Sato automatically tuned off whatever Ariana said after that. But since she was interested in Houndoom, he immediately understood what she was after: Mega Evolution.
In truth, part of the reason he'd spent so long hiding in the Forest of Shadows was to avoid organizations like Team Rocket or any other underground forces that the Joy family couldn't suppress.
It had been almost a month since Mega Evolution went public, and yet the Joy family had released very little information about it.
Which meant a grassroots Trainer like Sato had become a highly "sought-after" prize by many factions.
And if fate couldn't be avoided, then there was nothing left to say.
"Mega Evolve!"
Brilliant multicolored light erupted. Sato gripped his Keystone pendant, synchronizing perfectly with the Houndoom before him.
When the light faded, the fierce and stunning Mega Houndoom reappeared. Its burning eyes were locked on the two stunned Alakazam. Full of fighting spirit!
This was Ariana's first time seeing Mega Evolution up close. Despite herself, she couldn't suppress a surge of ambition deep inside.
Mega Evolution… she had to have it too!
"Crunch!"
Sato's command snapped her out of her daze. She immediately Teleported herself to safety and then began issuing commands to her Alakazam duo.
Unfair to fight two against one? Don't be ridiculous. She was Team Rocket.
"Alaka, use Miracle Eye! Junior, prepare Psychic!"
"Charge in, Inferno!"
Sato timed his move perfectly. Just as the large Alakazam began casting Miracle Eye, he ordered Mega Houndoom to close the distance!
The smaller Alakazam was waiting for Miracle Eye to land before it could strike with Psychic.
Meanwhile, even if the larger one gave up casting, it likely wouldn't escape Houndoom's devastating attack in time.
As expected, Ariana gave no further commands; clearly planning to let her Alakazam tank the hit.
Physically, Alakazam was fragile, but its special defense was solid.
And without Miracle Eye, Psychic-type moves were useless against a Dark-type like Houndoom.
But Mega Houndoom's greatest weapon… was its Special Attack!
And more importantly, the canyon was dry and sparse in vegetation. The sun blazed overhead. Mega Houndoom's Solar Power ability was fully active!
Miracle Eye, landed!Inferno, a perfect hit!
The larger Alakazam screamed in pain, engulfed in violet-red flames that refused to go out no matter how it flailed!
Ariana's eyes narrowed. She'd underestimated Sato!
"Slowking, use Heal Pulse! Junior, full-power Psychic!"
As a Team Rocket Admin, Ariana of course had more than two Pseudo-Elite Four-level Pokémon.
Seeing her main Alakazam so gravely injured, she didn't hesitate to send out a third powerhouse: a Slowking, also Pseudo-Elite Four level!
"Kirlia, Wigglytuff, use Heal Pulse! Madame Florges, Lucky Chant!"
Joseph's voice cut through the tension. When it came to support tactics, he easily outclassed Ariana tenfold!
Moments ago, Mega Houndoom had seriously wounded Alakazam. But now, it was taking the full impact of the younger Alakazam's Psychic assault.
Fortunately, with Kirlia and Wigglytuff both using Heal Pulse, it stayed standing, facing down the enemy.
As for Slowking. It was immediately intercepted by Zoroark and Weavile, both at Peak Elite level!
Sato had earned the respect of Raikou, and Zoroark had used the Rainbow Wing to leap up a full rank.
Even though Slowking was Pseudo-Elite Four level, its one flaw couldn't be ignored: it was slow.
Zoroark and Weavile charged from both flanks, forcefully interrupting Slowking's attempt at Heal Pulse!
"Kaazam!"
The large Alakazam screamed again. Inferno's guaranteed burn effect drained the last of its strength!
"Sato, you've made me angry now."
Ariana's voice turned icy as she spoke, seeing her Alakazam fall in defeat.
Gone was the charm, the teasing, the feigned affection… she dropped all pretense.
Bang! Bang!
She threw out two more Poké Balls.
Espeon and Xatu appeared in a flash, both radiating power. Another two Pseudo-Elite Four level Pokémon!
Small Alakazam: Pseudo-Elite Four, low tierSlowking: Pseudo-Elite Four, low tierXatu: Pseudo-Elite Four, mid tierEspeon: Pseudo-Elite Four, mid tier
The two she brought out last were clearly even more dangerous!
Zoroark and Weavile had already been recalled.
Sato exhaled quietly. He knew his full strength might be exposed here today.
But no matter what… it was all or nothing.
"Dark Energy: Power Amplification!"
Sato gripped his Keystone pendant. His pupils turned pitch black as a massive surge of Dark Energy burst forth, pouring into Zoroark and Weavile through the stone!
This time, he amplified both of them at once.
Zoroark's blue eyes, crimson hair, and claws all turned pitch black. Weavile followed suit… even it bone claws darkened.
The two now fully "darkened" Pokémon surged with rapidly growing energy; within moments, they reached Pseudo-Elite Four level!
But empowering two at once, on top of sustaining Mega Houndoom's evolution, took a massive cost. Sato's head throbbed with pain the moment he finished.
The burden was tremendous.
Even so… they were still at a disadvantage overall.
Ariana had long lost count of how many times she'd been stunned during this battle.
What had seemed like a simple little errand had turned into a terrifying encounter with this kid named Sato. Who had hidden his strength to a shocking degree.
This kid was a monster!
And then there were his companions: Wigglytuff, Chansey, and Kirlia!
The kid's teammate turned out to be a full-on support-type Trainer. Kirlia and Wigglytuff were already actively using Heal Pulse.
And Chansey… oh, Chansey.
With this much support, they could easily cover the gap of one full Pseudo-Elite Four level Pokémon!
As for that spiky-haired chicken-head kid? His Arbok was still lying on the ground playing dead, clearly just background noise.
She could ignore him.
Still, seeing this much coordination and power had Ariana considering something new: Retreat.
She may be one of Team Rocket's three Admins, with formidable strength. But underground organizations shared one unshakable philosophy: They value their lives.
Their specialty wasn't overwhelming power, nor tenacious defense, nor desperate last stands.
It was escape.
And right now, the battlefield was reaching a dangerous balance. If she slipped up, she could very well be the one outplayed.
That ruthless, berserk ferocity in Mega Houndoom's last strike against her Alakazam flashed in her mind again.
This kid… once he committed, he'd push until the end.
"Alaka, Xatu, Espeon, Slowking! Use Hyper Beam!"
Her decision was made in a blink. She barked the order like a madwoman.
Sato, Joseph, and Mark's eyes went wide. Four Hyper Beams coming their way? They'd be reduced to ash!
This woman had lost it. If they all died. Who would give her any Mega Evolution information?!
All three quickly ordered every Pokémon to use Protect.
The four Pseudo-Elite Four-level Hyper Beams struck like mini meteors, blasting a crater more than ten meters wide and a meter deep right in front of them!
It was only after several long minutes that the swirling dust finally began to settle.
Ariana was gone. Not a trace remained.