"So that's it. Gengar becomes the second core of the sandstorm, ensuring the sandstorm is stronger and lasts longer. By using Imposter and Skill Swap, the abilities of the Pokémon can be exchanged or even stacked. This Gengar already has the Prototype of a third core.
Aoki's current lineup, while not pushing the dual-core to its limit, has compensated for its shortcomings through Gengar's various methods.
It's not an exaggeration to call it a pseudo-triple core.
What a brilliant young man…" Joseph Stone, sitting next to Adams, understood Aoki's lineup and arrangements and couldn't help but exclaim.
Originally, he thought Steven could establish a single-core lineup, and with the steel and rock-type Pokémon immune to the sandstorm, he would still have the advantage. However, he didn't expect Aoki's talent to be much more terrifying than he imagined.
Elder Stone showed no signs of anger or dissatisfaction; instead, he seemed somewhat relieved.
It's truly great that Stevem can be good friends with such a person.
As for the Elite Four, their Stone family doesn't particularly care about an Elite Four position. Besides, even if he doesn't get it this time, he'll definitely be able to sit on it next time!
While the people in the stands were sighing, the direct battle between Aoki and Steven had already begun.
The first to act was Blaziken!
Blaziken finished its Swords Dance, pushed off the ground with its legs, leaving two deep indentations in the sand, and quickly dashed out!
One could see that the moment Blaziken charged out, the psychic threads scattered throughout the sandstorm connected to its body, causing its charge speed to instantly increase again, and golden flames rose from its clenched fists!
Seeing Blaziken act, Steven was not to be outdone. Aerodactyl, circling in the air, flapped its wings, dispersing the surrounding sand and dust, creating a clear zone. At the same time, its wings glowed white as it glided and charged towards Blaziken!
The strong winds howled, but the sandstorm had no effect on Aerodactyl. In the blink of an eye, it appeared before Blaziken. However, Blaziken didn't think Aerodactyl was its opponent and completely ignored it, continuing its charge.
Aerodactyl's eyes narrowed. Being ignored truly wasn't a pleasant feeling. A large amount of debris appeared around its flying body.
But just as it was about to strike Blaziken, a thick sand shield instantly formed, blocking Aerodactyl's path.
It was directly shattered by Aerodactyl's Rock Slide. After passing through the sand shield, it found that Blaziken had already disappeared from its original spot. What appeared before it was a massive, metallic-glowing fist—Aggron!
Slowking, at some unknown moment, appeared behind Aggron, instantly teleporting it to Blaziken's position.
As for Blaziken, its speed increased again, and it had already charged towards Daigo's Aggron.
Metagross, suspended in mid-air, emitted a yellow energy halo from its body—Magnet Rise!
This was one of the purposes of Steven using Metagross as a core, though it wasn't the only reason.
Aggron and Steelix were also enveloped by the electromagnetic field. Any Pokémon that touched their bodies had a certain chance of being attacked by electricity, which could counter Water-type Pokémon to some extent, as many of Steven's Pokémon were Rock and Ground types, heavily countered by Water-type Pokémon.
Blaziken ignored the electricity appearing on Aggron's body, clenched its fist, and aimed at Aggron, concentrating all the golden flames on the surface of its fist.
Boom!!!
A huge explosion rang out.
Blaziken's Blaze Kick didn't fully hit Aggron's body because Aggron reacted in time, crossing its arms to block Blaziken's attack.
Even so, Aggron was still knocked back three meters by Blaziken, its sturdy legs leaving two deep scratches on the ground.
A charred black fist print was also left on the attacked arm.
But the attack wasn't just that. Aggron's body now had many small scratches. The sharp-eyed Steven saw that the moment Blaziken's fist struck, the surrounding sand seemed to receive some command, instantly gathering and hitting Aggron's body along with the Blaze Kick.
Those sands were not just sand; they also carried traces of Slowking's psychic power.
In other words, a single attack from Blaziken actually encompassed the offense of three Pokémon.
On the other side, Aerodactyl's attack also reached Aoki's Aggron. After finally breaking through Tyranitar and Slowking's sand shield, its momentum was somewhat insufficient when facing Aggron's counterattack, and it was sent flying by Aggron's heavy punch.
Although Aerodactyl retreated in time and wasn't seriously injured, it was now clear that Aerodactyl's single attack had to face the dual defense of Tyranitar and Slowking.
One attack had to face the defense of three Pokémon!
Whether attacking or defending, one must be prepared to face three Pokémon at any time.
"Is this… the true sandstorm domain that Aoki mentioned?" Steven's expression was grim. Fighting such a lineup for the first time, especially a combined dual-core lineup, he didn't know how to break it for a moment.
This hesitation allowed Aoki to seize the opportunity and completely gain the initiative.
Tyranitar and Slowking both took a large step forward. Florges, standing at the back, waved its hands, the ground trembled, and giant vines shot up into the sky, binding the retreating Aggron.
Steven's expression changed. Armaldo at the very back, along with Steelix in front, acted together. Armaldo's sharp blades were unsheathed, aimed at Grass Knot, while Steelix swung its massive body, using its third segment as a pivot, and whipped its Iron Tail towards Blaziken!
Swoosh—Swoosh—
Armaldo, boosted by Swords Dance, easily cut through the Grass Knot vines, preventing Florges from binding Aggron and giving Aoki a chance to focus fire.
Just as Steelix's Iron Tail was about to hit Blaziken, Blaziken nimbly leaped up from its spot, as if it knew the method and direction of its dodge. Steelix's Iron Tail perfectly curved, swinging towards Blaziken in the air.
Although Steelix's movement speed was slow, it didn't mean its attack speed was slow. By twisting its body to strike, its speed was incredibly fast, even producing the sound of a whip tearing through the air.
Aoki raised an eyebrow.
As expected of a good brother, he understands my Pokémon's battle habits so well.
A sand shield instantly formed, condensing in front of Blaziken, followed by a flash of pink-red light, and Slowking appeared beside Blaziken.
Having seen Slowking carry a Pokémon and use Teleport once, Steven had also predicted this move from Aoki.
Claydol, which had been waiting for an opportunity, erupted with a large amount of psychic power, waiting for Slowking's appearance.
Steven's attack target was never Blaziken. Although Blaziken had a severe type advantage against his three Steel-type Pokémon, it wasn't the main focus. Slowking, which was visible everywhere on the battlefield, was what Steven feared the most, even more than Tyranitar's sandstorm, which only ranked second.
By utilizing Aoki's offensive rhythm, seizing the opportunity, and predicting, he turned it into his own offensive rhythm.
This prediction was quite good!