Golduck, as expected, collapsed. Drapion had completely overpowered it and defeated it across stages with overwhelming strength!
"DRAAAA! DRA~PION!"
Drapion let out a triumphant roar, and the aura around its body surged as it successfully reached the Ace level!
Although this wasn't the first time Sato had witnessed a Pokémon's breakthrough, he was still genuinely pleased…
Some Pokémon were simply born better at battling, Drapion was one of them. Its tail claw and twin pincers were natural killing weapons.
Stretchable, retractable, flexible, or forceful… covering all angles around its body was nothing short of effortless.
Sato had high hopes for Drapion's growth in the future!
At the same time, Zoroark and Gengar were coordinating seamlessly, effortlessly running circles around Machamp and Kangaskhan.
Gengar even took advantage of their distraction -caused by Drapion's mid-battle breakthrough- and forced them both into a nightmare state using the Hypnosis Pendulum!
What surprised Sato was that even in such a disadvantageous position, Rando still didn't choose to flee. Instead, he sent out his fourth and fifth Pokémon.
Heracross and Hitmontop!
Just as Sato was about to deal with them, a large number of League Trainers suddenly arrived as reinforcements, quickly surrounding Rando.
"Reporting in, Investigator Sato! The Vermilion City Defense Battle has reached a phase victory! Lynn White of League Investigation Unit 27, here to support!"
Sato raised an eyebrow and gestured for Zoroark and the others to slowly fall back. He then turned to Lynn, who stood ramrod straight beside him.
"The war's over…? That fast?"
"Reporting, sir! Aside from a few pockets of stubborn resistance, most of the battlefields are under control!"
"Did you catch their commander?"
"Well…" Lynn's expression turned awkward. She was thinking, 'Aren't you the commanding officer? Shouldn't you know better than me if their leader was caught?'
Sato also realized his question had been a bit much and shook his head, dropping the topic.
He turned to look at Rando, who was still being pummeled by swarms of League Trainers, yet stubbornly refused to surrender!
'Sigh… What a character.'
Too bad he chose the wrong path.
As more League Trainers continued pouring into the area to reinforce them, Sato finally recalled all the Pokémon who had been fighting until now.
[Sato, we've located the Underground forces's command center! It's at 309 Scarlet Road. Immediate support needed!]
Just as Sato stepped into the Pokémon Center, Lorelei's voice came through his earpiece.
Sato instantly stopped in his tracks and quickly used the Pokémon Transporter!
…Then, he immediately released the Honchkrow that had just been returned to its ball.
Honchkrow: (°ー°〃)?
"Emergency support, fly that way!"
Sato didn't waste time explaining. He swiftly climbed onto Honchkrow's back and urged it forward.
"KROOW!"
Honchkrow sensed the urgency and immediately took to the skies, following the direction Sato pointed, flying at high speed.
Vermilion City wasn't a large city, and Scarlet Road wasn't far from the Pokémon Center, Sato and Honchkrow reached the scene in just under three minutes.
What came into view was a battlefield even more intense than the one near the Pokémon Center!
"Akira! Sina! Sosuke!"
With just a glance, Sato spotted the three of them in the crowd. And their situation looked bad!
In one corner of the battlefield, the three were commanding their Ace level Pokémon to barely hold off a veteran High Ace Trainer.
This opponent had also only deployed three Pokémon, but they were cooperating with extreme coordination. And the three Pokémon were none other than Johto's regional starters: Typhlosion, Meganium, and Feraligatr!
The Underground was using regional starters against League Trainers?
No doubt the entire League considered him a thorn in their side! It was a miracle he'd lived this long.
"Hydreigon, go give them a hand, then come back to me."
But hearing the bursts of violent noise from the center of the battlefield, Sato could only leave Hydreigon behind and fly directly toward the heart of the fight.
By now, Sato had also spotted Lorelei. She had already deployed four Pokémon into battle, clearly giving it her all!
"DAMN IT, IT'S SATO!"
"Reynolds, it looks like your so-called strongest warrior isn't much, huh? He couldn't even handle a rookie!"
Reynolds looked grim. He was worried about Vader's -the one with the Starters- safety and furious at the jeering around him.
They were being hunted by a League Elite Four, and instead of working together to escape, they were still fighting among themselves!
No wonder they were getting captured…
As Sato approached Lorelei, the frigid domain she had created sent a shiver down his spine.
The reason none of the Underground leaders had managed to escape was because Lorelei had used Sheer Cold to create a massive ice prison!
They couldn't get out unless they flew. But once they took off, they became perfect targets for Lorelei.
Icicle Spear!
Ice Shard!
Icicle Crash…
Any one of those moves, if it hit, would be a nightmare for Flying-type Pokémon.
Just how strong was Lorelei? And how powerful were her Pokémon?
Ask Lance! The would-be Champion who had to retreat back to Johto just to make the cut.
He surely knew firsthand~
Seeing no way to flee, the leaders had no choice but to grit their teeth and fight Lorelei head-on.
And because of their numbers, most of the Pokémon they sent out were at Ace level.
Quantity turned into quality; against such a large force, even Lorelei could only just barely contain them!
"Sato, capture these people and the battle will be over. GIVE IT EVERYTHING YOU'VE GOT!"
Lorelei no longer sounded casual as usual. Her slightly messy bangs only added to her fierce and commanding presence.
"Gardevoir, Zoroark, Gengar, Tyranitar, Weavile!"
Since it was time to go all out, Sato didn't hold back either. He sent out five Pokémon in one go and commanded them to charge into battle!
The first four were without question Sato's core team, and Weavile -due to Lorelei's presence- was also a part of Sato's plan to learn by observation.
As for Drapion, its Acupressure boost had worn off, and since it needed to stabilize after its recent breakthrough, Sato had already transferred it back.
On the battlefield, Sato's five Pokémon lunged without hesitation into the crowd of enemies, immediately unleashing their strongest moves!
This wasn't a tournament stage… defeat here didn't just mean losing honor, but potentially losing lives!
The first to act were Gardevoir and Gengar!
The former suddenly unleashed its Elite Four level Psychic power, instantly slowing the attacks of most opposing Pokémon.
Meanwhile, Gengar levitated cross-legged in mid-air, its entire body radiating brilliant golden light. A gentle, resonant chime instantly invaded the ears of every opposing Pokémon.
The out-of-body sensation made them lose nearly all their fighting spirit. A few that snapped out of it were drenched in cold sweat!
'That feeling…' like their bodies didn't even belong to them!
Then, Tyranitar's devastating Stone Edge rained down indiscriminately upon them. Even a glancing hit left a deep gash!
Zoroark and Weavile remained in place and used Swords Dance, preparing for the upcoming cleanup.