As the referee's flag dropped, Brock's voice rang out, while the familiar rush of adrenaline tightened in my chest.
"Aerodactyl, Ancient Power."
Aerodactyl threw its head back with a high, piercing cry that echoed off the stone walls.
"Aerooo…!"
A deep purple glow spread across its rocky body like ancient power waking up. The air around it warped and shimmered with heatless waves.
Jagged stones tore free from the battlefield floor with low, grinding rumbles, rising slowly while wrapped in that glowing purple light.
They spun in the air like forgotten relics pulled back into life.
Aerodactyl beat its wings hard. The rush of air hit my face as it roared again. "Aeroo!"
The rocks launched forward in a deadly rain.
I didn't hesitate either. "Quick Attack, Eevee and use the rocks to climb toward Aerodacty…!"
"Vee!"
Hearing my command, she burst forward in a brown blur of speed and grace.
Her little body twisted as she leaped onto the first rock, soft fur brushing the ancient stone for the briefest moment before she bounced to the next.
"Vee! Vee! Vee!"
Each sharp little cry came with every light, powerful hop. Her ears streamed back, tail lashing for balance.
The explosions chased her, but she was already gone, already leaping again with that fluid, captivating rhythm.
As the last stone began to fall, Eevee pushed off it and shot forward straight at Aerodactyl like a determined little missile.
"Aerodactyl, Crunch! Crush it and bring it down now!" Brock called out sharply.
Aerodactyl, the Rock Flying Pokémon, gathered dark energy into its massive jaws. Black and purple power swirled together as it opened wide, fangs glowing with a crushing, dangerous aura.
"Iron Tail, Eevee! Don't let it grab you, strike through it!" I shouted.
"Vee!"
Eevee twisted mid-air, her small body coiling with smooth control. Her tail, glowing with Steel-type energy, lit up in a bright silver shine, sharp like forged metal.
The collision came hard.
CLANGGG…
The sound exploded through the gym like a hammer striking steel. Sparks flew in every direction where her glowing tail met those dark fangs.
Eevee's small frame trembled as she pressed her form against the force.
She pushed back with everything she had, but Aerodactyl was bigger, heavier, and stronger.
And bit by bit she was getting pushed backward.
For a second, it looked like she might lose.
"Use its force and push off it!" I called.
At my voice, Eevee stopped pushing it.
Instead, she twisted with fluid grace and used Aerodactyl's own power as a springboard. She pushed herself upward in one smooth, beautiful motion…
Aerodactyl's mouth snapped shut on empty air.
Now she hovered right above it. Her ears were pinned flat against her head. Her eyes locked onto the target below with fierce focus.
A smile curled onto my lips.
One mistake, and those jaws could've crushed her soft little form, but this was my Eevee, my partner, and years of training had forged something unspoken between us, a rhythm deeper than thought, where instinct and trust moved as one.
My eyes met hers and gave a small, steady nod.
She responded instantly, focus sharpening, that familiar lightning flashing in her gaze.
"Now… THUNDER FANG!"
"Vee!"
Bright yellow lightning crackled to life around Eevee's mouth, forming two glowing electric fangs.
Then her small body cut through the wind in a clean arc, then descended with perfect timing, clamping down onto Aerodactyl's rocky back as she passed over it.
"Aerooo!" Aerodactyl roared in pain as electricity surged across its body. Its wings beat wildly, muscles locking up as paralysis set in. A weak "Dactyl…" escaped it as it struggled to stay airborne.
Eevee landed lightly on the ground with a proud "Vee!" and turned to face her opponent, breathing hard but standing tall.
Brock watched with calm, focused eyes. "Impressive," he said quietly.
The praise only lingered for a second… then the battle snapped right back into motion.
Aerodactyl surged forward again: Steel Wing crashing down in heavy arcs, Crunch flashing with dark energy, Ancient Power hurling rocks across the field, and Dragon Claw slicing through the air in fast, brutal swings…
Eevee also answered with everything she had: Quick Attack, she blurred forward, Double Team, fading copies split her path, Protect, just in time to block the hits, Thunder Fang, sparks with every bite, Water Pulse, spinning bursts to disrupt its rhythm, and Iron Tail, silver flashes striking again and again…
But even with her attacks and dodges, the nonstop pressure was catching up.
Her steps lost a little lightness. Her breathing grew heavier. Dust clung to her fur as her movements slowed just slightly…
Each exchange was taking more out of her.
But still, she pushed on, eyes burning with stubborn determination that only made her even more captivating in my eyes.
Aerodactyl dove once more, wings gleaming with Steel Wing. "Aerooo!"
"Now Eevee…" I shouted. "End it with Iron Tail!"
"Vee!"
She gathered herself on shaking legs, body coiling like a spring, then released in one powerful, beautiful motion. Her tail glowed with light as she met the larger Pokémon head-on in the air.
CLANG…
The impact rang out louder than before, sending a strong shock through the gym. Eevee's full strength slammed into Aerodactyl's side and drove it down toward the ground.
"Aerooo!" The cry carried shock and pain at the same time.
THUD…
It hit the ground hard. The impact shook the battlefield. A thick cloud of dust burst up and spread across the area, filling the air with the smell of crushed stone.
For a long moment everything went quiet.
Aerodactyl stirred weakly. Its wings scraped against the floor with a gritty sound. A low, strained "Aerro…" escaped it as it tried to rise…
But its strength failed completely. It slumped back down, motionless…
The referee's flag shot up at once.
"Aerodactyl is unable to battle! The winner is Eevee! Victory goes to the challenger, Gil Crest!"
"Vee…"
Eevee stood in the slowly settling dust. Her small legs shook a little, but she kept her head up. Her tail stayed raised, showing quiet pride.
While she breathed in quick, soft pants, her eyes still shined with a happy, satisfied light as she looked back at me…
But then…
A young voice rang out from the viewing area. "No way… daddy lost?!"
Every head in the gym turned toward that young sound…
-><-
Moves Gil's Pokémon Currently Know:
Charmeleon
- Slash
- Ember
- Smokescreen
- Dragon Breath
- Flamethrower
- Iron Tail
Scyther
- Quick Attack
- Double Team
- Brick Break
- Air Slash
- Natural blade attacks with her scythes
Eevee
- Quick Attack
- Swift
- Double Team
- Charm
- Copycat
- Protect
- Wish
- Calm Mind
- Shadow Ball
- Iron Tail
- Fire Fang
- Thunder Fang
- Water Pulse
- Energy Ball
- Psychic fangs
- Crunch
- Ice Fang
- Dazzling Gleam