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"After Surf, ride the wave!"
Winona didn't dare let her Pelipper endure another Rock Slide.
After all, this Rock Slide was being unleashed by Aggron!
Pelipper wasn't far from the ground at this moment. After using Surf to create a massive wave, it dove into the water as if hunting for fish.
"Kaa-ow?!"
Aggron's tail slammed against the ground, instantly sending several rocks into the air.
However, it seemed the Pokemon hadn't adapted to its new strength yet, raising the rocks far too high.
Although they would hurt more when they fell, by then Aggron would have already fainted—let alone maintain control over these stones.
Aggron watched the incoming giant wave, appearing somewhat flustered.
It raised one hand and swung it down forcefully. The rocks in the air seemed to receive Aggron's signal and began plummeting downward!
"Kaa-ow?" Aggron looked slightly surprised. It could actually control the falling speed of the rocks?
Having hands really is useful!
Seeing Aggron's surprised reaction, Steven had assumed Lairon's Rock Slide had always been that fast.
He hadn't expected this Pokemon couldn't fully control it yet!
After this battle concluded, he needed to focus on assessing the degree of move control his Pokemon possessed.
Mastery and precise manipulation—there was still a significant difference between the two concepts.
However...
Surf still struck Aggron first.
Bang!
Aggron was engulfed by the giant wave, and the rocks falling from above also lost their driving force. Their descent seemed to slow down considerably.
Splash, splash, splash...
The rocks fell into the water without causing much impact on Pelipper.
The water flowed along the flat battlefield toward the tower's base.
It was like giving the entire tower a thorough wash.
Due to Aggron's multiple uses of Rock Slide and Rock Tomb, numerous puddles had formed across the battlefield.
Steven recalled the Aggron, whose eyes had turned into swirls, back into its Poke Ball.
"You did great. I'll give you a feast later."
Steven then retrieved a second Poke Ball.
"Go, Skarmory!"
"Skar!" Skarmory soared through the air, looking down at Pelipper below.
The Iron Defense into Body Slam strategy wouldn't be very effective against Pelipper.
Steel-type attacks were also doubly resisted by the Water and Flying-type.
Skarmory's Rock Tomb proficiency wasn't perfect yet, making it difficult to restrict an airborne Pelipper.
That left only one option...
"Wing Attack!"
It would have to engage head-on using Flying-type moves!
"Hurricane!" Winona immediately commanded a powerful Flying-type move from her side!
And it was still raining!
Pelipper violently flapped its wings, stirring up a hurricane mixed with rainwater!
Skarmory, meanwhile, dove downward. As long as it succeeded in closing the distance, the advantage would be Skarmory's!
Pelipper's close-combat abilities were no match for Skarmory's.
Moreover, just by observing the moves Winona had used, the strategy was clear.
This Pelipper was primarily built as a special attacker.
"Charge straight through!"
Under the rain, Hurricane became unavoidable. Skarmory could only rely on its steel body to push through!
Skarmory constantly adjusted its posture within the Hurricane, attempting to reduce the wind force's impact.
Since getting close was proving difficult, it would charge forward with everything it had!
"Skarmory, Brave Bird!"
"Skar!!!"
Skarmory's entire body became enveloped in golden light, gradually forming the shape of a large bird!
Using this outer layer of bird-shaped energy as protection, it broke through the raging Hurricane!
Skarmory chose to face the Hurricane head-on and charge forward!
Maintaining the Hurricane also consumed significant amounts of Pelipper's stamina.
Winona was well aware of this fact.
Continuous Hurricanes clearly weren't the optimal strategy.
"Stockpile!"
Pelipper ceased its Hurricane and instead began gathering energy within itself.
Stockpile could accumulate energy while simultaneously using some of that energy to boost its defensive stats!
And Skarmory's Brave Bird wouldn't be able to defeat Pelipper in a single strike.
Bang!
Skarmory crashed heavily into Pelipper, knocking it to the ground.
"Follow up with Roost!"
Skarmory also seized the opportunity to fold its flapping wings, landing on the ground to recover its strength.
"Swallow!"
The power accumulated from Stockpile could be used to attack an opponent, or it could be used for self-restoration!
A single Spit Up from just one Stockpile wouldn't inflict much damage on Skarmory anyway.
Recovery was the better choice.
After entering Roost, Skarmory would be temporarily unable to fly, becoming grounded.
But!
You're on the ground right now too!
"Rock Tomb!"
Skarmory lowered its center of gravity and suddenly spread its wings wide!
"Skar!!!"
Several rocks burst from the ground, trapping Pelipper within!
"Oh no!" Winona genuinely hadn't anticipated that Skarmory also knew Rock Tomb.
"Peli~!" Pelipper cried out in pain.
"Brave Bird!"
"Stockpile!"
Pelipper, despite being trapped by Rock Tomb, could still execute the Stockpile action.
And Skarmory had regained its ability to fly!
Skarmory, now airborne again, folded its metallic wings and dove toward Pelipper!
Stockpile once...
Stockpile twice!
"Spit Up!"
As Winona's command rang out, Pelipper opened its beak and expelled a surge of concentrated energy!
Skarmory's eyes remained sharp, showing no signs of backing down when facing this power head-on!
The large bird surrounding its body seemed to cry out loudly as well.
The white energy blast and the golden bird collided with each other!
As Spit Up was unleashed, the rocks trapping Pelipper gradually cracked until they finally shattered!
"Skar!!!" Skarmory roared, beginning to rotate its entire body!
The golden bird began rotating along with Skarmory's spin!
It actually deflected much of the white energy away from the bird's form!
Bang!
The golden bird dissipated, having completely absorbed Pelipper's Spit Up!
Skarmory's physical body slammed directly into Pelipper!
Pelipper appeared somewhat fragile against Skarmory's steel body.
It was knocked backward by the impact, leaving a long skid mark across the ground!
Skarmory also collapsed to the ground, gasping for air and struggling to stand back up.
Steven had a smile on his lips as he watched Skarmory's excellent performance.
He had originally wanted to give a command, but he'd been afraid that Skarmory's Brave Bird would transform into Drill Peck mid-flight, potentially getting struck by Pelipper's Spit Up during the transition.
However, even "ordinary Pokemon" had their moments of explosive performance.
Just like achieving an exceptional score on a difficult exam.
To defeat an opponent stronger than itself—that was worthy of all Skarmory's continuous efforts!
Its natural talent couldn't match any other Pokemon on the team.
Metagross possessed an incredibly intelligent mind, made extremely rapid progress, and always served as the team's leader.
Scizor had overcome its fear of losing, possessing conviction, dedication, and talent in abundance.
Lairon could continuously grow stronger simply by consuming minerals, constantly closing the gap with others—and now it had evolved into Aggron. It would catch up again!
Not to mention Piplup, who made rapid progress and possessed the most exceptional natural talent imaginable.
Only Skarmory was just an "ordinary Pokemon" that kept working hard.
It was like being in a classroom where Skarmory couldn't compare to those incredibly gifted prodigies, but it would rely on sheer effort to gradually approach their level.
Every time it suffered a setback, it would increase its training regimen.
It would never allow itself to fall behind!
Where there was effort, there would definitely be rewards!
Deep within Skarmory's heart, its mother's words constantly echoed.
If it couldn't even protect its companions, how could it ever face its mother again?
"Skarmory, Rock Tomb!" Steven shouted.
"Skar!!"
Skarmory suddenly spread its wings and let out a triumphant cry!
Along with the rising rocks, the outcome of this battle was also decided.
The result was—
Skarmory's victory!