[Swoobat Leader: These humans haven't noticed our psychic barrier. The moment they cross toward the summit, we strike. No one gets near Lord Hydreigon.]
So, Hydreigon is indeed hiding at the very top of this mountain, Feng Che deduced silently.
"Caitlin, your positioning was spot on. We've found the nest," Feng Che transmitted telepathically.
"What? I don't see anything," Caitlin replied, puzzled. "I felt the Hydreigon was within this range of peaks, but I couldn't lock onto a specific location."
"Look closely at the summit. It's heavily guarded. Dozens of Swoobat are using their psychic powers to cloak themselves. Gigalith and Excadrill are on high alert on the cliffs, and Braviary are circling above. Their focus is singular—protecting the peak. That's where the nest is."
"Are we heading up now?" Caitlin asked.
"Not yet. Charging in now would just trigger a direct assault from the mother. We'll find a safe vantage point and wait for the mercenary groups to arrive. They'll wear down the guardians first. This is a classic case of 'the mantis stalks the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind,'" Feng Che said with a smirk.
"But first, we need to capture that Swoobat leader. We'll use it to draw the poachers' attention. Caitlin, can you use Ally Switch to bring it here?"
Caitlin closed her eyes, a pale blue aura surrounding her. Having recovered most of her strength, her psychic output was stable. Within seconds, a blue ripple warped the air. The Swoobat leader, who had been busy coordinating defense plans, was suddenly swapped with a rock and appeared right in front of Feng Che.
Pokémon: Swoobat Potential: Epic (Deep Green) Ability: Simple Level: 48 Status: Confused/Shocked Evaluation: Hydreigon's lead scout. High mobility and sensory capabilities—perfect for guarding a base.
[Swoobat: Curse it! How did I get here? I was just with the colony! Guards! TO ME!]
The Swoobat let out a high-decibel screech, preparing to unleash its sonar.
"Swoobat..." Caitlin's smile turned dangerously sharp. "It was a swarm of Swoobat just like you that caused my psychic backlash on the ship. Seeing you really brings back some 'fond' memories."
A massive burst of mental pressure erupted from Caitlin, causing nearby boulders to levitate.
[Swoobat: Where did this monster of a human come from?! That power is insane!] The bat began to tremble.
"Easy, Caitlin, easy," Feng Che intervened, placing a hand on her shoulder. "This isn't Team Plasma, and this isn't the same bat that hurt you."
"Ah... sorry. I lost my cool for a second," Caitlin coughed, instantly reverting to her poised, ladylike demeanor.
"Don't worry, Swoobat. Your opponent is me," Feng Che said playfully.
[Swoobat: That woman almost scared my heart out... but you? I'm going to drain every drop of blood from your body!]
The Swoobat lunged, its wings manifesting sharp blades of wind—Air Cutter.
"Go, Alolan Vulpix!"
Feng Che chose his ice-type partner to counter the flying/psychic bat. Though lower in level, the type advantage was key.
"Vulpix, this is your first real battle against a high-level wild opponent. Stay sharp!"
Vulpix let out a sleepy yawn, stretching her paws as if she had just woken up from a nap.
[Swoobat: This tiny thing? I'll enjoy its blood!]
The Swoobat flapped its wings, sending a volley of crescent wind blades toward the ground. Vulpix moved with an elegant, dance-like grace, weaving between the strikes. She even extended a small paw, batting one of the blades out of the air with enough force to shatter the compressed wind.
"Incredible explosive power," Caitlin noted, her eyes sparkling with affection for the cute fox.
The Swoobat's eyes glowed blue—Confusion. Vulpix was lifted into the air by an invisible force and then slammed toward the rocks.
"Vulpix, use Icy Wind toward the ground!"
Vulpix exhaled a freezing gust. The back-pressure of the wind stabilized her fall, allowing her to land on all fours safely, while the ground beneath her flash-frozen instantly.
As the Swoobat tried to follow up with another psychic attack, Vulpix broke free and opened her mouth.
"Now, Aurora Beam!"
A rainbow-colored beam of freezing energy streaked across the clearing, striking the Swoobat and instantly encasing it in a block of ice. The block fell, shattering upon impact—but the bat was gone.
"Smart," Feng Che murmured. "It used Teleport at the exact moment of impact. That was just a frozen afterimage."
The Swoobat was now blinking in and out of existence, using short-range teleports to mask its location.
"Vulpix, don't panic. Forty-five degrees to your left—Icy Wind!"
Vulpix exhaled the frost. The mist revealed the Swoobat's true position as frost began to accumulate on its fur, slowing its wings.
[Swoobat: How?! How can it find me?]
Desperate, the bat used Double Team, creating five identical copies circling Vulpix.
"Vulpix, use Blizzard to clear the field!"
The temperature plummeted. For a cold-blooded flyer like Swoobat, the sudden arctic blast was a nightmare.
[Swoobat: Cold... so cold...]
Feng Che caught the genuine thought of the real bat. "Target the one at ten o'clock! Ice Beam!"
Vulpix's tails fanned out, and a concentrated beam of absolute zero shot from the tips. The real Swoobat was struck mid-air and frozen solid, falling into the darkness of unconsciousness.
"Well done, Vulpix. You're getting stronger," Feng Che praised. Vulpix trotted over and leaped into his arms, snuggling into his chest.
"Can I... can I pet her?" Caitlin asked, her eyes wide with curiosity.
"Of course. She's a bit shy, though."
Caitlin reached out a slender hand and stroked the fox's fur. "So soft... and fluffy. She's simply adorable."
Feng Che threw a Poké Ball at the fallen Swoobat. "This one will make an excellent guard for my daycare. I'll have it lure out more high-potential Swoobat later to help with our diversion."