"Gengar, Shadow Ball!"
Facing Gengar's attack, Pidgeot endured its fatigue and countered with Air Slash.
In the next instant, Gengar seemingly teleported right in front of Pidgeot, delivering a Thunder Punch that sent Pidgeot flying.
Just as Pidgeot was about to regain its balance and retaliate, an overwhelming pressure enveloped it, causing a momentary hesitation.
Seizing the opportunity, Gengar unleashed Thunderbolt, followed by the anguished cry of Pidgeot.
Tycho's command echoed once again, prompting Gengar to fire two more Shadow Balls at Pidgeot.
The consecutive strikes left Pidgeot's entire body weakened, slowly plummeting toward the ground, unable to stop Gengar's relentless assault.
Two more Shadow Balls were launched, immediately followed by Night Shade, ready to engulf Pidgeot entirely.
While Pidgeot was on the brink of defeat, the other Pokémon were not faring any better.
Scyther, confined by the cramped battlefield, was unable to match Arbok's explosive close-range prowess.
Fire Fang, Thunder Fang, Ice Fang, and Poison Fang struck in succession, leaving Scyther's body riddled with wounds of various colors.
Hampered by numerous status effects, Scyther's movements grew sluggish, giving Arbok the perfect chance to strike with Iron Tail and send it crashing.
Coiling its body, Arbok shot out like an arrow, aiming to swiftly eliminate Scyther.
Without Pidgeot's help, Venusaur was left exposed to Golduck's relentless Ice-type attacks, its body covered in frost.
A particularly large Icicle Spear embedded itself in Venusaur's hind leg, freezing its blood and causing severe frostbite, drastically limiting its movement and making it impossible to evade Golduck's onslaught.
Earth-colored stone pillars rose like a cage, trapping Rhydon within.
Golem, rolling in tandem with Defense Curl's boosted power, slammed into Rhyhorn's face.
With Earth Power shattering the ground beneath, Rhydon was sent flying.
Golem initiated a second rollout attack, while Rhydon struggled to stand, its heavily injured body rendering it powerless.
A swarm can bring down an elephant—especially against Pokémon of High Elite rank.
Fearow, covered in countless wounds, still managed to fly, but its exhausted appearance suggested it could collapse at any moment.
Around Fearow lay the bodies of numerous fallen Pokémon, evidence of the brutal battle it had endured.
In the skies, the once densely packed Pidgeot and Fearow flock had thinned, allowing rays of sunlight to pierce through. The battlefield below was littered with Pokémon corpses and crimson blood, blending with the muddy ground into a ghastly mire.
While the three poaching syndicates and the gathered Pokémon hunters had reaped great rewards, their forces had suffered significant losses.
"Screech!"
A piercing cry echoed as several dragon-shaped shockwaves shot forth, striking Gengar and halting its deadly assault on Pidgeot.
The sudden disturbance momentarily froze the chaotic battlefield.
Upon closer inspection, less than a third of the Pidgeot and Fearow flock remained—whether the others had fallen or been captured by the poachers was unknown.
Hovering in midair, Altaria with its pristine white feathers exuded a Dragon-type pressure and Elite Four-level aura, intimidating Lina's Pokémon into inaction as they watched their prey slip away.
"All bark and no bite… This time, I'll be making a fortune!"
Tycho's voice rang out, brimming with joy.
Unbeknownst to all, Gengar now radiated an Elite Four-level aura equal to Altaria's.
Lina's quasi-Elite Four Pokémon might not have sensed the difference, but Tycho—having witnessed Gengar's breakthrough—could discern Altaria's weakened state beneath its imposing exterior.
Even Gengar could detect Altaria's decline.
Though the cause remained unknown, Tycho was certain—today, that Altaria would be his.
"Gengar, Shadow Ball, Night Shade!"
Tycho's command set Gengar into action once more.
Compared to its battle with Pidgeot, Gengar now unleashed its full power. Night Shade's chilling presence swept across the entire battlefield.
Glaring at the approaching Gengar, Altaria's eyes burned with fury.
If it were in peak condition, how could a newly ascended Elite Four Gengar dare act so arrogantly?
Yet now, Altaria had to admit that it might not be a match for Gengar.
Even so, as a Dragon-type Pokémon, its pride would never allow it to retreat.
Flapping its wings, Altaria unleashed Dragon Pulse without hesitation, followed by a Dragon Rush straight at Gengar.
Dragon and Ghost-type energies clashed, scattering in all directions. After the fierce exchange, Gengar had the upper hand.
Altaria flapped its wings to maintain balance, then charged again, firing another Dragon Pulse. The thick Dragon-type energy cloaked Altaria, giving the impression of countless dragons soaring into the sky.
Tycho showed no weakness, instructing Gengar to continue its assault.
Ghost-type energy spread out, intensifying the eerie atmosphere. The three poachers—Lina, Levi, and Maki—who had just endured a grueling battle, found themselves frozen in place, unable to advance or retreat.
They saw clearly that Altaria's strength had been drastically weakened, likely due to some unknown reason. The temptation of a Dragon-type Pokémon, along with the treasures hidden in the dragon's nest, made them reluctant to leave.
On the other hand, the newly ascended Elite Four-level Gengar, now displaying overwhelming power, made the three poachers shudder.
Having roamed the underworld for so long, they knew Tycho's nature well. Sharing was not part of his habit—no poacher would willingly split their spoils.
If Tycho defeated Altaria and still had strength left, turning his sights on them was inevitable.
At the same time, they began to suspect that the rumors about the dragon's nest had likely been spread by Tycho's poaching syndicate from the start—designed to lure them into bearing part of the firepower.
Without such a scheme, even with a newly ascended Elite Four-level Gengar, Tycho and his syndicate would never have been able to contend with Altaria, five quasi-Elite Four-level Pokémon, and the two flocks of Pidgeot and Fearow.
Now, Lina and the others were betting—betting that Tycho and Altaria would suffer mutual destruction.
If not, they had their own contingency plan—intervene at the right moment, forcing Gengar into critical condition or even death.
With this mindset, neither Lina, her team, nor the other gathered poachers left. Instead, they kept their eyes locked on Gengar and Altaria at the heart of the battle, waiting patiently for the perfect opportunity.
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