The battlefield was tense as the two Trainers faced off, their Pokémon ready for combat. During this week, Drapion and Gengar had successfully absorbed most of the ghost energy stored in their bodies, allowing their levels to reach 59 - the peak of pseudo-Champion level. Similarly, after several days of intense training and battles, Florges had also reached level 59. This meant Aoki now had three Pokémon at the cusp of Champion level. With proper conditions, they could break through to full Champion status at any moment.
Aoki currently possessed three Champion-level Pokémon: Slowking, Mismagius, and Altaria. This gave him confidence in facing Akobi's challenge. However, a new strategy began forming in Aoki's mind as he observed the battle - one that could potentially turn the tides if executed properly. Much depended on whether Akobi would create the opening he needed.
His gaze lingered on the strange sunglasses covering Akobi's eyes as the tension between them grew palpable. The longer Aoki remained silent, the more uneasy the spectators became. Finally, Akobi snapped, realizing she might have been played. "Damn it! Haxorux, use Dragon Claw!" she commanded angrily.
The dragon-type Pokémon lunged forward with terrifying speed, its claws glowing with draconic energy as it aimed to tear through Aoki. But before it could reach its target, a pink blur intercepted the attack. BANG! Slowking's Ice Punch met Haxorux's Dragon Claw head-on, creating a shockwave that rippled through the air.
Aoki finally broke his silence, a calm smile playing on his lips. "Ms. Akobi, attacking someone lost in thought isn't very sportsmanlike," he remarked casually as Slowking stood protectively before him. The psychic-type had perfectly countered the dragon's assault with its ice-type move.
At the same time, Aoki's system scanned the opposing Pokémon:
Pokémon: Haxorux (Cyan)
Gender: Male
Level: 61
Type: Dragon
Ability: Mold Breaker
Held Item: None
Egg Moves: Fire Fang, Thunder Fang, Iron Tail, Metal Claw
Basic Moves: Leer, Scratch, Bite, Dragon Rage, Scary Face, Slash, Crunch, Dragon Claw, Taunt, Revenge, Assurance, Dragon Tail, Rock Climb, Strength
Learnt Moves: Draco Meteor, Thunder Punch, Dragon Pulse, Fire Punch, Snatch
TM Moves: Protect, Earthquake, Flamethrower, Rock Tomb, Shadow Claw, Rock Slide
A cyan-level 61 Haxorux - exactly what Aoki expected from a Champion-tier Trainer. Though Team Flare hadn't fully emerged yet, their members already showed considerable strength. For an underground organization to eventually control a region, its executives would naturally need Champion-caliber teams. Currently in its infancy, Team Flare's members hadn't reached their full potential, making them opponents Aoki could realistically challenge.
Akobi's surprise was evident when her Haxorux's attack was blocked. This confirmed Aoki's status as a Champion-level opponent. The heirs of the shrine behind Aoki collectively held their breath before sighing in relief at Slowking's timely intervention.
"Very well then," Akobi growled, tossing another Pokéball. "Let's make this interesting. Diggersby, join the fray!" A khaki-colored rabbit Pokémon materialized beside Haxorux. The normal/ground-type Diggersby, while not as naturally powerful as Haxorux, still possessed Champion-level strength at level 60 with light cyan potential. What made it particularly dangerous was its hidden ability - Huge Power, which doubled its physical attack stat.
Aoki responded by releasing two more Pokémon - Gengar and Florges. Seeing these additions, Akobi smirked. "I thought you might have a full team of Champions like Lance over there. Seems I overestimated you."
"We'll see about that," Aoki countered calmly. "Florges, Misty Terrain!"
"Flor~" Florges sang as thick pink mist erupted from its body, blanketing the battlefield in a hazy glow. The terrain weakened dragon-type moves while boosting fairy-type attacks. Though Haxorux's Champion-level strength prevented complete suppression, the dragon clearly struggled against the fairy energy.
"Misty Terrain!" Akobi spat through gritted teeth. As Kalos natives, dragon specialists like her had learned to despise this move since the fairy-type's discovery. "But that won't be enough! Haxorux, Thunder Punch on Slowking! Diggersby, you use Thunder Punch too!"
Her strategy was clear - eliminate the psychic anchor Slowking first. Additionally, Diggersby's normal typing made it immune to Gengar's ghost attacks, giving her an apparent type advantage.
Aoki remained composed, his system analyzing every possible angle. "Florges, Grass Knot followed by Energy Ball! Gengar, Skill Swap - take Mold Breaker from Haxorux then switch it with Huge Power from Diggersby! Slowking, use Trick Room then Psychic!"
His commands created a complex battlefield dynamic. Florges's flower turned green as it changed to grass-type via Camouflage, then sent twisting vines toward both opponents. While Haxorux bit through its restraints easily, Diggersby struggled against the super-effective grass attack.
Meanwhile, Gengar performed its spectral maneuvers - first copying Haxorux's Mold Breaker, then swapping Diggersby's Huge Power ability for the less useful Mold Breaker. This effectively halved the rabbit's offensive threat. Simultaneously, Slowking warped space with Trick Room, then launched a powerful Psychic assault on Haxorux.