"Zinnia has been completely outplayed."
Itto stroked the stubble on his chin thoughtfully. He knew just how much people in Kanto hated the Toxic Spikes strategy.
"This child has exceptional talent, but she doesn't have much experience battling with others," the elder sighed. Zinnia's potential as a trainer was just as great as Aster's.
However, because she had been focused solely on training and raising her Pokémon, Zinnia lacked battle experience. The elder had agreed with Itto to let Zinnia battle Dylan partly for this reason.
Meanwhile, on the battlefield...
Zinnia was considering how to attack. Drapion had only one weakness—Ground-type moves. Goodra's physical attacks were decent enough.
However, after being hit twice by Incineroar's Intimidate and Parting Shot, Goodra's physical damage output was now far from ideal.
"Goodra, use Earthquake!" Zinnia commanded decisively.
Even if it wasn't at its best, a super-effective Earthquake would definitely deal more damage than a regular special attack.
Goodra raised a foot and stomped down hard, but just as its foot touched the ground, Goodra's movements froze, a look of pain crossing its face.
A strange, deep purple toxic light spread across Goodra's body—it was the effect of Toxic Spikes!
"What's this?"
Zinnia was stunned, her brow furrowing immediately.
"Pin Missile!"
A barrage of white Pin Missiles rained down, relentlessly striking Goodra, who had just finished enduring the effects of Toxic Spikes.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
The sound of continuous explosions filled the air, mingled with Goodra's pained cries.
Even though Pin Missile, a Bug-type move, wasn't super effective against Goodra, it still dealt solid damage, and it really hurt!
As the bombardment of Pin Missiles ended and the dust began to settle, Goodra reappeared, now covered in numerous wounds.
"It seems like Dylan has the upper hand," Lillie blinked her large eyes.
So far, Goodra had hardly touched Dylan's Pokémon, yet it had been attacked several times.
"Well, it's Dylan after all," Ilene smiled brightly.
Zinnia didn't know what the spectators were thinking, but she was definitely feeling the pressure, and she was unwilling to back down.
After all, her Goodra was supposed to be strong!
"Goodra, Earthquake!"
Zinnia urged Goodra, thinking that she had to land at least one hit.
Goodra lifted its foot and stomped down hard, causing the ground to shake violently. The shockwaves raced toward Drapion.
"Earthquake," Dylan chuckled lightly.
Drapion raised its tail and slammed it down on the ground, sending its own shockwaves forward.
The two Earthquake waves clashed violently, canceling each other out, and the battlefield returned to silence.
"Dragon Pulse!" Realizing that Earthquake wasn't going to work, Zinnia decided to try a long-range attack to create an opening.
"Drapion, charge in," Dylan ordered after a moment of thought.
Goodra began to gather pure dragon energy in its mouth, launching a swift Dragon Pulse.
But Drapion moved its legs, dodging the Dragon Pulse with surprising speed for its large size, and rushed toward Goodra.
Drapion was actually quite fast!
"Goodra, retreat and use Muddy Water!" Zinnia remained calm.
Goodra started to back away, but after only two steps, it froze again as the deep purple toxic light appeared on its body, causing it to wince in pain from the Toxic Spikes.
Again with the Toxic Spikes!
Zinnia's eyes widened. How could this be? Could the Toxic Spikes activate multiple times?
But in that moment, Drapion had already reached Goodra, its lightning-fast tail shooting out and wrapping around Goodra's throat, slamming it to the ground.
"Goodra!"
Zinnia stared in shock at Drapion's outstretched tail.
Goodra struggled desperately to break free from Drapion's grip, but the tail was like an unbreakable iron shackle, choking it and causing immense pain.
"Goodra! Use Thunder!"
"Cross Poison, interrupt it!"
Goodra's body began to crackle with golden electricity, but Drapion was quicker. Its tail tightened around Goodra's throat, lifting it into the air.
Its pincers glowed with a purple light, and a cross-shaped energy blade slashed out.
Boom!
The Cross Poison struck Goodra squarely, exploding on impact. Goodra let out a pained cry, the electricity around it dimming.
"Goodra!"
Zinnia was already reaching for Goodra's Poké Ball, ready to recall it. This wasn't going well.
"Drapion!"
"Dra~!"
Drapion let out a vicious growl, lifting Goodra higher with its tail before slamming it down hard.
Boom!
Goodra hit the ground with a heavy thud, the impact causing the ground to tremble. Goodra lay there with its eyes closed, enduring the pain.
But the next moment...
"Dra~!"
The deep purple toxic light flared up on Goodra's body for the third time. Goodra cried out in agony, its body writhing as it struggled to escape Drapion's grip.
But Drapion's tail held it down like an unbreakable iron clamp, pinning Goodra to the ground.
"Ah…"
Lillie covered her mouth in horror, looking at the pitiful state of Goodra. She felt goosebumps all over her body.
Poor Goodra!
"Earthquake!"
Drapion lifted its two front legs and slammed them down, using Earthquake!
Boom!
The physical shockwaves of Earthquake rippled out, hitting Goodra's body hard. The helpless Goodra, pressed against the ground, endured the full force of the Earthquake, and finally, its body went limp, its eyes swirling in defeat.
