No doubt—a move called Aqua Cutter!
Lucas could tell from the sharpness of the water blade that Veluza's ability was likely Sharpness, boosting slicing moves.
This Aqua Cutter was probably its trump card, and quite powerful.
Aqua Cutter tore through the rain, leaving a brief gap in the downpour, aimed straight at Poliwag.
Poliwag couldn't block it directly; Lucas retreated out of range and commanded, "Dodge with Bounce!"
Poliwag leaped, barely avoiding Aqua Cutter.
Seeing its big move dodged, Veluza grew more enraged. Water gathered at its mouth, forming a quivering sphere—Water Pulse!
Poliwag, using its Swift Swim ability and practiced movements from life on land, dodged Veluza's ranged attacks, which couldn't reach the shore.
Veluza only seemed to know Water Pulse and Aqua Cutter—the latter even more draining. After four or five exchanges, Veluza was panting, its condition visibly declining.
Lucas wouldn't waste such a chance. Among Poliwag's moves, only one fit perfectly here.
As Veluza closed in, Lucas timed a gap in its attacks. "Now—Hypnosis!"
To seize the chance, Poliwag got grazed by Aqua Cutter, a deep cut on its right side. Gritting its teeth, Poliwag leaped in front of Veluza, its spiral pattern glowing as it unleashed psychic waves. Veluza's angry eyes glazed over.
A few seconds later, Veluza closed its eyes and floated in the rain-tossed lake—out of the fight, in a different sense.
Lucas's heart finally settled. As he quickly reviewed the battle, he realized that, as a Water/Psychic Pokémon, Veluza's mental strength should far surpass Poliwag's. Hypnosis only succeeded because the spiral on Poliwag's belly was a perfect medium for the move.
But—no matter how ugly, a win is a win. Weak Pokémon can defeat strong ones if they find a way—Poliwag just proved this again.
The only conscious Poliwag looked at its boss in awe. The Veluza that had chased them was beaten!
Lucas, tucking the umbrella under his arm, was about to treat the battered Poliwag when suddenly it began to glow white.
Lucas: "!!!!"
Mimikyu, about to fish up Veluza, stopped in shock, its eyes wide.
The little Poliwag watched excitedly as its boss was enveloped in the holy light of evolution.
Within the white glow, Poliwag's body changed like kneaded clay—its tail disappeared, it grew larger, legs grew strong, and even arms appeared.
Moments later, the evolved Poliwag—now Poliwhirl—emerged as the light faded.
Its skin was still blue and covered in slippery liquid.
Poliwhirl's eyes now protruded on top of its head, looking like ears from behind; its new hands looked like white gloves.
The spiral on its belly had changed from clockwise to counterclockwise.
Poliwhirl experimented with its new hands, chasing raindrops curiously.
After the novelty wore off, it turned to Lucas, and held up its hands energetically, showing them off.
Seeing the much stronger Poliwhirl, Lucas grinned. "Congratulations on evolving, Poliwhirl!"
…
Back home, Poliwhirl drew all the Pokémon's attention—how did Poliwag evolve on such a short trip out?
After Lucas explained what happened, the Pokémon were all angry at Veluza's attack and praised Poliwhirl's bravery.
The two injured Poliwag were fine and soon recovered.
As they drank the now-warm Sacred Fire Simmered Carrot & Lean Pork Congee, Lucas and the Pokémon agreed to release Veluza back into the wild river.
Even though Veluza's shed flesh tasted good, it had angered everyone. Lucas would rather catch another Veluza elsewhere or buy one than leave such a threat in Thunder Lake.
As for how Veluza got into Thunder Lake, Lucas guessed it used its ability to shed excess flesh to squeeze through the net barrier.
Since regrowing the lost flesh cost energy, it must've been lurking motionless at the lake bottom, only appearing when Swampert and the Poliwag group were away.
Today, because the Poliwag left late, they ran into Veluza at the wrong time.
With this mess, Lucas didn't know what to say.
At Swampert's strong suggestion—feeling guilty for the incident—they thoroughly checked Thunder Lake, making sure nothing dangerous remained.
Luckily, Poliwag's boss evolved into Poliwhirl, bringing it one step closer to becoming Politoed.
After Lucas left, Swampert, still at Thunder Lake, thought for a while. Using its control over earth, it reinforced the hidden water channels at the lake's edge, building mud walls that let water flow but would block any ordinary water Pokémon.