The majestic Scolipede stood tall. This was the dangerous Bug and Poison type native to Unova known for its aggression.
Silas immediately scanned it.
Scolipede (M) — Level 77 (Suppressed to 54)
Ability: Speed Boost
Potential: A
Moves: Rank A Pin Missile, Rank A Swords Dance, Rank A Poison Sting, Rank B Megahorn, Rank A Poison Jab, Rank B Defense Curl, Rank B Rollout, Rank B Protect, Rank B Poison Tail, Rank B Screech, Rank B Pursuit, Rank B Bug Bite, Rank B Venoshock, Rank B Agility, Rank B Steamroller, Rank B Toxic, Rank B Venom Drench, Rank B Double-Edge, Rank B Baton Pass, Rank B Spikes, Rank B Take Down, Rank B Twineedle, Rank B Rock Climb, Rank B Superpower, Rank B Solar Beam, Rank B Aqua Tail, Rank B Earthquake, Rank B Sludge Bomb
Silas was genuinely shocked.
This Scolipede was truly a beast! It was at level 77 before suppression. It had A Potential and several highly trained moves too. More importantly, Speed Boost combined with Swords Dance could make it increasingly dangerous the longer it remained on the battlefield.
Silas glanced toward Andra.
Apparently, she had been holding back as well.
"Scolipede, use Swords Dance!"
Scolipede immediately began moving.
Its enormous body shifted through a peculiar dance centered around its sharp horns. Its movements looked strange coming from such a large Pokémon, but the effect was undeniable.
Physical power began building within its body.
Silas immediately released another Pokémon.
"Go, Carbink! Defend us and use Light Screen!"
Carbink appeared nearby.
A translucent barrier of psychic energy quickly spread across their side of the battlefield.
Silas had seen Carbink's growth firsthand.
The small Pokémon had been diligently developing its defensive abilities and, quite frankly, possessed a natural genius for them.
At its current level of 51, Silas estimated Carbink could withstand attacks from peak advanced tier Pokémon.
Its timing proved impeccable.
Hydreigon and Emboar attacked simultaneously.
Dragon Pulse and Flamethrower rushed directly toward Scolipede while it was still completing Swords Dance.
Carbink had already positioned itself nearby.
It immediately intercepted.
The 2 attacks slammed directly into its body.
Flames and Dragon type energy exploded across Carbink.
Yet when the attacks dispersed, Carbink remained firmly in place.
Its natural typing resisted both Flamethrower and Dragon Pulse. Combined with Light Screen, the damage it suffered was negligible.
Silas smiled.
Andra's battle tactic was becoming increasingly obvious.
She was using his Carbink to create opportunities for her offensive oriented Pokémon.
The Court member apparently had a different interpretation.
"Hahaha! You think this weak-ass group of Pokémon can contend with me?"
His voice became increasingly arrogant.
"Behold my power! Sawk, use Focus Punch. Hydreigon, use Tri-Attack.
Each mouth on Hydreigon gathered a different element then combined the attacks into a deadly sphere of energy.
Sawk charged a terrifying amount of power into his fist but Silas could see the strategy. It would wait to strike after Hydreigon for maximum damage.
Silas warned everyone telepathically.
"Watch out for Sawk after the Tri Attack hits. Poliwrath and Politoed, use Hydro Pump to block Tri Attack."
The destructive blast clashed with the powerful jets of water from Silas' Pokémon but ultimately was blocked.
However no one relaxed. Sawk was making its move.
"Blaziken, use Mirror Move."
The advantage of Mirror Move is the charge time once a pokemon reaches a high mastery.
Blaziken's fist instantly ignited with power as Sawk aggressively charged in.
The 2 fists met and they were evenly matched causing both to recoil in opposite directions.
"Electivire, use Charge Beam and Psychic together."
Electivire put his hands out and a condensed blast of electricity gathered infront of his palms then shot out at high speed.
With its attack speed increased by Psychic, Sawk was defenseless in his current position to avoid damage. The blast hit him straight in the chest.
Electricity coursed through his body from the blast point and he writhed in pain.
"Sawk, use Bulk Up."
The fighting type flexed its muscles and they expanded slightly. Surprisingly, the electricity dissipated immediately.
Silas was shocked but not surprised. Everyone had their own unconventional tricks and strategies.
Although Sawk was brimming with energy, it was clear that Charge Beam had done a good amount of damage.
When condensed with Psychic, it gained a skin piercing effect which is why it's so painful.
"Starting to feel the pressure yet? You're probably realizing you bit off more than you could chew. I can tell from that look that you thought Sawk would deliver a crushing blow. When it was blocked, I saw the look on your face. Hahaha should have stayed in retirement."
The insult immediately struck a nerve.
Anger flashed across the man's face.
He reached for 3 more Poké Balls.
The light dissipated, revealing Gliscor, Tauros, and Volcarona.
Silas' expression became more serious.
The man's numbers were continuing to grow.
Silas responded in kind.
2 Poké Balls left his hands.
Swellow and his second Poliwrath appeared.
At the same time, Silas' shadow distorted.
Greninja emerged silently from the darkness like a ghost.
The battlefield had expanded dramatically.
