Mushin seemed to perceive Sieg's intent, yet showed no panic. Instead, he calmly commanded Gengar to handle the frontal pressure.
Thunderbolt, Earth Power, Razor Leaf, Muddy Water.
Various attacks converged on Gengar. It floated leisurely in the air, red pupils flickering as it let out an eerie cackle.
"Kekeke~ Hehehehehehehehe!"
The unsettling laughter sent chills down everyone's spines.
Gengar spread both arms wide again. Dozens of Shadow Balls condensed and spun in the air, descending like falling meteors under everyone's horrified gazes.
"Quick, use Protect!"
Everyone commanded their Pokémon.
At this moment, Gengar finally freed up its attention. Facing the Sharpedo attempting to ambush Mushin, its stubby little hands condensed dark energy once more. A sphere radiating strange light struck Sharpedo.
Confuse Ray.
Sharpedo's sense of direction instantly became scrambled. It rampaged erratically across the beach, unable to identify its target.
Fallen into confusion.
The entire battlefield showed a completely one-sided situation.
A single Gengar was dominating eight elite-level Pokémon belonging to four trainers.
"We can't continue like this. We need coordination!" Sieg frowned, addressing the other three.
They didn't respond, perhaps due to previous friction, barriers still existed between them.
But Sieg could clearly sense their Pokémon commands becoming more cohesive than before. Obviously they were inclined toward cooperation, just unwilling to admit it verbally.
"Stall Gengar! We'll engage him in close combat directly!"
Sieg roared, his white combat suit instantly enveloping his entire body. His foot slammed down as he charged toward Mushin.
The other three instantly caught on.
"Right! No-rules brawl, nothing said we couldn't use combat suits!"
They all imitated Sieg. Four white figures formed an encirclement on the beach, rushing toward Mushin at the center.
As for Gengar, it was firmly tied down by eight elite-level Pokémon. Though it could dominate them, it couldn't finish them quickly.
Mushin turned his head, scanning his surroundings. His emotionless expression revealed no fluctuation in mood.
All four charged toward the central Mushin simultaneously.
During the rush, Sieg secretly palmed a poison needle shrouded in purple mist. What coated it wasn't lethal poison, but rather a paralytic toxin.
After all, this was just a sparring, he didn't want to seriously harm Archer's confidant.
Mushin also donned his combat suit. A laser beam shot from his palm. Everyone deployed protective shields to block while simultaneously firing their own suit lasers in return.
Thus, as the sun set, a bizarre scene unfolded across the beach.
A single Gengar battled eight Pokémon with ease, while on another part of the battlefield, five white figures continuously clashed, fighting to a standstill.
Mauville City.
"Attention all residents: According to the latest report from the Weather Institute, Mauville City will experience an extended period of thunderstorm weather. Please take protective measures when going outside. During extreme weather conditions, please limit outdoor activities!"
Mauville City's broadcast station continuously repeated this message.
At this moment, dark clouds already shrouded the entire city's sky. Accompanied by flashes of lightning and thunder, violent storms instantly swept across the metropolis.
On the topmost floor of Mauville Gym, Gym Leader Wattson stared worriedly at the sky, muttering continuously. "So the League is finally going fo it? And various underground organizations want to stick their fingers in this pie too!"
Just as Wattson felt desolate, knocking suddenly sounded at his door. It was his direct disciple.
"Master, the League has dispatched a Senior Investigator."
Hearing his disciple's report, Wattson forcibly suppressed his anger and went to receive them.
"Have them wait in the conference room. I'll be right there!"
A Conference Room.
At this moment, nearly all the important figures from across the Hoenn region had gathered here.
Elite Four members, Gym Leaders, League executives.
A classical blonde beauty lifted the hem of her purple dress and tucked back her hair. "Confirmed it's coming from New Mauville?"
A red-haired young man with a mohawk who looked rather delinquent said, "Theree's no mistake Glacia. This is the Weather Institute's report. The thunderstorm has no effect on surrounding waters, it seems to target only Mauville City!"
After finishing, the red-haired man resumed fiddling with the miniaturized Poké Ball in his hand.
The classical beauty addressed as "Glacia" nodded thoughtfully, then gave Wattson sitting in the main seat a meaningful glance.
At this moment, a League Senior Investigator spoke. "Based on our investigation team's analysis, the problem likely originates from New Mauville."
With those words, the entire conference room instantly fell silent. Everyone secretly studied Wattson.
Within the League, everyone had heard more or less about Wattson's relationship with the legendary Sacred Beast Raikou.
Given that Ho-Oh hadn't appeared in many years, and based on intelligence gathered from various sources, these important figures backed by ancient families had their own agendas.
After all, who in this world didn't want to grasp the power of a god?
"Hmph!"
Wattson let out an angry snort, expressing his displeasure.
"No one understands New Mauville better than me! Mauville City was originally just a backward town. I led the gym reforms and city construction, step by step building Mauville into the region's premier economic center, second only to Lilycove City!"
"Now the League wants to dispose of me after I've outlived my usefulness? I'm warning you one last time, that place is just an ordinary underground power plant! Don't you dare harbor inappropriate ideas!"
Wattson slammed the table, roaring in furious indignation.
Since becoming a Gym Leader, he'd rarely displayed his emotions so openly.
"Oh? Leader Wattson, is that a threat?"
The Jenny Family's representative asked with interest.
Wattson surveyed the conference room. The Elite Four had mobilized! League executives had mobilized! Those ancient families had mobilized!
Now even the Joy and Jenny families were targeting Raikou!
"Hehehehe~~~" Wattson's chubby body collapsed into his chair, letting out a desolate, self-mocking laugh.
"This isn't a threat, it's advice!"
"Divine power isn't something humans can presume to control! I attempted it years ago. That awe-inspiring heavenly might, only by experiencing it personally can you truly understand!"
"Moreover, don't forget, it's one of Lord Ho-Oh's personal guard!"
Wattson made one final struggle, attempting to warn those coveting Raikou. Unfortunately, greed had already blinded them. They paid no heed to Wattson's warnings.
That was power belonging exclusively to the divine. Who wouldn't want to obtain it?
Moreover, that deity was in an injured state. These years, Wattson had been purchasing healing treasures across various markets, they knew of it.
A phoenix without feathers is worse than a chicken.
Everyone wanted to try their luck, not just underground organizations, but also various League factions and ancient Elite families.