This chapter title is based on the song from Three Days Grace.
To all of you who read, follow, favorite, and review this story, thank you all! Your interest in this story fuels my motivation. I hope you enjoy this chapter.
Another day on the road, and Akari already felt the fatigue of the journey settling into her bones. Leaving Floaroma Town behind had proven more difficult than anticipated. A constant gale howled through Route 205, whipping her long red scarf into a frenzy. She tightened the grip on her white bandana, the familiar fabric a grounding presence amidst the wind's chaos.
Once the howling wind slowed down for a moment, Akari heard the sounds of footsteps of something small. Looking around, Akari spotted a pair of Pokémon walking curiously along the path beside her. A Plusle and Minun, their yellow bodies a stark contrast against the windswept landscape, drooled and shuffled forward, oblivious to everything but some unseen force pulling them onward. Intrigued, Akari decided to follow the electric duo, squinting against the wind-blown sand.
Their destination soon became clear. In the distance, the towering form of the Valley Windworks rose against the horizon. From where she stood, Akari could see the colossal wind turbines spinning at a dizzying speed, their blades blurring into a mesmerising circle. An unsettling hum of static, felt more than heard, pulsed through the air. A sense of foreboding washed over her, and Akari quickened her pace, pushing past the bewildered Plusle and Minun as she raced towards the Windworks.
As she drew closer, a battle unfolded before her. A man in a sharp suit, his face etched with grim determination, stood amidst the roaring machinery. An Ampharos by his side, its powerful body crackling with electricity, faced off against a group of wild Electric-type Pokémon. With a mighty bellow, Ampharos unleashed a devastating Thunder. The electrical energy arced through the air, striking an Electrode that was attempting a reckless roll attack. The Electrode, overwhelmed by the raw power of the attack, let out a cry and fainted instantly.
Feeling a surge of urgency to help, Akari sent out Monferno. "Monferno, use Mach Punch on those two Electric Pokémon!" she commanded, pointing towards a pair of Voltorb that scurried near the unconscious Electrode. These Voltorb, most likely underlings to the fallen leader, seemed momentarily stunned by the sudden turn of events. Their erratic movements betrayed their confusion, leaving them vulnerable.
Monferno, a blur of fire and fury, sprang forward, executing a flawless Mach Punch on each Voltorb. The unsuspecting Pokémon were sent rolling across the field, their bodies sparking faintly before lying still. Akari watched with satisfaction, but her relief was short-lived. A sudden crackle of static erupted around Monferno, her fiery pelt bristling with the unwanted energy. It seemed one of the Voltorb possessed the Static ability, a cruel twist of fate. If those were the Voltorb of Hisui, Akari would have ordered a single Flamethrower to knock them out.
Wasting no time, Akari rushed to Monferno's side. Reaching into her pouch, she retrieved a Paralyze Heal and gently misted Monferno with the cool yellow liquid. As the medication seeped into her fur, the static field dissipated, and Monferno let out a relieved sigh.
"There you go, Monferno," Akari soothed, offering her partner a reassuring pat. "How about you take a well-deserved rest for now? We wouldn't want you to get paralyzed again." With a gentle click, Akari returned Monferno to her Poké Ball.
The man in the suit approached her, his Ampharos trailing behind. "Thank you for your timely assistance," he said, extending a hand. "I'm Karsten, an engineer working here at Valley Windworks."
Akari grasped his hand firmly. "Akari's the name," she replied. "I'm Professor Rowan's assistant, but right now I'm a Trainer competing in the Sinnoh League. Is this...situation...with the wild Pokémon normal?"
Karsten shook his head as he released her hand and turned his gaze towards the rapidly spinning wind turbines. "No, not at all. This constant gale is highly unusual. It's been generating an enormous amount of electrical energy, which has, in turn, created a massive static field. This field is attracting wild Electric-type Pokémon like moths to a flame. They're basically gorging themselves on the stray electricity."
