"Boss Lairon, it's up to you! Use Attract!"
"Milotic, use Attract as well!"
Aoki and Cynthia commanded simultaneously, both relying on the same tactic.
Boss Lairon and Milotic struck elegant poses, their eyes glowing with a pinkish light as they unleashed Attract at the same time.
For a brief moment, both Pokémon froze, captivated by each other's charm.
Cynthia blinked in surprise. "…This is the first time I've seen Attract affect both Pokémon simultaneously."
Aoki smirked, having predicted that Cynthia's Milotic—a species known for its mesmerizing beauty—might attempt to use Attract first. By activating it in advance, he ensured both Pokémon would be under its effect, preventing his own from being solely afflicted.
"Boss Lairon, use Hone Claws!"
"Milotic, Water Pulse!"
Both trainers called their next moves simultaneously.
Boss Lairon's metallic claws gleamed as he sharpened them against the ground, his body pulsating with a white aura as his Attack and Accuracy increased.
However, Milotic, still under the effects of Attract, remained motionless, lost in admiration for its opponent.
"Tch, bad luck. Milotic, use Encore—then Water Pulse!"
"Boss Lairon, Thunderbolt!"
Milotic snapped out of its infatuation, letting out a melodious cry as a pulse of blue energy rippled toward Boss Lairon.
But at the same time, Boss Lairon's body crackled with golden electricity. With a roar, he unleashed Thunderbolt—a stream of lightning that surged toward the approaching Water Pulse.
The collision resulted in a massive explosion, sending a surge of mist and water into the air.
The force of the impact drenched the battlefield, creating a slippery terrain.
At that moment, both Boss Lairon and Milotic finally shook off the lingering effects of Attract.
"Boss Lairon, use Rock Tomb!"
"Milotic, Rain Dance!"
With a fierce growl, Boss Lairon summoned boulders from the sky, encasing Milotic in a rocky prison. The heavy stones crashed down, trapping Milotic momentarily and restricting its movements.
But Milotic, unfazed, closed its eyes and began a rhythmic chant. Dark clouds quickly gathered above the battlefield. Moments later, rain began to pour, drenching the ground as the sound of raindrops filled the air.
"Milotic, Hydro Pump!"
A powerful jet of water shot toward Boss Lairon with immense force.
"Boss Lairon, counter it with Flash Cannon!"
Without hesitation, Boss Lairon charged a silver sphere of energy between its jaws before releasing it as a beam.
The two attacks clashed, sending shockwaves rippling across the battlefield.
For a moment, the moves were evenly matched, neither side overpowering the other.
"Boss Lairon, use Thunderbolt!"
"Milotic, Aqua Ring!"
Boss Lairon let out a deep growl before unleashing another burst of golden electricity toward Milotic.
But before the attack could land, a shimmering veil of water formed around Milotic's body. The Aqua Ring absorbed much of the electrical damage, allowing Milotic to steadily recover its stamina despite the onslaught.
"Boss Lairon, don't let it heal! Use Hyper Beam!"
Aoki wasn't going to give Cynthia a chance to stall.
Boss Lairon reared back, charging a massive sphere of golden energy before firing a devastating beam straight at Milotic.
"Milotic, full power—Hydro Pump!"
With an elegant flick of its body, Milotic countered with another pressurized torrent of water.
The two attacks met in a violent clash, sending out shockwaves that uprooted patches of grass and stirred up the water.
Cynthia's gaze sharpened as she analyzed Aoki's Pokémon. "Your Boss Lairon is incredibly strong. How long have you been training it?"
Aoki smirked. "Nearly two years. I've raised Boss Lairon meticulously, down to every last detail."
Cynthia was momentarily taken aback. "Less than two years?"
Her Milotic had been with her for over two years, nurtured with immense care, funding, and top-tier training—yet Aoki's Boss Lairon, despite being a Steel- and Rock-type with clear disadvantages, was standing toe-to-toe against it.
No wonder Professor Rowan was interested in this kid.
A sudden, thunderous explosion erupted as Hyper Beam and Hydro Pump finally detonated against each other.
Because the blast was closer to Milotic, it was sent flying backward by the shockwave. Though it managed to regain its balance, signs of fatigue were beginning to show.
"Boss Lairon, Metal Burst!"
"Milotic, dodge it! Then use Hydro Pump!"
Boss Lairon charged forward, its body glowing with metallic energy as it prepared to unleash Metal Burst, a move that reflected damage back at the opponent with greater force.
Milotic, with its serpentine body, swiftly maneuvered through the water, evading the attack.
As Boss Lairon's Metal Burst struck the ground instead, it detonated on impact, sending debris and waves crashing everywhere.
Nearby wild Pokémon, startled by the destruction, fled the area in a panic.
The attack left a deep crater in both the ground and the water's surface.
Milotic, seizing the opportunity, launched another Hydro Pump.
"Boss Lairon, move!"
Boss Lairon attempted to dodge, but the high-speed jet of water struck its shoulder.
The super-effective move sent the Steel-type skidding backward, wincing from the impact.
The damage was severe—Hydro Pump, coming from an Elite-level Milotic in the rain, was brutally amplified.
Even so, Boss Lairon gritted its teeth and dug into the ground, refusing to go down.
Aoki clenched his fist. He knew this battle was far from over—but with Boss Lairon's endurance and willpower, he still had a fighting chance.
Cynthia, however, smiled. "Not bad. But let's see how much longer your Boss Lairon can last against my Milotic."
The rain continued to pour as the battle between two Elite-level Pokémon raged on.
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