"Mark, I may not be many things, but I am a good researcher when it comes to evolution. Maybe the best at the moment. So when I say that it is a further evolution of Electabuzz, it must be true," Axel said with a proud face.
"Damn! Is that just your instinct again?" Mark asked.
"You could say that. Now let's plan for today. We will first go to the last known location of the leader's team. I don't want to be ambushed again like before, so I plan to go alone with my Light.
The place is not very far from here, just a day's journey, approximately 1500 km. We will travel together for 1000 km, and then all of you will hide until I confirm the location of the leader's team."
"Dude, I know you're strong, but isn't this suicidal?" B remarked.
"Yes, this forest is enormous, and we could easily get lost. I think we should stay together," K added.
"Guys, I understand that you don't have any military experience, but in the military, when a leader gives an order, it must be followed to the letter. Since we are in such a dangerous situation, we should maintain military discipline. So when I say I will go alone, that decision must be followed," Axel explained.
They wanted to argue against this idea, but in the end, everyone reluctantly agreed. The journey of 1000 km was not easy. Unlike before, there were multiple groups of Pokémon, many of which were elemental rank or higher. Axel and the group also encountered some pseudo-king rank Pokémon. They managed to hide safely from these groups, but it took them an entire day to cover the 1000 km.
Hiding from the wild Pokémon increased their required time, but Axel was not in a hurry. He wanted to reach their destination safely and soundly. The previous day, when they reached the cave, Axel had released Poliwrath and had Venusaur heal it.
Nidoirna and Primeape were not in near-death states, so he planned to release them only when they reached Venusaur's family area. After closing the two Poké Balls, he called back Poliwrath again, knowing it was not fully healed to fight.
The next day arrived, and just like before, they continued their journey steadily and slowly. By the end of the day, they had finally reached the 1000 km mark. Axel had planned to rest for that day and continue their journey the following day.
The next day came, and Axel and Alakazam teleported multiple times until they reached their destination. Axel didn't approach the place directly but observed it from afar. He could only see destruction. The land and the forest had been uprooted, leaving behind debris and a huge crater. It was evident that a massive battle had taken place there.
Axel used his 'Aura sense,' and unlike in the previous region, it was working fine here. He couldn't sense any humans, but he could sense the presence of extremely powerful Pokémon. There were around 10 King rank Pokémon there.
"The leader's team is not there. Multiple king rank Pokémon are present," Axel informed the group.
"What should we do then?" K asked.
"Mark, bring out the map," Axel instructed. Once Mark handed over the map, Axel continued, "Okay, we are here right now, and the leader's last known location was here. I'm certain they didn't cross that grey crack. So we should search within a 500 km diameter around it. If we can't find them, then we'll expand the search area. That's all I can think of for now."
"Hmm, that's a good plan, but this place is really dangerous. I'm afraid we might encounter a king rank Pokémon or even a pseudo-champion rank," Mark expressed his concern.
"Yes, but we don't have any other choice now. I think I have a plan. Let's bring out Xatu, and I want Xatu and Light to perform mass teleportation together. I want to see if they can decrease the teleportation time," Axel suggested.
That was a good idea. Both Xatu and Alakazam were psychic Pokémon, and if Xatu could assist Alakazam in mass teleportation, it would be awesome. So for the rest of the day, Xatu and Alakazam practiced mass teleportation together. By the end of the day, they were able to do it within 2 seconds.
They planned to start their journey the next morning. Axel knew they were progressing slowly, but he didn't have any other choice. With multiple king rank Pokémon and even some pseudo-champion rank Pokémon in the area, they had to be cautious and stealthy.
The next day arrived, and Axel and the group continued their mission with utmost dedication. Except for Axel, the others were mentally tired from the previous battles. They tried to hide as much as possible, but they had to engage in a battle with a group of Magmar along the way. Xatu and Alakazam used their psychic powers to sense any humans in the forest.
Axel trailed behind K and B as they rode on their Pokémon, slowly searching for the leader's team. Mark asked, "Are the leader and the team already dead?"
"Don't lose hope. We still have more than 50% of the area to cover," Axel reassured them.
"Ahhhh... guys, I think we have a problem here," K said, pointing ahead.
Alakazam and Xatu were at the front and had detected something, alerting K and B. "What is it?" Mark asked.
K swallowed nervously before answering, "It's a king rank Charizard."