Under the shroud of superpowers, Natsuhiko led a group of Pokémon underground.
Clearly.
This "Earth's Membrane" shouldn't have been so close to the surface.
It was only due to some tunnels and caverns dug by Steelix that the soil became loose.
Once the pressure was released, the fluid-like metal began to uncontrollably rise.
The reason a basin formed here.
Was also because the earth compressed a huge amount of rare metals and minerals into a fluid form, which Natsuhiko called "Earth's Membrane."
Such a large basin could even accommodate several Pokémon races.
It's imaginable how massive the compression process was, and how much metal elements and minerals were compressed within.
A scorching heat wave surged towards them.
Compression, friction, and separation naturally came with a lot of heat.
So even though the metal was now exposed to the air, it still maintained a viscous liquid state.
Natsuhiko looked at this mass of metal, momentarily uncertain how to handle it.
This was definitely a valuable resource.
But considering its current temperature, an ordinary container wouldn't hold it; it would melt in minutes.
Even Alakazam's psychic wrapping might not last long.
But waiting for it to cool down would definitely take a considerable amount of time.
Just as Natsuhiko hesitated.
Rumble——
The sound approached, and even without a reminder from Alakazam, Natsuhiko felt it.
His expression changed slightly.
This "Earth's Membrane" being exposed to air, even with some free-floating energy, was enough to be extremely enticing to the surrounding wild Pokémon.
Even more tempting than "Sweet Fragrance."
Natsuhiko's mind raced with thoughts.
He glanced at Aegislash beside him, which had been eyeing the mass of metal, almost drooling.
Clearly.
Aegislash was one of the Pokémon attracted to it.
Natsuhiko quickly made a decision.
"Aegislash, go ahead."
"Huh?"
Aegislash snapped out of it and looked at Natsuhiko.
"Ordinary Pokémon, even Steel-type Pokémon, might not be able to withstand the changes brought by such extremely high-temperature metal, but you're different. You've already been coated once, and with the same material."
Natsuhiko explained, continuing, "Go on, absorb it, absorb as much as you can, we'll help you fend off those Pokémon."
In response, the other Pokémon also voiced their support.
Assuring Aegislash that they wouldn't let other Pokémon disturb it.
Aegislash of course knew how many Pokémon were approaching.
Surely there were some very powerful ones among them, and even those three Aggron might come.
It originally thought Natsuhiko would choose to take the metal away, but unexpectedly he wanted to absorb it on the spot.
Its eyes flickered with emotions.
Reason told it that even though the metal was extremely beneficial to it, letting its companions shield it from danger was not what it wanted to see.
But an impulse from deep within urged it that rather than wasting time hesitating here, it should hurry and absorb it so that it could better protect its companions in the future.
Ultimately.
Under the encouraging gazes of Natsuhiko and the Pokémon, Aegislash uncharacteristically didn't hesitate.
"Hah!"
'Wait for me!'
It said and then jumped into the still fluid, extremely hot metal.
The dense and high-density scorching metal nearly forced Aegislash to bounce out the moment it entered.
But fortunately, it endured it.
Switching to Shield Form.
The burning, suffocating, and itching sensation all over its body immediately lessened considerably.
Yet it still felt as if thousands of ants were nipping and corroding its body.
Aegislash gritted its teeth and persisted.
Its body, its composition, its energy, everything was undergoing transformation.
Seeing Aegislash enter without making a sound, Natsuhiko nodded slightly to himself.
Then returned to the surface with Beedrill and the others.
Outside, dust filled the air, and a large number of Pokémon converged from all directions.
Of course.
The relationships among these wild Pokémon were not harmonious either, and conflicts had already started as they ran closer.
However.
The Pokémon that managed to break through many obstacles and get close here weren't weak at all.
Natsuhiko threw out the Pokeballs and summoned all his Pokémon.
This time, it's no longer about training the Pokémon.
Now it's....
The Aegislash Defense Battle!
Beedrill, Alakazam, Togekiss, Monferno, Latios, Eevee, along with Oranguru, Snorlax, Bewear, and Audino handling team logistics.
You could say.
Aside from Dragapult, his last trump card, Natsuhiko has summoned every battle-ready Pokémon.
In fact.
If necessary, Natsuhiko might deploy Dragapult.
This situation is fundamentally different from dealing with Hydreigon.
One is to protect comrades, the other is to deal with enemies, and Dragapult should understand this.
After all.
Dragapult usually has a good relationship with the Pokémon.
"Beedrill, Togekiss, Alakazam, you extend the battle line, Oranguru, Snorlax, Bewear, you're responsible for guarding the close range, activate 'Illusion Space'."
Natsuhiko quickly arranged.
"Latios, Monferno, Eevee, you just assist."
Then he looked at Audino by his side and said solemnly, "This time will be tough."
"Buduo~~"
Audino had a serious expression.
But not because of Natsuhiko's words "tough."
But because Natsuhiko specifically instructed it, making Audino feel underestimated.
Natsuhiko patted its head and smiled, saying:
"No, I'm specifically instructing you because you're the key to this battle."
That's right.
With the number of wild Pokémon charging over, calling it a battle is not an exaggeration.
And for prolonged combat, Audino's healing ability is crucial for determining how long everyone can last.
"Buduo!"
Audino's brow relaxed, nodding firmly.
Soon.
Beedrill and the others, moving outside the "Illusion Space," came into contact with the first wave of approaching Pokémon.
In this endurance battle, Mega evolution was definitely unsuitable. What they relied on was the true strength of each Pokémon.
Suddenly.
Golden arcs, pink threads, milky white circular blades weaved through a sea of flying rocks, rock spikes, and debris.
Without Aegislash as the team's first line of defense, Beedrill and the others had to fight more cautiously.
Togekiss continuously unleashed "Air Slash," and any restrained Pokémon would surely face Alakazam and Beedrill's attack immediately.
Most of the Pokémon here are Rock Type, Ground Type, and Steel Type with extremely high defense, so Alakazam's Special Attack is essential for output; it can't just act as the core control.
In the blink of an eye, quite a few Pokémon had fallen.
But Beedrill and the others didn't insist on keeping all the Pokémon outside their defensive line. If they broke through, the waiting Snorlax and Bewear could deal heavy blows immediately.
The activation of "Illusion Space."
Fast Pokémon would slow down, and slow Pokémon and Snorlax, even when speed swapped, wouldn't move much faster.
The range covered by "Illusion Space" became the ultimate slaughterhouse.
Of course.
With so many Pokémon, no matter how cautious, injuries and attacks were inevitable.
Yet every time this happened, Audino provided the most timely healing, restoring the Pokémon to peak condition.
However, clearly.
This was not only a test of stamina, endurance, and physical strength but also of spirit, will, and concentration.
Standing beside Audino, Natsuhiko's eyes flickered.
"This can be considered a major test of all your recent efforts. Get through it, and the benefits will be immense. Even..."
He murmured to himself.
His gaze fell on Alakazam, continuously deploying "Strong Mental Will" with its spoon, and on Poksky, endlessly flapping its wings.
"Such battles might even awaken the hidden potential within you."
Natsuhiko's fists tightened and relaxed intermittently.
Even though he tried hard to restrain himself, his heart couldn't completely relax and remain calm.
This time, except for Dragapult, all of Natsuhiko's trump cards were out.
But the outcome was uncertain for him, something rare to experience.
The first wave of wild Pokémon was just the beginning; those incoming Elite Candidate Level Pokémon would be the biggest test for Alakazam and the others.
For example.
The ones they had encountered before, now striding confidently without any Pokémon daring to stop them, the three Aggron!
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PS: 1.2w, asking for monthly votes~~