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Alakazam's Teleport allowed Tojo, Aoi and their Pokémon to narrowly dodge Fearow's Hyper Beam.
As they reappeared in the spectator stands, Aoi's face was pale with fury. His jaw clenched tightly as he stared at the temple platform now engulfed in black smoke.
"...Alakazam... huff..."
But Alakazam, too, had clearly reached its limit — that last Teleport had carried several people and Pokémon at once, consuming far more stamina than usual.
"Well, well... you actually dodged that? Seems the Fearow that Takeshi trained aren't strong enough to deal with the likes of you after all. In that case…"
'Dragon' turned his head toward Aoi and the others, who had appeared in the stands. He sighed in disappointment, then reached behind him, pulling out a PokeBall and hurling it forward.
"Come out, Dragonite!!"
"ROAAAR!!"
"Use Thunder Wave! Catch them!"
"ROAAAR!!"
The PokeBall burst open, and a majestic Dragonite appeared, spreading its wings wide. At its Trainer's command, two thick waves of electromagnetic energy crackled from the antennae atop its head, arcing toward Aoi's group in the stands.
"Jolteon, block it!"
"Jolt!"
Before the attack could land, Tojo's Jolteon leapt forward, intercepting the Thunder Wave. Sparks danced around it, but rather than being paralyzed, Jolteon seemed even more energized.
"Hmph. Flareon, Vaporeon, and Jolteon... With those three on the field, Fire, Water, and Electric attacks won't get us far."
'Dragon' muttered coldly, smirking as he saw his Thunder Wave neutralized. He didn't seem particularly bothered.
Beside him, 'Ice Blossom' — her uncovered lips curling into a smirk — reached behind her for a PokeBall and flung it forward.
"Then stop wasting time! Use different types to attack! Dewgong, Ice Beam!"
Her PokeBall burst open in a flash of white. A snow-white Dewgong appeared on the temple platform below.
Cold energy gathered rapidly in its mouth, and at her command, the beam of icy light shot forward, streaking toward Aoi and the others.
"Dragonite! Dragon Rage!"
'Dragon' grinned slightly, following up immediately with his own order.
Beside the two, 'Iron Fist' stood cross-armed on the back of his Fearow, looking relaxed — as if holding the position alone would intimidate the enemy. If 'Dragon' and 'Ice Blossom' didn't know he lacked Pokémon capable of long-range attacks, they might almost have believed it.
"Flareon, block it with Flamethrower! Vaporeon, use Rain Dance! Jolteon, Thunder!"
"Gengar, Night Shade! Shiftry, Leaf Storm!"
Facing the combined assault of 'Dragon' and 'Ice Blossom,' Aoi and Tojo finally fought together.
Dragonite's Dragon Rage was intercepted by Gengar and Shiftry's combo, while Dewgong's Ice Beam was melted by Flareon's flames. Then, Vaporeon tilted its head skyward and began chanting softly—dark clouds gathered overhead, and soon, heavy rain poured down.
"Jolteon!!"
Empowered by the storm, Jolteon's fur crackled with electricity. It released a massive bolt upward into the clouds—then, moments later, an enormous column of lightning struck down toward the platform with terrifying force.
"Hahaha! Finally, my turn! Come out, Onix! Mud Sport! Rock Tomb!"
Seeing the lightning gather, 'Iron Fist' burst into laughter and raised his arm. His Onix suddenly erupted from beneath the rocky platform, its massive body covered in mud. With a loud roar, it hurled chunks of soaked boulders skyward!
BOOM!!
The lightning struck the falling rocks, but the electricity, weakened by Mud Sport, exploded violently upon impact. Thick black smoke filled the air, and fragments of shattered stone rained down around them.
"Ha ha ha ha! See that!? That's the power of my Onix!"
'Iron Fist' stood tall on his Fearow's back, arms folded, grinning smugly as laughter echoed across the temple.
"Don't get too cocky! Jolteon, one more time — full-power Thunder!"
Tojo's face darkened. His finishing move had been countered, and "Iron Fist's" gloating pushed him over the edge.
"Jolt!!"
Another massive surge of lightning shot into the rainclouds. Golden arcs twisted within the storm, gathering to unleash another devastating strike—
"ROAAAR!!"
"KUH!!"
Two fierce cries suddenly tore through the air. A streak of golden lightning and a radiant beam of multicolored light pierced the clouds from afar. In an instant, the dark thunderclouds shattered apart, sunlight pouring through the sky once more.
"ROAAAR!!"
"KUH!!"
The roars echoed again. Two elegant, beast-like figures burst from behind the temple, leaping gracefully across the stone until they landed upon the platform.
"Eh!? Raikou! Suicune! Uh… wait, and who are you?"
Delia blinked in disbelief at the two Legendary Beasts. Why were Raikou and Suicune here? But her surprise grew as she noticed the cloaked figure seated upon Raikou's back.
"Heh… it's been a while, Miss Delia."
At the sound of her voice, the mysterious rider lifted their hood—revealing a familiar face.
"Axu!? What are you doing here!? Do you know how worried your sisters have been?!"
Delia's initial shock quickly turned into anger. She hadn't expected that the long-"missing" Axu would suddenly appear riding Raikou of all things. Memories of her distraught sisters flooded back, and Delia scolded him furiously.
Axu: "..."
Before anyone could react further, a sudden whooshing sound cut through the sky. Everyone looked up just in time to see a purple-haired man, battered and bloodied, plummeting rapidly from above!
"Wait—that's Iga! Damn it—Aoi!!"
Tojo immediately recognized the falling man and shouted urgently.
"I've got him! Alakazam, Telekinesis! Catch him!"
"Zam!"
Though clearly exhausted, Alakazam obeyed. From its twin spoons, a colorful psychic light burst forth, catching Iga in midair and gently lowering him to the ground.
"Huff... Zam..."
The effort drained Alakazam's last bit of strength; it collapsed to one knee.
"Return, Alakazam. You've done enough."
Aoi recalled it to its PokeBall.
"Iga? What the hell happened to you?"
Tojo hurried forward to help him up, speaking in frustration.
"Heh... The Elite Four... they're not weak. I just let my guard down for a moment."
Iga brushed off Tojo's hand and replied coldly, his eyes flashing with disdain.
Just then, Skarmory descended nearby, carrying Yasha. He frowned deeply as he glanced at the newly crowded battlefield, utterly speechless.