The 5 trainers stood motionless, staring at one another while Silas watched from a concealed position nearby.
"You made us chase you quite far, but all good things must come to an end. I hope you're ready to tell us everything you know. Where is your leader? Tell us, and perhaps you'll die without being tortured."
The fat man dismounted his steel bird Pokémon as he spoke.
James immediately shot back.
"Let's skip the pointless chatter, fat ass. It's almost dinner time, and I know you must be lightheaded after chasing us around on an empty stomach."
Jessie gave James an approving look.
He was normally quite passive, but lately he had become much more assertive and aggressive, traits she found surprisingly attractive.
"Golbat, use Air Cutter. Pikachu and Nidorino, use Thunder."
Pikachu and Nidorino unleashed powerful bolts of electricity toward their attackers while Golbat formed countless blades of compressed air that attacked from multiple angles.
"Corviknight, use Light Screen. Marowak, intercept the attacks."
Under the protection of Light Screen, the incoming attacks lost much of their power.
As a Ground-type, Marowak only suffered minor damage from the weakened Air Cutter.
"Now Marowak, use Bone Rush. Corviknight, use Brave Bird."
Marowak infused its club with Ground-type energy before smashing Pikachu, knocking it out instantly.
At the same time, Corviknight cloaked itself in Flying-type energy and crashed into Nidorino, knocking it out as well.
Silas frowned.
This wasn't going according to plan.
The other 2 enemy trainers hadn't even entered the battle, yet the fat man alone was already overwhelming Jessie and James.
He had to intervene.
Silas quickly scanned both Corviknight and Marowak.
Corviknight (M)— Level 50
Ability: Mirror Armor
Potential: B
Moves: Rank B Peck, Rank B Power Trip, Rank B Hone Claws, Rank B Fury Attack, Rank B Pluck, Rank B Taunt, Rank B Light Screen, Rank B Steel Wing, Rank B Drill Peck, Rank B Swagger, Rank B Brave Bird, Rank B Iron Defense, Rank C Metal Sound, Rank C Roost, Rank C Tailwind, Rank C Defog, Rank C Sky Attack, Rank C Roost, Rank C Hurricane, Rank C Hurricane, Rank C Body Press
Marowak (M)— Level 48
Ability: Battle Armor
Potential: B-
Moves: Rank B Bone Club, Rank B Headbutt, Rank B Focus Energy, Rank B Bonemerang, Rank B Rage, Rank B False Swipe, Rank B Thrash, Rank B Fling, Rank B Stomping Tantrum, Rank B Endeavor, Rank C Double-Edge, Rank C Retaliate, Rank C Skull Bash, Rank C Perish Song, Rank C Belly Drum, Rank C Iron Head, Rank C Earthquake, Rank C Swords Dance, Rank C Sandstorm
Silas immediately understood why Pikachu and Nidorino had been knocked out so effortlessly.
Pikachu was only a peak intermediate Pokémon at Level 39, while Nidorino had just reached Level 42.
Neither was anywhere near strong enough to contend with advanced-class opponents.
The real problem, however, was the other 2 trainers.
Both women remained mounted atop their Skarmory, making it nearly impossible to ambush them.
The fat man's personal strength, on the other hand, was limited.
"Frogadier, seize an opportunity to strike the fat man. Prioritize confiscating his Poké Balls. Jessie and James, keep fighting. I'll find an opening soon."
The moment Silas' voice echoed inside their minds, both Jessie and James felt their spirits soar.
Silas would undoubtedly turn the battle around.
"Go, Ursaring and Primeape. Double Close Combat."
As Jessie's Pokémon charged forward, James immediately ordered Golbat to provide cover.
"Crobat, use Tailwind, then Heat Wave."
Once Tailwind took effect, Golbat became the fastest Pokémon on the battlefield despite the level difference.
The boost also increased the speed of Ursaring and Primeape.
Corviknight was significantly stronger than Golbat, yet it still chose to evade the incoming flaming wind blades.
Silas immediately recognized what had happened.
Golbat had combined Heat Wave with Air Cutter.
The enhanced attack forced Corviknight to focus entirely on defending itself, preventing it from supporting Marowak.
"Marowak, meet them with Bone Rush."
Marowak immediately rushed Ursaring, striking repeatedly with its club.
After absorbing several blows, Ursaring grabbed hold of the weapon.
Primeape seized the opportunity and charged in with Close Combat.
Before the attack could land, 2 blades of compressed air forced Primeape to retreat.
The twin women calmly observed the battlefield from atop their Skarmory.
Both Flying-types had used Air Slash to intercept Primeape.
They continued their relentless assault, forcing Primeape further and further back.
Silas frowned.
If this continued much longer, Jessie and James would inevitably lose.
Quietly, he released Poliwrath and Electabuzz amidst the chaos.
"Electabuzz, teleport beside those women and use Thunder on both Skarmory."
"Poliwrath, use Hydro Pump on Marowak."
Both Pokémon moved simultaneously.
Although Poliwrath wasn't particularly fast without Swift Swim, the speed of its attacks was extraordinary.
Hydro Pump erupted like a concentrated beam, blasting directly into Marowak.
Marowak desperately attempted to resist using Bone Rush, but it merely delayed the inevitable.
At the same time, Electabuzz suddenly appeared high above the battlefield before unleashing a devastating Thunder.
The twin women had completely lowered their guard.
From their perspective, no one should have been capable of approaching unnoticed. They had never anticipated facing a Pokémon capable of teleportation.
Thunder crashed down indiscriminately, electrocuting both women and their Skarmory.
