Ice shards formed on Gengar's body as it endured the relentless assault of psychic energy. However, Lucario, which had lunged forward, did not strike Florges directly—Slowking's psychic powers intervened just in time, suspending Lucario mid-air.
Though the delay was brief, it was enough for Slowking to teleport in front of Lucario. A concentrated psychic wave blasted forth, repelling the Fighting-type Pokémon.
With Slowking's restraint lifted, Milotic seized the opportunity to strike. A torrent of water erupted from its maw, crashing into Drapion with devastating force.
Already overwhelmed by the combined assault of Milotic and Garchomp, Drapion was sent flying. Fortunately, it landed on one of the grassy patches Florges had strategically placed earlier.
Swampert, under Aoki's orders, did not assist Drapion—it had its own mission. As Swampert gripped Walrein's ears, attempting to lift it, razor-edged leaves materialized behind the Ice-type, slamming into Swampert with brutal efficiency.
The attack came from Florges, positioned beside Cynthia. Recognizing Swampert's weakness to Grass-type moves, Florges struck without hesitation. The supereffective Energy Ball tore through Swampert's defenses, dealing massive damage in a single blow.
But Aoki had anticipated this. Two more Energy Balls, glowing dark green, struck Walrein the moment Swampert collapsed.
"Chamo!" Swampert roared, slamming a fist into the cracked earth before launching itself at Walrein with a desperate, two-handed smash. It ignored Florges's next Energy Ball—sacrificing itself to take down Walrein was a worthy trade.
The Energy Ball connected. Swampert's eyes rolled back as it collapsed, defeated.
The ground beneath Walrein caved in, and Florges's Energy Ball struck true.
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Walrein tumbled into the pit, motionless.
Through teamwork and strategy, Swampert had traded itself for Walrein. Though weaker individually, its trust in Aoki's commands made the exchange worthwhile.
Meanwhile, Drapion struggled. After Milotic's Hydro Pump sent it reeling, Garchomp seized the opening. With a roar, it unleashed Draco Meteor, firing a glowing orb into the clouds. Moments later, fiery meteorites rained down, scorching the battlefield.
The meteors struck indiscriminately, but their true target was Florges's grassy terrain—Cynthia had deduced their strategic importance. Aoki couldn't stop it.
Milotic, empowered by the lingering rain, overwhelmed Drapion. The Poison-type was battered relentlessly, swept aside by a crushing Aqua Tail.
This was unfamiliar territory for Drapion—normally a frontline powerhouse, it was now outmatched. Yet, it refused to yield. Electricity crackled along its fangs and claws as it lunged at Milotic with Thunder Fang, retaliating despite the Hydro Pump blasting it backward.
Even as Drapion was flung away again, its stinger found its mark, leaving Milotic seared and poisoned.
At the rear, Slowking trapped Lucario in a Trick Room, then teleported behind Cynthia's Florges. Psychic energy coalesced into a spear—Psychic amplified by Miracle Eye—and stabbed into Florges's spectral form.
Gengar, freed from Florges's Ice Beam, melted into the shadows, reappearing just as Lucario broke free. Shadow Balls clashed with Lucario's Aura Sphere-enhanced punch.
Both Pokémon were thrown back.
Meanwhile, Slowking's psychic spear struck true, dealing critical damage to Florges.
Drapion, though battered, had landed Thunder Fang and Poison Tail on Milotic. Aoki's tactical swaps and sacrifice plays kept him in the fight—even against Cynthia's overwhelming power.
Now, with Garchomp's Draco Meteor unleashed, the true battle began. Even weakened by Misty Terrain, a pseudo-legendary's fury was undeniable.