"Go, Slowbro!"
Clara gripped her Poké Ball with a sly smirk, tossing it into the air.
"Show them, Slowbro!"
Avery elegantly swung his arm, allowing one of the Poké Balls orbiting his hat to detach and release his Pokémon.
Two Galarian Slowbro emerged in a flash of light, distinct from their usual Slowpoke evolutionary line. Unlike their Water/Psychic counterparts, these Slowbro had Shellder attached to their arms instead of their tails, altering their typing to Poison/Psychic.
Studies suggested that the unique spice-like compounds in their bodies reacted to Shellder's venom, triggering a chemical transformation and granting them a poisonous new power.
"Alright, it's our turn. Go, Lilligant! Hisuian Lilligant!"
Summer released his two Pokémon. Lilligant twirled gracefully, exuding an elegant aura, while Hisuian Lilligant landed with a lively bounce, full of energy.
Clara let out a mocking laugh, covering her mouth with her hand. "Hah! Are you an idiot? Sending out Grass-types against Poison-types? Maybe you should go back and study type matchups before challenging real Trainers."
Though outwardly confident, Clara's thoughts were far different—Oh my Arceus, they're so cute! And so elegant! Maybe I should be a Grass-type Trainer instead?
No, no… the competition is too fierce! Milo might look like a big, dumb farmhand, but he's ridiculously popular! Sticking with Poison-types is way easier.
Avery adjusted his monocle with a scoff. "I had assumed you possessed some level of intelligence, yet you dare insult our abilities by underestimating us? Such unforgivable arrogance!"
However, his inner thoughts told a different story. This Trainer… he's completely unshaken by my taunts. Even in the face of disadvantage, he remains calm. This self-assurance… it's like a Slowbro's unshakable mindset.
No… this is different. The psychic energy radiating from those Lilligant… their confidence comes from pure strength!
Summer, on the other hand, wasn't thinking about mind games or psychological warfare. He simply wanted to train his Lilligant duo to handle type disadvantages in battle.
"Slowbro, Shell Side Arm!"
"Slowbro, Psychic!"
Both Trainers shouted their commands at nearly the same time.
The two Galarian Slowbro slowly turned their heads, blinking at their Trainers, their eyes filled with deep wisdom—as if contemplating which move, exactly, they were supposed to use.
Clara snapped. "Why are you using Psychic? You're supposed to hit them with Poison moves!"
Avery shot back, equally frustrated. "Open your unsophisticated eyes, woman! That Hisuian Lilligant is also Fighting-type! My Psychic attack is super effective!"
Rather than scolding their Slowbro, the two ended up bickering with each other.
The issue was simple—Galarian Slowbro were extremely slow thinkers. Having two different commands with the same name overloaded their processing capacity, leaving them completely stunned in confusion.
Summer stood by, watching the mess unfold. Huh. So this is what happens when you take "two heads are better than one" and somehow turn it into "one plus one equals less than one."
"Whatever. Lilligant, Sleep Powder!"
Both Lilligant twirled elegantly, scattering shimmering pollen-like dust from their flower crowns. The spores drifted toward the Slowbro, carried gently by the air.
The effectiveness of Sleep Powder depended on several factors—the quantity of powder, its potency, the rate of dispersion, the opponent's inhalation, their ability to resist sleep, and their natural tendencies.
In this case, the Lilligant duo had trained in the life-rich Sunset Forest, making their Sleep Powder particularly potent.
Meanwhile, Galarian Slowbro were one of the most notoriously sleepy Pokémon species.
In less than a second, both Slowbro collapsed onto the ground, slipping into a deep slumber, their arms limp at their sides.
"Slowbro—what the heck?! Ugh! That's so unfair!" Clara bit her finger in frustration. How dare he use such dirty tactics! …Of course, if I used Toxic, that'd be totally fine. Poison-types should use Toxic!
"Damn it! I've lost my mental link with Slowbro! Such deceitful tactics!" Avery wiped sweat from his forehead. Putting opponents to sleep? What trickery! …Of course, if I used Hypnosis, that'd be completely fair. Psychic-types should use Hypnosis!
Summer sighed. "Alright, girls. Set up defenses and buff yourselves while we have the chance."
Lilligant raised her arms, summoning a shimmering Light Screen. Thanks to her Guardian ability, status moves were strengthened, allowing the barrier to block 60% of incoming damage instead of the usual 50%.
Meanwhile, Hisuian Lilligant performed a Victory Dance, spinning in rhythmic steps. The Dancer ability kicked in, allowing Lilligant to copy the stat boost and enhance herself as well.
For the next few moments, Clara and Avery hurled complaints at their own sleeping Slowbro, trying every trick in the book to wake them up.
But waking a Slowbro was like trying to wake up a Snorlax during hibernation.
It wasn't happening.
"Still asleep, huh? Alright, time to attack."
Summer glanced at his Pokémon. "Hisuian Lilligant, Leaf Blade. Lilligant, Helping Hand. Make this count."
Lilligant twirled elegantly, empowering Hisuian Lilligant with a surge of light energy. Hisuian Lilligant dashed forward, gliding across the battlefield like a graceful figure skater.
A sharp green blade formed along her arm, condensing pure life energy at the very edge. She swung it downward in a precise strike, slashing across Galarian Slowbro's exposed belly.
Critical hit.
Slowbro didn't even stir from its sleep.
"W-what?! How the hell did Slowbro faint in one hit?!" Clara gawked.
"Slowbro is a Poison-type! How does a Grass-type move defeat it so easily?!"
Simple.
Victory Dance's boost, Helping Hand's amplification, and a critical hit. By the time the attack landed, type resistances didn't even matter anymore.
Summer exhaled. "One down. Let's finish this."
The second Slowbro was still asleep, completely unaware of its impending doom.
Hisuian Lilligant readied another Leaf Blade, stepping forward for the final strike.
Suddenly, Slowbro's eyes shot open—sharp, focused, almost like a quick-draw cowboy.
With a blur of movement, it lifted its Shellder-covered arm, releasing a burst of concentrated Psychic energy—
Shell Side Arm!
Avery's eyes gleamed. "Yes! Now we've turned the tide—"
BOOM!
The attack crashed into Light Screen, significantly reducing its effectiveness. Hisuian Lilligant barely flinched before swinging her Leaf Blade down.
Another critical hit.
The second Slowbro crumpled.
Avery stood frozen. "H-how…?"
Summer dusted off his hands. "My Light Screen wasn't just for decoration, you know."
With both Slowbro defeated, the battle was over.
"I think that means we win," Summer said calmly.
"Th-this isn't over!" Clara snapped. "We still have more Pokémon to fight with!"
"Indeed! A true Trainer never surrenders!" Avery declared, still refusing to admit defeat.
In reality, they had already mentally shifted blame onto each other for the loss.
Summer sighed. These two are way too much trouble… Time to wrap this up quickly.
He reached for his next Poké Balls.
"Alright, then. Come on out, Rillaboom and Ogerpon. Let's finish this."