Though Excadrill was small, it didn't back down from the towering Drapion. Empowered by Swords Dance, its Metal Claw struck with terrifying force.
The first clash came as Drapion's massive pincers met Excadrill's claws. Shuichi's smirk faltered when he noticed Aoki's cold grin.
Despite Excadrill's grip on Drapion's pincers, it couldn't halt the brute's advance. The 2.5-meter scorpion lifted the tiny mole Pokémon effortlessly—then Flamethrower seared into its steel-plated body.
Excadrill writhed, feet dangling helplessly. Against Drapion's raw strength, it was like a child struggling in a vise.
Meanwhile, Rhyperior's Heavy Slam crashed toward Slowking—only to hit empty air as the psychic-type Teleported away. The impact shattered the boulder behind it. Thᴇ link to the origɪn of this information rᴇsts ɪn novel-fire.ɴet
Shuichi's eyes narrowed. Teleport?
"Rhyperior, Earthquake—target Drapion!"
A split-second decision. Slowking was untouchable, but the hulking Drapion? That was a viable target.
Aoki countered instantly.
"Drapion, endure it! Flamethrower again!"
"Slowking, full power—Hydro Pump on Rhyperior!"
Rhyperior's 4× Water weakness was the linchpin.
Excadrill wrenched free with U-Turn, leaving scorch marks across Drapion's armor. But the scorpion barely flinched—its Battle Armor mitigated critical damage.
Then the ground erupted.
Rhyperior's Earthquake split the battlefield, swallowing two of Drapion's legs in fissures. Yet the scorpion held firm, Flamethrower blasting Excadrill point-blank again.
Simultaneously, Slowking's Hydro Pump hammered Rhyperior like a tidal hammer. The rock behemoth staggered, one knee buckling under the super-effective deluge.
Shuichi's voice turned razor-sharp.
"Rhyperior, kamikaze—Self-Destruct on the trainer!"
Aoki's blood ran cold.
Rhyperior lurched toward him, body glowing ominously. No rules, no honor—just Team Rocket's trademark ruthlessness.
"Slowking, intercept! Protect me!"
"Gengar, shadow-sneak Shuichi!"
Aoki's counterplay was just as dirty.
Slowking materialized in front of him, Protect flaring as Rhyperior detonated. The explosion vaporized rain, carving a crater into the earth. Shockwaves sent Slowking skidding back—but it held.
Meanwhile, Gengar's Shadow Sneak shot from Shuichi's own shadow, claws aimed at his throat.
Chaos unfolded in milliseconds:
Rhyperior collapsed, unconscious from its own blast.
Excadrill, still clamped in Drapion's pincers, spun wildly like a top—its claws screeching against steel.
Grassy Terrain (secretly set by Aoki's Florette) pulsed under Drapion, healing its wounds as it maintained its death grip.
Shuichi paled. His gambit had failed. Worse, Gengar's claw hovered at his jugular.
Aoki stepped through the smoke, Slowking at his side. Rain dripped off his coat as he eyed the ruined battlefield.
"Yield," he said simply.