Beedrill was incredibly difficult to deal with, even with the paralysis. It wasn't like the games, where paralysis guaranteed a 50% reduction in speed.
Here, the reduction was closer to 25%, while the chance of being completely immobilized was around 25% as well.
"Monferno, ignite your aura."
Blue flames gushed wildly from Monferno's body before condensing into an outer layer of energy.
Silas curiously scanned his partner pokemon.
Monferno (M) — Level 44 (Boosted to 49)
Ability: Flame Aura
Potential: B+
Moves: Rank B Slash, Rank B Aura Sphere, Rank B Flame Wheel, Rank B Taunt, Rank B Flamethrower, Rank B Shadow Claw, Rank B Vacuum Wave, Rank B Mach Punch, Rank B Fire Punch, Rank B Thunder Punch, Rank C Acrobatics, Rank C Cut, Rank C Strength, Rank C Protect, Rank C Psych Up, Rank C Close Combat, Rank C Calm Mind
Under the effects of his Flame Aura ability, Monferno jumped to the peak of the pseudo-advanced class.
"Beedrill, use Swords Dance."
"Monferno, coat your Mach Punch in your Flame Aura."
Mach Punch was a priority move like Quick Attack, so Monferno could disrupt Swords Dance before it was completed. The paralysis didn't help Beedrill either.
Monferno momentarily disappeared before arriving directly in front of Beedrill with a flaming fist. The attack knocked Beedrill backward, but not down.
"Monferno, use Taunt."
The dark energy found its mark, preventing Beedrill from using any more support moves.
"You think we need support moves to defeat the likes of you? Beedrill, use Acrobatics."
Beedrill flashed toward Monferno, covered in Flying-type energy, and swung its stinger arm like a club. Monferno took the hit directly and skidded several feet across the sand, but remained on his feet.
"Beedrill, keep it up. Now use Poison Jab."
"Espeon, use Stored Power! Monferno, infuse your aura into Flamethrower."
Several orbs of psychic energy struck Beedrill, knocking him backward. Monferno's Flamethrower then found its mark.
However, their advantage was short-lived.
Beedrill used Poison Jab to release a flurry of blows that disrupted the Flamethrower, somehow blocking the brunt of the attack.
"Beedrill, use Swords Dance."
Silas realized the man had been waiting for his chance.
"Hippowdon and Vibrava, use Sandstorm! Excadrill, use Rock Slide."
"Beedrill, use Rock Smash."
Beedrill struck Excadrill with its stinger as if it were a club, sending him high into the air. When Excadrill landed, he was already unconscious.
Beedrill attacked Vibrava next. The attack came crashing down on its head, sending it into the sand, defeated.
Beedrill continued its assault and approached Electabuzz, aiming to do the same thing.
The paralysis finally kicked in.
"Espeon, use Stored Power! Monferno, use Flamethrower."
During this time, Silas returned Excadrill and Vibrava to their pokeballs.
Both attacks found their marks and dealt considerable damage.
Beedrill still wouldn't quit.
It used Agility to avoid the follow-up attacks and then used Swords Dance after putting some distance between them.
"Monferno, use Psych Up."
Monferno stared intently at Beedrill before beating his chest wildly as purple energy converged within his body.
The +4 attack power was almost too much for Monferno to bear.
He had to finish this battle quickly.
"Monferno, Mach Punch."
Beedrill met the attack with Poison Jab.
Beedrill dodged Flamethrower by using Acrobatics, and Monferno took massive damage from the resulting counterattack.
"Use Poison Jab."
The man remained eerily calm.
"The end is near, Rocket."
Beedrill's Poison Jab pierced through the protective layer of aura and struck Monferno, leaving a deep wound behind.
He was also poisoned.
"Monferno, grab onto him using Strength! Electabuzz, use Thunder."
Monferno held Beedrill in place while its stinger remained lodged in his body, allowing Electabuzz to strike them both with a powerful Thunder attack.
"Monferno, use Iron Tail and stick it into the ground."
