The longer the battle lasted, the better the Pokémon were able to demonstrate their combat abilities.
As for the loss of stamina and the minor injuries sustained during the battle, they were negligible compared to the experience gained.
Halfway through the battle, Aoki teleported Florges over using a portable teleportation device.
Kalos was the native region of Pokémon like Florges. Although Aoki's Florges had been born in Neverland, its presence still carried an air of mystique.
Without any lingering concerns, the Pokémon's combat efficiency increased even further.
They were already facing a massive swarm of wild Pokémon, and even scattered attacks were enough to knock out countless foes.
It had been a long time since they had experienced such an exhilarating battle.
But now, the number of opposing Pokémon had dwindled significantly.
The entire Zubat colony was aware of Aoki and his team's presence. Aoki knew that such a large group of Zubat and Golbat couldn't coexist without a leader coordinating them.
Otherwise, even if they were of the same species, conflicts would inevitably arise in such a hierarchical society.
The wild Pokémon appearing before Aoki and his team now had reached Elite-level strength.
After fighting for so long, Blaziken had successfully broken through to level 41, a two-level increase, reaching the Elite tier.
The growth rate of Pupitar and Lairon wasn't far behind.
Thanks to Pupitar's Sandstorm, Lairon's Rock-type advantage, and its Steel-type defensive resilience, their levels had risen even faster than Blaziken's.
Pupitar had reached level 39, standing at the threshold of the Elite tier.
Lairon had climbed to level 38, and it wouldn't be long before it, too, reached Elite status.
Even Carbink had leveled up to 32—a jump that would normally take years.
The sudden surge in power was intoxicating, and Carbink finally understood why Pupitar and the others thrived in battle.
It was easy to get addicted to such rapid growth.
At this point, a short break would have been ideal to let the Pokémon recover their stamina.
But with more Zubat still swarming in, Pupitar and the others were too fired up to stop, urging Aoki to let them continue.
It had been too long since they'd had such a satisfying fight.
Relenting, Aoki released two more Poké Balls, summoning Politoed and Swampert.
With their arrival, Pupitar had to halt its Sandstorm—otherwise, it would take excessive effort to shield allies from the swirling debris.
It was possible, but unnecessary.
On the other hand, Politoed didn't need to summon rain—pure combat was enough.
The second-tier Pokémon regrouped, their excitement palpable.
Aoki's secondary team was finally coming into its own.
The Zubat they faced now were Elite-tier, making them perfect opponents.
As they ventured deeper, Aoki was surprised to find the Zubat growing even stronger.
They had already reached peak Elite level, and there was no sign of the cave's end.
This hinted at a far greater secret than Aoki had anticipated.
"Are we about to face an entire colony of Elite Zubat?" Aoki narrowed his eyes at the oncoming swarm. Their fearlessness was unsettling.
Wild Pokémon usually knew fear—yet despite the countless fallen Golbat, these Zubat pressed on relentlessly.
Their purple hue was darker than the ones outside, indicating higher toxin concentration.
"Blaziken and the others won't be enough for this." Aoki realized.
They were now up against Elite Zubat—possibly even some at the Quasi-Champion level.
This was beyond the second team's capabilities.
Activating the portable teleporter again, Aoki prepared more Poké Balls.
This was the first time he had gathered his entire roster for a single battle.
"Slowking, Honchkrow, Gengar, Bagon, and Weavile—come out!"
Five Poké Balls burst open, and the newly summoned Pokémon surged forward.
Aoki's presence became even more imposing.
Yet the Zubat still didn't retreat.
Their eyes gleamed with a crimson intensity as they stared Aoki down.
Suddenly, as if obeying an unseen command, the swarm split apart.
A squadron of Golbat emerged—Quasi-Champion level, just as Aoki had feared.
At a glance, there were at least seven or eight.
For such a resource-scarce cave to house this many powerful Zubat was astonishing.
Few trainers dared to explore these tunnels—otherwise, these Golbat would have been a nightmare for unprepared challengers.
But even after their appearance, the Golbat didn't attack.
Instead, they, too, parted ways.
A shrill, piercing cry echoed from the depths.
A gust of wind laced with corrosive toxins swept through, stinging exposed skin.
Two crimson eyes glowed in the darkness.
The Zubat and Golbat stood at attention, like soldiers awaiting orders.
Aoki's gaze sharpened as the Pokémon approached.
Under the torchlight, its form became clear.
Crobat.
An unusually large one—nearly 2.5 meters tall, far exceeding the average 1.8-meter height.
Wild Crobat were rare, as they typically evolved through strong bonds with trainers.
How had this one reached such power in the wild?
Aoki activated his system, scanning the Crobat's data.
Crobat (Light Cyan)
Gender: Male
Level: 61
Type: Poison/Flying
Ability: Inner Focus
Held Item: None
Egg Moves: Quick Attack, Astonish, Gust, Steel Wing
Basic Moves: Cross Poison, Screech, Leech Life, Supersonic, Bite, Wing Attack, Confuse Ray, Air Cutter, Swift, Poison Fang, Mean Look, Haze, Venoshock, Air Slash, Quick Guard
Learnt Moves: Defog, Tailwind, Snore, Thief, Heat Wave