He sighed deeply. "Once the wind subsides, they'll return to normal. But until then, it's best to keep them unconscious to avoid any accidents. My guess is the wind will die down to a manageable level within an hour or so. Unfortunately, we can expect a steady stream of Electric-type Pokémon drawn in by the static field until then."
"An hour? That's no problem, I can definitely help out for that long," Akari replied confidently. A determined glint sparked in her eyes. "I can take one side of the Windworks to make sure no wild Pokémon slip past us. Together we can handle this!"
Karsten's expression shifted from surprise to gratitude. "You're willing to lend a hand? That would be a tremendous help! We'd be grateful for your assistance, Akari. Of course, Valley Windworks will compensate you appropriately for your time and effort."
••• ••• •••
With a curt nod of thanks, Akari wasted no time. She darted to the opposite side of the Valley Windworks, her boots crunching on the loose gravel path. Reaching her designated post, she scanned the area, her senses on high alert. A sudden rustle in the nearby tall grass caught her attention. Adrenaline surged through her veins as a flash of green fur shot out of the foliage.
An Electrike, its sleek green fur bristling with static, emerged from the treeline and into the clearing. Its electric fur charged with energy, its movements erratic. The Pokémon darted from side to side, seemingly oblivious to its surroundings, its entire focus fixated on the pulsating energy emanating from the wind turbines.
Without hesitation, Akari reached for her Poké Balls, a determined glint flickering in her eyes. "Budew, it's your turn!" she called out, tossing the Luxury Ball with a practised flick of her wrist. In a flash of white light, her Grass-type materialised before her, his single bud swaying gently.
Electrike, startled by the sudden burst of light, shot backwards in a flash of green fur. The hunger in its eyes had been replaced by a spark of aggression as it recognized Akari and Budew as potential threats.
Letting out a sharp howl, Electrike's body crackled with a crimson aura. Akari knew this move could increase Electrike's Attack power. She needed to keep up.
"Let's counter with Growth, Budew!" Akari commanded, her voice calm and clear despite the rising tension. Budew responded instantly, his small body emitting a soft white glow. With each pulse of light, Budew grew slightly taller, his single bud pulsating with newfound energy. A red aura then engulfed Budew as well, a sign of the stat boost granted by Growth.
However, Electrike wasn't one to wait passively. Before Budew could finish his growth spurt, Electrike launched itself forward in a blur of white light. It had used Quick Attack, a move known for its lightning-fast execution. Budew, caught off guard, was struck with surprising force, sent reeling back with a pained cry.
Seizing the opportunity, Electrike unleashed a bolt of electricity from its electrified fur. The attack swiftly arced towards Budew. "Dodge it!" Akari called out. Despite Akari's shout to dodge, Budew was only able to leap to the side at the last moment. Although the blast seemed to miss, the tendrils of electricity whipped around and stuck Budew's back with a jolt.
The attack left Budew visibly singed, his earlier confidence shaken. Thinking fast, Akari called out, "Recover with Mega Drain!" Budew, fueled by a surge of determination, extended a luminous green tendril towards Electrike. The tendril connected with the electric Pokémon, draining its energy and transferring it to Budew. A visible sigh of relief escaped Budew as the green light subsided, his singed skin slowly repairing itself. The stolen energy seemed to revitalise Budew, his single bud now glowing with renewed vigour.
Once more, Electrike charged forward with a Quick Attack, its body a blur of green. This time, however, Akari was prepared. "Brace yourself, Budew, and use Mega Drain as soon as it gets close!" she commanded.
Budew dug his heels into the ground, readying himself for the impact. The Quick Attack struck with a resounding thud, sending Budew skidding backwards across the dirt. Despite the force of the blow, Budew held firm, his single bud pulsing defiantly. Without missing a beat, he lashed out with a luminous green tendril, connecting with Electrike and draining its energy. A surge of vitality flowed back into Budew, his earlier fatigue replaced by renewed vigour.
