When Blastoise's enhanced Hydro Pump swallowed Aaron in smoke and debris, Aotum immediately burst into mocking laughter.
"Hahahaha..."
"What an idiot. He didn't dodge, didn't call a Pokémon to block it, and actually tried to take a Pokémon move with his own body?"
His smile twisted with contempt.
"What, did he think he was Iron Man?"
As far as Aotum was concerned, Aaron was already dead.
"I can't believe someone that stupid actually exists. I thought this brat was supposed to be some Hualis prodigy, but he's just brain-dead."
Back in Corestone's experimental zone, Aaron had only made one move, and Aotum had not seen it clearly. Because of that, he had no idea how dangerous the person in front of him really was.
Then his gaze shifted to Charizard, and greed immediately burned in his eyes.
That massive body, the hard Dragon Scales, those powerful limbs—everything about Charizard pulled him in.
Aotum forced a "friendly" smile.
"Charizard, your Trainer is dead. From now on, follow me."
"I promise I can help you reach the Champion's throne."
"Hmph..."
Charizard looked at him with open contempt and let out a dismissive snort.
Aotum's face darkened.
"What is that look supposed to mean?"
His voice turned cold.
"At first, if you had behaved, I might have let you keep your mind. But now I've changed my mind."
"I'll have you modified too."
"Then you can become my attack dog."
"GRAAAH!"
Charizard's eyes flared with fury as it let out an enraged roar.
"Sorry."
A clear voice suddenly came from within the thick smoke, cold enough to cut through the flames.
"Let me interrupt you for a second."
"You're not qualified to command my Charizard."
Aotum froze.
That voice was familiar.
"No..."
"That's impossible."
BOOOOM!
A violent gust burst out from the smoke and tore it apart.
A figure emerged from within.
The moment Aotum saw it clearly, his expression stiffened.
"What the hell... is that?"
Aaron stood where the Hydro Pump had struck, but his appearance had completely changed.
Purple-black steel armor covered his entire body. A sharp, beak-shaped helm protected his head, and dark metallic plates guarded his shoulders. Behind him stretched a pair of long purple-black wings, their span reaching more than five meters.
His eyes had changed too, dark and razor-sharp like a raven's. Black markings spread from the corners, giving his face a cold, almost ominous edge.
This was his Battle Core Form with Corviknight.
Aotum stared at him, unable to understand what he was seeing.
Did this bastard carry a transformation suit around with him?
Was this some kind of technology?
No matter how hard he tried to make sense of it, he could not explain how Aaron had suddenly become this armored, winged figure.
And the worst part was—
he looked absurdly cool.
Jealousy burned through Aotum's chest.
"When the hell did Hualis develop transformation tech like this?"
Aaron looked at him through those dark, birdlike eyes.
"You're not worthy of knowing."
Aotum's face twisted.
"You're just a man in bird armor."
"I'll make you regret acting so smug."
He snapped his hand forward.
"Cybernetic Pokémon, attack!"
"Kill them!"
"RAAAH!"
"MA-CHAMP!"
"SCY!"
"URSAA!"
Slaking, Machamp, Scyther, and Ursaring reacted at once. Red light flashed in their mechanical eyes as they charged straight toward Aaron and Charizard.
Aotum was cautious by nature.
He kept Blastoise and Electabuzz at his side, both capable of ranged attacks, using them as fire support and personal protection.
"Slaking, Thunder Punch!"
"Machamp, Cross Chop!"
"Ursaring, Slash!"
"Scyther, X-Scissor!"
His orders came quickly.
Slaking and Machamp rushed Charizard first.
Aotum knew Charizard was normally Fire/Flying-type, so he ordered Slaking to use Thunder Punch, an Electric-type move that should have been effective.
What he could not have known was that this Charizard was no ordinary Charizard.
It was Fire/Dragon.
Meanwhile, Ursaring and Scyther charged toward Aaron. In Aotum's mind, Charizard was still the greater threat, so he sent his two strongest Cybernetic Pokémon after it while using the others to handle Aaron.
"RAAAH!"
Slaking roared as its steel-covered fist lit up with crackling electricity.
CRACKLE!
Lightning wrapped around its fist, the current growing stronger with every step before it swung straight at Charizard.
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
The air burst apart under the force of the punch. With Slaking's terrifying attack power, its Steel Fist Ability, and the mechanical gauntlet amplifying the blow, this Thunder Punch carried frightening power.
At the same time, Machamp crossed its glowing fists in front of its body and rushed in from the side, aiming a Cross Chop at Charizard.
...