As for Aegislash...
Natsuhiko was afraid that once it appeared, it would successfully arouse the competitiveness in all the Crabrawlers opposite, and they'd swarm forward.
"Hudi."
Alakazam nodded slightly, not refusing.
With a step forward, "Instant Movement" made it appear not far in front of Crabominable.
This move left the simple-minded Crabominable momentarily stunned.
But it quickly started to bounce, hopping with steps like a boxer, both fists forward towards Alakazam.
Then, in an instant, Crabominable suddenly charged.
Its large fist enveloped in intense Fighting Energy, it took a powerful stride directly toward Alakazam's face.
In its view, Alakazam, with its thin arms and legs, wouldn't withstand a single punch.
However.
Alakazam also acted decisively.
The spoons crossed, and a transparent barrier, like glass, appeared in front of Alakazam.
Reflection Wall!
Bam!!
Crabominable's punch landed directly onto the "Reflection Wall."
Cracks appeared on the transparent glass wall.
Alakazam furrowed its brow, stepped back two steps, and looked at Crabominable with some surprise.
Despite its simple mind, its limbs were indeed quite powerful.
"'Iron Fist' trait, is it?"
This was just a probe; with Alakazam's speed and understanding of space, dealing with this Crabominable is not difficult.
However.
Something unforeseen by both Natsuhiko and Alakazam happened.
Buzz—
Behind Crabominable.
A black, transparent space, like a barrier, opened up, enveloping both Crabominable and Alakazam.
Inside this space, Alakazam felt as if shackled, unable to move quickly.
Conversely, Crabominable showed joy.
Originally extremely slow, it suddenly burst with great speed in this black transparent space.
Coupled with formidable attack power, it managed to temporarily suppress Alakazam.
Natsuhiko stopped Beedrill, who was ready to help.
Its entry would only make Crabominable faster.
Frowning at the shadowy dense orchards.
He was all too familiar with this move.
It was the core technique of the Space Team.
Illusion Space!
A technique allowing Crabominable to maximize its advantage.
Simply put, within the "Illusion Space," all Pokémon's speeds are reversed; the slowest becomes the fastest, and vice vera.
This is the magic of the Pokémon Realm.
Only magic can counter magic.
To break "Illusion Space," one must either wait for it to end or use "Illusion Space" again.
So.
Is there really a Trainer here?
Or could it be...
Natsuhiko was intrigued.
His eyes glowed with a psychic aura, using Telepathy to connect with Alakazam.
On the other side, Crabominable's eyes also shone with a psychic aura.
Obviously, it wasn't from Crabominable.
It must be from a presence hiding in the shadows.
Perhaps it's a Psychic-type Pokémon on the opponent's side.
Meanwhile.
Inside Illusion Space, with Crabominable's greatest weakness, speed, nullified, it appeared before Alakazam in a flash, delivering a powerful "Frozen Fist" straight at its face.
Bam!
The "Reflection Wall" that still stood finally shattered against this punch from Crabominable.
Yet it still created enough space and opportunity for Alakazam.
Buzz—
With a psychic ripple, Alakazam used "Instant Movement" to appear in another corner of the "Illusion Space," distancing itself as far as possible from Crabominable.
Though "Illusion Space" slowed Alakazam, the distance "Instant Movement" could create was not affected at all.
This distance.
For Crabominable, which needed to run on four feet, gave Alakazam ample room to maneuver.
Alakazam first reinforced itself with a "Reflection Wall."
Then directly used "Future Sight" on Crabominable.
This undoubtedly allowed Alakazam to anticipate Crabominable's upcoming actions well.
In the end.
The true effectiveness of the Space Team manifests in double or full-team battles.
In a mere one-on-one duel, a straightforward powerhouse like Crabominable struggles to restrain a Pokémon that can nimbly dodge using "Instant Movement."
If there existed something to use "Taunt" on Alakazam now.
That would indeed restrain it.
With only "Illusion Space" lacking support, Crabominable can barely land any attacks.
