It seems now... things are slightly different from what she imagined.
Cynthia turned around, looking towards the waves of Bug Buzz coming from Deertrack Heights.
She originally intended to let Ash take action.
After all, her Garchomp was lost in the temporal rift.
But now that Garchomp is back by her side, there's naturally no need for Ash to take over.
"Leave the rest to me."
Cynthia patted Garchomp's arm.
Garchomp took a step forward, his sharp gaze looking ahead.
The smile on Cynthia's face gradually faded; she stood behind Garchomp, her golden hair gently waving in the mountain breeze.
The aura belonging to the Sinnoh Champion returned to her at that moment.
Without her Pokémon before, she could only stand beside Ash and strategize, but now it's different.
Her ace is back!
The person standing here is no longer the "sister" who needed to rely on her "brother" for protection.
But the Champion Trainer standing at the pinnacle of all trainers in the Sinnoh Region, viewed by many as an unsurpassable mountain—Cynthia!
Mai felt the change in Cynthia's aura and her expression became more serious.
"But..."
"There's not just one Boss Kricketune up there, there's an entire Kricketune Clan."
"Even if your Garchomp is strong, it's too dangerous to deal with so many Pokémon alone."
Mai pointed at Ash.
"Let Ash and Pikachu go with you instead."
"That way, you can look out for each other."
"No need," Cynthia didn't turn around, "I'll handle it."
With Garchomp here, whether it's one Kricketune or an entire Kricketune Clan.
The outcome will be no different.
Mai opened her mouth, her face full of helplessness, why is each of these siblings more confident than the other?
When Ash faced her Munchlax, he was also completely unfazed.
And the result was indeed like that... Pikachu took it down in one move, rendering Munchlax unable to battle.
Could it be that this woman named Cynthia also possesses such terrifying power?
But even if this Garchomp had the same power as Pikachu, it couldn't withstand so many Kricketune at once!
Just as Mai was about to continue her persuasion...
"Thud!"
Suddenly, heavy footsteps came from the top of the hill.
Immediately, a huge red figure emerged from the Kricketune Clan.
It was a gigantic crimson cricket.
He had huge eight-shaped whiskers at the corners of his mouth, and two arms like sharp scythes, his body structure not much different from ordinary Kricketunes.
The only difference is... he's just too big!
Ordinary Kricketunes standing next to him barely even reached his chest.
His size was at least twice that of a regular Kricketune!
As the Boss Kricketune appeared, the surrounding Kricketunes gathered around.
Sharp and piercing Bug Buzz echoed across the hill.
The chaotic sounds layered on top one another, making it hard for anyone's head.
Mai immediately pointed at the red figure.
"You all saw that, right! That's the Boss Kricketune!"
"According to the latest research from Team Galactic's Professor Laventon, Kricketune is a Bug Type Pokémon."
"To deal with Bug Type Pokémon, it's best to use those that can breathe fire!"
Mai said while showing a thoughtful expression.
"I think it's called... Attribute Advantage!"
"Just like bugs in the wild are afraid of fire, flames pose a significant threat to these Bug Type Pokémon."
"It's a pity we don't have any Fire Attribute Pokémon, without the attribute advantage, it's better if we all go together."
"This Boss Kricketune isn't easy to deal with!"
Mai's tone had a hint of pride when she mentioned attribute advantage.
This is crucial knowledge Team Galactic summed up after extensive research!
Ordinary Beast Tamers don't even know that there's inter-attribute restriction relationships.
Cynthia and Ash exchanged a glance.
As expected of a world a thousand years ago.
In the modern world, where rookie trainers must memorize the attribute advantage table, it's just newly discovered research by Team Galactic in this era.
Modern-day trainers, save for new ones, generally know that Bug Type fears Fire Attribute.
Of course.
Ash's understanding of attribute advantage was a bit slower than typical rookies initially.
But now, he's long past the stage where he couldn't differentiate attributes.
"Miss Mai."
Ash couldn't help but remind her.
"Besides Fire Attribute, Bug Type is also weak against Flying and Rock Attributes."
Mai was taken aback.
"Flying and Rock Attributes? Can these two attributes also counter Bug Type?"
"Yes."
Ash nodded earnestly.
"And Garchomp, though not Flying-type, can use Flying-type moves."
Mai: "..."
She originally wanted to rely on her precious knowledge to explain the importance of attribute advantage to these two foreigners.
But she was taught a lesson by Ash before she even got halfway through.
Has overseas research on Pokémon reached this level?
Mai paused for a moment but didn't forget her primary purpose.
"Since you know about attribute advantage, you should act together!"
"Look at the number of Kricketunes around."
"How could Cynthia handle them all by herself?"
"Just leave it to me."
Cynthia still didn't change her mind.
She raised her hand and gave an order to the Garchomp in front of her.
"Garchomp, get ready to battle."
"Roar!"
Garchomp let out a low growl.
She stepped forward, her foot landing on the ground.
With a dull boom, the hard mountain rock dented inward.
The previously wildly buzzing Kricketunes suddenly quieted down a lot.
Garchomp's presence completely caught the Boss Kricketune's attention.
The Boss Kricketune glared with blood-red eyes, staring intently at Garchomp standing in front of everyone.
His instincts were issuing frantic warnings.
Don't get close!
This creature in front isn't something he can handle!
Run! Run as far as you can!
However, the raging will inside overwhelmed his body's instinct.
The Boss Kricketune raised his head, letting out a low Bug Buzz.
"Buzz——"
In the next moment, his scythe-like arms lit up with a green glow.
The Boss Kricketune took steps forward, and his enormous body plowed through his kin blocking the path, charging at Garchomp at an incredible speed.
His two scythe arms formed a giant green cross!
Bug Type Move—X-Scissor!
Facing the champion-level Garchomp, this boss-level (professional-level) Kricketune opted to take the initiative to attack!!
"Cynthia, have Garchomp dodge!"
Mai shouted anxiously.
But Cynthia remained where she was, not giving any dodge commands.
Garchomp didn't make any moves either.
She just calmly looked at the charging Boss Kricketune, with a hint of confusion in her eyes.
This level of attack... does it even require dodging?
In the next instant, the green X-Scissor struck hard against Garchomp's body!
"Boom!!"
The dull sound of impact echoed across Deertrack Heights.
The surrounding Kricketunes enthusiastically buzzed.
Mai couldn't help but widen her eyes, instinctively letting out a sigh of sorrow, yet it wasn't even fully sighed when the sight in front of her pushed it back into her chest.
Garchomp, hit head-on by the X-Scissor, stood steadily in place, not even flinching!
Yet, the attacking Boss Kricketune, his scythe-like arms were shaken high into the air, and his massive body staggered back several steps.
The full-force strike of the Boss-level Kricketune... was utterly ineffective!