"Spinarak, spin a web! Larvitar, Rock Slide!"
Thanks to Sato's focused training, Spinarak's level had risen rapidly. It was no longer as sluggish as before and was finally beginning to show the threatening presence of a true Poison-type spider.
Up in the sky, a flock of Gligar scattered in panic. However, a few unfortunate ones found themselves entangled in Spinarak's sticky web, completely immobilized.
The moment they were trapped, Larvitar unleashed a precise Rock Slide. Though the force of impact tore through the silk, none of the ensnared Gligar managed to escape. The barrage of falling stones hit them square on.
The weaker Gligar were instantly knocked out, leaving only a single survivor. Its thin wings remained covered in clumps of webbing, making it struggle to stay airborne.
Spinarak, acting on its own, fired a Poison Sting, delivering the final blow.
Sato watched as the last remaining Gligar fled into the distance. He retrieved Zorua and Haunter's Poké Balls.
Spinarak rushed up to Sato, big round eyes filled with tears, pitifully presenting the small wounds it had sustained from a sneaky attack.
"Alright, alright. A little medicine, and you'll be good as new."
Larvitar gave Spinarak a reassuring pat, adopting the stance of an older brother.
"You did well too, Larvitar. Your Rock Slide is becoming more refined."
Lifting its head proudly, Larvitar turned away, acting as though Sato's praise was expected.
Suddenly, a deep, menacing cry echoed through the forest. Sato's body tensed instantly. Without hesitation, he grabbed Spinarak and Larvitar, rolling them both out of harm's way.
A massive tree behind them split in two, falling with a thunderous crash.
Sato barely had time to register the situation before he released Zorua.
Sato used the brief distraction to scan the battlefield. Floating just a short distance away, a massive, violet-hued scorpion hovered in midair, glaring down at them.
"A Gliscor...? What a rare Pokémon."
There was no anger in Sato's voice, only excitement.
Wild Gliscor were exceedingly rare. Most people didn't even realize that Gligar could evolve into Gliscor. Some believed that Gliscor was a completely separate species, referring to them as "Gliding Scorpions."
The moment its tears stopped, Zorua swiftly unleashed a fast-moving Dark Pulse, hitting the still-distracted Gliscor head-on.
Gliscor didn't rely on flapping its wings to fly but rather used wind currents to glide. This meant that while it conserved stamina, its trajectory was predictable; a weakness that seasoned trainers could exploit.
The attack infuriated Gliscor. It had never seen a Pokémon like Zorua before, but based on its small size, Gliscor definitely didn't take it seriously.
With an exaggerated snarl, Zorua bared its fangs at Gliscor.
To Gliscor, it felt as if it had suddenly come face-to-face with a Tyranitar!
However, from Sato's point of view, all Zorua had done was pull an ugly face.
"Hit it again! Dark Pulse!"
Gliscor suddenly twisted its massive tail, using it to alter its flight path. The Dark Pulse whizzed past harmlessly. Three times now, it had been struck without landing a hit of its own.
Fueled by rage, Gliscor lunged at Zorua, its fangs bared and glistening with toxic energy.
Even under the effects of Scary Face, Gliscor was still faster than Zorua. Sato could tell... this wasn't just any Gliscor.
It had already reached Elite-level. This wasn't going to be easy.
"Zorua, stay calm! Dodge only when necessary."
Despite the ferocity of Gliscor's Fire Fang, it simply couldn't land a hit on the nimble fox.
Sato kept his eyes locked on the battlefield, waiting. The moment he saw the fiery fangs flicker and begin to fade, he gave the order: "Foul Play!"
Rather than retreat, Zorua surged forward.
Using the power of its opponent against it, the attack forced Gliscor's own heavy pincers to slam into its own head!
Zorua flinched slightly at the brutal sound of impact.
The sheer power behind Gliscor's attack was evident. But that was exactly why Foul Play was such a deadly move, it allowed the weak to defeat the strong.
Enraged, Gliscor shot into the air once more.
This time, a faint white aura surrounded its body.
Acrobatics... activated!
"Zorua, disrupt it with Dark Pulse!"
A wave of dark energy burst forth, but without a held item, Acrobatics' power doubled, making Gliscor's movements lightning-fast.
It dodged effortlessly.
Zorua was sent tumbling across the battlefield.
Sato clenched his fists.
This was it. Zorua was on the brink.
If it could endure, if it could push past this final moment of pressure... then it would evolve.
The next second, a brilliant white light enveloped Zorua.
Without hesitation, Sato tossed out a Poké Ball, summoning Haunter onto the battlefield.
"Protect Zorua's evolution."
Haunter materialized right in front of Gliscor. There was no way it was letting this battle be interrupted.
Then, Sato took out his knife and sliced open his own palm.
Dark Energy-laced blood surged outward, but instead of dripping to the ground, it was drawn toward the evolving Zorua.
Absorbing the pure Dark Energy, the white light around Zorua intensified. For thirty seconds, the glow dominated the battlefield.
And when it finally faded... standing before them was a towering, bipedal fox.
Its headband-like crest, which stored its essence of power, wasn't the usual blue-green.
It was deep blood-red.
Zoroark let out an exhilarated cry.
Unlike other Pokémon, it could only evolve once. And after absorbing Sato's Dark Energy-infused blood, its potential ceiling had grown even higher.
Haunter, ever understanding, let the Shadow Ball in its hand dissipate and took a step back.
The battle belonged to Zoroark now.
"Glisco..." Gliscor hesitated. It glanced at Haunter, then at Zoroark, then at the sheer pressure exuding from the newly evolved Pokémon.
Zoroark wouldn't allow it.
Its blood was boiling. It needed a battle to unleash its newfound power.
With a sudden burst of strength, Zoroark launched itself toward Gliscor.
Its right hand pulsed with a concentrated wave of Dark Energy: Night Slash... strike!
In a panic, Gliscor crossed its pincers in an attempt to block, mitigating the damage.
Gliscor was sent reeling.
Zoroark landed lightly, then coiled. Like a spring being compressed It exploded forward.
Straight to Gliscor's vital point.