"Deino!"
The smoke on the battlefield gradually dispersed, revealing Deino panting heavily as it struggled to stay on its feet after taking a direct hit from Shadow Sneak.
If it weren't for Deino's inherent Dark-type resistance, which reduced Zorua's Shadow Sneak to half damage, the single-headed dragon would have been knocked out already. Even so, Deino was badly injured, its stamina nearly depleted.
Seeing his sister's Pokémon in such a state, David spoke up. "Sister, how about we call it here?" This was just a friendly match between siblings, after all—there was no need to push things too far. With Deino already hurt, it seemed better to stop before things got worse.
Aria glanced at her Deino.
"What do you think, Deino? Do you want to stop here?"
"Roar!"
Hearing Aria's question, Deino turned and let out a soft roar at her before turning back around. It adjusted its stance and fixed its gaze intently on the distant Zorua.
Without a doubt, Deino had answered its trainer through action.
Winning is winning, and losing is losing. Deino refused to end a battle halfway through. Such was the pride of a Dragon-type pseudo-legendary—even facing defeat, it would fight to the very end.
"Alright, I understand!"
"I can't argue with you. David, let's continue then."
Aria smiled at her Deino's determination, then turned to meet David's gaze with renewed resolve, signaling her readiness to continue the battle.
"Zorua, let's keep going."
David said nothing more, simply commanding Zorua to prepare for the next exchange. Deino's fighting spirit had ignited the competitive passion in both siblings.
"Deino, focus your energy and use Dragon Breath at full power!"
Zorua's speed was simply too overwhelming. If they couldn't somehow restrict its movement, this battle was impossible to win. And there was still that mysterious disappearing act Zorua had pulled earlier—Aria had no idea how it worked.
They could only gamble on a long-range attack now. Among Deino's ranged moves, Dragon Breath had the highest proficiency, the fastest execution time, and a chance to inflict paralysis as an additional effect. With no better options available, Aria chose to take the risk. If Dragon Breath could land a solid hit, perhaps there was still a chance to turn this battle around.
"Shadow Sneak, intercept!"
"Boom!"
In midair, Zorua's Shadow Sneak collided with Deino's Dragon Breath, creating a massive explosion.
At that moment, violent fluctuations rippled through the smoke from the blast. Under the cover of the explosion, Deino burst through using Tackle, charging straight toward Zorua.
"That's it! Fire Fang!"
Deino's jaws opened wide, flames erupting from its mouth as it lunged toward the small Zorua.
"Not so fast! Zorua, use Dig!"
The little fox immediately dug into the ground, narrowly dodging Deino's flaming bite by escaping underground with Dig.
Seeing Zorua disappear beneath the surface, Deino raised its front leg high once more. A yellowish-brown light began gathering around it, clearly preparing to unleash Earth Power again.
Just then.
Suddenly, Zorua—who should have been deep underground—reappeared directly in front of Deino. Seizing the perfect opportunity, Zorua finally revealed its hidden trump card: a blast of icy blue air streamed from its mouth, striking Deino before it could dodge while locked in its attack animation.
It was Icy Wind, a move Zorua had never shown before.
This technique was one Zorua had learned naturally through leveling up. David and Zorua had deliberately kept it hidden in previous battles, waiting for precisely this moment to reveal it.
Deino, whose stamina was already at its limit, finally collapsed after taking a direct hit from the super-effective Icy Wind.
On the electronic scoreboard beside the field, Aria 's avatar dimmed. Amid the Rotom referee's announcement—"Deino is unable to battle! Zorua wins!"—this sparring match concluded with David and Zorua's victory. At the same time, the system's victory notification echoed in David's mind.
Before he could check it, Zorua—having just finished the match—immediately leaped into David's arms.
"Zorua~ Zorua!" (David, how did I do?)
"Excellent work, Zorua!"
David stroked the little fox's head while pulling out an energy block made from Oran Berries. Zorua had sustained almost no injuries during the battle, but it had expended considerable stamina and needed to replenish its energy and rest properly.
Aria, meanwhile, recalled her unconscious Deino into its Poké Ball and handed it to the nearby Indeedee. The family estate was already equipped with the finest treatment facilities. Aside from some minor frostbite sustained at the end, Deino's main issue was simply exhaustion. Having Indeedee take it to Chansey for recovery would be sufficient—there was no need for a special trip to a Pokémon Center.
"David, you've really given me quite the surprise!"
Aria looked at her brother, who seemed both familiar and like a stranger. In just one semester, her younger brother appeared to have completely transformed. A new trainer who had only recently caught their first Pokémon could achieve this—even "defeating" her, a Superior-ranked trainer.
"Heh! Not really, just decent. This wasn't your true strength anyway, so my win isn't all that surprising. Sister, please don't praise me too much—I might get overconfident."
David replied with a hint of "humility."
However, he wasn't entirely wrong. This Deino was genuinely strong—arguably the most powerful opponent he had faced since becoming a trainer. But it was clearly Aria's newly caught Pokémon. While Deino's move pool appeared extensive, it lacked some crucial move combinations. The two probably hadn't had much time to bond yet, so while the commands were sound, their synergy definitely couldn't match what he and Zorua shared.
One must remember that the bond between a Pokémon and its trainer is critically important.
In contrast, Zorua had been brought home by David himself. After more than two weeks of intensive training, eating and sleeping together every day, he and Zorua had already formed a powerful connection. Moreover, David also possessed Aura abilities. In battle, Zorua and David were truly connected mind-to-mind.
If it weren't for habit and the desire not to casually expose his Aura powers, David wouldn't even need to speak his commands—he could simply communicate through telepathy.
"A win is a win. Your sister isn't a sore loser. So now, shouldn't you tell me the secret behind Zorua's disappearing act, hmm?"
Aria said with mock annoyance, looking at her brother's mischievous grin.
But honestly, she was genuinely curious now. What was the trick behind Zorua's disappearance? It couldn't possibly be Teleport, could it? Setting aside how a Zorua could even learn Teleport—a move that even most Psychic-type Pokémon couldn't master—she hadn't detected any Teleport energy fluctuations on the field during the entire match.
"Of course, no problem. Zorua, transform and show our sister your true form."
Hearing this, Zorua—who was still acting cute in David's arms—jumped down in front of Aria. In an instant, a pink light enveloped its entire body, forming a cocoon of radiant energy that then burst open.
Amid the scattering light particles, the original black and red Zorua vanished, replaced by an unfamiliar pink-furred little fox.