Recalling the scene where Heatran's roar had frightened the giant Magmortar into trembling, Sato couldn't help feeling a bit dazed.
So it really was still just a kid…
But he couldn't blame himself for not noticing. Most people assumed Legendary Pokémon lived long lives and kept themselves hidden from the world.
So who knew how old Heatran had to be to count as an adult.
After comforting the frightened Heatran, the Pokémon had almost finished their lunch as well. One by one, they were fired up and eagerly waiting to charge into battle.
But rushing recklessly in a swarm wasn't realistic. Sato could only pretend not to see or hear their excitement, then returned them all in one go, leaving only Sharpedo and Houndoom, since they had already joined the fight earlier.
He called it honoring the beginning and the end.
Afterward, Lucario silently took the lead. Cynthia and Sato closely followed behind, determined to settle accounts with Hunter X.
In less than ten minutes, Lucario had already led them to the downwind side of the enemy camp.
Seven or eight modified trucks and a large transport aircraft stood there, all clearly showing the Hunter Guild's immense wealth.
But that wealth was undoubtedly obtained through illegal poaching, forcibly stealing and trafficking other people's Pokémon.
Compared to those underground organizations full of delusions about overthrowing the Pokémon League and ruling the entire world, the Hunter Guild had an even worse reputation.
Although Sato and Cynthia were technically on "vacation", since they had already run into Hunter X, neither minded earning a few more League points.
After all, traveling alone as a duo could get boring. Catching criminals and earning rewards sounded much nicer… didn't it!?
At that moment, one truck after another was being loaded onto the transport aircraft, clearly preparing to withdraw.
Sato was just about to send Gengar to infiltrate when Cynthia patted his shoulder to stop him.
"Just destroy the aircraft first, then take them all down in one sweep. No need to make it complicated."
"…???"
The next second, Sato noticed that Heatran -who had been beside them moments ago- was nowhere to be found. Instead, a huge crater had suddenly appeared behind Cynthia.
Before Sato could even ask, a deafening explosion sounded from behind.
When he turned around again, the entire transport aircraft had already been swallowed by Heatran's Magma Storm bursting from underground.
A huge aircraft like that was bound to have plenty of flammable materials. It only took the slightest spark to make it explode.
At that moment, Sato felt a tap on his shoulder…
Before he even finished turning his head, Cynthia said, "Don't zone out. It's our turn!"
The next instant, Cynthia charged out with Lucario and Garchomp.
Sato: 'So this is the kind of person you really are, Cynthia…'
"Sharpedo, Houndoom, let's go!"
Sato dashed after her immediately. Sharpedo and Houndoom -who had long been itching to move- shot forward.
To them, everything in their path was experience waiting to be harvested!
"Garchomp, Earth Power! Lucario, Aura Sphere!"
"Sharpedo, Surf. Houndoom, Heat Wave."
All four Pokémon unleashed their full power the moment they appeared. Their sudden attacks left the Hunters completely stunned. Some of them didn't even get the chance to send out their Pokémon before being knocked out by the shockwaves alone.
One minute earlier, Hunter X had been nervously hiding in the aircraft to rest, only to be jolted awake by the aircraft's alarm.
The explosion rocked the entire aircraft, making it tremble and instantly destroying the power supply system.
Hunter X's heart sank!
Without even hoping otherwise, he immediately thought of Cynthia and Sato.
They… had caught up!
As Hunter X lay flat on Metagross and burst out from the burning aircraft, he scanned the area and instantly spotted the two people he feared… Sato and Cynthia!
And at almost the same moment, Sato and Cynthia both noticed the suddenly appearing Hunter X.
"METAGROSS, WE'RE LEAVING!"
Without a moment of hesitation, Hunter X chose to flee again. He didn't even consider fighting back!
"Sand Tomb!"
"Pursuit."
The moment they saw Hunter X trying to escape, Sato and Cynthia issued their commands without delay.
Garchomp slashed its claws, and Sand Tomb immediately formed beneath Metagross's feet(?), dragging it down with swirling sand.
Meanwhile, Houndoom, using Pursuit, closed the distance in an instant, leveraging the move's unique trait to forcibly intercept Metagross.
"Y-YOU'VE GONE TOO FAR!"
With Metagross blocked, Hunter X had lost all chance of escape.
As he recalled how he had climbed to his current position step by step through hardship, and now might fall at the hands of two kids, his rage turned into despair!
…But in the next moment, Hunter X's eyes were filled with nothing but madness and resolve.
Without hesitation, he threw out his remaining five main Pokémon, including the still-battered Tangrowth and the just-awakened Gliscor.
"Metagross, Hyper Beam! Aim for that woman!"
As he issued the order to attack Cynthia directly, Hunter X also pulled out a pill box from his coat pocket, one with no markings.
Opening it, he poured out several thumb-sized blue pills. With a cold look, he stuffed one into the mouth of each of the five Pokémon beside him, including Tangrowth and Gliscor.
On the other side, Metagross directly attacking a Trainer left Garchomp and the others both furious and alarmed.
The four Pokémon didn't dare attack again. Instead, they immediately returned to Sato and Cynthia's side, taking a defensive stance against Metagross.
In just that short moment, Hunter X's remaining Pokémon had all swallowed the blue pills.
Their eyes turned red, their aura surged, and even Gliscor had now reached Mid Elite Four level. All five radiated overwhelming power.
"Illegal drugs…" Cynthia muttered through clenched teeth.
Any pill that could instantly revive a knocked-out Gliscor and even boost its strength must have terrifying side effects.
Unless it were the legendary Sacred Ash; but those blue pills clearly weren't.
And the side effect… was often the rapid depletion of a Pokémon's vitality!
Once their vitality was completely consumed, it meant death was imminent.
"…Didn't you want a fight? I'LL SEE IT THROUGH TO THE END XUAHAHAHA!" Hunter X laughed maniacally. With a wave of his hand, all six Pokémon charged at Sato and Cynthia.
Cynthia and Sato each sent out another Pokémon in sync. At the same time, Sato once again clutched his Key Stone tightly.
'[Dark Energy: Energy Amplification]' "Amplify Sharpedo, Houndoom… and Cacturne!"
Without a doubt, Sato had once again sent out a Pokémon that hadn't yet reached Elite Four level.
But under the boost of Dark Energy, all three Pokémon now undoubtedly possessed that level of power!
Across from them, Hunter X's Gliscor, Metagross, and Beartic had already locked onto Sato, charging at him with fierce intent.