"Seaking, use Waterfall on Gardevoir!"
"Sealeo, wait for Swampert to approach—use Ice Ball to block it!"
As the orders echoed across the water-filled arena, Seaking dove into the pool with a splash, surrounded by swirling water energy. With a powerful kick of his tail, he torpedoed toward Gardevoir. Meanwhile, Swampert followed from the side, joining Seaking in closing the distance toward Sealeo.
"Seaaa!"
"Swampert!!"
The Sealeo, anticipating the attack, had already formed an Ice Ball the size of a yoga ball between his flippers. As Swampert surfaced, the orb of ice launched at point-blank range.
BANG!
Swampert met it head-on. "Swamp!" he roared as he smashed through the Ice Ball with a mighty Power-Up Punch. The fragments exploded outward but were mostly deflected by Sealeo's Thick Fat.
But Swampert wasn't done. Continuing the assault, he threw another punch straight into Sealeo's chest, sending the Ice-type Pokémon flying back into the water.
On the other side, Seaking broke through the surface and charged directly toward Gardevoir with Waterfall. Gardevoir remained calm, her ruby eyes flashing. In a blink, she vanished and reappeared on a floating platform behind Sealeo.
"Good timing—Dynamic Punch!" Gary commanded.
"Swampert!!"
Swampert roared and lunged forward, his glowing fist crashing into Sealeo's head.
BANG!!
"Seaaa-leoo!!"
The hit landed perfectly. Sealeo's body spun backward midair and landed back into the pool, now caught in a chaotic Confusion status.
"Not good!" Juan muttered, realizing his tactical error. He should've had Seaking and Sealeo coordinate more carefully—he had forgotten Gardevoir's ability to Teleport out of danger.
"Seaking, retreat and support Sealeo—Waterfall on Swampert!" Juan called out.
"Forget Seaking—target Sealeo with Hyper Beam!" Gary countered.
"What?!"
"Gardevoir!"
"Swampert!!"
Gardevoir brought her hands together as an orange orb of energy formed between her palms. At the same time, Swampert opened his mouth, forming his own glowing sphere of raw power. The two Hyper Beams fired in unison, blasting toward the dazed Sealeo.
BOOM!!
A deafening explosion rocked the gym. Black smoke enveloped Sealeo, and the pool's surface rippled violently from the shockwave. Still, Seaking's charge hadn't stopped—he tore through the water, his body still cloaked in aquatic energy, and slammed into Swampert, knocking him back into the pool.
Swampert, drained from using Hyper Beam, was temporarily immobilized. Gardevoir, too, was unable to act, leaving them vulnerable.
"Now, Seaking, use Horn Drill on Gardevoir!" Juan seized the moment.
"Puuuuhh!!"
Seaking burst toward the platform where Gardevoir stood. The horn on his head began to spin rapidly, generating a sharp whirring sound as he launched into a direct attack.
Gary watched silently as Seaking neared Gardevoir—no instructions, no movement.
PAHH!
Just before Seaking could land the Horn Drill, a blast of psychic force rained down from above.
WHAM!
"Sea-kiiing!"
The Water-type cried out as he was blasted backward into the water by a delayed Future Sight.
Juan's eyes widened. "Future Sight! Of course!"
At the very start of the battle, Gary had asked Gardevoir to set up Future Sight—and now it had struck right on time.
"Swampert?" Gary asked.
"Swamp!!"
Swampert had recovered from his recharge period and jumped back onto the floating platform. Now it was two against one.
Per the gym's double battle rules, the leader could not switch out fainted Pokémon. Even though Sealeo was down, Juan had to continue with just Seaking.
"Seaking, attack Swampert with Horn Drill!" Juan shouted.
"Not happening—Gardevoir, Psychic, restrain Seaking!" Gary commanded.
Gardevoir's eyes glowed, and she raised a hand. A shimmering aura wrapped around Seaking.
"Go underwater!" Juan ordered instantly.
"Sea-king!"
The Pokémon dove into the pool, dodging the invisible grip. The surface rippled violently as Gardevoir's Psychic struggled to penetrate beneath.
"Swampert, wait for him underwater. Use Waterfall as soon as he surfaces. Gardevoir, stay alert!" Gary ordered.
"Got it!"
"Swamp!!"
Swampert, cloaked in water, leaped back into the pool. Below the surface, he collided with Seaking. The underwater struggle sent bubbles streaming to the top.
Though Seaking was stronger, Swampert held the advantage of Mystic Water, allowing him to go toe-to-toe with a gym-level Pokémon.
Crash!
Wave after wave of impact erupted beneath the water. Above, the audience could see the shadows of both Pokémon clashing fiercely below the surface.
BOOM!
After the latest clash, Seaking finally lost ground and was hurled out of the pool by Swampert.
"What?!"
Gardevoir's eyes glowed again—her telekinetic grip wrapped around Seaking mid-air.
"Now! Dynamic Punch!" Gary shouted.
"Swamp!!"
Swampert soared out of the water and smashed a glowing punch right into Seaking's chest.
CRACK!!
"Seaaa-kinggg!!"
The attack landed cleanly, and Seaking was thrown into a state of Confusion, his movements erratic.
"Let's finish it! Gardevoir—Psychic! Swampert—Liquidation!" Gary commanded.
Gardevoir summoned another wave of psychic energy, while Swampert clapped his hands together, forming a five-meter-long blade of surging water.
BANG!!
SPLAAASH!!
Seaking was struck first by the Liquidation, then lifted and thrown by Gardevoir's Psychic energy, crashing into the ground near the edge of the arena.
His eyes swirled in defeat.
"Seaking is unable to battle! Both of Gym Leader Juan's Pokémon are down! The first round goes to Gary Oak!" the referee, Sebastian, announced. "There will be a 10-minute break before the second round—1v1 Singles—begins!"
"Come back and rest. You did great," Gary said, recalling both Swampert and Gardevoir.
"Ahahaha! That's the most decisive loss I've taken in a long time!" Juan laughed heartily. "In you, I see the spark of a true master. Have you ever considered becoming a Coordinator?"
Gary blinked. "Huh? No, I'm not really into Contests."
"Coordination is an essential part of battling. With your level of skill, you must understand how timing and elegance go hand in hand."
"I understand coordination," Gary replied, "but I'm just not interested in the glamour side of Contests."
Juan chuckled. "Are you sure? Contests include battling too! And if you'd like, I could even give you a set of fabulous performance clothes!"
Gary gave him a blank look.
"…?"
The moment Juan mentioned clothes, Gary imagined Wallace's flamboyant outfit—frills, sparkles, and everything. Too flashy.
"Yeah… no thanks."
Juan burst out laughing. "Hahaha! Just teasing! You've earned your rest. But be ready—the next round will be serious."