Raindrops drizzled steadily.
Beneath the dark rainclouds, the battlefield dimmed considerably. Golisopod flexed its massive claws, its eerie black eyes glaring menacingly at Gallade across the field.
Caitlin took a deep breath, doing her best to stay calm.
The situation wasn't in her favor—she'd already lost a Pokémon.
"Gallade, Aerial Ace!"
She gave her command. Water + Bug—Golisopod's typing was solid. Gallade had Leaf Blade to handle Water-types, but Bug resisted Grass.
Gallade narrowed its eyes and rushed forward.
"First Impression."
Golisopod flared with greenish-yellow energy and charged.
A Bug-type priority move that could only be used upon first entry!
Both Pokémon dashed forward—but speed-wise, Gallade clearly had the edge.
As Golisopod lunged with its head lowered, Gallade leapt gracefully over it.
Mid-air, it twisted its body, its form outlined in white light.
Aerial Ace—Flying-type.
Gallade struck hard from above. Golisopod turned in time to raise its right claw in defense.
The blow crashed against its armored arm, forcing Golisopod to stumble back a few steps.
A solid hit.
Flying was super effective, and with Swords Dance already boosting Gallade's attack, that Aerial Ace packed a punch.
"Very agile," Dylan narrowed his eyes slightly.
"Then how about this—Pin Missile!"
Golisopod let out a growl, raising both claws as it unleashed a flurry of gleaming white spikes toward the just-landed Gallade.
Bug-type Pin Missile!
"Psycho Cut!"
Gallade's dual elbow blades lit with shimmering psychic energy. With practiced grace, it slashed rapidly.
Clang clang clang—!
The metallic clangs echoed nonstop as Gallade's precise blade work cut down every incoming projectile.
"Whoa?" Wallace blinked.
"This Gallade is exceptional," Steven praised. Just the finesse in those slashes showed real mastery.
Gallade deflected all of Pin Missile's barrage.
"Gallade!"
Gallade understood its trainer's intent and charged again.
"Razor Shell!"
Golisopod extended watery blades from both claws. Water-type.
Gallade crouched low and swung a glowing elbow blade, aiming for a direct Psychic strike.
Golisopod raised its Razor Shell to block.
Clash!
The blades met with a violent ripple of force. But Golisopod growled—and with its other claw, jabbed toward Gallade's chest.
Gallade twisted, narrowly dodging—but its angle meant it couldn't follow through with a clean counter.
Golisopod pressed the attack, Pin Missile glowing on its claw.
Though Gallade tried to defend again, some spikes still landed, bursting on contact and sending Gallade skidding back.
Low physical defense hurt.
But Bug wasn't super effective, and most of the missiles had been blocked.
"Even with Swords Dance, still not enough pressure?"
Caitlin frowned. Gallade's attack had been boosted by two stages. Normally, it should've overpowered Golisopod.
Wait—
The rain.
Caitlin realized—the rainy weather boosted Razor Shell's power.
That's why it was able to match Psycho Cut.
"Almost out of time," she glanced at the sky.
If she could stall, the rain would end, and Golisopod's power would drop.
"Aqua Jet."
Dylan made his move.
Golisopod surged forward, water energy swirling around it—a Water-type priority move.
"Gallade!" Caitlin's voice sharpened.
Gallade raised its arms in preparation, eyes locked onto its foe.
Golisopod didn't attack head-on—instead, it darted around Gallade's blind spot.
"Quick Guard!"
Gallade's arms flared with fighting energy as it turned just in time to block.
Bam!
The Aqua Jet was stopped cold.
Quick Guard—special move that blocks priority attacks.
"Psycho Cut!"
With the block successful, Gallade slashed downward.
"Razor Shell!"
The two blades clashed again. Gallade pushed with everything it had, but couldn't overpower the water-infused claw.
And then—
Golisopod grinned.
With its other claw, it thrust another Razor Shell straight at Gallade's chest.
Gallade tried to back away—but it was too late.
"Gallade!" Caitlin gasped.
Golisopod's first claw had pinned Gallade's right arm, preventing escape.
"Miss Caitlin," Dylan spoke calmly, "Trying the same dodge twice? That's a bit naïve."
Caitlin's brow tightened.
Boom—!
The Razor Shell landed cleanly. Gallade cried out in pain.