The tactic saved Monferno.
The electricity from Thunder passed through his body harmlessly before dispersing into the ground.
Silas poured most of his aura into Monferno, allowing him to cross the threshold into the advanced level.
This represented a qualitative leap in power.
"Monferno, combine Fire Punch and Thunder Punch."
Electricity coursed through Monferno's burning fist. He struck Beedrill directly in the face, sending him tumbling across the ground.
Monferno continued attacking with Shadow Claw.
Beedrill responded with Fury Cutter.
The two clashed in a fierce battle, but now Monferno was no longer losing.
Silas communicated telepathically with his pokemon through their shared mental space.
Electabuzz and Espeon rushed forward and combined their power to use Psychic. By interfering with Beedrill's movements, they influenced the result of the clash.
Monferno connected with three powerful Fire Punch attacks.
They were finally beginning to wear Beedrill down, but it still wouldn't fall.
"Monferno, pull back. Your aura is dwindling."
"Yeah, I knew you couldn't maintain that level of power for long. It has been fun, but it is now over. Worry not. We will send the other Rockets to join you all shortly."
At that moment, light surrounded Beedrill, and the Mega Evolution was undone.
Beedrill opened its mouth, spraying several mouthfuls of blood before passing out.
"It seems your divine power has its limits too. The difference is that you are out of pokemon."
The remaining pokemon encircled the man.
Silas looked around and saw that many of the battles were still ongoing. None of the Rockets were doing poorly for the time being.
"Please! Please, I can give you my last remaining Divine Crystal. The power contained within it could become a trump card for you. Let me go, and it's yours."
Silas looked at the man as though he were a fool.
"I can also kill you and take everything you have. Do it, Frogadier."
Frogadier finished the man in a single blow.
He then quickly stored the corpse, as Silas had no time to search it for valuables.
The battle was won, but the cost had been high.
Three of his pokemon had been defeated, and Monferno had suffered serious injuries. That essentially meant four of his pokemon were now too injured to battle.
Silas had also used a significant amount of aura during the battle to assist Monferno.
It had been worth the investment. The alternative was being defeated and killed by a Beedrill yet again.
Silas returned Monferno to his pokeball after providing some quick first aid.
Silas then saw Jason being overwhelmed by a Pangoro.
Two Pyroar lay nearby with their heads severed.
The battle was bloody.
Silas scanned the remaining Pangoro and instantly understood the problem.
It was at Level 42, while Jason had no pokemon in the pseudo-advanced class.
Fighting across tiers was extremely difficult. Even with high talent, that kind of power had to be diligently cultivated through training and resources.
"Electabuzz, go assist Jason. Use Calm Mind and then a Psychic Charge Beam."
When Electabuzz finally fired the focused Charge Beam, Pangoro and Scyther were locked in intense combat, leaving Pangoro unable to dodge the deadly attack.
Electabuzz mercilessly aimed for one of Pangoro's eyes.
The blast exploded against Pangoro's head.
Electricity crackled around its upper body as it fell to the ground, dead.
Scyther looked incredulous.
The opponent it had been struggling against had been defeated in a single attack by Electabuzz.
However, Scyther knew how strong Silas' pokemon were from his time with them, so the shock didn't bruise his pride.
"Stick to the plan. Let's advance into the base. The other Rockets will be fine."
"Agreed. I just need to finish this guy off first."
Jason then turned toward a hooded figure lying on the ground.
"Did you think remaining still would make us forget you?"
As Jason spoke, he drew his sword and delivered a killing blow to the terrified Court member.
After storing the man's body, Silas remembered something.
"Where did that guy with all the Carbink go?"
"I saw him retreat inside after all the Carbink were defeated."
"Okay, keep an eye out for him. I want all of those Carbink."
Jason nodded, and they pressed onward toward the base.
The area had been scarred by the intense battle.
"Split up and pillage whatever you can. Remember, take no prisoners."
"Got it."
