Dark Codes and an Aerial Battle

"Cheng! Watch closely. This is the path you should truly be taking."

The middle-aged man stood on one side of the rectangular battlefield and shouted at the short-haired woman beside him, "Call out your Ledyba too."

After saying that, he solemnly introduced himself. "I'm Masamune from Bluewood Town. Please take care of me."

Dian returned the bow. "Dian from Tani City. Please take care of me."

As soon as he finished speaking, he took out a Poké Ball. "Go, Beedrill."

Masamune glanced over and saw that his daughter had already released those six Ledyba. His expression turned serious as well, and he took out a Poké Ball, releasing a terrifying cobra-like Pokémon with black eye markings: Arbok.

"Shhaa!"

Arbok let out an intimidating hiss the moment it appeared. It was its Intimidate, an ability that could make an opponent's Pokémon flinch and prevent it from displaying its full strength.

Unfortunately, Beedrill merely watched it coldly, showing no sign of being affected. By comparison, Cheng's six red Ledyba were extremely uneasy.

"Ledy..."

They cried out nervously, their black pupils filled with anxiety. It was obvious at a glance that they had no formal battling experience. In fact, they probably had very little experience even with fighting itself.

"Can we begin?"

Dian looked at the nearly four-meter-long Arbok, surprise flashing through his eyes. This Arbok had been raised exceptionally well. No wonder Masamune hoped his daughter would inherit it.

Masamune had probably poured a great deal of effort into this Arbok alone.

"Dian, my fighting style is rather special."

Masamune gave a mysterious smile and suddenly pulled out the whistle hanging around his neck. "Let's begin. Whee—"

"Shhaa!"

Hearing the whistle, Arbok immediately went on guard. Then its upper body began swaying from side to side, as though dancing along with the