Electrike, its movements sluggish from the energy drain, let out a low growl, its frustration mounting. With a final burst of effort, it unleashed another bolt of electricity towards Budew. The attack crackled through the air, its trajectory different to the Shock Wave Akari had witnessed earlier.
"Counter it with Extrasensory, Budew!" Akari called out, her voice laced with a hint of uncertainty. While the move resembled Shock Wave, something felt off.
Budew braced itself for the impact, his single bud pulsing rapidly. The electrical attack struck, but instead of delivering a jolting shock, it wrapped around Budew in a crackling field of energy. Akari's eyes widened in realisation. This wasn't Shock Wave; it was Thunder Wave, a move notorious for inflicting paralysis on its target.
Despite the unexpected turn of events, Budew remained unfazed. His eyes glowed a vibrant green as he unleashed a wave of psychic energy towards Electrike. The Extrasensory attack slammed into the electric Pokémon's head, overloading its senses with a torrent of confusing information. Electrike shuddered, its movements growing erratic before finally collapsing to the ground, unconscious. The lingering effects of Thunder Wave coursed through Budew's body, leaving him standing victorious but paralyzed, his green eyes flickering with fatigue.
Akari clicked her tongue in annoyance. "Budew, return for now," she said, recalling her Pokémon with a practised flick of her wrist. The pressure of the situation gnawed at her – Budew's paralysis limited his options for now, and the constant stream of Electric-type Pokémon showed no signs of stopping.
As Budew vanished into its Luxury Ball, another movement caught Akari's eye. Emerging from the treeline was a new challenger: a Magnemite, its metallic body glinting in the afternoon sun. It hovered in the air, its single eye fixated on the power lines.
"Monferno, your turn!" Akari called out, her voice ringing with determination. She knew time was of the essence as she wanted to finish this battle before a paralysis attack could hit Monferno. Akari needed to end this fight quickly. "Use Flamethrower – Strong Style!"
Monferno materialised in a flash, her powerful legs churning as she propelled herself towards the Magnemite. With a mighty roar, she unleashed a torrent of flames that engulfed the metallic Pokémon in a searing inferno. The attack was swift and decisive, leaving no room for error. Magnemite offered little resistance. It let out a weak whirring sound before crashing to the ground, its single eye flickering off. Akari blinked in surprise, astonished by how quickly the battle concluded. Perhaps its steel typing offered little resistance to Monferno's powerful Fire-type attack.
However, there was no time to celebrate the unexpected victory. Another shape emerged from the tall grass, its silhouette outlined against the clearing by the harsh wind. It was a Flaaffy, its fluffy white wool and pink skin bristling with static electricity. Its normally gentle eyes were narrowed into a fierce glare, a low bleat erupting from its throat – a challenge ringing clear in the wind.
Akari weighed her options carefully. Monferno was undoubtedly her strongest Pokémon, but recalling her felt necessary. Monferno needed to conserve her energy for potential larger threats or another encounter with a Pokémon like Magnemite, whose metallic body would resist attacks from Budew or Ralts. With a decisive nod, she reached for another Poké Ball.
"Alright, Ralts, it's your turn!" she declared, tossing the Heal Ball with a flick of her wrist. In a flash of light, her Psychic-type companion materialised on the field. Ralts, her blue dress fluttering in the wind, gazed at the approaching Flaaffy with her large, curious eyes. For a fleeting moment, stars shimmered briefly around the young Pokémon.
Flaaffy, taking advantage of the brief pause caused by Akari's switch, launched its attack. Electricity crackled along its tail and wool as it built up a charge. In a flash, a bolt of Thunder Shock shot towards Ralts.
"Teleport – Agile Style!" Akari called out. Agile Style significantly increased the speed of the Teleport, but it also drained more energy from Ralts. In a blink of light, Ralts vanished from the spot, leaving the Thunder Shock harmlessly arcing through the air.
