The strange psychic power of Slowking was just interrupted using Teleport.
The interruption was clearly premeditated, but fortunately, Slowking sensed the disturbance and halted the Teleport in time—otherwise, the consequences could have been severe if disrupted mid-use.
Teleport isn't impossible to interrupt. If the opponent's psychic abilities are strong enough, they can disrupt the move or even force the user out of the teleportation process.
Aoki had once been at Team Rocket's Lake of Rage research base, where League operatives used their Pokémon's psychic powers to interrupt Slowpoke's Teleport.
But now, Slowking had reached the Quasi-Champion level, making its Teleport far harder to disrupt. This time, it stopped voluntarily to prevent accidents.
Slowking assured Aoki that with full preparation, it could still Teleport under pressure, as the opponent's psychic power was inferior.
After Aoki called out, the forest remained silent.
Frowning, he demanded, "Show yourself! Does Team Rocket only dare to lurk in shadows?"
A mocking voice answered, "Oh? Must every attacker be Team Rocket? That's flawed logic, Aoki." A figure descended slowly from the trees, aided by a Haunter's psychic power.
Aoki focused on the descending figure, while Slowking locked eyes with the Haunter.
The stranger wore no Team Rocket insignia—clearly aware of the organization's poor reputation in Hoenn.
Currently, Aoki only had Slowking, a Floette tucked in his pocket, and a Gengar guarding his shadow. The odds weren't ideal.
"Who sent you?" Aoki asked calmly.
The man smirked. "Does it matter? You don't even know who wants you dead."
As they spoke, Aoki analyzed the Haunter's data:
Pokémon: Hypno (Light Cyan)
Gender: Male
Level: 48
Type: Psychic
Ability: Insomnia
Held Item: None
Egg Moves: Barrier, Mimic, Psycho Cut, Trick Room
Basic Moves: Future Sight, Confuse Ray, Night Shade, Sucker Punch, Lick, Hypnosis, Disable, Shadow Ball, Shadow Punch, Poison Gas, Destiny Bond, Psybeam, Curse, Psych Up, Foul Play, Hex
Tutor Moves: Thunder Punch, Ice Punch, Skill Swap, Fire Punch, Teleport
TM Moves: Snatch, Psychic, Psyshock, Dark Pulse, Dream Eater, Magic Coat
A Hypno nearing Quasi-Champion level, excelling in psychic interference. Its Mimic and Skill Swap combo posed unpredictable threats—if the trainer was clever enough.
Aoki's eyes narrowed. "Furukai paid a high price to send a Team Rocket operative after me. He must've wanted your Hypno."
The man's smirk faltered briefly. "Even if you guess right, what good does it do? With my Hypno here, your Slowking can't Teleport away. And that second-rate team of yours won't save you."
Aoki chuckled. "Really?"
His earlier mention of Furukai was a test—one the man failed by reacting. Overconfidence blinded him.
"Do you know how many assassins Furukai sent? Why did none return? Some were Elite Trainers," Aoki said coolly.
"Because they were weak. They couldn't stop Teleport. I can." The man's confidence stemmed from his Hypno's prowess.
Aoki shook his head. "Wrong. Furukai's intel was flawed. He never knew my full strength. And you? Just another miscalculation."
Annoyed, the man grabbed two Poké Balls. "We'll see. Words won't save you."
"I said I'd leave. You can't stop me." Aoki's grip on Slowking tightened.
Slowking unleashed its full psychic power, amplified by its Quasi-Champion strength and Mew-blood infusion. The Hypno, though talented, couldn't match a higher-tier psychic.
The man scowled. "Hypno, Skill Swap!"
The move targeted Slowking's Water/Psychic typing, but the attack only disrupted the ambient energy—the core remained unaffected.
"Quasi-Champion?!" The man paled. Furukai's intel had claimed Aoki was Elite-tier, with a Teleport-capable Slowking. But this…
Aoki's voice turned icy. "Tell Furukai: I'm coming for him."
As the man fumbled for his communicator, Aoki vanished—leaving behind a promise laced with menace.