"And how about this move, kid!"
Giovanni waved his hand lightly, not calling out the move's name.
But Nidoking already raised its long tail high, slamming it into the ground the next instant.
Years of cultivated synergy allowed Nidoking to instantly understand its Trainer's intent from the slightest gestures.
The next second, the surrounding sand surged like waves, forming two massive hands that closed in on Umbreon at the center.
Earth Power!
Ground-type moves often have a wide attack range.
But they have one weakness…
"Umbreon!"
Elijah flicked his index finger upward.
Umbreon leaped into the air.
Once airborne, most Ground-type moves could be dodged.
Ash had proven this trick in the anime.
"It's true that being in the air can counter 99% of Ground-type moves, but kid, non-Flying-type Pokémon have severely limited mobility in midair!"
As a man with "Earth" in his nickname, how could Giovanni not know this weakness of Ground-type moves?
The moment Umbreon jumped, Nidoking opened its massive jaws.
Before its mouth, a pale orange, high-density energy orb gathered, like a Tailed Beast Bomb.
It was the Fighting-type move Focus Blast!
In the games, this move boasts a power of 120!
But its accuracy is a measly 70.
The same goes for Electric-type moves like Zap Cannon.
Many high-power moves sacrifice accuracy due to their overwhelming destructive force.
But… for a non-Flying Pokémon in the air, it's basically a sitting duck!
At that moment, unless you're a member of the MAC Team, you can't miss!
"Fire."
Giovanni said with a faint smile.
*Whoosh—*
The Focus Blast's power was indeed formidable.
As it shot through the air, it grated on the ears.
Even though it wasn't Nidoking's STAB move, if this hit, Umbreon wouldn't be getting back up!
"Substitute!"
At Elijah's command, a surge of energy split from Umbreon's body, rapidly forming an identical clone in front of it.
It was a "Substitute" shield, created at the cost of its own stamina.
*Boom!*
The Focus Blast struck the Substitute, unleashing a massive shockwave that sent Umbreon tumbling through the air like a kite with a cut string!
"Thunder Punch, one more time."
Giovanni ordered without hesitation.
Nidoking locked onto the falling Umbreon, calculating its landing spot.
It dashed forward two steps, its right fist crackling with electricity, waiting below like a badminton player ready to smash a shuttlecock.
At the very last moment, with Umbreon less than half a meter from Nidoking's fist, Elijah suddenly spoke:
"Dark Pulse, full power."
Umbreon opened its mouth, unleashing a spiraling wave of dark energy.
But this move wasn't aimed at Nidoking—instead—
*"Bree~!"*
The Dark Pulse acted like a rocket thruster, propelling Umbreon in the opposite direction.
It narrowly dodged Nidoking's fist, grazing past it.
"It can be used like that?"
Giovanni's eyes lit up—surprised, but more delighted.
"Feint Attack."
Using the recoil from Dark Pulse, Umbreon landed beside Nidoking's shoulder, channeling power into its right hind leg.
Like a rabbit kicking an eagle, it aimed a strike at the vulnerable temple on Nidoking's head.
But…
Nidoking turned its head just in time.
Umbreon's kick landed square on the center of Nidoking's tough forehead.
Taking the flying kick head-on, Nidoking grinned wickedly.
It grabbed Umbreon with one hand, slamming it hard into the sand.
"Whoops, Nidoking's getting serious without me noticing~"
Giovanni raised an eyebrow, glancing at Elijah. "Your commands are almost calculated with precision."
"But it's a bit of a shame—your partner seems to be struggling to keep up."
"Alright, I've seen enough of your skills. This battle can—"
As he spoke, Giovanni gestured for Nidoking to stop.
After all, the real reason for this friendly match wasn't Umbreon but to gauge Elijah's potential.
Now that his goal was achieved, there was no need to continue.
Nidoking, seeing the signal, started to pull its arm back.
But as it did, something felt off.
Looking down, it saw the little fox with its front paws gripping its left hand, fangs sunk into the flesh of its wrist, and scarlet eyes glaring at it with a frenzied intensity.
This… this little punk!?
In that moment, Nidoking shed all traces of its earlier underestimation, treating Umbreon as an equal opponent.
"Beautiful."
Elijah praised sincerely.
"That look… it's the look of someone who won't give up until a winner is decided."
Giovanni, too, saw something familiar in Umbreon's eyes, recalling the past.
When his Beedrill evolved into its final form, Mega Beedrill, it had shown that same look.
Translated into human terms, it meant—
I will fight for him!
"Then crushing you with full force is the greatest tribute I can offer."
Momentarily setting aside the troubles plaguing him, Giovanni now wanted only to savor this brief, pure moment of joy.
"Finish her, Poison Jab!"
Deep purple venom gathered on Nidoking's thick right arm, forming a sharp, toxic blade that stabbed toward Umbreon.
"Dark Pulse!"
Umbreon tilted its head back, unleashing another spiraling wave of dark energy.
The two closed in on each other.
In the end, Umbreon felt the world before its eyes…
Gradually blur.
In the final moment before its vision faded to black, a familiar figure and a pair of warm hands caught it…
…
…
Umbreon didn't know how long it had been unconscious.
It struggled to open its eyes, taking several seconds to make sense of the world around it.
Where… was this?
An unfamiliar ceiling, an unfamiliar bed, an unfamiliar room…
Glancing at the bandages wrapped tightly around its body, Umbreon recalled its final clash with Nidoking.
I… lost, didn't I?
How much time has passed since then?
Enduring the pain from its wounds, Umbreon looked out the window.
Its Trainer… and that man were standing outside on the starlit beach.
Umbreon, ignoring the pain, leaped out the window, wanting to tell its Trainer it was awake.
Then it heard the man's voice:
"I looked into it. That Eevee of yours has been with that old lady for over seven years."
Hearing Giovanni bring up the topic that weighed heaviest on its heart, the joy on Umbreon's face turned to shock, and its steps halted abruptly.
"So what?"
Elijah, sitting nearby, sounded utterly unconcerned.
Giovanni's next words pierced Umbreon's heart like a blade.
"A Pokémon's prime growth period is from 0 to 3 years. Past 5 years, they're basically done."
(End of Chapter)