Now out of immediate danger, Akari decided to counterattack. "Now, hit it with Psybeam!" she commanded. This was a new move for Ralts, learned shortly after leaving Floaroma Town. It was her first time using it in a real battle, and a surge of nervous excitement coursed through Akari.
Ralts concentrated, focusing her psychic energy. A beam of shimmering light erupted from her forehead, striking Flaaffy squarely in the chest. The electric sheep Pokémon yelped in surprise, its body trembling under the impact. The force of the attack caused it to recoil, then Flaaffy decided to shake. Puffs of its fluffy wool to erupt, scattering like dandelion spores in the wind.
Unfortunately, some of the stray wool landed on Ralts, clinging to her dress and hair. To Akari's dismay, the wool seemed to be attached with an unseen force, pinning Ralts to the ground even after her successful Teleport. "Cotton Spore?" Akari muttered, recognizing the telltale effect of the move. This unexpected snag had cost them precious time.
Flaaffy, sensing an opportunity, seized the moment. With a determined huff it charged towards Ralts. The electric sheep slammed into Akari's Pokémon with a forceful Take Down, sending Ralts tumbling to the ground. Flaaffy landed squarely on top of her, its weight pinning her down further.
"Get it off with Draining Kiss!" Akari shouted, desperation creeping into her voice. Ralts, despite her predicament, managed to follow the command. Leaning forward, she planted a kiss on Flaaffy's cheek. A soft pink aura engulfed them both momentarily, before being absorbed by Ralts. A revitalising warmth spread through the young Pokémon as she drained some of Flaaffy's life force to heal her own injuries.
The Draining Kiss, however, clearly had an effect on Flaaffy. Startled by the unexpected attack, Flaaffy let out a cry of pain as it recoiled backwards. But before Akari could capitalise on the momentary advantage, another bolt of electricity arced towards Ralts. This time, Akari recognized it instantly – Thunder Wave. Ralts, still stuck to the ground with the clinging wool and unable to teleport due to her fatigue, was struck by the attack. A jolt of electricity ran through her body, leaving her paralyzed and trembling.
"Ralts, return!" Akari called out, her voice laced with concern. With a gentle click, the Poké Ball pulsed with red light, enveloping Ralts and transporting her back to safety. Akari wasted no time. Reaching for her Luxury Ball once more, she declared, "Your turn again, Budew!"
In a flash of white light, Budew materialised on the field, its single bud swaying gently. Akari couldn't help but notice a renewed sense of vigour in her Grass-type partner. Budew's ability, Natural Cure, had kicked in, curing the paralysis inflicted by Electrike's Thunder Wave. The earlier battle had left its mark, however, with a few faint singes still visible on his small body.
"Let's not give Flaaffy another chance to paralyse," Akari said, her voice firm. "Use Substitute!" Budew glowed with a soft white light, and in a blink, an identical copy materialised in front of it. In a puff of smoke, Budew itself vanished, leaving the Substitute to take its place.
Flaaffy, momentarily confused by the sudden disappearance and reappearance of its opponent, blinked its large eyes. However, the confusion was short-lived. With a determined shake of its head, Flaaffy unleashed another bolt of Thunder Wave. The electrical attack crackled towards the Substitute, but upon reaching it, fizzled out harmlessly. The Substitute stood stoic, a testament to Budew's successful manoeuvre.
While Flaaffy appeared stunned by the Substitute's resilience, Akari saw her chance. "Mega Drain, Budew!" she commanded, her voice ringing with authority. The Substitute, mirroring Budew's movements flawlessly, surged forward with surprising speed. A luminous green tendril, thicker than usual, erupted from his single bud and lashed out at Flaaffy. The attack connected squarely, draining the electric sheep of its energy. A visible surge of vitality flowed back through the tendril, revitalising Budew even as Flaaffy's body slumped in exhaustion.
