Dante stared down Aries, who shot the glare right back with a grin. Then, the Mewtwo splice made his move, charging forward and shooting a Psychic blast from his hand at the last second! Aries was able to jump out of the way, leaving him open to Dante swinging his battle staff at him! Aries was barely able to catch the staff in time, as the battle descended to close-range, hand-to-hand combat!
As Aries fought with Dante, he held back from unleashing his full power, potential, and capability. He didn't want to end this abruptly, like he had with Reaper. Right now, Aries was testing Dante, as well as trying to draw out the battle for as long as he could. After all, he wanted to enjoy this…
But as he fought Dante, he noticed that the Mewtwo splice was also holding back! He was not giving this battle his all, even with his unsealed level 3 power state! Aries was no moron: He realized that Dante, despite being on the offense, was using the same strategy mindset that he himself had in mind! He either was using this to study and analyze his combat style, or he was waiting for an opening. Aries also considered that Dante could even be trying to exhaust his energy, to tire him out so he couldn't fight as effectively, then pounce when the time was right!
The two combatants deadlocked, Aries blocking Dante's staff with his burly arms! "I didn't give you enough credit, Dante… You're a better strategist and combatant than I initially thought!" Aries said with a toothy grin.
"You haven't seen anything, yet!" Dante replied with his own nonchalant smirk. "This isn't even one-quarter of my skill and power! I'm only using up to twenty percent!"
Aries laughed heartily. "That's good! Finally, I get a proper challenge from a capable opponent!" Aries then opened his mouth, licks of flame coming up from his throat and out of his maw, before letting loose a flamethrower attack from his mouth at point-blank range!
Dante was not caught off-guard: He held up one hand, blocking the attack with a light screen, the flames deflecting off the barrier! Then, Dante's eyes glowed bright as he unleashed a psybeam attack, the beam shooting from his eyes in an optical-style blast throwing Aries backwards!
Aries flipped back onto his feet as he flew through the air, landing on the ground with poise. "Well, well… This keeps getting more interesting by the second!" Aries then let out a hiss as smoke poured out of his mouth, blanketing the area in a smokescreen!
Dante assumed a defensive stance as he looked around, unable to see any shapes through the thick smoke.
"What's the matter, Dante? Can't fight what you can't see?" Aries laughed, his voice seeming to come at Dante from all directions.
Dante sighed with a smile, using his Foresight ability, discerning Aries' silhouette through the smokey haze as it lit up, glowing in his vision. "I don't need to see you… At least not in the usual sense!"
Dante charged up a shadow ball and threw it into the haze, striking Aries with uncanny accuracy! Aries got thrown across the field and into one of Team Rocket's trucks, leaving an indent in the truck as it flipped over on it's side! Aries was left dazed from that attack, leaving Dante enough time to pounce on him!
Dante then got an amulet out from his utility belt, holding it in front of him while he held Aries down underneath a foot! "You are a talented fighter, I'll give you that much… But you are too destructive to be allowed to run amok. It's time you took a break…"
Dante looked into Aries' eyes, using another Hypnosis move. Aries was unable to tear his gaze away, lulled to sleep as Dante recited an ancient chant, causing Aries to go dormant once more, leaving Takuya in control.
Once Aries was subdued, the rest of Team Midnight's forces ran off, leaving Sparta and Reaper for dead. Sparta attempted to limp off and flee, since he was not as badly hurt as Reaper. But he was unable to get far, as he was intercepted and knocked out by Arkham, who K.O.'ed the Machamp splice with a swift body slam, causing him to run smack-dab into one of Team Midnight's totaled jeeps, hitting his head, and passing out.
Kasi and Avery walked up to Dante, as well as Mary, Trisha, Arkham who carried Sparta over his shoulder, and Venin who walked up holding Reaper, the Scyther Splice passed out in his arms. Mewtwo came forward with Mew and Celebi as well as the Pokemon Professors, Ash, Misty, Brock, and Tyler.
Dante sighed. "I'll explain everything back inside the lab… I was afraid of revealing too much information too soon and having everyone jump to conclusions." He levitated Takuya's body, who was still out cold and led everyone inside the lab. "Again, another giant mess to clean up…"