It was as if Vaporeon had completely melted into the water.
To the naked eye, it was invisible. Even when it moved, it didn't create a single splash or ripple.
What a troublesome ability, Natsui thought.
"Jolteon, stay alert!"
Jolteon stared intently at the water's surface. This was a situation it had never faced before, and its agitation grew by the second. Instinctively, it began to pace back and forth along the edge of the pool. Because the enemy was submerged, it didn't dare to enter rashly.
"Vaporeon, use Water Pulse!"
At Rainer's command, a sphere of pressurized water suddenly shot out from the pool, striking Jolteon in an instant.
Despite being on guard, the speed of the attack was simply too fast to dodge completely.
Splash!!
Fortunately, the power of Water Pulse was manageable, and since Water wasn't super effective against Electric types, the damage was limited. Luck was on their side, too—Jolteon didn't succumb to confusion.
Jolteon was forced back a few steps, shaking off the water. By the time it readied a counterattack, the Vaporeon that had briefly surfaced had once again vanished into the depths!
Does it plan to just keep hiding and sniping like this?
Seeing this, Natsui no longer hesitated. He gave a decisive order. "Jolteon, target the entire pool! Use Discharge!"
Electricity crackled violently between Jolteon's sharp bristles. In the next second, a powerful arc of lightning shot directly into the water's surface!
Sizzzzzzle!
With a continuous hissing sound, the water in the pond churned violently, bubbling like a pan of boiling oil.
Vaporeon had attempted to leap out of the water to dodge the attack, but even with its enhanced speed in the aquatic environment, it was a split second too late.
Using the water as a conductive medium, the electricity instantly enveloped Vaporeon's entire body!
Crackling sparks of electricity burst forth, dyeing the entire pool a blinding golden-yellow!
Vaporeon cried out in pain. When the electric shock finally subsided, it struggled to climb onto the bank. It was clearly exhausted and covered in scorch marks.
Natsui didn't let up. "Don't give it a chance to breathe. Finish it, Jolteon! Use Thunder Fang!"
Jolteon opened its mouth wide, electricity sparking wildly from the tips of its fangs. It lunged forward, biting down hard on Vaporeon!
After taking repeated super-effective damage, Vaporeon could no longer endure. It collapsed onto the ground, unconscious.
Sparky raised his right hand and announced the result. "Vaporeon is unable to battle. The winner is Jolteon!"
Outside the field, seeing that Jolteon had actually won the match, Natsui heard the scattered applause and murmurs of the crowd.
"Eh? It actually beat Rainer's Vaporeon? This guy's got some skills!"
"I know, right? But he looks like a new face. Is he a traveler?"
Rainer recalled his unconscious Vaporeon and shook his head dejectedly. "Man, my Vaporeon lost. Compared to mine—or even Sparky's—your Jolteon is on a whole different level."
"..."
Hearing this, Sparky gave his younger brother a rather helpless look.
You're the one who lost, why did you have to drag me into it?
But he had to admit, although they both raised Jolteons, Natsui's was clearly superior in terms of performance and reaction speed.
Natsui offered some polite words as well. "Your Vaporeon is excellent, too. Thanks to this match, my Jolteon got some great training."
Strictly speaking, his Pokémon had a type advantage, and his Jolteon was simply stronger overall. Defeating a Vaporeon with an Electric-type wasn't something to be overly arrogant about.
"Alright then, it's my turn next!"
At that moment, Pyro ran to the command zone, shoving Rainer aside with his hip. His face was eager, his eyes burning with fighting spirit.
"Unlike Rainer's Vaporeon, my Flareon doesn't have a type disadvantage against your Jolteon. We can have an even match and see whose Eevee evolution is truly the strongest!"
With his fiery and impulsive personality, Pyro didn't even ask if Natsui was ready before sending out his Pokémon.
Among the various evolutions of Eevee, Flareon's appearance is the closest to the original. Its fur is a vivid orange-red, and aside from a large, fluffy tail, it possesses a mane of cream-colored fur around its neck and on its head.
Pokédex: "Beep. Flareon, the Flame Pokémon. A Fire-type. One of Eevee's evolved forms, achieved by using a Fire Stone. It heats the air it inhales in its internal flame sac to create scorching flames of over 3,000 degrees Fahrenheit."
Looking at the aggressive Flareon, Natsui looked down at his partner and asked softly, "Jolteon, can you still continue?"
Jolteon turned around and gave Natsui a confident nod.
In the previous battle, although it had taken a Water Gun and a Water Pulse, it still had plenty of stamina left.
"Very well. Then I'll have to trouble you one more time!"
At the same time, Pyro shouted, "Flareon, use Fire Spin!"
Flareon spewed out a spiraling vortex of fire, trying to trap Jolteon within it. However, Jolteon relied on its nimble footwork to leap out of the attack's range instantly.
"You're fast! But let's see how long you can keep that up!" Pyro praised, then continued to command, "Flareon, keep attacking!"
"Jolteon, Quick Attack!"
Jolteon's speed suddenly increased, dodging the remnants of the Fire Spin before ramming its head hard into Flareon's side.
Flareon stumbled backward, but quickly dug its claws into the ground to stabilize itself.
"Damn it!" Pyro frowned. "Flareon, use Fire Fang!"
Flareon opened its mouth, flames wreathing its fangs. It lunged and bit down on Jolteon. At such close range, Jolteon couldn't dodge in time and was clamped by the burning jaws.
Jolteon twisted its body, trying to shake its opponent off, but Flareon wouldn't let go. No matter how hard it struggled, the Fire-type held on.
Seeing Jolteon's pained expression, Natsui shouted, "Use Discharge now!"
A fierce bolt of electricity exploded from Jolteon's body, striking Flareon point-blank. The shock was too much; Flareon was forced to release its bite and leap away to create distance.
After the brief exchange, both Pokémon glared at each other, panting slightly. However, having fought one battle already, Jolteon was beginning to feel the fatigue.
"Flareon, use Flamethrower!"
Flames gathered in Flareon's mouth and blasted outward. Jolteon once again relied on its superior agility to dodge the stream of fire.
However, although the Flamethrower missed Jolteon, it struck the dry grass beside it.
In an instant, the flames spread like wildfire, setting the entire side of the field ablaze!
The battlefield was now split in two—a wall of fire on one side, and the pool on the other, dividing the two Pokémon into separate zones!