Always having its moves anticipated by Alakazam.
Alakazam didn't need to face it head-on, just a few dodges, combined with "Future Sight," and quietly waiting for Crabominable to collapse by itself was enough.
Sure enough.
As Crabominable ran around the "Illusion Space," it finally couldn't move anymore when it reached the center.
Because the trauma from "Future Sight" appeared.
Alakazam naturally wouldn't miss such an opportunity.
A few consecutive "Mental Shocks," which were faster than Crabominable, who temporarily lost mobility due to injury.
Natsuhiko clicked his tongue.
"Illusion Space shouldn't be played like this."
He thought he had encountered a "fellow traveler," so he took it particularly seriously, but the result left him a bit disappointed.
Quite a pity.
If it were a double battle, it might have truly been troublesome.
In fact, "Illusion Space" can be used in singles, but the premise is that Pokémon like Crabominable, which only have offensive capabilities and no control means, can't be used.
Alakazam can learn "Illusion Space," but Natsuhiko hadn't found the opportunity.
Today did give it some inspiration.
Bang!
With Alakazam's final "Strong Mental Will," the battle with Crabominable ended.
The advantage in attributes, the advantage in Pokémon items, the advantage in abilities, can't be compensated for by just one "Illusion Space."
After Crabominable fell, the "Illusion Space" finally ended.
Alakazam returned to Natsuhiko's side.
Gently brushed off the ice crystal on its body, with a composed look.
Yet its eyes were locked onto the presence hidden in the shadow of the tree.
"Come out," Natsuhiko said softly.
The secret hidden in Hikelani Mountain.
As his words fell.
The hidden figure no longer hid and slowly walked out of the shadow of the tree.
But when Natsuhiko finally saw its appearance clearly, he uncontrollably froze for a moment.
"Wolong?!"
Standing upright on two feet, although hunched over, the shadow alone really didn't differ much from a human.
The biggest feature.
Is holding a fan made from tree leaves and its own fur.
"Wolong" is just a title for it.
As everyone knows, there is also the legend of "Hidden Dragon and Phoenix Chick" in the Pokemon Realm.
And they are all pinnacles of wisdom among Pokémon in the Pokemon Realm.
Now appearing before Natsuhiko is one of the "Hidden Dragons!"
It can also be called "Kongming."
Or more vividly, "Uesugi Konmi."
It is...
Oranguru!
Natsuhiko thought he was "playing" with a Trainer here.
Unexpectedly, it turned out to be Oranguru.
Oranguru, such Pokémon, is definitely one of the top intelligence levels in the Pokemon Realm.
They excel at using human tools.
There have even been sightings of Oranguru using Pokeballs.
Oranguru tends to treat Pokémon in the forest very gently, giving them some wound-healing medicine, helping hungry Pokémon, and even teaching them some battle techniques.
This can explain why the Wild Pokémon Natsuhiko encountered before all had one or two tactics.
Once the tactics are cracked, they differ little from normal Wild Pokémon.
That's all taught by Oranguru!
Earlier.
The unknown psychic sensing felt by Alakazam probably came from this Oranguru.
During the battle with Crabominable.
"Illusion Space" was activated by it.
It was also telepathically commanding Crabominable.
Quite absurd upon reflection.
Natsuhiko was actually competing in tactics, competing in battles, competing for victory with a Pokémon.
But that's just Oranguru.
They despise those novice Trainers without much experience.
Only Trainers with rich battle experience and a decent reserve of tactics have the chance to deeply interact with such Pokémon.
This might be its way of testing Natsuhiko's abilities.
However, what surprised him the most.
Was the strength of this Oranguru.
Very strong!
Much stronger than Crabominable.
Based on occasional flashes captured by Alakazam, evaluated through psychic abilities.
This Oranguru is likely to have Elite Candidate Level strength!
Oranguru's face bore a smile.
Its eyes, full of wisdom, rested upon Natsuhiko.
"Orang~~"
————
PS: Guess who the "Phoenix Chick" is~~