"The Tide Turns!"

The chapter bursts into action. David and his Krookodile loom over the trio and their Pokémon, a suffocating aura radiating from the ground-type beast. Its eyes gleam with malice. Dango makes the first move. Staravia dives in with an Aerial Ace, but the attack falls short. Krookodile's Intimidate had already shaken his confidence. Seizing the moment, Krookodile slams Staravia down with terrifying strength, pinning the bird beneath its claws.

Before Krookodile could follow up on its attack, Poliwhirl, Primeape, and Pinsir rushed to Staravia's aid, barely prying the beast's claws loose and breaking its deadly grip. The four Pokémon then unleashed a relentless barrage of attacks. But David's expression didn't change, cold, unimpressed, and utterly unshaken. His voice rang out, wild and commanding. Krookodile recovered instantly, summoning a devastating burst of Stone Edge. Jagged pillars of rock tore through the ship's ceiling and walls, sending passengers into terrified screams.

The heroes' Pokémon tried to dodge, but the crashing pillars overwhelmed them, colliding with brutal force. As the battle raged on, Drillbur and Tyrogue leapt into the fray, but Krookodile dominated, effortlessly toying with them. All the while, David watched with a sick smirk plastered across his face. Realising they needed more firepower, Maylin shouted for Dango to release the rest of his Pokémon. He hesitated; he had hoped to hold them back until Krookodile was weakened, but at this rate, that chance might never come. Dango sent out Axew and Elekid. 

At first, both flinched under the pressure of Krookodile's aura, but they quickly shook it off, shared a fist bump, and charged in to support their teammates. Now, the real battle had begun. Primeape launched into a furious barrage of punches, but Krookodile tanked the hits without flinching, then slammed Primeape into the ground with brute force. Drillbur rushed in to help, joined by Poliwhirl, but both were swatted away by a single swipe of Krookodile's powerful tail. Axew fired a Dragon Pulse that finally made Krookodile stagger, opening a window for Tyrogue and Elekid to rush in, landing a Mach Punch and Thunder Punch combo.

The attacks hit cleanly, but only seemed to enrage it. With a snarl, Krookodile leapt into the air and came crashing down with an Aerial Ace. Just in time, Pinsir intercepted the strike, grappling Krookodile mid-air and hurling it toward Staravia. Staravia retaliated with a sudden Gust, launching Krookodile right back at Pinsir, who slammed it into the floor with a devastating X-Scissor. The attack left Krookodile with only minor injuries, much to David's surprise. The battle raged on, with all of the heroes' Pokémon giving their all. Just as they prepared to finish Krookodile with a powerful combined assault, David's chilling words froze them in place.

David: "Time to get serious."

Without hesitation, the heroes' Pokémon instinctively backed away, but Poliwhirl was caught. Sparks flew from his mouth as Krookodile lunged forward, striking with Thunder Fang and sending Poliwhirl crashing through a wall, defeated. Shock rippled through the group as Roman recalled him, now left without any Pokémon, and took his place on the sidelines. Dango and Maylin were nervous, but with the cheers of captive passengers, they regained their composure.

Staravia flew, carrying Elekid and Axew as both used Thunder Shock and Dragon Rage, respectively. The attacks did nothing, and Krookodile tried to pull them down but was stopped by Pinsir and Primeape, who tackled it to the ground. Krookodile quickly pushed them off and, with a powerful stomp, slammed both claws into the floor. The ship shook violently as a shockwave rippled through the deck, cracking the floor and sending crew and passengers stumbling in their cages.

Drillbur, Tyrogue, Primeape, and Pinsir were sent flying into nearby crates, but the airborne Pokémon barely felt the impact. David sneered, mocking them, and without giving them a moment to recover, Krookodile slammed its massive feet down onto Primeape's back. Primeape screamed out in pain, and with a swift Cut, he lost consciousness, defeated. Krookodile hoisted him up before casually tossing him aside.