Seeing this, Zinnia, who had already taken out the Poké Ball, frowned deeply.
"Goodra is unable to battle. Drapion wins," Itto announced the battle result.
"It felt like Goodra was just taking hits the whole time…" Lillie murmured, watching as Zinnia recalled Goodra.
But this was supposed to be a fully grown 'late-blooming Pokémon,' so it should have been very powerful.
"No need to just feel it; that's exactly what happened." Lillie shook her head.
"Zinnia's Goodra is strong, but it never had a chance to show it. Dylan completely targeted it."
"Part of it is also because Zinnia isn't familiar with Dylan's battle style."
A proud pseudo-legendary Pokémon, and it didn't even get to do anything before going down…
Itto clicked his tongue lightly twice, thinking, "As expected of my son! Even a Champion-level ace was completely outplayed."
On the field.
Zinnia looked at the Poké Ball in her hand containing Goodra for a long time. My dragon… was defeated just like that?
Zinnia then raised her head to look at Dylan and his Drapion on the other side. After a while, a smile reappeared on her pretty face.
"Dylan, you're really strong," Zinnia remarked, though the intensity in her eyes only grew stronger.
"The battle has only just begun, right, Zinnia?" Dylan chuckled softly. In terms of levels, his Drapion certainly wasn't as strong as that Goodra.
But Goodra's physical defense was lacking, and after being weakened by Incineroar's Intimidate and subjected to Toxic Spikes, Drapion was able to shine as it did in the recent battle.
Yes, it nearly took down a Dragon-type pseudo-legendary without a scratch!
"That's right! The battle has only just begun!"
Zinnia took out a second Poké Ball and threw it high.
"My second dragon is this one! Altaria!"
With a melodious cry, a stunningly beautiful Altaria floated in front of Zinnia.
Its sky-blue body and fluffy wings, which resembled clouds, covered most of its form, with two ribbon-like feathers fluttering atop its head. It was indeed a very beautiful Pokémon.
'Beep~ Altaria, Dragon/Flying-type, the Humming Pokémon
Ability: Natural Cure
Moves: Dragon Pulse, Sky Attack, Perish Song, Moonblast, Cotton Guard, Safeguard, Defog (egg move)…
Description: It flies gracefully through the sky while singing a beautiful melody, captivating all who hear it.'
"This Altaria seems really strong~ Even stronger than Mom's."
Lillie blinked her bright eyes as she looked at the Pokédex entry for Altaria.
"Silly child, I can't compare to Zinnia."
Amelia didn't know whether to feel happy or amused when she heard this. How could her Altaria compare to Zinnia's? That was giving her way too much credit.
"Um…" Lillie seemed to realize she'd said something silly, so she touched her lips with a dazed expression, trying to use her cuteness to cover it up.
"A dragon-type traitor, huh? So it inherited Defog as well."
Dylan watched Altaria with great interest.
One can't deny it—Altaria is indeed very beautiful, and even more so after it Mega Evolves.
"Altaria, use Defog," Zinnia ordered decisively.
Altaria chirped sweetly as its cotton-like wings flapped, stirring up a powerful gust that swept across the field, clearing away all the Toxic Spikes on the ground.
"This is a bit troublesome."
Dylan pondered how to deal with Altaria. In reality, Altaria isn't an offensively strong Pokémon.
Even at the Champion level, it remains that way. The main problem now is that Altaria can fly, and it has high defenses.
Unlike Goodra, whose physical defense is weak, Altaria's defenses are quite balanced. The most important thing is that Altaria has a wide range of moves, including Safeguard, which protects it from status conditions. Moreover…
"Altaria, use Cotton Guard!" Zinnia ordered Altaria once again.
"Rock Slide!" Dylan didn't hesitate.
Drapion growled at Altaria as chunks of rock formed and shot towards the Altaria in the sky.
Rock-type Rock Slide!
Altaria's fluffy cotton wings suddenly puffed up even more, enveloping it like a cloud.
The rocks from Rock Slide hit Altaria dead on, and it cried out in pain as its body was pushed back. However, due to the fluffiness of its wings absorbing the impact, the damage it took was limited.
Just like Blastoise's shell or Drapion's flexible pincers, Altaria's cotton wings effectively absorb physical attacks—a feature that isn't represented in the games.
In the next moment, the 'cotton' returned to normal, and Altaria's body glowed with a white light.
The Grass-type move Cotton Guard, which sharply raises the user's defense by three stages!
Dylan raised an eyebrow. Zinnia really is choosing to power up Altaria. Well, it makes sense—if Altaria doesn't power up, its offensive capability is pretty mediocre.
"Altaria, use Dragon Dance!"
But after boosting its defense, Zinnia ordered Altaria to use Dragon Dance.
Altaria sang a beautiful melody as it flapped its cotton wings, moving its body in a mystical, ancient dance. Its body began to glow with a faint blue light.
This is the Dragon-type move Dragon Dance! It boosts the user's speed and attack.
And Drapion could only look up, glaring at Altaria as it performed its dance in the sky.
Alright, fine! So greedy, huh? You're not even considering my Drapion as a threat, are you?
Dylan hesitated, wondering if he should have Drapion start powering up as well or just bring out Articuno to finish off this showy, flashy dragon-type traitor.
(End of Chapter)