The four of them successfully arrived right above the crown of the Tree of Life, perching on a thick tree trunk where they could observe people moving below. Numerous instruments and devices were being carried in and out of a large hollow opening in the ancient tree's base. Aoki exchanged glances with his companions - the presence of this cave likely held the secrets they sought regarding the Tree of Life's mysteries.
"According to the plan," Drake announced firmly to the group. After receiving nods of confirmation from the others, the dragon master leapt from his vantage point without hesitation. As he fell through the air, his Salamence materialized in a flash of light, swooping beneath to catch its Trainer with practiced ease.
"Dragon Rush!" Drake commanded in a low, intense voice as he pressed himself flat against his Pokemon's back. A brilliant blue aura erupted around Salamence's body, enveloping both dragon and rider in shimmering energy that transformed them into what appeared to be a single legendary beast from ancient times. The empowered pair streaked toward their target with terrifying speed.
The workers below finally noticed the incoming threat and panic erupted immediately. Those who had witnessed Drake's previous assault dropped their cargo in terror, scattering in all directions like frightened Rattata. Drake showed no mercy - in this critical moment, he couldn't afford hesitation, even if it meant collateral damage. While the Pokemon League typically discouraged unnecessary violence, some enemies were so vile that eliminating them became a moral imperative.
The impact shook the entire clearing as Salamence's Dragon Rush connected with devastating force. A shockwave of displaced air sent equipment and people flying, clearing a wide swath around the impact zone. Drake stood tall on his dragon's back, his piercing gaze sweeping across the cowering opposition. None dared meet his eyes - the reputation of Hoenn's most fearsome Elite Four member carried undeniable weight, especially among those who had survived his previous assaults.
From beneath the massive roots emerged three figures who walked with deliberate calm into the newly created clearing. The first was a portly man in crimson robes - Izumi, leader of Team Magma. Beside him moved a graceful woman in blue - Himura, commander of Team Aqua. Between these rival leaders strode a composed man in hunter's garb - Mitchell, representative of the Hunter's Guild.
Drake's expression darkened further as his attention fixed on Himura. The Magma leader shifted uncomfortably under the intense scrutiny, uncertain why the dragon master focused on him specifically.
"Team Magma!" Drake's voice boomed across the clearing as he shifted his glare to Himura. "Do you intend to declare open war against the Hoenn League? Or perhaps Team Aqua seeks to challenge our authority?" The very air seemed to vibrate with his barely restrained power.
Himura forced a nervous chuckle, adjusting his glasses with a trembling hand. "Elite Drake, you misunderstand. Team Magma merely provides assistance here. We have no quarrel with the League." Despite his words, the sweat beading on his forehead betrayed his anxiety.
Izumi's melodic voice carried surprising gentleness from such a dangerous figure. "Our Team Aqua simply performs odd jobs, nothing more." The contrast between her delicate appearance and notorious reputation created unsettling dissonance.
Drake remained silent, having heard similar excuses during previous encounters. The political reality prevented immediate action - while the League could crush any one organization, engaging all three simultaneously would exact too high a cost. His attention turned fully to Mitchell.
"Your Hunter's Guild maintains branches across every region, always claiming neutrality," Drake growled. "Now your true colors show at last."
Mitchell raised his hands in a placating gesture. "Elite Drake, I assure you we remain neutral in all conflicts. The Pokemon we seek here requires specialized capture methods beyond our normal capabilities. We merely enlisted these fine organizations' unique expertise." His smooth explanation failed to mention what legendary Pokemon could possibly justify such an alliance.
Neither Drake nor the other leaders found this explanation credible, but further debate proved pointless. With a sweeping motion, Drake released his full team - six mighty Dragon-types materialized in flashes of light, their combined roars shaking the very leaves of the Tree of Life. The display of raw power forced the opposition back several steps.
Himura and Izumi exchanged pained glances as they summoned their own teams. Neither relished facing Drake at full strength - during their last encounter, he had held back to protect allies. Now unchained, the Dragon master represented an entirely different order of threat.
Mitchell barked orders to his subordinates even as he sent out his own Pokemon. "Send a detachment to the League headquarters! Extend our... hospitality to Elite Drake's companions. As for these intruders..." He gestured toward the cave entrance where reinforcements from Team Magma and Team Aqua had begun arriving, including their respective Champion-level operatives. The Hunter's Guild's own elite forces had already departed to intercept the other League members.
Before Mitchell could finish, Drake and Salamence surged forward in another blistering attack. The implied threat to his comrades changed nothing - Steven and the others had already evacuated safely. Only Champion-level opponents stood a chance against them now.
Unshackled by concern, Drake's full might crashed upon the three leaders like a tidal wave. Where before he had fought cautiously to protect allies, now he pressed the assault relentlessly, creating openings for Aoki's team to advance. The Hunter's Guild had seriously underestimated how terrifying an unchained Dragon master could become when fighting without restraint.