To begin with, the area inside this barrier was not very large. If Mega Tyranitar fully unleashed Crimson Sand Hell, anyone without sufficient power would be unable to withstand it.
Moreover, Mega Tyranitar was not the only one here capable of using a sandstorm.
"Let us help as well — Sandstorm!" Steven shouted with a laugh. After all, several of his Pokémon could also use the move Sandstorm.
Crimson Sand Hell itself carried the nickname "a clearing field for the weak." In such a narrow space, and with the additional support of so many of Steven's Pokémon, Gengar did not even need to use the move Skill Swap.
In the blink of an eye, the entire barrier was filled with large quantities of flying crimson sand. The temperature of that sand was terrifying, and it continued to rise wildly under Blaziken's flames.
What happens when an enormous amount of hot vapor suddenly appears inside a small box?
A steam oven or a roasting furnace would probably look something like this.
Under the protection of Cain's psychic power, neither he nor Steven suffered any effect, but the situation was different for the other side. Although they also possessed psychic power, their psychic barriers had to constantly resist the attack of the crimson sand.
And most importantly, under the assault of that crimson sand, almost none of their Pokémon could withstand more than a few waves of impact.
Only Marcus' Pokémon were able to endure the effects of the crimson sand.
Cain and Steven also knew that although the crimson sand affected Marcus, it would not directly cause him to lose his ability to fight. Therefore, what they were doing at that moment was simply clearing the field.
Among the people who had come this time, the only one truly worthy of Cain and Steven's attention was Marcus. Although they did not know why he had come alone this time, that also made this a great opportunity to confront him.
What surprised them, however, was that Marcus did not seem concerned at all about the life or death of those people. He only watched his Pokémon with a stern expression.
Suddenly, a smile appeared on Marcus' face.
"Fortunately, before coming, I specifically asked the bishop for this. Otherwise, facing the two of you, I truly would not be able to resist."
As he spoke, he took several black pills from his pocket.
Seeing Marcus' actions and hearing his words, Cain increasingly felt that something was wrong. Why did Marcus seem like a suicidal man, as if he had come here to die?
One by one, he threw the black pills into the mouths of his Dark-type Pokémon. Immediately afterward, the bodies of those Pokémon began to swell. Their gazes became increasingly ferocious, and clearly visible blood vessels began to appear in their eyes.
Immediately afterward, the outlines of their bodies also began to blur, as large quantities of thin strands of dark energy revolved around them.
That happened because the energy within their bodies had suddenly become so abundant that they could no longer contain it.
Seeing the changes in the state of those Pokémon, both Steven and Cain knew that Marcus had undoubtedly given his Pokémon some kind of special pills with extremely strong side effects, capable of greatly increasing a Pokémon's power in a short period of time, but which, once the effect ended, would cause those Pokémon to suffer enormously both physically and mentally.
Such special pills also existed in considerable numbers within Team Rocket, and Cain had seen them several times. However, due to their enormous side effects, even Team Rocket members themselves were unwilling to use something like that unless it was a battle to the death.
But Marcus had used them without the slightest hesitation!
And he was not finished yet. Originally, Marcus' signature Pokémon had been a Houndoom capable of Mega Evolution, but it died under the irrational attacks of Dialga and Palkia.
Now, his main Pokémon had become a Sharpedo, and it was unknown whether he had trained it again himself or obtained it from elsewhere.
Sharpedo was already a Pokémon with a violent temperament, and with the amplification from that black pill, at that moment it was even more eager to launch an attack.
Marcus directly took out a divine stone of very high quality and pressed it onto Sharpedo's body.
Accompanied by Sharpedo's continuous roars, its body began to change. At first glance, there was actually not much difference compared to a Mega Evolution.
Mega Sharpedo!
Pokémon: Sharpedo (Purple) – Mega Form – Berserk Form
Gender: Male
Level: 89 (92)
Types: Water + Dark
Ability: Strong Jaw
Held Item: None
Egg Moves: Hydro Pump, Double-Edge, Swift, Brine
Basic Moves: Slash, Night Slash, Feint, Leer, Bite, Rage, Focus Energy, Aqua Jet, Assurance, Screech, Swagger, Ice Fang, Scary Face, Poison Fang, Crunch, Agility, Skull Bash, Taunt
Learned Moves: Icy Wind, Liquidation, Spite, Water Pulse, Snore, Bounce, Super Fang, Uproar, Zen Headbutt
TM Moves: Toxic, Ice Beam, Hyper Beam, Protect, Earthquake, Double Team, Rock Tomb, Scald, Payback, Bulldoze, Surf, Waterfall
Two form amplifications at the same time: both berserk and Mega Evolution. And although at that moment Mega Sharpedo appeared ready to charge into battle at any instant, Marcus was still able to restrain it.
Cain swept his gaze over the rest of his Pokémon and discovered that all of them had also entered a berserk state.
"Be careful! Don't hold back!" Cain warned Steven.
He did not want to see Steven, at a moment like this, still maintaining the League-style battle habits and end up being defeated due to hesitation.
Cain himself had taken advantage of precisely that detail many times in the past to turn completely unfavorable situations around.
Although Steven probably was not that kind of person, some degree of compassion was inevitable. From Marcus' appearance, it was clear he was ready to risk his life, and a person who does not fear death is capable of doing anything.
"Don't worry, I know how to measure it," Steven replied with a serious expression. At a moment like this, he would not make such a basic mistake.
"Tyranitar! Precipice Blades!"
He attacked first without the slightest hesitation!
(End of Chapter)
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