Dante looked up and found a blurry figure flying above their heads. The figure above seemed to perceive his gaze, as he felt the malice intensify. Suddenly, his pupils constricted and he shouted.
"Pikachu, Reflect!"
*BANG!*
As soon as Dante issued the command, a flash of light lit up overhead along with a muffled sound of gunfire. Pikachu hurriedly raised a thick barrier, just in time to stop the bullet.
Looking at where the bullet was headed, it seemed the target was Professor Berto instead of him.
"There's another one. Azumarill, Water Pulse."
With his superhuman vision, Dante saw countless ball-like objects dropping from the sky. Although he didn't know what it was, he could hazard a guess.
Azumarill released a large Water Pulse from his mouth, catching all the falling objects and returning them to where they came from.
*BOOMM*
"Sure enough."
Dante muttered as he saw those ball-like objects explode. Shrapnel from the bomb scattered against the barrier Pikachu set up, and thick smoke covered the location where he last saw the perpetrator.
"What's going on!?"
From within the cave, Professor Kristine's voice came as she and the other students rushed out. Most of them still looked a little disheveled from being suddenly awoken.
"There's an ambush. Everyone, gather up! The criminal has guns and explosives."
Professor Berto's calm voice suppressed the panic of some students. His eyes were focused on the cloud of smoke, waiting to see what happened to the culprits.
When Berto heard the gunshot, he instinctively rolled out of the way and positioned himself behind his Scizor. Therefore, he clearly saw Dante command both his Pokemon to defend and counter-attack so calmly and efficiently.
Seeing that scene reminded him of veteran Trainers who have spent most of their lifetime inside the Pokeportal in constant battle.
"Dan, are you alright?"
Dante had been looking at the sky with his Copycat vision, monitoring the figures behind the smoke in case they suddenly made another move. Hearing Shinobu's voice from behind, he smiled.
"Yeah, just a little surprised is all. Don't worry though, I already have everything under control."
Shinobu breathed a sigh of relief after hearing this. When the smoke began to clear, she and the others also looked above to see who had the guts to ambush their group.
"Don't look up!"
Dante saw the other side suddenly throwing something in the air just as the smoke cleared. Seeing the label on that item, his pupils constricted and he hurriedly turned around and hugged Shinobu and Focalors who were closest to him.
Berto heard Dante's shout and subconsciously followed suit. Not a moment too soon, a blinding flash of light followed by a loud bang caused Professor Kristine and most of the students and their Pokemon to be blinded and disoriented.
–
"Huh, it seems one of them is more capable than I thought."
Standing atop Salamence, Hunter J idly commented as she placed the sniper rifle right beside her hips. If she had been able to take out Berto, the rest of the operation would have been much easier.
Still, seeing them falling from her custom-made flashbang, a cruel smirk appeared on her face.
"Well then, let's teach these students a lesson as to how dangerous the wilderness can really be."
She tapped her visor, confirming that Ariados had completed the task she assigned. Then, she pressed a button underneath her jacket.
*BOOM!* *BOOM!*
Countless explosions resounded throughout the side of the mountain. Pokemon living there were awakened from their sleep. Some, who were sleeping too close to the explosion, even encountered a worse fate.
Due to the explosion, the rocks, soil, and snow were loosened. Hunter J watched in satisfaction as an avalanche began to form on top of the mountain and headed towards the students and teachers below.
She knew that with the strength of the professors who were with the team below, they would be able to escape from this disaster. But that's precisely what Hunter J wants.
She's a Pokemon Hunter, not a killer for hire. If the target she wanted to capture got buried because of this, she would feel heartbroken. She is loath to cause damage to her targets because it would lower their value. Therefore, her current plan is to exhaust their energy so they wouldn't have the strength to struggle later.
Seeing Berto and the French Champion's daughter release Tyranitar, Dragonite, and Dragonair to stop the ensuing disaster, Hunter J smiled. This is even better than expected.
Her gaze shifted, turning towards the Pikachu and Azumarill, who was also her target. Now, all she had to do was wait for the right opportunity. But while doing that…
"Salamence, Dragon Dance."
—
"Are you two alright?"
"Yes. Thanks, Dan."
Dante stepped back and released Shinobu and Focalors. He looked again at the sky, a frown on his face. This should have been a great opportunity for their assailant to attack; when most of the students and professors are blinded. How come they didn't take action?
His questions were soon answered when he heard the sound of an explosion above the mountains. It was subsequently followed by the ground shaking beneath their feet.
"W-what's happening?"
Kachina whimpered as she tried to look around. However, due to the flashbang, all she could see was darkness.
"It's the assailants using bombs again. Don't worry and try to focus on recovery, we'll take care of it."
Shinobu comforted Kachina and Candice, looking at the mountainside where an avalanche was beginning to form. She inspected the panicking students and Pokemon around her, trying to think of ways they could escape from this disaster.
"Tyranitar, use Rock Tomb and form a barricade."
"Tyra!!"
Seeing the professor release a Tyranitar, Dante, Shinobu, and Focalors felt briefly surprised. However, when they saw what the Professor was trying to do, the trio stepped forward to help.
Focalors released the Dragonite her Father lent her, along with her Dragonair. She commanded the two to use their control over the wind to slow down the descent of the snow.
On the other hand, Shinobu looked at the Pokeball in her hand, before turning back and deciding her help would be more needed by the other students.
