An Ace Rank Houndoom.
As expected, Hawkins didn't fully trust those Team Rocket members either.
Hiding in the canopy, Gu Yuan's expression was grim. Before even getting close, he had used the system to detect an Ace Rank Houndoom here.
However, Gu Yuan did not give up, opting to approach cautiously after eliminating his own scent. Unfortunately, the Houndoom guarded the small lake behind it closely, giving no openings.
Gu Yuan speculated that Hawkins left the Houndoom specifically to use Taunt to counter any Pokémon capable of Teleport, preventing the Mind Lotus from being directly stolen. Furthermore, Houndoom's Fire-type moves could also serve as an effective warning system.
This setup meant Gu Yuan dared not let Alakazam attack easily. If Alakazam was struck by Taunt, Houndoom could potentially defeat it in an instant.
"Charizard, use Fire Blast!"
Glancing at the distance between them, Gu Yuan decided to let Charizard launch a probing attack.
Flames surged out, but only made Houndoom's eyes more vigilant. It immediately locked onto Charizard and Gu Yuan as the source of the attack.
As the flames approached, Houndoom easily neutralized them with a Flamethrower.
Staring fixedly at Gu Yuan, Houndoom showed no intention of chasing them.
Behind Houndoom, a silver-white lotus was slowly blooming. Only the last petal was missing; after it appeared, the flower would be fully open, signaling the Mind Lotus had reached maturity.
Standing still, Gu Yuan was momentarily unsure what to do.
It was likely that when Hawkins dispatched Houndoom, he gave it a direct order not to leave its post. No matter how much Gu Yuan provoked it, the Houndoom would not initiate an attack.
Especially since its ability was Early Bird. Even if Sylveon's Yawn caused it to fall asleep, Houndoom's ability and strength meant it would wake up in the shortest possible time.
Just as Gu Yuan was at a loss, reinforcements from both the League and Team Rocket arrived.
In fact, both sides had detected each other before arriving, but continued fighting while retreating, eager to quickly rendezvous with their allies and fully understand the situation.
In the center of the forest, Gu Yuan continued staring down at Houndoom, as if waiting to see who would move first.
"Let's risk it."
"Charizard, use Fire Blast!"
Blazing flames converged once more.
At the same time, Sylveon used Quick Attack and charged out, immediately using Hyper Voice.
Facing the pincer attack from Charizard and Sylveon, Houndoom still appeared completely unbazed.
It used Flamethrower in a sweeping motion, neutralizing Charizard's attack.
Next, it used Howl, interfering with the sound waves of Hyper Voice and weakening its effect.
Seizing this precise moment, the well-rested Alakazam charged out again, using Teleport directly onto the lake.
Alakazam was fast, but Houndoom's speed was not slow either.
It turned its head and used Taunt.
If Alakazam reached for the Mind Lotus, Taunt would certainly hit, and Alakazam's fate would be sealed.
Under pressure from Houndoom's aggressive move, Alakazam had no choice but to use Teleport to leave again.
Taking advantage of this opportunity, Charizard and Sylveon attacked once more.
The instant Houndoom turned its head to counterattack, Alakazam reappeared.
Unlike before, this time there were two Alakazam.
Taunt began to coalesce. Houndoom, seemingly encountering this situation for the first time, could only use Taunt on the Alakazam it perceived to be stronger.
At that moment, the Mind Lotus fully opened, radiating a silver-white glow.
The Alakazam that Ditto had transformed into surged with Psychic power and quickly plucked the Mind Lotus.
Before Ditto could secure the Mind Lotus, a profound sense of danger emerged.
"Ditto, abandon the Mind Lotus! UseTeleportto leave!"
Gu Yuan's voice rang out in Ditto's mind using Telepathy.
Without hesitation, Ditto instantly vanished from its spot.
The next second, a powerful shockwave slammed into the exact location where Ditto had been, and then a hand smoothly caught the falling Mind Lotus.
"You little pest truly gave me a great surprise. You almost cost me the Mind Lotus."
Holding the Mind Lotus, Hawkins still maintained his calm, unruffled demeanor.
Standing beside Hawkins were Hypno and Alakazam.
At this time, Alakazam and Ditto (now back to its normal form) both returned to Gu Yuan's side.
Facing Hypno and their Alakazam, Charizard, and the others showed no fear in their eyes.
Gu Yuan no longer had time to wonder what had happened to Koga. He could only focus all his effort on finding a way to break this deadlock. He was also shocked by Hawkins's power.
From here to where Hawkins was fighting, even with my Alakazam's strength, it would take at least three or four uses ofTeleportto get here. Yet, he appeared here in an instant. This clearly demonstrates the gap between us, and it is the one thing I completely miscalculated.
Gu Yuan's original plan was simple: get the Mind Lotus, quickly return to Koga's side, and hand the Mind Lotus over to Koga. After that, he would voluntarily withdraw from the fight.
With the system's detection, Gu Yuan wasn't worried about Hawkins getting close, and this plan would also completely dismantle Hawkins's scheme.
Unfortunately, this miscalculation had now put Gu Yuan himself in extreme danger.
"Given your age, you must be quite the genius within the League."
"Since you are a genius, I can grant you a more respectable death. Kill yourself."
Slowly walking to the lakeshore and petting Houndoom's head, Hawkins spoke with an air of condescension. It was true; no matter how much of a genius Gu Yuan was, he was only a Senior Rank trainer, making no difference in the face of Elite Rank Hawkins. Even the Alakazam he relied on usually could not save Gu Yuan from danger against an Elite Rank Alakazam.
"I won't give up until the very end."
"Sylveon, use Helping Hand, Hyper Voice!"
"Charizard, Ditto, use Fire Blast!"
"Alakazam, use Psychic! Primeape, wait for an opening."
Gu Yuan activated his telepathy, and Charizard and the others immediately sprang into action.
The light of Helping Hand emerged, followed by the enhanced Fire Blast surging out, the sound waves of Hyper Voice spreading, and Psychic aimed directly at Hawkins himself.
Standing beside Gu Yuan, Primeape's eyes were fixed on Hawkins, waiting for the split second the opponent might show a weakness.
"You are a Psychic too? That is interesting."
A hint of a smile appeared on Hawkins's face, and the Alakazam beside him moved.
With a wave of its left hand, Psychic power diffused, and Charizard's entire offensive was instantly neutralized. Even the strongest Pokémon, Charizard and Sylveon, were two ranks lower than the opposing Alakazam.
In the face of such overwhelming power, Charizard's attacks could not cause a single ripple.
The next second, Alakazam disappeared from its position.
When it reappeared, Gu Yuan realized that he, Charizard, and all his Pokémon were completely immobilized.
At this moment, Gu Yuan finally understood what it felt like for those ambushed by an Alakazam.
Staring at the Alakazam that was about to deliver a fatal blow, Gu Yuan still did not give up, desperately channeling his Psychic power, but it was useless.
As Alakazam's attack descended, Gu Yuan saw a dark shadow block the attack in front of him.