Lock-On!
Iris realized she had fallen into Baimu's trap.
She had planned to let the Sandstorm steadily wear Porygon2 down, then use Garchomp's Sand Veil Ability to make it harder to track. Finally, the instant it attacked, Garchomp would close in and strike back!
Without a doubt.
It was a classic offensive strategy.
But who could have expected Porygon2 to use Lock-On? Her entire plan had come to nothing.
Iris couldn't help clenching her fists.
Suddenly.
Garchomp fell out of the icy Mist and landed in the sand with a thud. It dropped to one knee as though it had lost its balance, gasping for breath.
Its face was drawn with exhaustion.
"Garchomp! Come back, quick!"
She had no time to celebrate. She quickly recalled it into its ball and said gently, "You worked so hard. Rest for now!"
As long as Garchomp hadn't been knocked out, there was still a chance to turn things around. That was better than losing it outright.
The commentator shouted, "Iris has recalled Garchomp! It took that Ice Beam but is still able to battle! Its last-second Iron Tail blocked the attack!"
As the words rang out.
The big screen replayed a close-up of Garchomp's tail after it landed. Most of the thick, powerful tail was coated in frost, with wisps of cold air rising from it.
Even the blowing sand couldn't hide it.
What had happened was clear: Garchomp had spun around and blocked Ice Beam with Iron Tail, narrowly avoiding a one-hit knockout.
Unfortunately, the move had been instinctive, and it hadn't blocked the Ice-type beam completely.
With most of its fighting strength gone, Garchomp had little chance of continuing against Porygon2. Withdrawing it to fight another time was Iris's only choice.
"Pory."
High above, Porygon2 slowly lowered its dimly glowing tail,