Feeling the pursuer getting closer, Poliwag regretted not waking up earlier and going with Swampert; otherwise, it wouldn't be under attack from this outsider Pokémon.
Getting bitten by those sharp teeth would be painful.
Poliwag's strength was running out, and its swimming slowed. The mysterious fish Pokémon watching it grew bored, used Agility, its body glowing pink like its sharp fins, and its speed increased again!
Sensing its pursuer speed up, Poliwag's eyes filled with despair, its pupils darkening.
If only… the boss was here now.
"Poli-poli-poli!"
Suddenly, a familiar voice shouted, and a blue figure swiftly leaped into the lake, using its tail to send the attacker flying at the last second.
"You okay?!"
Lucas's voice followed. Mimikyu reached its shadow claw into the lake, quickly scooping up the exhausted Poliwag.
Lucas checked Poliwag for injuries, then sighed in relief. "Where are your two partners?"
Poliwag opened its tired eyes, wanting to point out its wounded friends, but lacked the strength to move.
"Mimi—!"
Sharp-eyed Mimikyu spotted the two Poliwag floating unconscious nearby.
Lucas followed Mimikyu's direction. The two Poliwag were unconscious, with bite wounds—obviously from the mysterious fish Pokémon still facing off against Poliwag.
Veluza!
A Water/Psychic Pokémon. Lucas's strongest impression was while riding Koraidon/Miraidon on various lakes for shiny hunting, getting rammed by this Pokémon.
Especially when, after hours of staring, he finally found a shiny Finizen—only to have it wiped out when a group of Veluza raced by.
This Pokémon, together with Galar's Barraskewda, earned nicknames like water troll and water bully, hated by many players.
Mimikyu fished up the other two injured Poliwag. Seeing their wounds, Lucas felt both guilty and pained. He had promised they'd be safe on the farm, but they were still hurt.
He could only shield them with the umbrella and apply medicine.
Mimikyu, sensing Lucas's mood, glared at Veluza, its shadow stirring, ready to subdue Veluza.
"Poli-poli!"
Poliwag, facing Veluza, saw Mimikyu's action and loudly stopped it, then glared at Veluza in anger.
How dare it bully its little brothers, Poliwag had to settle personally!
Sensing Poliwag's resolve, Lucas stood up after treating the injured, met its determined gaze, and understood.
Lucas said seriously, "Mimikyu, take care of the three Poliwag. I'll command Poliwag in a battle with Veluza."
Mimikyu's shadow froze, then calmed down, nodded, and stood protectively before the three Poliwag.
Poliwag, knowing Lucas would command, took a few deep breaths, eyes locked on Veluza, signaling readiness.
Lucas quickly recalled Veluza's and Poliwag's info and moves, analyzing the battle.
Poliwag knew only a few, rather average, moves: Water Gun, Pound, Bubble Beam, Mud Shot, Haze, Mist, Bounce, Hypnosis.
And compared to Veluza, which is in its final stage, Poliwag was two evolutions behind. This wouldn't be easy—it called for strategy.
However, this Veluza wasn't that strong, or it wouldn't have chased Poliwag so long. In the rain, Poliwag's Swift Swim trait made its speed match Veluza's.
When Veluza started to move again, Lucas commanded: "Bubble Beam!"
As soon as he spoke, Veluza, already boosted by Agility, shot forward like an arrow, water swirling around it, raising its speed.
Seeing this, Lucas remembered being relentlessly chased by Veluza in Lake Casseroya and grew even more annoyed.
Poliwag quickly spread Bubble Beam over the water, slowing Veluza down, then dove and leaped high at the last second.
Lucas's timely command: "Haze!"
No matter what, the priority was to remove Veluza's buffs.
In the rain, icy black mist spread from Poliwag, and though instantly torn by the wind and rain, it still took effect—Veluza's speed dropped two notches.
Now they were about even.
Missing its attack and losing its buffs, Veluza grew angry. It shook its body, shedding excess flesh, leaving only its head, bones, and fins—a drastic change.
This was Filet Away!
Veluza used this move, sacrificing HP to greatly boost Attack, Sp. Atk, and Speed.
And, having already suffered Haze, Veluza would now be harder to hit with Haze again.
The gap widened once more.
Lucas didn't panic. He called Poliwag to the bank, taking advantage of the terrain.
Poliwag jumped ashore; Veluza responded in kind.
A blade-like stream of compressed water shot at Poliwag!