Its low defense made it vulnerable, and the lingering rain only empowered the Water-type move.
"I think I understand your reasoning," Dylan continued. "You didn't want to trade hits because you expected the rain to end soon. Without the weather boost, you believed Gallade would gain the upper hand."
"Also, because Golisopod has high physical defense while Gallade lacks it—trading wouldn't benefit you."
"Not to mention Golisopod's Emergency Exit could force a switch at the wrong time."
Everything Dylan said—was spot on.
Caitlin pressed her lips together.
"But don't worry—that just shows you're a thoughtful, capable trainer."
"However—top-level battles are intense. Opportunities are fleeting. Overthinking can make you hesitate."
"If you doubt your instincts, how can Gallade unleash a brilliant Aerial Ace like before?"
As he spoke, Golisopod wasn't idle—its right claw lit up again.
Bug-type Pin Missile.
Bang bang bang bang!
A flurry of spikes launched at close range, bombarding Gallade point-blank.
The sound was deafening. Dust and debris filled the air.
"Sometimes, we need more than logic and experience," Dylan's voice was calm. "We must also trust our instincts."
When the dust cleared—
Golisopod stood tall, dropping an unconscious Gallade from its claw.
"Gallade is unable to battle. Golisopod wins."
Leaf announced from the side.
"..."
Caitlin silently recalled her Pokémon, staring at the Poké Ball for a long moment.
"…I understand. Thank you for your guidance."
She took a deep breath and bowed deeply to Dylan.
"Let's continue, Miss Caitlin," he replied with a smile.
"Yes!" Caitlin sent out her third Pokémon.
"Gothitelle!"
A humanoid, dark-colored Pokémon appeared at her side, staring coldly at Golisopod.
Its body resembled a black Christmas tree dress, its head adorned with ribbon-like protrusions.
Beep~ Gothitelle. Psychic-type. Astral Body Pokémon.
Ability: Competitive
Moves: Future Sight, Psychic, Flatter, Thunderbolt, Energy Ball, Expanding Force…
Info: Emits powerful psychic waves that trap foes in dreams of the universe's end—an illusion both terrifying and beautiful.
That description sounded wild.
Lillie blinked at the entry. "End-of-the-universe dreams?" Sounded powerful.
"Shame about Gallade," Geeta murmured.
It could've forced Golisopod's Emergency Exit. Instead, it was overwhelmed.
"Just like Dylan said—she hesitated too much," Steven shook his head.
"But if she learns from this… she'll improve."
Top trainers needed more than planning and skill. Intuition and instinct were crucial—especially when strength was evenly matched.
Cynthia said nothing—just watched her friend quietly.
On the field—
"Gothitelle, Thunderbolt!"
Caitlin raised her hand. This was one of her aces—her trusted partner.
Gothitelle extended its arms as golden lightning surged outward toward Golisopod.
"Sucker Punch."
Golisopod's eyes flashed black—it darted forward, dodging the lightning.
"Gothitelle!" Caitlin called.
Gothitelle's psychic aura flared, lifting it upward.
Golisopod leapt into the air, claws glowing with dark energy.
Dark-type priority move—Sucker Punch.
Gothitelle managed to avoid a direct hit, though the attack grazed her lightly.
"Thunderbolt!"
Before Golisopod could retreat—another blast of golden lightning struck.
It crackled across Golisopod's body—super effective.
With a cry of pain, Golisopod vanished in a flash of white light.
Emergency Exit triggered.
"As expected," Caitlin said softly. She'd already guessed that the earlier Aerial Ace had left Golisopod close to its threshold.
Gothitelle landed, her gaze cold and unflinching.
Across from her—
Pelipper reappeared.
With a squawk, it summoned another downpour.
Rain resumed.
"That Pelipper…" Caitlin frowned.
Its strength wasn't in battle—but in setting the weather.
It made Dylan's entire Water-type team stronger.
And with Flip Turn, it was hard to catch and eliminate.
But if there's a chance—
She'd take it out.
Caitlin narrowed her eyes at the innocent-looking bird.
She was already calculating.
Could Gothitelle use Thunder to fry this thing on the spot?
Four-times weak to Electric—it was possible.
Pelipper looked at her, confused.
Why did this lady's stare suddenly feel so intense?
What the heck? I'm just a weather support bird! Why the murderous intent?!
I feel cold… all over…