Catch Feelings, Not Just Pokemon

The moment Iono confronted Haru, who had been driven into a berserk frenzy, she finally understood one crucial truth…

Some birds are never meant to be caged — their wings shine too brightly.

And when they finally take flight, even the one who built the cage must offer them a heartfelt blessing.

That… was how it was supposed to be.

But now? Iono just wanted to run.

She couldn't win — not a chance.

Just from Haru's stance alone, she could tell she was hopelessly outmatched.

Was that drug effect really that ridiculous? Why did it feel like Haru's attack power had suddenly jumped five tiers?

"W-Wait—eek, yaaah!"

Faced with this demon god of a man, Iono didn't even try to fight back — she turned and fled.

Against a boss-level threat like this, better to retreat and hope he calmed down a bit before round two.

Unfortunately, she hadn't even reached the door when Haru's hand had already locked onto her fate-bound Magnemite…

And then, even her mischief-loving Roto-bomb was seized under his control.

Haru's strength far exceeded what she'd expected. With power weaker than a Caterpie, she stood no chance of resistance.

Even worse, if she didn't want to cause a scene, she had to keep the noise down.

This was the Kitakami Village Civic Hall — every room nearby was full of students and faculty from both Naranja Academy and Blueberry Academy.

If word of this got out — especially if Lillie heard what happened here...

Her career as a Gym Leader would be finished!

So in the end, to avoid alerting others, she couldn't even summon her Pokémon for backup.

And Haru? He was in no mood to give her a second chance.

Like a freed bird riding the wind, he struck first with a flash of cold light — then lunged like a dragon with a spear.

He wasn't holding back — this was a full-force charge, like a master lancer aiming straight at a stunned enemy.

Not good. She had no choice — she'd have to use that move.

Forced into a corner by Haru's overwhelming assault, Iono desperately activated her forbidden move: "Devour the Stars."

It was her only shot at dulling Haru's offensive edge.

If she could pull it off, she might just buy herself a sliver of breathing room.

After all, as any tactician knows — in war, logistics come first. If she could do like The Grand Strategist and cut off the enemy's supplies before they reached her core…

Maybe, just maybe, this battle wasn't totally lost.

And luckily, she did know where Haru's "supplies" were kept — nestled in the core of two enormous celestial spheres.

If she could destroy them, his reserves would dry up early, and her base would be safe.

But that was easier said than done.

Yes, Iono's Devour the Stars could consume even the largest stellar bodies, sealing them within a void of absolute black.

That would force Haru to prematurely expend his god-slaying spear in a burst of light, burning through his energy reserves.

But in terms of raw offense? Haru's Lance of Godslaying was no less terrifying.

In fact, it was faster. Stronger. Harsher.

Teeth of the abyss? Gravity that swallows all?

Hah! Before his mighty, divine Spear of Longinus, all would be crushed — reduced to dust!

Iono's petty tricks were no match.

His god-slaying spear pierced through the void — and dove even deeper into the subspace beyond, heedless of the jagged abyssal fangs that lined its walls.

So this was his real goal — not simply defeating Iono, but sealing off her subspace tunnel entirely!

Once that was lost, she would have no way to recharge — and that would be the end of her.

Iono was truly at her limit now.

She was powerful, yes. But Haru's assault was beyond anything she could endure.

He was simply… too strong. Crushingly strong.

And yet — that still wasn't the end of his offensive.

Berserk and breathless, Haru exhaled — and pushed his power even further beyond.

"Aaaaaghhh! Iono, can you take this?!"

No — she had to dodge this! This was the big one!

That was the only thought flashing through Iono's mind.

And she understood exactly what was coming.

Yes — Haru, with his reserves intact, was about to unleash everything through the subspace tunnel.

An overwhelming white beam of energy would flood the entire subspace — a torrent of life force, like a new Big Bang.

Planets, lifeforms — all would surge into the void, burying the tunnel in creation.

He'd lose energy, yes — but Iono would take far worse.

She had to dodge this one.

But… could she?

No. Not even a little.

From the moment Haru seized her mischievous Roto-bomb, the outcome had already been sealed.

Fortunately, Haru didn't overstay his offensive — after unleashing his final strike, he immediately began to retreat.

That gave Iono a brief window to catch her breath.

Flat on the floor, knowing she couldn't escape, Iono tried to appeal to reason.

"W-Wait—!"

"Let's make a deal, okay? Can we at least set a limit? Otherwise…"

She spoke while trying to crawl toward the door.

But Haru, of course, wasn't about to let her go — he grabbed her leg and dragged her back without hesitation.

She didn't even need to look to know what was coming — a brutal hit right to the weak point.

And sure enough, berserk Haru completely ignored her protests and struck with a lance-style Radiant Star.

What followed was a relentless, brutal series of attacks — crashing over her like waves.

"S-Stop… at least go easy with the power…"

Iono reached out, as if to grasp a glimmer of hope.

But that hope was just a mirage — distant and unreachable. All she could do now was endure.

Was there anyone… who could save her?

If she had to face this alone — she feared by morning she'd be reduced to a soulless machine, grinding away without feeling.

If only someone — some teammate — could appear and help…

But it was deep into the night. What strange companion could possibly show up now?

So no — it was just a fantasy.

As her soul seemed to drift further and further away, Iono could only think:

Is there no one out there for me?

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