However…
Xia You looked up at the ceiling. This battle wasn't without its advantages.
Through the bright glass dome, the sun could be clearly seen, emitting soft daylight.
Today, it was still a clear day…
"Let's begin!" Seeing that both Pokémon were ready, Violet loudly commanded, without waiting for Daisy to speak, "Krabby, use Water Gun!"
A thick stream of water shot out from Krabby's mouth, heading straight for Bulbasaur!
"Bulbasaur, dodge it and use Vine Whip!"
Hearing the command, Bulbasaur leaped to the side to dodge the attack, while two Vine Whips extended from the flower bud on its back, lashing out at Krabby.
However, in the next second, Krabby dove into the water, and the Vine Whips only caused ripples on the surface!
In their first exchange, neither side gained any advantage.
Regardless of whether these three sisters were solely dedicated to synchronized swimming, their strength was not easily underestimated!
Violet, however, suddenly smiled upon seeing the stalemate.
"Well, one in the water and one on land—it's hard to decide a winner with attacks like this. It seems we need to change our approach. Krabby, get onto that floating board!"
"Oh?" Xia You raised an eyebrow, slightly surprised by her command. "Giving up your home-field advantage to fight Bulbasaur face-to-face—is that really a good idea?"
Violet tilted her head back, clearly full of confidence.
"Don't worry. Unlike Lily's Goldeen, my Krabby is still very strong even on land! Krabby, use Glare!"
Krabby's four crab legs moved quickly, and it soon scuttled sideways onto the floating board where Bulbasaur stood. Immediately, its dull eyes glowed red, locking onto Bulbasaur.
Is she trying to weaken Bulbasaur through intimidation?
Xia You calmly said, "Bulbasaur, don't be affected by it. Use Growth!"
Bulbasaur's body suddenly emitted a faint green light.
Growth is a move that increases the user's Attack. And because it was a sunny day with ample sunlight, using Growth now additionally increased its effect!
Seeing this opportunity, Violet's eyes lit up, and she quickly said, "Krabby, use Water Gun!"
Unable to dodge in time, the Water Gun directly hit Bulbasaur. However, although Bulbasaur's Defense had been lowered by Glare, Water-type moves naturally deal half damage to Grass-type Pokémon. Therefore, even though the attack landed, it didn't cause much damage.
"Bulbasaur, now it's our turn to retaliate! Use Tackle!"
Knowing how strong the attack would be after Growth, Violet didn't dare to be careless.
"Krabby, use Harden!"
Before Bulbasaur reached it, Krabby's body shimmered, becoming visibly sturdier.
With a dull thud, Krabby took the Tackle head-on and was forced to step back.
Fortunately, it wasn't seriously injured and still had the strength to counterattack!
"Now, Krabby, use Crabhammer!"
At Violet's command, Krabby's massive pincer shot forward and tightly clamped onto Bulbasaur's neck.
Crabhammer is a Normal-type move, so it wasn't weakened by Grass or Poison typing. Combined with Glare, it dealt considerable damage, causing Bulbasaur to cry out in pain.
However, Xia You wouldn't just stand by.
"Use Vine Whip!"
The Vine Whips rose high from Bulbasaur's bud and slammed down repeatedly, each strike dealing heavy damage to Krabby.
Clap, clap… clap, clap…
After taking several hits, Krabby could no longer endure the pain and was forced to retreat, backing away from Bulbasaur.
This allowed Bulbasaur to regain its freedom.
The momentum of the battle completely shifted!
"Next, it's our turn!"
Narrowing his eyes, Xia You commanded, "Use Leech Seed!"
A tiny seed flew from the flower bud and attached itself to Krabby at incredible speed. In the blink of an eye, vines sprouted and tightly wrapped around Krabby's body.
This time, Krabby was completely immobilized!
Seeing the unfavorable situation, Violet attempted a final struggle. "Krabby, get back into the water!"
This was undoubtedly the best solution.
However…
Only now thinking of retreating?
Too late!
Xia You chuckled softly and issued the final command.
"Bulbasaur, finish it—Vine Whip!"
Two Vine Whips struck Krabby before it could reach the water. With the double damage from type advantage and Leech Seed continuously draining its stamina, Krabby finally collapsed onto the floating board.
Violet stood still for a moment, then sighed.
"I lost too…"
She recalled Krabby into its Poké Ball.
Xia You had now won two battles in a row.
Only Daisy remained.
Seeing her two younger sisters defeated, Daisy's expression grew solemn.
She slowly walked to the Trainer's command area, carefully observing Xia You.
"You are truly strong and very calm. I can tell you're an excellent Trainer. However, we won't give up so easily. Come out, my Pokémon—Seel!"
As her Poké Ball opened, a grayish-white Pokémon resembling a sea lion appeared in the pool.
Because he wasn't very familiar with it, Xia You took out his Pokédex and scanned Seel.
"Beep. Seel, the Sea Lion Pokémon. Water-type. They live among icebergs and use the sharp protrusion on their heads to break ice and swim. Their thick skin allows them to move freely even at minus forty degrees Celsius."
Unlike Goldeen and Krabby, this Seel possessed both flexibility and close-range combat ability, making it even harder to deal with.
"Come back, Bulbasaur."
Xia You recalled Bulbasaur and released his final Pokémon—his ace.
"Ralts, it's all up to you!"
With a soft cry, Ralts used Teleport and appeared on the floating board.
A faint light flickered beneath its bangs as its body quietly adjusted to battle.
"Is it called Ralts?" Daisy said, instantly charmed by its appearance. "It's so adorable! Is it from another region?"
"That's right," Xia You nodded. "Ralts isn't from Kanto. Please be careful—it's a Psychic- and Fairy-type, very difficult to deal with."
"What a gentle and handsome man," Daisy smiled. "But I won't go easy! Seel, use Aqua Jet!"
Seel surrounded itself with water and charged forward at high speed.
"Ralts, dodge!"
In the next instant, Ralts vanished and reappeared on another floating board, easily avoiding the attack.
"Psychic-type Pokémon really are troublesome," Daisy sighed, then smiled. "In that case, let's restrict its movement. Seel, use Icy Wind!"
A freezing gale swept across the arena, dropping the temperature below zero. Even the water's surface froze into thick ice.
Although Ralts used Teleport to avoid the worst of it, its movement speed was inevitably affected by the frozen environment.