Silas wasn't worried because he couldn't defeat the Braviary.
Even though his Elite-level Pokémon were lower in level, their exceptional talent and rigorous training allowed them to fight far above their rank.
What truly annoyed him was Braviary's personality.
A fearless, battle-crazed Pokémon like this was the definition of: "Win a thousand, lose eight hundred."
There was an old saying:
[The weak fear the strong.
The strong fear the ruthless.
And the ruthless fear those who don't care about dying.]
Braviary belonged to the last category.
Even if Silas managed to capture it, most black market dealers hated handling Pokémon with personalities like this. Their value dropped sharply because they were almost impossible to tame completely.
Even veteran trainers struggled with a Pokémon as proud and stubborn as Braviary.
"Honchkrow, land on that clearing below!" Silas ordered sharply.
The moment he spotted a flat grassland beneath them, he immediately chose the battlefield.
Fighting Braviary in the air was stupidity.Not only was aerial combat dangerous, but both Crawdaunt and Sharpedo were heavily restricted in midair.
"Kraaaaw!"
Honchkrow folded its wings and descended rapidly. Above them, Braviary didn't immediately attack.
Instead, it hovered in the air while scraping its razor-sharp talons together.
Hone Claws.
Silas narrowed his eyes.
No wonder this thing survived long enough to evolve in the wild. Wild Braviary that reached this level were terrifyingly experienced fighters.
Without hesitation, Silas released every Pokémon except Zorua. Poké Balls burst open one after another.
"Craaa!"
"Sharkrr!"
"Umbre!"
"Crawdaaaunt!"
The grassy field instantly became filled with powerful auras.
"Crawdaunt, Swords Dance!"
"Sharpedo, Agility! Prepare Ice Fang!"
"Umbreon, use Helping Hand!"
"Honchkrow, Tailwind for the entire team ,then follow with Dark Pulse!"
"Sandile, use Rock Tomb!"
Strike first.
Strike hard.
Silas immediately seized initiative.Honchkrow spread its massive wings, summoning powerful winds across the battlefield. Tailwind surged through his team, making every Pokémon feel lighter and faster.
At the same moment, Sandile slammed its tail against the ground.
BOOM!
Countless rocks shot into the air toward Braviary. The attack wasn't meant to injure it seriously.
Its purpose was disruption. The raining stones restricted Braviary's movement and interrupted the rhythm of its Hone Claws setup.
Silas had intentionally trained his Pokémon in coordinated group combat. The moment Braviary dodged Sandile's Rock Tomb.
"KRAAAW!"
Honchkrow's Dark Pulse arrived immediately after. A wave of dark energy exploded through the air. Braviary was forced to take the attack head-on.
Right then, Silas suddenly remembered something. Two more Poké Balls flew from his hand.
Flash!
A Pelipper and Mantine appeared. They were the Pokémon he captured aboard the S.S. Blissey after the Gyarados incident.
Since both had grown up in the wild ocean and had almost no experience with humans, brute force had been enough to make them obey basic commands.
"Pelipper, maximize Drizzle!"
"Mantine, use Confuse Ray and Helping Hand on Crawdaunt!"
Though hesitant, the two Pokémon obeyed under Silas's cold gaze.
"Peliiiipper!"
Pelipper spread its wings.
Dark clouds instantly gathered overhead. Within seconds, heavy rain crashed down across the battlefield. Meanwhile, Mantine floated through the air gracefully.
Unlike offensive Pokémon, Mantine specialized almost entirely in support and special defense.
A strange, distorted beam shot from its body toward Braviary.
Braviary saw the army of Elite-level Pokémon below and instead of fear…It became excited.
"BRAAAAVIARY!!!"
Its cry echoed across the forest like a war drum.Even Silas couldn't help muttering:
"Absolute lunatic…"
Any normal wild Pokémon would've fled already. Five Elite-level opponents attacking together was a death sentence.But Braviary only became more exhilarated.
Suddenly Brilliant white light exploded around its body. A massive phantom bird appeared behind it as Braviary folded its wings and dove downward like a meteor.
"Brave Bird!" Silas shouted instantly. It was the exact same trump card Honchkrow used.
"Crawdaunt , Crabhammer!"
"CRAAAWDAUNT!!!"
Crawdaunt stomped forward viciously. Water-type energy wrapped around its giant claw as it swung upward toward the descending phantom bird.
BOOOOOOM!!!
A terrifying explosion erupted. Even the rain around them scattered from the impact. Smoke never had time to spread before the downpour washed it away.
When the battlefield became visible again,Braviary crashed heavily to the ground.
One wing hung nearly broken. Its body was covered in bloody wounds.
It could barely fly anymore.Silas's eyes flashed with satisfaction.
This was his Crawdaunt.
Pelipper's rain.
Rain-boosted Water-type power.
STAB enhancement.
Adaptability amplification.
Mystic Water enhancement.
Swords Dance amplification.
Helping Hand support from Umbreon and Mantine. All of it combined into one devastating Crabhammer.
That strike had crossed dozens of levels in raw destructive force. His mighty general ,Crawdaunt.
At the same level…Who could withstand its Crabhammer head-on?
(Except Water Absorb Pokémon. Those don't count.)
Yet despite its shattered wing, Braviary still showed no fear. Instead, it continued charging.
Its claws gleamed sharply as it slashed downward with Slash. Even heavily injured, it still chose offense.
Silas's expression darkened. This was exactly why he hated fighting Pokémon like Braviary.
Not because he couldn't win but because it wasn't worth the cost.
"Sharpedo, Ice Fang!"
"Crawdaunt, another Crabhammer!"
This wasn't an official League match. This was the wild. Against hostile wild Pokémon, Silas had zero intention of fighting fairly.
Numbers were strength. That was reality.
"SHAAARK!"
Sharpedo accelerated explosively under Speed Boost.
Its body shot forward like a torpedo. Frost gathered around its jaws as it bit down viciously.
CRUNCH!
Ice spread across Braviary's already battered body, leaving frost-covered wounds everywhere.Yet Braviary still refused to retreat.
Instead, it traded injuries directly and slashed Sharpedo with its talons, carving several deep wounds into its body.Silas's eyes instantly turned cold.
Crawdaunt seemed to sense its trainer's anger.At the same time, seeing its brother Sharpedo injured.
"CRAAAWDAUNT!!!"
It roared furiously.Its massive claw gathered water energy once more before smashing downward with monstrous force.
BOOOOOOM!!!
Braviary was slammed directly into the earth.The impact cratered the ground beneath it.Blood splattered across the rain-soaked grass.
Scarlet feathers scattered everywhere.Even then–Even with a nearly broken body,Braviary still staggered back to its feet.
Its shattered wing drooped uselessly.Yet its sharp eyes still burned with battle intent. It still wanted to fight. Silas looked at it coldly. Then his emotionless voice echoed through the rain.
"Crawdaunt… finish it."
"Crabhammer."
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(End of chapter)