Zinnia! You forced me to do this!
Dylan's expression didn't change at all, but his hands moved swiftly, retrieving Drapion into its Poké Ball.
"Toxapex! Get ready for battle!"
Articuno was his secret weapon, so he had to save it for later. But that's okay! He still had his cute, shy, and harmless little Toxapex!
Like a domed tent, Toxapex landed in front of Dylan, its two tentacles slowly rising, revealing its true form hidden behind them.
"Oh~ it's that mischievous Toxapex," Itto's eyes lit up. He remembered it very well.
This Toxapex was the evolved form of the Mareanie he had sent to Dylan the first time. Back then, he had sent Dylan a Goomy, and this Toxapex was just sent along for the ride.
But now, it seems that the Goomy, which he had put so much effort into sending, was just an afterthought?
"Toxapex, huh..." Lillie recalled, Toxapex was something she had heard of before, after all, it was a Pokémon native to their Alola region.
"Let's see how well Dylan has raised it."
Itto was very interested in seeing what moves this Toxapex had learned.
'Baneful Bunker, Toxic, Recover, Toxic Spikes, Iron Defense, Pain Split...'
Itto's eyelid began to twitch uncontrollably. What the... how did his son turn out to be so... sinister?
Fortunately, as he looked further, Toxapex had indeed learned quite a few normal battle moves, which allowed Itto to breathe a sigh of relief.
"My son is just so healthy~" Itto sighed with emotion.
On the field.
"A Poison/Water-type Toxapex?"
Zinnia looked at Dylan with confusion. Wasn't he supposed to have a Dark-type team?
"Toxapex is special, so I added it to my team, especially since you're so strong, Zinnia."
Dylan smiled calmly in response. Having one or two Pokémon that don't quite fit the team type is a normal thing.
"I see," Zinnia understood. That made sense, considering how powerful she was! But since it was Toxapex, it probably knew a few Ice-type moves as well.
Zinnia's sharp eyes narrowed slightly. Water and Ice often go hand in hand, but that's okay. Now that her Altaria had been strengthened, it was very powerful!
And in the air, Altaria had completed its Dragon Dance, its aura becoming even more imposing.
"Altaria, use Dragon Pulse!"
"Light Screen."
Zinnia decisively ordered Altaria, while Dylan immediately commanded Toxapex. He didn't have it use Haze to eliminate Altaria's buffs.
Because Altaria's Cotton Guard increased its Defense, it didn't matter.
As for making Toxapex use Blizzard or Ice Beam...
There was really no need right now. Even if he used Ice Beam, it would just be shattered by Altaria's Dragon Pulse. Toxapex's offensive power was pitiful, even weaker than Altaria's.
Altaria opened its mouth and unleashed a fierce Dragon Pulse, while a semi-transparent Light Screen appeared in front of Toxapex, forming.
Boom!
The dragon-shaped pulse struck Toxapex hard and exploded. Toxapex grunted, but that was all. The semi-transparent Light Screen then merged into Toxapex's body.
The Light Screen that reduces special attack damage was completed!
"Altaria, use Sky Attack!"
The Light Screen's damage reduction for special attacks was too high, so Zinnia could only use physical attacks. Fortunately, Altaria had already used Dragon Dance once.
Altaria spread its wings wide, and a red aura began to surround its body before it suddenly dove down.
A Flying-type Sky Attack!
During the flight, the red aura 'boiled and burned,' eventually forming a majestic divine bird.
"Gotcha," Dylan chuckled. Zinnia was so 'straightforward.'
Coo~
The divine bird's cry echoed as the imposing Sky Attack descended from the sky, closing in on Toxapex.
"Toxapex, use Baneful Bunker."
Toxapex let out a low hum, spreading its two tentacles wide, and an eerie, deep purple barrier enveloped it.
Toxapex's signature move, the Poison-type Baneful Bunker!
"Hmm?" Seeing the strange deep purple barrier, Zinnia felt a bad premonition rising in her heart.
Something was wrong! But it was too late for regrets now.
Boom!
Altaria's Sky Attack slammed heavily into the Baneful Bunker barrier, the divine bird's aura fiercely striking. Ripples spread across the barrier, but it remained solid.
At the same time, purple fluid began to seep onto Altaria's body.
Soon, the power of the Sky Attack was exhausted. As Altaria retreated, its aura dissipating, a sinister purple glow began to flicker across its body.
Altaria suddenly froze, a pained expression appearing on its face.
It was poisoned?! Zinnia stared in shock at the poisoned Altaria. How could this be? Was it from that move that looked like Protect?
Zinnia furrowed her brow. She had underestimated her opponent! She should have used Safeguard on Altaria before attacking!
"Ice Beam."
Dylan, however, didn't hesitate to take advantage of the situation, pressing his attack while Altaria was vulnerable.
Toxapex raised its tentacles, aiming at Altaria, as icy blue energy coalesced. A jagged, winding beam of ice shot toward Altaria.
An Ice-type Ice Beam!
"Altaria, dodge quickly!" Zinnia's pupils contracted; Ice Beam's damage against Altaria would be too high! But how could it dodge? Altaria, struggling with the poison's encroaching pain, tried to flap its wings to evade, but it was a step too slow.
The Ice Beam struck Altaria's wing joint, and it let out a pained scream. The originally melodious voice now sounded sharp from the pain.
A quadruple-effective Ice Beam! Combined with Merciless's effect, even with Toxapex's low special attack, it was a massive blow to Altaria.