Silas had Espeon place a psychic marker on Jason so they could locate him later.
They turned in opposite directions at the end of the entrance corridor.
Silas went left, while Jason went right.
Silas headed toward the sound of battle.
When he approached, he saw an Ampharos with long, flowing white fur surrounding its neck.
Silas immediately recognized it as a Mega Evolution.
"This Luminary Court's ties to Kalos clearly run deep."
Silas knew he needed to help subdue the Mega Ampharos.
"Espeon, use Psychic to immobilize it! Electabuzz, use Ice Break."
By combining Brick Break with his punching moves, Electabuzz could greatly increase his damage output.
Electabuzz used Quick Attack and his Psychic powers to rapidly close the distance before striking out with an ice-covered chop.
Ampharos was busy battling a Magmortar, Ninetales, and Houndoom.
It didn't notice Electabuzz's attack until it was too late.
Ampharos went crashing into the wall.
The three Fire-types immediately took advantage and poured on the damage.
Houndoom and Ninetales used Dark Pulse, while Magmortar used Focus Blast.
Ampharos took damage from Electabuzz's attack, but still managed to repel all the follow-up attacks with Thunderbolt.
Silas scanned Ampharos.
Ampharos (M) — Level 50 (Boosted to 54)
Ability: Mold Breaker
Potential: B-
Moves: Rank B Headbutt, Rank B Thunderbolt, Rank B Thunder, Rank B Rain Dance, Rank B Thunder Wave, Rank B Cotton Spore, Rank B Charge, Rank B Take Down, Rank B Electro Ball, Rank B Confuse Ray, Rank B Power Gem, Rank B Discharge, Rank B Cotton Guard, Rank B Iron Tail, Rank B Light Screen, Rank B Signal Beam, Rank B Magnet Rise, Rank B Volt Switch, Rank B Protect
It now made sense why the pokemon had been so difficult to deal with.
The highest-level pokemon was Magmortar at Level 50, while the remaining two were only Level 49.
"Silas, based on the prior observations of Beedrill, this pokemon should not have much time remaining in this transformation. It will also enter an extremely weakened state for a short period afterward."
Silas was glad to hear the news.
It meant the situation wasn't hopeless.
However, Silas remained focused. One wrong move, and it could all be over.
"Electabuzz, use Light Screen."
Transparent walls rose around the Rocket members and their pokemon.
"We just have to outlast it. I am sure this transformation has limitations and a price that must be paid. There are no true shortcuts in this world."
The other Rocket members agreed to cooperate.
"Electabuzz, keep stacking your Calm Mind."
"Ampharos, use Thunder."
A densely concentrated bolt of electricity erupted from Ampharos and shot toward the group of pokemon.
As planned, Electabuzz stepped forward to meet the attack.
This time, he used Fire Break.
When Electabuzz collided with the Thunder attack, the ensuing explosion spread outward like a shockwave.
Electabuzz was still standing.
With the boosts gained from Calm Mind, Light Screen's protection, and his natural resistance to Electric type moves, the attack only dealt marginal damage.
The trainer was truly enraged now.
Before Silas showed up, he had been starting to dominate the battle.
Their defeat had only been a matter of time.
Now, things were different.
"Ampharos, combine Thunder and Dragon Pulse."
Silas sensed that the attack possessed enough power to kill everyone present.
Ampharos produced a glowing, dark red sphere before charging it with what seemed to be the last of its electrical power.
Ampharos condensed it combined attack even further before firing. The red orb then expanded into a dragon crackling with electricity and broke through Light Screen effortlessly.
It had come too quickly. There was no time to use Protect.
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Thanks for the continued support on my first fanfic!!
Moving forward, every 50 Power Stones, I will release a bonus chapter.
I will also be releasing bonus chapters for milestones. The next ones are 200k views and chapter 200.
Finally, I will be releasing 3 extra chapters once we reach 10 reviews. 5 star reviews are appreciated but not required, I want honest feedback so I can improve.
Once again, thanks for all the support and feedback!