To anyone else, Paul's words would have sounded like a taunt. Lou instead broke into a radiant smile and answered his question with a laugh.
"Weavile, use Dark Pulse on Ninetales!" Silver slapped his cheek to make himself focus instead of staring at Lou's smile. He shifted his gaze and set his sights on Ninetales.
"Use Flamethrower!" While Sunny Day was still in effect, Alan ordered another Flamethrower. Ninetales spat out flames again, the brilliant red blaze swallowing Weavile's pitch-black pulse in an instant and following its path back toward its source.
Just before the flames reached Weavile, it decisively abandoned the energy it had gathered and nimbly dodged the scarlet blaze.
Paul glanced over. The flames would take some time to fade, and his partner had created a perfect opening for him.
"Electivire, use Thunder on Ninetales!"
"Oh no... Ninetales!" By the time Alan noticed the opening he had left, Paul had already given his command. Electivire unleashed a golden current with earth-shattering power that shattered the surface of the ground. Although Thunder's accuracy was low under Sunny Day, Ninetales was focused entirely on Weavile and had no chance to dodge.
Thunder struck Ninetales directly. After struggling for a moment, it managed to stand again and looked capable of continuing the battle, but most of its stamina was gone, leaving it at a disadvantage.
"Lou, your partners are really tough to deal with." Alan finally dropped his relaxed demeanor and offered a heartfelt compliment, then looked at Weavile and Electivire on the field. "...Let's try something different. Please help me keep Weavile occupied. If you can hold Electivire back too, even better."
"Got it." Lou blinked and answered seriously. At a wave of her hand, Lucario raced past Ninetales toward its opponents. "Use Aura Sphere!"
Lucario formed an Aura