"What a beautiful Milotic."
Caitlin couldn't help but praise Dylan's shiny Milotic. Its graceful and noble aura truly matched the ideal image of beauty.
"It's not just beautiful—my Milotic is strong too," Dylan replied warmly with a gentle smile.
"Milotic, Surf."
Milotic let out a melodious cry. Its creamy, jewel-like body shimmered with a deep ocean-blue light.
SPLASH—
A massive wave surged forth from nowhere, carrying Milotic as it swept toward Musharna.
The heavy rain continued to pour down. In this weather, Water-type moves were even more powerful. The sheer momentum behind Surf was overwhelming!
"Psychic!" Caitlin called, her expression solemn.
Musharna's eyes glowed a deep blue, unleashing a wave of colorful psychic energy to clash against the oncoming Surf.
The two moves collided with a roar, but it quickly became clear that Psychic was being overpowered.
It couldn't hold.
Caitlin realized it instantly, just as Surf smashed through the Psychic and crashed down on Musharna.
The powerful current slammed into Musharna, knocking it down and soaking it completely.
"Hydro Pump."
Dylan followed up immediately.
Milotic slithered forward like a serpent, its mouth gathering a concentrated glow of water energy.
"Musharna, Charge Beam!" Caitlin responded without hesitation.
Musharna rose slightly, crackling with yellow electricity, then fired a beam straight at Milotic.
Electric vs Water!
Hydro Pump and Charge Beam fired at almost the same time—and passed each other mid-air.
BOOM!
The electric beam struck Milotic, sending sparks flying across its body. Milotic winced—it hurt.
But Musharna was also blasted backward by Hydro Pump and hit the ground hard.
"Trading blows? Is that wise?" Steven furrowed his brow.
"It's raining, after all. Water moves are buffed, and Milotic's special defense is exceptional," he added.
As Wallace's ace, Steven was more than familiar with Milotic's stats.
Sure, Electric beats Water—but in the rain, Water moves hit harder, and Milotic's bulk made it a tough nut to crack.
Steven himself had to bring out Aggron and Metagross to muscle past Wallace's Milotic.
"Caitlin's probably just testing the waters," Cynthia mused. Musharna had solid special defense too.
But in this rain? Hydro Pump hit harder than Charge Beam by a wide margin.
It wasn't a good trade.
On the field, Milotic closed the gap again, moving with surprising speed, drawing near to Musharna.
"Musharna, Yawn!"
Caitlin tried to slow the momentum.
She knew by now that trading hits with Milotic wasn't ideal—at least not while the rain persisted.
"Dragon Dance."
Dylan's lips curved upward.
Musharna yawned at Milotic—but the serpent surged forward and began to dance around it.
Milotic's long body coiled sensually around Musharna, dancing in a mysterious, serpentine rhythm.
Like a graceful sea maiden, it twirled around the psychic Pokémon.
If this were Gardevoir instead of Musharna, they probably wouldn't be allowed to show this scene on TV.
"That's how he uses Dragon Dance? Dylan's got guts," Wallace muttered, stunned. "He's literally dancing in the opponent's face."
Blue mystic light shimmered over Milotic's body—Dragon Dance boosting its speed and physical attack.
"Musharna, Psychic!"
Caitlin snapped back into focus, ordering a counterattack.
Musharna's eyes flashed—but Milotic was faster.
It suddenly wrapped its body tightly around Musharna, squeezing hard with Bind.
Musharna groaned, its attempt to cast Psychic interrupted.
"Musharna!" Caitlin's brow furrowed.
"Hydro Pump."
Still binding its opponent, Milotic began charging water energy in its mouth.
Musharna finally forced out a full-powered Psychic, slamming Dylan's Pokémon in the face.
Milotic hissed and released its grip—but the Hydro Pump still fired, slamming Musharna into the ground.
Drenched and battered, Musharna was clearly in bad shape. It had already taken a U-turn from Pelipper earlier.
"Musharna, return—"
Sensing it was in danger, Caitlin reached for its Poké Ball to recall it.
"Flip Turn."
Dylan didn't let up.
Milotic surrounded itself with water energy and slammed into Musharna again, then returned to its ball in a flash.
Water-type Flip Turn. Like U-turn, it swapped Dylan's Pokémon after landing the hit.
The impact was the final straw—Musharna fainted on the spot.
"Musharna is unable to battle. Milotic wins," Leaf announced clearly.
Caitlin, still holding the Poké Ball, stared at her fallen Pokémon. Her eyes shimmered faintly with psychic blue energy, her chest rising and falling.
But after a few seconds, she regained her composure and silently recalled Musharna.
"Leader Dylan doesn't leave any openings, does he?" Geeta chuckled softly. Everyone had noticed Caitlin trying to recall her Pokémon at the end.
