Speculation on Field Skills

When Yuga saw Audino using Misty Terrain in battle against the Great Flygon, he wondered if the pink fairy-type energy scattered around could be controlled by its user.

Yuga had read an academic report by a Pokémon scholar online regarding field-type skills. The scholar mentioned that when a Pokémon uses a field skill, if its opponent's type is different from the field skill's type, the skill usage within the field can feel noticeably sluggish.

Yuga wasn't concerned about how the scholar knew about the sluggishness when using skills; he was more interested in understanding why it happened. However, the scholar didn't provide an answer. Maybe he didn't know, or perhaps he knew but lacked evidence to prove it.

Regardless of the reason, Yuga's interest was piqued.

Normally, except for special locations, all elemental energies within a space are balanced, allowing Pokémon to use skills of various types without hindrance.

However, when a field skill takes effect, the energy of that specific type in the space significantly increases, pushing out energies of other types.

Yuga speculated that the sluggishness experienced by other Pokémon when using skills and the increased power of skills of the same type as the field skill might be due to this reason.

As for why the power of Fairy-type skills didn't increase within Misty Terrain, Yuga didn't have an answer yet.

However, Fairy-type energy possesses strong dispelling and purifying abilities. This might be why Misty Terrain prevents Pokémon from falling into abnormal statuses. This characteristic stands in stark contrast to Dark and Ghost-type energies.

Yuga thought that if Pokémon could control the energy within the field skills they use, it would be like creating a domain where they are greatly strengthened while opponents are substantially weakened.

However, these were just Yuga's speculations. Their feasibility needed verification. Even if his speculation was correct, the effects might not be significant if both battling parties and the field skill's type were the same.

Yet, Yuga believed that in order to realize this idea, the Pokémon using the field skill must match the attribute of the field skill.

For instance, the user of Misty Terrain must be a Fairy-type Pokémon. It would be difficult for Normal-type Pokémon like Audino, who uses Misty Terrain, to achieve this speculation.

It would be quite challenging for Pokémon with attributes differing from the field skill's type to control the energy within the field. The most difficult part of this experiment's success would be figuring out how to enable Pokémon to manipulate the energy within the field skill, which is a challenging task.

If it were easy to accomplish, others would have discovered this secret long ago.

Yuga decided to name this plan the "Domain Project." He intended to first experiment with Floette, and if it succeeded, he would extend it to other Pokémon.

However, before he could proceed, Yuga needed to teach Floette how to use Misty Terrain.

Because Floette was well-versed in the use of Fairy Wind, a foundational fairy-type skill, learning Misty Terrain should be relatively easy. Mastery of this skill would greatly aid in learning the skills Dazzling Gleam and Moonblast.

Yuga felt that Floette might find learning Moonblast easier. However, he wasn't in a hurry to teach Floette this ultimate move. Instead, he decided to focus on teaching it Misty Terrain first.

While learning Moonblast would simply broaden Floette's combat capabilities and output, learning Misty Terrain was part of Yuga's hypothesis and experimentation.

Yet, learning Misty Terrain wasn't that straightforward. No matter how Audino explained the principles of its usage, Floette couldn't seem to fully utilize the skill.

However, field skills were generally difficult to learn. Only a small number of Pokémon possessed this skill, so it wasn't surprising that Floette struggled.

At this point, Audino had already stopped personally guiding Floette in learning Misty Terrain. It had moved on to teaching the Miltank about Heal Bell, believing that it had already imparted the essence of the skill to Floette, and the rest could be left for it to comprehend on its own.

Floette held its breath, closing its eyes as it floated in mid-air. It carefully reviewed all the methods Audino had taught it for learning Misty Terrain, striving to grasp the ability to use the field skill.

However, despite the passage of a long time, there was no change in its surroundings. With a downcast expression, Floette looked at Yuga, appearing somewhat miserable. Its expression seemed to be asking Yuga, "Am I really so dumb?"

Yuga smiled and comforted it, saying, "No need to feel this way. Let's take it slowly. Learning this skill isn't easy, but with time, we'll manage to learn it. Calm yourself, clear your mind, and try to perceive and communicate with the fairy-type energy."

Upon hearing Yuga's words, Floette regained its composure and continued to attempt the challenge.

Yet, reality was often harsh, and even by the time the morning training session ended, Floette hadn't managed to successfully use Misty Terrain even once.

Seeing Floette's frustration, Yuga reassured, "We have plenty of time. If we can't learn it in one day, we'll use two days, and if not in two, then three. We'll learn it eventually."

Yuga's encouragement didn't manage to lift Floette's spirits. It remained despondent.

Yuga patted Floette's small head and said, "Alright, take a break now. We'll have breakfast later."

After comforting Floette, Yuga proceeded to give massages to the little Pokémon that had just finished their morning run. With Audino's assistance, this task became much easier.

Once all this was done, Yuga didn't leave the Ecopark. Instead, he headed to the Desert Sub-Ecopark.

First, he arrived at the oasis where Gligars resided. However, upon seeing the situation inside, Yuga was almost driven to anger.

Gligar leader was currently reclining on a chaise lounge crafted from woven leaves, adopting an extremely comfortable posture. The area around the lounge was piled high with uneaten tree fruits, and assistants on either side were attending to its every need. Its leisure was almost indescribable.

Yuga chose not to disturb them and made his way to the Flygons' habitat.

True to his expectations, the situation there wasn't much different from that of Gligars. Although they didn't indulge in luxury like Gligars, they were lying lazily on the ground.

Both these groups had enjoyed comfort for far too long, devoid of any vigor or fighting spirit. It wasn't surprising that their populations were in decline.

Returning to the main Ecopark, Yuga had Audino and Miltanks summon the leaders of both groups.

Looking at Gligar leader and the Great Flygon before him, Yuga began to speak, "Both of you are leaders of various groups, and now there are some things I need to say to you."

Yet, before Yuga could finish speaking, the Great Flygon took off and flew directly into the light gate leading to the Desert Sub-Ecopark.

Yuga wore a bewildered expression. What just happened? Why did it fly away? I hadn't even begun speaking yet.