And the opponent's Beedrill, with the help of Crobat, finally recovered from the suppression brought by the "Leader Aura" from deep within.
As it came to its senses, Natsuhiko's Beedrill was already right in front of it.
The response was rushed.
Bam!!
Another stagger.
Natsuhiko's Beedrill didn't give the opponent a single moment to breathe, vibrating its wings, stirring up an electric current and sweeping up Tailwind, closing in once more.
No one could have expected it.
In this battle, the apparent deadlock was broken first by two Beedrills.
Moreover, it was clearly the weaker Gym Leader level Beedrill suppressing the Elite Candidate level Beedrill.
Although it was only temporary, once the opponent's Beedrill fully recovered, caught its breath, and seized an opportunity, it could still counterattack.
But now.
It was the one taking a beating.
Alakazam and Togekiss coordinated.
Two Pokémon, one controlling the arena and the other outputting damage, alternated positions and offensive duties, relying on their mutual momentum and Natsuhiko's command to successfully pin down Crobat.
Though winning was difficult, they indeed created enough space for Beedrill.
Elsewhere.
Ekans tightly coiled Snorlax, and the two Pokémon were in a deadlock, neither able to overpower the other.
Ekans' attacks weren't strong enough to take down Snorlax in one hit, and Snorlax found it challenging to employ its offensive strategies against the agile Ekans.
Bewear and Toxicroak were also locked in a standoff.
Toxicroak's aggression was high, but with Bewear's "Fluffy" trait, it was least afraid of physically attacking Pokémon like this.
If simply competing in fighting techniques, Bewear even had the upper hand.
If it weren't for Toxicroak's Poison-type Techniques constantly hindering Bewear and forcing it to dodge, Bewear might indeed have stood a chance at winning.
Everyone was caught in deadlock.
But in such a situation.
Oranguru, however, had the room to maneuver.
It could be the one to support Beedrill.
However.
Oranguru ultimately couldn't take action.
Because just as it was about to wave its fan, a dark shadow swiftly flashed through the shadows of the forest, attempting to ambush Natsuhiko again.
Spotted simultaneously by Aegislash and Oranguru, it was struck out of the shadows.
It was a Gengar!
This was the fifth Elite Candidate level Pokémon!
One could say, the person appearing today is the strongest opponent Natsuhiko has faced in normal encounters to date.
Just one Nidoking short of having their entire lineup enter Elite Candidate level!
Gengar and Oranguru, one cunning and the other wise, though in a standoff, at least weren't affecting other Pokémon.
To be honest.
This battle was very uncomfortable for Natsuhiko.
His tactical system couldn't be fully implemented, which was the most difficult part for him.
Competing in raw power, they weren't opponents for the adversary, only barely maintaining the stalemate.
Originally, both the space team centered around Oranguru and the defense swap team centered around Alakazam should be his advantage.
Yet if Oranguru cast "Illusion Space", Snorlax and Bewear would be stronger.
But Togekiss, Alakazam, and Beedrill would be restrained, making it difficult to ensure the deadlock wouldn't become a breakthrough point from Alakazam's side.
The defense swap system built around Alakazam could be used, but unfortunately, the opponents were all Elite Candidate level.
In such a disparate situation, the greatest advantage of the defense swap system couldn't be realized.
Only the small-range defense swap composed of Alakazam and Togekiss was barely able to keep Crobat at bay.
Otherwise.
Think about it.
If Snorlax and Togekiss swapped defense, they would fare better against Crobat.
But Togekiss facing Arbok alone was very likely to be caught off guard and defeated.
After all.
The advantage of the system still relies on the Pokémon's power being similar or close.
With too much of a power gap, the system might also be violently broken through.
The only comforting thing.
Is that the opponent has already used all their trump cards, but Natsuhiko still has some!
"Buzz!!"
The opponent's Beedrill, after being suppressed by Natsuhiko's Beedrill for a while, finally found an opportunity to forcefully push back Natsuhiko's Beedrill with a Cross Cut.
On its body, crystal clear emerald energy stirred.
Insect's Premonition!
The opponent's Beedrill's trait is "Insect's Premonition!"
As its stamina decreases and it suffers more injury, the power of Insect-type Techniques becomes stronger.
A typical trait of getting stronger the more it's beaten!
The two Beedrills suddenly stopped moving, Natsuhiko's Beedrill surrounded by the dark red Leader Aura, and the opponent's "Insect's Premonition" radiating green light intertwined.
Next.
It was time to truly compete in raw power!
Buzz—
Buzz—
The two Beedrills moved almost simultaneously.
Natsuhiko's Beedrill was faster, a yellow Long Needle shot from the side straight to its chest, but saw the opponent's Long Needle sweep past from the bottom of its chest to deflect the attack, tilting its head to evade the follow-up, another Long Needle wrapped in white light darted out, numerous shadows overlapping.
Clang tom tom tom—
Four attacks, Natsuhiko's Beedrill blocked one strike, but the remaining three Needles penetrated the Leader Aura, hitting its chest and abdomen.
Bam!!
Beedrill's body heavily slammed against the tree trunk, the electric current on its wings scattering under the heavy impact.
Tom!
Natsuhiko's Beedrill tilted its head, dodging the opponent's pursuit, its Long Needle swept aside to create space, flapping its wings to distance itself.
Huff—huff—
Chest heaving, breathing like a cow.