Suddenly, a bolt of electricity arced through the air, a desperate counterattack from Flaaffy. The Thunder Shock struck the Substitute with a resounding explosion, revealing the real Budew standing where the decoy had been a moment before. The Substitute had taken the brunt of the attack, sacrificing itself to protect it's creator.
"Hit it hard with Mega Drain – Strong Style!" Akari called out, her voice firm despite the unexpected turn of events. Budew, unfazed by the destruction of its Substitute, responded instantly. A thick, vibrant green tendril materialised from its bud, considerably larger and more potent than its previous attacks. With a determined pulse, Budew launched the Mega Drain, the tendril whipping through the air towards Flaaffy.
Flaaffy, its body wracked with fatigue, let out a pained bleat. The powerful Mega Drain attack sapped the remaining energy from the electric sheep Pokémon. It swayed precariously on its legs, its once vibrant wool now dull and limp. Despite its exhaustion, Flaaffy's fighting spirit remained unbroken. With a final burst of determination, it shook its fluffy coat, sending another wave of Cotton Spores flying into the air.
However, Akari remained calm. A Grass-type Pokémon like Budew was completely immune to the effects of Cotton Spore. The spores drifted harmlessly around Budew, failing to find purchase on its grassy hide.
"Finish it, Budew! Extrasensory!" Akari called out, her voice ringing with confidence. Budew's eyes glowed a brilliant green, and a wave of psychic energy pulsed outwards, engulfing Flaaffy's head. The electric sheep Pokémon convulsed briefly as its senses were overloaded by the psychic attack. Its eyes glazed over, and with a weak bleat, Flaaffy collapsed to the ground, finally succumbing to exhaustion. Akari lightly smiled at another victory.
A sudden crackle of static pierced the air, jolting Akari from her victory over Flaaffy. She whirled around, her eyes widening in alarm as she spotted the source of the sound. There, hovering near a nearby power line, was a familiar sight – a Magnemite. This wasn't just any Magnemite, however. Akari recognized the burn marks marring its metallic surface – the telltale signs of her earlier encounter. Apparently, the electric Pokémon had merely feigned unconsciousness, waiting for an opportune moment to strike.
Magnemite's single eye glowed as it latched onto the power line, greedily draining electricity. A surge of current arced through its body, its metallic form crackling with stolen energy.
"Budew, Mega Drain!" Akari shouted, desperation lacing her voice. Budew launched his attack as the luminous green tendril shot towards Magnemite, but the electric Pokémon didn't even flinch. The tendril struck against its metallic body and failed to disrupt its concentration.
Realisation dawned on Akari. Budew's Grass-type attack was simply ineffective. Akari made a quick decision, she switched Pokémon. "Return, Budew," she murmured, the Luxury Ball clicking shut with a soft hiss. This wasn't a fight for a Grass-type Pokémon. She needed her Fire-type powerhouse.
"Monferno, your turn!" Akari declared, throwing out her Poké Ball. Monferno materialised in a flash of flames, her fiery gaze fixed on the trespassing Magnemite. "Flamethrower, but be careful not to hit the power lines!" Akari commanded.
Monferno roared as a blast of flames erupted from her mouth. The attack engulfed Magnemite, scorching its metallic body further. However, unlike before, Magnemite remained stubbornly attached to the power line, seemingly unfazed by the fiery assault. It became certain that the initial Flamethrower attack hadn't actually knocked it unconscious. The cunning Pokémon had simply feigned defeat to lure her attention away. Now, it was determined to drain as much power as possible before Akari could stop it. She needed to act fast before the situation escalated further.
"Knock it back with Power-Up Punch – Strong Style!" she commanded, her voice tinged with urgency. Monferno roared in response. With a powerful leap, Monferno propelled itself into the air and slammed her glowing fist into Magnemite. The metallic Pokémon was sent flying with a loud clang, impacting the ground with a heavy thud that sent sparks scattering. At the same time, Monferno's body coursed with a red aura as the effects of Power-Up Punch surged through her.
