"Silas, your strength has far exceeded my expectations. What comes next will be your final trial."
Two Poké Balls dropped from behind Olympia, and two Pokémon appeared once more on the field.
One of them immediately caught Silas's attention, as it posed a tremendous threat to the Mudsdale. Especially when Olympia revealed the Key Stone hanging from her clothing, Silas's vigilance rose to its highest level.
"Mega Evolve!"
Among the two pink, upright Pokémon on the opposing side, one was suddenly enveloped in the radiant glow of Mega Evolution.
The Pokémon clamped onto its tail opened its shell wide and swallowed the Slowpoke's entire body, leaving only its head, tail, and arms exposed. Its defensive capabilities were greatly enhanced in this form.
That was right, the Pokémon that had Mega Evolved was the evolved form of Slowpoke, Slowbro.
It was a Pokémon capable of reaching an even higher stage through Mega Evolution. In contrast, its other evolution, Slowking, had not been discovered to possess such a form.
"Slow… poke…"
"Slow… king!"
The other Pokémon was naturally Slowking, another evolution of Slowpoke. Compared to Slowbro, Slowking appeared far more wise and composed.
This species was quite rare, and in certain coastal cities, Slowking held special significance, often being called the sage of the sea.
With its hands clasped behind its back and its head held high, it carried the demeanor of a wise monarch. The orange and white shell-like structure around its neck, resembling a parasol, added a touch of charm.
It was said that Slowking's intelligence came from the toxins of the Shellder biting its head, which miraculously awakened its latent intellect. Under the influence of the toxin, its intelligence rose to a level comparable to the world's top scientists, rivaled only by Oranguru.
"Mega Slowbro and Slowking…"
Silas's mind raced.
Mega Slowbro possessed extremely high physical defense but poor special defense, while Slowking excelled in special defense but was weaker physically. Together, they formed a perfectly complementary pair.
As Water and Psychic types, they also had a strong advantage against Mudsdale.
After a moment of thought, Silas took out his Poké Balls.
"Mudsdale, come back and rest for now."
As he recalled them, he immediately threw out two new Poké Balls.
That was right.
It was the third Mudsdale and Diancie.
The third Mudsdale needed no further explanation, it specialized in Fissure. As for Diancie instead of Perrserker, the decision was made because both Mega Slowbro and Slowking had exceptionally high special attack stats.
The four Pokémon faced each other once more, and the battle was about to erupt again.
"Slowking, Trick Room and Rain Dance. Mega Slowbro, Surf."
"Slow…"
Slowking leisurely raised a finger and waved it before its eyes. The red gem on the Shellder atop its head burst with dazzling psychic light.
Almost simultaneously, both Rain Dance and Trick Room were set up.
"Diancie, Trick Room first, then Diamond Storm. Mudsdale, use Fissure."
If Silas remembered correctly, both Slowking and Mega Slowbro were slower than Mudsdale.
Once Trick Room reversed the speed order, they would become the fastest on the field.
Thanks to its speed advantage, Diancie's Trick Room was established first.
The speed order flipped, and Mega Slowbro visibly accelerated, controlling layers upon layers of surging waves that carried mud and debris as they rushed forward.
But just as it began, Slowking's Trick Room and Rain Dance took effect. Under the drizzling rain, Surf was strengthened, and the speed order flipped once again.
Diancie raised both hands, and under a pale pink glow, countless diamond-shaped crystals burst from the ground, forming a high-speed rotating storm that charged directly into the incoming Surf.
It forcibly tore open a gap within the raging waves. Behind that opening, Mudsdale unleashed Fissure, a wave of earthy yellow energy surging toward Mega Slowbro.
If it connected, Mega Slowbro would fall into the abyss and be instantly defeated.
Just as the Fissure was about to hit, Mega Slowbro's body, supported by its tail, was suddenly enveloped in psychic energy and lifted upward. It was Slowking who had intervened at the last moment.
This was precisely what made Psychic-type Pokémon so troublesome. Certain attacks could be effortlessly avoided with their abilities.
"Now, Diancie, use Light Screen. Mudsdale, do not lose heart, use Fissure again."
Light Screen was the best counter against special attackers, capable of reducing damage by up to half, or by one third in multi-Pokémon battles.
Diancie raised its hand, forming invisible translucent barriers around itself and Mudsdale.
Meanwhile, Mudsdale, with a slight speed advantage, used Fissure once more.
A one-hit knockout move missing was completely normal, but if it landed, the payoff was immeasurable. As long as Mudsdale kept using it, the opponent would be forced to stay on guard at all times.
According to a certain calculation, if one Fissure had a thirty percent chance to hit, then five attempts would equal one hundred fifty percent.
Unless Silas was somehow cursed with extreme bad luck.
"Slowking dodge and then Disable," Olympia quickly commanded. "Slowbro, Psychic."
"Slow…" ×2
Slowking and Mega Slowbro both floated into the air, evading the sudden Fissure attack. At the same time, Slowking pointed toward Mudsdale, and an invisible force descended.
Diancie stepped forward, taking the Disable in place of Mudsdale. Its previously used Light Screen was temporarily sealed.
Mudsdale snorted in gratitude, shaking off the rainwater clinging to its body. Being drenched from head to toe was something it greatly disliked.
"No need to thank me," Diancie said with a sweet smile. "We are teammates."
Mudsdale nudged Diancie aside, pushing it out of the way and narrowly avoiding Mega Slowbro's Psychic attack.
A massive surge of mental power turned into a pale blue shockwave. Unable to completely evade, Mudsdale took the hit directly, staggering back two steps as its hooves carved shallow pits into the ground, which were quickly filled with rainwater.
"Bring it down, Diancie. Mudsdale, continue using Fissure."
Battling Psychic types was simply too troublesome. Silas was already thinking about adding a Dark or Ghost type to his team in the future.
Following the command, Diancie raised both hands high. Pink light gathered as countless diamond spears formed and shot toward Mega Slowbro floating in midair.
Mega Slowbro hurriedly used its psychic power to dodge, but under the dense barrage of diamond spears, its shell was still grazed.
The additional effect of the move took hold.
Mega Slowbro's body suddenly became heavier.
Maintaining its levitation now required a significant amount of psychic energy. Between attacking and moving, it was forced to choose.
The sudden increase in weight caused it to lose balance, and it began to fall from the air.
Seeing this, Mudsdale's eyes lit up. This was a perfect opportunity.
It raised its forelegs high and slammed them down, sending out an enlarged Fissure wave that rushed toward the falling Mega Slowbro. Below it, the muddy ground split open like a gaping maw, waiting to swallow it whole.
Unfortunately, neither Slowking nor Mega Slowbro knew a move like Ally Switch.
They could only watch as Mega Slowbro fell straight into the chasm.
And was instantly knocked out.
Or was it?
(End of Chapter)