As Aiden stared in astonishment at the standing Miraidon below on the sandy ground, Miraidon soon noticed the gaze directed at it from above.
However, after noticing the human observing it, it quickly withdrew its gaze and remained composed within the menacing circle of Houndour.
"Arf!"
After a prolonged standoff, finally, one young Houndour lost its patience first. After letting out a long howl, it immediately lunged towards Miraidon!
With the lead of the first one, a group of Houndour successively attacked, all charging at the defenseless Miraidon.
Standing at an excellent vantage point above the cave, Aiden couldn't help but break into a cold sweat for Miraidon.
Although it was indeed a cover Legendary Pokémon with far superior strength in its prime compared to other Pokémon.
But right now, this Miraidon should still be in a weakened state...
It's uncertain if it can withstand a mob attack.
This Miraidon is a key Pokémon throughout the main storyline of Scarlet/Violet. Its existence has a direct connection to the incident that occurred in Area Zero.
To enter the depths of Area Zero and uncover what that Professor couple did, this Miraidon is indispensable.
If possible, Aiden would certainly offer his assistance.
But his current location was at least ten meters above the ground, leaving him with only two options to descend.
Either fight through the entire territory inhabited by Houndour and walk down through the connecting caves,
or use the Rotom Phone in his pocket to fly down, then find himself in the same predicament of being surrounded.
Neither choice was wise.
Even though Riolu had grown very rapidly during this time, dealing with the large group of Houndour below and possibly their leader, Houndoom, was almost impossible.
Aiden would never let his companions be put in danger because of his ideas; this was his bottom line as a trainer.
While Aiden was thinking, Miraidon took the initiative.
The proton engine on its chest, which had completely shut down before, restarted again, instantly bursting forth with countless electric currents.
Before the biting attacks of the Houndour hit, an energy wave brimming with electricity instantly surged outward from Miraidon.
The Houndour hit by the electric current fell one after another, their bodies starting to twitch.
Clearly, they were paralyzed.
"Discharge?"
Aiden was slightly taken aback and immediately breathed a sigh of relief.
What Miraidon had just used was the Electric-type move Discharge, with a vast coverage area.
Indeed, even an injured veteran is better than a novice.
Even with nearly no fuel left in the tank, the combat power of a legendary Pokémon far surpasses that of ordinary Pokémon.
The weakened Miraidon's Discharge was just powerful enough to not be lethal, yet sufficient to temporarily incapacitate them.
This should ensure temporary safety, right?
However, just as Aiden pulled out his Rotom Phone, the hem of his clothes was tugged by Riolu behind him.
"Ri!"
Riolu's expression was extremely serious, appearing even more tense than before, making Aiden immediately realize something was amiss.
"Woo-oo—!"
A loud bark shattered the brief tranquility.
Just as Miraidon finished dealing with all the Houndour, exposing its own depleted energy, a much bulkier and ferocious-looking hound leaped out from the cave entrance.
It was the leader of the Houndour, Houndoom!
"Rio..."
Only when the hidden old villain appeared did Riolu release its grip on Aiden's clothes.
From the start, it had sensed this Houndoom's presence through aura and could clearly feel that its aura was very strange.
Upon noticing the crystalline fragments covering Houndoom's body, Riolu suddenly realized.
"Terastallization?!"
Aiden also observed this Houndoom's anomaly.
Covered in thick Tera armor, the crystal on its head displayed the symbol of the earth.
Clearly, it was the symbol of Tera Ground!
The history of Pokémon exhibiting Terastal phenomenon predates human observation by far.
As early as 150 years ago, people had already discovered Terastallized Pokémon near Area Zero.
Although this phenomenon dissipates on its own after leaving Area Zero, it takes some time.
This Houndoom had obviously recently entered Area Zero.
Could it be that due to the presence of Terastal energy, the injured Miraidon ended up near this cave?
Aiden seemed to understand everything.
However, there was another small issue at hand—
How to deal with this Houndoom?
