Put away the Pokeball containing the Yanmega.
Originally, Natsuhiko held onto a shred of hope that this might be an Illusion World similar to the Alternate Space Azelf had allowed him to enter, where capturing Pokémon might not be possible.
Yet, the Yanmega was captured directly.
Despite the Yanmega with the Acceleration Trait being quite valuable, the horde of relentless Yanmega behind him wasn't slow either.
If caught, two or three might not be too much trouble, but if it's like the Beedrill with dozens or more, then Natsuhiko would be in serious trouble.
He sprinted frantically.
Even as Yujira occasionally used Instant Movement to widen the distance, Natsuhiko could feel the Yanmega getting closer.
The acceleration trait gave them a distinct advantage in straight flight. Even though the dense woods affected their speed and flight path, they still had a significant edge over a human like Natsuhiko running on two feet.
And they were well acquainted with the forest, rarely being blocked by trees.
Helpless, Natsuhiko had to summon Togetic and Honedge.
And then.
The result was four Pokémon carrying him along.
With a grim expression.
Previously, when he tried to deal with the swarm of Yanmega, it only made them fly faster.
The swarm was so dense that estimating their number was nearly impossible.
Moreover, each had significant power, with the weakest possessing Senior Level strength.
Natsuhiko couldn't understand where the Divine Hall of Snow Peak had sent him, and why the wild Pokémon in this area were so strong.
And not just that, earlier from the sky, he saw the general surroundings — the forest was vast, and if they simply ran, it might take two days to escape.
'Could it be they threw me into the forest near the Silver Mountain Range?'
It's no wonder he thought this way.
Though Yanmega exist in the Pokémon Realm, their name suggests they have a long history, being one of the few Pokémon surviving since ancient times, with origins likely not shorter than Aerodactyl's.
Encountering such a large group of these Pokémon suggests this forest is rarely traversed by humans.
And their strength indicates a favorable habitat without human interference aside from natural predators.
As his thoughts raced, the Yanmega once again closed in.
"Endless pursuit, Togetic, Divine Power!"
Grumbling, Natsuhiko sped up again.
Turn back?
No way, he'd already tried once and barely escaped.
"Yatta-yai!"
Even Togetic's little face was rarely shrouded in seriousness, its tiny hands waving continuously as invisible power emitted from its body.
Only through the combination of Divine Power, Sharp Fang, and Celestial Grace could they catch their breath, further slowing the Yanmega's pursuit.
But, no need to guess.
Their acceleration trait would soon allow them to catch up again.
Togetic's power wasn't enough to significantly impact Elite Level Pokémon, and after a period of withering, they would accelerate and become even more ferocious.
Moreover, Togetic couldn't hold out much longer.
Natsuhiko's hand silently gripped the two stones in his pocket.
Beedrill's Super Evolution Stone and the Keystone.
Rather than watching Togetic wear down, perhaps directly confronting them again might work.
If worse came to worst, it's time to let Snorlax come out and sweep the battlefield.
"Jah!"
Honedge, concealed in Natsuhiko's shadow, cried out in fear, staring intently at an unusually sized Yanmega flying amid the swarm.
"Damn!"
Upon seeing the Yanmega Honedge pointed out, Natsuhiko couldn't help but curse, abandoning his freshly hatched plan.
Damn, it's a Gym Leader Level Yanmega.
"What kind of forest is this?!"
Why fight?
With a Gym Leader Level Yanmega flanked by elite and senior-level minions, the outcome of being stopped was plain without saying.
There was no choice but to keep running.
Who knows how long he'd been running.
"Haven't reached another Pokémon's territory yet? How large is the Yanmega's territory?"
Natsuhiko could only hope to outrun Yanmega's territory and enter another Pokémon's domain, perhaps finding a chance to shake them off.
Swoosh—
After enduring for who knows how long, a gust of wind met him, finally slowing the Yanmega's pace behind.
Sweating profusely, breathless, and soaked with sweat, Natsuhiko continued to run for a bit to widen the gap before gradually coming to a stop.
Swoosh—
Another gust brought a refreshing chill to his drenched body.
Finally.
He likely reached the border of the Yanmega's territory.
Though he remained on high alert, his heart was even heavier.
This signaled they had moved from one danger zone to another; the relief was only fleeting.
"Goo—"
A sudden call echoed.
Followed by the rapid sound of footsteps.
The Yanmega were momentarily panicked by the footsteps, but calmed down under the Gym Leader Level Yanmega's leader's call.
Natsuhiko's expression changed slightly, instructing Yujira: "Find a place to hide."
Yujira understood without needing to be told.
Using psychic power to wrap them, Instant Movement took them to a sturdy tree trunk, peering through dense foliage to see below.
"Regain some strength."
Natsuhiko fed several Energy Blocks to the Pokémon, eyes fixed on the scene below.
Rumble—
The footsteps grew nearer, more distinct, accompanied by a cloud of dust.
Soon.
The flock of charging Pokémon appeared within view.
Most of its body was adorned with colorful plumage — red, blue, yellow, and some green. It had a pair of large wings ending in two sharp claws, each with three talons, and robust hind legs that propelled them swiftly, with the capability of gliding briefly on their wings.
In motion, its long tail trailed behind, forming a straight line, ending in five blue feathers.
Upon seeing these Pokémon, Natsuhiko's pupils contracted.
"Archeops?"
His voice was filled with disbelief.
The "rescuing" Pokémon were called Archeops, supposedly extinct in the Pokémon Realm.
"Why..."
Why had such a large group of Archeops appeared here, rivalling the opposing Yanmega in number?
If the Yanmega could be explained by this primitive-like forest being rarely traversed by humans, then the Archeops were inexplicable.
Since these Pokémon indeed had gone extinct.
Though a few Aerodactyl might be found, Archeops would at best be unearthed as fossils.
But now...
Watching the Archeops below tangled together with the Yanmega.
Natsuhiko suddenly entertained an idea so bizarre he found it hard to believe.
Could it be... he's returned to the era when Regigigas was active?
Or entered the unique Alternate Space of Regigigas?
A space preserving many Pokémon from ancient times?