Mega!
The Beedrill that had already started dominating suddenly underwent another transformation.
Being well-versed in Mega evolution, once the energy of super evolution dissipated, it had already transformed into an unbelievable state for the opposing Beedrill.
Can Beedrill evolve again?
Not only was the opposing Beedrill surprised, but even the person attacking Natsuhiko was full of shock upon witnessing this scene.
An evolution never seen before....
However, the Super Great Needle Bee after Mega evolution didn't give the opponent any time or opportunity to be shocked.
Facing the Beedrill right in front of it, it held nothing back.
The Beedrill still at Gym Leader Level could explode with enough power after Mega evolution to rival an Elite Candidate Level.
Now that its own strength had entered Elite Candidate Level, how strong would it be after Mega evolution?
Bang!!
Still a straightforward "Cross Cut."
But the effect this time was incomparable.
The Beedrill was directly knocked back by a terrifying force, crashing into the tree behind it.
The tree could not bear the weight and made a cracking sound.
Why?
Did it suddenly become so strong?
This was the first thought that flashed through the Beedrill's mind.
It couldn't understand.
Even if Natsuhiko's Beedrill had Elite Candidate Level strength, even if it suddenly underwent an unknown evolution, even if its mysterious aura kept suppressing Beedrill, even if its speed was faster than its own at Gym Leader Level, even if....
No more 'even if'.
The Beedrill's winning pursuit previously was cleverly evaded by Natsuhiko's Beedrill.
But with the speed and strength of today's Super Great Needle Bee.
It only felt its eyes blur, then a sharp pain in its abdomen.
The Super Great Needle Bee's long, sinister eyes had no emotion, and the needle at its tail delivered the final blow.
Deadly Needle Stab!
Crack, crack——
The Beedrill fell heavily to the ground along with the crashing tree, losing its ability to fight.
Won!
"Sshah—!"
The Super Great Needle Bee took a deep breath, then its fierce and enthusiastic voice spread throughout the dense forest.
The Leader Aura and Overlord Aura around it combined, and the indomitable spirit swept the surroundings, causing many Pokémon to glance over.
Stalemate.
Broken!
Moreover.
Finally, one of Natsuhiko's main Pokémon successfully reached Elite Candidate Level!
The overall strength gap brought by this back and forth was apparent.
After simply venting its inner excitement, the Super Great Needle Bee turned and entered another battlefield.
"Alakazam."
"Togekiss!"
After sensing the Super Great Needle Bee's victory, Alakazam and Togekiss's momentum with Beedrill became apparent.
Alakazam used "Strong Mental Will" to drive away Crobat.
Togekiss compressed Crobat's dodging space with "Air Slash."
When Crobat used its agile form to evade the attack, the Beedrill was already beside Crobat in a blink of an eye, with a piercing cold light less than half a meter away.
What speed?!
Crobat was known for its speed among Pokémon; otherwise, it couldn't easily maneuver within Alakazam and Togekiss's somewhat "unreasonable" defense swap system, even going to disrupt Beedrill.
But in this second.
It was a bit confused.
Before blinking, wasn't the Super Great Needle Bee still in that distant forest?
How is it that in just a blink...
It didn't have time to surface remaining thoughts.
Bang!!
Although Crobat strongly resisted insect-type techniques, it could only resist energy; there was one type of attack it couldn't avoid.
That was pure strength.
Such fast speed, combined with the Super Great Needle Bee's own strength, Crobat had no time to react nor resist and was slapped onto the ground by the Super Great Needle Bee.
Once the agile Crobat lost its flexibility, to Togekiss and Alakazam, it became the perfect target.
Togekiss's two "Air Slashes" caused Crobat to fall into "Wither," Alakazam thoroughly abandoned all tactical systems, transforming into a super cannon platform, launching a fierce assault on Crobat.
Alakazam had the support of "Psychic Arena," "Life Treasure Pearl," "Curved Spoon," the boost of "Stone Fragment," and the awakening of "Dream Gene," along with the psychic advantage over poison-type Pokémon, transforming into a pure output Pokémon, it had the capability to threaten Elite Candidate Level Pokémon.
With Togekiss assisting from the side and full-range fire suppression, Crobat found it hard to recover.
