Politoed began emitting water vapor, which slowly diffused into the air, reducing the hot and dry atmosphere of the surrounding environment.
Though Politoed's level and strength were not as high as Swampert's, in terms of control over water energy, it was the most skilled among Aoki's Pokémon. Even Slowking, despite its psychic prowess, could only match Politoed in this aspect. This was the result of meticulous training under Aoki's guidance.
Politoed's natural affinity for water energy, combined with its Drizzle ability, granted it superior control over moisture. Slowking, being a dual Water/Psychic-type, focused more on its psychic powers, whereas Politoed specialized purely in water manipulation. Thus, its dominance in this field was inevitable.
However, Politoed acted discreetly, and the others—Aron and Larvitar—remained unaware as they prepared for battle.
Before Larvitar could initiate an attack, the opposing Magmortar struck first. The flames around its raised arm dissipated, revealing a dark cannon-like barrel. A flicker of yellow light appeared within, and a blazing fireball shot out, aimed directly at Combusken, who had blocked its previous assault.
Magmortar's mocking grin remained, but Combusken showed no panic—Aoki had already relayed orders through Telepathy.
With a powerful leap, Combusken dodged the fireball. However, upon impact, the projectile shattered, scattering embers that singed Combusken's feathers. Yet, as a Fire-type, the damage was minimal.
Meanwhile, Lairon and Larvitar acted swiftly.
Larvitar raised its claws, summoning jagged stones from the earth with Stealth Rock, though they vanished shortly after materializing.
Aron, crouched low, unleashed Rock Tomb, sending twin stone chains slithering toward Magmortar like serpents.
Magmortar's crimson eyes tracked the invisible rocks but remained still. As the stone bindings lunged, flames erupted around its fists, and it punched through the restraints with Fire Punch, preventing immobilization.
Just as Magmortar smirked in triumph, a shadow loomed above—Combusken, having evaded earlier, descended with a Sky Uppercut, its talons gleaming.
Magmortar crossed its arms defensively, enduring the strike with a grunt.
Thud!
The impact reverberated through its frame, but Magmortar held firm, its expression taunting.
Yet Combusken wasn't finished. The first kick had been a feint—the second, fueled by coiled muscle and gravity, struck Magmortar square in the face.
Crack!
Magmortar crashed onto its back, the blow far more damaging than Combusken's prior injuries.
Rage ignited in Magmortar's eyes, and its flames flared violently—though, strangely, they dimmed slightly at their peak. Before it could rise, another assault followed.
Facing three opponents meant one misstep could cascade into relentless pressure.
Larvitar, guided by Aoki's command, solidified the latent Stealth Rock into three massive boulders above Magmortar.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
The rocks hammered into Magmortar's skull.
Lairon followed up with another Rock Tomb, this time summoning three stone chains—the maximum it could control—coiling around Magmortar like iron restraints.
Combusken, landing nimbly, darted across the cavern with Speed Boost, its movements a blur.
Yet Magmortar wasn't finished. Cracks spiderwebbed through the rubble as flames seeped out, swelling until—
Kaboom!
The rocks exploded, revealing Magmortar, now bruised but furious. No longer smug, it clutched its face, where Combusken and Larvitar's attacks had struck mercilessly.
Magmortar's glare burned. It raised a fist, demanding a rematch—but Aoki's team had seized momentum.
With its Speed Boost ability and Agility, Combusken's velocity outpaced Magmortar's reaction speed. Fire wreathed its body as it lunged with Flame Charge, the heat intensifying mid-flight.
Magmortar retaliated with a jet of scorching air from its palms, but Combusken plowed through, undeterred.
Meanwhile, Larvitar and Aron exchanged a glance. Larvitar braced, and Aron clambered onto its back.
In a synchronized maneuver, Larvitar channeled ground energy, becoming a living catapult, while Aron minimized its weight with Magnet Rise.
Whoosh!
Aron launched like a cannonball, trailing blue embers—Dragon Rush, an Egg move, now deployed for the first time in battle.
Their target: a Fire-type, in its own fiery domain.