"Seaking, Scald!"
At those words, not just Xiao Ran but everyone else understood. It was the ice.
Starmie's repeated use of Surf had seemed intended only to create an icy surface and trap Milotic, but it had actually been building up a layer of ice as well.
In particular, the final collision between the two Pokémon's Surf attacks had left a meter-thick layer of ice across the battlefield.
Once Scald's heat melted some of that ice, it would form a pool—a pool made of ice.
The pool would not be large, but it would be enough for Seaking to move around in.
And that was not all. Wherever Scald washed over it, the ice would only become more slippery. No matter what Pokémon Xiao Ran sent out, its movement would be hindered.
The problem that had plagued Milotic would plague Xiao Ran's other Pokémon too.
Except Primarina, of course. Sea lions were naturally good at sliding across ice, and that was where Jing Ru Yun had miscalculated.
More importantly, the hail had not stopped. That meant Jing Ru Yun did not have to worry about the ice melting too quickly. She had enough time for at least one battle.
"We're short on time, so don't blame your big sister for not giving you a chance!" Jing Ru Yun said cheerfully as her scheme paid off. At the same time, Seaking launched its attack.
"Seaking, Waterfall!" She opened with a powerful Water-type move. Primarina knew it too, but clearly could not clash head-on with Seaking!
"Popplio, Baby-Doll Eyes! Then dodge, quickly!" Xiao Ran called out at once.
Baby-Doll Eyes could effectively lower the enemy's Attack and dampen its urge to attack. Then, with a slap of its long tail, Primarina slid rapidly to the side, moving faster than it normally could—even