Andra agreed with Silas that talking was a waste of time at this point.
Silas could still sense the tremendous strength radiating from Scolipede and both Poliwrath.
Their boosts hadn't disappeared yet which meant they had a shot but they had to strike with a sense of urgency.
Every second wasted talking brought them closer to losing a huge temporary advantage.
Silas intended to inflict as much damage as possible before that happened.
He reached for another Poké Ball.
"Infernape, I need your power."
The ball opened.
Infernape materialized beside him.
Silas immediately gave another command.
"Now use Psych Up on Scolipede."
Infernape turned toward the giant Bug type. Its eyes glowed pink and for a moment, the same strange light surrounded its body.
It's aura drastically rose.
The power Scolipede had accumulated through Swords Dance and the speed gained through Speed Boost was copied.
Silas felt Infernape's fighting spirit surge.
At this point, Silas decided to reveal one of his secrets to Andra.
Psychic energy connected their minds.
Andra suddenly heard Silas' voice without him opening his mouth.
At the same time, Silas included Blaziken and Scolipede within the connection.
Andra's eyes widened slightly.
Silas didn't give her time to focus on the surprise.
"We need to eliminate a few of their Pokémon while we still have boosted Pokémon."
Andra recovered almost immediately.
"Okay. I will follow your lead."
Silas smiled slightly.
Andra was truly a great battle partner. Neither of them constantly interfered with the other and their strategies naturally complemented each other. Throughout the battle, their teamwork had been nearly flawless.
Silas looked toward the sky.
Swellow was already flying high above everyone.
"Swellow, dive in and use Brave Bird with Quick Attack on Emboar."
Silas deliberately targeted Emboar.
He had seen the renewed hope that appeared among the remaining Pokémon when the Luminary Court reinforcements arrived.
He wanted to destroy that hope immediately.
High above the battlefield, Swellow had already used Work Up twice.
Its power had been increased before the dive even began.
Flying type energy surrounded its body.
Quick Attack accelerated it further.
Then Swellow folded its wings and plunged downward.
Its speed became terrifying.
Emboar looked up to see it barreling straight for him but it was far too late.
Swellow struck like a falling missile.
BOOM!
The collision shook the battlefield.
The combination of Brave Bird, Quick Attack, and the incredible speed generated by the dive was simply too much.
Emboar was knocked unconscious immediately.
Nobody had been prepared for the sudden attack, especially Emboar.
Silas was already moving on to the next target.
Infernape executed Mega Shift. Its body disappeared from its original position.
A moment later, it appeared in front of Goodra.
"Infernape, use Mega Kick!"
Infernape's leg swung toward the pseudo legendary Pokémon.
At the same time, both Poliwrath rushed forward with ice covering their fists.
The plan was obvious, take Goodra out immediately. Of every Pokémon on the opposing side, it was the greatest threat.
Goodra reacted quickly to Infernape.
Mega Kick wa about to connect on Goodra.
However, while being kicked, Goodra opened its mouth and fired a powerful Dragon Pulse.
The attack launched directly at Infernape.
Infernape had no opportunity to completely follow through with its kick. He adjusted his angle and used the kick to push off the ground and dodge instead.
Silas narrowed his eyes.
Goodra's movement speed might not have been impressive but its attack speed was ridiculous.
The pseudo legendary could respond almost instantly.
The 2 Poliwrath continued closing in but then the 2 Pangoro intercepted them.
Both Pangoro stepped directly into the path leading toward Goodra.
Electricity covered their fists.
Ice and Thunder Punch collided with the 2 Poliwraths having the advantage.
Infernape and Goodra continued their own exchange beside them.
Infernape kept on trying to use its overwhelming speed to strike at Goodra but every attack was countered.
However, the battle was still even. Goodra had to remain hyper focused to contend with Infernape's increased speed.
So the silver lining was Goodra was completely preoccupied so his other Pokemon didn't have to worry about a stray Dragon Pulse coming their way.
Just like that, the 6 Pokémon became locked in a deadly 3-on-3 confrontation.
One of the Court members looked increasingly worried.
"Damnit, these guys are dangerous. Pyroar, use Fire Blast!"
The second man immediately followed.
"Bisharp, use Night Slash! Stoutland, use Double-Edge!"
Multiple Pokémon sprang into action.
Gliscor suddenly launched itself toward Carbink.
The speed of its approach surprised Silas.
Within an instant, Gliscor was directly in front of the defensive Pokémon.
Its tail began glowing with metallic light.
Gliscor twisted its body and swung the tail like a massive whip.
Carbink reacted immediately.
The moment it sensed the incoming attack, it used Protect.
An emerald barrier appeared.
Gliscor's metallic tail slammed against it.
CLANG!
The sound echoed throughout the battlefield.
Carbink held.
"Carbink, use Gravity, then use Body Press!"
The environment around Carbink suddenly changed. An invisible force descended and Gliscor was violently dragged downward.
