Natsuhiko was a bit surprised as well.
Could it be... this Phantom Groudon doesn't know "Sword of the Cliff"?
This seemed unexpected, yet simultaneously logical.
After all, it was just a phantom created by the Unown, and couldn't possibly possess all the true Groudon's abilities.
So...
As long as we're in the sky, we're safe?
Natsuhiko didn't know what to say.
It felt like the Unown didn't create this Phantom Groudon to scare him, but to mock the real Groudon.
Mocking it for not being able to fly like so many other Divine and Phantom Beasts.
The mock value is maxed out.
If the real Groudon were here, it would definitely use a "Sword of the Cliff" to send these Unown to accompany Arceus.
But this gave Natsuhiko an opportunity.
"Keep going, Beedrill, you're up too."
Since they can't reach him in the sky, can't Natsuhiko have his Pokémon attack continuously from above?
After all, this Phantom Groudon is just constructed from the energy of the Unown. It can't continually draw energy from the ground like the real Groudon, right?
It shouldn't... right?
Exhaust it!
And so, numerous attacks kept crashing down onto Groudon, the rumbling sounds were incessant.
Other than Doublade, which wasn't great at long-distance attacks, even Beedrill could keep throwing "Power Grid" to restrict the Phantom Groudon's movement.
This way.
The Phantom Groudon's speed noticeably slowed down.
Although these attacks didn't seem to do much damage, they at least delayed Groudon's advance and escape.
Buzz—— Buzz——
Suddenly.
From not far behind Natsuhiko and the others, two bright white beams shot out.
It was two Duraludon!
Natsuhiko had saved their child, and seeing him battling this Groudon, the Duraludon decisively joined in.
Even though their effect was minimal, there was more support.
The Unown surrounded Natsuhiko and Latios, not showing any joy, but rather some worry.
"Um..." The voice of the letter "P" Unown sounded in Natsuhiko's mind.
"What is it?" Natsuhiko glanced at it.
"It... it's building up energy." The Unown said somewhat timidly.
Upon hearing this.
Natsuhiko's expression changed abruptly.
With a wave of his hand, his voice echoed in the minds of all his Pokémon.
"Disperse!"
The next second.
"Roar——!!"
Rumble, rumble——
And then.
A giant dark red pillar, carrying scorching lava, suddenly shot up from the ground beneath Natsuhiko and his companions with terrifying force and burning heat, rushing toward them.
This is!
Sword of the Cliff!
"Oss!" Latios was somewhat flustered, having not experienced many large-scale battles, it was at a loss.
Seeing the "Sword of the Cliff" about to reach Latios in the blink of an eye.
Natsuhiko's brows furrowed tightly.
He did not blame Latios, nor did he urge it; he understood its reaction.
Facing the attack, he remained relatively calm.
Because...
"Baluya!"
A roar tinged with anger echoed beside Natsuhiko.
Dragapult instantly materialized, whipping its tail like a giant arrow toward the rapidly rising "Sword of the Cliff."
Wrapped in intense Dragon Energy, it clashed violently with the Ground Energy.
Boom!!!
The whole world seemed to fall silent for a moment, and then the shockwave from the clash rippled outward.
The rising stone pillar.
Crumbled!
Yet Dragapult hovered unharmed above the fractured pillar, its angry eyes fixed on the expressionless Phantom Groudon.
It displayed a rare and fierce Dragon might.
With an imposing stance, facing the Phantom Groudon without the slightest weakness.
Looking at Dragapult, Latios' eyes were filled with little stars.
"An imposter is just an imposter, even a 'Sword of the Cliff' is fake."
If it were the Phantom Groudon created by all twenty-six Unown, it might have been very troublesome.
But now there are only fourteen, a gap in numbers.
Dragapult flicked its tail, brushing off the dust and debris from its body.
"You all follow me," Natsuhiko said to the Unown in an unwavering tone.
With that, he leaped.
Directly jumping off Latios' back.
Landing steadily on Dragapult's back.
The Unown dared not defy Natsuhiko at this point, falling into line as they followed him to Dragapult's side.
Latios also flew down.
"Oss Oss——" Protested to Dragapult.
'It bullied me!'
"Baluya!"
Dragapult gently encircled Latios with its arm, bringing it behind.
Having watched Latios grow up, it regarded it as no different from its own child.
Now that the child was bullied, the parent naturally had to step up and seek "justice."
A bold idea suddenly rose in Natsuhiko's mind.
He said to the Unown, "Intercept my consciousness one more time now."
"Huh?"
——————
By the way, the book circle operators have set up two events, one for fan titles, and the other giving away coins for free. Everyone is encouraged to participate~~