Battle between Traveling Partners Pt. 4

As Pele and Mawile began to clash, Vali wondered why Steven didn't just send out Metagross or one of his other stronger teammates since that would ensure he'd win this battle sooner rather than later. She shook it off as Pele used Double Team and disappeared among them. Mawile didn't hesitate to begin destroy the clones Fairy Wind as her body danced about the battlefield glowing slightly with each movement. Swords Dance, a move that Vali hadn't really considered often, was the move being moved and she inwardly cursed though had to admit it was clever. Pele used Magnitude getting ride of the remaining clones and damaging Mawile which revealed an empty field outside of the Deceiver pokemon. Rather than get alarmed by this, Mawile continued to use Swords Dance and a silvery sheen appeared over her body which Vali bet was Iron Defense all the while jumping above the ground.

Vali shouted out, "Pele, you need to created limit Mawile's space and force her to stay in one space!"

Pele's response to Vali's orders was to create the familiar walls of Hot Pot around Mawile though this time a smaller version than usual. Everyone waited with baited to see what would happen. Then before Vali's eyes, Pele was thrown from her Hot Pot not by Mawile, but Aggron who roared in challenge. Vali looked up at Steven who smiled lightly as he called out, "Mawile does know how to use Baton Pass, Vali."

Vali inwardly cursed at forgetting that fact and mentally apologized for failing Pele in not remembering it. She looked at Pele as the Numel struggled to her hooves looking like someone had just knocked the stuffing out of her. Pele shook herself carefully and gave Aggron a glare a she stamped her hoof sending a wave of earth forward. Aggron snorted and just raised a pile of rocks up to block it. Rock began raining down from above Pele, she showed off how proficient she'd become with Earth Power by it practically swallowing her in seconds saving her from the rocks. A pool of liquid fire formed beneath Aggron earning a roar of surprised pain as he scrambled away only for it grow larger as it followed him. Aggron finally decided he was done when the burns started to crawl up his legs and suddenly dove into the ground with Dig. Rocks burst out of the ground along with lava as it rumbled and shook, the two pokemon warred underneath it with Pele clearly trying her best against the elder more experienced pokemon.

When they finally appeared, Aggron pulling an unconscious Pele up from the ground. Based on the slightly melted horn and heavily burned chest plate, Pele had ensured Aggron would remember this battle. Vali returned Pele with a slightly shaky hand and murmured her thanks before releasing Balto. Balto appeared on the field with a howl and looked around him before peering at Aggron. She spoke to her partner, "You're the last one, Balto. Steven still has three pokemon. Two of them have battle, but one is still fresh, we've got to do our best regardless."

Balto nodded to Vali as he narrowed his eyes at Aggron and bent his body slightly. Pele's scent was the most recent on the battlefield meaning she was responsible for that injury. He felt pride in the Numel for her hard work and would definitely be congratulating her. Hell, everyone deserved it for their work in the Conference once this was over. But for now, the battle must be fought and focus must be given to it.

Balto started the battle off by slipping off into Extreme Speed and blasts of fire started nicking Aggron randomly earning an annoyed look from the large steel-type. Aggron raised barriers with Stone-edge that he then used to try and knock Balto around. The obstacle courses that Vali used to train her pokemon came in handy as Balto quickly began to jump around and continue his assault even using the Stone Edge rocks as launching points. When Balto finally appeared, he was close enough to surprise Aggron with a Toxic to the face followed by a Flame Wheel attack that actually managed to make Aggron slide back a bit. Balto used Heat Wave before quickly moving away as Aggron began his counter attack with Iron Tail which just barely missed thanks to Balto's swift action. Without missing a beat, Aggron continued on attacking with Stone Edge and Bulldoze when that failed.

Aggron then used Sandstorm which Vali inwardly cursed at, but she quickly shouted, "Defensive maneuvers. Sunshine."

Balto used Sunny Day to work on counter acting the Sandstorm while also using Heat Wave to burn away the sand attacking him. Normally, he'd get underground, but with Aggron around, it was out of the question since the Iron Armor pokemon would definitely go after them. So they had to work in ways that still caused them damage, it was the less dangerous option and would hopefully let them have a better chance at taking down Aggron. Balto let out a loud yelp that echoed through the cloud of sand that she couldn't see through and only for Aggron to roar in pain moments later. It continued as they waited for the sandstorm to clear. When it did, Balto was in the middle of using Reversal on Aggron looking worse for wear though Aggron definitely wasn't feeling the best right then either.

Aggron retaliated with Shadow Claw and Dragon Claw flinging Balto away from him. Balto was breathing hard as he landed heavily, but managed to push himself with a low grunt. Balto darted forward with Extreme Speed as Aggron began using Stone Edge again likely attempting to get some breathing room. Balto didn't let Aggron have the chance as he repeated the combo attack from earlier adding in Flamethrower and Iron Tail to ensure he'd be able to get in more damage. Aggron used Bulldoze right from the start though causing quite a bit of damage and sending Balto stumbling. Within moments of that happening, Aggron began changing towards Balto with his body glowing.

Balto spotted it and barely had time to dodge the attack which Vali suspected was Heavy Slam. Aggron slid to a stop and winced from the recoil of the attack though didn't completely stop moving. Balto rushed towards Aggron cloaked in Flare Blitz much to Vali's exasperation though she didn't speak out against it. Unlike with his own attack, Aggron couldn't move out of the way like Balto and ended up being hit. Much like before, Balto pulled off their bastardized way of getting out of dealing with recoil though he didn't immediately start trying to use fire-type attacks as Nurse Joy had stressed.

Aggron began attacking Balto the moment he could and used Metal Burst which made Vali pale just a bit. With Balto slowed movement, Aggron was able to hit him with devastating attack that had Balto howl in pain. Looking over her partner when she saw the damage it'd done, Vali realized that it'd be better to forfeit the match. She spoke while returning Balto, "I forfeit Balto. He's too injured to continue and I'd rather not risk him any further."

"Valkyrie Potter-Black has forfeited! Steven Stone of Mossdeep in Hoenn is the winner and will be moving on to the final round!" The announcer shouted as the crowd burst out into loud cheers.

Vali smiled lightly as she ran her fingers over the pokeballs at her waist. She called out to Steven as he returned Aggron, "Thanks for the battle, Steven. I'm glad that we finally got to do it. I'm also glad to see where I stood strength wise. I've got a lot of training ahead of me."

"Thank you as well, Vali," Steven replied as he placed Aggron's battle on his belt, "It was a pleasure to battle you as well. I'm glad we could help. I hope our future battles can be just as exciting,"