As the dust settled, Ariana had already vanished before the trio's eyes. They were stunned, it all felt like a dream.
A Pseudo-Elite Four-level opponent had actually retreated?
But the power Sato had shown… was just too absurd!
From a team with average strength barely at the Peak Elite level, he had suddenly brought out three Pseudo-Elite Four level Pokémon!
Joseph wasn't surprised. He had witnessed both, Dark Energy: Power Amplification and Mega Evolution individually.
But what he hadn't expected… was that Sato could trigger both of these entirely different abilities at the same time.
As for Mark? His eyes were literally sparkling with admiration.
"Let's get out of here first."
Sato's voice was hoarse.
Snapping the two from their daze, Sato climbed onto Zoroark's back and instructed Houndoom to guide Joseph and Mark.
Rather than pass through the canyon crevice, Sato turned and headed straight for the forest. In no time, they vanished among the trees.
"Weavile, is anyone following?"
Sato grit his teeth as he communicated with Weavile, his head splitting with pain.
"Wea!"
Weavile dashed nimbly between the trees, constantly scanning with its keen senses and Foresight, watching for any ambush from Ariana or Team Rocket.
So far, everything was clear.
A few minutes later, Sato's headache had become unbearable. He finally had to stop moving.
All three Pokémon: Mega Houndoom, Zoroark, and Weavile. Reverted to their original forms, as both Mega Evolution and energy amplification wore off.
Since they hadn't actually battled much, and had basked in the temporary power boost, they were all still full of energy.
Sato, on the other hand, collapsed the moment the connection was cut.
"Zoroark!"
Zoroark gently caught him and laid him down. Joseph rushed over and immediately summoned his medical team to tend to him.
---
Sato didn't wake until the next morning.
"You up? Are you up?"
Even before his eyes opened, Sato could hear Mark's shrill voice buzzing around him. The headache, which had just begun to fade, started pounding again.
"Quiet. Umbreon, could you use Heal Bell?"
"Umbree~"
A soft, melodic chime rang out. Relief washed over Sato almost instantly, and the tension in his brows began to ease.
Seeing the subtle movement in his expression, the others realized he was awake.
A fluffy head immediately snuggled up beside him, Sato didn't even need to touch it to know it was his clingy Umbreon.
Forcing his eyes open, he saw Joseph, Mark, Umbreon, Zoroark. All gathered around him; the closeness made him a little uncomfortable.
Sato tried to sit up. But as soon as he moved, the stabbing pain in his skull returned with a vengeance. Even with his high tolerance, he grimaced in pain.
"Umbree~"
The bell-like sound came again. The headache lightened once more.
Taking advantage of the fleeting comfort, Sato quickly pulled himself into a half-sitting posture.
"Drink some water."
Joseph handed over a cup of warm water and brought it to his lips. As the liquid passed down his throat, Sato felt a dry tightness ease inside him.
"I'm okay now. I just need to meditate a bit."
Sato spoke softly, then closed his eyes in place, not daring to move further, and entered a state of meditation.
It was only then he realized just how badly he had overdrawn himself. His Dark Energy had been completely depleted! And even now, it had barely begun to recover.
Simultaneously activating Mega Evolution and Power Amplification had left a massive toll on his mind.
The most immediate side effect? A blinding headache.
And yes, headaches are real. And they can be deadly.
Sato meditated through the entire morning before recovering just enough Dark Energy and mental clarity to stop the pain from consuming him.
Opening his eyes again, he finally took a moment to observe his surroundings.
He was in the hollow of a large tree. In one corner, a pile of freshly picked berries had been stacked.
Joseph was nowhere in sight, but Mark was sleeping soundly at the entrance, snoring in a steady rhythm.
Zoroark and the others were gone, likely out scouting with Joseph. After all, Team Rocket had just pulled out, better to be cautious.
Sato didn't disturb Mark. Instead, he quietly reflected on the battle they had just endured.
Lucky. That was the only way to describe it.
Ariana had clearly underestimated them. That much went without saying.
After all, against a mere Elite-level Trainer, no matter how much talent the kid had, he shouldn't have been able to cross the gap to Pseudo-Elite Four level. But in the end, Ariana barely even fought before fleeing.
That, Sato hadn't expected at all.
'Maybe… maybe it really did come down to luck?'
With that thought, Sato glanced at the snoring Mark. Maybe this mascot really had done something.
Still, his strongest powers were now fully exposed, and in a way that was perhaps too much...
Using Mega Evolution and Dark Energy: Power Amplification at the same time, Sato had realized he barely had any capacity left for tactical direction.
When Ariana sent out four Pseudo-Elite Four level Pokémon, Sato factored in Joseph's stellar support. Even then, he knew he'd need at least three of his own at that level to stand a chance.
So, he'd made a bold, reckless choice. And that little stunt… nearly sank the whole ship.
Thinking back on it now made his heart race. Best to head to the Hoenn Region and lay low for a while.
"Awake?" "Zoroark!"
Sato hadn't been lost in thought for long when Joseph and Zoroark returned.
The Pokémon all rushed to Sato's side, voices full of concern. Joseph set down the fresh herbs he'd gathered and offered Sato a cup of warm water.
Meanwhile, Mark was finally roused by his slightly more alert Arbok.
"Sato, thank Arceus you're awake! You scared the life out of us yesterday!" Mark sobbed, rubbing his nose and blinking back tears.
Sato closed his eyes. His headache started coming back.
Joseph, ever perceptive, slapped a hand over Mark's mouth.
After a while, Mark finally settled down. Sato spoke again, "I'm fine now. Let's head out soon, we need to reach Goldenrod City quickly."
"You sure you don't want to rest a bit longer?"
"whoo whoo~"
"No. I'm worried Team Rocket might come back."
"Team Rocket?"
"whoo?"
"Yeah. That woman who attacked us yesterday, she's with Team Rocket. And they usually don't act alone. We should change course and move fast."
"Got it. I'll finish mixing your medicine. Once your strength's back, that's our best protection." Joseph nodded and smiled.
"whoo?" Mark pointed at himself. 'Then what do I do?'
"You… can keep resting." Joseph finally removed his hand from Mark's mouth. But after thinking it over, he still couldn't come up with anything Mark was good for.
Joseph turned to finish preparing medicine. Mark dashed over to Sato's side, about to start talking, when he suddenly floated off the ground!
Nearby, Kirlia's eyes glowed violet. Her use of Psychic was smooth and practiced.
Arbok raised its head, looked at its Trainer, then looked at Kirlia.
Then promptly laid down… and went back to sleep.