However, Alakazam and Togekiss didn't forget one thing.
To give the final blow to the MVP!
The Super Great Needle Bee used "Deadly Needle Stab" again, completing the takedown of Crobat.
After the stalemate was broken, starting with the Super Great Needle Bee, influence began spreading out from point to surface increasingly!
And all this happened in an instant.
Bzz——
The Super Great Needle Bee swept away once more.
The boost from two "Deadly Needle Stabs," together with its current power and speed, had turned it from the easiest point to breach into the greatest threat on the field, also becoming the hardest to capture.
The true assassin!
Just a hit and retreat.
But every hit was perfectly timed.
It helped Snorlax break free from Arbok's constraints, helped Bewear seize Toxicroak's weak spot.
And the liberated Togekiss and Alakazam also assisted Oranguru in subduing the sly Gengar.
Oranguru and Alakazam, this "mentor and apprentice" duo, teamed up, and with Togekiss's control, Gengar didn't even have the chance to move.
All the Pokémon, while reversing the situation, did not forget an unwritten momentum among each other.
Save the head for the main carry!
The tide had completely turned.
All while the opponent had no idea.
Under that pale mask, her eyes, once calm and certain, were now filled with panic and bewilderment.
She knew that once a deadlock was broken, a chain reaction would occur.
She just hadn't anticipated Natsuhiko to break the deadlock, and in a way she couldn't predict.
BAM!!
What pulled her from her incredulous shock was the sight of the imposing Nidoking beside her, being swept by a golden Thunderlight, instantly knocked out.
Goosebumps rose beneath her black-purple tight suit, the chilling Long Needle was no more than two centimeters from her neck.
The elongated scarlet compound eyes showed not a shred of emotion; the instant takedown of Nidoking did not stir any emotional ripple.
It merely stared quietly at the woman before it.
The woman did not think to run.
Run before such a swift Beedrill?
On the other side.
Though the battle between Snorlax and Bewear had yet to conclude.
But with their complete liberation, no longer worried about limiting other Pokémon, Oranguru's "Illusion Space" opened, speeding up both Pokémon dramatically, and with Oranguru's excellent support, victory was only a matter of time.
Natsuhiko stepped before the woman.
And under the drive of his psychic power, the woman's white mask was removed.
Beneath was a refined face, the features pronounced, though slightly pale in complexion.
Beautiful, though not at Hilona's level, yet combined with those curves, it was a decently eye-catching façade.
Natsuhiko glanced over her face, confirming he did not know her.
Musing for a moment, he coldly asked, "Who sent you to deal with me?"
The woman wore an expression of unwillingness; she seemed to know what today's outcome was as well but held her neck tautly, refusing to speak.
Still had some spine to her.
Natsuhiko signaled Aegislash with a glance.
Aegislash understood, approaching the woman, purple satin wrapped around her arms amidst her struggle.
For such a method, Aegislash had used it plenty, and mastered it well.
Only.
Though it was skilled, it seemed unable to completely control her.
Her expression changed continuously.
Sometime blank, sometime fierce, sometime gentle, sometime vicious.
Her will was too strong, even Aegislash found it challenging.
After all, Aegislash's method of controlling people still depended on their mental strength; if given more time to gradually influence, that would be ideal.
But clearly, there wasn't that much time now.
Nevertheless, the intermittent control allowed Natsuhiko to glean a few sparse pieces of information.
For instance...
"Elite Four."
The three words were enough.
Natsuhiko understood who wanted to strike him today.
No.
Rather than striking, it would be better to say probing.
Now.
Two choices remained before Natsuhiko.
First, kill her.
But the consequence would be Hoshino Ryuzi having certainty that Natsuhiko was the one who killed his grandson.
Even without evidence, seeing the strength Natsuhiko showed today would inexorably convince him.
Second, do not kill.
But the woman knew too many of Natsuhiko's secrets, leaving her unscathed posed risks greater than killing her.
Unless a complete control could be achieved.
But alas, given her demonstrated resolve, and the current ability of Natsuhiko and Aegislash, unless granted ten days or more for gradual influence, it was merely wishful thinking.
So after brief contemplation, Natsuhiko made his decision.
He whispered:
"Kill her."
——————
PS: 12k words, asking for monthly votes~~