"Pikachu, use Thunder-"
"Dante, save your energy for later. We can handle this. Right now is the best opportunity for the culprit behind this to attack us, and I need you to keep an eye out for them."
Professor Berto stopped Dante from assisting. After watching the earlier scene, he knew Dante would be more suitable for preventing an attack from their assailant than helping here.
Dante looked at the avalanche which was already beginning to slow with Professor Berto and Focalor's efforts, and then at the vague figure flying above. After thinking for a second, he nodded and began to closely watch the surroundings.
Seeing Dante follow his command, Berto quietly breathed a sigh of relief. He had been worried this student of his would be too stubborn and insist on helping.
"Have you recovered, Kristine? Come and assist us!"
Professor Kristine wiped her eyes to shake away the remaining blind spots from her vision. Hearing her colleague's words, she nodded and gathered the students to help stop the avalanche.
With everyone's help, the deluge of snow and soil finally began to show a noticeable decrease in speed. Dante breathed a sigh of relief when seeing this and then focused on the figure above the air.
During this period, their assailants tried to constantly interfere with their group's progress. Bullets and bombs rained from time to time above the sky. However, with Pikachu and Azumarill, they effortlessly thwarted all their attempts.
It was only their high altitude and speed that prevented Dante from landing a decisive blow against the culprit. Pikachu had already tried releasing Thunderbolt multiple times, but the Pokemon they were riding dodged it with ease.
"Teddiursa." (Big Brother Pikachu and Big Brother Azumarill are so powerful.)
Teddiursa stood beside Dante with a yearning look in his eyes. Although he had grown up much faster than a normal Pokemon, he was still no match for his older brothers.
"Don't just look. It's your time to perform, Teddy. It seems the opponent can't sit still anymore."
Dante smiled as he saw a green and purple energy source crawling from beneath the snow with his Copycat vision.
"Teddi!?" (Really Dad? Where!?)
Teddiursa's ears perked up. He looked at where Dante was pointing, but was unable to see anything aside from snow.
"There. Use Bulldoze."
Although Teddiursa couldn't see anything, he still trusted Dante's judgment. While letting out a war cry, he moved forward with a speed uncharacteristic for a Pokemon like him.
Ariados, who had been commanded to plant bombs and take a student as hostage, was a little surprised he was found. Seeing the approaching brown bear, he stepped out of the snow and rushed towards the male human behind.
"Teddiursa!" (Your opponent is me)
Teddiursa blocked Ariados with his tiny body. His feet stomped on the ground, releasing ground–type energy towards Ariados.
Ariados, who sensed the vibration beneath him, jumped and then launched a string from his rear to bind Teddiursa.
"Slash then Fire Punch!"
"Ursa!"
Teddiursa's claws shone and extended for half a meter, effortlessly cutting through Ariados' strings that were supposedly as hard as steel. The spider Pokemon hissed in irritation, pulling the remaining strings into his abdomen.
After seeing Teddiursa's fists coated with fire, he shot the string towards a rock, pulling himself to dodge the attack.
"Teddiursa!" (Not this time!)
Teddiursa activated his Quick Feet Ability. Even though he can't keep it on for a prolonged period yet, doing it in short bursts was no problem.
Ariados' eyes widened when he saw the bear keeping up with his speed. He only had time to block with four of his legs before Teddiursa's fist crashed into him.
"Aria!"
Ariados cried out in pain. His legs burned as it gave way to Teddiursa's fist. He crumpled his body upon impact, trying to reduce the damage as he landed on the snow.
"Don't let this opportunity pass. Teddy, use Aerial Ace!"
Teddiursa followed Dante's command, arriving swiftly in front of Ariados, his claws coated with Flying-type energy.
"Ariados!"
Seeing Teddiursa less than a meter from him, Ariados knew he had no chance to dodge. Just as the attack was about to land on his head, a green barrier emerged to stop it.
"A futile effort. Wait for the barrier to run out Teddy and use-"
*BOOM!*
Dante hadn't finished his command when the place where Ariados was exploded with a huge bang. Teddiursa, who was in front of him, was blown away as he took the blast unprepared.
The explosion this time was much larger than before. Even though Dante made sure to keep the fight away from the location where the students and professors gathered, the loud sound still caused panic among some of them.
"Teddy!!"
Dante ignored the blazing heat wave from the explosion. He hurriedly jumped and caught Teddiursa who was flying in midair. Seeing his closed eyes and limp body, Dante's expression became grim. Especially when he saw the state of Ariados on the opposite side, a hint of murderous intent flashed across Dante's pupils.
Ariados, who had been carrying the bombs when it exploded, was in a much worse condition. Even though Pokemon had protective mechanisms that prevented them from fatal harm, that was only until a certain point.
After being injured by Teddiursa's Fire Punch and being forced to use Protect, the subsequent explosion of the bombs exceeded Ariados' threshold.
At this moment, the arachnid Pokemon had three legs blown off. His whole abdomen was charred, and one of his mandibles was missing. At this point, it isn't even certain whether he is still alive.
Above the sky, Hunter J placed the detonation button back in her jacket. Seeing that Ariados was about to be defeated, she decided to detonate the explosives when the opponent was still in close distance.
"Although the explosion isn't at the optimal location, that should be enough as a distraction."
Looking at the avalanche which began to pick up speed again after the commotion she caused, Hunter J smirked.
A/N: Unlike with Koffing, the bombs made by Hunter J aren't made of elemental energy. Therefore, Dante's Copycat wasn't able to detect them.