"Ralts, use Confusion!"
Hearing Itsuki's command, Ralts was just about to unleash Confusion when Seel suddenly dove underwater at incredible speed!
The thick layer of ice covering the pool made it impossible to see Seel's position.
Ralts looked around, searching for its opponent.
However, just as it was looking elsewhere, Seel suddenly burst through the ice from its blind spot and slammed toward it with its head!
Fortunately, Ralts had spent several months alongside Itsuki and had already experienced countless battles.
After a brief moment of surprise, it immediately used Teleport to escape once again!
"Seel, use Ice Shard!"
Seel opened its mouth once more.
Numerous chunks of ice formed in front of it before shooting toward Ralts, which had only just reappeared!
BOOM! BOOM!
A series of violent explosions erupted!
Shattered ice and fragments of the floating platforms flew everywhere, completely engulfing Ralts!
However, when the debris finally settled, Sakura and her sisters were left staring in astonishment.
Although Ice Shard had successfully struck Ralts, it had endured the attack head-on!
And judging from its condition, the move hadn't dealt much damage at all!
"Huh? That's strange!"
Sakura exclaimed in surprise.
"Ralts is a Psychic- and Fairy-type Pokémon, while Seel is a Water-type. Neither should have a type advantage over the other!"
"And Ice Shard is an Ice-type move, so why did it deal so little damage?"
"Sakura-san."
Itsuki smiled.
"If I'm not mistaken, your Seel has the Thick Fat Ability, doesn't it?"
Thick Fat was an Ability that reduced the damage its user received from Fire- and Ice-type attacks by half.
Hearing Itsuki suddenly mention Abilities, Sakura looked somewhat confused.
Nevertheless, she nodded.
"That's right. But what does that have to do with anything?"
Itsuki shrugged.
"My Ralts has the Trace Ability, which allows it to copy Seel's Thick Fat completely."
"That's why your Ice-type attacks haven't been much of a threat to it."
"So that's what happened!"
Sakura finally understood.
She gave a helpless smile.
"So Ralts copied Seel's Ability right at the beginning of the battle?"
"Exactly."
"I have to admit, that's quite an unusual Ability. You really caught me off guard!"
"However, I'm not going to give up just because of that!"
"Seel, use Aqua Jet!"
At the exact moment Sakura issued her command, Itsuki spoke as well.
"Ralts, use Magical Leaf!"
Countless leaves suddenly materialized out of thin air in front of Ralts!
The leaves emitted a faint glow as they spun and compressed together.
Then, one after another, they shot toward Seel!
The glowing leaves collided directly with the rushing stream of water surrounding Seel!
BOOOOM!
A violent explosion erupted at the point of impact!
However, when the thick mist finally dispersed, something astonishing became clear.
Not only had Magical Leaf completely neutralized Aqua Jet...
It had even managed to injure Seel inside the rushing water!
Struck by the attack, Seel was knocked onto the frozen surface of the battlefield!
Grass-type attacks were super effective against Water-types!
Seeing this, Sakura couldn't help furrowing her brows.
'This opponent is seriously troublesome!'
However, there was no point dwelling on it.
The battle wasn't over yet!
"Ralts, use Confusion!"
"Seel, hurry! Get back into the water!"
Both Trainers issued their commands almost simultaneously!
However, having learned from the previous exchange, Ralts wasn't about to let Seel escape so easily this time.
It immediately concentrated its psychic power and acted before Seel could make a move!
An invisible force suddenly enveloped Seel's body!
In the next instant, Seel was lifted straight into the air!
"Seeeel!"
Seel cried out in pain as Confusion took hold!
No matter how desperately it struggled, its efforts were completely useless.
It simply couldn't break free from the psychic restraints!
Once Seel had been lifted high enough, Ralts swung its arm downward!
Seel immediately plummeted toward the frozen floating platform at tremendous speed!
BOOOOM!
A deafening crash echoed throughout the Gym!
Before Seel could even cry out, it followed in the footsteps of Goldeen and Krabby.
"We lost..."
After recalling the unconscious Seel into its Poké Ball, Sakura exchanged glances with her two younger sisters.
Then, the three slowly approached Itsuki.
However, before Itsuki could recall Ralts...
Something unexpected happened!
A brilliant light suddenly enveloped its entire body!
"Huh?"
Itsuki stopped in surprise.
Several seconds later, the light gradually faded.
The Ralts that had been standing there moments earlier was gone.
In its place stood an entirely new form!
Kirlia!
Seeing this, Violet instinctively covered her mouth.
"Huh?! It actually evolved?!"
Kirlia's appearance resembled that of a graceful dancer dressed in white.
Its body looked as though it were wearing a ballet tutu, while its legs had become noticeably longer and more slender.
Unlike Ralts, whose hair had completely concealed its eyes, Kirlia now had shoulder-length bangs that revealed its beautiful red eyes.
Even the two red horns on its head had changed positions, making them resemble a pair of hair clips!
How should he describe it?
It was almost like watching a little girl grow into a beautiful young maiden.
Before Itsuki could put away his Pokédex, the device responded automatically.
"Beep! Kirlia, the Emotion Pokémon. Psychic- and Fairy-type."
"When Kirlia amplifies its psychic powers through the horns on its head, it can create mirage-like distortions in the surrounding space."
"It possesses the ability to sensitively detect its Trainer's emotions."
"When happy, Kirlia begins to dance."
"Its Trainer's cheerful emotions serve as the source of its psychic energy!"
Kirlia was clearly still somewhat unfamiliar with its new appearance.
It turned around several times, examining its transformed body, before finally returning to Itsuki's side.
"Kirlia, you look really beautiful in your new form."
Kirlia looked up at Itsuki, appearing a little shy.
It wasn't until Itsuki gently stroked its head that Kirlia affectionately rubbed its cheek against his hand.
Just then, Sakura approached Itsuki with a blue Badge in her hand.
The Badge was shaped like a sky-blue water droplet.
Under the sunlight, it sparkled brilliantly like a precious gemstone!