But to Aoki's surprise, the Bronzor's psychic ability was not directly absorbed by the dark-type energy, but instead pushed the Drapion back one meter before the energy gradually dissipated.
Though the Drapion suffered no damage, it was clear that Bronzor's psychic powers could still affect it to some degree—a rare occurrence given dark-types' usual immunity. This suggested the attack's strength had momentarily surpassed the natural resistance threshold.
Slowking, observing the clash, registered surprise. Even when it attacked Drapion, it typically relied on Miracle Eye to bypass dark-type defenses. Yet this Bronzor's psychic output was abnormally potent, as if amplified by an external force.
However, hesitation wasn't an option. The opponent had struck twice without retaliation—an unacceptable disadvantage, even against a numerically superior foe.
Aoki's mind raced. Bronzor's Levitate ability rendered it immune to ground-type moves, but its immense weight made it vulnerable if grounded. Seizing the opportunity, he issued silent commands via Telepathy:
"Slowking, use Trick Room followed by Skill Swap on Bronzor! Florges, guard the Miracle Seed and strike with Energy Ball! Drapion, close the distance and Taunt!"
Slowking's eyes gleamed with newfound cunning as Trick reshuffled its mental acuity. With a pulse of psychic energy, Skill Swap activated—Slowking gained Levitate, rising effortlessly, while Bronzor crashed to the earth with a metallic clang.
Disoriented, Bronzor wobbled, attempting to levitate with raw psychic force—a skill untrained due to its natural floating habit. Drapion lunged, snarling a Taunt that locked Bronzor into aggressive moves.
Florges's Energy Ball barrage followed, emerald orbs hammering Bronzor's body like a gong. The attacks resonated loudly but inflicted minimal damage—Bronzor's steel-typed resilience shrugged off most of the impact.
Aoki adjusted tactics. Telepathy flared again as he relayed fresh orders:
"Drapion, fall back and prepare Shadow Ball! Slowking, hit it with Flamethrower! Florges, switch to Grass Knot!"
Drapion retreated, dark energy coalescing into a swirling Shadow Ball. Slowking inhaled, unleashing a searing Flamethrower—Bronzor's metallic shell glowed red under the assault. Yet before Florges could ensnare it, Bronzor retaliated with a Psychic shockwave so potent it mimicked a legendary's prowess.
The telekinetic blast obliterated Drapion's Shadow Ball mid-flight and sent the scorpion skidding backward, though its carapace absorbed the worst. Slowking's Flamethrower scorched Bronzor, but the damage was superficial. Worse, the Taunt's effects shattered under the psychic surge—Bronzor began levitating again.
"Florges, Grass Knot! Pin it down!" Aoki barked.
Vines erupted, coiling around Bronzor's body and yanking it earthward. Bronzor's crimson eyes flared—it spun violently, Gyro Ball accelerating with each rotation. The vines snapped.
"Drapion, Taunt again—!"
Too late. Bronzor's Gyro Ball, fueled by the speed disparity, smashed into Drapion with catastrophic force. The scorpion was hurled backward, a pained screech tearing from its mandibles.
Aoki's stomach dropped. Gyro Ball's power scaled inversely with speed—Drapion's sluggishness had made it a perfect target. Florges hastily conjured Grassy Terrain, mending Drapion's fractures, while Slowking lobbed a Safeguard to shield against critical hits.
Bronzor wasn't finished. To Aoki's horror, it glowed faintly—Recover. Drapion's hard-won progress was unraveling.
Yet three against one tilted the odds. Slowking's Flamethrowers chipped away, Florges's Grass Knots disrupted momentum, and Drapion, though battered, harried Bronzor with Shadow Balls. Aoki micro-managed every move—Drapion's Protect deflected a lethal Psychic, Slowking's timing interrupted another Recover attempt.
Finally, Bronzor's spins faltered. A last Energy Ball from Florges sent it crashing, its metallic body dented and psychic aura dimmed.
Victory came at a cost. Drapion swayed, barely standing; Slowking's breaths were labored. Only Florges remained relatively unscathed. For more chapters visit noᴠelfire.net
The battle had been a revelation. Bronzor's skill—wild Pokémon shouldn't wield such refined tactics. Its Recover usage, Gyro Ball precision, even the Psychic's raw power—this was no ordinary foe.
Aoki exhaled. Even as a former Trainer who'd brushed against Champion-tier battles, facing such a ferocious quasi-champion alone was humbling.