"Slowking, Trick room, Miracle Eye!"
"Honchkrow, Tailwind!"
"Weavile, Icy Wind!"
"Drapion, Poison Spikes!"
Aoki wasted no time with words. After scanning the opposing Pokémon's data, he launched an immediate assault.
A Sharpedo with Dark Green-level potential at Lv. 43 and a Mightyena with Green-level potential at Lv. 45 weren't particularly threatening. There was no need for negotiation—these two had crossed a line.
The response was simple: attack.
Slowking activated both Trick and Miracle Eye simultaneously, its eyes flashing with a commanding light as a multicolored gleam radiated from them. Since both opposing Pokémon were Dark-types, Slowking needed Miracle Eye to bypass their immunity to Psychic attacks.
Honchkrow, already boosted by three layers of Overconfidence from previous battles, spread its wings and summoned a Tailwind, accelerating its speed. However, the cramped cave limited its mobility.
Drapion lunged forward, expertly unleashing Poison Spikes at the foes' feet. After weeks of training, it had mastered the technique flawlessly.
Meanwhile, Weavile unleashed Icy Wind, its freezing gusts filling the enclosed space. The attack didn't just target the opposing Pokémon—even the two Trainers shivered as the chilling blast swept through the cave.
"Damn it! Mightyena, rush them!" Pash snarled, hurling another Poké Ball. A Shiftry materialized, using its broad leaves to shield him from Weavile's attack.
Lina, though also affected, remained calmer. She frowned, studying Aoki closely. Something about him felt familiar.
The Mightyena charged recklessly—no single Pokémon could withstand four at once. Drapion intercepted it effortlessly.
As a former Skorupi, Drapion had battled countless Mightyena. It knew their weaknesses intimately.
"Drapion, Venoshock!" Aoki commanded.
If Poison Fang could inflict toxic status, Venoshock would deal double damage—and with Drapion's Sniper ability, a critical hit would guarantee a knockout.
Drapion roared, its massive pincers clamping down on the Mightyena's torso. The brute strength left the Dark-type helpless, its thrashing useless against the vice-like grip.
Since evolving, Drapion had refined its movements, mastering every joint in its body. It held the Mightyena firmly, ignoring its desperate struggles.
Fangs dripping with venom sank into the Mightyena's flank, injecting toxins before Drapion spat a thick glob of poison point-blank.
Poison Fang triggered the toxic status. Venoshock activated, dealing devastating damage. And thanks to the Sniper ability, the strike landed with lethal precision.
One hit. One kill.
The Mightyena collapsed, motionless. Drapion tossed it aside like garbage.
Its Sniper training had paid off.
The One-Hit Kill Scorpion had arrived.
Pash gaped at his fallen Mightyena, stunned.
How?
Their levels were similar. Even if his Mightyena was weaker, this shouldn't have happened.
He'd sent it out expecting it to hold off all four opponents.
If Aoki had heard his thoughts, he would've scoffed.
Did you really think one Pokémon could stop four? What gave you that idea?
"Lina! Stop spacing out! Call your Pokémon now, or we're dead!" Pash's voice was raw with fury, his eyes bloodshot.
He'd been sent here as punishment. Now, he was paying for it.
Lina grimaced but nodded. Hesitation meant defeat.
"Pash! Go all out! Release everything!" She flung four Poké Balls at once.
Aoki's Drapion had just demonstrated terrifying power. Underestimating him would be fatal.
Pash snarled and hurled three more Poké Balls.
Seven additional Pokémon materialized, joining the Sharpedo and Shiftry—nine in total.
Against Aoki's four.
His expression hardened. Activating his system, he analyzed their data—then smirked.
He hadn't wanted trouble earlier. But if they insisted…
Fine.
This was also a chance to show the Bagon watching behind him what kind of Trainer it would follow.
"Watch closely, Bagon. I don't just grant flight—I forge strength like theirs."
The Bagon's eyes gleamed with longing. Flight. Power. It had witnessed Drapion's might.
With that kind of strength, it would never be bullied by wild Lunatone again.
"Slowking, maximize your Psychic energy!"
"Honchkrow, free attacks! Brave Bird!"
"Weavile, Blizzard!"
Aoki paused when he reached Drapion.
The scorpion turned, grinning viciously, awaiting orders.
"Go wild." Aoki's voice was ice.
"SKREEE!!" Drapion charged, claws, fangs, and tail striking in a frenzy.
For over a month, it had restrained itself. Now, it unleashed every weapon on its body, ignoring enemy attacks as it mauled its prey.
Slowking, Honchkrow, and Weavile erupted with equal fury.
Slowking, empowered by Psychic Surge, unleashed its full psychic potential.
Honchkrow dive-bombed with Brave Bird, a streak of black destruction.
Weavile's Blizzard engulfed the cave in a frozen tempest.
And Drapion?
It tore through the nine opponents like a whirlwind of venom and steel.
The enemy never stood a chance.