The two groups encountered each other without any warning. Compared to Sato's team, Marlon and the others were even more surprised.
Had they not been called by one of Unova's Elite Four -specifically tasked with exploring this underground world- they never would have imagined that deep beneath Vertress Cave, such a mystical place existed.
Sato and the others instinctively returned to their original formation. As for all the talk about watching each other's backs; clearly, neither side had taken that seriously.
"So it's you. I've heard a lot about you. The League said some super rookies arrived recently… I should've guessed. Weavile's not exactly common in Unova."
Marlon was the first to break the awkward silence, taking the initiative to greet Sato.
Sato nodded back, just about to ask if Marlon had ever been to Kanto -since he knew about Weavile's distribution- when he noticed Sawsbuck and Beartic now walking side by side, impatiently urging the groups forward.
Both sides exchanged a silent glance, then followed along without another word. The Sawsbuck leading Marlon's group was also clearly a High Pseudo-Elite Four Pokémon.
Since when did Pseudo-Elite Four-level Pokémon become so commonplace? There were two of them here, just like that.
And judging by how naturally they moved… they didn't seem like "rulers". They looked more like…
'Yep, subordinates.' For some reason, the thought popped into Sato's head, and the more he considered it, the more certain he became.
The true "king" of this underground world wasn't just a Pseudo-Elite Four Pokémon.
Let's not forget, Vertress City was the headquarters of the Unova League. Without overwhelming power, this underground domain could never have survived the territorial ambitions of humankind.
Realizing this, a sense of anticipation rose in Sato's chest. He had seen many Elite Four-level Trainers and their Pokémon.
But wild ones? Aside from the Ralts in his backpack, which had the power of an Elite Four after evolution, he had never encountered such a thing.
Unlike the complex, craggy terrain inside Vertress Cave, the underground world's tunnels were wide and spacious, with long, straight paths; so clean they almost seemed to have been deliberately cleared.
And after just a few minutes of walking, the space suddenly opened up. A beam of light poured straight down, illuminating a towering, fiery red maple tree, as if placing a spotlight on the entire cave: dreamlike and ethereal.
It seemed that every "powerful" cave system had no shortage of natural lighting. The same was true in the Seafloor Cavern… and now here in the underground world.
Upon arriving, Beartic and Sawsbuck left the groups, calmly walking to the foot of the massive maple. They each let out a soft cry, as if checking in with someone.
Whooosh~
Not only was there light in the cave, but a cool breeze drifted through. The red maple leaves rustled gently, and from all around the cave, more than a dozen different Pokémon slowly emerged.
Liepard, Zebstrika, Seismitoad, Leavanny, Gothitelle… all unique to the Unova Region, appearing one after another before the group. The weakest among them… was already High Pseudo-Elite Four level.
Beartic and Sawsbuck silently returned to formation. Sato counted quietly: there were twelve Pokémon at High Pseudo-Elite Four level, and four others that had clearly reached the Elite Four tier.
They were Bisharp, Mienshao, Serperior… and a Haxorus.
Seeing this, everyone couldn't help but draw in a sharp breath. The strength of this underground world was frightening.
It had not one, but 4, Elite Four-level Pokémon.
But just when everyone thought this was the full roster, they noticed that none of the Pokémon moved. Instead, they all slightly lowered their heads, facing that ancient crimson maple, likely over a hundred years old.
Sato narrowed his eyes, feeling an intense wave of emotional feedback from the Dark Energy, pure revulsion. The feedback was so overwhelming, it began affecting his own mindset.
'Bug-type? Fairy-type? Or perhaps Fighting-type Pokémon?'
Suppressing the growing discomfort, Sato silently waited for their "king" to appear. He didn't withdraw "Dark Energy: Emotional Feedback", because he wanted to know just how strong this so-called king was.
Fortunately, the ruler of the underground world didn't keep them waiting. In fact, it seemed almost eager to emerge.
To the astonishment of all present, a beautiful moth drifted out from within the red maple, fluttering gracefully. Its three pairs of flame-rose wings beat at a low frequency, but each motion provided it with powerful lift.
Volcarona!
There's a legend that Volcarona is born from a blazing cocoon of fire. When volcanic ash darkens the land, its flames are said to replace the sun, earning it the title Incarnation of the Sun in some regions.
And true to its name, Volcarona was ridiculously powerful.
As Volcarona descended softly, it landed at the head of the sixteen powerful Pokémon. Its sapphire-like eyes quietly surveyed them all.
Sato quietly deactivated his Emotional Feedback. There was no point in checking for potential, the strength of this opponent needed no further proof.
This stunningly elegant moth exuded an aura that crushed all resistance…
It was a Champion-level Pokémon!
Trembling, sweating, pale-faced… Sato's team wasn't alone. Even Marshal's group, who had known of Volcarona's presence beforehand, were visibly shaken seeing it in person.
"Voo~"
Unlike the oppressive aura it radiated, Volcarona's cry was crisp and pleasant to the ear.
With a light flap of its six wings, Volcarona moved forward at a deceptive speed, arriving in front of the group in an instant.
Sato's team didn't dare move. Even Sharpedo lowered itself to the ground without hesitation, ignoring any dirt or grass that clung to its fins.
Volcarona paid no mind to their pallor or trembling. It skillfully hovered, scanning each person one by one.
After examining the final Trainer, it suddenly returned to its position. The sixteen Pokémon behind it hadn't moved an inch throughout the entire encounter.
"Voo voo~"
Volcarona gave a soft cry. Nine of its subordinates raised their heads and began striding forward toward Sato's team.
"W-we're not seriously expected to battle them… r-right?" Mark asked, voice shaking.
"You didn't know?" Skyla, from the other side, froze. Realizing she'd slipped, she clammed up immediately.
"Volcarona wants us to go all out, to defeat our assigned opponents with full force. All six Pokémon, no holding back!" Joseph declared boldly, drawing looks even from Marshal's team.
Sato, meanwhile, watched the Bisharp slowly walking toward him and broke into a cold sweat.
Of all the nine Pokémon sent to battle, only his opponent was Elite Four-level.
And it just happened to be the one that completely countered his team…Bisharp.