Crystal System.
Created by Rocket Team's Dr. Shilano and handed to members Pusen and Bashu to persecute Electric-type Pokémon, thereby luring Lei Gong.
Once thwarted by Axiang's animated counterpart Kenta, Chris's animated counterpart Marina, original character Junichi, and the Ho-oh Guard researcher Shui Jing who chased Suicune.
Never expected to see this thing again in the Hoenn Region.
And the unfortunate Lei Gong was once again subjected to its persecution, not even starting from a passive thunder absorption mode; these Pokémon Hunters directly activated the black hole mode of active thunder absorption, causing the injured Lei Gong to be forced to lose its internal electrical energy.
Baimu recalled, according to Rocket Team Member Bashu's statement, as long as Lei Gong's electrical energy was fully absorbed, putting it into a near-death state, they could do whatever they wanted with it.
"Roar——"
Amidst the flickering lightning, Lei Gong struggled desperately like a Temur Sabertooth, yet the lightning in its body kept flowing into the Black Crystal.
Seeing that it was getting closer and closer, he took a deep breath, not rushing over, but instead turning his gaze to the robot further away from the Crystal System.
The main structure was like a giant motorboat with extremely slender leg structures. If he guessed correctly, the Crystal System should be controlled by it, but even dismantling the robot wouldn't stop the Crystal System.
The animation clearly mentioned that the two systems can operate independently, and even destroying the control system would lead to the Crystal System entering Black Hole mode.
God knows if this latest version of the Crystal System would create an Abyss mode; normal destruction certainly wouldn't work.
Approaching again a bit closer.
More information came into view.
The two Pokémon Hunters who had abandoned the mountain bikes were clearly situated in the robot's semi-open control platform, their faces filled with smug smiles, while the other two Pokémon Hunters, to prevent Lei Gong from escaping, had two Golems and two Vibravas guarding the mountain path and the sky respectively.
The preparations seemed quite adequate indeed...
Not far away.
Several Electric-type Pokémon were trapped in nets, motionless.
They seemed to have had their internal electricity drained by the Crystal System, rendering them unconscious.
"Roar! Roar!"
Lei Gong continuously let out angry roars, with its four claws bracing against a rock to prevent itself from being sucked in by the Crystal System. Its abdomen and claws bore several seemingly severe wounds, and it appeared to be in a very weak state, with little resistance left.
In principle, with its previous experience dealing with the Crystal System, it should know what to do.
How severe were its injuries exactly?
Baimu stopped the mountain bike, slightly lowered his cap, and dashed up the mountain.
He's certainly not above ambushing these guys, but unfortunately, from the moment he saw the top of the mountain, one of the Pokémon Hunters in the robot cabin had already spotted him.
Lei Gong had picked an excellent landing spot, with the entire mountain barren and completely devoid of any cover. Even if the motorcycle's engine noise was drowned out by thunder, there was no avoiding being seen.
Of course.
The preparations that needed to be done were certainly done.
Baimu glanced over the four Pokémon Hunters, and once he knew most of the cards they held, he could move without restraint.
Honestly speaking, a mere four people with four Pokémon wouldn't be a challenge for him; what he truly dreaded was the black technology these Pokémon Hunters mastered, such as the petrification gun used by Hunter J, the special Dark Ball used by Rocket Team executive Bishas, etc.
After confirming that these guys relied on the robot and the Crystal System to capture Lei Gong, he was largely reassured.
With Porygon here, this time there's probably no difficulty whatsoever.
He endeavored to make his movements appear extremely flustered and tense.
"I'm counting on you, Porygon."
He patted the phone in his pocket.
Meanwhile.
The Pokémon Hunter, eyeing him from the robot cabin, suddenly shouted, "Hey! Apprentice! What's happening!"
As soon as this person shouted, the other three quickly turned their attention to him.
"The one with the hat! The one with the hat is here! Mitsukami has already been caught!"
Baimu shouted while panting heavily, ensuring his voice wouldn't be exposed too quickly, deliberately using the terms these guys used for Officer Jenny and the others, and calling out the name of another apprentice he had greeted earlier.
Sure enough.
Hearing that the people they feared most were coming, the four Pokémon Hunters didn't even have time to discern Baimu's true identity and visibly panicked.
"How could it be! How would they know about this deep in the mountains and forests!"
"What's the situation over at the hut?"
"Wait! Who are you? Take your hat off!"
Their voices mingled together, large and small, finally one of them noticed Baimu had been concealing himself the entire time, never revealing his appearance.
Facing this person's wariness.
Baimu chose to take out his phone and point it at the robot.
The four Pokémon Hunters were collectively stunned, not understanding his intentions.
But in the next moment.
A creature that appeared very strange to them flew out of it, darting into the robot like lightning, while the ground shook violently, and a massive Steelix suddenly broke through the sturdy bedrock near the mountain peak.
"Roar——!!"
Steelix roared loudly, its towering form like a gigantic beast, so enormous that even amidst the roaring thunderclouds above, its shining silver body couldn't be concealed.