Subjugation

Lapras's Surf ultimately couldn't reach Archeops, which continued to ascend. The massive waves crashed back into the sea, churning the water's surface.

Seeing that the Surf had no effect, Lapras activated one of its abilities, Drizzle.

Lapras had two abilities: a passive one, Hydration, and an active one, Drizzle. This Drizzle ability was inherited from Kyogre.

As Lapras initiated Drizzle, the sky started rain gently. Over time, the rain gradually intensified. The calm sea surface was dotted with raindrops creating ripples.

Compared to the typical rain ability of most Pokémon, Lapras's Drizzle, inherited from Kyogre, seemed more dominant, covering a vast area.

As raindrops fell, various Pokémon quietly emerged from the sea nearby. Clauncher, Clawitzer, Seel, Corsola, Sharpedo, and others watched the battle with awe in their eyes.

The Mandibuzz that had been flying over the sea quickly left the raincloud's range after feeling their feathers getting wet. They also observing the contest from a distance.

Archeops, sensing its previously dry feathers getting soaked, shook its wings discontentedly, attempting to shake off the rain. However, the rainfall persisted, rendering its efforts futile.

As a Rock-type Pokémon, Archeops despised rainy weather.

Suppressing its annoyance, Archeops used Rock Slide, controlling several large rocks to pummel Lapras.

Observing the massive rocks hurtling toward it, Lapras dived into the water. When it resurfaced, it had moved out of the range of the Rock Slide. The colossal rocks created huge splashes on the sea's surface but didn't harm Lapras.

In the water, Lapras was far more agile than on land, and the battlefield was no longer a hindrance to its movements.

Emerging from the water once more, Lapras opened its mouth and fired a Hydro Pump at Archeops.

Due to the combination of rainfall and the Hydro Pump's force, the attack appeared as if it aimed to shatter Archeops into pieces.

Witnessing this, Archeops swiftly flashed a metallic gleam on its wings and then folded them in front of its body to shield against Lapras's Hydro Pump.

Archeops had entered the rank of the Elite level long ago and had accumulated extensive battle experience over the years. Knowing it couldn't dodge Lapras's attack, it used Steel Wing as defensive move.

However, despite withstanding Lapras's Hydro Pump with its wings, Archeops's wings still felt sore from the impact. The rain-soaked feathers made its body feel unusually heavy.

Archeops, which often found itself at a disadvantage, felt quite annoyed. It flapped its wings vigorously and flew above Lapras, lifting its long tail and attempting to strike Lapras's head.

The tails of Pokémon like Archeops were exceptionally long and strong. Using moves like Iron Tail was second nature to them.

Yuga had doubts about what might happen if Archeops's metallic tail struck Lapras's seemingly fragile head.

Seeing Archeops's tail swinging toward it, Lapras didn't back down. A thick, watery tail composed of seawater suddenly appeared behind it. It met Archeops's Iron Tail head-on.

Aqua Tail versus Iron Tail.

The tail formed from seawater was crushed by the Iron Tail. However, Lapras quickly retreated under the cover of the splashing water, moving out of Archeops's attack range.

Just as Archeops was about to pursue its advantage, countless "boulders" formed from ice and snow suddenly appeared in its airspace. They crashed thunderously onto its back.

Caught off guard by Lapras's unexpected avalanche of snow, Archeops was slammed directly into the sea.

Struggling in the water, Archeops flapped its wings, attempting to take flight once more. However, before it could lift its head, a deluge of ice and snow rained down on it again, forcing it back into the water.

As a Rock-type Pokémon, Archeops had no fondness for water whatsoever. It had grown this large without ever experiencing water up close, and the situation was making it increasingly anxious. Unexpectedly, it even swallowed several mouthfuls of seawater.

Naturally, Lapras didn't let this opportunity to taunt the "fallen bird" slip away. It fired several consecutive Ice Beam attacks at the struggling Archeops, freezing it solid while it remained submerged.

Both Lapras's Ice-type and Water-type moves had the upper hand against Archeops, and after this series of attacks, Archeops bore numerous wounds.

With its body frozen in the ice, Archeops still had a pair of terrified eyes wide open, but its panicked expression was frozen in place.

After waiting for a while without Archeops breaking free, Yuga knew it had given up.

As a peak Elite level Pokémon, Archeops couldn't have lost its combat capabilities so easily. Still, it triggered its Defeatist ability, which meant that it voluntarily forfeited the battle.

With a sigh of resignation, Yuga instructed Lapras to drag the frozen Archeops back to the beach, where Charizard melted the ice.

Yuga: "I've won. From now on, you'll listen to me, right?"

As expected, even after being frozen, Archeops had not lost its combat capabilities. After the ice melted, it remained conscious.

Upon hearing Yuga's words, Archeops covered its head with its wings, nodding timidly. It cast surreptitious glances toward Yuga and Lapras, displaying a submissive demeanor.

Clearly, Archeops was severely affected by its Defeatist ability.

Indeed, as Archeops agreed with a nod, the system issued a completion notice for the mission. Yuga had been concerned that Archeops might turn hostile once it recovered from its Defeatist ability, but after hearing the system notification, he felt relieved.

The system's mission was titled "Subdue," and since the system indicated the mission was complete, it meant that Archeops had genuinely submitted.

Half an hour later, after receiving treatment from Chimecho and Florges, Archeops's injuries were mostly healed. However, when it looked at Yuga, its expression was somewhat embarrassed.

It felt terribly embarrassed about its performance under the influence of its Defeatist ability. Archeops knew very well what it was like under such conditions, as this wasn't the first time it had experienced it. However, it was still mortified to be seen in such a state.

Afterward, Yuga took Archeops to Lake Heart Island No. 3, where the Mandibuzz lived.

During this period, the Mandibuzz on the island had remained relatively peaceful. However, upon seeing Yuga arrive with Archeops, they couldn't help but feel apprehensive.

The Mandibuzz were very familiar with Archeops who was renowned apex predator in the underground world. But the Mandibuzz hadn't expected such big boss to fall into Yuga's hands just like them.