In fact, this strategy was truly effective. Not everyone could think of using a pinpoint attack to break through an opponent's technique.
Even though Koga was using Pokémon outside his specialty, his rich combat experience and the battle instincts of a Quasi-Elite level trainer remained undiminished.
The Rhyhorn used Drill Run to directly cut through Frogadier's Water Pulse, then charged straight toward Frogadier with unstoppable momentum.
Then it went straight through Frogadier's body.
The scene suddenly appeared brutal and disturbing to watch.
But something wasn't right.
"Is this Double Team? Damn! Rhyhorn, retreat quickly—"
Koga immediately spotted the deception. After all, there had been no impact sound when Rhyhorn passed through. He reacted instantly, attempting to command Rhyhorn to withdraw.
"Too late! Frogadier, Hydro Pump!"
Eddie wasn't about to let Rhyhorn escape. He immediately ordered Frogadier to attack.
Frogadier appeared on Rhyhorn's left flank, mouth already positioned for attack, and blasted the armored Pokémon with Hydro Pump.
Rhyhorn took the hit directly. Being both Ground and Rock-type, it suffered quadruple damage from Water-type moves. The pain was excruciating.
With a miserable roar, Rhyhorn was propelled by the Hydro Pump and landed at Koga's feet, barely conscious and looking like it could collapse at any moment.
To be fair, this Rhyhorn was only Level 32, while Frogadier was Level 31. The difference in strength wasn't significant, yet being hit by a powerful Water-type move like Hydro Pump—it was remarkable that it hadn't fainted immediately.
"You have moves like Hydro Pump and Double Team at your disposal. You're not an ordinary Trainer, are you?"
Koga observed his battered Rhyhorn, his expression unchanged. He was merely surprised by the advanced moves Eddie's Frogadier possessed.
"Sir, there's no response from the members patrolling the cave entrance."
At that moment, a Team Rocket member approached Koga with a communicator. He had been trying to contact the guards outside to block Eddie and Misty's escape route but couldn't reach anyone.
"No need to keep trying. These two came prepared. The guards outside have likely been defeated already."
Koga wasn't surprised that the outside sentries had been eliminated. When he saw Eddie and Misty's confident stance, he'd already suspected their fate.
"You two are quite bold. You dare to attack Team Rocket like this? If we don't eliminate you today, others will think our organization is easy to push around."
Koga sneered and removed a syringe from the bag at his waist.
Without hesitation, he injected it into the nearly-fainted Rhyhorn.
Seeing this, Eddie knew the situation had escalated and prepared to retreat.
This serum was identical to what the captain in Viridian Forest had used yesterday—a formula that overdrafted a Pokémon's potential to instantly increase its strength.
Koga used this serum without reservation, and Eddie understood why he showed no remorse.
This Rhyhorn wasn't his primary Pokémon. He had captured it merely to maintain his disguise.
If its potential was damaged, so be it. He felt no attachment to it whatsoever.
"GRAAAAH!!!"
The injected Rhyhorn convulsed as if it had taken powerful stimulants and roared loudly.
With a blinding flash of light, it stood up and evolved directly into Rhydon.
Name: Rhydon
Level: 42
Eddie checked the information on his Pokédex and, seeing Rhydon's level had increased by ten, prepared to make a hasty exit.
"RAAAAAAHHH!!! RAAAAAAHHH!!!"
Rhydon's presence and energy were dramatically stronger than before due to the level increase. However, it appeared extremely unstable, roaring continuously as if it were going berserk.
"This looks exactly like what happened to Gyarados. You injected the same formula into my Gyarados, didn't you?!"
Misty observed Rhydon's frenzy and instantly understood why her own Gyarados had been so violent.
She could no longer contain her rage. Ignoring Eddie's previous warnings, she rushed forward with Staryu before Eddie could stop her.
"I'll never forgive people like you! Staryu, use Water Gun!!"
Misty's fury was evident as she commanded Staryu to attack Rhydon.
Staryu, sensing its Trainer's anger, launched a powerful Water Gun with all its might toward Rhydon.
"Is this girl a fool? Has she already forgotten how I broke through Water Pulse earlier?"
Koga looked at Misty with disdain, recognizing her blind rage had compromised her judgment.
"Rhydon, use Horn Drill to counter."
Following its Trainer's command, Rhydon's horn began spinning rapidly, meeting the oncoming Water Gun head-on.
The spinning horn collided with the water stream.
Within seconds, the rotating horn easily dispersed the water flow, causing it to spiral and redirect back toward its source.
Like a cyclonic water vortex, the attack rebounded directly at Staryu and Misty. The powerful counterattack knocked them both backward, sending them crashing into the cave wall.
Misty and Staryu immediately lost consciousness upon impact.
Eddie had just reached the position where Misty had been standing before she was knocked away.
He was only seconds too late to pull her to safety or push her out of harm's way—just a few critical seconds too slow.
"I can't believe this!" Eddie cursed under his breath.
Misty's actions had completely blindsided him. He had spent so much time persuading her to remain calm, believing she wouldn't act so impulsively.
But she had charged forward and attacked without warning, and Koga had counterattacked instantly.
It had taken only seconds for the disaster to unfold.
When he saw Rhydon using Horn Drill, he immediately ran toward Misty, but he was still moments too late.
Damn it, why did she have to rush in like that? If she was determined to attack, why couldn't she have given him time to coordinate? Why did she act so hastily without giving him any chance to react?
Eddie's expression darkened, and he looked like he wanted to shout in frustration. But seeing Misty unconscious, he couldn't bring himself to scold her.
To avoid further injury, he condensed all his frustration into a muttered curse.
Damn it! What a mess!