"A five-person team is already close to the Shiny Swoobat, but they were focused down and blocked. We need to speed up."
Skyla had already sent four Flying-type Pokémon to the four corners of the cave.
And clearly, she had a special way of communicating with her Pokémon, able to receive intel from them remotely; her scouting ability was in no way inferior to that of Psychic-types.
After the nine regrouped, the Swoobat swarm could hardly obstruct them at all.
"We're catching up… no, they're going all out. They're already right by the Shiny Swoobat."
Less than two minutes later, Skyla sent another update, immediately putting pressure on the group.
"What about the other teams?"
"Several of them are copying us, teaming up. The gap is closing."
"Sato, Phoebe, and Marlon: full assault. Everyone else, prepare for combat!" Joseph didn't hesitate after receiving Skyla's update.
As soon as Sato heard that, he had Sharpedo Mega Evolve without a word.
Phoebe and Marlon each increased their active battle Pokémon to four. Controlling four at once was already their limit.
With this massive power boost, their pace accelerated again. Waves of Swoobat were taken down in droves; the sheer number made one's scalp tingle.
At this moment, the nine of them finally reached the Shiny Swoobat. But at the same time, they came face-to-face with another team.
"Gigalith, Stone Edge!"
Without a moment's hesitation, the opposing Trainer closest to them launched an attack at Sato's group.
"Hmph. Sawk, Close Combat!" Having been holding back his frustration, Marshal stepped up and positioned himself in front of everyone. His Sawk shattered the Stone Edge with a few swift strikes.
"I'll handle these guys. Throh, Mienshao, get in here!" Marshal threw out two more Poké Balls. Three Fighting-types stood side by side, intercepting the enemy's entire offensive.
Just then, the Shiny Swoobat, which hadn't moved much, suddenly retreated. Clearly, it had seen the conflict erupt between the humans and hoped they'd weaken each other first.
"After it! Marshal, keep up!" Joseph didn't bother with the other team's provocation and called Marshal back. Their target was the Red Flag, and with others racing toward it, they couldn't afford delays.
"Stop them! Gigalith, Rock Slide!"
"Crustle, Rock Wrecker!"
"Emolga, use Thunderbolt!"
---
Seeing that Sato's group had the numbers and was going directly for the Shiny Swoobat, the other team acted in full force.
If they couldn't stop them, they'd have no shot at the Red Flag. Their only option now was to delay, long enough for the others to arrive and create chaos, which might give them a chance.
"Mienshao, Aura Sphere barrage. Sawk, Throh, Close Combat. Emboar, Fire Blast. Conkeldurr, Rock Slide!"
Marshal went all in. Leaving only one Pokémon behind in case of emergencies, he sent out the other five. Holding back an entire team by himself.
"You're just one guy. Let's see how many Pokémon you can really stop. Send out Flying-types to flank and intercept." one of the other team, a glasses-wearing young man, sneered coldly.
As soon as the young man with glasses finished speaking, Emolga, Unfezant, and several other Flying-type Pokémon charged forward, trying to bypass Marshal and intercept Sato's group.
"Who said he was alone? Arbok, Toxic! Togetic, use Metronome!" Mark suddenly stepped up beside Marshal and shouted back.
"Blaziken, Fire Pledge, Swampert, Water Pledge! Flygon, stop Emolga and the others!" Ryoko also turned back and moved to Marshal's side, wasting no words and going straight into battle.
"Hehhehheh, dealing with you guys… just us three is enough! Mienshao, High Jump Kick, Emboar, you too, Fire Pledge! The rest of you, hit them hard!"
Marshal grinned as he spoke. Though he didn't know why Joseph sent Mark and Ryoko over to help, with three on each side now in the fight over the flag, things suddenly felt more balanced.
Yes, in Marshal's eyes, only their two teams could possibly contend for the flag. As a League-assigned trial squad, they always had at least one member finish in the top three -taking first was practically routine- so they couldn't afford to back down against anyone.
This time, however, the one assigned to achieve the best placement wasn't Marshal, but Jona.
In terms of overall strength, Jona was the strongest in the team. Marshal specialized in Fighting-types, and without reaching Elite Four level, it was easy for him to be countered.
Just like in the battle in the underground… one Sigilyph had completely crushed him. Mienshao had already reached Low Pseudo-Elite Four level, but still lost.
That said, there was no denying Marshal's strength. Among Trainers of the same level, he was absolutely among the best.
On the other side, after Marshal, Mark, and Ryoko temporarily left the main group, their pace didn't slow. Since none of their main attackers had been pulled out, the team's mobility actually increased.
Getting closer and closer to the Shiny Swoobat, Sato could now clearly see the human-like despair on its face.
The area was already a complete net, its defeat was only a matter of time.
But like the massive Durant before it, Swoobat seemed to be restricted by something, unable to move outside the central area of the cave.
Finally, after Sato's group finished off the last wave of Swoobat, the Shiny Swoobat appeared before them, unobstructed for the first time.
"Zoroark, Night Slash."
"Darmanitan, Flare Blitz!"
Sato glanced back and squinted at Jona's innocent-looking face. At the same time, he noticed that as soon as they engaged the Shiny Swoobat, the two teams split apart.
"SWOOO~"
Just then, the Shiny Swoobat let out a loud cry and swept its wings, launching a flurry of gleaming Air Slash attacks.
Even if its base stats weren't as high as Zoroark or Darmanitan, there was no denying that this was a true Pseudo-Elite Four Pokémon.
"Sharpedo, Crunch."
"Gothitelle, Psychic, Druddigon, Dragon Claw, Serperior, Leaf Storm!"
Jona no longer held back. She sent out three Pokémon at once. She knew she wasn't as strong as Sato, so she'd have to make up for it with numbers.
"Sharpedo, go for the flag. Umbreon, Feint Attack, block Gothitelle, Zoroark, Night Daze, intercept Druddigon and Serperior."
Sato issued rapid commands. A quick glance revealed that Joseph and Phoebe were already engaging Marlon and Skyla.
At the final moment, both sides had chosen to fight on their own.
.
.
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150 PW = Extra chap