Departure

After being struck down by Empoleon's Aqua Tail, Absol and Garchomp immediately got back on their feet.

Absol maximized its Pressure Ability, causing an invisible aura to rise around it. The perceptive Empoleon naturally felt the pressure emanating from this psychic power.

Garchomp, on the other hand, ascended directly into the sky and unleashed its powerful move, Draco Meteor. Countless meteors with fiery red tails streaked across the azure sky, heading towards Empoleon.

However, Garchomp wasn't a Pokémon particularly skilled in special attacks, so while Draco Meteor appeared impressive, its power was actually slightly lower than that of its initial move, Dragon Claw.

But Draco Meteor had one advantage – its attack range was exceptionally wide, making it challenging to evade once locked onto a target.

Of course, as a battle-hardened old champion level Pokémon, Empoleon remained calm when facing the incoming meteors.

Slowly, it raised long strands of water around itself, and these water strands multiplied and formed a massive vortex, enveloping Empoleon's body. All the meteors hurtling toward Empoleon were devoured by the vortex.

This was merely a basic move, Water Pulse, yet Empoleon used it to defend against the advanced move Draco Meteor, demonstrating its exceptional mastery of moves.

Using the soft to conquer the hard, this concept was evident.

After the Draco Meteor attack ceased, the vortex surrounding Empoleon didn't dissipate; instead, it spun even faster.

Shortly thereafter, numerous water arrows shot out from its edges, hissing as they raced toward Absol and Garchomp. It seemed as though they intended to turn both Pokémon into pincushions.

Empoleon's water arrow attacks were based on the basic move, Water Gun, so their power wasn't particularly strong, but their attack density was excessively high.

Garchomp used its Dig move, burrowing into the ground, while Absol suddenly manifested Stone Edges around it, deflecting the incoming water arrows.

At the same time, a blue light flashed in Absol's eyes, and an invisible energy was emitted from the scythes on its head.

After the intense barrage of water arrow attacks, Garchomp emerged from beneath Empoleon's feet. It raised its two claws and used the Brick Break move, aiming a head-on strike at Empoleon.

However, Empoleon had been on guard against Garchomp since it dove underground, and it wasn't about to let the sneak attack succeed. A blue column of water erupted from beneath its feet, instantly engulfing Garchomp.

This was the Water Pledge move.

Since Empoleon's Torrent ability had been triggered, all the moves it used were replaced with Water-type moves.

As Garchomp was hit by the Water Pledge from Empoleon, Absol's Dark Pulse was unleashed. However, it was blocked by a casual Water Pledge released by Empoleon.

But after the Water Pledge and Dark Pulse canceled each other out, two transparent and enormous light rings suddenly descended from above Empoleon's head and slammed down.

This was Absol's Future Sight.

Empoleon had absolutely no idea that such an attack was lurking, and it caught him off guard, causing him to be knocked down and emit a painful cry.

Absol's Future Sight was its hidden trump card, and its power was formidable.

Absol wasn't originally proficient in special attacks, and in most cases, Future Sight might not be considered a perfect fit. However, Yuga's Absol was different.

Future Sight was an innate talent it possessed, and Yuga had never overlooked the development of this skill. Therefore, Absol's use of this move dealt a severe blow to Empoleon.

Meanwhile, Garchomp, who was right next to Empoleon, saw an opportunity. It rapidly waved its twin claws, dispersing the water columns surrounding itself, and then used Dragon Rush to charge fiercely at Empoleon.

Empoleon, who hadn't even managed to get up from the ground, was lifted by the tremendous impact of Dragon Rush and slammed into the protective barrier formed not far away.

Garchomp went all out with this Dragon Rush, making it its final attack. The transparent barrier flickered incessantly under the intense impact, with ripples of energy spreading across it, as if it might shatter at any moment.

Fortunately, Garchomp's all-out strike did not go in vain. Empoleon's strength was already depleted, and it had just endured consecutive attacks from Future Sight and Dragon Rush. Its head tilted, and it fell unconscious.

