"That kind of situation—and you still used Shadow Sneak to evade. Just as expected of you, Peter!"
Nemona recalled Floragato, her expression growing even more excited.
"…"
Peter's lips twitched.
As expected of a battle-crazed upperclassman.
"Alright then—my third Pokémon! Goomy, prepare for battle!"
A flash of white light faded, revealing a soft, slimy Dragon-type Pokémon on the field.
Goomy Lv. 36 (Advanced-tier)
"Ooo~ Finally one I recognize!" Whitney's eyes sparkled. The adorable Goomy was absolutely her type.
"A pseudo-legendary baby…" Peter murmured.
Goomy—the first stage of Goodra. Known as the weakest Dragon-type Pokémon.
Before evolving, its base stats totaled only 300—lower than even most starter Pokémon. Its overall combat ability was average at best.
Its one redeeming quality?
Special Defense.
"Planning to play defensive counterattacks?" Peter's lips curled.
"Using a tank against a Ghost-type… that's not exactly a smart choice."
"Zorua—Shadow Sneak!"
The fox slipped into the shadows with practiced fluidity, reappearing beside Goomy in the next instant. Its paw slashed down fiercely.
"Goomy, take it head-on!"
Peter raised an eyebrow.
Goomy's Physical Defense wasn't impressive—actually, it was rather poor. Normally, it wouldn't welcome a physical hit.
Unless…
Plop.
A strange, watery sound echoed.
Zorua's strike landed—but sticky slime coated its body.
A flash of light shimmered around Zorua.
Its Speed dropped.
"Just as I thought… Hidden Ability: Gooey…" Peter muttered.
Gooey: When struck by contact moves, lowers the opponent's Speed by one stage.
"Goomy, Dragon Breath!!"
A stream of blue draconic energy blasted forward.
Zorua couldn't fully dodge—it was forced to take the hit, staggering backward and breathing heavily.
Though Goomy was notoriously slow, the level advantage ensured the damage wasn't trivial. And now that Zorua had lost its Speed edge, its stamina already dwindling, the situation turned grim.
Whitney clasped her hands nervously at her chest.
"Again—Dragon Breath!"
A wide surge of dragon energy erupted once more.
Peter narrowed his eyes. "Meet it head-on with Extrasensory!"
"BOOM—!"
Psychic and dragon energies collided midair, smoke bursting outward.
Peter smirked. "Change position—keep firing Extrasensory!"
"Zorua!"
Within the smoke, psychic pulses flared again.
Thanks to its Ghost typing's enhanced spatial perception, even with low visibility, Zorua could sense Goomy's location!
Nemona frowned. "Goomy, Protect!"
A shimmering barrier rose just in time.
Extrasensory slammed against the shield, the shockwave dispersing the smoke.
Peter's gaze sharpened. "Keep the pressure up—maintain output!"
"Huh?" Nemona blinked.
Zorua was already at its limit. Goomy was still above half health. Even though Protect consumed stamina, this was still a battle of endurance Nemona should win.
Then—
A flash of purple shimmered across Goomy's face.
Pain struck.
Protect faltered.
"BOOM—!"
Extrasensory pierced through and exploded against Goomy's body.
"Zorua…"
The fox panted—but quickly popped a Sitrus Berry into its mouth.
Under the League's latest regulations, Pokémon were allowed to carry Berries into battle.
But they had to find their own opportunity to consume them—otherwise, they'd become sitting targets.
As the smoke cleared, Goomy lay weakly on the ground.
A deep violet hue of poison had spread across half its body.
"Poisoned? When did that happen?!" Nemona gasped.
"That condition… it's badly poisoned, right?" Whitney tilted her head. "Was it from the earlier Shadow Sneak?"
Peter nodded with a faint smile.
As expected of a Gym Leader—Whitney had sharp eyes.
That's right.
When Zorua had slipped behind Goomy earlier, the move it used wasn't Shadow Sneak.
It was Toxic.
This was exactly what Peter meant earlier—why tanks struggled against Ghost-types.
Ghost-types possessed disruptive control moves, disgusting status effects, and evasive mobility. They were nightmares for defensive walls.
If Goomy had possessed Hydration instead, Peter might've considered switching—Rain could remove status.
But now—
With Toxic ramping damage every turn, and Zorua recovering via Sitrus Berry—
The outcome was inevitable.
Under Peter's shameless kiting tactics, Toxic triggered again and again.
Eventually—
Goomy collapsed.
Zorua had achieved a stunning one-versus-two sweep.
…
"Ahh… troublesome. I've actually been cornered…" Nemona scratched her head, retrieving her final Poké Ball.
"In that case—let me show you my ultimate technique!"
She hurled the Poké Ball.
"Pawmot—Revival Blessing!"
"?!"
Peter froze for half a second—then suppressed the urge to attack.
"Zorua—Calm Mind!"
An eerie scene unfolded.
Freshly released, Pawmot closed its eyes. White streams of light spiraled upward, forming star-like halos in the sky.
Meanwhile, Zorua sat calmly, psychic energy surging as its Special Attack and Special Defense rose.
"Wait… what's happening?" Whitney blinked.
"This is Revival Blessing," Peter explained.
"It restores a fainted teammate to battle. Not full health—but enough to flip momentum."
"Isn't that… cheating?" Whitney blurted instinctively.
"Not exactly. It probably can't be used repeatedly in short intervals."
Nemona's eyes gleamed. "You even know about Pawmot that well? You're amazing, Peter!"
"Focus on the battle!" Peter snapped. "Zorua—Extrasensory!"
He had chosen Calm Mind precisely to secure a one-shot.
Facing a double-boosted psychic blast, Nemona suddenly smiled.
"Pawmot—Wish!"
"Babbo~!"
Pawmot lifted its arms again. A starry light descended from the sky.
Then—
Extrasensory struck.
"BOOM—!"
Pawmot was blasted away, fainting.
But Peter's expression grew complicated.
He had assumed this Gen Nine electric rodent was Nemona's main carry.
Instead—
It was a support disguised as a core attacker.
Wish: At the end of the next turn, restores half HP to itself or an ally.
Combined with Revival Blessing—
This was practically a full reset.
No wonder she would become Champion-tier.
"Sheesh… that's some serious stuff…"
"Floragato, I'm counting on you again!"
Light flashed.
The Grass cat reappeared—completely refreshed.
Pawmot's combo had been executed flawlessly. Floragato was nearly at full strength again.
Whoosh—!
In a flash, it closed the distance.
Three claw marks tore through the air.
Zorua, exhausted and slowed, reacted half a beat too late.
It was sent crashing to the ground.
"Meow—!"
Floragato let out a triumphant cry, arrogance and pride gleaming in its eyes.
"Zorua…"
The fox lay panting.
It had already defeated Floragato once.
Yet now—
The opponent stood revived before it again.
Frustration welled up inside.
Peter saw the look in its eyes instantly.
He understood.
"Zorua… want to give it a try?"
He slowly raised his left arm.
The Dynamax Band shimmered brilliantly under the sunlight.
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T/N:
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