Threw out a Pokeball.
Summoned Sharpedo.
As soon as it emerged, feeling the biting cold wind, Sharpedo shivered.
It was tough on it.
Clearly a shark living in tropical oceans, yet it had to face even colder conditions in such a frigid environment.
But Sharpedo... "had no complaints."
"Sharpedo, later swim under the ice layer and try to damage it as much as possible, but don't let it break completely. Can you do that?"
Sharpedo, with a stern face, nodded solemnly.
It wasn't that it didn't want to show emotions, it had mostly lost its ability to manage expressions.
It was already cold enough here.
Go into the water?
"Yujira, Honedge, help it get down there," Natsuhiko said with a satisfied nod and appreciative look towards Yujira.
"Yongji."
Yujira used Instant Movement, flashing together with Sharpedo and Honedge to the edge of the frozen lake surface.
Honedge's sharp blade opened a hole in the ice for Sharpedo to dive through.
Sharpedo took a deep breath, with eyes that seemed to say, "The wind is cold, and the river is icy," plunged into the icy lake.
Actually, it was just a brief chill; as a "qualified" Water-type Pokémon, it still had the adaptability.
After acclimating momentarily in the water, it swam towards the area beneath where the Beartics stood on the ice.
After sending Sharpedo down, Yujira returned with Honedge to Natsuhiko's side.
"Now we just need to wait."
He didn't have to wait long; Sharpedo's efficiency was quite high.
As the ice sheet thinned, the lake surface began to weaken; when the Beartics "inadvertently" stepped on the ice, they'd accidentally step on a fragile spot, causing their feet to sink into ice caves.
It didn't hurt them but restricted their movement and battle rhythm.
The Abomasnow leader was good at seizing opportunities: seeing the opponent's "mistakes," it immediately commanded the other three Abomasnows to launch a fierce attack.
The Beartics were quickly put at a disadvantage.
Yet, facing the relentless Abomasnows, the Beartics fought back fiercely, attacking recklessly without regard for injuries.
The two factions were long-time enemies, and with the chance to pummel a falling Water Dog, the Abomasnows certainly didn't want to waste it.
Thus, the battle's ferocity suddenly escalated several levels.
Wounds also started appearing on the Abomasnows.
These were all expected results for Natsuhiko.
But that wasn't his ultimate goal.
He just wanted to see the Abomasnows and Beartics so furious that they couldn't team up against him—that's all he needed.
"It's getting close."
Without waiting for a clear victor, just when the battle intensified, Natsuhiko led Beedrill and others into the fray.
Picking up loose ends was good.
But too time-consuming and unnecessary.
Beedrill and the others also needed some battle experience, especially facing Ice-type Pokémon.
Yujira opened a Psychic Arena, using Instant Movement to appear on the battlefield.
Originally a conflict between two factions, it suddenly evolved into a three-way melee.
Since the Abomasnows and Beartics were already blinded by rage, there was no chance of them teaming up against Natsuhiko.
As long as they didn't join forces, Natsuhiko was confident he could clear out these two groups.
Yujira stood in the center, enveloping all the Abomasnows and Beartics within the Psychic Arena. Buddha Beads vibrated, the Spoon twisted, and strong Spirit Blades flew wildly; multiple amplifications made its psychic attacks tremendously terrifying, and Yujira finally slowly fulfilled its potent psychic talent.
Togetic and Natsuhiko stood at the back, continuously using Divine Power for control, sometimes combining Secret Power to transform into Telekinesis' Additional Effect, slowing their movement speed.
Beedrill vibrated its wings, golden light streaking across the battlefield, executing its reaping task, but its gaze always locked on the Elite Level Abomasnow leader, hoping to engage it in combat.
Honedge, as a Steel-type Pokémon, played a significant role at this moment, taking advantage of the Steel type's superiority over Ice types, becoming another reaper besides Beedrill.
Though its eyes showed fear and concern, when it started fighting, it didn't hold back.
Not sure why, maybe because of Natsuhiko's influence or Honedge's own insight, its personality gradually shifted.
It wasn't that it lost its cautious nature—as it resonated with Natsuhiko's caution, it became even more careful—but...
The more cautious it became, the more ruthless its strikes, seemingly very worried that if it didn't kill the enemy, they'd retaliate harshly.
Almost showing signs of a split personality.
Both afraid and fighting, not hindering each other, becoming more ferocious the more frightened, almost surpassing the assassin Beedrill in decisiveness.
Natsuhiko had noticed this about Honedge before.
Due to its rich mental journey, he wasn't sure how it self-reflected and imagined itself to such a state.
But judging by the results...
It seemed to be okay.
Natsuhiko even wondered if it was because Honedge was showing signs of evolution.
In the future, evolving into Aegislash, being extremely cautious when holding a shield, while becoming aggressive and fierce when wielding a sword, perhaps preparing for both future forms.
He didn't know if all Honedges went through this, or if his Honedge was just special.
After all, when Honedge evolves into Doublade, it also has a shield.
Though the shield is smaller.
Small change is still money, a small shield is still a shield.
While he commanded the battle and pondered about Honedge, the battle started to become clearer.
All six Beartics had been defeated; none fell to Beedrill's Long Needle or Honedge's sharp blade.
Of the four Abomasnows, two were already down, leaving only one Elite Level Abomasnow leader and one panting regular Abomasnow.
The fallen eight Pokémon were all due to Beedrill and others' work.
Therefore, the Abomasnow leader was very wary of their strength.
"Roar!!"
The Abomasnow leader roared, intensely watching Beedrill.
Single combat!
As a powerful Abomasnow, it had its principles.
To defeat me is fine, but if it's a gang-up, winning doesn't count!
"Buzz-buzz!"
Beedrill looked back at Natsuhiko, seeking his approval.
Natsuhiko silently nodded.
Now Beedrill was fully boosted with Deadly Needle Stab and High-speed Movement, in its strongest state.
With the type advantage, defeating the Abomasnow leader wasn't hard.
Since it requested, let's fulfill its last wish.
With Natsuhiko's permission, Beedrill passionately gazed at the Abomasnow leader, having eyed it for a while.
As the battle spirit arose against the leader Pokémon, Beedrill's dormant Leader's Aura began to stir restlessly.
The two Pokémon didn't exchange any more words and directly engaged in battle.