After a moment's thought, he handed Monferno's Poké Ball to the little girl and said, "All right, you can command the battle."
"Thank you, big brother!"
Ye Menghan bounced with delight, took Monferno's Poké Ball, and called out, "I'm counting on you, Monferno!"
"Ha-cha!"
A flash of white light appeared, and Monferno materialized on the ground.
Thanks to the medicine inside the Great Ball, Monferno's injuries had healed, and he now stood on the ground, full of energy.
Ye Menghan jumped off Milotic's back and said happily, "Monferno, I'll be commanding you this time!"
"Ha."
Monferno nodded. The girl and the monkey usually got along well, so a little thing like this was no problem.
Sandslash grew impatient. He opened his mouth, sending a large shower of golden stars shooting toward Monferno.
"Ah! Quick, use Protect!"
Startled, Ye Menghan hurriedly gave the command.
Monferno froze for a moment, not expecting the little girl to make him use his lifesaving move right at the start.
Although they usually got along well and he generally listened to her, Monferno's old habit resurfaced at the critical moment. He completely ignored Ye Menghan's command and instead opened his mouth to spit out a string of marble-sized Embers!
Bang, bang, bang!
The two streams of energy met in midair and exploded with a boom, sending billowing smoke and dust spreading in every direction.
"Wa-ni! Woo!"
The Pokémon behind Sandslash raised their arms and cheered, all rooting for him.
Ye Qing and Ye Mom exchanged a glance, as though they had expected this outcome all along.
"Huh?"
Ye Menghan looked a little embarrassed, but she continued giving orders. "Use Flame Wheel!"
Hearing that his opponent was about to use Flame Wheel, Sandslash immediately tried to curl up and unleash the Ground-type move Rollout, intending to deal