Hisui.
Also known as the Hisui Region, it is the ancient name of the Sinnoh Region. In ancient times, the Sinnoh Region was centered around Celestial Crown Mountain, and each area surrounding the mountain had a unique natural environment, giving rise to different forms and appearances of Pokémon.
The Braviary, which rushed over and landed in front of Natsuhiko, is in its Hisui form.
Unlike the normal Braviary's red feathers, the Hisui form Braviary has deep gray feathers on its back and belly, and its wings and tail feathers are covered with white feathers.
On its head and down to its neck, it has thicker and denser white fur compared to a normal Braviary, and at the front of its head are three purple feathers—two large and one small—with light blue markings like two sharp eyes.
Its size is more robust compared to a normal Braviary, with more pronounced muscle lines, especially its pair of sharp claws, which give off an overwhelming sense of power just by looking at them.
Most importantly, the Hisui form Braviary has Psychic and Flying types, while a normal Braviary has General Type and Flying Type.
The Hisui form Braviary doesn't like to appear in flocks; it is more skilled at acting independently, capturing prey alone.
They emit terrifying cries like battle roars, combining Spiritual Power to create powerful shockwaves, weakening the prey's resistance and then tearing the prey apart with sharp claws.
Additionally, Spiritual Power can enhance their Sixth Sense, entering a "Trance State" to improve their physical capabilities.
While the Braviary herd was gathering, this Hisui form Braviary charged forward alone, confronting Natsuhiko and his companions.
Clearly, it prefers to act solo.
The unrestrained aura was a clear indication of this Braviary's strength.
Elite Trainer Level!
However, after hovering in front of Natsuhiko, it didn't immediately attack, just continuously scanning Natsuhiko and the Pokémon beside him.
When its gaze fell on Dragapult, tightly clutching the incubator at the back, there was a brief pause in its expression.
Roar—
Two more loud cries.
A flock of Braviary and Mandibuzz landed from the sky, as if the sky itself was sinking.
A normal form Braviary with bright red feathers and a Mandibuzz resembling a vulture.
Braviary and Mandibuzz actually count as a type of Pokémon.
However, all males are Braviary, whereas all females are Mandibuzz.
The feathers on Mandibuzz are mixed with many white bones, which serve as both decorations and badges of honor.
Pokémon Researchers have tried to observe and study Mandibuzz, especially removing and reassembling the bones wrapped around it, revealing a complete skull.
After observation, the researcher came to a conclusion.
Mandibuzz enjoys capturing young Pokémon as food, and its favorite is Cubone.
Considering the skull decorations and the mask-like skull left by Cubone's mother, it's easy to deduce a theory.
The bone fragments mixed within their feathers are likely Cubone skulls, and the white bone resembling the hair tie on their heads might be the bone staff that Cubone wields.
The Braviary and Mandibuzz that landed behind also possess Elite Trainer Level strength.
However, upon appearing, their main focus was on the Hisui form Braviary.
The three Pokémon actually started arguing in front of Natsuhiko.
Natsuhiko: "..."
Initially seeing three Elite Trainer Level Pokémon, he wondered if he had been a bit overconfident.
But now it seems...
The relationships between these three aren't very harmonious.
Primarily it was the normal form Braviary and Mandibuzz against the Hisui form Braviary.
In the face of the two Pokémon, the Hisui form Braviary appeared slightly impatient.
However, Natsuhiko noticed one thing.
All three Pokémon had repeatedly and intentionally glanced at Dragapult at the back.
Yet Dragapult paid no heed to their argument, constantly surveying the surroundings, with curiosity overpowering its interest in Braviary and Mandibuzz.
With Yujira's translation, Natsuhiko gradually understood the content of their argument.
The Hisui form Braviary enjoys challenging powerful opponents, and it had its sights set on Dragapult, but the normal form Braviary and Mandibuzz wanted to stop it.
They said it hadn't been in the territory for years and shouldn't provoke powerful enemies for the group.
"Ahem." Natsuhiko cleared his throat lightly.
Interrupting the argument between the three Pokémon.
Perhaps consider the occasion?
Upon hearing Natsuhiko's cough, they snapped back to reality.
The Hisui form Braviary flapped its wings, pushing the normal form Braviary and Mandibuzz to the back, turning to fiercely stare at Dragapult.
It wants to challenge the strong!
"Roar!!"
"Baluya..."
Facing Braviary's challenge, Dragapult looked utterly bewildered.
Not understanding what was happening, it looked to Natsuhiko for help.
It was merely a babysitter.
Natsuhiko was also a bit troubled, rubbing his temples.
He originally thought that the Braviary and Mandibuzz flock had at most two Gym Leader Level Pokémon, but he didn't expect there to be a third one.
And clearly, the Braviary in its Hisui form seemed to be the strongest.
It was also his bad luck that he happened to encounter this Hisui form Braviary returning; otherwise, with only two Gym Leader Level Pokémon to face, he could have won with some sacrifices.
But three?
No wonder their flock could dominate this area, and even Yanmega and Archeops dared not provoke them.
With three Gym Leader Level Pokémon, it's best not to fight if it can be avoided.
Natsuhiko was confident he could handle one Gym Leader Level Pokémon, could barely attempt two, but facing three was asking for trouble.
He exhaled slowly.
Walked over to Dragapult.
"How about trying it?" Natsuhiko asked.
He was quite curious about the true strength of this Dragapult, but since he had never seen it use any technique or ability, his estimation of its power was vague.
Moreover, Dragapult had lived quietly in solitude over the long years, its aura quite steady, which led to most Pokémon—apart from Dragon-type Pokémon like Tyrantrum—barely sensing its terror.
"Baluya?" Dragapult tilted its head.
'Try what?'
"Use a technique."
'Technique?'
"Like this..." Natsuhiko summoned Tyrantrum to demonstrate to Dragapult what kind of technique a Dragon-type Pokémon should use.
Under Dragapult's watch, Tyrantrum swung its tail, the Dragon Tail infused with dark purple Dragon Energy, causing a nearby tree to break on impact.
"Baluya—"
Dragapult suddenly understood.
It mimicked Tyrantrum by swinging its tail twice. Though it looked imposing, it didn't use Dragon Energy.
"No, you have to infuse it with Dragon Energy," Natsuhiko advised.
"Scree—"
The Braviary opposite began to grow impatient.
But Dragapult ignored it, simply reflecting on Natsuhiko's words.
After a moment, it slowly nodded.
Got it.
Its tail swung back and forth as dense purple Dragon Energy gathered within it, though instead of surging to the tail, it moved to its mouth.
Natsuhiko couldn't help but step back.
This energy strength...
Even with his estimation of Dragapult's power, feeling it up close for the first time was inevitably shocking.
Then.
Dragapult tilted its head up, a scorching fireball emerged from its mouth, shooting toward the sky.
Meteor Shower!
As the Meteor Shower appeared, the surrounding air temperature rose by several degrees. The fireball soaring skyward twisted the surrounding view and even the space due to its high temperature.
Boom!!!
Like the sky was shattering, countless meteors rained down.
Natsuhiko and his Pokémon stood stunned for a second. On the other side, the Braviary and Mandibuzz were frozen in expression and gaze.
Dragapult looked innocent, it really only intended to use a Dragon Tail, it just didn't control it well.
This form...
Elite Trainer Level?
Or even stronger?!
——————
Ninth update! Asking for votes!