Pokemon: Sandstorm Elite

Atop the ruins of Sinjoh, the collapse of one of its ancient halls triggered a devastating ripple through the surrounding space-time barrier. Giratina struggled to rise, but Mega Salamence's final attack had been too powerful, rendering it temporarily unable to move.

Sakaki emerged from the wreckage, his ghostly army nearly annihilated. His once-mighty forces lay in shambles. Even the Platinum Orb Scepter in his hand bore a deep fracture, a symbol of the impending downfall of the Kamiyama clan.

Years of meticulous planning, undone in a single night. The eldest son of the Kamiyama family let out a helpless sigh.

"Impressive. The Kanto League only needed to send a single new Elite Four member to push us to the brink of ruin."

Klein frowned. "A butcher drenched in blood has no right to complain."

"A butcher?"

Sakaki chuckled, as if Klein had told a ridiculous joke. The cracks on the Platinum Orb Scepter deepened.

"Do you have any idea how much of Johto's economy—how much of the world itself—relies on this so-called 'butchery'? The Kamiyama family, our foundation… We are not an exception. This is simply how the higher-ups of every region operate."

Klein was not entirely ignorant of this reality, yet he remained firm.

"As long as it is within my power, I will never turn a blind eye."

Sakaki fell silent for a moment. Then, his Incineroar appeared beside him, gently nudging his arm.

"You should go. This place will soon collapse."

But Incineroar shook its head. It refused to leave.

Some Pokémon are more than just partners. They are the first companion, the one who will always stand by their Trainer, no matter what.

For a brief moment, Klein saw Incineroar's image overlap with that of his childhood partner—Tepig.

Sakaki let out a dry laugh. His body was battered, his voice weary.

"Elite Four of Kanto… farewell."

With a sharp crack, the Platinum Orb Scepter shattered completely.

The ruins trembled violently as the massive Sandstorm Domain covering the battlefield began to shrink.

Klein wasted no time. Activating his Dream System, he recalled all his Pokémon except for Delphox. With a flash of light, Delphox used Teleport, warping both herself and Klein out of Sinjoh Ruins to the Ruins of Alph.

Along with them, they rescued the unconscious Celebi.

As the dimensional rift slowly sealed, Giratina, now free from the scepter's control, sank into the abyss of darkness, vanishing from sight.

Sakaki and Incineroar, however, remained within the collapsing ruins—forever sealed in the cursed remnants of their ambitions.

Inside the shattered temple, Sakaki walked slowly toward the innermost chamber, his broken scepter clutched tightly in his hands.

As a defeated man, he had no intention of returning to the outside world.

For generations, the Kamiyama family had pursued a mythical prophecy, believing themselves destined to reshape creation.

Ancient murals lit up along the temple walls, projecting shadowy remnants of the past. One final vision flickered into existence—a young female Trainer, commanding a Serperior and a Ninetales.

Above, Ninetales burned with a radiant golden fire, while below, Serperior unleashed a devastating Solar Beam, annihilating the dark armies surrounding Sinjoh Ruins.

So this battle had already taken place years ago…

The vision cut off abruptly.

Sakaki slumped to the ground, gasping for breath, awaiting his final moments.

His laughter faded into silence.

Sinjoh Ruins returned to the stillness of forgotten history.

And in Klein's arms, Celebi finally stirred awake.

---

With the battles across the three virtual dimensions concluded, all major figures of Team Dim Sun had been apprehended—except for Blake, who had vanished without a trace.

"Where's Blake?"

"He realized the situation at Sinjoh was turning against him and used a special method to escape."

As a fellow Grass-type Trainer, Blake had been extremely cautious when battling Rika. The moment he saw his forces faltering, he fled without hesitation, knowing that even Rika couldn't stop a Trainer of his caliber from escaping.

Now, the Ruins of Alph had returned to peace.

Klein and the other Kanto Trainers prepared to transport the captured criminals.

But as soon as they stepped out of the ruins, they were surrounded by a massive force from the Johto League.

Led by Morty, the Ecruteak Gym Leader, the Johto officials stared at Klein and his team with thinly veiled hostility. However, bound by the orders from the Global Pokémon League, they dared not take direct action.

"Per League protocol, the captured Pokémon Hunters will be transferred to our custody."

Klein had the authority to investigate, but not to detain criminals. By law, all captured offenders had to be handed over to the local League.

But if they turned over Team Dim Sun's key members to the Johto League, it was no different than setting them free.

"Don't worry. None of them will escape."

Noting Klein's hesitation, Morty offered a reassuring smile.

"The Kamiyama elders are already under scrutiny. One hour ago, someone exposed their entire operation to the public."

The Global Pokémon League had launched a full-scale investigation into the Kamiyama Foundation, while Johto's High Councilor had been assassinated, leaving the Johto League in complete disarray.

A faction within Johto, led by Morty and other pro-Kanto Gym Leaders, had long opposed the Kamiyama family's influence. For years, they had pushed for a Kanto Trainer to be elected as Johto's Elite Four, but their efforts had been blocked at every turn.

Now, with the Kamiyama empire crumbling, their moment had finally come.

As Klein signed the transfer documents, Heath suddenly asked:

"Ecruteak is far from here. Why wasn't an Elite Four member sent instead?"

"Because Johto's strongest Trainers are currently leading the hunt for the Masked Pikachu Assassin."

Klein's expression darkened.

"Hunting him down? Why?"

Morty hesitated. Then, his answer shook Klein to the core.

"The Johto High Councilor was assassinated by the Pikachu-masked killer."

What?!

Klein's normally composed demeanor shattered. His fists clenched tightly.

That fool… He really went through with it.

Did he want to become a martyr?

---

Stagthorn Town—a quiet settlement between New Bark Town and Cherrygrove City. Its centerpiece, Stagthorn Park, was a popular gathering place for families.

But today, the entire town had been evacuated.

The Johto League's top officials had surrounded the area, waiting for the battle to conclude.

Just hours ago, the Kamiyama patriarch had been hiding in Stagthorn Town, awaiting news of his son's victory.

Instead, he was met with the edge of a blade—the ruthless strike of the Masked Pikachu Assassin.

Lying in a pool of blood, the old man had only one thought:

"How… How did he know I was here?"

There was only one person who knew his location… a close friend.

Before the Johto League could intervene, the Masked Pikachu Assassin had already slain him in cold blood.

By the time Pryce arrived, the town had already become a battlefield.

With his primary Pokémon, Pryce unleashed his full fury.

A storm of corrosive, frozen seawater engulfed Stagthorn Town, transforming it into an icy wasteland of despair.

The chilling ground emitted a hissing, decaying sound—a testament to Pryce's deadly mastery of Ice-type techniques.

"It's been decades… I never thought I'd see Master Pryce use this team strategy again."

"Another life lost… His wrath must be immeasurable."

At Elite Four peak level, Pryce showed no mercy.

Standing atop the frozen battlefield, Pryce prepared to deliver the finishing blow.

In the heart of the icefield, the Masked Pikachu Assassin stood, bloodied and battered.

His mechanical arm had corroded beyond use.

Only one Pokémon remained at his side.

Mega Blastoise.

Rust and scorch marks lined its cannons, proof of the relentless battle it had endured.

"Surrender, boy. This is your last chance."

The assassin's response was a massive energy blast, igniting the final clash.

(To be continued…)