At a certain moment, both Pokémon reacted at once.
The light on Ampharos suddenly blazed brighter, not as the prelude to an attack, but as an eruption of its presence. An invisible pressure spread outward from its body, making even the neon tubes at the edge of the battlefield tremble slightly.
The flame on Infernape's tail suddenly flared.
Rather than retreating, it lowered its body slightly, holding its fists loosely before it, its gaze fixed on the opposing Ampharos.
Elesa was in no hurry to give an order.
She studied Infernape cautiously. The smile had faded from her lips, replaced by a serious, focused expression.
At that moment, the woman standing on this side of the battlefield was neither a model nor a fashion icon, but the Gym Leader of Nimbasa Gym!
"Ampharos, Thunder Wave!"
She spoke first, and at her command, the light on Ampharos abruptly changed color. Golden threads of electricity burst from its body, forming a fine net of light that swept toward Infernape.
Clearly, she wanted to restrict Infernape's movements first.
It was the right choice, too. If it landed, Infernape's speed would be drastically reduced.
Xia You had no intention of evading.
He also knew that relying solely on clever tricks would not work if he wanted to beat a woman like Elesa into submission. He had to show his tough side when appropriate.
"Fire Spin."
Infernape took a deep breath, then forcefully exhaled.
Scorching flames poured from its mouth, not shooting straight ahead, but spiraling outward to form a rotating wall of fire before it. Thunder Wave struck Fire Spin, golden threads of electricity intertwining with crimson flames amid an ear-piercing sizzling sound, before both dissipated into the air.
The first exchange ended in a draw.
Elesa narrowed her eyes slightly.
Using Fire Spin