Before Sieg could think any further, the situation in the mountain forest changed again.
From the dark cloud layer, a massive lightning pillar crashed down, as if responding to a summon, it collided with another lightning bolt from the mountain peak.
Both lightning strikes, accompanied by piercing roars, intertwined with each other.
"This heavenly might, truly worthy of the Sacred Beast Raikou's power!"
Many hidden in the shadows were awed by this scene.
Hiding in darkness, Sieg gazed deeply at that figure, a Pokémon resembling a saber-toothed tiger.
Its entire body covered in majestic golden-yellow fur, adorned with black stripes resembling lightning. A robust body and powerful limbs. Black steel ornaments on its forehead extended back to its skull. Beneath X-shaped blue whiskers, long fangs protruded! Its long, lightning-shaped tail ended in a spark formation. Purple fur on its back resembled clouds, with electric arcs occasionally bursting forth, vibrating the air.
Raikou!
The legendary Sacred Beast.
Legend said Raikou was a fierce Pokémon that descended with thunder and lightning. Because it carried rain clouds on its back, it could release lightning at any time.
Its body contained lightning-like speed. It would run across the land while releasing the surging power within through thunderous strikes. Its long howl, like falling thunder, would shake the air and tremble the earth.
But its current condition wasn't as beautiful as the description suggested. Though it still appeared full of pride its weakened gait couldn't be concealed.
Raikou had fallen into an injured state.
Countless eyes raked over its form, shining with greed that'd even make Necrozma look like an innocent child.
"Old friend, I'm the one who dragged you into this. Are your injuries alright?" Wattson approached Raikou's side with concern, worried.
"Roooar!"
Raikou roared lowly. Thunder from the sky descended around them again. The entire mountain forest seemed washed over, countless tree branches breaking and falling.
Those hiding in the shadows also revealed themselves one by one, almost all famous and influential major families from the Hoenn region, every one holding powerful monopolistic positions in various fields.
Among them were even certain criminal organizations, plus some lone wolves hoping to fish in troubled waters.
These people's strength was at minimum quasi-Elite Four level, otherwise they wouldn't have the nerve to show up. But more stood beside Elite Four-level Pokémon.
Without exception, all watched Raikou with greedy eyes, as if already seeing it as prey. This gaze made Raikou feel somewhat uncomfortable.
Already the hot-tempered one among the three Sacred Beasts, it let out an angry roar.
"Roooar!"
Raikou raised its head and howled. Electric light burst across its entire body. Countless currents covered it completely. Tremendous oppressive force instantly swept across the entire mountain forest.
"Fighting side by side once again!"
Wattson sighed, no longer dawdling, releasing all his ace main Pokémon.
Ampharos! Raichu! Electrode! Manectric!
Including Magnezone beside him, five Elite Four-level Pokémon, this strength already placed him among the batch of Elite Four-level powerhouses just below Champion tier.
"Magnezone, Electric Terrain!"
"Crackle~~"
Electric arcs flashed, enveloping the entire mountain forest. Powerful electrical energy filled the air.
Sieg watched an electric arc flash before him, instantly jolting awake. He hadn't expected Elite Four-level Pokémon techniques to have such enormous range, capable of covering an entire mountain area.
The first to strike was a black-robed figure hidden on the mountainside. A Shiftry continuously leaped through the mountain forest, releasing various ranged techniques like Bullet Seed and Razor Leaf for harassment.
"Hmph, merely quasi-Elite Four level."
Disdain flashed in Wattson's eyes. Without crossing into Elite Four level, one could never understand the true gap in strength.
His Ampharos cried out loudly. The tip of its tail flashed with red light. Its entire body filled with electricity, continuously charging up.
When the electricity accumulated in its body reached its peak, the lightning in the cloud layer suddenly erupted with violent rumbling. A massive lightning pillar descended from the heavens!
Thunder attack!
This lightning pillar seemed to target precisely, even as Shiftry constantly changed positions, leaping through the mountain forest, it still struck directly without deviation.
"Shiftry, use Leaf Storm!"
That black-robed person shouted in a sharp voice.
The voice was clearly specially disguised, whether this person had learned special voice-changing techniques or used some device was unknown.
Sharp-pointed leaves whipped up a storm, attempting to resist the lightning pillar. But the moment both techniques collided, Leaf Storm was instantly shattered.
Shiftry directly endured this strike. That heart-piercing paralysis sensation instantly swept through its entire body. Within seconds, all life signs vanished from Shiftry's body.
It died on the spot!
A quasi-Elite Four level Shiftry, posessing Electric-type resistance, couldn't even withstand a single strike!
At this moment, the saying "Below Elite Four, everone is an ant" was vividly demonstrated.
This Thunder strike killed the chicken to frighten the monkeys.
It truly intimidated some who'd been itching to act, making everyone understand, even with strength in numbers, forcibly seizing Raikou from Wattson's hands would definitely require paying a steep price.
Wattson, this normally cheerful uncle who laughed heartily, also displayed his ruthlessly decisive side.
Everyone cast wary glances once more.
But before anyone could react, someone else attempted to strike. Six Pokémon of varying sizes but similar appearance emerged.
Rhyperior.
Six Rhyperior surrounded Raikou and Wattson in the mountains, all launching attacks, beating their chests and stamping feet, pounding the ground.
Even Sieg, hiding in the far distance watching through binoculars, could feel the ground shaking, as if the entire mountain trembled.
Wattson naturally wasn't defenseless, commanding his Pokémon to unleash their proud powerful Electric-type attacks. Thunder carrying intense destructive energy bombarded the surrounding Rhyperior.
The six Rhyperior neither dodged nor avoided, completely unafraid of the thunderstorms falling from the sky, letting these techniques bombard their bodies.
Just as everyone felt confused,
The Rhyperior seemed disturbed and drawn by mysterious power. That thunder carrying tremendous destructive energy was actually directly absorbed into their bodies.
Not only did Rhyperior suffer no injuries, their auras even rose somewhat.
"Lightning Rod ability!"
(Lightning Rod: Draws Electric-type moves to itself, takes no damage, and boosts Special Attack instead)
Sieg, including everyone secretly observing, all had this term surface in their minds.
And not just one, a full six Rhyperior all possessed the Lightning Rod ability.
Completely prepared specifically to counter Electric-type Pokémon. Clearly whoever was behind this came prepared, sparing no expense to raise six quasi-Elite Four level Rhyperior, all with Lightning Rod ability.
A truly excessive gesture!
Rhyperior's Ground and Rock typing already made it immune to most Electric-type moves. Even Elite Four-level Electric Pokémon would struggle to cause significant damage.
Now with Lightning rods, it was like adding wings to a tiger.