The ground surrounding Carbink visibly compressed beneath the increased gravity.
Silas' eyes widened slightly.
Carbink's timing was impressive.
Pyroar's Fire Blast had already been traveling toward their position.
Gravity pulled Gliscor downward at the exact moment the attack was passing beneath it.
The result was unfortunate for Gliscor.
Its own body became a shield as Fire Blast struck against it and the explosion engulfed Gliscor.
Carbink immediately followed.
The small Pokémon floated upward until it was positioned directly over Gliscor's head.
Crimson energy covered its body.
Then Carbink dropped using Body Press.
It slammed downward like a meteor. It was like a blunt guillotine coming down on a prisoner marked for death.
The impact shook the earth.
Silas was genuinely surprised by the force behind the attack.
Then he remembered how Body Press worked.
Rather than relying on conventional physical attack power, the move converted the user's defensive capability into offensive force.
Carbink possessed exceptional defense.
Naturally, Body Press became extremely powerful in its hands.
Unfortunately, there was a limitation.
It was Carbink's only consistently reliable method of dealing significant direct damage.
Against an opponent with the proper type advantage, Carbink possessed very few offensive countermeasures without assistance from a teammate.
Gliscor was dazed.
The combination of Fire Blast and Body Press had left it struggling to recover.
It shook its head and attempted to force itself upright.
That was when something erupted from beneath the ground.
A long metallic blade pierced straight through Gliscor's shoulder.
Excadrill had been lying in wait underground for an opportunity to strike.
Silas expected the surprise attack to decide the exchange.
Instead, Gliscor's eyes sharpened and it endured the pain.
Rather than collapsing, Gliscor clamped its pincer down around the metallic blade then it pulled hard.
Excadrill came out of the ground, trapped in Gliscor's grip.
Silas' expression immediately changed.
"Fuck, I messed up."
He realized the problem.
Silas had become far too accustomed to his surprise attacks being decisive. Opponents were getting stronger and stronger. The surprise attack did work but it wasn't enough to finish off the enemy.
Worse, it left Silas' own Pokémon vulnerable for an attack.
Mega Shift had already been countered earlier and now Excadrill's underground ambush had been read and punished as well.
This enemy wasn't simply going to stand there and allow Silas' usual tactics to work.
Silas also refused to reveal Drapion. It was not yet the time to unleash his last resort.
Gliscor still had Excadrill trapped.
Fighting type energy suddenly covered its free pincer.
It smashed into Excadrill using Brick Break.
Gliscor swung upward.
The blow struck Excadrill and launched him into the air.
Gliscor immediately followed.
It shot upward after him. Water began swirling around Gliscor's tail.
Gliscor's tail was like a whip. It flipped in midair and swung its water covered tail downward.
Excadrill barely managed to react. Metallic energy covered its claws as it tried to defend against the incoming strike.
The 2 attacks collided, creating a deafening sound.
Excadrill was sent crashing straight back toward the ground. His body struck hard enough to send dust exploding outward.
At the last moment, Metal Claw had weakened Aqua Tail but it hadn't stopped it.
Everything had happened in only a few seconds.
Silas stared at Gliscor with new caution.
Compared to other Pokémon at its level, this Gliscor was secretly terrifying.
Elsewhere, the battle was progressing just as violently.
Bisharp's Night Slash arrived in front of Electivire.
Stoutland's Giga Impact followed close behind.
Bisharp proved deceptive. It had deliberately concealed its true speed while approaching.
Only once it entered striking distance did it suddenly accelerate.
Electivire was caught unprepared.
Night Slash crossed its abdomen.
A deep X-shaped wound immediately appeared.
Electivire staggered backward.
Before Stoutland's Giga Impact could finish the combination, something flew across the battlefield.
It was a giant fireball.
It struck Stoutland directly in the head.
The attack exploded on contact.
The blast interrupted its charge before Giga Impact could reach Electivire.
Electivire continued staggering for several steps before finally stabilizing himself.
Blood ran from the wound on his abdomen.
Silas could sense the injury through their connection. It was painful but not life-threatening. Electivire would be fine in the long run.
Excadrill was another matter. Silas could still sense him through the dust cloud. He was alive but unconscious.
As the smoke gradually cleared, Silas raised Excadrill's Poké Ball.
A red beam reached the fallen Pokémon and Excadrill disappeared safely inside.
Across the battlefield, Gliscor slowly turned its head toward him.
Its eyes locked directly onto Silas.
The Pokémon stared at him menacingly.
Silas stared back.
This battle had just become far more troublesome than he expected. Initially, he hoped to score some knockouts to lighten their load but he ended up losing Pokémon instead.
Silas knew this couldn't continue. He needed to adjust the strategy and fast otherwise their group could easily be wiped out here.
He couldn't let that happen, especially with Andra here.
He could feel the pressure mounting but he did his best to remain calm.
Being worried or agitated wouldn't help the situation.