"Caitlin... she's really grown," Cynthia said with a gentle smile.
If this had been the Caitlin of old, she would've lost control of her psychic powers from frustration.
But now—she was calm. She'd truly matured during her time in Unova.
Cynthia had always known Caitlin had incredible talent, and her psychic powers were natural gifts.
But her weak will and lack of emotional control were always her flaws.
If she could master that, she'd improve tremendously.
"Dylan adjusts his team for challengers, but in battle, he doesn't pull punches," Steven agreed. "He fought Wallace the same way."
"He's the one who made Wallace retire?" Geeta blinked. She'd heard of Wallace's retirement, but not who caused it.
"Please, don't believe such nonsense!" Wallace's fair face darkened in exasperation.
Cynthia chuckled. Steven gave his friend a judging look.
"Technically, I just gave the Champion title back to Steven," Wallace insisted. "Besides, I earned Dylan's respect—look at this!"
He proudly raised his wrist, showing off a shiny Rota Badge.
Geeta looked at the intricate badge with interest.
"Give me a break. If you didn't get that match, you'd still be Champion," Steven scoffed. "And you have the nerve to flaunt that badge?"
"You only beat Dylan's Slaking!"
"You're just jealous. Think you could do better? How many of Dylan's Pokémon can you beat?" Wallace challenged.
"I'd have a better win record than you, that's for sure." Steven rubbed his chin.
He wasn't saying he'd definitely win, but he wouldn't end up only beating one Pokémon like Wallace.
"Yeah, we'll see about that," Wallace grumbled. "What if you get matched against his legendaries?"
On the field—
"Pelipper."
Dylan tossed out Pelipper again.
"As expected from you, Leader Dylan."
Caitlin admired his strategy. According to Gym rules, the leader couldn't switch Pokémon mid-battle—but moves like Flip Turn weren't restricted.
Dylan had mastered the loophole.
"Let's see how you respond, Miss Caitlin."
He smiled politely.
"I think I've figured it out."
Caitlin's next Poké Ball floated out with psychic energy.
"Gallade!"
A humanoid Pokémon with a green torso and white legs appeared, raising its arm like a blade.
It had a calm, sharp aura.
Gallade—Ralts' other final evolution.
Beep~ Gallade. Psychic/Fighting-type. Blade Pokémon.
Ability: Steadfast
Moves: Quick Guard, Sacred Sword, Leaf Blade, Swords Dance, Aerial Ace, Night Slash, Slash…
Info: Battles with retractable elbow blades. A master of sword techniques. Values chivalry and honor.
"Caitlin's team is impressive," Leaf remarked. This Gallade was clearly stronger than Musharna.
And after what happened earlier, Caitlin was clearly countering Milotic directly.
Milotic's physical defense was its weakness.
"Pelipper."
Dylan eyed the Gallade and immediately understood Caitlin's game plan.
Pelipper squawked, activating Drizzle again and renewing the heavy downpour.
"U-turn."
"Swords Dance!"
Gallade let out a low growl as its blades glowed sharply—power increasing with each spin.
U-turn landed, but Gallade took the hit and stayed standing.
Pelipper returned to its Poké Ball.
"Milotic's not a good match here," Wallace said. "Gallade's physical and bulky. With Swords Dance up, it's even worse for Milotic."
"Yeah, I wonder which Water-type Dylan will send out next," Cynthia nodded.
On the field, Dylan pulled out another Ultra Ball.
"Golisopod, into battle!"
With a heavy thud, a large teal Pokémon landed on the field, glaring coldly at Gallade.
It was heavily armored, resembling a massive, bipedal isopod. Its massive claws gleamed threateningly.
This was Golisopod—evolved from Wimpod. Another one of Dylan's newly raised Water-types.
Beep~ Golisopod. Bug/Water-type. Armor Pokémon.
Ability: Emergency Exit
Moves: First Impression, Liquidation, Swords Dance, Pin Missile, Razor Shell, Sucker Punch, Aqua Jet…
Info: With massive claws, it can slice through air and water alike with a single slash.
"Golisopod?" Wallace blinked in surprise.
He'd studied it before. Aside from its intimidating looks, Golisopod was a fantastic physical attacker with solid defenses.
Its only flaw—was its ability.
Emergency Exit: When its HP drops too low, it forcibly retreats into its Poké Ball.
Sometimes that saved it.
Other times, it ruined the perfect moment for a finishing blow.
"Let's go, Miss Caitlin. Show me what your Gallade can do against my Golisopod."
Dylan extended a hand toward her with a smile.
If she wanted close combat—
He'd give her close combat.
And Golisopod?
Was no easy opponent.
It was much more dangerous than Milotic when it came to direct brawling.