But Magnemite was a persistent foe. With a whine of electricity, it levitated itself back into the air, its single-minded focus on the power line unwavering. Akari wouldn't let it have its way. "Mach Punch! Keep knocking it down!" she shouted.
Monferno, a blur of fire and fury, wasted no time. She darted towards the hovering Magnemite and delivered another crushing punch, driving the metallic Pokémon back into the dirt. This time, Magnemite seemed momentarily dazed, its eye flickering erratically. However, its desire for electricity proved stronger, and it once again attempted to reach the power line.
Akari watched the repetitive scene unfold with a growing sense of frustration. While she needed to stop Magnemite, she worried that Monferno's relentless attacks were bordering on cruelty. A different approach was needed.
Reaching into her Poké Ball pouch, Akari retrieved a Timer Ball. This specialised Poké Ball was designed to capture Pokémon that had been in battle for an extended period, and Magnemite certainly fit that description. With a practised flick of her wrist, she sent the Timer Ball flying.
Akari held her breath as the ball clicked shut. A red light pulsed momentarily, then faded. Just as quickly, the light flared back to life, the ball shaking violently. Before Akari could react, the Magnemite burst free, its single-minded focus on the power line unwavering.
Akari gritted her teeth in frustration. Traditional methods weren't working. In a desperate attempt, she decided to try reasoning with the wild Pokémon. "Hey! Listen to me!" she called out, her voice cutting through the static-filled air. "I can give you all the electricity you want, just stop draining the power lines and let me catch you!"
The whirring of the Magnemite ceased abruptly. Its eye swivelled towards Akari, a faint hum emanating from its metallic body. For a tense moment, there was no response. Then, to Akari's surprise, it's body bobbed in a movement resembling a nod.
A flicker of hope ignited in Akari's chest. Reaching back into her pouch, she selected a Great Ball. The red and blue design felt appropriate for the magnet Pokémon. With a determined glint in her eye, she tossed the Great Ball. It arced through the air, landing squarely on Magnemite. A single click echoed in the clearing as the ball engulfed the metallic Pokémon in a red light. This time, the Ball held steady, pulsing rhythmically before finally clicking shut with a satisfying snap.
Akari let out a sigh of relief, a tired smile gracing her lips. She walked over and picked up the Great Ball, the weight of the captured Pokémon a comforting reassurance. "We'll get you that electricity you're after," she promised, addressing the Poké Ball as she placed it on her belt. "Just hold on until this whole mess settles down, alright?"
••• ••• •••
After capturing Magnemite, Akari wasted no time tending to her injured Pokémon. She administered a Paralyze Heal to Ralts, the electrical energy coursing through the Psychic-type Pokémon finally dissipating. After an hour of fighting, the wind finally slowed down and the relentless onslaught of Pokémon ceased. The clearing, once a battleground, was now littered with unconscious creatures.
Ralts, despite her initial burst of energy, now panted heavily, the exertion of battling multiple opponents clearly taking its toll. Monferno and Budew, safely tucked away in their Poké Balls, were no doubt similarly exhausted. Akari glanced at Magnemite, still secured within its Great Ball. Uncertainty gnawed at her. With no prior experience with the Steel-type Pokémon and its moves a complete mystery, incorporating it into the team for this battle seemed impractical.
As Ralts surveyed the scene, a frown creased her tiny brow. Akari, with her keen Move Scanner, recognized the shift in the Pokémon's emotions. A surge of understanding flowed through her. Utilising her Move Scanner, she discovered that Ralts had gained the potential to learn a new move – Heal Pulse. Recognizing Ralts' compassionate nature, Akari knelt down beside her partner. A silent communication passed between them, and with a gentle touch, Akari guided Ralts through the process of learning Heal Pulse.
