Pokémon: Eevee
Gender: Female
Ability: Anticipation
Nature: Bold (Red)
Individual Values: HP (23), Attack (24), Special Attack (25), Defense (23), Special Defense (23), Speed (25)
Power Level: 34–36
Moves: Tackle, Tail Whip, Growl, Quick Attack, Charm, Dig, Endure, Mimic, Baby-Doll Eyes, Return
Affection: 95
Happiness: 40
By now, Ah Jiu had been in the nursery for nearly three months.
The judging panel had undergone major changes, and the other two Eevee had also improved significantly. Their potential levels had reached Purple, and their energy levels were above 30.
Yet Eevee didn't have many practical moves.
Aside from Dig, Endure, Quick Attack, and Mimic, most other moves were of little use.
During the Sky Challenge, Dig was strictly prohibited, because hiding underground would defeat the purpose of the challenge entirely.
"Bulbasaur, Bulbasaur!"
The Ninetales stood imposingly at the challenge center, staring at the Staraptor in the sky.
Over the past few days, she had watched Floragato's challenge attempts many times and felt inspired.
All you had to do was dodge that Wing Attack first, then the next move… she thought.
Ah Jiu believed she could do it too.
"Ready?" Lin Feng called from the side, stopwatch in hand.
"Bulbasaur, Bulbasaur~!" (Ready, ready!)
She assumed a calm posture, muscles tense in her slender limbs.
The moment Lin Feng pressed the timer, the Staraptor moved in the sky, diving like an arrow.
Quick Attack!
This was the Staraptor's first move in the Sky Challenge.
"Bulbasaur!"
The massive bird, with a wingspan of nearly three to four meters, swooped down. Ah Jiu's eyes widened instantly as a deep shadow nearly enveloped her completely.
"Quick Attack, dodge quickly!"
Only when Lin Feng's voice grew louder did she snap back to reality, frantically attempting to execute Quick Attack.
But it seemed too late; the Staraptor had already landed beside her, lifting her with its talons.
"Bulbasaur, Bulbasaur!"
Ah Jiu was flung into the air!
Her limbs flailed wildly as she struggled, and Lin Feng pinched the bridge of his nose, unable to look away.
This kid…
She had at least fought before, right? Why was she still frozen at a moment like this?
"Bulbasaur, Bulbasaur…"
Ah Jiu continued calling out in the air, but eventually realized the Staraptor meant her no harm. Her limbs stopped thrashing and hung limply. She looked down at Lin Feng with an awkward but polite smile.
"All right, Staraptor, set her down," Lin Feng commanded.
The Staraptor gradually lowered its flight and released her.
"Bulbasaur, Bulbasaur…" (That was terrifying…)
The Eevee, still a little shaken, quickly jumped into Lin Feng's arms.
Lin Feng gently pinched her cheek. "You should wait until you evolve before attempting this challenge."
At the moment, Eevee had only raised her energy level. Her actual combat abilities were still limited.
"Bulbasaur…"
Ah Jiu buried her face in Lin Feng's arms, pretending not to hear. Then she glanced at Ah Wu and the Alolan Ninetales beside her.
"So, do you two still want to try?"
"Bulbasaur…"
Ah Wu hesitated, unsure if he could do better than Ah Jiu.
But the Alolan Ninetales leapt forward with a cry, "Ying Ying Ying!" (I'm going! I'll avenge Ah Jiu!)
Full of spirit, she was determined to win this battle for her first squad leader.
"All right."
Lin Feng did not refuse, though a small smile tugged at his lips.
At this point, the Staraptor in front of him didn't even have as high an energy level as the Alolan Ninetales.
This Staraptor was only level 45–47.
The Ninetales had been stuck at level 59 for some time, along with Blaziken and Milotic.
Only the early-stage Serpent King had reached level 61–63.
But if the Alolan Ninetales took the challenge, the first stage would certainly not be simple. Lin Feng decided to start with the enhanced version.
He thought for a moment, then told the Staraptor, "Stir up a strong wind!"
"Staraptor!"
The Staraptor flapped its wings, intensifying the breeze. The Eevee's fur whipped wildly in the wind.
"Ying Ying Ying!"
The Alolan Ninetales leapt over ten meters, landing at the challenge center. A thin layer of ice began forming beneath her paws.
Lin Feng quickly led Floragato and the Eevee out of the wind's path.
The wind in this weather was bone-chillingly cold.
The challenge began in earnest.
The Staraptor still used its usual three moves, but against the Alolan Ninetales, its talons seemed to slide across the ice as if lubricated, yet she dodged every attack skillfully.
For the Sky Challenge, only Pokémon with energy levels between 20 and 40 could participate in the first stage.
For the Ninetales, it was still relatively easy.
The first Staraptor was quickly defeated.
Then only two remained. They couldn't track her movements, and occasionally she used Ice Wind to slow them down.
Soon there were four Staraptor, but it didn't faze the Alolan Ninetales. If anything, she moved more confidently after the first two rounds.
Two minutes passed, and the Alolan Ninetales remained completely unscathed.
During this challenge, her energy level quietly rose to 60–62. She had officially become an elite-class Pokémon.
She gracefully jumped to Lin Feng's side and proudly lifted her head. "Ying Ying Ying~" (Didn't I do great~!)
"You were amazing," Lin Feng said, stroking her head. He checked the time and added, "All right, everyone, good work today. Let's call it a day and go home to eat~"
"Bulbasaur, Bulbasaur~"
"Ying Ying Ying…"
"Meow ha~!"
The Pokémon cheered excitedly, following Lin Feng back toward home.