Dango quickly recalled Primeape, and as Krookodile turned its attention, Tyrogue charged forward, landing a clean Mach Punch square on its face. The blow sent the beast reeling, its fury igniting. Seizing the moment, the others unleashed their strongest attacks, forcing David's irritation to boil over. Determined to end the fight, Krookodile's claws shot forward, snatching Staravia midair.

Flames suddenly engulfed the Pokémon, and with a brutal Fire Punch, Krookodile struck him hard. Staravia succumbed to his injuries, collapsing to the floor as Krookodile grinned and began walking toward the others. Suddenly, Drillbur burst up from beneath, attempting a surprise Dig, but with a single, crushing stomp, he was knocked out cold, officially out of the battle. Elekid charged in next but was swiftly slapped into a wall, rubble crashing down on top of him.

Axew bursts into action, unleashing a relentless flurry of Dragon Rages, each blast shaking the air. He finishes with a powerful Dragon Pulse that slams into Krookodile, staggering the beast. Exhausted but unyielding, Axew stands tall as the dust settles, leaving everyone stunned, even David. A flicker of respect crosses David's face as he sizes up Axew's destructive power, acknowledging it might rival his own Krookodile. But that admiration quickly turns cold. Krookodile rockets forward, a wild grin on David's face as he declares Axew's imminent demise.

Everyone fears the worst, as Elekid is still charging his attack, unable to intervene. In a split-second decision, Tyrogue dashes forward with a desperate Mach Punch, intercepting the blow meant for Axew. The impact sends him hurtling across the battlefield, crashing hard and falling unconscious, out of commission.

But that only stalls things briefly. As Krookodile brings his claws down on Axew, Pinsir arrives just in time, catching the strike in a fierce test of strength. Pinsir pushes back with all his might, while the captives and Roman cheer him on. Suddenly, a snap echoes through the air, and Pinsir collapses to the ground, clutching his arm in agony. Time seems to freeze for a moment. Maylin cries out for her friend, the shock rippling through everyone. Pinsir's left arm is completely destroyed.

David: "Finish it."

Krookodile slams a blazing Fire Punch straight into Pinsir's face. The impact cracks the floor beneath them, and Pinsir drops, unmoving, smoke rising from his body. The crowd goes silent. The few grunts that remained just watch, unsurprised. Dango glances at Maylin, a look of regret in his eyes.

Maylin: "PINSIR!!"

She rushes forward, only for Roman to grab her, holding her back as she thrashes, screaming threats at David, vowing to kill him. But her body gives out. She collapses, unconscious from sheer exhaustion. Dango lowers his head, then glares at David, pure fury in his eyes. That death stare doesn't go unnoticed. David actually grins, intrigued. Suddenly, rubble explodes behind them. Elekid's eyes blaze with electricity as he rises, his body crackling with power, anger coursing through every spark.

David: "W—What!"

Dango: "NOW, ELEKID!"

Elekid charges forward, his fist crackling with electricity. Krookodile swings its tail to slap him away, but he slides under the attack, delivering a powerful uppercut Thunder Punch. Krookodile roars in pain. This hit stung. Krookodile slams its massive hands down, trying to crush Elekid, but he barely blocks, the impact cracking the floor beneath them. Elekid immediately unleashes a shockwave, sending Krookodile staggering backwards. The two clash fiercely, leaving everyone stunned at how Elekid was holding his own, and even David watches in awe. 

They break apart. Krookodile stands firm, while Elekid pants heavily, catching his breath. David inquires about Elekid's sudden power boost, suspecting it's the move Charge. He understands that Elekid has been gathering energy, and now this represents his max capability. Dango nods confidently, knowing that with this power, they have a real chance to win. David grins, welcoming the challenge, but warns that Charge has a time limit.

David: "You'd better finish this quick then!"

Dango: "Hit him hard, Elekid!"

