Pokémon: Mienshao (cyan)
Gender: Male
Level: 57
Type: Fighting
Ability: Inner Focus
Held Item: None
Egg Moves: Endure, Low Kick, Knock Off
Basic Moves: Aura Sphere, Recover, Double Slap, Meditate, Foresight, Quick Attack, Force Palm, Swift, Calm Mind, Focus Blast, Drain Punch, Jump Kick, U-turn, Bounce, High Jump Kick
Learnt Moves: Focus Blast, Snore, Hone Claws, Dual Chop
TM Moves: Endure, Double Team, Rock Tomb, Low Sweep, Rock Slide, Substitute
Both Heracross and Mienshao has pseudo champion strength.
Mienshao is also a Pokémon capable of harnessing Aura to some extent.
The reason Koler claimed he lacked talent was his failure to successfully capture a Riolu.
For a Pokémon like the Lucario line, subduing it requires not only strength but also its recognition.
Koler failed to earn that recognition, forcing him to settle for the next best thing which was a Mienshao instead.
Though both Pokémon can wield Aura, the difference between them is significant.
Most importantly, without Lucario, Koler cannot inherit Mega Evolution—and thus cannot inherit his clan's leadership.
But his daughter is different. Korrina, still young, has already earned the trust of a Riolu. Given time and enough bond, that Riolu will evolve into Lucario.
When that happens, Koler will help Korrina achieve Mega Evolution.
Once her Lucario can Mega Evolve, Korrina will succeed him as gym leader.
But now, all the Key Stones have been taken by Aoki.
For his daughter's sake, Koler is determined to defeat Aoki and reclaim them.
Mienshao couldn't withstand Gengar's poison forever, as its Endure finally wore off.
Now, the real battle began.
Under Aoki's command, Honchkrow used Tailwind to boost both Gengar's and its own speed.
The two Pokémon charged forward together.
Heracross and Mienshao didn't hold back either, rushing straight at Honchkrow and Gengar.
Despite type disadvantages, their momentum was unshaken.
Both sides were fast, leaving little room for surprise attacks.
The battle would hinge on the Trainers' tactics.
Aoki's Telepathy gave him an edge in issuing commands.
Gradually, Aoki gained the upper hand—yet his opponent showed no panic.
After a moment's thought, Aoki understood.
His expression darkened.
He'd sensed Koler's killing intent earlier but assumed it was a reckless urge to fight to the death. Now, he saw the man was far more calculating.
This forest wasn't far from the Tower of Mastery. If Koler stalled long enough, his allies would arrive.
Once reinforcements came, Aoki would be overwhelmed.
From the start, Koler had planned to buy time—hence his willingness to engage despite type disadvantages.
A cold glint flashed in Aoki's eyes.
Initially, he hadn't wanted to escalate things. But if this dragged on, he'd be cornered.
Lately, his battles had been peaceful, his dealings with other factions diplomatic. He hadn't resorted to underhanded tactics in a long time.
Too much time in the League had softened his instincts.
But he hadn't forgotten his roots as a Team Rocket operative.
When necessary, he wouldn't hesitate to be ruthless.
Weavile had stayed hidden for emergencies—its Ice-typing made it vulnerable to Heracross's Fighting moves.
"Weavile, Ice Punch!" Aoki ordered via Telepathy, targeting Koler directly.
End this quickly. They had to leave.
Weavile obeyed without hesitation. Silently, it darted through the branches, closing in on Koler.
At the last moment, it leaped down, icy claws gleaming.
Koler barely reacted in time.
No time to summon a Pokémon. As a fighter, he crossed his arms defensively.
BANG!
He skidded back five meters, boots scraping deep grooves into the dirt.
To Aoki's surprise, though Koler's arms were badly frostbitten, he'd blocked Weavile's ambush.
A human had tanked a Pokémon's attack head-on.
Koler had channeled the scant Aura within him, combining it with raw physical strength.
Most couldn't have done it.
Fighters were a unique breed in the Pokémon world.
Otherwise, their clan wouldn't have lasted against Psychic factions.
As soon as Koler blocked Weavile, he hurled another Poké Ball, releasing a Hitmonlee.
The Level 51 Hitmonlee rushed Weavile, its Fighting-type moves a dire threat.
The two Pokémon clashed fiercely.
But Koler wasn't idle. Ignoring his frostbitten arms, he sprinted past the battling Pokémon—straight for Aoki.
With Weavile revealed, Koler aimed to take Aoki down personally.
Aoki stood motionless, watching coldly as Koler charged.
The shadow at his feet twisted slightly. Mismagius materialized behind him, unseen.
With Gengar occupied, Mismagius was Aoki's last line of defense.
This Mismagius wasn't the naïve spirit from Trial Island anymore. Though traces of gentleness remained, it had hardened.
Aoki didn't order an attack. He simply watched Koler come.
He wouldn't retreat.
The five Unown symbols on his right wrist glowed.
Aura users were strong—but they weren't the strongest for a reason.
Psychic energy coalesced in his right hand.
As Koler lunged, Aoki swung his arm laterally through the air.
Spatial Rend.
His strongest ability as an intermediate Psychic.
Let's see how he blocks this.