When facing a powerful Pokémon.
Natsuhiko's Pokémon were already extremely skilled in tactics.
Alakazam unfolded the "Psychic Arena."
Steelix's speed was relatively slow, so the Pokémon could act a bit more calmly.
It was just that its massive body and thick metal armor left even Beedrill, who excelled at finding an opponent's weak points, somewhat at a loss.
But the main force in this battle was clearly not a Physical Attack-type Pokémon like Beedrill, whose typing was suppressed.
They would mainly be relying on the Special Attack output from Alakazam and Togekiss.
"Chakoi!"
A sly glint flashed in Togekiss's eyes as it swung out two "Air Slash" attacks.
Its preemptive strike marked the official start of this battle.
Bang, bang!
Given Steelix's enormous size, it was hard for Togekiss's "Air Slash" to miss even if it tried.
Except—
The "Additional Effect" that Togekiss prided itself on failed to trigger this time.
The difference in strength was part of the reason.
During its evolution, the pain of Steelix's body transforming from rock to metal had undoubtedly honed its willpower to an extreme degree.
When facing an opponent with a strong will while itself being at a disadvantage in power, Togekiss's "Air Slash" was not always unstoppable.
"Roar——!!"
But even without the additional effect, Special Attack Type techniques could still inflict some damage on Steelix.
Even if the damage wasn't great.
The already bloodshot eyes of Steelix turned even redder as it felt the pain.
After evolving from Onix into Steelix, this kind of Pokémon's temperament had also become much more irritable.
Using one of the segments of its body as a pivot, it began to slowly spin, then faster and faster.
The surrounding sand and rubble were all swept up by its high-speed spinning body, and a "Sandstorm" environment appeared.
Starlight flickered over Alakazam's body; "Magic Defense" kept it from being affected by the sandstorm.
The spoons in its hands flexed, and a wave of psychic power erupted from its body, pouring into Steelix.
Immediately, scenes of what Steelix would do next began flashing before its eyes.
"Hudi!"
The spreading Superpower Threads yanked, shifting Togekiss's body to the side as a thick, solid tail lashed out from within the tornado-like "Sandstorm," glinting with a dense metallic sheen.
Fortunately, under Alakazam's pull, it failed to hit Togekiss.
Because Rayquaza's Alternate Space restricted flight altitude, even though they were all flying in midair, with Steelix's length and size, they were still within its attack range.
After helping Togekiss dodge the attack, Alakazam gathered "Strong Mental Will."
Zzzzzz——
Enduring the damage from the sandstorm, Beedrill's wings on its back crackled with electricity that was mysteriously drawn in, the leaping arcs all pointing toward the center of the sandstorm.
The next second—
Steelix, its whole body wrapped in electromagnetism, suddenly burst out of the sandstorm that had limited visibility.
Yes.
Burst out.
Shrouded in electricity, Steelix had used the Technique "Electromagnetic Suspension," allowing it to freely maneuver in the air for a period of time.
Buzz——
Beedrill's wings vibrated, dodging this attack.
Its crimson compound eyes locked onto Steelix as its Leader Aura surged, resisting part of the sandstorm's interference. Its entire body was wrapped in a dark red airflow as its Double Needle slowly scraped together.
Ready to strike.
Bang!
A "Wave Missile" from Togekiss struck Steelix's head, knocking it askew.
But Steelix's ferocity swelled again; its tail whipped through the air, carrying the sandstorm and an overwhelming momentum as it lunged toward Togekiss.
Pounce!
A Technique that dealt damage purely by relying on its own defense, and one of the favorites of a Pokémon like Steelix, whose Defense Power was exceptionally outstanding.
But in the face of this kind of impact, Togekiss did not panic.
The very next instant—
Togekiss and Aegislash swapped positions.
"Sha!"
Aegislash raised its shield and patted it; halos of light rippled over its surface.
King's Shield!
Boom——
The enormous, heavy force drove Aegislash skidding back madly.
Yet Steelix showed not the slightest intention of stopping.
Aegislash stared wide-eyed.
This was its first time being pushed back so hard by a Pokémon while in Shield Form.
Though thanks to "King's Shield," it didn't take much damage, this still made the Attack Shield very uncomfortable.
It couldn't even manage a Taunt.
However, Steelix's single-minded assault on Aegislash created an opening for the other three Pokémon.
Togekiss slashed out with "Air Slash" again.
But Steelix's tail swept out, smashing the attack apart midway.
Steelix might be slow to move, but that didn't mean its attack frequency was slow within the range it could reach.
Clang——!!
Seizing the moment when Steelix's tail was busy blocking "Air Slash," Beedrill skimmed past its body, a crisp metallic clang ringing out.
Two white cross-shaped marks were left on Steelix's body.
"Roar——!!"
Even with its high Defense Power, Beedrill's Attack Power was nothing to scoff at.
Steelix's body sank as it let out a pained roar.
Giving Aegislash the opening it needed to break away.
Yet Natsuhiko frowned at the sight.
"A normal Steelix's Defense Power shouldn't be this strong."
Beedrill had only left two white marks.
And Natsuhiko's Beedrill was no ordinary Beedrill.
At the same time—
The several bursts of "Strong Mental Will" that Alakazam had been charging also hit Steelix one after another, combining with Beedrill's strength to knock it down from the air.