After Butler gave the order, Camerupt moved a little slower, but only for half a second.
A violent Earthquake centered on Camerupt and rushed toward Metang, Slowking, and Skorupi.
The Toxic Spikes left by Skorupi on the ground were shaken to pieces by the Earthquake. After the shockwaves passed, only a few fragments remained.
Metang is a dual Steel/Psychic-type Pokémon, making it highly resistant to many attacks.
But Butler clearly understood Metang's attributes—it is weak to Ground-type moves and also takes increased damage from Ghost-, Fire-, and Dark-type attacks.
Metang, however, resists Normal-, Flying-, Rock-, Steel-, Grass-, Ice-, Dragon-, and Fairy-type moves.
Not to mention that Metang is quadruple resistant to Psychic-type moves and completely immune to Poison-type attacks.
But when it comes to understanding Metang's weaknesses, could Butler surpass Steven?
Steven understands Metang's strengths and vulnerabilities better than anyone.
"Magnet Rise!" At Steven's command, he relayed his order to the two Metang through Telepathy.
Magnet Rise allows Pokémon to levitate for a time, avoiding Ground-type attacks.
Metang, usually weighed down by its own mass, had been training extensively in Magnet Rise. As soon as Steven gave the command, both Metang hovered in midair with the help of electromagnetic forces.
"Slowking, use Psychic to levitate!"
"Skorupi, climb to the ceiling of the cave!"
Aoki also responded.
A thin layer of Psychic energy appeared beneath Slowking's feet, lifting it about five centimeters off the ground.
Skorupi jumped with all its strength, clinging tightly to the rocky ceiling, its tail hanging downward.
Against a Camerupt at an Elite level, Skorupi's impact in battle would be minimal.
But Slowking, a Water-type Pokémon, had the potential to turn the tide.
Defeating Butler's Camerupt would be key to winning the battle.
"Steven, help me keep Camerupt restrained and block Butler's other Pokémon. I'm going to let Slowking go all out." Aoki communicated through Telepathy.
Steven's expression grew serious. He understood that in this environment, Metang would be at a disadvantage, and victory relied on Slowking's powerful Water-type moves.
However, for Slowking to attack at full force, it might not be able to focus on defense.
"Leave it to me!" Steven answered firmly.
As long as he was there, no one would interfere with Aoki's attack.
"Alright! Slowking, remember that move you learned from Haunter? Use Skill Swap on Skorupi!"
"Skorupi, stay up there and don't come down! Use Toxic Spikes and Poison Sting to attack! Keep Camerupt in check! If you get the chance to hit Butler himself, don't hold back! But prioritize your own safety!"
After returning from their last expedition, Aoki had trained Slowking to learn Skill Swap from Haunter.
He hadn't yet figured out a way to use the Spoink he had captured earlier, but now, Slowking had mastered the ability to swap Abilities.
A strange Psychic aura surrounded Slowking as it swapped Abilities with Skorupi.
Now, Slowking had the Sniper Ability!
"Slowking, fire at full power! Use continuous Water Gun!"
Seeing that Camerupt's move had been dodged, Butler didn't seem concerned. If his attack had landed that easily, he wouldn't be considered a League genius.
"Camerupt, use Amnesia! Then Lava Plume, target Metang!"
But what he didn't realize was that Aoki and Steven were issuing commands much faster than him.
Slowking unleashed a rapid series of Water Gun attacks, enhanced by its Psychic power.
It was as if it had turned into a living turret, firing Water Gun like artillery shells.
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!
With the assistance of Psychic energy, the Water Guns flew at incredible speed.
Under Butler's command, Camerupt used Amnesia to raise its Special Defense.
Against three powerful opponents, boosting its defenses was a logical move.
But before it could counterattack, an overwhelming barrage of Water Gun shots rained down on it.
Butler's expression hardened. He hadn't even heard Aoki's command, yet Slowking's attacks weren't stopping.
With Camerupt's speed, dodging was impossible.
In this case, it was better to take the attack head-on!
Lava Plume continued charging up!
Camerupt endured the relentless Water Gun attacks from Slowking. Even in this hot environment, the constant damage slightly delayed Camerupt's move.
But it had still reached an Elite level. A fireball of intense heat formed in Camerupt's mouth before it launched the attack toward Slowking!
This Pokémon, the one that had been bombarding it with Water attacks, was its greatest threat.
But as Butler saw Camerupt's target, his face changed. "Camerupt, I told you to attack Metang, not Slowking!"
"Roar!" Camerupt bellowed, disregarding his command.
Attacking the opponent that posed the biggest threat made more sense!
The side effects of Butler's forceful training methods were starting to show.
Meanwhile, Aoki and Steven smirked.
If this was the case, the battle had just become much easier.
"Slowking, keep firing Water Gun! Don't stop!"
"Metang, move in front of Slowking and use Psychic to deflect the weakened fireball!"
Aoki and Steven issued commands simultaneously.
Slowking quickly condensed another Water Pulse and hurled it forward.
The Water Pulse collided with Camerupt's Lava Plume midair.
Boom! Hiss!
The intense heat instantly vaporized the water.
Even so, Lava Plume maintained its power, breaking through the water.
But standing in its way were two Metang!
With their combined Psychic energy and the reduced power of the Lava Plume, they successfully blocked the attack.
Meanwhile, Slowking's continuous Water Gun barrage had not stopped. Though it hadn't landed a critical hit yet, the Sniper Ability occasionally activated.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Each Water Gun strike hit Camerupt with a resounding impact.
"Damn it! Obey my commands! This time, use Flamethrower! Attack the two Metang!" Butler yelled in frustration.
Even though Camerupt was powerful, even in a heated environment where its endurance was boosted, it couldn't withstand Slowking's onslaught forever.
"Roar!!" Camerupt roared angrily. Though it was growing more frustrated with its Trainer, it obeyed this time.
Butler felt a little relief when Camerupt followed his command, but his anger remained.
Once this battle was over and he had captured those two Metang and Slowking, he would teach Camerupt a lesson!
For now, he would let it slide.
But his gaze toward Camerupt had become far less forgiving.