Interception

After their breakthrough, Gengar and Mismagius didn't display any change in their attitude towards Yuga. Instead, they nodded approvingly at him.

Meanwhile, with Gengar and Mismagius successfully breaking through and defeating Sableye, Froslass, and Banette, the battle involving Dragonite's mother was also coming to an end.

Bridges, who had witnessed his three Pokémon being defeated by Yuga, widened his eyes in astonishment, then glared at Yuga with malice.

"It's all because of this kid! If it weren't for him, things wouldn't have turned out this way!"

However, his gaze towards Gengar and Mismagius was filled with greed. He recognized the exceptional potential in these two Pokémon.

"If I could obtain these two Pokémon, it would be almost like having Cecilia back!" Bridges thought.

Losing Cecilia had been his greatest regret. Otherwise, he might have progressed to higher levels, possibly even reaching the rank of a Master Trainer.

However, as he glanced at Dragonite before him, Bridges knew that no matter what, he couldn't harm that kid today.

With that in mind, Bridges discreetly signaled Dusknoir and Spiritomb to prepare for an escape.

He understood that he couldn't match Dragonite's mother in a battle. As a Champion level Ghost-type Trainer, even the Master level Trainer can't stop him.

Just as Dragonite's mother was about to deliver a fatal blow to Dusknoir and Spiritomb, the two Pokémon descended from the sky at an incredible speed and positioned themselves on either side of Bridges.

Bridges, realizing he was outmatched, intended to flee, abandoning Sableye, Froslass, and Banette. The current situation didn't allow him to recall them; while an Elite level Pokémon were precious, his own life was even more valuable.

Faced with a Champion level Trainer who was determined to escape, Yuga knew he couldn't stop him. Moves like Mean Look or Hypnosis might work on ordinary people, but preventing a Champion level Trainer from leaving was nearly impossible. They could easily break free from such effects unless Dragonite's mother used them.

Unfortunately, Dragonite's mother was primarily a combat-oriented Pokémon and not skilled in using status-altering moves.

As Bridges was about to make his escape, he and his Pokémon, Dusknoir and Spiritomb, suddenly froze. They transformed into shadows and vanished underground.

It was at this moment that Gengar and Mismagius, beside Yuga, took action. They moved at a speed imperceptible to the naked eye, appearing directly above Bridges. Intense purple light emanated from their eyes, and, to Bridges' astonished gaze, they combined the abilities of Wonder Room and Magic Room.

The two spatial abilities merged with a resounding "bang," forming a transparent space that enveloped Dragonite's mother, Bridges, Dusknoir, and Spiritomb.

Dusknoir and Spiritomb's escape attempt was thus thwarted midway, and they could no longer descend underground.

While these two Pokémon reacted swiftly, they immediately employed Shadow Ball and Ominous Wind to try to break the spatial prison created by Gengar and Mismagius. However, their moves merely created ripples on the surface of the space, with no effect on the spatial barrier.

Bridges was astonished, as was Yuga, and even outside the space, Dragonite's mother looked surprised.

When Dragonite's mother finally reacted, it landed with a resounding thud in front of Dusknoir and Spiritomb. It used Ice Punch on both Pokémon simultaneously, causing them to collapse.

Bridges' escape plan had failed.

Bridges was about to say something, but Gengar promptly used Hypnosis on him. His eyes closed, his head tilted, and he fell unconscious.

Even when Gengar and Mismagius withdrew the spatial barrier, Yuga and Phoebe outside the space didn't hear any sounds coming from within.

Gengar carried Bridges over to where Yuga was standing, promptly dropping Bridges to the ground. Then, together with Mismagius, they merged back into Yuga's shadow.

While Gengar and Mismagius had the urge to interact with Bridges, they refrained from revealing themselves in the presence of outsiders.

"Today, I am truly grateful to you, Mr. Shimizu," said Phoebe, who had many questions at this point but understood that it wasn't the right time to ask.

"No need to thank me. I was just passing by," replied Yuga with a wave of his hand, retracting his Lapras.

Just as Phoebe was about to say more, Yuga noticed something regarding Bridges and addressed her, "Phoebe, please wait here for me. I'll be back shortly."

With that, Yuga instructed Dragonite's mother to protect Phoebe and left on his own Lapras.

Suddenly, Yuga recalled that this place was where he had buried Mu Ya. Could Bridges' appearance here be related to the deceased Mu Ya?

Quickly, Yuga found the grave he had prepared for Mu Ya. It was a small mound of earth, but there were no remains of Mu Ya inside.

Inside the mound lay only the girl whom Mu Ya had possessed, as her Dusknoir's body had already dissipated.

Seeing the empty grave, Yuga was certain that Bridges was somehow involved in this matter. He just didn't know how Bridges had found this place.

As Yuga hurried back, Phoebe was in the midst of tending to her injured Pokémon.

Seeing Yuga's return, Phoebe raised her head and asked, "Did something happen?"

Yuga shook his head and replied, "Nothing significant. Your Pokémon are injured, so let's return to Verdanturf Town first. We can discuss everything else when we get there."

Phoebe nodded, recalling her Pokémon into their respective Poké Balls.

Yuga offered his Dragonite to Phoebe to ride, and he planned to use his Charizard. However, to his surprise, Dragonite's mother volunteered to carry him. It was unusual for a Champion level Pokémon, known for their pride, to be so willing. It indicated that Dragonite's mother held favorable impression toward Yuga.

Yuga confiscated the Poké Balls containing Bridges' Pokémon from Bridges himself, tying him up with some vines and hanging him from Dragonite's claws.

Yuga had no intention of treating such a villain kindly.

Upon their return to Verdanturf Town, Yuga escorted Phoebe to the Pokémon Center. He quickly informed Liliana, securing Bridges in confinement.

Bridges, being a former Elite Four member of the Pokémon League, held a special status. Yuga couldn't take unilateral action against him. However, after Phoebe's treatment was completed, there would be many questions to ask this person.