Crack!
Suddenly.
A crack appeared on the stone Pokeball that Natsuhiko was holding, and the crack gradually expanded.
It might be because it has been left for too long, even the specially treated ancient Pokeball has aged, or maybe...
The Pokémon sealed inside is very powerful!
Natsuhiko's face changed, he didn't hesitate and immediately threw the Pokeball to the ground, retreating rapidly with several Pokémon.
Could there really be an ancient Pokémon sealed inside that Pokeball, surviving without eating or drinking until now?
At the moment he exited the room, that ancient Pokeball completely shattered.
A Pokémon appeared inside the stone chamber.
And that sealed Pokémon also appeared in Natsuhiko's sight.
Its body seemed like a sturdy urn, most of it black, with a row of red eyes surrounding it; its body was encircled with two short arms and even shorter legs. Its body had numerous white patterns resembling Unown symbols, floating in the air.
A Ground type and Psychic type Pokémon, Claydol!
If it's Claydol, it's not very surprising that it can live until now.
It is said that Claydol and Golurk alike are Pokémon created by ancient people, made from clay figures and then irradiated by some mysterious beam, where unknown life adheres to it, eventually becoming a living Pokémon.
They do not need food for survival.
Just as Claydol appeared, a majestic psychic power erupted from its body; its row of eyes first showed a brief confusion, then their gaze locked onto Natsuhiko and instantly filled with hostility.
Buzz—
Layer upon layer of psychic power spread from Claydol's body, rippling like waves.
"Yongji!"
Yujira stepped forward and raised a spoon, trying to fend off Claydol's psychic attack.
Boom!
The two psychic forces collided mid-air, shattering the stone door and its frame.
Yujira furrowed his brows and retreated frantically, finally managing to stabilize with Doublade's help.
No match for Claydol.
"Elite Level? Gym Leader Level?"
Just one collision still wasn't enough to accurately gauge its strength, but one thing was certain, its psychic power was very strong, exceptionally strong!
"Yongji!"
Yujira stood firm and called out to Natsuhiko.
Understanding Yujira's intentions, Natsuhiko didn't hesitate, gently placing his hand on its shoulder.
In an instant, human and Pokémon psychic powers merged, and their senses were shared.
This way, Natsuhiko gained a clearer understanding of Claydol's strength.
Not Gym Leader Level.
But Elite Level.
But its psychic power is strong, among the Elite Level it stands as a top presence.
Even with Yujira bolstered by a compressed Psychic Arena, Life Treasure Pearl, full Spoon support, and Natsuhiko's psychic assistance, it still isn't a match for it.
Suddenly, a brilliant blue light shimmered in Yujira's eyes.
Then Yujira hurriedly shouted.
"Yongji!"
Dodge!
Claydol raised its two short, thick arms horizontally, resembling two gun barrels, then they glowed brightly with abrupt whiteness.
Boom!
The two arms fired a beam of bright white light, exceedingly destructive, piercing directly through to the other side of the ruin's wall.
Destructive Beam!
A technique with extremely high power.
But it has a very conspicuous drawback; after use, the Pokémon falls into a period of stiffness, unable to move.
Thanks to Yujira's special "Future Sight" ability for warning, Natsuhiko and his Pokémon successfully avoided the attack.
"Opportunity!" Natsuhiko whispered urgently.
"Yongji!"
Yujira reacted the fastest, immediately activating Instant Movement, appearing beside Claydol in the blink of an eye, launching a swirling Shadow Ball.
"Ah!"
However.
Before the other Pokémon had a chance to seize the moment together to surround and attack Claydol, Doublade issued a warning.
On the other side of the ruins, a few Pokémon emerged from the dark wall pierced by Destructive Beam.
Shaped like a coffin, composed of yellow and blue, with red pupils, a golden mask atop its head, four gray-black hands extend from the crevices, and a sinister smile on its face seems to mock.
Ghost Type Pokémon often wander in ruins, temples, or cemeteries — Death God Coffin!
There are three Death God Coffins, and one similar in appearance, but instead of a Golden Coffin, it has a shell of shattered stone slabs, wrapped in spirit bodies that penetrate and pull the fragments, with chaotic dark red lines on the slabs with no rhyme or reason.
Also a Ghost Type Pokémon, Death God Plate!
However, it has an additional Ground Type attribute.
Death God Plate and Death God Coffin are similar Pokémon and enjoy moving in ancient ruins.
Death God Coffin evolves from Crying Mask, while Death God Plate also evolves from Crying Mask, but from the Galar Region.
Suddenly, four Pokémon emerged, three Death God Coffins and one Death God Plate, all blasted out by the Destructive Beam of Claydol.
Seeing Natsuhiko and a group of Pokémon as intruders, they immediately charged toward them.
Natsuhiko's face darkened.
Unexpectedly, without resolving the Claydol, three Death God Coffins and a Death God Plate appeared.
Though their strength is unknown, their traits make Natsuhiko feel troublesome.
Death God Coffin's trait is Mummy; any Pokémon that makes a close hit becomes Mummy.
Death God Plate's trait is Wandering Soul; any Pokémon making contact gives Death God Plate its trait, and its trait turns to Wandering Soul akin to no trait.
That means for both Death God Coffin and Death God Plate, just touching them renders a trait nearly useless.
This is no small trouble for Natsuhiko and his Pokémon.
Because Beedrill and Doublade are close-combat type Pokémon, Doublade's Defenseless Trait is manageable, but Beedrill's Sniper Trait is crucial; losing it to Mummy or Death God Plate would be undesirable.
In this situation, only Togetic and Yujira can opt for ranged attack, making it troublesome for Beedrill and Doublade.
Claydol in front, Death God Quartet behind.
Even escaping is not possible for Natsuhiko.
Claydol can utilize Instant Movement, risky if Yujira's Instant Movement gets interrupted.
No time to think about preservation or not, Natsuhiko tossed Pokeball, calling Ancient Poké Yanmega and Tyrantrum.
Though lacking synergy, commanding them for reversal is unlikely, they being Elite Level should buy time.
"Yongji!!" Yujira shouted heavily.
Its two Shadow Balls caused considerable damage to Claydol.
Meaning...
I'll hold off Claydol!
Natsuhiko's eyes shone; his psychic power merged with Yujira, spent long together, understanding its intent.
Pressure from Claydol would be used to break through!
Before replying, Yujira rushed instantly.
It knew Natsuhiko would allow this.
Elsewhere, Ancient Poké Yanmega with Acceleration Trait tangled with three Death God Coffins, while Tyrantrum prepared for Death God Plate, faced trouble.
The three Death God Coffins and the Death God Plate were stronger than expected.
No more time to hesitate.
Must establish advantage before Ancient Poké Yanmega and Tyrantrum are defeated.
"Alright!"
Said to Cherrim on his shoulder: "Sunny Day."
"Ying Treasure!"
"Beedrill, Doublade, worry not, Sword Dance!" Natsuhiko commanded.
Then handed the Super Evolution Stone to Beedrill, keeping the Keystone in his hand.
Even if Beedrill's trait changes, Mega Evolution compensates.
Focus on maximizing trait's effectiveness in limited trigger time.
"Togetic, Divine Power!"
"Chako-Yi!"
This battle would be Natsuhiko's toughest since arriving at this alternate space.
Natsuhiko and each Pokémon felt immense pressure.
Yet it was an opportunity as well.
To truly test the Pokémon's growth during this time, battle instinct and awareness honed.
Moreover.
An opportunity, a turning point for Yujira and Togetic!