Selena stared at the massive forest before her in utter shock, disbelief filling her eyes.
She looked at Aaron and asked,
"What... what kind of skill is this!?"
"How could Sceptile possibly have a skill like this!?"
Selena's voice trembled slightly. She simply could not comprehend the sudden appearance of this primeval forest.
Aaron only smiled faintly, ignoring Selena's shock as he said to Sceptile,
"Sceptile... control the roots and bind Togekiss."
"Sceptiii!"
Sceptile cried out as emerald light flashed across its body.
The thick roots covering the ground instantly moved like countless wooden dragons, rushing toward the low-flying Togekiss.
"Togekiss... dodge!"
Seeing the endless roots surging toward her Togekiss, Selena immediately shouted anxiously.
"Togeee!"
Togekiss frantically beat its wings, trying to evade the roots.
But there were simply too many.
They twisted and crossed through the air like a gigantic net of roots.
And Togekiss was the small bird trapped inside it.
"Togehh!"
Togekiss cried out in panic.
Its body was tightly bound by countless roots as it struggled desperately.
"Togekiss... use Air Slash and cut through them!"
Selena's face was full of anxiety, but she still gave the command.
"Togeee!"
White light burst from Togekiss's body as several white blades shot outward.
"SLASH! SLASH! SLASH!"
The roots struck by Air Slash were instantly severed.
Excitement appeared on Selena's face.
Just as she thought Togekiss had broken free from Sceptile's roots, the severed roots instantly regrew and wrapped around Togekiss once again.
"Togehh!"
Togekiss fell back into danger.
The roots continuously drained its stamina.
Then a purple glow suddenly appeared on Togekiss's body.
Pain showed on its face.
It had been poisoned!!
Massive flowers blooming on the trees were releasing toxic pollen.
Once enough pollen was inhaled, a Pokémon would enter a poisoned state.
And the more it inhaled, the stronger the poison became.
That was the terrifying part of this field skill.
"Sceptile... finish it!"
"Wood Release: Wood Dragon Technique!"
Aaron spoke calmly, like a reaper harvesting lives.
"Scepti!"
Sceptile gave a sharp cry, brought its hands together, and brilliant emerald light burst from its body.
The ground churned violently.
Then a gigantic wooden dragon rose from the earth.
Like a dragon soaring through the sky.
"ROOOAR!"
The wooden dragon let out a deafening roar.
It opened its huge jaws, swallowed Togekiss whole, then smashed violently into the ground, creating an enormous crater.
"BOOOOM!"
A thunderous impact shook the battlefield.
The wooden dragon then vanished.
Dust rose from the crater, but it was quickly dispersed by the forest, revealing the scene inside.
Togekiss had completely fainted.
Its eyes were spinning in circles.
It had lost the ability to battle.
...
The surroundings once again fell into deathly silence.
Not a single person spoke.
Everyone stared wide-eyed at the unconscious Togekiss lying in the crater.
The same question appeared in everyone's mind.
What was that gigantic wooden dragon just now!?
Even the knowledgeable Drake was speechless.
He unconsciously swallowed hard.
He no longer knew what to say.
Perhaps staying silent now, would at least let him maintain his image as an all-knowing, invincible mentor figure in front of Liora.
Drake looked thoughtfully at Aaron in the distance and muttered,
"No wonder he was personally chosen by the Protector of Hualis."
"A genius indeed!!"
...
Brutus, standing in the referee position, had also fallen into a daze.
It took him a while to recover.
Then he shouted excitedly,
"Togekiss has lost the ability to battle!"
"Contestant Selena, please send out your next Pokémon!"
Brutus looked at Aaron with deep admiration.
"This kid... he really has some skills!"
"Just what I'd expect from someone I like!"
Brutus felt a special attachment toward Aaron.
Whenever he looked at him, he was reminded of someone from his past.
That person had also been a genius.
If he were still alive, he would be about Aaron's age now.
But sadly, he was already dead...
Thinking of that lost figure, nostalgia flashed through Brutus's eyes.
But even stronger than nostalgia was hatred.
"Damn Auroria... just wait."
"One day, I'll make you repay this blood debt with blood!"
A deep hatred flashed through Brutus's eyes as he swore silently.