Seeing the lightning bolt cleave toward him, Eichi activated his Eye of the Bug Emperor. He quickly calculated its trajectory and leaped backward. The bolt struck the dirt ground like an exploding charge, sending a massive clump of earth flying into the air.
Bang!
Dirt sprayed in all directions. A crater appeared where the lightning had struck. Eichi landed safely, having evaded the attack. Seeing that Eichi was unharmed, the Magneton's body crackled with frequent electrical surges as it prepared to strike again.
Using his Eye of the Bug Emperor, Eichi saw that the Magneton possessed Good aptitude and was at the peak of the Elite rank. He pulled a Poké Ball from his belt and tossed it.
"Beedrill, block it!" Eichi commanded.
The Magneton's electrical currents converged once more, and a bolt of lightning lunged at Eichi. The Poké Ball opened mid-air, and a burst of white light coalesced into Beedrill. A green circular screen manifested before it. The jagged bolt of lightning flashed and slammed into the green screen.
Beedrill successfully blocked the Magneton. Immediately after, Beedrill vanished, reappearing directly in front of the Magneton a second later.
"Beedrill, Twineedle!" Eichi ordered.
Beedrill's eyes glowed with an intense red light as it raised its twin stingers. The sharp white needles emitted a dazzling glow. Beedrill's muscles tensed instantly, and energy from within its body surged into its stingers before it lunged at the Magneton.
With its sharp edge fully revealed, the Magneton could feel the violent wind pressure in the air. Even before the hit landed, there was a sensation of piercing pain; it was as if the very air itself had been punctured. An ordinary Pokémon facing this strike from Beedrill would have long since lost the ability to resist.
The Magneton felt itself being locked on, unable to dodge no matter what it tried. However, this was no ordinary Pokémon. Realizing it couldn't evade, it decided to take the blow head-on. The eyes on its three heads spun frantically, and electrical currents surged violently across its body.
Bang!
Beedrill's Twineedle slammed hard into the Magneton. A loud explosion rang out, sending ripples through the air, and the Magneton was sent flying backward. However, Eichi saw clearly that at the moment of impact, currents of electricity flowed along the stingers and onto Beedrill's body.
The Magneton flew back a distance before coming to a halt in mid-air. Its central head wore an expression of pain; it was injured. Beedrill's attack power was simply too high. Even though the Magneton was at a higher rank, it still felt the agony of the blow.
Conversely, Beedrill remained suspended in the air, but electrical currents suddenly flickered across its entire body. It felt its movements become sluggish, as if it were struggling to control its own frame.
The Magneton continued its assault. Electricity surged, and its entire body was wreathed in light as it used its magnetic components to launch an attack at Beedrill. Besides observing the Magneton, Eichi was also using his Bug Force to scout the surroundings. This Magneton definitely had a trainer.
Magneton usually only appeared on plains or near power generators. This area was surrounded by forest—there were no power plants nearby. Furthermore, this Magneton had targeted him from the start. Its appearance and combat style indicated it had been trained by someone.
Suddenly, within the range of his Bug Force, Eichi detected a figure. As expected, it had a master. But why attack him? Eichi focused his perception. The person became clearer in his mind, and a sense of familiarity washed over him. Although he couldn't see the person's face, he knew who it was.
"So it's you, Teacher Arno," Eichi muttered.
The person hiding in the woods was indeed Teacher Arno. Eichi understood his objective: he wanted to test Eichi's strength.
Beedrill charged at the Magneton again, its wings vibrating frantically. However, it was clear that its speed had dropped. It was suffering from paralysis. An ordinary Pokémon would be unable to move if paralyzed, but Beedrill was different. Its will was exceptionally firm. Even in a paralyzed state, it continued to move and even launch attacks.
Seeing Beedrill rushing over, the Magneton unleashed another attack.
Bzzzt! Crackle!
Electrical currents surged wildly, and dragons of lightning roamed around its body. The air became heavy as the sky began to darken and dark clouds gathered.
Boom!
A massive bolt of lightning struck down from the dark clouds, aiming straight for Beedrill.
"Beedrill, Agility!" Eichi shouted.
Beedrill's speed suddenly spiked. It appeared before the Magneton in an instant, its stingers glowing white as it struck the Magneton with a heavy blow. At the same time, Beedrill's Brick Break hit the Magneton just as the Thunder struck Beedrill.
Both were sent flying back, injured. The marks on the Magneton were more pronounced. However, the battle wasn't over. Beedrill's paralysis worsened, and the Thunder had dealt massive damage. If hit twice more, even Beedrill wouldn't be able to take it.
"Beedrill, Pin Missile!" Eichi commanded.
Countless needles of light formed out of thin air within a ten-meter radius. The Magneton's three heads began to gather energy, preparing for the next attack. An orb of electricity appeared above the middle head, while a blue energy orb formed on the left head and a red one on the right.
It was Tri Attack. Under Eichi's mental control, the condensed needles of light all shot toward the Magneton. Seeing this, the Magneton fired its prepared skill. Three beams of light shot out to meet the surrounding needles. Lightning, ice, and fire collided with the needles of light.
Bang! Bang!
The violent collision of energy created plumes of smoke that obscured their vision. A gust of wind blew, clearing the smoke and revealing the two Pokémon. Just as the Magneton intended to continue its attack—and Beedrill intended the same—a voice interrupted them.
"Enough, stop, Magneton."
The Magneton halted its attack. A man stepped out from the woods behind it. It was Teacher Arno. Seeing the newcomer, Beedrill also stopped its assault.
Eichi smiled. It was just as he thought.
"Teacher Arno, I knew it was you," Eichi said.
Teacher Arno froze, looking a bit puzzled. "How did you know it was me?"
Eichi smiled. "Beedrill discovered someone nearby. Plus, the Magneton didn't use lethal force when it attacked me. I know you're the only one nearby with such a strong Magneton. Of course, that was just my guess."