"Roar!!!"
The Aerodactyl with bloodshot eyes flapped its wings, spewing flames from its mouth to incinerate the falling hail.
Its gaze fell upon the seemingly frail figure standing aloft above Goldenrod City.
At his feet stood a brown Pokémon.
Yet the Aerodactyl dared not underestimate this Pokémon.
For it could clearly sense the threat emanating from it.
The hailstorm covering a vast area also originated from this Pokémon.
But now, the Aerodactyl's mind grew increasingly chaotic, flooded with negative emotions, and the power contained within its body felt like it was about to explode, compelling it to vent swiftly.
The Aerodactyl noticed Uncle Liu, standing firm on a psychic power-generated film.
Others might not know what this Pokémon was, but as a member of the Elite Four, he knew some information and data about Ancient Pokémon.
Aerodactyl was among the first few Ancient Pokémon discovered by the alliance.
However, due to incomplete data, it has yet to be listed in the Pokedex.
'This Aerodactyl is strong and seems to have been deliberately provoked, making it even more furious.'
Uncle Liu, contemplating this, smiled as he patted the brown fur of the Piloswine beside him. "Let's take it a bit seriously."
Originally stationed below to fend off the Wild Pokémon, Jynx slowly floated upward to his side.
First, a greeting.
"Jynx, Blizzard."
"Piloswine, Ice Pillar Fall."
Just then, Jynx revealed an enchanting smile, her mouth slightly agape, as a frigid air laden with ice shards and snowflakes spewed forth.
Despite appearing effortless, the storm rolled toward Aerodactyl, transforming into a fierce blizzard that swept across the sky.
Ice crystals quickly formed on Aerodactyl's body, and the frequency of its wing flapping visibly slowed.
Feeling the sudden drop in body temperature, Aerodactyl instinctively opened its mouth to expel crimson flames.
This was a confrontation between fire and extreme cold.
But evidently, Aerodactyl's Jet Flame was no match for Jynx's Blizzard; the flames were compressed to the extreme, while its wing tips continued to crystallize with ice.
Meanwhile, as Aerodactyl faced off against Jynx.
A massive hexagonal ice pillar materialized out of thin air, suspended high above Aerodactyl's head.
As Piloswine exhaled two gas columns from its nostrils, the Ice Pillar Fall descended vertically, crashing onto Aerodactyl's body, causing it to uncontrollably plummet straight down.
Boom!!!
The ground cracked, the ice pillar planted firmly in the earth, and Aerodactyl had vanished from sight.
...
...
Watching Uncle Liu's two Pokémon casually suppress this Aerodactyl, which had previously caused him quite the ordeal.
Natsuhiko deeply felt the terrifying power of an Elite Four-level Trainer.
Compared to now, the previous elite battle show was really just a performance.
Purely for the spectators.
Uncle Liu's battle with Aerodactyl, Agatha didn't even glance at it. She might not be extremely familiar with Uncle Liu's power, but was certain such an Aerodactyl was no match for him.
She merely took Natsuhiko away from the villa area and into an alley.
Not far from the villa where Natsuhiko lived.
Then, she directly opened the sewer cover and jumped down.
Natsuhiko's mouth twitched, yet he silently followed.
"You recognize that Aerodactyl, right?"
After entering the sewer, Agatha asked.
"Yes."
"Its cave, lead me there."
Agatha stood in place.
Subsequently, Gengar emerged from her shadow, stepping to a fully sealed sewer wall.
Its eyes gleamed black as its palm rested on the wall.
Rumble—
The wall seemed to melt, mixed with some rock debris and rolled away.
Before them appeared a dark, secluded passage, dotted with jagged rocks, and traces of activity from Wild Pokémon littered the ground.
This is....
Natsuhiko's eyes narrowed.
It's no wonder Ann Ci said when he revisited the previous passage, he found it vanished; it had been deliberately sealed.
Surely there are many such passages beneath Goldenrod City.
Otherwise, those Wild Pokémon couldn't possibly enter Goldenrod City.
The reason Uncle Liu and Agatha didn't intervene might have been to use Wild Pokémon's activity marks and locations to ascertain these underground tunnels' positions.
As long as the safety of Goldenrod City's residents could be ensured, the Wild Pokémon emerging from these tunnels couldn't cause much chaos.
At most, it only made the alliance appear frantic, necessitating the rally of mass Trainers to expel these Wild Pokémon, easing the enemy's vigilance.
Natsuhiko mourned for those trying to create chaos in Goldenrod City for three minutes.
Choosing to act when both Elite Trainers were around.
Wasn't that like lighting a match in a toilet?
Agatha was the first to step inside.
Treading upon the rubble-strewn and gravelled ground, gazing into the boundlessly dark unknown, her face grew grim.
"These rats hide in such places, no wonder their tails have been elusive."
Vast Goldenrod City's underground housed such tunnels unbeknownst even to Goldenrod City's Trainer Guild, being exploited instead, not entirely blameless.
Natsuhiko pursed his lips, hesitating.
This situation evidently wasn't one for him, a mere "Newcomer Trainer," to partake in.
Agatha could be casual.
However, for him, every misstep meant certain death.
Yet now Agatha stood before him, and given her nature, refusing might have her remembering him, potentially branding him as "indifferent to the larger picture."
Agatha instantly recognized Natsuhiko's concerns, refraining from coercion, calmly adding, "Relax, with me here, I'll ensure your safety."
Though spoken thus... it sounded more like tempting fate.
And entrusting one's life to another felt disconcerting to Natsuhiko.
But how to refuse?
"Forget it," Agatha commented, seemingly deciding something.
She produced a Pokeball and opened it.
A Haunter appeared.
"Haunter, you're responsible for his safety."
As she spoke, Agatha tossed the Pokeball directly to Natsuhiko.
"Gengar." Haunter nodded, swiftly diving into Natsuhiko's shadow.
He caught the Pokeball dumbfounded, feeling dazed.
Such a manoeuvre was unexpected.
This Haunter's strength surely wasn't on par with Gengar, but definitely not weak; Natsuhiko's Pokémon combined likely couldn't manage against it.
Perhaps it's part of Agatha's secondary team of Pokémon, not imminently impacting her overall strength.
Yet, for Natsuhiko, it's an excellent bodyguard!
Not only that, Agatha temporarily transferred the Pokeball to him; he could decide when to retract Haunter, granting him greater autonomy.
Agatha meant to thoroughly reassure him.
True to an Elite Four member's style, handling matters generously.
"Can we go?" Agatha's hoarse voice resonated, slightly impatient, within the tunnel.
After taking measures, if Natsuhiko still hesitated, harboring concerns, her title as an Elite Four wasn't an unearned one.
"Ready."
Natsuhiko clenched the Pokeball, placing it in his pocket.
With such a talisman ensuring his safety, he felt much more at ease.