However, both Garchomp and Absol were also heavily injured. The moment Empoleon fell, Garchomp couldn't maintain its balance and knelt down directly, while Absol swayed unsteadily, almost unable to hold on.

Victory was achieved!

Yuga and Cynthia exchanged a smile.

"That's great, Cynthia succeeded!" Yuga exclaimed.

Outside the protective barrier, Elder Damu looked excited and walked to the edge of the battlefield, eager to remove the protective barrier.

Elder Sorin wore a satisfied smile, though he didn't say anything; he was clearly pleased with Cynthia and Garchomp's performance.

As the protective barrier was removed, Elder Damu hurried over to thank Cynthia, while the other elders quickly released Pokémon with healing moves to tend to the incapacitated Empoleon.

The day after Cynthia had captured Piplup, Yuga bid farewell to the temple and prepared to leave the Sinnoh region.

Due to the special circumstances within the temple, Cynthia couldn't leave at that moment. Instead, her steward, Jamil, would accompany Yuga outside the temple.

The departure route was the same as the one they had taken when arriving in the Sinnoh region. Jamil would escort Yuga to the Celestic Town, and from there, Yuga would continue on her own.

Yesterday, Yuga had received a call from Mr. Drake, who informed him that their business in the Sinnoh region was done, and they were preparing to leave. He asked if Yuga wanted to join them.

Their ship had been damaged, and repairing it would take time, so this time, they had chartered a plane for their return journey.

It was safe to say that Mr. Drake was wealthy.

However, from their conversation last night, Yuga unexpectedly learned that Mr. Drake had come to the Sinnoh region this time because of the Hegel Mercenary Corps.

The world was indeed small.

Originally, the Hegel Mercenary Corps was an organization within the Sinnoh region, so it wasn't expected for Mr. Drake from Hoenn to get involved. However, another individual was linked to this situation – Hunter J.

If Mr. Drake didn't mention this person, Yuga had almost forgotten about her.

This person had operated under the name Hunter J since fleeing from Hoenn to the Sinnoh region. She had also joined the notorious Hegel Mercenary Corps and reportedly earned the favor of the corps' leader, Bilis.

The apprehension of this individual had always been Mr. Drake's responsibility. So, this time, Mr. Drake and the Sinnoh region's authorities were collaborating to take action against the Hegel Mercenary Corps.

But things didn't go smoothly.

It seemed that there was a major problem within the Hegel Mercenary Corps, as everyone had gone into hiding on short notice. Mr. Drake and his team managed to capture a few small-fry members but didn't achieve significant results.

As for the major problem within the Hegel Mercenary Corps that Mr. Drake mentioned, Yuga could make a simple guess.

Their leader and most of the elite forces had perished in the Snow Peak of Mount Coronet. What remained were just some low-ranking members. In their weakened state, they had no choice but to conceal themselves to survive.

Acting high-profile without the strength to back it up would be tantamount to suicide.

Originally, small-time individuals like Hunter J wouldn't be closely monitored by someone as significant as Mr. Drake.

However, the incident involving the Salemece attacking the train had caused significant casualties. Both the Hoenn League and its people were highly concerned about it.

Furthermore, that Salemece had become one of Mr. Drake's Pokémon, and its child had been stolen by Hunter J. The Salemece hoped that Mr. Drake would help them recover their offspring.

Mr. Drake couldn't refuse a request related to his Pokémon.

However, at this point, Yuga and Mr. Drake were still unaware that due to this incident, the Hegel Mercenary Corps would evolve into the renowned Poacher Organization in the Sinnoh region in the future.

After Bilis's death on the Snow Peak of Mount Coronet, the Hegel Mercenary Corps was left leaderless. Hunter J seized the opportunity to take control of the mercenary group and resumed her father's old bussiness – Poaching Pokémon.

Of course, that's a story for another time. At this moment, Yuga was sitting in Jamil's vehicle, heading to Celestic Town. As he watched the rapidly passing scenery outside the window, Yuga found himself lost in thought.