The range of Hurricane was enormous. It was an area-of-effect move, but its single-target damage was usually average.
Yet even if its power against one opponent wasn't overwhelming, Pidgeot's level was undeniable—it was Gym Leader tier!This level was far beyond what Jolteon should have been able to withstand, but Jolteon still endured it. Yozora couldn't help but be overjoyed.
Then Jolteon counterattacked at full force. Another Thunderbolt struck Pidgeot squarely as it maintained its relentless Hurricane.
"Boom… boom!"
Sparks erupted across the battlefield. Jolteon's Thunderbolt blasted into Pidgeot, leaving it badly injured.
But Pidgeot's Hurricane struck again, this time launching Jolteon off its feet.
Jolteon slammed into the ground with a heavy thud. A flash of white light burst over its body—and it reverted back into Eevee, clearly unconscious.
"Huh? Eevee? Jolteon… devolved back into Eevee? What the hell?!"The entire arena gasped in shock, even the referee was stunned.
But the referee was the first to recover. He waved the red flag toward Pidgeot:"Eevee is unable to battle. Pidgeot wins!"
"Go, Pidgeot! Go, Pidgeot!"Cheers rang from the sidelines as the disciples of the Gym shouted encouragement.
At that moment, Falkner stood frozen.
His Pidgeot was a powerhouse. And yet, to take down a mere commander-tier Jolteon, it had cost over half its stamina. This was a humiliation.
"Still… that Eevee, or rather Jolteon… was truly extraordinary. So young, yet already wielding such overwhelming strength. With time, it will surely shine at the Silver Conference!" Falkner sighed inwardly as he looked at the fainted Eevee.
"Fwoosh…"
Pidgeot, its body battered and stamina faltering, descended to the ground before the next battle began. It tucked its wings tightly, desperate to conserve whatever energy it had left.
"You did great, Eevee. You fought wonderfully."
Yozora walked to the field, cradled the heavily wounded Eevee, whispered softly to calm it, and then returned it to its Poké Ball. His focus turned to the next match.
"So… it's time for the second one."
Falkner's eyes stayed locked on Yozora, until Yozora threw his second Poké Ball."Go! Crystal Onix!"
"Rooooar!"
With a dazzling flash of white, a massive, gleaming Onix made entirely of translucent crystal crashed onto the field.
The moment it appeared, Falkner, the referee, and every Gym disciple in attendance went pale with shock.
What was this?An Onix forged entirely from crystal?!
"Yozora… you're simply astonishing! Not only do you own such a mysterious Eevee, but you also have something even rarer—an Onix as breathtaking as a dream itself!" For the first time, Falkner felt genuinely awed.
To him, Yozora was younger, yet his talent was astounding, his strength terrifying.But above all—his Pokémon were one after another rarer than anything Falkner had ever seen! It was infuriating!
"Still… though the Crystal Onix is incredible, its level is low—only Senior Level, just the beginning stage. At this strength, Pidgeot can easily defeat it."
Judging from its aura, Falkner quickly measured its strength and gave a firm command:"Go, Pidgeot! Use Quick Attack!"
"Swish—!"
Pidgeot shot forward like a streak of lightning. Though battered and exhausted, its speed was still blinding.
"Crystal Onix, use Harden! Defend!" Yozora called immediately.
Crystal Onix's level was too low, its power limited. Yozora had sent it out for one purpose only: to defend, and drain more of Pidgeot's stamina.
As long as Pidgeot's stamina dropped further, Crystal Onix's role would be fulfilled.
For this 3-on-3 Gym battle, Yozora had already decided on his lineup: Eevee, Crystal Onix, and Dratini.
Just those three youngsters—together they would bring down Falkner's sky predator, Pidgeot!
His reason was simple. First, to train those three. Second, to temper himself as a Trainer.
This was a new journey, a new beginning.
If he simply traveled with Beedrill, Buzzwole, Charizard, Golduck, Gengar, and Aegislash—steamrolling every battle—what meaning would there be?Not only would his own judgment and adaptability stagnate, but Beedrill and the others would also lose opportunities for growth.
Victory against equals yielded the most experience.Crushing weaklings yielded almost none.
Back at the Taige Gym, under Master Tyron's guidance, Beedrill and the others had grown rapidly. In fact, before Yozora even set off, Beedrill, Buzzwole, Charizard, and Golduck had already awakened the Mind's Eye.
"Clang!"
Following Yozora's order, Crystal Onix's body hardened, its surface gleaming. Pidgeot's Quick Attack slammed into it.
"Rooaaar!"
Even with boosted defense, the blow sent Crystal Onix crashing to the ground in agony.
But—It wasn't truly defeated.
Within a second, Crystal Onix forced itself back up, and its Stamina ability activated, boosting its defense even further.
Combined with Harden, its defenses had now risen by two full stages—nearly one hundred percent tougher than before.
Though its stamina was nearly gone, its defenses had become monstrous.
"Pidgeot, keep using Quick Attack! Don't stop!" Falkner commanded sharply.
Pidgeot dove in again, striking once, twice, three times—until finally, Crystal Onix collapsed for good.
"Crystal Onix is unable to battle. Pidgeot wins!" the referee announced.
But Falkner's face was dark.
He had overestimated Pidgeot's strength, and underestimated the Crystal Onix's defenses.He had expected one, maybe two strikes at most.
But this thing had withstood four straight hits!
And those four attacks had drained Pidgeot terribly.
After its prolonged clashes, Pidgeot was on the brink of collapse—breathing hard, its energy fading rapidly.
Meanwhile, Yozora released his third and final Pokémon.
Dratini.
Because Eevee and Crystal Onix had been so dazzling, Dratini seemed almost ordinary in comparison.
As rare as Dratini was, it could still be seen from time to time.
But Eevee with such mysterious evolution… and the fabled Crystal Onix? Those were truly one-of-a-kind miracles.
(End of Chapter)