After swallowing the blue pills, Hunter X's six Pokémon, at the cost of burning away their vitality, had transformed into monsters that feared neither pain nor death.
They fought using a relentless "trade-blow-for-blow" strategy, forcing Houndoom and the others to fall back again and again.
It was the same on Cynthia's side. Even though Garchomp was the strongest on the field, it still couldn't handle three enemies at once.
"Houndoom, Foul Play. Sharpedo, Hydro Pump to block Gliscor!"
Seeing Cacturne about to be hit by Beartic's Ice Punch, Sato quickly ordered Houndoom and Sharpedo to intervene.
Houndoom charged forward and used Foul Play, using Beartic's own Attack power to counter, successfully pushing it back.
Beartic: 'Woah! I'm so strong, even I can't take my own hits!'
Cacturne narrowly escaped, but was soon faced with Metagross, who was now free to strike, giving it no room to breathe.
While directing the three Pokémon to hold off the enemies, Sato was growing increasingly aware…
Unless they drained the opponents' vitality completely or rendered them fully immobile, this fight couldn't be won.
Those blue pills… were terrifying beyond belief!
Sato couldn't help but shift his gaze to Hunter X.
On the surface, Hunter X looked ready to die alongside them. But the tension in his body, the robotic smile on his face, and his constantly shifting eyes told Sato otherwise.
Hunter X was still looking for a way to escape!
He had worked too hard to reach this point, there was no way he would give up so easily.
Sato quickly recalled what Cynthia had said about Hunter X: master of disguise, always hiding his true strength, playing the fool to trap his enemies.
And now, this seemingly desperate last stand… wasn't that just another act?
He was a Hunter, after all. There was no League restriction on carrying only six Pokémon!
'This has to end fast!' Sato grew even more alert, and his right hand moved slightly, signaling quietly.
"Cacturne, Cotton Spore to stop Metagross. Houndoom, Inferno. Sharpedo, Skull Bash. Target, Beartic!"
At Sato's command, the three Pokémon coordinated at once. Cacturne swung its arm and unleashed a massive wave of Cotton Spore, completely engulfing Metagross.
Sharpedo and Houndoom ignored Gliscor hovering in the air. Their eyes were locked only on Beartic.
The next moment, Houndoom lunged behind Beartic, and purple-red flames of Inferno erupted violently.
To ensure a direct hit, Houndoom took the risk of getting clobbered by Beartic and forced itself into close range!
"HOOOU!"
Inferno was already one of the hottest Fire-type moves, and with Houndoom's magma flames, its power became even more terrifying.
Even though Beartic, under the influence of the blue pill, couldn't feel pain, it could still sense its vitality draining rapidly.
Beartic turned around, ready to slam its massive fist into Houndoom's vulnerable waist.
But in that instant, Sharpedo flashed past like a blue blur. Skull Bash struck Beartic's soft lower back with full force.
Sharpedo's speed showed its worth now. It compressed the charging time of Skull Bash to the limit and landed a blow nearly as strong as Giga Impact, just before Beartic could counterattack.
The next moment, the two-meter-tall Beartic was sent flying.
"GLISCOR, ARE YOU DEAD OR WHAT? YOU'RE NOT GOING TO BACK IT UP?!"
Seeing Beartic getting double-teamed, Hunter X couldn't help but roar in frustration.
Even though Beartic still tried to get back up and fight, the severe injury to its waist left it thrashing helplessly on the ground.
Up in the sky, Gliscor was also both furious and anxious. It had wanted to dive down and help from the start, but it had slammed into an invisible wall. Untouchable and unbreakable.
It dove hard, then crashed directly into it. The unexpected collision left it feeling like it was about to shatter.
Behind Sato, Gengar's golden eyes flashed for a moment. Sato's side had finally found a breakthrough.
Three versus two, Sato's pressure dropped instantly. He calmly commanded Houndoom and the others to suppress the enemy while keeping a close eye on Hunter X.
It wasn't long before Tangrowth on Cynthia's side also collapsed. It had already lost half its vitality to Houndoom earlier and couldn't maintain its burst any longer.
And this was Cynthia, after all. She effortlessly caught the opponent's weakness, and after a focused barrage, Tangrowth lay there miserably; its vitality completely drained.
Not even a drop left…
Just as the tide of battle shifted toward Sato and Cynthia, Hunter X's remaining four Pokémon suddenly surged in power again, their strength rising even further.
Sato's alarm bells rang. 'Was the blue pill a two-phase stimulant…!?'
"It's just their final flare. They're about to die."
Cynthia's words sent a chill through Sato.
As he instinctively commanded the Pokémon to block the enemy's attacks, he heard Hunter X's voice again.
"Tell me… do you think I still have a chance?"
Sato and Cynthia exchanged a glance. This guy was definitely losing it.
But then, the next moment…
"GLISCOR, GIGA IMPACT! STARAPTOR, BRAVE BIRD!
SKUNTANK, M-METAGROSS…! U-Use… Ex… plo… sion!"
A desperate, all-out counterattack…
Or not!
If Sato hadn't already suspected that Hunter X had never given up on escaping, he might've believed it.
Still, defense was necessary. All the Pokémon immediately used Protect, shielding both Sato and Cynthia in the process.
…And out of sight beneath the ground, Gengar had already slipped into Hunter X's shadow.
No matter what trick he pulled. He wouldn't get away!
Soon, Giga Impact came. Brave Bird followed. But neither attack left even a scratch on the Protect barrier.
The next instant, Skuntank glowed with an intense red light and charged straight at Sato and the others.
A flash of blinding white light, followed by a piercing ringing in the ears; the terrifying energy wave from Explosion slammed into the Protect barrier.
But… the explosion only came once!
"GARCHOMP, SANDSTORM SWEEP!"
Thick smoke and dust lingered everywhere from the Explosion's aftermath. Garchomp swung its arm, summoning a Sandstorm that quickly cleared the air.
A massive crater appeared silently before Sato, as if silently testifying to the terrifying power of the Explosion moments ago.
Skuntank lay like a broken rag doll on the side… completely beyond saving.
Tangrowth, Beartic, and Gliscor had also been blown in all directions.
With their severe injuries and the side effects of the blue pills, even if they survived… they were all likely crippled.
But Metagross, Staraptor, and Hunter X were nowhere to be seen!
"LUCARIO, use Aura…" Cynthia gritted her teeth, unwilling to give up, but Sato stopped her.
"Heh~ He has no chance. Gengar already followed him~"