Chapter 16

 Flashback to Ten Minutes Earlier

The battle among the three Pokémon had finally concluded, with Muk emerging victorious. Having held the leader's position for over a decade, Muk's strong regenerative abilities and extensive battle experience allowed him to defeat both Crobat and Venusaur.

Crobat, already severely injured, was the first to be taken down due to the coordinated attacks from the other two leader-level Pokémon. Venusaur and Muk, both possessing formidable regenerative capabilities, had a prolonged duel. Venusaur relied on his massive roots and numerous recovery skills, while Muk dominated with his accumulation of black sludge and rich battle experience.

Venusaur's strategy of altering the battlefield by rooting himself was quickly countered by Muk's Acid Armor. Muk, who had been observing from the sidelines, had already identified Venusaur's tactical weakness and avoided repeating Drapion's mistakes, ensuring Venusaur had no chance to modify the battlefield with his roots.

Despite using moves like Leech Seed, Vine Whip, and Giga Drain, Venusaur couldn't escape defeat. His Leech Seed never had the chance to sprout, dissolving instantly upon contact with Muk's corrosive body. Vine Whip couldn't grasp the liquid-like Muk, and Giga Drain had minimal effect. Ultimately, Venusaur, exhausted of all options, had no choice but to concede.

Muk, now the strongest, was entitled to distribute the berries. However, just as he was about to claim them, a Kadabra suddenly appeared, using Telekinesis to immobilize Muk. A Grimer, who had been hiding in minimized form, revealed itself, using Thief to steal a large chunk of Muk's black sludge.

Kadabra then used Psycho Cut to slice Muk into pieces. Without his black sludge, Muk lost his most crucial asset, leading to his swift demise. The assassination was completed in seconds, leaving Crobat and Venusaur stunned. They quickly attempted to attack the intruders, but a swift kunai pierced Crobat, coated with a potent anesthetic, paralyzing him. An Ariados descended on a web, its eyes glowing blue, using Psychic to finish off Crobat.

Realizing the gravity of the situation, Venusaur tried to flee towards the other Pokémon in the swamp. However, a Charizard, scarred and menacing, appeared overhead, unleashing a Flamethrower that gravely injured Venusaur. Kadabra then delivered the final blow with Psycho Cut, slicing Venusaur in half.

Seeing their leaders fall, the poison-type Pokémon in the purple swamp descended into chaos. Some fled in fear, while others sought revenge, charging towards the Toxic Trevenant. Midway, the purple swamp ignited, flames spreading rapidly, covering the entire area in moments.

The smell of burning oil filled the air as the entire swamp, already covered in oil, caught fire. The thick scent of blood had masked the oil's presence until it was set ablaze. Faced with this fiery peril, most poison-type Pokémon abandoned thoughts of revenge and ran, while the stronger ones eyed the berries on the Toxic Trevenant greedily, seeking to claim leadership and treasure.

"Fools, if you wish to stay, then perish," Michel ordered from Charizard's back, directing his Pokémon to kill all remaining foes. Vivian, also on Charizard's back, reacted swiftly, directing her Ditto to shield against incoming kunai attacks, revealing their assailant, Koga.

"Curse you, Koga! Come out!" Michel roared angrily, dodging kunai coated with poison. But only more shuriken greeted him.

Vivian deflected the shuriken with Ditto-turned-shield, hiding behind the Toxic Trevenant, while their Pokémon guarded them. A shadowy figure using a grappling hook swiftly approached the treetop, nimbly securing a berry before moving towards the next.

"The berries are mine! Kadabra, Charizard, stop him!" Michel commanded. Charizard's Flamethrower was countered by a Crobat's gust, dispersing the flames and sending air blades towards Michel's group. Kadabra deflected the attacks with Psychic, but in those few seconds, Koga secured the second berry and neared the third. Wild Crobat intervened, blowing Koga off the tree, forcing him to descend on Ariados's web, retreating rapidly.

"Stop him! Charizard, intercept!" Michel ordered, but poison-type Pokémon, drawn by the luminous berries, launched ranged attacks. Ariados, maneuvering through webs, dodged, but as the webs were destroyed by flames and air blades, Koga was forced to throw a berry into the air. Charizard caught it, returning to Michel, who praised his Pokémon before looking towards the treetop.

Vivian, meanwhile, retrieved another berry with her Pokémon. A wild Crobat grabbed the last berry but was attacked by other Pokémon, dropping it into the flames. Poison-type Pokémon rushed into the fire to claim it, fighting each other fiercely.

A frozen Ariados fell, shattering on impact, as Koga descended with an ice spike in his leg, landing on Muk's softened body. Glaring at Vivian, descending on a Delibird with a luminous berry, Koga prepared for a final showdown.

"Who knew you were the hidden threat," Koga said, drinking a healing potion as his wound began to close. "You underestimated me, so I let you bring me here. This berry is invaluable, and so is your life," Vivian declared, her voice cold and full of intent to avenge her fallen Jynx.

"Let's see your skills then," Koga replied, despite his injuries, ready for battle. As an explosion occurred nearby, a berry flew to Koga, who grabbed it, feeling fate finally favored him. But the encroaching poison-type Pokémon, drawn by the glowing berries, and a distant, imposing figure approaching through the flames suggested otherwise.

To be continued...