Lance's command fell, without a moment's hesitation.
The temperature of the air abruptly changed.
On one side was the scorching heat wave churning in Charizard's throat, slightly charring the ground;
On the other side was the immense water vapor coalescing before Gyarados, causing the surrounding humidity to spike suddenly, becoming so sticky it was nauseating.
And in the sky, Dragonite's figure flickered in and out of the clouds, its withheld thunder emitting a low, ominous hum—the harbinger of destruction.
Three distinct energy fluctuations interwove, forming an invisible net of pressure that tightly enveloped every person and every Pokémon on the field.
Ariel's peripheral vision swept over Viper and Dar.
Dar's face had lost all color, but his gaze remained relatively calm, fixed intently on Ariel, awaiting his decision.
Viper licked her lips, a flash of unease deep in her eyes. She understood better than anyone what these three combined attacks signified.
Protect?
Don't be ridiculous.
Three attacks were coming from three different dimensions. A Protect barrier could withstand one, but not the second, let alone the third.
The moment the barrier shattered would be the moment they and their Pokémon were reduced to dust.
Escape? That was even more of a fantasy.
Dragonite's speed had locked down this entire area; any sudden movement would invite an even swifter strike.
In that split second, countless possibilities flashed through Ariel's mind, only to be rejected one by one.
His gaze finally settled on that giant creature, bound by the electric net and on the brink of death.
Suicune.
The only chance for survival.
"Everyone! Get over here! Take cover behind Suicune!"
Ariel's voice wasn't loud, but it was exceptionally clear, carrying an indisputable decisiveness.
Almost simultaneously with his words, his own Pokémon had already moved.
Dar, without any hesitation, immediately commanded his Pokémon to follow.
Viper's throat bobbed, and in the end, she gave the same order.
This was not the time to quibble over methods; survival was more important than anything.
Several Pokémon, carrying their respective Trainers, scrambled behind Suicune's massive form.
Suicune's azure-blue eyes turned with difficulty. It could sense the additional presences behind it but didn't even have the strength to emit a low growl.
Every flicker of the electric net on its body was stripping away its stamina and dignity.
It could only watch helplessly as these insignificant humans used it as their final lifeline.
High above, Lance's brow furrowed into a knot.
He had anticipated that the other side might resist head-on or use some hidden card, but he never expected them to be this... shameless.
Using a captured Legendary Pokémon as a shield.
This stirred a strange sense of irritation within him.
He admired strength; even an enemy should have the bearing of a true warrior.
The individuals before him evoked a trace of... contempt.
But, the command had already been given.
For the dignity of the League, for the sake of eradicating these dregs lurking in the shadows, there was no other way.
He didn't want to harm Suicune, but given the current situation, he had no choice.
Lance's eyes turned icy once more, and he simply gave a light wave of his hand.
The attacks descended!
The first to arrive was Charizard's Air Slash.
Several crescent-shaped vacuum blades tore through the air with sharp shrieks.
Their targets were not Suicune, but the minions still clad in combat gear and wielding electric guns around it.
Ariel didn't give a damn about the lives of those people.
The terror on the faces of those combat personnel was forever frozen.
They didn't even have time to scream before their bodies were cleaved apart under the dense barrage of Air Slashes. Flesh and blood mixed with shredded combat gear, transforming into bursts of bloody mist that instantly stained the ground red.
Close behind came Gyarados's thick Hydro Pump.
The high-pressure water jet, like an out-of-control heavy truck, slammed hard into Suicune's side.
"Boom!"
A dull, thunderous sound.
The immense impact force caused Suicune's massive body to sway.
Hiding behind it, Ariel and the others felt the ground beneath their feet tremble. A tremendous force transmitted through Suicune's body, churning their blood and qi.
Several Pokémon dug their claws firmly into the earth, barely managing to steady themselves.
Suicune let out a groan of pain.
Being a Water-type, the Hydro Pump wasn't fatal to it, but the sheer impact worsened its already weakened state.
However, the true killing blow came from the sky.
"BOOM—!"
The sky darkened.
A terrifyingly thick golden thunderbolt, like the wrathful spear of a deity, tore through the gloomy clouds. With world-destroying might, it plummeted straight towards the crowns of their heads!
Double super-effective damage!
Though Lance's Dragonite was only at the Elite level, its mastery over lightning was already flawless.
The power of this strike was probably something even a Champion-level Pokémon couldn't withstand.
The air was filled with a strong, acrid smell of burning.
In that moment, everyone's hearts were clenched tight.
"Krookodile!"
Ariel's roar exploded amidst the thunder.
No further words were needed; thetacit understanding, tacit understanding between man and Pokémon was demonstrated perfectly in this instant.
A fierce, startling light erupted from Krookodile's crimson eyes. It let out a deafening roar, its thick and powerful arms exerting force as it directly clamped onto Suicune's waist.
"ROAR!!"
Under the horrified gazes of Viper and Dar, the muscles on Krookodile's back and waist bulged like mounds, veins protruding like coiling dragons. It actually managed to lift Suicune's massive body!
Like a strongman hoisting a giant tower shield!
The next second, the golden thunderbolt crashed down.
There was no earth-shattering explosion, only a blinding flash of white light.
TheBerserk currents instantly enveloped Suicune's entire body. Countless golden electric snakes madly danced across its magnificent fur, emitting terrifying "crackle-crackle" sounds.
Suicune's body convulsed violently, emitting a heart-wrenching cry of anguish filled with indignation, pain, and overwhelming fury.
Yet, as the "conductor" bearing all this, Krookodile was completely unharmed.
Its Ground-type attribute rendered it completely immune to Electric-type moves.
The terrifying electric current, enough to severely injure even a Champion-level Pokémon, flowed from Suicune's body to Krookodile and was ultimately absorbed entirely by the earth beneath its feet.
Aside from feeling a bit numb, it felt nothing else.
The lightning dissipated.
Krookodile, panting heavily, slowly lowered the now-unconscious Suicune.
On the field, a deathly silence fell.
Only a few residual arcs of electricity still occasionally flickered on Suicune's body, bearing witness to the horror of the attack that had just occurred.
Ariel's chest heaved violently. In that split second, he too had been extremely tense. It was a gamble—betting on Krookodile's strength, betting on the Ground-type immunity.
He had won the bet.
Viper and Dar looked at Ariel's back with complex expressions.
This man was calm, decisive, even ruthless.
Using a Legendary Pokémon as a meat shield, using a companion's life as bait—he carried out such acts without the slightest psychological burden.
But it was precisely this kind of person who could tear open a path to survival in a desperate situation.
High in the air, Lance's expression turned grim for the first time.
He had envisioned countless outcomes, even considered that the other side might have some hidden card to barely withstand this attack. But he never, ever expected it to be in such an almost humiliating manner.
Using his own attack to severely injure the Suicune he had intended to Protect.
While his enemies remained unscathed.
It felt like throwing a punch with all his might, only to hit a ball of cotton and splatter himself with mud.
An unprecedented sense of frustration welled up in his heart.