Scolipede finished its Swords Dance. At the same time, Speed Boost activated. Its already impressive speed increased. Yet Andra didn't give an attack command.
Silas understood immediately.
She wasn't finished, Andra wanted to stack more boosts.
Silas decided to help create the time she needed.
"Politoed, activate Drizzle. Then thoroughly entertain that Emboar."
Politoed croaked several times and looked toward the sky.
Clouds rapidly gathered overhead. Within seconds, rain began pouring across the battlefield. The dry ground darkened as water struck it.
Politoed disappeared from its position. A moment later, it was directly in front of Emboar.
Silas issued several more commands.
"Swellow, use Hurricane! Electivire, use Thunder! Poliwrath, form up with Carbink and use Belly Drum!"
Swellow began vigorously flapping its wings.
Wind gathered and the airflow rapidly increased until a giant swirling storm of Flying type energy surrounded the opposing Pokémon.
The rain only made the violent winds more chaotic.
Meanwhile, both Poliwrath flashed toward Carbink.
Protected by the defensive Pokémon, they began using Belly Drum. Their hands repeatedly struck their stomachs. Their stamina rapidly decreased while their physical attack power climbed to terrifying levels.
Electivire raised its arms.
Lightning descended from the dark clouds above.
Thunder struck Braviary. Attacks derived from the environment where exceptionally powerful and electric attacks were already known for their speed.
Braviary stood no chance. The Flying type had already been disoriented by Hurricane. With the rain empowering Electivire's accuracy and the violent winds interfering with Braviary's movements, the attack connected violently.
Electricity exploded across its body. Braviary took significant damage and fell to the ground.
The enemy trainer immediately began issuing counterattacks.
"Tauros, use Giga Impact! Emboar, use Overheat! Escavalier, use Iron Head!"
Tauros lowered its head. Normal type energy began swirling around its body. The energy became denser as the Pokémon launched into a destructive charge.
At the same time, a powerful Overheat was unleashed toward Scolipede.
Escavalier launched itself toward Carbink. Its head glowed brightly with Steel type energy.
3 dangerous attacks approached almost simultaneously.
Carbink immediately used Protect.
A barrier appeared around it just in time to block Overheat before the flames could reach Scolipede.
However, Carbink couldn't defend against everything at once. Iron Head was approaching but so was Giga Impact.
Blaziken moved and flames erupted around its body as it intercepted Tauros with Flare Blitz.
The 2 Pokémon collided violently.
At nearly the same moment, Swellow dove toward Escavalier.
Flying type energy surrounded its body. Brave Bird smashed directly into Iron Head.
The battlefield erupted with multiple simultaneous clashes.
Behind all of them, Scolipede suddenly released a savage roar.
Silas turned.
The Pokémon's appearance had changed.
Bulging veins were visible beneath parts of its armored body as its muscles struggled to contain the enormous amount of gathered power.
It had completed a second Swords Dance. Speed Boost had activated twice more as well.
Scolipede was now radiating an entirely different level of danger. Its physical power had been raised tremendously and its speed had continued increasing.
Silas finally understood Andra's full strategy.
She had never intended to immediately throw Scolipede into the chaotic battle. She was building it into a weapon first.
Silas glanced toward Carbink.
"Use Carbink to jump off of if you need."
Andra smiled.
"No need. Watch this."
She looked toward Blaziken.
"Blaziken, use Vacuum Wave rapid-fire!"
Blaziken immediately obeyed.
One wave of Fighting type energy shot through the air.
Then another, and another.
A rapid barrage of Vacuum Waves surged toward Hydreigon.
The dragon twisted through the air. It was being forced to dive away to avoid the repeated attacks.
That was exactly what Andra wanted.
"Scolipede, use Megahorn!"
Its horns became covered in a dazzling golden light. The separate horns appeared to converge into one enormous glowing spear then Scolipede vanished.
Silas' eyes widened.
Its accumulated Speed Boosts made the giant Pokémon frighteningly fast. One moment it had been standing on the ground. The next, it had already leapt toward Hydreigon.
Hydreigon had just committed itself to avoiding Blaziken's Vacuum Waves.
There was no time to react as Megahorn struck.
The enormous golden horn drove directly through Hydreigon's chest. The dragon's body jerked violently.
For a moment, Scolipede and Hydreigon remained suspended together in the air. Then gravity took over.
Hydreigon's enormous body slammed heavily into the ground.
The Court member had still been riding it.
He was caught underneath the falling Pokémon and suffered injuries from the impact.
That was always the danger of battling while mounted on a Pokémon. If the mount fell, the trainer fell with it, especially the flyers.
Silas immediately looked toward Hydreigon.
The situation was not looking good for it. Mega Horn was one of the strongest Bug type attacks and Hydreigon's Dark typing made it vulnerable to the move.
Combined with Scolipede's multiple Swords Dance boosts and accumulated speed, the attack had been devastating.
Hydreigon lay on the ground with a massive wound in its chest.
Silas looked from the fallen dragon to Andra's Scolipede.
His opinion of her strength had just risen considerably.
The battle might not be over but the strongest trainer Silas had encountered on this continent had just learned that he and Andra were not easy prey.