Chapter 785 - Victory is in sight
Wallace knew that it was a definite disadvantage for Milotic to engage in long-range battles. The type disadvantage made it difficult for Milotic to gain an advantage, and only close combat offered a chance of victory.
From the previous battle, Wallace had already observed that Florges specialized in special attacks. Engaging in melee combat prevented Florges from utilizing her strengths.
Though Milotic was not particularly skilled in close combat, she still held a relative advantage. Milotic possessed physical moves, whereas Florges had displayed few so far.
After all, in Aoki's team, Florges had originally served as a supporting Pokémon in the rear, only recently beginning to fight independently. There were still some drawbacks to her battling style.
Moreover, Wallace's Milotic had a light-blue aptitude rating, granting her exceptional physical endurance and combat ability. Compared to Florges, Milotic held a greater physical advantage.
The two long-range special attackers were forced into close combat by Milotic.
In desperation, Aoki had no choice but to command Florges to use her last resort—Petal Dance!
Gorgeous petals materialized in the air, drifting down like a shower of cherry blossoms, creating a mesmerizing spectacle.
When Wallace saw the petals, he knew trouble was coming.
Florges's eyes gleamed with delight—this scene of swirling petals was her favorite. Fighting amidst them was like dancing a waltz, graceful yet powerful.
CRACK!
Milotic's scales shattered under the assault, splattering blood across the petals, painting the battlefield in a poignant display.
Milotic, wincing in pain, looked shocked. She hadn't expected Florges to possess such devastating offensive power.
This was an all-out attack—abandoning defense, thought, and rationality in exchange for overwhelming force.
"Milotic, use Protect!" Wallace shouted as soon as the petals appeared.
But he was a fraction too late. Milotic endured the first strike, yet she didn't collapse. Before the second Petal Dance could land, she activated Protect, disrupting the flurry of attacks.
The interruption left Florges still lost in the beauty of the petals, unable to react.
This was Milotic's chance to strike.
At such close range, Ice Beam was devastating.
With a dazed smile still on her face, Florges crumpled to the ground.
Florges was unable to battle!
Milotic wins!
Wallace had gained the upper hand!
Now, Aoki had only Slowking left, and the pressure was on him.
However, after enduring multiple attacks from Florges—including the final Petal Dance—Milotic's stamina was nearly depleted.
After recalling Florges and whispering praise to her, Aoki sent out his final Pokémon—Slowking.
Wallace's expression grew tense. He knew Slowking was Aoki's true ace, a Pokémon that had yet to reveal its full strength in the Sinnoh competition.
During Aoki's battle against Clair, Slowking had fought, but Clair had not been in top condition, and Slowking had not unleashed its full power.
This level 58 Slowking was the strongest of Aoki's team!
"Yah dong!!!" Slowking bellowed as it took the field, its presence imposing.
It understood that this was the critical moment—Aoki needed it to turn the tide.
Slowking levitated into the air, its body radiating psychic energy. The sheer density of its Psychic power caused crimson sparks to flicker in the air as its energy clashed with the surrounding space.
Then, with a surge of power, a dark-red rectangular field enveloped the battlefield.
Trick Room!
"Milotic, Aqua Ring! Recover!" Wallace commanded, using two healing moves at once.
A shimmering ring of water encircled Milotic, its scales glistening under the effect.
Slowking made no move to stop her. Instead, its eyes gleamed with intelligence as pitch-black orbs of condensed psychic energy formed behind it, each wrapped in a swirling aura of mental force.
By combining Psychic and Psyshock, Slowking had mastered a devastating fusion of psychic attacks.
WHOOSH!
The orbs tore through the air—so fast they created a sonic boom.
On the mysterious island above Lake Valor, where wild Psychic-types trained, Slowking had honed its skills. This combination of moves, along with its heightened speed of execution, was the result of rigorous training.
It had learned from the battle styles of other Psychic-types, starting with its first opponent—Bronzong!
Milotic, still preparing to use Recover, suddenly felt the air tremble.
She watched helplessly as the black orbs of psychic energy expanded in her vision—but there was nothing she could do.
Though Recover could restore her stamina, it required time—time she didn't have. If she used it now, she would be left weakened for an entire day. Even if Wallace made it to the semifinals, losing his strongest Pokémon would cost him any chance at the top three, relegating him to fourth place at best.
Besides, Recover was slow to activate—and in Trick Room, Slowking was faster.
Slowking wasn't in a hurry. It gathered its psychic energy, aiming to finish Milotic in a single strike.
Wallace clenched his fists in frustration. The moment Slowking activated Trick Room, he knew his chances of advancing were slim.
When Slowking had battled Clair's Charizard, it hadn't used Trick Room—but Aoki had the advantage of prior knowledge, allowing him to strategize in ways others couldn't.
With Trick Room active, Slowking's speed disadvantage vanished entirely.
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
The psychic orbs struck Milotic one after another.
She never got the chance to use Recover.
Milotic collapsed, unable to battle.
Slowking remained nearly unscathed. With Trick Room still active, it would retain its speed advantage against Wallace's Walrein.
Moreover, Walrein's level was inferior to Slowking's, and it held no type advantage. Even its aptitude was weaker.
Wallace's hopes of reaching the semifinals were dashed.
Aoki's victory was inevitable!