"Lai!"
Lairon roared, hoping to ignite his buddy's fighting spirit!
Zhang Jialei did not rush Solrock into attacking, instead giving Monferno every opportunity. In his eyes, this Monferno had considerable potential, all the more reason to draw it out properly.
Ye Qing understood Zhang Jialei's intentions, too, so he continued letting Monferno fight alone while also trying to call out to him in his heart.
With everyone's encouragement, Monferno did not want his companions to look down on him. For the sake of his master's promise to let him become a Trainer, Monferno threw back his head and roared in fury, as though a little cosmos had erupted within him!
"Monfer!"
Monferno straightened up, pushed off hard, and rapidly closed in on Solrock.
Solrock's eyes shone pink, and an invisible wall appeared directly in Monferno's path.
"Monfer!"
Monferno shattered it with a punch, then stamped down hard with both feet, launching his entire body into the air!
Solrock fired another mass of Confusion at the hurtling Monferno!
"Monfer!"
Monferno twisted in midair, lashing his steel-whip-like tail hard against Solrock's body.
Boom!
The blow knocked Solrock several meters back, while Confusion sent Monferno flying as well.
Thud.
Dust flew as Monferno crashed to the ground, the intense pain in his body nearly making him pass out.
Watching Monferno struggle desperately on the ground, Ye Qing shouted, "You can do it!"
"Ralts!"
Ralts cupped her hands around her mouth and shouted with all her might, trying to help Monferno rally.
"Ralts, Milotic, Lairon-they're all fine Pokémon, but... finish him, Solrock."
Solrock slowly rotated in midair. The air before it rippled as a pink sphere of light began to form.
Seeing the hopeful yet worried looks in his master's and everyone's eyes, Monferno gritted his teeth and struggled to his feet. The flame