After hearing Theo's words, Milotic gently drifted forward while controlling the water vapor surrounding its body. It nodded softly toward Larvesta, its eyes filled with confidence and unwavering determination.
Metang also moved closer. Using its telekinesis, it lifted Larvesta and placed it onto its own body, letting out a series of crisp metallic chimes as if to say that everything could be left to them.
Seeing this, Tyrantrum lowered its head as well, rubbing its cheek lightly against both Metang and Larvesta. It let out a deep, low rumble, offering its own form of encouragement.
Larvesta looked at Theo, then at the companions gathered around it.
The five small antennae around its head swayed gently, and its blue eyes curved into crescent shapes.
Soon after, it broke into a cheerful expression and let out a bright and clear cry.
"Milotic, this time, it's up to you. Help Larvesta win back the chance to learn new moves."
Theo's tone carried absolute trust in Milotic.
Milotic flicked its long, flowing tail fin. It first looked at Theo, then at Larvesta, Metang, and Tyrantrum, a trace of determination flashing through its eyes.
Its tail fin brushed lightly through the air, stirring faint ripples, as if silently declaring that it would handle everything.
"Laaar!"
Larvesta was the first to call out, cheering for Milotic.
"Tyraant!"
Tyrantrum responded with a deep roar.
"Meta!"
Metang's metallic body chimed crisply, joining in the encouragement.
The voices of the three Pokémon intertwined, forming a wave of support that strengthened Milotic as it prepared to enter battle.
Moore watched the scene quietly.
Theo had not been provoked, nor had he fallen for the suggestion. Instead, he had calmly chosen the safest and most reliable option, Milotic.
That composure gradually transformed the playful look on Moore's face into one of faint admiration.
He shook his head and chuckled softly.
"Young Theo, you really are a calm young man."
"They call you 'Little Wallace,' but in my opinion, you should be called 'Little Steven Stone.'"
"This level of composure and steadiness reminds me very much of how Steven battles."
After saying that, Moore turned his head slightly and gestured toward Blaziken, his tone returning to its earlier seriousness.
"Blaziken, it seems your opponent is Milotic. Be careful."
Blaziken tilted its head slightly.
It seemed to be sizing up Milotic's seemingly gentle and graceful body. Then suddenly, it lifted its head and let out an even louder cry, the flames on its wrists burning even more fiercely.
As if declaring that it did not care about type disadvantages, that any opponent would be met head on.
The referee, already in position, took a deep breath, feeling the rising tension in the air.
He suddenly raised his arm high and then brought it down sharply.
"The sparring match between Elder Moore and challenger Theo begins now!"
[Pokémon: Milotic (Shiny)]
Type: Water
Category: Tender Pokémon
Ability: Marvel Scale (When affected by a status condition, Marvel Scale reacts and sharply increases Defense)
Moves: ...Haze (Proficient), Recover (Proficient), Life Dew (Mastered), Disarming Voice (Mastered), Rain Dance (Expert), Aqua Ring (Expert)...
The moment the match was declared, the two Pokémon locked eyes on each other.
The water vapor surrounding Milotic flowed like a natural dress. Its creamy white, slender, and elegant body appeared even more beautiful under the sunlight.
Its four golden tail fins added a noble and refined aura to its presence.
Blaziken, on the other hand, resembled a cheetah ready to pounce. Its legs were slightly spread, its center of gravity lowered, and every muscle in its body was tensed.
It looked as though it could explode into motion like an arrow released from a bow at any moment.
The flames at its wrists burned fiercely, showing not the slightest concern even though it was facing a Water type opponent that had a natural advantage over it.
At this point, the battlefield had cooled somewhat after Torkoal's exit. The intense heat had faded, leaving only the dry warmth of midday in Lavaridge Town.
Sunlight filtered through sparse clouds, casting scattered patches of light and shadow across the ground.
"Milotic, use Rain Dance!"
Theo was the first to give an order, breaking the tense standoff.
"Miloo~"
Milotic let out a soft cry.
After evolving, its mastery over Rain Dance had improved tremendously. It was no longer what it once had been.
It gently swung its golden scaled tail fin.
At the very moment the tail moved, thick and heavy dark clouds rapidly gathered above the battlefield.
The clouds churned and rolled as large raindrops suddenly began to fall, the sound of rainfall growing denser and louder until it turned into a torrential downpour.
What was remarkable was that the rain seemed to be restrained by an invisible force.
It only covered the battlefield precisely, while the surrounding audience remained completely dry, unaffected in the slightest.
This was Milotic's precise control over Rain Dance. It created a favorable environment for itself while avoiding unnecessary stamina consumption.
"Hm?"
Moore frowned slightly as he looked at the battlefield instantly enveloped by rain.
He had not expected Milotic's Rain Dance to be so fast and so precise.
However, instead of worrying, his gaze sharpened, and he quickly issued a command.
"Blaziken, Sunny Day!"
"Ha-cha!"
Blaziken raised its head and shot a blazing fireball into the sky.
The fireball soared upward and exploded above its head, releasing an intense burst of light.
In an instant, a small area centered around Blaziken cleared of clouds, revealing bright sunshine.
It formed a stark and strange division with the surrounding heavy rain.
Two thirds of the battlefield were drenched in rain, while one third remained under clear skies.
Two completely opposite weather conditions coexisted on the same battlefield, creating a bizarre and astonishing scene.
However, at that very moment, a sudden change occurred.
A faint red glow appeared across Milotic's body.
Immediately after, tiny sparks of fire began to appear on its scales out of thin air, as though it were being scorched by an invisible flame.
Almost at the same time the red sparks emerged, Milotic's scales suddenly emitted a brilliant light.
The scales grew thicker, their color deepening, making its body appear far more resilient.
Streams of red light flowed across Milotic's body, making it look even more radiant and mesmerizing.
This was Milotic's ability.
Marvel Scale.
When affected by a status condition, its Defense would increase significantly.
"What's going on?"
"Blaziken hasn't even touched Milotic yet, so why does it look like it's burned?"
"Why are its scales suddenly glowing?"
The spectators at the sidelines were completely baffled, and discussions erupted once again.
The live stream chat exploded with confusion.
"What's happening to Milotic? It has flames on its body and its scales are glowing. What kind of move is this?"
"It looks like a burn status, but the glowing scales don't match… can someone explain this?"
"I know! You guys clearly haven't studied abilities properly. This is one of Milotic's abilities, Marvel Scale! When it has a status condition, its Defense increases!"
"Wait, what? Then how did it suddenly get burned? Blaziken didn't even attack!"
(End of Chapter)