Most of the time, no matter how many opponents a Trainer has, sheer numbers can't threaten an Elite.
But it depends on who makes up the numbers.
Take the current situation…
The sixty Team Rocket operatives in these three squads were all seasoned fighters, each wielding fully evolved versions of Team Rocket's classic "starter" Pokémon. Their teamwork, honed through countless missions, was exceptional.
Following standard Team Rocket tactics, some were holding off Drake's apprentices while the rest divided into specialized groups based on their Pokémon types.
First, Weezing cloaked the area in Smog, blinding Flygon and Kingdra, while also preventing Drake from recalling them into their Poké Balls.
Then Muk followed up with Acid Spray and Poison Sting, inflicting debilitating status effects through the smokescreen.
Above, Crobat unleashed Supersonic waves, distorting the battlefield and preventing Flygon and Kingdra from creating any distance.
Finally, the heavy hitters, Cloyster and Jynx, waited for openings, ready to deliver precision strikes with their Ice-type moves.
As a result, despite Flygon and Kingdra's strength, they were overpowered by a group of weaker Pokémon through precise tactics.
It was suffocating.
Of course, while the Rocket operatives were elite, they weren't perfect.
Now and then, Flygon and Kingdra would manage to blow away the smoke, seizing on weak points to launch a counterattack.
But just as they would strike, Team Rocket's operatives would deploy the classic strategy of self-destructing Electrodes, causing controlled explosions that would tilt the scales back in their favor—often, worsening Drake's situation.
As time passed, Flygon and Kingdra, unable to break free, grew increasingly exhausted, their stamina draining rapidly. The poison and Supersonic's effects worsened, pushing them to the brink.
Desperate, Flygon and Kingdra let out cries of frustration.
---
Meanwhile, Altaria was faring no better than the other two.
Altaria and Gengar were evenly matched as Elite-level Pokémon on paper, but Altaria was already heavily injured from its earlier clash with Dragapult and the Shadow Claw it had endured from Gengar.
With its stamina already depleted, it was at a disadvantage.
Adding to its troubles, Gengar's underhanded tactics—using Curse to stack debuffs, Dark Pulse to control the field, and sneaky Phantom Force attacks—had Altaria struggling to hold its ground.
"Heh-heh~!"
Holding a Shadow Ball in one hand and Shadow Claw in the other, Gengar eyed the battered Altaria like a predator cornering its prey.
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Bang!
Mega Salamence, attempting to help Flygon and Kingdra below, was once again sent flying back by Dragapult's Dragon Tail.
In midair, Mega Salamence twisted and countered with a Flamethrower aimed at Dragapult.
But before Dragapult could even react, Sabrina's Alakazam raised a Light Screen to shield it from the flames.
"Graaaargh!"
Frustrated, Mega Salamence let out a furious roar.
Watching Salamence's helpless rage, Luo Yuan chuckled inwardly.
Alakazam and Dragapult had been training partners since Alakazam was just a Kadabra. Although it had been years since then, their bond hadn't faded.
"Elite Drake, it seems you're losing." Luo Yuan glanced down at the battlefield below.
Drake's heart sank.
He understood their strategy.
By using his strongest Pokémon to keep him occupied, they could focus on taking out his remaining Pokémon, then combine their strength to overwhelm him.
Understanding was one thing; finding a solution was another.
Drake's gaze settled on Dragapult and Alakazam.
Dragapult's strength was beyond typical Elite-level, and the Team Rocket woman's Alakazam was almost at Elite-level itself.
Essentially, he was facing a Champion-level and an Elite-level Pokémon simultaneously.
Even with Mega Salamence's enhanced power, it couldn't overcome this kind of pressure alone.
And he could only Mega Evolve one Pokémon at a time…
Waiting any longer would only mean a slow death.
"There's only one way…"
Drake made a decision befitting an Elite.
He signaled to Salamence, "Use Draco Meteor!"
Mega Salamence understood at once, launching a Flamethrower at Alakazam to break free from its restraint.
With a roar, Salamence soared high into the sky.
Then, in a powerful dive, it gathered blue energy around itself, creating a dragon-shaped aura at the tip of its head.
"A last-ditch Draco Meteor? Let's block it! Use Protect!" Luo Yuan ordered, opting for the safe play—after all, this was a battle he could win just by holding out.
Dragapult's tail glowed as it conjured a shimmering blue barrier before it.
In the real world, Protect couldn't block every move, but against an opponent of similar level, it was still the ultimate defense.
BOOM!
Draco Meteor collided with Protect, compressing the air as smoke and shockwaves rippled across the deck, pounding everyone's eardrums with the deafening explosion.
"Did it block it?"
Everyone's eyes were on the impact point.
Luo Yuan, using his psychic ability, observed through the smoke.
Suddenly, his expression shifted.
"Graaaargh!"
A fierce roar echoed from the smoke. In the next second, Mega Salamence, eyes red with fury, whipped its tail, striking Dragapult squarely.
Thud!
Dragapult tumbled backward, wreathed in smoke, as it hit the deck hard.
"Draaa…"
It let out a low growl, shaken as it stared back at Salamence, fierce determination in its eyes. This was the first time Dragapult had been hurt in battle.
Luo Yuan gently reassured Dragapult, his brows furrowing.
The Draco Meteor hadn't been Salamence's real attack. The true strike was a surprise Outrage that followed.
"Was that Salamence acting on its own, or was this Drake's plan all along?"
Draco Meteor's suicidal charge masked the following Outrage, even fooling him.
Luo Yuan looked over at Drake. He guessed it was the latter.
"No surprise for an Elite. Even cornered, he can find a way to turn the tables… I got careless," Luo Yuan reflected.
Compared to Drake, who had spent most of his life training Pokémon, his own experience was lacking.
But he wasn't discouraged.
Because…
Screech!
A cry of pain sounded nearby. Altaria had been caught by Gengar, who hit it dead-on with a Shadow Ball, knocking it out of the fight.
"The outcome is decided!" Luo Yuan announced, smiling at Drake, whose face had paled.
As Drake's attention was diverted, Gengar, which had vanished after defeating Altaria, emerged from the shadows behind Drake, reaching for the case on his back.
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T/N: GRAH