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"How… how could this happen…? Come back, Shuckle. You've worked hard—take a good rest."
It wasn't until Morty announced that Shuckle had lost the ability to battle that Delia snapped out of her shock. Half in disbelief, she called out softly and withdrew Shuckle into its PokeBall.
"Heh, now you understand my strength, don't you? Let's see if you still dare underestimate me. Honestly, since you've traveled all the way here from the Kanto region, I imagine you've already earned a few Gym Badges. But judging from your command ability just now, you're even less competent than a child.
Ecruteak Gym specializes in Ghost-types, so naturally, my strongest Pokémon are also Ghost-type. But if your strength is only at this level… I don't think you even qualify to face them."
After the first battle was decided, Eusine had already gauged some of Delia's ability. Precisely because of that, he frowned slightly as he looked at the somewhat disheartened Delia and couldn't help but speak coldly.
"Hmph! So what if you won the first round? Don't get cocky! I already have three Gym Badges—and as for your Ecruteak Gym Badge, I'll be taking that too! Since your strongest Pokémon are Ghost-type, I'll make sure you use them! Go, Lapras!"
"Wuuu~!"
Though she had been momentarily hesitant, Delia immediately regained her fighting spirit after hearing Eusine's taunt. She tossed out her PokeBall, and in a flash of white light, Lapras appeared by her side. With a joyful hum, it affectionately rubbed against her.
"Alright, alright, Lapras. Time for battle! You can do it—show them what you've got!"
"Wuuu~!"
Having been nuzzled a few times by Lapras, Delia's mood improved. A smile returned to her face as she pointed toward the opposing Drowzee, and Lapras called out in response before jumping forward into position.
"Be careful, Delia. That's a real Gym Leader you're up against. Don't underestimate him—he's strong."
Standing nearby, Liam and Axu had watched the earlier match closely. Liam could tell that this young Eusine possessed real skill. In such a relentless fight, if Delia wasn't careful, she could easily lose. He couldn't help but remind her.
"Mm! I got it!"
Delia nodded firmly.
"Alright! The challenger's Pokémon has been switched! The next match is Drowzee versus Lapras—battle, begin!"
With Morty's signal, the second battle commenced.
"Drowzee! While your Nasty Plot boost is still active—use Psybeam!"
"Drowzee!"
Following Eusine's command, Drowzee immediately launched a fierce offensive.
A cluster of pink energy gathered rapidly in Drowzee's hands before forming into a twisting beam of light that shot straight toward Lapras!
"Block it with Water Pulse, Lapras!"
"Wuuu!"
Seeing the incoming attack, Delia reacted instantly. A sphere of deep blue water condensed at Lapras's mouth and shot out, spinning rapidly as it collided head-on with the pink energy beam.
Boom!
The two moves met in an explosive clash, sending out a shockwave that rippled through the battlefield. On Delia's side, droplets of water rained down like a sudden downpour. On Eusine's side, black smoke billowed, engulfing Drowzee completely.
"Now's our chance, Lapras! Use Mist to hide yourself!"
"Wuuu~!"
Enjoying the "rain," Lapras let out a pleased cry. Then, hearing Delia's order, it opened its mouth wide and exhaled a dense white fog that quickly covered half the field—forming a striking contrast to the black smoke on the other side.
"Hmph! So you've learned to hide first this time? It's useless! Drowzee, sweep the entire field with Psybeam!"
Seeing Delia use Mist to obscure Lapras, Eusine smirked faintly—but the smile quickly vanished as he gave a sharp order.
"Drowzee!"
Inside the black smoke, Drowzee gathered psychic power once more. Pink light flared from its hands, and another series of Psybeam attacks cut through the smoke, lashing wildly through the white mist and sweeping the area!
"There, Lapras! Aim for the source of the Psybeam—use Confuse Ray!"
Just as the Psybeam tore through the mist, about to strike Lapras, Delia didn't panic. Instead, she smiled confidently and shouted her command.
"Wuuu!"
Responding instantly, Lapras located the direction of the attack and fired a blackish-purple beam of energy straight into the smoke!
"Drowzee—!"
Within the swirling darkness, Drowzee's cry suddenly became erratic. Its previous Psybeam barrage came to an abrupt halt, clearly interrupted.
"Haha! We did it! Now's our chance, Lapras! Go—use Ice Shard, then Body Slam!"
Seeing Drowzee's attack stop, Delia knew her Confuse Ray had worked. Without hesitation, she gave her next command.
"Wuuu~!"
Lapras quickly formed a large ice chunk in front of its mouth. The shard shattered into countless smaller pieces, pelting into the black smoke like a storm of snowflakes. Several dull thuds followed.
Then, sliding swiftly across the wet battlefield, Lapras burst from the mist, leaping high before plunging straight toward the smoke below!
"Drowzee! Catch it with Psychic!"
At that very moment, just before Lapras could land, Eusine finally moved again. With a small, confident smile, he gave his command.
"Drowzee!"
Before his words even faded, Drowzee's voice echoed from within the smoke. A bright blue light flared outward, bursting through the black haze and revealing the shocking scene that made Delia's eyes widen.
Standing tall on the field, Drowzee wasn't confused at all. Its yellow body was only lightly marked by ice shards—no serious injuries. More importantly, powerful psychic energy radiated from its form, coiling tightly around Lapras's body, holding it suspended in the air and constricting it tighter and tighter.
"What—?! That's impossible! It should've been confused!"
Delia cried out in disbelief at the perfectly composed Drowzee before her.
"Heh, nothing to be surprised about. Just a Safeguard, that's all. A simple trick, and you revealed yourself. Since you've come out—there's no point hiding anymore! Drowzee, slam Lapras into the ground!"
Eusine gave a faint, dismissive smile, his tone turning cold as he barked his next order.
"Drowzee!"
"Wuuu!"
Responding to its trainer's call, Drowzee swung its arm forcefully, as if pulling an invisible thread. The blue psychic energy tightened, yanking Lapras downward and smashing it heavily into the stone floor. Lapras let out a cry of pain.
"Lapras!"
"End it now, Drowzee! Use Thunder Punch!"
"Drowzee!"
Electricity crackled around Drowzee's clenched fist. It sprinted forward a few steps, its right fist blazing with lightning, and struck downward toward the immobilized Lapras!
"Lapras, Rain Dance! Quickly!"
"Wuuu!!"
At that desperate moment, Delia shouted her command. Enduring the pain, Lapras raised its head toward the sky and let out a long, echoing cry.
"Drowzee!"
Crack-crack-crackle!
Thunder rumbled above—