The entire crowd was stunned. That oversized "Volcarona" couldn't even fly, yet its close-range fighting ability was terrifying. It had knocked out Toxicroak in a single move, in a tournament at this level, no less.
Something about it felt strangely familiar...
They remembered how Flutter Mane had torn through opponents under Sunny Day during the Junior Cup. Could these Pokémon have an Ability that boosted their strength when the sun was shining?
The spectators weren't fools. There were professional Trainers among them, and after a little analysis, they reached a conclusion: with the right weather and without it, these Pokémon were on entirely different levels.
"What is she doing?!"
Oleana was furious to see Marnie lose a Pokémon right off the bat. Among the battle recordings she had given Marnie yesterday were two matches in the Great Ball tier where Mingyou's Slither Wing had beaten two opponents in a row. Anyone who had watched them even once couldn't have been caught so unprepared.
Beside her, Rose kept smiling, belly thrust out and hands in his pockets. "That just shows the girl wants to fight her own way. That kind of resolve is admirable. I appreciate it. But..."
His expression suddenly shifted, and danger entered his eyes. "I have no need for subordinates who won't obey. A piece I can't control is better discarded sooner rather than later."
"I understand!"
"But let's give her one more chance. The match isn't over yet..."
The two continued watching.
Marnie, meanwhile, felt pressure unlike anything she had known. She really hadn't looked at the information Oleana had given her. They had probably realized that by now. If she didn't do something...
After recalling Toxicroak, she found her palm slick with sweat. She bit her lip and finally made her choice. Her hometown of Spikemuth