The hunting group was likely discovered in the middle of the night. The reason for the fighting's initiation remained unclear. Aoki didn't hesitate - having accepted the mission, he was determined to complete it, especially since successful completion would yield substantial reward points from the League. The previous collaboration with Steven to capture the League traitor had earned significant points, though Aoki hadn't utilized them yet. While those points were considerable, they still fell slightly short of what Aoki needed for his desired exchange. The current mission's rewards should provide the remaining amount needed.
Aoki released two Pokeballs, summoning Slowking and Drapion to join his existing team of Florges, Marshtomp, Poliwhirl, and the Gengar that emerged from the shadows. These six Pokemon might serve as Aoki's primary team for the Sinnoh competition if all proceeded according to plan.
Using Telepathy immediately, Slowking extended its psychic powers to envelop Drapion, Marshtomp, Poliwhirl and itself. The air rippled with visible distortion as the four Pokemon vanished from their positions, reappearing at the heart of the distant battle. Their sudden materialization startled all present, including the two League investigators. However, Slowking's team was fully prepared for action.
Meanwhile, Gengar, which hadn't teleported with Slowking, submerged into the shadows to approach stealthily. Notably, Gengar had learned an invaluable technique from the Hypno - a psychic-type Pokemon sent by Furukai previously. The move in question was Role Play.
Aoki had long wanted Gengar to master Role Play, even capturing specific Pokemon that knew the move for study purposes, with limited success. However, after closely observing the Nightmare Tapir's demonstration, Gengar experienced a breakthrough in understanding. Through dedicated practice before leaving Verdanturf Town, Gengar finally mastered this crucial technique.
Gengar's acquisition of Role Play influenced Aoki's decision to include Marshtomp and Poliwhirl in his Sinnoh competition team. With Gengar's new capability, combined with Slowking's fully-activated psychic abilities and Poliwhirl's increasing mastery of rain-based tactics, these three formed the core of Aoki's six-Pokemon team.
Previously, Slowking alone served as the team's sole core - its defeat would significantly weaken the entire group. The addition of Poliwhirl as a rain-based core provided an alternative strategic focus. Finally, incorporating Gengar with its Role Play and skill-swapping capabilities maximized the team's flexibility and fault tolerance.
The rain team core centered around Poliwhirl supported water-type Marshtomp and water/psychic-type Slowking, which could use Camouflage to adapt. Gengar served as the final tactical piece alongside the powerful frontline Pokemon Drapion. This configuration nearly completed Aoki's Sinnoh competition team battle roster.
During rainfall, Poliwhirl could utilize Gengar's Role Play to switch abilities with nearby allies. Gengar's already impressive speed would increase further, while Florges and Slowking would also gain speed advantages. Combined with water-type move enhancements, this team could handle most matchups except perhaps specialized grass-type teams - even electric-types wouldn't pose an insurmountable challenge.
As Slowking's group teleported into battle, Drapion charged into the disorganized opposition with its massive pincers swinging. Its powerful tail and versatile move set allowing for three different biting techniques made it particularly dangerous. Drapion's understanding of various Pokemon enabled it to maximize its Sniper ability, delivering devastating critical hits.
Following the teleportation, Slowking unleashed a psychic explosion that repelled surrounding opponents before levitating mid-air, its eyes glowing with psychic energy. Poliwhirl and Marshtomp, less explosive but more consistent, fought cooperatively. Poliwhirl moved fluidly between opponents while coordinating with Marshtomp to eliminate weaker targets.
Gengar approached rapidly, immediately using Role Play to adopt Poliwhirl's Swift Swim ability. Already fast with 110 base speed, Gengar became nearly invisible as black smoke during rainfall. After securing Swift Swim, Gengar used Skill Swap to transfer the ability to the battling Marshtomp, dramatically increasing its speed and combat effectiveness. Gengar then reacquired Swift Swim through another Role Play.
Meanwhile, Slowking hovered mid-air, unleashing full psychic power through Psyshock attacks that caused visible air distortions, knocking out multiple opponents. Slowking had begun refining its psychic techniques for faster execution and greater effectiveness.
Florges remained near Aoki, waving its hands to provide various stat boosts while simultaneously establishing Grassy Terrain in coordination with Drapion. This healing field reduced damage taken by Drapion as it abandoned defense entirely, transforming into an offensive powerhouse. Despite few attacks penetrating Drapion's armor, Florges' support made it increasingly formidable.
Gengar's extreme speed made it particularly terrifying in battle. Beyond maneuvering effortlessly, it maintained strong offensive pressure by forming Shadow Balls rapidly. Previously limited to ranged Shadow Ball attacks with noticeable charge time, Gengar could now deliver point-blank Shadow Balls before opponents could react.
With Slowking's team engaged, the battle became completely one-sided. Even the hunting group leader's Pokemon, which had overpowered the League investigators, stood little chance against Slowking's coordinated team.
Aoki's battle team was developing impressively. If Marshtomp and Poliwhirl reached elite status, the team could potentially challenge pseudo-champion Pokemon. Against opponents of similar level without cohesive strategies, Aoki's three-core system created synergistic effects where the whole exceeded the sum of its parts - sometimes dramatically so.