"How do you feel?"
Seeing the three Pokémon awaken, Natsuhiko immediately asked.
He wasn't in a hurry to let them join Absol's battle, as the situation had stabilized.
The Beedrill and the others had just entered a strange state created by Jirachi, but it didn't mean they were unaware of the changes outside.
When they sensed that Natsuhiko might be in danger, Yujira and Togetic were the first to try to wake up, but Beedrill stopped them.
According to Beedrill, if Natsuhiko truly felt in danger, he would have woken them up immediately.
Since he hadn't done so, it meant there was no problem, and he was confident. What they needed to do was fully benefit from Jirachi before waking up to help Natsuhiko.
Indeed, Natsuhiko wasn't in any crisis and even remained very calm.
"Buzz." Beedrill looked at Yujira, then at Togetic, nodding towards Natsuhiko as a representative of the three Pokémon.
'Feeling very good.'
"That's good. Now, let's watch how Absol fights. You should be able to learn something too."
With that, they all turned to watch the battle between Absol and Nidoking.
With the Forced Traits and Life Treasure Pearl, Nidoking was strong, but Absol was even stronger.
Natsuhiko estimated that Absol would soon once again cross the threshold into the Elite Candidate level.
Coupled with Absol's special Future Sight ability and preemptive techniques, it was hard for Nidoking to gain an advantage.
'Is Absol's Future Sight ability special because of its talent or because of...'
Natsuhiko pondered, glancing at Jirachi sleeping not far away.
Or was it due to Jirachi's help?
Jirachi was indeed asleep, but that didn't mean it couldn't show its abilities. Even an asleep Jirachi could fight, similar to how Abra, in its youth, would often fall asleep, yet instinctively use Instant Movement to escape when sensing danger.
Togetic and the others, by helping Jirachi, gained benefits from it. It stood to reason that Absol, who contributed more, would also have gained something.
The battle continued, but the result was already clear.
While monitoring the battle, Beedrill quietly changed its position to prevent Klei's escape.
Togetic excitedly cheered for Absol, eager to jump in and assist.
Only Yujira focused intently on Absol's intermittently glowing horn, the key to its Future Sight.
Unknowingly.
When Absol's horn glowed again while using Future Sight, Yujira's eyes also lit up with a dazzling blue hue, its psychic powers surging, resonating with Absol's energy waves.
"Hmm?"
Natsuhiko looked at Yujira with some surprise, noticing its peculiarity.
"Future Sight?"
With some delight.
"Yongji..." Yujira slowly spoke, almost whispering.
'Jirachi taught me.'
Natsuhiko realized.
It seemed Yujira's benefit from Jirachi was acquiring the Future Sight technique and some specialized applications, similar to Absol's unique use of Future Sight.
This was good news.
"Yongji!" Yujira spoke again, its eyes' blue light instantly receding, its psychic power returning within.
'He's going to escape!'
Almost at the moment Yujira spoke, Klei commanded Nidoking to hold off Absol.
And then threw out a Pokeball, summoning an obviously still-injured Excadrill.
Klei gave Natsuhiko a fierce glare, hugging the Excadrill.
As a Ground and Steel Type, Excadrill had potent digging abilities, and the moment Klei summoned it, it understood its task.
The drill-like horn on its head gleamed with metallic luster, turning towards a solid rock wall.
As soon as Excadrill touched the rock, it would showcase its superior digging ability, disappearing into the soil in a blink.
"Buzz!"
At this moment.
The prepared Beedrill acted just as Yujira issued the alert.
It emitted a faint light, its speed accelerating drastically, surpassing its previous limits with a pulse of golden patterns on its wings.
High-speed Movement!
'So, Beedrill learned to use High-speed Movement from Jirachi.' Natsuhiko thought at this sight.
'What did Togetic learn?'
Buzz——
With a glint, the Cross Cut shone with cyan light as Beedrill, at full speed, fiercely slashed out.
However.
Klei was clearly prepared, having anticipated Beedrill's interception, and once again threw a Pokeball.
In the red light, an injured Golbat intercepted Beedrill's attack path.
Simultaneously, Excadrill swiftly changed its direction, feinting towards the rock wall, with its true target...
Beneath!
"A wise choice, like cutting off a limb to save oneself." Natsuhiko murmured to himself.
He wasn't surprised by Klei's escape attempt, nor was he surprised by his inability to stop it.
This was why, even though Beedrill had a chance to attack Klei directly earlier, he hadn't let it.
The camel might be thin, but it's still bigger than a horse.
Skillful hunters like Klei surely had more tricks up their sleeve; charging in blindly could fall into his trap.
Decisively sacrificing a few Pokémon to escape, with Klei's abilities, Natsuhiko couldn't prevent it.
Moreover, when cornered, pressing him further might provoke a desperate counterattack, rendering the effort worth less than the gain.
All Natsuhiko could do was ensure Klei paid a higher price.
But.
Natsuhiko smiled, chuckling softly as he said, "'Surround three sides, leave one false route of escape.' It's not just for war..."
Just as he finished speaking, the Excadrill, with Klei, burrowed underground.
Yet.
Just as they vanished from the surface.
"Flygon, Earthquake!"
A resonant voice echoed from the cave entrance.
The ground began to tremble with varying frequencies.
Yujira used its psychic abilities to envelop Natsuhiko and the Pokémon, including Jirachi's Sleeping Cocoon, pulling them away from the ground.
Rumble——
A crack appeared in the ground, ejecting the incapacitated Excadrill and the equally unconscious Klei from the fissure.
"Meteor People" Ryuzi had arrived just in time.
Upon discovering Klei, Natsuhiko had informed Ryuzi.
Not necessarily expecting him to make it in time, just to relay the location.
Unexpectedly, Ryuzi, familiar with Meteor Falls' terrain, indeed arrived at the last moment.
The Earthquake technique delivered the final blow to Klei and the severely weakened Excadrill.
It completely eliminated their chance of escape.
Subsequently, with a flowing cape, Ryuzi appeared before Natsuhiko, riding a Flygon.
"Mr. Natsuka, I hope I'm not too late?"
On the other side, Nidoking finally fell under Absol's attack.
"No, you're just in time."
Natsuhiko said, walking towards Absol.
As he crouched to gently soothe its wounds, he reached towards the fallen Nidoking.
A rounded, dark red pearl appeared in his palm.
With a flip of his hand, he collected it.
Life Treasure Pearl, acquired.