Grass Knot—a Grass-type move that entangles and trips the opponent. Generally, the heavier the target, the greater the move's power.
This technique isn't exclusive to Grass-type Pokémon. Under specific conditions, even a Fire-type like Delphox can master it and develop its own unique battle combinations.
Stepping forward, the ground shimmered as countless vines, wreathed in purple flames, twisted and coiled at Delphox's command. Like venomous serpents, they lashed out at the two incoming Steelix.
The Steelix slammed their tails into the ground, stirring up dust and debris to mitigate part of the attack. But Delphox, veiled in ghostly flames, reappeared from another angle, unleashing a fresh barrage of flaming tendrils.
High above, Bisharp's expression darkened as the Steelix quickly levitated upward, evading Delphox's assault.
From a distance, Heath chuckled, his gaze locked onto Klein in his mountaineering jacket. "You think just Delphox and Claydol are enough to defeat me? That arrogance is really starting to piss me off."
Klein studied his opponent carefully, searching his memory for clues about the strange man's identity. After a brief pause, he simply replied, "It's enough."
At that moment, Claydol, hovering in midair, unleashed a powerful energy pulse. A crushing force suddenly pressed down upon all the floating Steel-type Pokémon, dragging them violently to the ground.
Gravity.
Even Pokémon with Levitate weren't spared. Under the intense gravitational pull, they plummeted to the earth, and Claydol itself slowly descended, preparing to strike with Drill Run.
Below, the burning vines intertwined into a hellish inferno, forming a deadly trap. From above, Claydol spiraled downward at high speed, ready to land a devastating blow.
With a furious roar, Bisharp channeled its psychic energy into a razor-sharp blade and unleashed it with explosive force.
Psycho Cut.
The concentrated psychic energy sliced through the fiery vines, scattering embers in all directions. At the same time, Bisharp swung its arm in a sweeping motion, generating a powerful windstorm that cleared a safe zone for the fallen Steel-types.
Then, with unwavering focus, Bisharp infused its right arm with tremendous energy and flashed upward to meet Claydol head-on.
A violent collision erupted in the air. The impact drove Bisharp several meters downward, but it gritted its teeth and held firm. As Claydol's momentum weakened, Bisharp's arms flared with an ominous dark aura, unleashing its most brutal attack—Night Slash.
Just as the strike was about to land, Delphox's sharp eyes glowed. In an instant, Claydol vanished, replaced by a swirling cluster of purple flames.
Bisharp's instincts screamed danger. With a swift motion, a protective energy barrier materialized around it, shielding it from the ghostly fire's effects.
Will-O-Wisp?
Though Heath was Bisharp's trainer, in a battle of this scale, commands were nearly impossible to relay. Bisharp had to rely on its own combat instincts.
Klein narrowed his eyes. Bisharp's raw strength and battlefield awareness were impressive. Not only could it lead an army of Steel-types, but it also possessed the ability to react and evade dangers with uncanny precision.
This kind of strategic setup resembled the army-based tactics used by Elite Four members. However, the overall strength of Heath's other Pokémon was too weak. Compared to the enigmatic duo from the Seafoam Islands, Heath was still a notch below.
It had been less than a minute since the battle began, yet Heath was already sweating. The power of an Elite Four was truly overwhelming. With just Delphox and Claydol, Klein had already dismantled Heath's aerial forces. Only Bisharp remained standing.
Even so, Heath's expression was grim. In the past, his Steel-type explosion army had been enough to stand toe-to-toe with an Elite Four. But today, he was realizing just how naive and arrogant he had been.
So this is the power of an Elite Four…
Despite Bisharp's resilience, Delphox's attacks only grew fiercer. Although its Grass Knot had been countered, the spreading flames had now transformed into a raging inferno.
"Magneton squad, attack!" Heath commanded.
Five or six Magneton shot forward at blinding speed, aiming directly for Delphox and Klein. Their metallic bodies shimmered as they prepared to Self-Destruct once again, desperate to break through Klein's defenses.
But just before impact, both Klein and Delphox vanished, reappearing at a fiery coordinate on the battlefield.
During the Seafoam Islands battle, Klein had studied the terrain-switching tactics of his previous opponents. This battle was the perfect opportunity to refine those strategies.
With each teleportation, Klein ensured that he remained within Delphox's defensive perimeter. Heath's frustration grew, his voice becoming more urgent. "Steelix, charge!"
With the Magneton's self-destruction failing, the two Steelix roared and lunged forward, stirring up a massive dust storm. But before they could reach their targets, Delphox conjured an ethereal wall of purple fire.
The moment the Steelix breached the fire, their eyes twisted in agony.
Will-O-Wisp's burn effect had activated.
Weakened by their burns, the Steelix's offensive momentum faltered. Seizing the opportunity, Delphox's flaming vines shot down from above, piercing multiple segments of the Steelix's massive bodies. The intense heat surged through them, instantly rendering them unconscious.
With the three largest threats neutralized, Delphox flickered behind Bisharp. But Bisharp's arms surged with dark energy, launching a rapid Night Slash in response.
This Bisharp… fights purely on instinct!
Unlike trainers who focused on training multiple Pokémon, Heath had poured all his resources into making Bisharp the ultimate warrior. With its superior battle instincts and tactical awareness, Bisharp had become a fearsome hunter.
"This ends now! Night Slash—full power!" Heath roared.
Delphox's flaming vines twisted into a defensive barrier, clashing with Bisharp's deadly strike. As the explosion of energy erupted, countless Will-O-Wisps rained down. But Bisharp's protective shield once again absorbed the ghostly flames.
However, as the Will-O-Wisps clung to the shield, something unusual happened.
A coordinate marker had been branded onto Bisharp's barrier.
Delphox raised its wand. With a flick of its wrist, Teleport activated.
Bisharp's position shifted in an instant.
Realizing something was wrong, Bisharp scanned its surroundings—only to see a web of flaming vines erupting around it.
The burning tendrils coiled around its body, locking it in place. The searing heat intensified as Delphox poured more energy into its attack. Bisharp let out a muffled grunt as the burn status took effect.
Seeing his opportunity, Delphox leaped back, raised its wand, and unleashed a devastating Mystical Fire straight at Bisharp.
As the battlefield erupted in flames, Claydol continued its relentless assault. Drill Run, combined with the lingering effects of Gravity, sent several Magneton flying. One by one, they collapsed, unable to continue fighting.
With Bisharp defeated, Delphox turned its gaze toward the pale-faced Heath.
A cold voice followed.
"You're under arrest."
—
Meanwhile, deep in the forest, Ice and Blake Hall had split up to evade the League's pursuit. Ice piloted a flying craft, attempting to escape through the dense trees.
Then—something went wrong.
A chilling presence descended upon him.
Footsteps echoed through the darkness, slow and deliberate. Ice looked up, his blood running cold.
A Pikachu mask gleamed in the moonlight.
"The Pikachu-masked assassin?!"
Before he could react, a blinding arc of electricity surged toward him.
In that instant, a spectral white figure materialized before Ice. A storm of frost erupted, blocking the lethal strike of an incoming Eelektross.
Unlike common criminals, Ice was a high-ranking member of Team Dim Sun. His reflexes and power far surpassed ordinary grunts. He had narrowly avoided an assassination attempt.
But before he could counterattack, the Pikachu-masked figure vanished into the night, leaving only the faint hum of static behind.
"…Strange."
(Chapter End)