Yushu's pupils suddenly contracted.
A quasi-Elite Four level Pokémon!
This level already surpassed gym level and was second only to Elite Four level. Trainers who could reach this level were few and far between.
Were all Team Galactic commanders this strong?
"That strength! You're no ordinary member!"
Riley's aura also sensed that this Purugly's strength was out of the ordinary.
It was on a completely different level from the Team Galactic members earlier.
Mars chuckled.
"Good eye. You figured me out. You can call me Lady Mars!"
Riley's expression grew grave. "Yushu, this person must be a commander. Let's take her together!"
"Riley, don't..."
Yushu tried to stop him, but Riley had already charged forward.
"Lucario! Aura Sphere!"
"Lu-ca!"
Lucario brought its hands together, condensing an Aura Sphere between its palms before thrusting it forward.
The blue energy ball whistled straight toward Purugly's face.
At the sight, Mars showed no sign of nervousness. Instead, a teasing smile appeared on her face.
"You know how strong I am, and you still come at me? You're pretty brave, young man."
"Purugly, Fake Out!"
Purugly moved.
Its massive body surged forward at a speed completely at odds with its size, shooting toward Lucario like a cannonball.
It raised its right paw, which glowed white, and delivered a huge slap straight to Lucario's face!
Smack!!!
Lucario was stunned.
Before it could even react, the slap sent it spinning through the air several times.
The Aura Sphere in its hands dissipated as the attack was interrupted.
One slap shattered a warrior's spirit. Boss, I'm just an ordinary guy.
"Slash!"
Mars's voice rang out again.
Purugly raised its paw, its claws gleaming white, then slashed down hard.
"Lucario, use Bone Club!"
Riley shouted urgently.
Lucario struggled to its feet, formed a Bone Club in its hands, and held it across its body to block.
Clang!
The Bone Club collided with the claws, but Purugly's strength was too great. The slash drove Lucario down onto one knee, and weblike cracks appeared across the Bone Club.
"Shadow Ball!"
Purugly condensed a purplish-black energy ball in its other paw, then blasted it into Lucario's chest at point-blank range.
Boom!!!
The next second, Lucario flew backward like a kite with its string cut, slammed into the wall, and slid to the ground.
"Lucario!"
Riley cried out and hurried over to help Lucario up.
"You're certainly brave, but your strength is a little lacking. That Lucario of yours is already pretty good among ordinary trainers."
Mars stood at the exit, her arms still folded across her chest.
"But you'll need more training before you can challenge me."
Her tone was casual. She paid Yushu and Riley no regard at all.
Yushu looked at Lucario lying on the ground, his heart pounding in alarm.
Three moves.
In just three moves, she had defeated a late Elite stage Lucario.
Was this the gap of an entire major level? Truly terrifying!
Even if he put all his Pokémon together, they probably wouldn't be a match for this Purugly.
Besides, Purugly certainly wasn't Mars's only Pokémon.
It seemed he could only have Uxie step in now.
But the problem was that Uxie could only act in secret. Riley and Mars couldn't be allowed to see it.
After all, one of Team Galactic's goals was to capture the Lake Guardians. If word got out, he might invite even bigger trouble.
Yushu took a deep breath, turned to Riley, and said firmly,
"I'll hold her off in a moment. You go first, find help, then come back to rescue me."
He needed to send Riley away first, then focus everything on Mars alone.
Still invisible, Uxie nodded in satisfaction when it heard this.
Good, good. This kid knows what he's doing.
It had social anxiety. Things would be easier once everyone was gone.
Riley's eyes widened as he stared at Yushu in disbelief. "Are you crazy? Do you know what will happen if you do that?"
What'll happen is Uxie going on an absolute killing spree... Yushu thought silently.
But he kept a serious expression on his face.
"I know, but I have a way to stall for a while. If you stay here, we're both done for. Find a chance to run and get help. Then I'll still have a slim chance."
Riley wrestled with the decision for a few seconds, complicated emotions flashing through his eyes. Finally, he nodded.
"Thank you for doing this!"
Yushu... he's someone worth knowing.
When something happens, he really does step up!
If there's a next time, I'll team up with him again!
"Go, Vespiquen!"
Yushu sent out Vespiquen.
"Bzz~"
Vespiquen hovered in midair. Sensing the powerful presence emanating from Purugly ahead, her expression grew grave. Clearly, she also knew that the opponent before her wouldn't be easy to handle.
This big fat cat is so strong.
"What, still trying to put up a pointless struggle?"
Mars tilted her head, a hint of amusement in her eyes.
With the strength of their three commanders, aside from the Elite Four and the Champion, they weren't afraid even if those Gym Leaders showed up.
Let alone an unknown trainer like Yushu. Even if he maxed out his stat-boosting moves, what could he do?
In the face of absolute strength, all fancy tricks were futile.
"Vespiquen, show her the results of your training!" Yushu shouted.
"Bzz!!!"
Vespiquen let out a shrill buzz and pointed her arm.
Dozens of densely packed Combee immediately flew buzzing out of the yellow-and-black hive skirt beneath her!
Like a yellow cloud blotting out the sky, the Combee swarmed toward Purugly together!
Mars raised an eyebrow. "Planning to overwhelm me with numbers? That's one way. A Vespiquen that comes with her own Combee? There certainly are plenty of them. Too bad they're weak."
From what she could tell, those Combee were intermediate level at most.
With strength like that, no matter how many came, they would only be serving themselves up.
The corners of Yushu's mouth lifted. "We'll know once we try. Vespiquen, Attack Order!"
"Bzz!"
Vespiquen pointed her arm.
The Combee immediately changed formation, arranging themselves into neat ranks in the air before beating their wings in unison.
Air Slash!!
Dozens of Air Slashes launched at once, raining toward Purugly like a torrential downpour!
"Purugly, Shadow Ball!"
Mars gave the order without a trace of panic.
"Meowrr!"
Purugly opened its mouth. A purplish-black energy ball condensed inside before it spat it out.
The Shadow Ball expanded in midair and collided with the Air Slashes.
Boom!!!
The energy exploded in a dazzling burst of light.
The shock wave spread outward, shaking loose bits of stone from the walls.
Smoke filled the air, obscuring their vision.
Seizing the opportunity, Riley called out a Skarmory, swung onto its back, and flew toward the exit.
"Trying to run? Did I give you permission?"
Mars caught sight of Riley out of the corner of her eye and snorted.
"Purugly, Shadow Ball!"
Purugly formed another Shadow Ball, aiming at Riley in the air.
Yushu hurriedly shouted, "Again! Air Slash!"
Vespiquen swept her arm, and dozens of Combee unleashed Air Slashes again, forming a dense net of fire that intercepted Purugly's Shadow Ball in midair.
Boom, boom, boom!!!
The Shadow Ball detonated, sending energy flying in all directions.