"Ralts, use Confusion!"
Hearing the command, Ralts was about to use Confusion, but saw Seel dive into the water at an extremely fast speed.
The thick ice surface prevented it from clearly seeing Seel's position. Ralts looked around, but just within its blind spot, Seel suddenly burst through the ice and slammed its head toward Ralts.
However, having been with Xia You for several months and having experienced many battles, after a brief moment of surprise, Ralts used Teleport to dodge once again.
"Seel, use Icicle Spear!"
Seel opened its mouth, condensing numerous ice shards before firing them at Ralts, which had just reappeared.
A violent explosion followed, with ice fragments and pieces of floating boards flying everywhere, completely enveloping Ralts.
When the dust finally settled, to Daisy and the others' surprise, although Ralts had been hit by Icicle Spear, it not only endured the attack, but judging by its condition, the move had caused very little damage!
"Huh? That's strange!?" Daisy exclaimed in surprise. "In terms of typing, Psychic- and Fairy-type Ralts and Water-type Seel shouldn't have a type advantage over each other, right? And Icicle Spear is an Ice-type move—why did it do so little damage?"
"Miss Daisy," Xia You said with a smile, "I presume your Seel's Ability is Thick Fat, isn't it?"
The Thick Fat Ability allows a Pokémon to take only half damage from Ice- and Fire-type moves.
Hearing him suddenly mention Abilities, Daisy was slightly puzzled, but still nodded.
"That's right—but what about it?"
Xia You shrugged. "My Ralts's Ability is Trace, so it perfectly copied Seel's Thick Fat. That's why your Ice-type moves pose almost no threat to it."
"I see!" Daisy suddenly realized, then gave a wry smile. "So it copied Seel's Ability right at the start of the battle?"
"Yes."
Seeing Xia You confirm it, Daisy said helplessly, "I have to admit, that's a truly rare Ability. It completely caught me off guard—but I won't give up so easily!"
"Seel, use Aqua Jet!"
Almost at the same time Daisy gave her command, Xia You spoke as well.
"Ralts, use Magical Leaf!"
Countless faintly glowing leaves appeared out of thin air in front of Ralts. They spun rapidly, compressed together, and then shot toward Seel, colliding head-on with the rushing Aqua Jet in a violent explosion.
When the thick mist dispersed, it was clear that Magical Leaf had not only neutralized Aqua Jet, but also injured Seel!
Under the impact, Seel was forced to crash onto the ice.
Grass-type attacks against Water-types—super effective!
This made Daisy frown deeply.
It was simply too difficult to deal with.
Still, the battle had to continue.
"Ralts, use Confusion!"
"Seel, get back into the water!"
Both Trainers spoke at the same time. However, having learned from before, Ralts did not allow Seel to escape this time. It focused its power, acted first, and before Seel could move, Confusion enveloped it and lifted it into the air.
Under the psychic assault, Seel let out a painful cry. No matter how much it struggled, it couldn't break free from Confusion's restraint.
After rising to a sufficient height, Ralts swung its arm downward, slamming Seel onto the frozen floating board at tremendous speed.
Boom!
With a deafening impact, Seel didn't even have time to cry out before losing its ability to battle, following the same fate as Goldeen and Krabby.
"We lost…"
Daisy returned the unconscious Seel to its Poké Ball. The three sisters exchanged glances, then slowly walked toward Xia You.
Before Xia You could recall Ralts, it was suddenly enveloped in a beam of light. A few seconds later, Ralts vanished, replaced by a new form.
Kirlia!
Seeing this, Violet covered her mouth in shock.
"Oh!? It evolved!?"
Kirlia looked like a dancer dressed in white, wearing a ballet-like skirt. Its legs were slender, and unlike Ralts, its hair no longer completely covered its eyes. Shoulder-length bangs revealed its red eyes, and the two red horns on its head had shifted position, resembling decorative hairpins.
It was like a young girl who had grown into a graceful young woman.
The Pokédex, still in Xia You's hand, responded immediately:
"Beep. Kirlia, the Emotion Pokémon. Psychic- and Fairy-type. The horns on its head amplify its psychic power and can distort the surrounding space. It can keenly sense its Trainer's emotions. When happy, it dances—and its Trainer's joyful emotions become the source of its power."
Kirlia was clearly not yet used to its new body. After spinning around a few times, it returned shyly to Xia You's side.
"Kirlia, your new form is very beautiful."
Kirlia looked up at him bashfully. When Xia You gently stroked its head, it affectionately rubbed its cheek against his hand.
Daisy then stepped forward, holding a badge.
The Cascade Badge, shaped like a sky-blue water droplet, sparkled brilliantly under the sunlight.
"Congratulations, Trainer. This is the reward for defeating us—and it's well deserved."
Xia You exchanged a few polite words, accepted the Cascade Badge, and placed it into his badge case.
Looking at the single badge inside, Violet pouted and sighed.
"We're the first Gym to be defeated… This is so frustrating!"
Xia You simply smiled and said nothing.
Compared to guarding the Gym, the three sisters were far more focused on water ballet. They had neglected Pokémon training, and among all the Gyms, their strength was indeed on the weaker side.
Everyone has their own ambitions. He just hoped Misty would take over this Gym soon.
"Well then, I'll be on my way."
Waving goodbye, Xia You left with his Pokémon.
Not long after he disappeared from sight, an orange-haired girl with a side ponytail rushed into the battle arena.
"Sisters! I've been looking everywhere for you—so this is where you were? Huh? Why do you all look so down?"
Hearing her voice, Violet exaggerated dramatically.
"Misty, we were deeply hurt by a man!"
"Hurt!?" Misty froze. After Daisy explained what happened, she burst out angrily, "You call this being hurt? You just failed to defend the Gym! I thought someone had dumped you!"
"Haha… it's basically the same!" Violet laughed.
Even Daisy said thoughtfully, "Now that you mention it, that Trainer was gentle and very strong. Finding someone like him as a boyfriend wouldn't be a bad idea."
"I really can't stand you guys." Misty pouted. "If I'd been here, there's no way I would've let him take our Cascade Badge! Losing 3–0 is just embarrassing!"
Lily shook her finger. "Don't say that. That Trainer with Kirlia was really strong. Even you wouldn't have been able to beat him."
"Don't underestimate me!" Misty snapped like a spiky Psyduck.
"Hmph! I've decided—after tomorrow, I'm setting out on my own journey. I won't come back until I become a great Trainer!