From Ono's mouth.
Natsuhiko gained a useful piece of information.
No matter how many Crystal Stones he collected, it was useless because he lacked the critical core.
A Seven-Colored Crystal Stone.
Previously, Natsuhiko had been wondering, having already collected more than two hundred Crystal Stones, he couldn't possibly burden Latios with all of them, right?
More than two hundred Latios could still bear.
But obviously, just over two hundred would certainly not be enough to reach the peak of the Celestial Pillar.
What if he collected more than three hundred, over five hundred, or even more than a thousand?
It wasn't until he heard Ono mention the Seven-Colored Crystal Stone that Natsuhiko realized.
That was the key.
But given his current strength, wanting to defeat that Elite-level Hydreigon without moving Dragapult was nothing short of a pipe dream.
Unless.
Until all his main Pokémon reached the Elite Candidate Level, there was just a glimmer of possibility.
And even that is just a glimmer.
If we say.
A group of Gym Leader Level Pokémon, combined with a smooth and precise tactical system, can defeat an Elite Candidate Level Pokémon.
Then a group of Elite Candidate Level Pokémon, trying to use cooperation and tactical systems to defeat an Elite Level Pokémon, is undoubtedly much more difficult.
And this difficulty increases geometrically with the improvement of Pokémon's strength.
Natsuhiko still remembers.
Back in Goldenrod City.
Agatha even deployed her Ghost Legion, yet struggled to handle that rampaging Shining Charizard.
Although it was partly because that Shining Charizard had consumed a large amount of excessively stimulating Energy Blocks and potions, resulting in combat power beyond its actual strength, and Agatha had to divert some attention to deal with another Elite Trainer's Pokémon, making it particularly challenging.
But that Charizard did not surpass the Elite Level either.
Even so, Agatha almost let it escape.
You should know, that was Agatha.
Nowadays in the Kanto Region, she is almost like the front face of the Elite Four.
Even she had such a hard time.
Thus it can be seen.
As Pokémon strength increases, the gap between each level becomes greater and more apparent.
If Natsuhiko wants to deal with that Elite-level Hydreigon, relying solely on his main Pokémon all reaching the Elite Candidate Level might not be enough.
It's also vital to see where that Hydreigon stands among the Elite Level ranks.
Of course.
Natsuhiko isn't completely without a chance.
At least.
The Dark and Dragon Attribute combined Hydreigon is four times restrained by Fairy Type techniques.
If he can appropriately use the Fairy Type's abilities, along with Audino's "Foggy Arena," there remains a certain possibility.
But all the premise is.
His main Pokémon must all reach the Elite Candidate Level.
At least.
Alakazam, Togekiss, and Aegislash must all reach the Elite Candidate Level.
Watching Ono and Kommo-o "wrestling" to test their strength in the central clearing, Natsuhiko pondered the feasibility of his plans.
'Maybe... I could also count Kommo-o as one of the Combat Pokémon.' Natsuhiko thought to himself.
Coincidentally, Ono's target is also the Hydreigon.
There is the possibility of collaboration.
After a while.
"Ono, do you know anything about that rocky area earlier? Why are the Wild Pokémon there so dense, and none of them are weak?"
Watching Ono and Kommo-o panting heavily, taking a break, Natsuhiko couldn't help but ask.
"No idea."
Ono blinked her eyes, looking at Natsuhiko simply and honestly.
Natsuhiko: "..."
Alright then.
It seems he just assumed too much.
"However, the guys in that rock area are fighting every few days. Awu and I also fought them a few times, but there were too many of them, especially the three big ones that attacked you, they were very united, so we backed off," Ono said, tilting her head and recalling.
"Fighting? Where do they fight?"
Natsuhiko's mind sparked.
"Hmm... a little further in, there's a place like a bowl, it's... a very strange place, right, Awu?"
Ono mumbled along, struggling with her limited vocabulary to express her thoughts.
While speaking, she gestured along.
Actually, Natsuhiko was still very curious about Ono.
If she hadn't contacted her parents, who taught her these languages?
It couldn't be self-taught, right?
Perhaps, there's more that he doesn't know about in between.
Anyway, it's no longer Natsuhiko's focus now.
After hearing her, he frowned slightly.
A place like a bowl?
"Do you mean a valley? Or maybe a basin."
"emmm....."
"Alright, just tell me where it generally is." Natsuhiko rubbed his temples.
"Are you going there? Those three big guys are really strong. If it weren't for the bad guys suddenly coming... They are really powerful."
She must have seen the power of those three Aggron.
"I want to have a look, maybe there will be something to gain," Natsuhiko replied frankly.
"Then just keep going down this path, when you reach the end, you should be almost there." Ono pointed out one of the many complex tunnels to Natsuhiko.
She knew the place well.
If it wasn't for the fact that the tunnels seemed to have been there for a long time, Natsuhiko might have suspected that she and Kommo-o dug them.
"Alright."
Natsuhiko didn't hesitate, turned around, and set off.