson, I'll take my leave now."
He turned to leave with Elekid.
"Ah—wait a moment!"
Wattson quickly called out.
"Hm? Is there something else?"
Liam asked, turning his head.
"Well, nothing too serious."
Wattson chuckled.
"You two clearly aren't locals, and the Pokémon Center obviously isn't habitable right now. So why don't you come rest at my Gym? Consider it a small apology."
"And besides…"
Wattson's eyes sparkled.
"Your performance just now was impressive. I imagine you're quite strong. I'd very much like to see your strength in battle."
He made his intentions very clear—inviting Liam to stay at the Mauville Gym and proposing a battle.
Liam thought for a moment, slightly furrowing his brow. Then he nodded.
"In that case, I'll accept your hospitality, Mr. Wattson."
"I've just arrived in Hoenn, and I'm curious about the strength of Hoenn's Gym Leaders. This will be a good opportunity to see it for myself."
"I look forward to your guidance."