Ye Qing did not let Diancie or his other Pokémon out, because doing so would drag them into battle and greatly reduce their speed.
Ye Qing lay against Milotic's neck. "Milotic, cover your body with Aqua Ring."
"Mii~"
Milotic nodded, and water covered her body, rapidly healing her injuries.
"Mana, mana!"
Manaphy swam ahead of Milotic. Just then, a Fearow in the sky became coated in golden light and thrust its sharp, spear-like beak at Manaphy!
Because this Fearow had kept a low profile until now, Ye Qing had failed to notice it in advance.
By the time he spotted it, Fearow was less than ten meters from Manaphy!
"Mana! Dada~"
Faced with this sudden turn of events, the recently born Manaphy was completely stunned. It froze in place, at a loss, and could only spread its arms and appeal to Ye Qing with tearful eyes.
Daddy?
Hearing Manaphy's cry instantly struck a chord in Ye Qing's heart.
Milotic felt the same way. Although she had often spent time with Manaphy these past few days because she was a Water-type Pokémon, she had only regarded it as a little baby, not as her own family.
But now, hearing it call her trainer Daddy, Milotic understood its feelings toward him.
"Don't be afraid! Daddy's here!"
Ye Qing roared, "Milotic, remember the key points! Use Iron Tail!"
"Mii!"
Milotic's tail rapidly turned to steel, and she channeled her entire Aqua Ring toward it, thrusting it over Manaphy's head like a steel fork just in time!
Clang!!!
Fearow's beak first broke through the Aqua Ring's barrier, then slammed heavily into Iron Tail!
"Aqua Tail!"
Milotic's tail rapidly wrapped itself in seawater and sent Fearow flying with a boom.
With the crisis resolved, Manaphy burrowed into Ye Qing's arms, too afraid to show its