NOVEL NEXT Chapter 6: Umbreon: I Will Fight for Him
"Well, how about this move, young man!"
Giovanni waved his hand lightly, not revealing the name of the technique.
But Nidoking had already lifted its long tail and slammed it down onto the ground.
Years of training had established a bond that allowed Nidoking to intuitively understand its master's intentions from the slightest details of Giovanni's movements.
In the next second, the sand around them surged like waves,
forming massive hands that pressed toward the center where Umbreon stood.
Earth Power!
Ground-type moves often have a vast attack range,
but they do have a weakness...
"Umbreon!"
Victor pointed upward.
Umbreon leaped into the air,
and as long as it was up high, it could evade most ground-type attacks.
This tactic had already been confirmed by Ash in the anime.
"Indeed, being high in the air can counter 99% of ground-type moves, but young man, non-Flying-type Pokémon are severely lacking in mobility while airborne!"
As a man with "Earth" in his nickname, how could Giovanni not understand this weakness?
Almost the moment Umbreon jumped, Nidoking opened its mouth wide.
Gathering a pale orange-colored dense energy sphere before its jaws,
this was the Fighting-type move Focus Blast!
In the games, this move boasts a power of up to 120!
But its accuracy is a dismal 70.
And the Electric-type move Zap Cannon is similarly flawed.
Many high-power moves often have unpredictable accuracy due to their immense destructive power.
But… a Pokémon without flying abilities in the air is often just a sitting duck!
At this moment, unless you are a member of Team Rocket, it is impossible to miss!
"Fire!"
Giovanni said with a faint smile.
Whoosh—
The power of the Focus Blast was indeed impressive.
The sound of it slicing through the air made one wince.
Even if it wasn't Nidoking's signature move, once it hit, Umbreon wouldn't be able to get back on its feet!
"Substitute!"
At Victor's command,
a surge of energy emitted from Umbreon, quickly forming an identical copy before it.
This was a "substitute" shield created at the expense of its own stamina.
Boom!
The Focus Blast struck the substitute,
causing an exaggerated wave that sent Umbreon flying through the air like a severed kite!
"Hit it again with Thunder Punch."
Giovanni naturally ordered as Nidoking stared at Umbreon falling from the air, predicting its landing spot.
It dashed forward, generating electricity in its right fist, waiting below.
Like an athlete poised to slam a falling shuttlecock.
Just as Umbon neared Nidoking's fist within half a meter, Victor suddenly called out:
"Fully unleash Dark Pulse!"
Upon hearing this, Umbreon opened its mouth wide and released a spiraling dark wave.
But this move wasn't aimed at Nidoking, rather—
"Whoa~!"
The Dark Pulse released by Umbreon pushed her in the opposite direction like a rocket thruster.
She narrowly avoided Nidoking's punch.
"Can it be done this way?"
Giovanni's eyes lit up, both surprised and pleased.
"Surprise Attack!"
Using the thrust of the Dark Pulse, Umbreon reached Nidoking's shoulder, storing power in her right hind leg.
With a kick akin to a rabbit's powerful legs, she aimed straight for Nidoking's temple!
But...
Nidoking quickly turned its head.
The kick landed squarely on its hard forehead.
Nidoking accepted the blow from this kick with an evil smile.
It grabbed Umbreon, slamming her hard onto the sandy ground.
"Uh-oh, Nidoking is serious now~"
Giovanni raised an eyebrow, looking at Victor and said:
"Your commands are simply calculated and precise. But it's a pity that your partner seems unable to keep up. Alright, I've understood your strength, so this battle can..."
As he spoke, Giovanni gestured for Nidoking to stop.
Ultimately, Giovanni didn't suggest this friendly match just for Umbreon; he wanted to see Victor's potential.
Now that the goal had been achieved, there was no reason to continue.
Nidoking prepared to withdraw its hand upon noticing the signal.
However, just as it lifted its arm, it realized something was amiss.
Looking down,
it saw the little fox standing on its left hand with its front paw, its fangs gripping the flesh of its wrist, and its crimson eyes filled with madness.
What the hell, this little brat!?
At that moment, Nidoking completely retracted its earlier dismissive attitude, seeing Umbreon as an equal opponent worthy of respect.
"Beautiful."
Victor exclaimed wholeheartedly.
"That gaze… It's the kind of gaze that says it won't back down until victory is achieved."
Giovanni recalled the past looking into Umbreon's eyes.
When his Caterpie evolved into its final form Beedrill, it too showcased that kind of gaze.
Translated into human language, it meant—
I will fight for him!
"Then defeating you with all my strength will be the greatest compliment."
Temporarily forgetting the troubles surrounding him lately, Giovanni just wanted to savor this fleeting, pure pleasure.
"Take her down with Poison Jab!"
A deep purple toxin gathered on Nidoking's thick right arm, resembling a sharp poisonous blade aimed at Umbreon.
"Dark Pulse!"
Umbreon raised her head once more, exhaling the dark spiraling wave.
The two combatants continued to close in.
In the end, Umbreon felt that the world before her
Gradually became a blur.
At the last moment before her vision dissolved into total darkness,
a familiar figure and warm hands embraced her...
...
...
Umbreon did not know how long she had slept.
She struggled to open her eyelids, taking several seconds to discern the world before her.
Where was this?
Stranger ceilings, a foreign bed, and an unfamiliar room...
Looking again at the numerous bandages wrapped around her body.
Umbreon recalled her last clash with Nidoking.
Did I... lose?
How much time has passed since then?
Enduring the pain from her injuries, she looked out the window.
Her master... and that man stood on the beach beneath the starlit sky.
Umbreon jumped out the window despite the pain, wanting to tell her master that she was awake.
And then she heard the man's voice:
"I went to check, and that Eevee of yours has been with that old lady for over seven years."
Hearing Giovanni mention her most cherished topic, the joy that had just risen on Umbreon's face instantly turned into shock, her steps halting abruptly.
"So what?"
The tone of Victor, sitting next to her, seemed indifferent.
Giovanni's next words pierced Umbreon's heart like a blade.
"The best growing period for a Pokémon is from 0 to 3 years old; anything over 5 years is basically a lost cause."
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