Unable to remain airborne, all 4 plummeted toward the ground.
The instant they landed, Excadrill burst from beneath the earth.
Using Crush Claw combined with Rapid Spin, it slashed both women, leaving several deep wounds.
Silas remained hidden, silently observing everything.
The fat man was equally shocked.
However, the moment he recognized Electabuzz, a smile spread across his face.
"Isn't that Odin's psychic Electabuzz?"
"So either he's nearby, or you recently reunited and he left his Pokémon with you. Either way, I'll learn the truth."
Jessie and James simply smiled without answering.
After using Hydro Pump, Poliwrath immediately rushed the weakened Marowak.
Alarmed, the fat man reached toward another Poké Ball.
Frogadier finally made his move.
Emerging from the shadows like a specter, he appeared directly behind the fat man and slashed downward with Night Slash.
The arm reaching for the Poké Ball was severed instantly.
"AHHH! What the hell?!"
The man screamed in agony.
Even so, Silas couldn't help respecting his resolve.
In the same instant his arm was cut off, the fat man caught the falling Poké Ball with his remaining hand and released its occupant.
Frogadier wasn't finished.
While the man scrambled after the loose Poké Ball, Frogadier swept away every other Poké Ball on his belt.
The newly released Pokémon was an advanced-class Dragon-type.
Haxorus.
Apparently, this was the fat man's true trump card.
Despite losing both an arm and nearly all his Poké Balls, he remained remarkably calm.
Silas immediately scanned Haxorus.
Haxorus (M)— Level 70 (Suppressed to 54)
Ability: Mold Breaker
Potential: B+
Moves: Rank A Slash, Rank A Assurance, Rank A Dragon Rage, Rank A Dual Chop, Rank A Dragon Claw, Rank A Dragon Dance, Rank A Taunt, Rank A Dragon Pulse, Rank A Swords Dance, Rank A Guillotine, Rank B Outrage, Rank B Giga Impact, Rank B Night Slash, Rank B Counter, Rank B Iron Tail, Rank B Focus Energy, Rank B Endure, Rank B Endeavor, Rank B Psycho Cut, Rank B Brick Break, Rank B Protect, Rank B Flamethrower, Rank B Hyper Beam, Rank B Crunch, Rank B Aqua Tail
Silas' expression became serious. This Haxorus was incredibly powerful.
If they mishandled this battle, everything could fall apart in an instant.
Even Poliwrath hesitated upon seeing Haxorus.
He immediately understood this opponent was nothing like the Altaria they had previously ambushed.
Silas finally stepped out from hiding.
"So you're the half-human, half-Snorlax hybrid that's been harassing my people."
"My name is Sam, and I will be the last thing you ever see. Your petty jokes mean nothing. So what if I'm fat?"
"Well, Sam… if I offer you some food, will you let me go?"
Sam's face twitched with irritation, but he maintained his composure.
"I'm here to finish what we started back in the desert. We know you still have more of that miracle water. We returned to the Luminary Court base and discovered every drop had disappeared. You were clever enough to give us some and throw us off but now you're finished."
"I think it's you who's finished. You have nothing left besides that Haxorus. You're a fool if you think Marowak and Corviknight are out of the fight."
Frogadier suddenly appeared beside Silas carrying the stolen Poké Balls.
Every occupied Poké Ball had already been sealed.
Silas casually picked up the 2 empty Poké Balls before recalling Marowak and Corviknight into them.
He sealed those as well.
"What were you just saying?"
Silas laughed openly.
Sam now stood completely alone.
The twin women remained unconscious after the combination of Thunder and their high-altitude fall.
Silas was confident they would survive, but they were no longer capable of fighting.
Meanwhile, Excadrill swiftly confiscated their Poké Balls and restrained them.
Only Sam and Haxorus remained.
"Go, Monferno. You and Poliwrath will handle Haxorus. Nobody else interferes."
Hearing this, Sam visibly relaxed.
If Haxorus could thin their numbers before they attacked together, his odds of survival would improve considerably.
The instant Monferno saw Haxorus, he ignited his Aura and rushed forward.
Poliwrath charged alongside him.
"Haxorus, use Aqua Tail."
Monferno met the attack head-on with Aura-infused Iron Tail.
The collision forced Monferno back several feet while Haxorus barely moved.
Sam didn't even have time to appreciate the exchange.
Poliwrath arrived immediately afterward with Ice Punch.
Haxorus countered with Fury Cutter.
The clash was far more evenly matched, though Haxorus still retained the advantage.
"Monferno, use Taunt."
Dark energy shot into Haxorus before merging with its body. Its eyes briefly flashed a deep purple.
"You think we need stat boosts to deal with the likes of you?"
Silas smirked.
"Then show us your power, Mr. Snorlax."
Sam finally snapped.
"Are you a comedian or a trainer?"
"I get it now! You are understandably upset since I took down the only 2 women willing to tolerate you for more than a few minutes."
He paused for effect. This was important to drive the point home.
"Don't worry. I'll send all of you to meet Arceus together, so you can have your happy ending."
Sam's face turned bright red. His murderous aura exploded outward.
"Haxorus, use Outrage."
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Thanks for the continued support on my first fanfic!!
Moving forward, every 50 Power Stones, I will release a bonus chapter.
I will also be releasing bonus chapters for milestones. The next ones are 300k views and chapter 200.
Finally, I will be releasing 3 extra chapters once we reach 10 reviews. 5 star reviews are appreciated but not required, I want honest feedback so I can improve.
Once again, thanks for all the support and feedback!