Krookodile unleashes Stone Edge. Elekid dodges and smashes the incoming jagged pillars, closing the distance quickly. Krookodile lunges forward with a fierce Crunch, but Elekid jumps back, raising both arms. With a flash, he uses Swift, golden stars shoot from his hands, but it barely slows Krookodile as he crashes into him.

David: "Fool, Charge only powers up Electric-type moves."

On top of him, Krookodile raises a burning fist, readying another Fire Punch, but before the blow lands, a sudden Shock Wave blasts out, repelling the beast just in time. Elekid scrambles to his feet, sparks still dancing across his body, and the two clash again with brutal force. Fire Punch after Fire Punch, Thunder Punch after Thunder Punch, each hit ringing out like cannon fire, their fists colliding in a blur of flame and lightning. It all culminates in one final, bone-rattling punch. 

For a moment, Elekid seems to have the upper hand, but then the energy from Charge fades. The sudden drop in power is instant and devastating. Krookodile grins as the momentum shifts, and with one monstrous punch, Elekid is launched, crashing through multiple steel walls, finally collapsing in the rubble. The captives were silent, holding their breath in fear of what came next. But David, satisfied with the battle's end, couldn't leave without throwing insults at every Pokémon that dared to face him, especially Pinsir, mocking his broken arm with a sneer. With a wave, he ordered the grunts to get moving. But just before turning away, he glanced back, only to see Dango grinning at him.

Dango: "We did it, finally. AXEW, NOW!"

David's eyes widened in confusion until he realised something was missing. Axew was gone. He looked up, too late. From above, Axew came hurtling down at full speed, Iron Tail glowing bright, the air splitting from the force. David screamed for Krookodile to move, but the beast, battered and bruised, couldn't respond in time. With a devastating crash, Iron Tail smashed Krookodile straight into the ground, shattering the floor beneath. Dust exploded everywhere. David rushed to the edge of the rubble, shouting at his partner to rise. Krookodile tried. But collapsed. It was over. Krookodile was unable to battle.

Everyone was left speechless. Dango had done it. He had defeated David's Krookodile, the seemingly unstoppable monster that had pushed them all to the brink. Even David stood frozen in disbelief, his eyes wide, his usual grin faded. The silence was soon broken by murmurs from the remaining grunts, some calling the final attack cowardly, an ambush from behind. But David didn't agree. A smirk slowly returned to his face as he tossed the keys toward the cages.

With a strange calmness, David told Dango they would meet again, and soon. There was no threat in his tone, but the promise of unfinished business hung heavy in the air. Dango didn't respond. He only glared, cursing David silently, and with that, Team Blitz fled the ship, disappearing down the halls without another word.

Dango exhaled deeply, releasing the tension he had held throughout the battle. Tears, laughter, and shouts of joy filled the air as freedom finally returned. Without hesitation, Dango handed the keys to Roman, choosing to focus on helping Maylin and the injured Pokémon. The fight was over; they'd won.

A few minutes later, just outside the S.S. Anne, a sleek submarine quietly detached from the ship and slipped beneath the waves. Inside the dimly lit vessel, Team Blitz grunts celebrated their so-called victory, laughter and chatter filling the cramped space. Behind a closed door, David stood alone, speaking into a screen where a woman's voice echoed back. He recounted the mission's progress, his tone confident. The woman expressed concern over Dango, questioning why David hadn't simply eliminated him. David shrugged it off, saying that as long as they had the Pokémon, it didn't matter.

The call ended abruptly. With a smirk, David tossed out a Mew from its Poké Ball. The mythical Pokémon made a swift attempt to flee, but David called it back without hesitation. His grin deepened. If he truly wanted to, he could still kill Dango and even destroy the S.S. Anne itself. Back in the submarine, the grunts continued their celebration until one of them asked about Lia, Kent, Reid, and Kai. The chapter closes, showing the four still restrained aboard the S.S. Anne, fast asleep, waiting.

To Be Continued!