After using Discharge, Miraidon clearly lacked the stamina to use another move, and the Mabostiff was in a similar state.
If it were a 1v1 battle, how much of a chance would he and Riolu have?
"Lu!"
Seemingly sensing his trainer's hesitation, Riolu quickly interrupted his thoughts.
Riolu looked at the swaggering Houndoom below.
If it were just that one, although the battle might be tough and injuries might occur...
As the future Aura Guardian, this was the perfect stage to showcase its training!
Pathetic Houndoom, nothing more!
Riolu's eyes became sharp.
Reading its inner thoughts, Aiden couldn't help but show an appreciative expression, giving it a thumbs-up.
"So, it's decided. You're up, Riolu!"
"Ri!"
Aiden's passionate voice immediately drew the attention of Miraidon and Mabostiff.
At the same time, it made the Houndoom notice the human and Pokémon above.
"Riolu, Aura Sphere!"
Aiden pointed downwards, commanding Riolu to use the results of its training.
Aura Sphere, a rare long-range Fighting-type move, and also a basic use of Aura.
Riolu crossed its hands above and below, an invisible Aura force rapidly gathering between them. Soon, a pure blue energy glow appeared and continued to gather and expand with its movements.
After applying a rotational force, the calm energy quickly became turbulent and violent, as if it might break free at any moment.
When he first saw it use this move, Aiden was stunned.
What Aura Sphere? Isn't this just Rasengan?
Is this the result of your training at the Isle of Armor dojo? No wonder Aura Sphere is a priority move...
However, he hadn't truly witnessed the specific power of this move.
At least Aiden had already planned: as long as this move attracted the Houndoom's aggro, if Riolu couldn't handle it, he'd immediately run towards Spoon Town with it, giving Miraidon and Mabostiff a chance to escape.
Unless completely irrational, wild Pokémon generally never set foot in human territory.
This counted as exploiting a bug.
Hearing the human's voice, the Houndoom below was momentarily stunned, then immediately revealed a mocking smile.
Such a level of Pokémon dared to challenge it?
"Woo-oo!"
The Houndoom planted its four legs firmly, preparing to gather enough strength to use its ultimate move, Flamethrower, to take out the nuisance above in one go.
However...
At this moment.
A piercing shriek suddenly came from the sky, and the dazzling midday sun quickly disappeared from the Houndoom's view, even affecting its efficiency in gathering Fire-type energy.
With a puzzled expression, the Houndoom sharply looked up.
A huge meteor had appeared in the sky at some point, plummeting toward the ground at a terrifying speed. The contained terrifying Dragon-type energy burned the air, producing eerie crackling noises.
And the direction this meteor was falling...
Happened to be exactly where it was standing?
The Houndoom didn't even have time to continue thinking.
In the next moment, the meteor descending at almost supersonic speed crashed down with an unmatched force, instantly leaving a shocking crater on the ground.
The residual Dragon-type energy transformed into a dragon roar lingering in the air, disappearing only after a long while.
???
Aiden instinctively looked at Riolu, immediately noticing the energy ball it was still forming in its hands.
Good thing, so this move wasn't from Riolu after all; otherwise, he'd really suspect if his Riolu was a transformed Mew...
Wait a minute? That's not right!
If it wasn't Riolu, then who cast this seemingly Draco Meteor-like move?
It couldn't be that I pointed my finger and Draco Meteor just came over by itself, right?
Aiden used Draco Meteor?
Fam, this isn't funny.
Aiden's lips twitched involuntarily, instinctively looking in the direction the meteor fell.
High in the cloudless sky, beneath the blinding midday sun, a black shadow appeared.
Its slender body resembled a giant serpent, with energy rapidly gathering in its mouth, forming another meteor no smaller than the previous one.
About two inches above its half-open maw, a dark golden eye stared directly at him.
The black Rayquaza he had glimpsed during the last camping trip had unexpectedly appeared before him!
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