As the dust slowly settled, the front hall of Petalburg Gym was already a complete mess. The blasted hole in the wall had widened even further, the floor was covered in craters and cracks, pillars had collapsed, tables and chairs were shattered. The Gym that had been clean and impressive just moments ago now looked like a ruined wreck.
Norman stared at the scene and let out a helpless sigh. He rubbed his brow with obvious regret and apology as he looked at Ethan.
"I didn't expect the Gym to be damaged this badly. It probably can't be used for a while. Ethan, go back for now. When the repairs are finished, come back and we'll do the official Badge challenge."
Ethan looked at the wreckage with a trace of disappointment, but the next second, the fighting spirit in his eyes burned even brighter. He raised his head toward Norman, excitement shining in his gaze.
"Okay, Uncle Norman. It really is a shame we couldn't do the official challenge. But this works out too. Next time, I can bring every Pokémon I catch in Hoenn and fight properly. Uncle, since the Gym can't be used right now, could you have a training match with me instead? I want to use this chance to sharpen my Pokémon."
Ethan's eyes flicked toward the Slaking not far away, and he silently assessed it.
Slaking, strength: early pseudo-Elite Four tier.
No wonder it was Norman's signature Pokémon. Its aura was steady and domineering, and it didn't feel like Norman's true ace at all. Norman was praised by the Hoenn League as a candidate for the Elite Four, so there had to be even more terrifying Pokémon hidden in his lineup.
Norman laughed loudly, a clear hint of approval in his eyes, and nodded.
"No problem. Since you've got that kind of drive, I'll spar with you properly. Come on. I'll take you to the Pokémon training field in the hills behind the Gym. The space is wide open, perfect for a real fight."
With that, Norman led the way. Ethan followed at once, and May, Max, and Caroline trailed behind too, curious about what would happen.
The training field behind Petalburg Gym was a flat, open clearing. Lush greenery surrounded it, a light breeze brushed across their faces, and the ground was firm and well-maintained, an excellent battlefield. Sunlight filtered through gaps in the leaves, scattering broken shadows across the earth. The air smelled of grass and trees, completely different from the ruined hall inside.
Once they reached the center of the field, Ethan turned to Norman and spoke seriously.
"Uncle Norman, let's do a two-on-two battle. I'll send out two Normal-tier Pokémon. Please use just one Elite-tier Pokémon to fight. That way I can really feel the gap and learn more."
"Sure, no problem," Norman agreed easily, an approving look on his face. "You're steady and humble for your age. Let's do it your way. You make the first move."
"Thanks, Uncle. Let's go, Eevee!"
Ethan tossed a Poké Ball. Red light flashed, and Eevee landed neatly in the center of the field. Its creamy fur looked soft and clean, its pointed ears perked up, and amber eyes carried an inborn pride. With long, powerful limbs, it lifted its head the moment it touched down, radiating agile strength.
"Eevee!"
Eevee's gaze swept the field with a rebellious confidence, as if it had been born to stand above defeat. May and Max couldn't help but react in awe.
Norman studied Eevee with a flicker of surprise, then threw his own Poké Ball. Pale red light burst, and a Slakoth hopped onto the field. It wobbled its round head and let out a lazy cry.
"Slakoth."
Slakoth, strength: Peak Normal-tier
Moves: Yawn, Slack Off, Headbutt, Scratch, Zen Headbutt, Brick Break
"Alright," Ethan said instantly. "Eevee, take the initiative. Sand Attack first, then Swift!"
"Eevee!"
Eevee kicked off the ground, flinging a cloud of sand and grit straight into Slakoth's face, blinding its vision. In the same breath, Eevee whipped its tail and condensed pale starlight. Brilliant stars circled its body, then shot out like a meteor shower toward Slakoth.
"Slakoth, hold your ground. Use Brick Break to take it head-on!" Norman ordered, calm and steady.
"Slakoth!"
Slakoth roared, forcibly closing its sand-stung eyes. Guided by pure battle instinct, it raised its thick arms. A sharp white glow gathered in its palm, slicing forward. With a loud impact, Brick Break collided with the incoming stars, bursting into sparks as the shockwave rolled outward.
Slakoth managed to block Swift, but the force still pushed its heavy body back, carving deep trails in the ground. It didn't retreat. The moment it stabilized, the white glow flared again as it chopped forward with crushing momentum, Brick Break tearing through the air toward Eevee.
