Hearing Haruki's command, everyone quickly recalled their Pokémon. Though for safety, they didn't return them to their Poké Balls.
Cubone also took a step back, just far enough to ensure the freshly dug pit remained within range of its Bulldoze attack.
Soon enough, the Nosepass leader stormed out in rage.
But the moment it appeared, everyone's expression changed drastically!
"Probopass… It's a Probopass!"
"Damn, it evolved that fast?!"
"It can fly, it's using Levitate! The trap is useless!"
Probopass's massive body radiated a heavy sense of pressure. Upon evolving, it had naturally learned Magnet Rise, allowing it to lift off the ground and greatly increase its mobility.
The group was thrown into chaos, many instinctively turning to flee; and this panic affected the Pokémon as well.
"Everyone, don't panic. It's just Probopass alone right now. If we all focus fire, we can beat it! As long as the trap holds, the other Nosepass won't be a threat."
Haruki's calm voice rang out across the field, even momentarily overpowering Probopass's furious roar.
At that moment, Cubone hurled a Bonemerang, taking the lead in attacking Probopass.
Perhaps it had only just evolved, Probopass seemed unfamiliar with its Magnet Rise. Faced with the lightning-quick Bonemerang, it instinctively tried to dodge, but its body couldn't react in time.
Two solid hits!
"PROOOOO!"
Another roar rang out, though clearly weakened this time.
Although Probopass had evolved, it still hadn't broken through to the Elite tier.
Thankfully, the gap between tiers was only one level, which allowed Cubone to fight back; especially with a x4 type advantage over Probopass.
The next moment, three metallic, bird-like "components" launched from Probopass's body, flashing silver as they flew in erratic arcs toward Cubone.
Magnet Bomb: a Steel-type move with guaranteed accuracy. As of now, only the Magnemite line and Probopass were known to learn it.
But for Probopass, with those three autonomous bird-head mini-noses components, Magnet Bomb was practically a signature move.
The damage was brutal… and it never missed.
"Cubone, aim and use Smack Down!"
The best offense is defense, Haruki shouted the command urgently.
But before anything could happen, the Magnet Bombs struck Cubone from multiple angles.
'Damn it… the power gap is too much.'
Haruki cursed inwardly and could only pray that Cubone's defense would be enough.
"Wormadam, use Confusion!"
Behind Haruki, Harumi clutched her chest in tension and issued her command.
Wormadam, eager for action, activated its power. Its eyes lit up blue as it attempted to restrain Probopass.
But Probopass spun around in mid-air, breaking the Confusion instantly.
"…"
Yet in the brief seconds of distraction, Cubone -battered and bruised- managed to knock away the three mini-noses.
"Bonemerang!"
"CUBOOO!"
Cubone let out a cry with all its remaining strength and hurled its Thick Club once more.
Bonk Bonk!
Two more solid hits. Probopass was nearly knocked off balance, and the Ground-type assault neutralized its tier advantage.
At this point, Wormadam's fragile psychic power couldn't even hold Probopass's attention. Its eyes and mind locked onto one target.
Cubone.
The three mini-noses once again flashed silver and launched out like cannonballs: another round of Magnet Bombs.
Seeing this, Haruki's hand tightened around Cubone's Poké Ball, ready to recall it at any second.
This time, Cubone was ready. One downward slash, then an upward swing, and miraculously, it knocked away two of the Magnet Bombs.
The last one collided directly with its tough skull. It took only light damage to block the entire assault.
All the hands-on training over the past weeks was finally turning into real battle power for Cubone.
Just as Probopass prepared to attack again, four vines whipped violently across its body from both sides.
Two Carnivine, spurred on by their Trainers, had stepped forward to support Cubone.
Carnivine weren't weak attackers. Their Vine Whips hit so hard that Probopass staggered and nearly lost balance.
"It worked!"
Trainer A of the Carnivine shouted in excitement… only for a flash of red light to streak by, sticking right onto the Carnivine's forehead.
At the same time, Probopass's entire body sparked with yellow electricity. In the blink of an eye, a basketball-sized Zap Cannon had already taken shape.
"Proooo~"
Zap Cannon locked onto its target and blasted toward the Carnivine with terrifying speed.
Boom!
The explosion went off, and the Carnivine was left scorched black, knocked out and withdrawn from battle.
Clearly, the seemingly frenzied Probopass wasn't dumb. It had never used Electric-type moves on Cubone.
The second Carnivine had already bolted in fear. Once again, only Cubone remained on the field.
Wormadam timidly raised a limb: 'I… I'm still here…'
[…]
RUMBLE RUMBLE RUMBLE RUMBLE~
A heavy, fast-approaching stampede echoed from the tunnel. The Nosepass swarm had arrived in full.
Harumi covered her mouth, trembling all over. The Nosepass weren't guarding the mine anymore.
…They were coming for them.
Azuma and the others stared wide-eyed, momentarily forgetting that they, too, could activate the trap.
"Cubone, Bulldoze. Wormadam, Protect!"
Haruki's shout rang out like a bell through the chaos, snapping everyone back to focus.
Wormadam proved far more reliable than it timid appearance. At the exact moment Haruki gave the command, it fearlessly leapt to Cubone's side and raised a protective barrier.
Bulldoze, executed perfectly!
Crack crack!
The sound of branches snapping rang out. Before the Nosepass could react, the trap collapsed with a thunderous crash, and 90% of them fell straight into the pit.
"Quick, use Muddy Water!"
Haruki bellowed. With no time to track the handful of Nosepass left on the edge of the trap, he focused forward.
Because now, with its kin devastated before its eyes, Probopass went berserk. It no longer relied on its mini-noses components and instead charged straight at Cubone, intending to engage in close combat.
"Cubone, Curse! Wormadam, Protect again!"
Haruki's heart nearly leapt out of his chest. Neither Cubone nor Wormadam were known for their speed.
He could only watch as Probopass barreled toward them.
Boom!
The next second, the three Pokémon collided in a flurry. Though for an instant, a flash of green light flickered at the center.
But Haruki didn't dare breathe yet. Cubone had been blasted into the air.
"CUBONE!"
Haruki didn't even think. He dove toward where Cubone had been flung, ignoring the unresolved fight with Probopass.
As his body hung midair, there was a fleeting moment of surreal clarity.
'Isn't this that heroic leap… just like Ash's signature move?'
Who would've thought that one day, he'd also charge in without hesitation…
He caught it!