The combination of Zapdos' "Magnetic Field Manipulation" and Ampharos' "Electric Arena," along with Ampharos' "Positive Charge" trait paired with Electrike's "Negative Charge" trait, though only three Pokémon, already hints at the lineup she is preparing.
A very bold dual core!
Natsuhiko recalls that previously, Tom Rokicki did not have a clear core, but that Mr. Mime connected the whole team with its special ability, serving as a core, or a pseudo-core at least.
Completely overthrowing the original lineup and reorganizing is indeed a very daring choice.
However, the current combination definitely has a higher ceiling.
Destruction before reconstruction, very bold.
This lineup is evidently still incomplete. If it were Natsuhiko, he would have paired it with a Pokémon possessing the "Electricity Storage" trait to act as a shield, and recover stamina by discharging electricity through the Pokémon in the team when attacked.
Or he would prepare a Pokémon with the "Static" trait to act as a shield or a speed attacker, increasing the team's attack space.
If the conditions and capabilities were suitable, Natsuhiko would also choose a Grass-type Pokémon or one with the "Floating" trait to create a joint defense and counter Ground-type Techniques, which are the only tactics that can restrain Electric-type Pokémon.
Of course, all these were adjustments Natsuhiko constructed upon witnessing the rudimentary lineup Tom Rokicki assembled.
But with Tom Rokicki's capability, it shouldn't be difficult for her to think to this degree.
Just by what she exhibits now, one can see how ambitious she is.
Not only does she want to advance to a true Elite Trainer Level, reaching the status of the Elite Four, but she also aims to strike in a higher direction, forming a dual-core or even multi-core lineup.
"Very bold."
Natsuhiko also couldn't help but evaluate her assembly.
Tom Rokicki raised an eyebrow.
Then she was relieved.
Of course, given the power displayed by Regice, seeing through her thoughts and preparations isn't difficult.
Surely, she possesses that insight, or she wouldn't value it so highly, showing even what wasn't fully prepared.
"Sir, you overpraise." Tom Rokicki chuckled gently, "Then let my setup have a match with your Regice."
Speaking, with Mr. Mime's psychic ability support, she commanded the four Pokémon in battle using Telepathy.
Natsuhiko's eyes also glowed with a blue psychic halo.
He hadn't yet mastered Telepathy.
But it didn't prevent him from putting on an act.
"Regice!" Regice shouted, lifting its foot, stomping heavily on the ground.
Heavy Step!
Boom!
The ground instantly shattered, and a crack rushed rapidly toward Electrike.
Electrike was the weakest and most fragile in defense among these Pokémon, and given that it was recently raised by Tom Rokicki, it's evidently the easiest to deal with.
Squashing the softer target first!
Electrike's form folded and flickered, attempting to evade Heavy Step's attack with Electric Flash speed.
Unfortunately, its power gap with Regice was too significant, and Heavy Step under Regice's control had already locked onto its position.
However.
Bzzt bzzt bzzt—
The red gem on Ampharos' forehead continuously shimmered, a tuft of golden thread-like electricity gathered in front of it, shooting at Regice under its control.
Simultaneously.
Crash!
Lightning suddenly cracked, a dazzling bolt struck down from the sky, Zapdos followed with a thunder strike.
With Electric Arena's amplification, Zapdos' thunder strike, along with the same boost given to Ampharos coupled with "Positive Charge" and "Negative Charge" trait, its Discharge attack was also formidable.
Under such lineup amplifications, these Electric-type Techniques became potent enough to threaten Regice.
No choice.
Regice could only abandon chasing Electrike, moving its body to evade the thunder strike, and clenched its fist to unleash a Frozen Fist, directly countering Ampharos' Discharge.
Crack crack crack—
The solid ice crystal cracked under the powerful and extremely high-temperature Discharge, but it successfully blocked this attack, mainly using Frozen Fist's ice crystal insulation to prevent the paralysis effect that Discharge might bring.
If paralyzed, even Regice would become extremely passive.
Whish—
Suddenly, a bright white beam approached, striking Regice firmly while it was combating the Discharge.
Boom!
Regice retreated a step, leaving a white smudge on its shiny prism ice crystal body.
Immediately, it glowed with a perpetual white flash, restoring as it was.
Regice's trait of Permanent Purity was triggered, preventing the ability decay brought by the recent attack.
Looking towards the attack source.
It was Magneton's Cannon Light Cannon!
Steel-type Techniques had a substantial restraint effect on Regice, and if not for Magneton's significant power gap with Regice, the damage this attack could inflict might be considerable.
Moreover, Steel-type Techniques weren't within the electromagnetic field enhancement.
Yet Magneton's trait was exposed.
Analyze!
Pokémon with the Analyze trait, when attacking last, will have enhanced techniques' power.
Regice, in its first four-against-one collision, suffered a slight setback.
This reveals that a lineup equipped with a core is indeed capable of confronting a Divine Beast.
If not for having multiple buffs like "Magnetic Field Manipulation," "Electric Arena," "Positive Charge," "Negative Charge," Regice's Special Defense Ability could completely disregard Zapdos' thunder strike and Ampharos' Discharge, effectively defeating Electrike first.
But due to the lineup's configuration and various amplifications, Regice dared not to directly absorb the attacks.
Eventually resulting in Electrike being mostly unharmed, whereas it suffered a Cannon Light Cannon from Magneton.
"Regice!"
Regice was somewhat annoyed.
After all, it wasn't Natsuhiko's Pokémon, so its subjective consciousness remained very strong.
Natsuhiko gently patted its arm to soothe it.
Tom Rokicki's choice to "Attack Where the Enemy Must Defend" was indeed correct.
From the recent probing, both sides gained preliminary insights into each other's strength and capabilities.
Currently, Tom Rokicki should possess genuine Elite Trainer Level prowess, with a slight gap compared to Agatha and Uncle Liu, but if her lineup is completed, she might slightly compete as an Elite Four in a slightly weaker region.
Not to remain as an unseen Elite Four Reserve member in the Kanto Region, where the alliance originates.
Moreover, give her some time to grow and develop.
Securing an Elite Four position is only a matter of time.
However, she's already defected from the alliance, meaning the Elite Four will forever have nothing to do with her.
But if she gains pivotal standing within the Hunter Guild or even becomes the never-before-seen Leader of the Hunter Guild, it wouldn't be inferior to being an Elite Four; moreover, she would wield more resources.
Of course.
She still has to overcome Natsuhiko's challenge now.
Because Natsuhiko, having decided to tear off some flesh, will certainly tear off some pieces!
He glanced at the empty area, nodded unobtrusively.
Dragapult, time to load!