The Mighty Camerupt

"How beautiful."

Courtney leaned against Camerupt, entranced by the crimson waves of sand as Mirage Tower collapsed before her.

A purple glimmer flashed in her eyes. She had already seen Sneasel take the three team members away and retreat into the distance.

"Cheng, your intelligence work isn't quite good enough. It seems you didn't know I had such an adorable little one."

She looked toward an apparently empty patch of sand nearby, her meaning clear.

"So that's what your eyes can do?"

Dian waved for Misdreavus to drop its Illusion. If it was useless, there was no point wasting energy on it.

"Misdreavus, protect Princess Sarah and Professor Tenben."

With that, he stepped forward and threw three Poké Balls, releasing Beedrill, Aggron, and Larvitar together. "So you're determined to do this, Poor... no, Courtney."

Dian slowly closed his eyes. When he opened them again, they were full of cold resolve.

"That isn't very gentlemanly of you, Mr. Pokémon Ranger."

Courtney eyed the three Pokémon and took a step back. She tossed out a Poké Ball of her own, releasing Weezing. "Weezing, Haze!"

"Weez!"

The deep-purple Pokémon answered and began spinning rapidly. Rings of black mist spread outward, concealing Courtney and Camerupt along with Dian's side.

"Haze..."

Dian felt the chill around him, his expression grim. Haze did more than clear away Status Moves. Its icy cold could hurt them too, and the longer it lasted, the worse off he would be.

Camerupt, on the other hand, probably wouldn't mind the cold.

"Beedrill, Toxic Spikes."

Dian gave a cool smile of his own. "Aggron, Metal Sound."

As for Larvitar, a glint crossed his eyes and a smile touched his lips.

He had never intended to fight this chaotic battle head-on.

Beedrill raised its poisonous stinger high. A purple beam shot into