"Eevee, Dig, now!" Ethan shouted.
"Eevee!"
Eevee reacted instantly, claws tearing into the firm ground. In a blink, it vanished underground. Slakoth's Brick Break slammed into the hole, cracking the earth and sending stones flying.
And the instant Brick Break finished, a faint white light flickered over Slakoth's body. Its Ability, Truant, activated. Slakoth shook its head, its fighting intent draining away as it slumped down lazily, limbs sprawled out, eyelids drooping. For a short period, it couldn't launch any attacks at all.
"Perfect. Right now!" Ethan's eyes sharpened. "Eevee, come up and use our secret weapon, Copycat!"
The ground trembled softly. Eevee burst out from beside Slakoth, front paws blazing with brilliant white light. That light carried the same sharp, cutting pressure Slakoth had used moments earlier.
"Eevee!"
Eevee swung its paws, and the copied Brick Break crashed down with ruthless force. Since Slakoth is a Normal-type Pokémon, Brick Break hit for super effective damage.
"Bad!" Norman's expression changed as he cried out. "Slakoth!"
White light exploded. Slakoth's body was blasted back and slammed into the ground, dust billowing into the air. It tried to stand, but its strength drained fast. The super effective hit nearly emptied its stamina. Still, Slakoth's endurance was tough. It didn't collapse instantly, but it lay there gasping, eyes heavy with exhaustion.
Norman exhaled hard and wiped his forehead.
"Good, it held on. Slakoth, use Slack Off, recover!"
"Slakoth..."
Slakoth weakly responded and slumped down, eyes closed. Soft green energy wrapped around it as its stamina visibly recovered, its injuries gradually easing.
Ethan watched Slakoth recovering, surprised for a moment, then curved his mouth into a sharp grin.
"It actually held out. But it's not over. Eevee, press the advantage. Double Kick!"
"Eevee!"
Eevee shot forward like an arrow, power building in its long hind legs. It leapt and slammed a fierce side kick into Slakoth's abdomen, then twisted midair and landed the second kick immediately after. Two heavy impacts hit in rapid succession.
Bang!
Slakoth was already at its limit and couldn't withstand it. Its body was kicked back hard, crashing into a nearby tree. The trunk snapped, and Slakoth tumbled down, hitting the ground with a thud. It couldn't get up again. Its eyes rolled back, and it fully lost the ability to battle.
Ethan stared at the fallen Slakoth, a flicker of confusion passing through his eyes.
That was stronger than it should've been. Eevee and Slakoth had both been Peak Normal-tier. Even with type advantage, it shouldn't have crushed Slakoth that cleanly. There had to be a reason.
On the field, Eevee stood proudly before Slakoth, head held high, amber eyes full of arrogance. Its creamy fur shone softly under the sun. It let out a satisfied cry, and its aura felt noticeably stronger than before.
Eevee, strength: Peak Normal-tier has broken through to Early Elite-tier
Moves: Copycat, Swift, Sand Attack, Dig, Double Kick
So it broke through.
Ethan finally understood, and joy surged in his chest. No wonder that finishing blow hit so hard. Eevee had advanced in the middle of the battle, jumping from Peak Normal-tier into Early Elite-tier. Its talent was ridiculous, not only did it grow fast, it learned and adapted to moves at an insane pace. That kind of potential was rare.
"You did great, Eevee. Come back and rest," Ethan said, raising his Poké Ball to recall it.
But Eevee shook its head hard. Its amber eyes were stubborn, unwilling to leave the field. It called at Ethan twice, insisting it wanted to stay and watch the rest.
"...Alright," Ethan said with a helpless smile. He put the ball away and waved. "Then stay on the side and rest. Just watch."
"Eevee!"
Eevee instantly perked up and ran to Ethan's side, standing neatly beside Pikachu. The two Pokémon watched the battlefield together, amber eyes and ruby eyes both filled with anticipation.
Norman recalled Slakoth and laughed loudly, admiration obvious in his face.
"Ha ha ha! Ethan, you really hid it well. Eevee's talent is terrifying, and your commands were sharp and precise. Even I got caught by that trick. Impressive. The next generation really is something else."
"What? Dad actually lost?!" Max's face fell as he stared at the defeated Slakoth. His eyes reddened slightly, voice full of frustration. "Slakoth was so strong, and it still got beaten by Ethan's Eevee..."
(End of Chapter)
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