"Slowking, use Rest."
Ethan's eyes flashed for an instant as he gave the order.
Slowking understood immediately and closed its eyes, directly entering the state of the move Rest.
"T-this... but this is a competition!"
"What do you mean Slowking just closes its eyes and uses Rest?"
The spectators saw that Slowking truly began sleeping, and a giant question mark seemed to appear above their heads.
Does it not want to keep fighting?
"Could it be a combination with Sleep Talk...?"
Brandon Hayes also did not understand what was happening. But of course, he wasn't going to stand there doing nothing while Slowking rested.
He immediately ordered Typhlosion to use Flamethrower straight at Slowking.
But just as the attack was about to land, the eyes of Shellder —the one biting onto Slowking's head— snapped open, and a thick barrier appeared at once, completely blocking the flames.
"Ah, so the Rest move was just a distraction."
Seeing the barrier, everyone showed an expression of "I knew it."
However, no one noticed that Slowking still had its eyes closed even while using the barrier.
"Typhlosion, charge. Don't let it continue resting."
Following its trainer's command, Typhlosion stomped the ground hard and shot forward like a projectile.
As it moved, its body wrapped in flames: it was using Flame Wheel.
Facing Typhlosion's fierce charge, the red jewel on Shellder's shell flashed intensely.
A series of thick barriers formed out of nowhere, hovered briefly, and then shot forward to intercept Typhlosion.
Boom!
Typhlosion, wrapped in flames, crashed head-on into the barrier, shaking the entire structure.
But even so, it didn't break through on the first hit!
Shellder had always possessed extremely strong psychic power. After evolving with Slowpoke into Slowking, its life level seemed to evolve as well, dramatically enhancing its mental strength.
Moreover, after evolution, Shellder could only use four moves: Hidden Power (Psychic), Barrier, Rest, and Calm Mind. That was why its mastery over these four was exceptional.
The barriers it created now were incredibly thick: they could even stop Typhlosion's Flame Wheel!
"Fire Punch! Break it!"
Brandon frowned; he hadn't expected Slowking to still have this much strength after fighting Greninja. But he was sure Slowking was almost finished, so he ordered an increase in offensive pressure.
Crack!
With a full-powered punch, Typhlosion finally shattered the barrier.
But Slowking was already floating backward, moving away, while new barriers formed and spun around it, stacking one after another. Under Shellder's mental control, they gathered in front of it, repeatedly blocking Typhlosion's attacks.
Boom!
Boom!
Boom!
The spectators stared wide-eyed at this levitating Slowking with barriers swirling around it.
They had never imagined that Slowking —supposedly exhausted— still had this kind of power.
"Was Slowking holding back against Greninja?"
The thought appeared in Derek Ashford's mind, and his face darkened even further.
"Well done, Shellder!"
Seeing Shellder fighting as if in peak condition, Ethan smiled.
In truth, near the end of the battle against Greninja, Shellder was already exhausted and managed to secretly use Rest, leaving the fight entirely to Slowking.
Then, when the next battle began, Shellder woke up just in time and took over the fight.
At the same time, Slowking, completely drained after the previous battle, immediately used Rest, handing the turn to Shellder.
This was the Double Rest strategy between Slowking and Shellder: As long as Shellder could defend against Typhlosion, once Slowking woke up, it would return to the field in full condition.
Boom!
Boom!
Boom!
The battle continued intensely.
Shellder gave everything it had, retreating while raising barrier after barrier, preventing Typhlosion from advancing.
Neither long-distance attacks nor close combat worked. Even powerful moves like Flare Blitz packed with Fire-type energy failed to break through that absolute defense.
"That's enough. Slowking, finish the battle."
Ethan's command left everyone stunned.
Slowking's eyes opened instantly, shining with a different light.
Right then, Typhlosion broke through the last barrier and rushed forward engulfed in flames.
But just as it was about to ram into Slowking... Slowking vanished.
"Teleport! Typhlosion, watch out!" Brandon paled.
Boom!
In the next moment, Slowking appeared behind Typhlosion. A powerful Water-type energy gathered in its mouth, forming a bright sphere.
When the power reached its peak, Slowking used Water Pulse.
Typhlosion reacted upon hearing the warning, but after such a long battle it was exhausted and couldn't dodge. The Water Pulse struck it head-on, sending it flying.
"Hydro Pump!"
Taking advantage of Typhlosion still being in the air, Slowking charged energy again and used Hydro Pump, completely engulfing Typhlosion.
Fwoooosh!
The arena erupted into an uproar.
The spectators stared in disbelief at Slowking, slowly floating in the air.
Not a trace of exhaustion remained.
Teleport, Water Pulse, Hydro Pump... moves that only a fully restored Slowking could use. Its power was in no way inferior to its attacks in the previous fight.
(End of chapter)