The newly learned move pulsated with a soft green light as Ralts approached each fallen Pokémon. A gentle wave of healing energy washed over them, coaxing them back to consciousness. One by one, the dazed Pokémon stirred, blinking in confusion at their surroundings. Akari, with Ralts' aid, explained the bizarre events that had transpired. Relieved and grateful, the wild Pokémon slowly gathered themselves and, with a final grateful chorus, retreated back into the wild, leaving the Valley Windworks once again shrouded in a peaceful silence.
Akari turned her attention to Karsten, who was busy assessing the damage caused by the sudden influx of Pokémon. He muttered to himself as he inspected the various Windworks facilities, his brow furrowed in concentration. Ampharos, his loyal Electric-type companion, stood beside him, panting heavily from the exertion of the recent battles.
"Hey, Karsten," Akari called out, approaching the researcher with a hesitant smile. "Do you think you could lend a hand with something?"
Karsten's head snapped up at the sound of her voice, his eyes momentarily startled before a grin spread across his face. "Ah, Akari! Just the person I was hoping to see. What seems to be the trouble?"
Akari explained her predicament. "I managed to catch a Magnemite because the stubborn little thing wouldn't stay down for the count. I promised it electricity, but I'm not sure how to provide a constant supply while we're on the road."
Karsten's eyes gleamed with a spark of inspiration as he listened to Akari's explanation. "Hmm, that does pose a challenge," he mused, stroking his chin thoughtfully. "But I believe I might have just the solution! Hold on a moment."
With a newfound sense of purpose, Karsten turned and hurried inside the Windworks facility. Akari watched him go, a flicker of hope blossoming in her chest. A few minutes later, Karsten emerged, a triumphant grin plastered across his face. In his hands, he held a device that looked like a combination of a battery pack and a charger.
"This should do the trick," Karsten declared, approaching Akari and holding out the device. "It's a multi-source charger. You can plug it directly into a power socket when available, but the real beauty lies here." He gestured towards a flat panel attached to the top of the charger. "This solar panel can capture solar energy and store it in the battery pack. With a couple of backups charged, it should be enough to keep your Magnemite happy."
Akari's eyes widened in surprise and delight. This was even more than she could have hoped for. "Wow, Karsten, this is amazing! Thank you so much!" she exclaimed, reaching out to take the device.
Karsten chuckled. "It's no problem at all, Akari. Consider it a token of appreciation for your help today. You handled that whole ordeal with remarkable skill." He pointed to the solar panel. "This part folds flat, so you can easily secure it to the top of your bag when you're on the move. The main unit fits neatly inside your bag, keeping the weight centred."
Akari attached the solar panel to her bag as instructed, feeling a surge of gratitude towards the kind researcher. With this innovative device, she could actually fulfil her promise to her new Magnemite companion.
"This has been incredibly helpful, Karsten," she acknowledged. "I think I'm all set to get back on the road now." A hint of weariness flickered in her eyes, betraying the long hours she'd spent assisting with the aftermath.
Karsten picked up on her subtle cue. "Hold on a minute, Akari," he boomed, his voice filled with warm hospitality. "While Valley Windworks may be able to provide you with the immediate needs for your journey, there's more I can offer personally. How about you come with me back to my place? The family would love to meet you, and you could refuel with a proper meal. It'd be a chance to relax and unwind after all this excitement."
Akari's mind briefly flickered to the image of her Pokémon tucked away in their Poké Balls. They, like her, must be exhausted after the whirlwind of activity. The thought of a comfortable place to rest and recharge their batteries – both literally and figuratively – held a strong appeal. A genuine smile spread across her face.
"Yes, thank you," she replied. "That sounds lovely. I would really appreciate that."
I know that isn't how wind turbines work, but this is Pokémon. The rules don't apply.
What do you think of Akari's team so far? One slot remaining, who do you think it will be?
Tune in next time for Dreams Never End: Chapter 15 - Break The World
Next chapter will be on the 20th, Monday.