Chapter 220:
"Eevee~ Eevee!" (Hahaha, Larvitar, you wouldn't want to lose this match, would you?)
Little nine stepped forward, a smug grin curling on its lips.
Hayashi Kaede could only facepalm.
Who on earth had it learned that from?
The "Hero Squad"?
Apparently, the villain role came naturally to it.
Indeed, there was a naturally mischievous, even sly, streak in little nine's personality—something it hadn't picked up from Alolan Vulpix but had always possessed.
Otherwise, it wouldn't have led its two little friends on that "running away from home" escapade back then.
"Larvitar?" (Huh?)
The opposing Larvitar froze, staring blankly at Eevee. Why was it smiling like that? Wasn't this supposed to be a normal battle?
Just then, its trainer shouted, "Larvitar, use Tackle!"
Obediently, Larvitar stopped thinking and charged on its short legs toward little nine.
Hayashi Kaede refocused. "Use Sand Attack—right in its face!"
"Eevee~!"
As Larvitar rushed closer, little nine braced itself. The moment it was about to collide, it kicked sharply with its hind paws, scraping up a flurry of dirt.
A dense cloud of sand exploded outward, shooting straight into Larvitar's face.
"Pfft, Larvitar?!" (Huh?!)
The sudden burst of sand left Larvitar momentarily disoriented.
But being a Ground-type, it quickly shook itself off, blinking away the grit as it prepared to charge again.
However—The next words out of Eevee's mouth stopped it cold.
Having easily sidestepped the Tackle, little nine tilted its head and said mockingly, "Eevee?" (Are you even trying?)
"Eevee?" (You can't even protect your trainer like this. Guess I'll go for your trainer instead!)
It lowered its stance as if to dart toward the opposing trainer.
"Larvitar—?!"
Larvitar's eyes went wide.
What?! Wasn't this supposed to be a fair battle? What did it mean by attacking the trainer?!
Meanwhile, in the stands, though no one could understand Eevee's words, its expressions and taunting demeanor—combined with the audience's prior knowledge of Hayashi Kaede's Pokémon—set off a wave of chatter.
"Just as expected… like trainer, like Pokémon. First Goodra, then Blaziken, and now even his Eevee's like this…"
"Ugh… that poor, cute Eevee. Why's it acting like such a little villain?"
"Give me back my adorable image of Eevee!"
All those comments drifted to Hayashi Kaede's ears.
His expression turned complicated. For the first time, he felt he truly understood how heroes and villains in those anime must feel.
Across the field, Rosalie gave her next order. "Bite!"
Snapping back to focus, Hayashi Kaede responded immediately, "Quick Attack to dodge, then use Swift!"
Larvitar, baring its fangs, lunged forward, desperate to bite Eevee—terrified it might actually attack its trainer. But compared to little nine, who had already launched into Quick Attack, its speed was no contest.
A flash of white light streaked across the field.
Eevee's tail swept through the air, releasing a dazzling burst of glowing stars that shot straight toward Larvitar.
Completely off guard, Larvitar—who'd been charging with its mouth open—took the full brunt of the Swift, tumbling backward across the ground.
"Alright, Eevee, now's our chance! Use Captivate!" Hayashi Kaede called out.
Larvitar staggered to its feet, growling in anger—only for little nine to suddenly drop into a cute pose, winking playfully.
Pink, heart-shaped waves of energy rippled from its eyes, wrapping around Larvitar.
⌒(*＾-゜)v
Larvitar froze.
Then, little hearts swirled in its eyes as the once-detested Eevee now seemed impossibly adorable.
So cute…
How could I ever hit something this cute?
But then Eevee spoke again.
"Eevee…" (Tch, pathetic, pathetic~)
"Eevee, Eevee." (Falling for a simple Captivate? And you still think you can protect your trainer?)
"Eevee~" (If you don't snap out of it, I'm going for your trainer again~)
"Larvitar?!" (Huh?!)
Larvitar shook its head violently, the taunting tone snapping it out of the trance.
Fueled by sheer fury, it roared, fists clenched, and charged without waiting for a command.
[Retaliate: The user strikes back after being hit. Power doubles if the user was hit first.]
"This…"
Hayashi Kaede blinked in surprise.
Logically, that Captivate should've been enough to drain the last of its fighting spirit.
But somehow, a few words from little nine had broken the effect entirely—and reignited its determination.
Seriously?
Still, there was no time to dwell on it. "Dig! Dodge underground!"
Little nine's lips curled into a mischievous grin before it dove into the ground, vanishing from sight.
Larvitar stopped short, glaring at the hole in frustration.
"Larvitar!" (Get out here!)
In its enraged state, Hayashi Kaede could almost see the energy surging around it—its level rising to around [20–22].
He went quiet for a moment.
"Eevee~"
Little nine popped up from another hole—only to be startled by the sheer intensity of Larvitar's aura.
Was this… the legendary "protagonist power-up"?
Seeing its target reappear, Larvitar grabbed a clump of dirt from the ground. Rock-type energy coursed through it, solidifying it into a jagged boulder.
Then it hurled the improvised rock straight at Eevee.
"Quick Attack!"
Sensing the danger through its Anticipation ability, little nine darted forward in a burst of white light, narrowly dodging the projectile.
The rock slammed into the ground where it had been a heartbeat ago, shattering on impact.
Little nine gulped, glancing at the crater beside it. That would've hurt.
Hayashi Kaede exhaled in relief. "Alright, now—use Return!"