"Rapidash, Fire Blast!"
Seeing a chance to win, Aida decisively gave up on fleeing. As long as he took down the Absol in front of him, he could act with far more freedom.
He might even strike back and… kill the Investigator!
At this moment, Sato, had no idea that Aida was stupid enough to think of counter-killing him.
While Aida's chain of counterattacks was far smoother than Renji's, he paid zero attention to current News.
Sato was the previous Ace Tournament champion, a rising star of the Pokémon League! Yet Aida Saki didn't even recognize him…
He deserved to be the unlucky one Sato targeted!
"Frogadier, Water Pulse."
Sato now sent out his last Elite Pokémon as well, joining Drapion and Pikachu in resisting the surrounding opponents.
Pikachu handled disruption; Thunder Wave paralyzed most of the enemy, and Quick Attack interrupted countless attacks.
Meanwhile, Drapion, like a tank in heavy armor, absorbed the majority of hits due to its massive size. But as soon as its three claws swung freely, no opposing Pokémon dared take those blows head-on!
Frogadier's Speed was also exceptional. And since Pikachu already filled the disruptor role, Frogadier simply went all-out in raw offense.
With Protean activating, every move Frogadier used gained STAB, its power so overwhelming that their opponents fell into despair!
'Heeeeey! Who's ganging up on who here…?'
The one truly in danger was actually Absol, who was taking on Rapidash alone.
Whether a Pokémon had a Trainer supporting it made an enormous difference in combat.
Rapidash's base capabilities weren't far from Absol's, but under Aida's direction, it was pressing Absol back almost entirely.
After dodging another charging leap from Rapidash, Absol panted heavily and glanced toward Sato.
Right now… he probably didn't have time to help him…
Absol's eyes dimmed slightly, not noticing that Rapidash had already closed in again using Agility!
"…Double Team."
A familiar voice echoed in Absol's "mind", and it instinctively used Double Team to switch positions.
In the next moment, Rapidash's shining yellow-green horn pierced cleanly through the clone that had been standing where Absol was!
Megahorn: the Bug-type's rare and powerful finishing move!
Absol watched its clone get pierced and broke into a cold sweat. With a horn that sharp, that Megahorn could easily kill him in a single strike!
"Don't lose focus in battle. Water Pulse, interrupt its charge!"
Sato's voice sounded again. Absol immediately revived its fighting spirit, its eyes regaining a sharp, cold gleam!
"Ab~Soool!"
Water Pulse surged forward and burst mid-air, crashing into Rapidash like a rushing wave, soaking it down to its core.
What timing!
Aida wiped the water from his face, shocked and confused!
Whether it was that Double Team just now, or this Water Pulse… both attacks were timed perfectly!
Paranoid by nature, Aida instantly grew alert. He looked at Sato, still surrounded in the chaos, and wondered if there was a second person hiding somewhere.
To be fair, Aida was truly cunning, his ability to shift with the wind was no joke. The moment he sensed something even slightly suspicious, Aida once again chose to flee!
"One more time, Pursuit."
"Sol!"
Absol charged at Rapidash with excitement, striking it again from the same angle, the same position.
"DAMMIT! RAPIDASH, use Megahorn and kill it for me!"
Aida , still mounted on Rapidash, seethed after nearly being thrown off a second time. He couldn't help but shout with vicious rage.
"Water Pulse. Let's cool him off a bit."
Hearing Sato's command, Absol grin mischievously. Then with a quick whip of its head, it fired off another Water Pulse.
Rapidash was once again forced to stop abruptly. The move's wide area of effect made it nearly impossible to dodge, especially for a Pokémon that wasn't built for tight maneuvering.
Aida finally realized it… Absol wasn't acting alone. It was clearly being commanded. And its sole purpose was to trap him completely!
Back and forth, just Water Pulse and Pursuit. It was driving him mad with frustration!
Meanwhile, Drapion, Pikachu, and Frogadier had already cleaned up the rest, knocking out this disorganized mob with one hit each like swatting flies.
"RUUUUN!"
No one knew who yelled it first, but in the next second, all the dazed grunts scattered in panic.
Sato watched as one man ran headfirst toward him. He thought to himself, 'Is this guy falling himself into custody… or throwing himself into it?'
SMACK!!
Frogadier tore the foam scarf from its neck and slapped it across the guy's face with a resounding smack, knocking him straight to the ground, unable to get back up.
As for the others fleeing, Sato didn't bother with them at all. Because soon they'd realize… the entire factory was already sealed off with invisible walls.
Then, Sato calmly walked toward Aida with his three Pokémon at his side.
Aida kept trying to escape on Rapidash, but every time he made a move, Absol was there to block him.
He watched Sato draw closer, helpless to do anything.
"League Investigator or not, this is too much… YOU FORCED ME INTO THIS!"
Aida Saki roared in anger!
Then reached into the inner pocket of his shirt and pulled out two dark gray spheres, hurling them straight at Sato.
Sato's sharp eyes caught the moment the objects appeared and he instantly recognized them!
Magnet bombs!
"EVERYONE! PROTECT!"
Without a second of hesitation, Sato jumped back and shouted the command to Drapion and the others.
He hadn't even used Protect while being swarmed earlier, but now, he gave the order without a hint of delay.
Thankfully, every one of his Pokémon had undergone rigorous training. Whether it was for shadow tactics, Protect, or Substitute, they had been taught to respond without the slightest hesitation.
A green shield of energy bloomed into place just as the magnet bombs detonated; blasting the entire area in a violent explosion that swallowed everyone nearby, including Aida!
"Drapion, Whirlwind!"
"Pion!"
Drapion's claws slammed together, unleashing a powerful wind that quickly swept away the thick smoke stirred up by the explosion.
Sato immediately checked on his Pokémon. Seeing that all of them had used Protect as ordered and were unharmed, he finally relaxed.
As for where Aida Saki had been? There was no longer any sign of him…
Only a wide splash of blood remained, trailing off into the distance.
"Sigh… Poor Rapidash…"