It wasn't knocked out only due to the level difference, Toxapex's low special attack, and Altaria's high special defense.
Even so, Altaria was severely injured, especially its wing, which was now drooping as its body plummeted.
"Another Ice Beam!" Dylan quickly ordered Toxapex to continue the assault.
"Come back, Altaria!" Zinnia wasn't foolish; she immediately recalled the heavily injured Altaria.
Altaria's ability is Natural Cure, so as long as it is recalled, it can heal its status conditions.
"You're amazing, big brother! You almost knocked out another one!" Lillie was thrilled, as her big brother was performing wonderfully! Even though Dylan's Pokémon were odd-looking and not very attractive, they were really strong! That champion-level successor, Zinnia, was completely suppressed!
"Dylan has really become strong!" Amelia also smiled with relief, her tone filled with pride.
"Amelia, Dylan isn't just good with Dark-types, is he?" The old lady's cloudy eyes showed some thought as she asked Amelia.
"Yes, Grandma, Dylan is also extremely proficient with Poison-types," Amelia replied.
"Just as I thought," the old lady nodded. She could tell from the way Dylan skillfully used Drapion and this Toxapex. Dylan is truly unique… mastering both Dark and Poison types…
But the old lady was still happy. After all, Dylan is Amelia's child, so he could be considered half a descendant of the Draconid people, right?
"Dylan is actually skilled with multiple types, but his other teams aren't fully assembled yet," Ilene quickly added. She believed Dylan's talent went far beyond what he had shown so far.
And wasn't Dylan already preparing a Ghost-type team? She believed his Ghost-type team would amaze everyone too!
"Does Dylan use Dragon-type Pokémon?" the old lady asked, looking at the elegant young woman.
"Hmm… I haven't seen him use them in battle, but Dylan does have a Goodra and a Dragonite as his main Dragon-types," Ilene thought for a moment before responding.
"I see…" The old lady fell into thought. If Dylan is really proficient with Dragon-types… No, considering Dylan's current battle strategies, it doesn't make sense for him not to use Dragon-types.
After all, there's not much to say about Dragon-type tactics; Dragons are simply superior in strength and physique compared to other types! Dragon-type Pokémon are powerful for no other reason than that they are Dragons!
However, Dragon-type Pokémon are difficult to train, and few trainers can truly master them.
"Since he has the blood of the Draconid people, he is naturally connected to Dragons," the old lady's kind face broke into a smile as she had an idea.
As a half-descendant of the Draconid people, how could he not have a Dragon-type team? Especially since Dylan already has a Goodra and a Dragonite, both of which are powerful Dragons.
Yes, Dylan must train Dragons! Dragons are the strongest type! The Draconid people revere their Dragon god (Rayquaza), which is why they have an unparalleled passion for Dragon-type Pokémon. They firmly believe that Dragons are the strongest Pokémon! Because in their eyes, their Dragon god is the strongest, isn't he?!
On the battlefield.
Zinnia's smile had slowly disappeared, and she stared solemnly at the 'ugly' Toxapex.
This creature… is difficult to deal with.
The Light Screen it has up is the main issue, and the fact that Altaria suddenly got poisoned is bothering Zinnia. She strongly suspects it was because of that purple version of Protect.
Otherwise, it doesn't make sense for Altaria to get poisoned so suddenly.
"Tyrantrum!"
After some thought, Zinnia sent out her third Pokémon.
Accompanied by a fierce roar, a dragon with an extremely ferocious appearance landed in front of Zinnia.
It looked like a huge, bipedal, dark red Tyrannosaurus Rex, with a strong and burly build. There were orange rock-like protrusions around its eyes and tail, giving it a savage and powerful aura.
It was Tyrantrum!
'Beep~ Tyrantrum, Rock/Dragon-type, the Despot Pokémon.
Ability: Strong Jaw Moves: Head Smash, Giga Impact, Horn Drill, Earthquake, Dragon Claw, Crunch, Rock Slide, Rock Polish (inherited)…
Description: A Pokémon from about 100 million years ago. Though it's brutal, its dignified manner gives it a slight royal demeanor.'
It looked incredibly fierce!
Lillie read the description on her Pokédex and thought that this Tyrantrum was probably very formidable.
But big brother will surely be fine!
"Tyrantrum, huh? Still relying on brute force. But Zinnia, using sheer power alone won't take down my Toxapex," Dylan raised an eyebrow and reminded Zinnia with a smile.
Although his Toxapex was weak in direct confrontations, it was incredibly difficult to deal with. Tyrantrum was indeed very powerful, but too bad, Bunker Down is perfect for countering such close-range brute force.
"Hmph~ Dylan, I'll show you that Dragon's power isn't something some petty tricks can defeat!"
Though Zinnia was at a disadvantage, she dramatically flipped her cape, looking incredibly cool.
The only reason she struggled earlier was that she didn't understand this Toxapex. This time, she would show Dylan that a mere Toxapex couldn't stop a Dragon!
Yes, Zinnia had already decided that if Tyrantrum couldn't deal with this small creature, she would immediately send out her ace, Salamence, to Mega Evolve and obliterate it!
As the heir of the Draconid people and a champion-level Dragon-type trainer, how could she not defeat a mere Gym Leader?!
How could she face others as the heir of the Draconid people if she couldn't? She might as well hand over her heir status to Dylan.
(End of chapter)