Chapter 321:
December 9th.
[Pokémon: Eevee]
[Gender: Female]
[Ability: Anticipation]
[Potential: Red]
[IVs: HP (23) Attack (24) Sp. Atk (25) Defense (23) Sp. Def (23) Speed (25)]
[Level: 34 — 36]
[Moves: Tackle, Tail Whip, Growl, Quick Attack, Baby-Doll Eyes, Dig, Endure, Copycat, Round, Return.]
[Friendship: 95]
[Happiness: 40]
Doing the math, Little Nine had been at the Breeding House for almost three months now.
Its stats had changed significantly.
The other two Eevees had also shown considerable progress; not only were their Potentials Purple, but their levels had also reached above 30.
However, for an Eevee, the number of moves it can learn isn't high.
Apart from Dig, Endure, Quick Attack, and Copycat, the other moves aren't very useful for it.
In the Sky Challenge, Dig is explicitly forbidden.
Because hiding underground completely defeats the purpose of the challenge.
"Eevee, Eevee!"
Little Nine stood fiercely in the challenge area, looking at the Pidgeot in the sky.
Over the past few days, it had watched Floragato challenge many times and felt it had some understanding.
Wasn't it just about dodging the wings first, then dodging that other move?
Little Nine thought it could do it too.
"Ready?" Hayashi Kaede shouted from the side, holding the timer.
"Eevee, Eevee~!" (Ready, ready!)
It was poised, its small limbs tensing its muscles.
The moment Hayashi Kaede pressed the timer, the Pidgeot in the sky moved, diving downward like an arrow.
This was Quick Attack!
The first move Pidgeot often uses in the Sky Challenge!
"Eevee!"
The large bird, with a wingspan of nearly three to four meters, dove down. Little Nine's eyes widened instantly; the shadow covering the sky almost completely enveloped it.
"Quick Attack, dodge quickly!"
Only when Hayashi Kaede's voice grew louder did it snap back to reality, desperately trying to activate Quick Attack.
But it seemed too late; Pidgeot's form had already landed beside it and grabbed it with its claws.
(＃°Д°): "Eevee Eevee!"
Little Nine was airborne!
It kicked its four legs wildly in the air, struggling vigorously, making Hayashi Kaede facepalm, unable to watch.
This kid...
Hadn't it battled at least once before?
Why did it still space out at a time like this?
"Eevee, Eevee..."
Little Nine was still crying out in the air. Finally realizing Pidgeot wasn't hurting it, its limbs stopped moving and just hung limply. It looked down at Hayashi Kaede with an awkward yet polite smile.
"Alright, Pidgeot, put it down."
Hayashi Kaede called out.
Pidgeot slowly descended and released it.
"Eevee, Eevee..." (So scary...)
The Eevee, just back on the ground, still looked frightened and quickly jumped into Hayashi Kaede's arms.
Hayashi Kaede pinched its cheek. "You should wait until after you evolve before trying this challenge again."
This Eevee had basically just gained levels; its actual battle prowess wasn't strong.
"Eevee..."
Little Nine buried its face in Hayashi Kaede's chest, pretending not to hear.
Then it looked at the remaining Little Five and Alolan Ninetales.
"So, you two, still want to give it a try?"
"Eevee..."
Little Five hesitated; it didn't think it would do much better than Little Nine.
But Alolan Ninetales jumped out. "Ninetales!" (I'll do it! Watch me get revenge for Little Nine!)
It was full of momentum, determined to win this battle as its first squad leader.
"Alright."
Hayashi Kaede didn't refuse, just wore a smile.
Thinking about it, this Pidgeot's level was actually lower than Alolan Ninetales.
This Pidgeot was only level 45-47.
While Alolan Ninetales was stuck at level 59.
It, along with Blaziken and Milotic, had been stuck at level 59 for a while.
Only Serperior had long reached level 61-63.
But if Alolan Ninetales was challenging, it naturally wouldn't be the simple first level challenge.
Let's start with a plus version challenge.
Hayashi Kaede thought to himself, then said to the Pidgeot, "Stir up a gust!"
"Pidgeot!"
Pidgeot flapped its wings, and the gentle breeze quickly intensified into a strong wind, making the Eevees' fur fly.
"Ninetales!"
Alolan Ninetales leaped, covering over ten meters in distance, directly landing in the challenge area. A thin layer of ice began to form around its paws.
Hayashi Kaede quickly moved Floragato and the Eevees outside the wind circle.
The wind in this weather was bitterly cold, almost bone-chilling.
The challenge began as the timer started.
Pidgeot still used the same old three moves, but facing Alolan Ninetales, its paws on the ice layer seemed to have added lubricant.
It deftly dodged Pidgeot's attacks every time.
After all, the first level of the Sky Challenge was designed for Pokémon between levels 20-40.
For Alolan Ninetales, it was still quite simple.
The first Pidgeot was quickly defeated.
Then came two Pidgeot; they also couldn't catch Alolan Ninetales' shadow. Occasionally, Alolan Ninetales even used Icy Wind to inflict a speed-reduction debuff on them.
Then four Pidgeot.
This still couldn't trouble Alolan Ninetales; instead, after the first two challenges, it became even more relaxed and graceful.
Two minutes passed, and Alolan Ninetales landed unscathed in its original spot.
During this challenge, its level quietly changed, becoming 60-62.
It had become a pseudo-Elite Four level Pokémon.
It gracefully jumped to Hayashi Kaede's side, proudly lifting its face. "Ninetales~" (Aren't I amazing~!)
"Ninetales is truly amazing."
Hayashi Kaede patted Alolan Ninetales' head, then checked the time and said, "Alright, everyone has worked hard. Let's stop here for today and head back to cook~"
"Eevee, Eevee~"
"Ninetales..."
"Floragato~!"
The group of Pokémon cheered and followed Hayashi Kaede towards home.