But this humanoid bomb clearly packed a serious punch. Electricity crackled all over its body, primed and ready to erupt. The instant the two sides made contact, there would be a bang—and the whole world would fall silent.
"Gardevoir, Ally Switch, then use Dazzling Gleam!" Without answering Veranica, Xiao Ran hurriedly gave Gardevoir her orders.
She instantly switched places with Delphox, then erupted in dazzling light once more before Raichu could close in.
But Raichu unleashed Discharge at the same moment. The entire battlefield seemed to split in two: one half crackled with endless yellow lightning, while the other was a blinding expanse of white.
Both Pokémon were sent flying backward. Each had taken the other's move head-on, and neither came out of it unscathed.
Compared to Raichu, however, Gardevoir had higher special defense and was stronger overall, so her injuries were considerably lighter.
Struck by Dazzling Gleam, Raichu hurtled backward, with extensive energy burns covering its body.
Of course, Gardevoir was hardly comfortable either. Discharge was powerful, especially when it landed directly at such close range. Her blue hair stood out wildly from the electric shock, and several parts of her body were scorched black. Her appearance was utterly ruined, like a noblewoman who had just finished a catfight.
And that was more or less what had happened. Wasn't a Pokémon battle just a fight, after all?
Worst of all, Earthquake was still going when she landed. Without her psychic power supporting her, Gardevoir lay on the ground and couldn't get up for a moment, looking thoroughly bedraggled.
"Voir..." Furious, Gardevoir simply gave up trying to stand. She used Teleport while lying on the ground and reappeared high in the air.
During the brief moment before she fell, she hurled a Psychic at Rhydon, then used her psychic power