Although Salance was hit by a Sucker Punch, it wasn't a super effective move, and the level disparity between the two sides was too large, so it didn't cause Salance to lose its ability to fight.
"Grr..."
Salance landed beside its trainer with a slightly twisted expression, shaking its head.
The damage wasn't significant, but the humiliation was imnse.
What puzzled Salance even more was how that mutt managed to land a hit! It was blinded by the wind. How could it still strike so accurately?
Altair noticed the other two Houndooms positioned at different sides of the battlefield, locking their gaze intently on Salance. Suddenly, realization struck, followed by disbelief.
"Could it be... are their visions shared?!"
As soon as Altair said this, everyone present was shocked.
Shared vision?!
Could sothing like this even exist?
"As expected of an Elite Four-level trainer, your insight is truly sharp."
Stephen smiled and said, "That's right. This is the upgraded version of the 'Punk Record'—the 'Joker Record.'"
"Joker Record?" Altair frowned.
"Yes. A forr teacher of mine once invented a system called the 'Punk Record.' This system allows the brains of different living beings to connect, enabling them to share knowledge, experiences, and mories."
"I applied this system to my three Houndooms. They can sense each other's thoughts at any ti, allowing for seamless cooperation. Their growth rate is also three tis that of an average Pokémon."
Stephen tapped his temple and explained with a grin: "Not only that, but I've upgraded my teacher's Punk Record. The Houndooms don't just share knowledge and experiences—they also share their five senses!"
"In other words, whatever one of them sees, hears, or slls is imdiately transmitted to the other two."
"This is the Joker Record."
After Stephen's explanation, Officer Jenny broke into a cold sweat. "How... how is sothing like this even possible...?"
"Grr—"
At that mont, Salance's expression twisted even more painfully than before.
Altair's face changed drastically. He had a bad feeling.
Salance was reaching its limit!
"ROOOAARR!!!"
In the next mont, Salance let out an agonizing, earth-shaking roar.
It thrashed its neck and body, smashing into nearby buildings and unleashing Flathrower wildly.
Flas scorched everything in their path.
"W-what's happening?! Mr. Altair, what's wrong with your Salance?!" Officer Jenny shouted in terror.
Altair thought quickly and shouted, "It's the side effect! Salance is experiencing the aftereffects of Outrage—it's entered a state of confusion!"
Altair's explanation left Rihua and Will dumbfounded.
They were aware that using the high-damage Dragon-type move "Outrage" could cause a Pokémon to fall into confusion as a side effect.
But... Salance hadn't used Outrage at all in this battle, had it?
There was no ti to think further. The confused Salance turned its Flathrower toward the police force.
"Lapras, use Hydro Pump!"
Altair quickly summoned another Pokémon.
The newly released Lapras unleashed a Hydro Pump to weaken the destructive flas as much as possible.
However, Salance, now in a berserk state, showed no recognition toward allies or foes. It raised a claw and swiped at Lapras with Dragon Claw.
"Let's go!"
Amid the chaos, Stephen recalled Marian, Rose, and Sina, then shouted to Will and Rihua.
Rihua felt reluctant, and frustrated at not obtaining any information about Aldus.
But she knew this was their best chance to retreat.
If they missed it, they might end up in the League's prison.
Will patted his racing heart. "Phew, thank goodness that Salance went berserk. Otherwise, we would've been done for."
Berserk?
Was it really that simple?
Stephen glanced thoughtfully at the rampaging Salance.
"Officer Jenny! Joker is getting away!" a police officer shouted, pointing at Stephen and his group as they left the battlefield.
"Do you think we have ti to worry about that right now?!" Officer Jenny yelled angrily. The priority was to subdue the rampaging Salance.
"Your Salance... it's in pain."
As Stephen passed by Altair, he left him with this single sentence.
Altair's expression tightened, but he quickly regained his composure.
"Manectric, use Thunder Wave! Flygon, use Dragon Pulse!"
Altair, seemingly indifferent to Stephen's departure, sent out two more Pokémon.
With the combined efforts of Lapras, Manectric, and Flygon, they finally managed to temporarily restrain Salance.
Altair's sunglasses, however, were partially shattered, revealing the corner of his left eye.
"Salance, return!" Taking advantage of a brief opening, Altair quickly recalled Salance into its Poké Ball.
The battlefield was left in ruins.
"Phew... Th-thank you, Mr. Altair," Officer Jenny said, still shaken. She approached Altair and saluted him.
"No need to thank . This was my responsibility," Altair replied, gripping the Poké Ball tightly. Through his broken sunglasses, one could see Salance inside the ball, still enveloped in a dark, fiery aura.
"You're too modest, Mr. Altair. This is Joker's fault!" another officer said angrily. "That villain! I thought he was so sort of noble thief who fought against injustice, but he's no better than Team Rocket—just a complete villain!"
"Exactly!" Vazil added eagerly. "Officers, you must ensure those brats pay for what they've done!"
If only he could deliver those three troublemakers to the Commander, he'd surely earn a promotion.
"I need to treat Salance and Marowak," Altair said dismissively, using it as an excuse to leave quickly.
...
Back in his private quarters, Altair opened his wardrobe and threw all the clothes out.
Hidden within was an elevator.
Altair stepped in and pressed a button, causing the elevator to descend.
When he erged, a young woman approached him quickly.
"Well, well, Altair. You had to resort to using dark transformation. Joker is getting stronger, isn't he?"
The voice was unmistakably flirtatious. It was none other than Elena, the Shadow Organization's lead scientist, whom Stephen and Will had encountered months ago at Goldenrod Station.
"Hurry up and treat Salance!" Altair snapped, throwing Salance's Poké Ball at her.
As he did, Stephen's parting words echoed in his mind:
"Your Salance is in pain."
...
anwhile, about a mile outside Olivine Gym, a large crowd of citizens had gathered to watch the commotion.
None of them noticed three children, barely twelve years old, walking in the opposite direction.
"What was up with that Salance? Why did it suddenly go berserk?" Rihua asked, now wearing casual clothes and no longer masked, as she followed closely behind Stephen.
Will patted his chest, still shaken. "No idea. But it worked out for us. If that dumb dragon hadn't lost it, we might not have made it out alive."
"It seems that enhancent thod has far greater side effects than expected," Stephen muttered to himself.
He then looked at the shard of glass in his hand.
"Stephen, what's that?" Rihua and Will leaned in curiously.
Stephen glanced at them and said, "A shard from Altair's sunglasses."
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