Chapter 22: Chapter 21: Electivire Breaks Through to Champion Level
Electivire stood frozen, its gaze locked onto the Magnet Fragment in Ryuu's hand.
Electricity crackled in the air.
The sheer pull of the treasure was overwhelming—so much so that if Ryuu hadn't been someone it trusted, Electivire might have attacked to steal it.
"Go ahead," Ryuu said, tossing the fragment toward it.
Electivire caught it mid-air, then swallowed it whole.
The moment it did—
BOOM!
A massive surge of electricity exploded from its body, sending crackling bolts across the room.
"Step back!" Daiki grabbed Ryuu by the shoulder, pulling him away.
"This kind of breakthrough isn't small—it's going to get wild in here!"
Even without checking with his system, Ryuu could feel it.
Electivire's aura was rising fast.
Its entire body pulsed with raw lightning, surges of blue and yellow arcs violently lashing out.
Sumire and Daiki clasped hands tightly, their eyes locked on Electivire.
This was the moment.
If it succeeded—
Electivire would step into the ranks of Champions.
If it failed—
The backlash might cripple its progress forever.
The air vibrated with pure energy.
Then—
RUMMMBLE!
A shockwave of electricity burst outward, sending sparks flying.
The entire gym blacked out.
All electronic devices tripped instantly.
Tables, chairs, even the walls were scorched with deep burn marks from the surging power.
"Venusaur—Protect!"
"Magnezone—Protect!"
Daiki and Sumire acted instantly.
Their Pokémon materialized in flashes of light, forming protective energy barriers around Ryuu.
Even so—
The sheer pressure of the electricity was intense.
Through the storm, Electivire lifted its arms, then slammed its fists together.
BOOOOM!
A pillar of lightning shot upward, shaking the entire gym.
Then, as suddenly as it began—
The light faded.
Electivire stood tall, electricity still flickering across its body.
Its aura had completely changed.
It wasn't just stronger.
It was something else entirely.
Ryuu's system flashed with updated data.
[Name: Electivire]
[Level: 82 (Champion)]
[Potential: Champion]
Electivire had done it.
It had broken past its previous limits and stepped into Champion-class power.
For a second, Ryuu just stared.
Then—
"IT WORKED!"
Daiki let out a shout and practically tackled Electivire in excitement.
"YOU DID IT! YOU REALLY DID IT!"
The sight was almost ridiculous—a grown man, clutching onto his Pokémon and practically in tears.
For years, Daiki had dreamed of this.
He had trained, battled, and pushed Electivire to its absolute peak—only to fall short of a true breakthrough.
He had long accepted that he would never become a Champion-level Trainer.
And yet—
Here it was.
His own partner, standing at the level he had once thought unreachable.
Sumire smiled warmly, watching her husband and Electivire celebrate.
For once, she didn't even care about the destroyed living room.
This moment was worth it.
---
Ryuu crossed his arms, watching the emotional scene unfold.
Though he didn't say much, deep down—
He was happy for his father.
This wasn't just Daiki's victory.
It was a victory for their entire family.
With his father stepping into Champion-level status, their family's influence in the League would only grow stronger.
Until Ryuu himself could stand among the world's greatest trainers, his father and grandfather would be his greatest shields.
This breakthrough was more than just power.
It was security.
"Master Ryuu!"
A voice suddenly called out from the hallway.
One of the gym apprentices hurried over, looking flustered.
"The gym's power just went out! We have trainers still in the middle of challenges—should we shut down battles for the day?"
Ryuu waved a hand dismissively.
"Don't worry about it. Electivire got a little too excited and overcharged the system. Just reset the breakers."
The apprentice blinked.
"That's… all?"
"Yeah," Ryuu shrugged. "It happens."
The apprentice looked doubtful but nodded and hurried off.
After all, Ryuu was the next heir to the gym—his word was final.
---
That night, Sumire cooked a grand feast, celebrating Electivire's breakthrough.
The family sat together, enjoying the moment.
After dinner, as Daiki leaned back in his chair, his eyes narrowed in realization.
"Ryuu…"
His voice had a hint of curiosity.
"You were gone for days. You came back with a Magnet Fragment."
His gaze sharpened.
"But that's not all, is it?"
Sumire's eyes lit up as well.
"That's right! Ryuu, what else did you find?"
Ryuu smirked, leaning back in his chair.
"You finally remembered me, huh?"
His parents blinked.
They had been so caught up with Electivire's evolution, they had completely ignored whatever else Ryuu had gained.
"Fine, fine," Ryuu chuckled.
"I actually got three big things from this trip."
"Three?" Daiki sat forward, intrigued.
"Wait—you got another treasure besides the Magnet?!"
"Show us!" Sumire added, clearly excited.
Ryuu simply smirked.
"You might want to brace yourselves."
With a flick of his wrist, he tossed a Poké Ball into the air.
A flash of red light illuminated the room.
Then—
THUD.
A small blue-scaled dragon landed on the floor, looking up at them with fierce determination in its eyes.
Sumire gasped.
Daiki's jaw dropped.
Ryuu's grin widened.
"Meet my new partner—Bagon."
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