Yozora's Dratini had now grown to a length of one hundred and eighty centimeters. Its sharp eyes radiated determination—though not as large as a Pidgeot, it was by no means small anymore.
Having suffered defeat twice before, Falkner dared not underestimate Dratini this time.
"Finish it in one strike, Pidgeot—use Quick Attack!" Falkner gave the command at once.
The Pidgeot darted forward, wings flashing like a silver blur. Yozora's eyes narrowed.
Though heavily injured, Pidgeot's speed was still beyond Dratini's reach. Dodging was impossible. Which meant—there was only one option left: clash head-on.
"Don't be afraid, Dratini! Aim at Pidgeot—use Thunderbolt with everything you've got!" Yozora shouted.
Boom!
Just as Pidgeot lunged, Dratini released a point-blank Thunderbolt. Lightning surged, striking Pidgeot head-on. Its body sparked violently as it let out a piercing cry.
But Pidgeot was Pidgeot. Even gravely wounded, it forced its battered body forward, electricity crackling across its feathers, and slammed hard into Dratini.
The two Pokémon cried out together, crashing to the ground in a mutual knockout.
Both lay sprawled on the battlefield, gasping, drenched in sweat.
Though Dratini was higher-leveled than the Crystal Onix, its stamina and defense were far weaker. If not for Pidgeot's exhaustion and injuries, Dratini would have been finished in a single strike.
Fortunately, Pidgeot was already at its limit.
"Come on, come on, come on!" The disciples of Violet Gym cheered from the sidelines, urging Pidgeot to rise again.
At this stage, power and technique no longer mattered. What remained was sheer willpower.
Whoever stood first—would win.
"Stand up, Pidgeot! Get up now!" Falkner shouted with all his heart.
It was supposed to be just another Gym battle. As a Gym Leader's apprentice, Falkner's duty wasn't to crush challengers, but to push them, awaken their potential, and even hold back at times to let them shine.
But now he had completely forgotten those duties. Against Yozora, he felt as though he were facing a true rival.
Yozora's strength had rekindled a fighting spirit Falkner hadn't felt in years.
Spurred by his trainer's call, the battered Pidgeot staggered, feathers trembling—and rose again.
At the same moment, Dratini also struggled back to its coils.
"Well done, Dratini." Yozora gave a small nod. For Dratini to take such a brutal blow and still stand—that alone was extraordinary.
The two Pokémon locked eyes across the battlefield. Both were on the brink of collapse, barely breathing, unable to launch another attack.
The referee hesitated, sweat dripping down his temple. Which one would endure to the end?
At last—
After three long seconds, Pidgeot collapsed first. Its great body thudded to the ground, kicking up a cloud of dust.
"Pidgeot is unable to battle! Since Gym Trainer Falkner has no remaining Pokémon, challenger Yozora is the winner!" the referee announced.
Relief washed over Yozora's face. But before the cheers could even fade, a sudden light burst forth.
From Dratini's body radiated a dazzling white glow. Its battered scales shed like an old skin, the light swelling, growing larger and larger—
When it faded, a majestic Dragonair stood tall, body sleek and elegant, a regal aura flowing from its long, azure form.
It had grown to more than double Dratini's size, yet instead of appearing bulky, its slender grace carried an air of nobility.
"Congratulations, Dragonair." Yozora's face lit up with joy. He rushed forward and embraced it. The newly evolved Dragonair bent its long neck down so Yozora could hold it close.
Evolution had not only restored Dragonair's strength, but also propelled its level upward—straight into the Commander tier.
"Congratulations, Yozora," Falkner said sincerely, walking over. Around them, Violet Gym's disciples burst into applause, their respect for Yozora undisguised.
"Yozora, this is our Violet Gym's Zephyr Badge."
Falkner handed over the badge with a smile. "You don't feel like a rookie at all. You must have Pokémon even stronger than Dratini and Eevee, don't you?"
Yozora only smiled faintly, neither confirming nor denying.
With the Zephyr Badge in hand—his very first in the Johto Region—Yozora left Violet City that same day to continue his journey.
One morning, Yozora opened his eyes from meditation, his spirit refreshed.
The Mind's Eye had already awakened within him, but unless he continued to cultivate calmness of heart, it could close at any moment. Like rowing upstream, one either advanced—or was swept back.
Beside him, Charizard, Gengar, Miltank, Eevee, Dragonair, and the Crystal Onix also meditated daily.
Charizard, Gengar, Miltank, Eevee, and Dragonair all entered deep focus easily, cleansing impurities from their minds.
The Crystal Onix, however, struggled more—its age and long years of experience made such discipline harder.
They had been in this forest for a month now. In that time, Eevee, Dragonair, and the Crystal Onix had all made great strides.
Dragonair, with the highest level, had already reached the peak of Commander tier. No small feat—it was already considered a true powerhouse.
Eevee had reached the beginning of Commander tier as well. The Crystal Onix lagged slightly behind, but had climbed to the peak of Senior tier.
Among the three, Dragonair held the highest level. But the strongest in battle was undoubtedly Eevee. For whenever it evolved—or rather, transformed—its level would temporarily soar to Lord tier.
And with three forms of transformation available, Eevee's actual combat strength far surpassed what levels alone suggested.
As for Dragonair—it was not yet truly formidable. Only after evolving into Dragonite would its power truly take flight.
"Roooar—!"
Just after breakfast, the forest shook with three mighty roars. Out strode three towering Pokémon: a Machamp, an Ursaring, and a Hitmontop.
These three were the rulers of the forest. From Yozora's very first day here, they had challenged him repeatedly.
Thanks to their pressure, Eevee and the others had grown so quickly.
"Dragonair, use Water Pulse!"
"Eevee, Flamethrower!"
"Crystal Onix, Take Down!"
Where once they had struggled, now—with their growth in level and strength—Yozora's Pokémon could hold their own against the forest kings.
And today—at last—they triumphed.
(End of Chapter)