For Karen, a close-range battle was definitely not a good strategy.
At the same time, both Umbreon and Gengar were Pokémon better suited for launching surprise attacks from close quarters.
Suddenly, Gengar and Umbreon vanished from sight.
Naoko cautiously scanned her surroundings, but she couldn't detect either of them.
Yet she showed no sign of nervousness.
Instead, she smiled calmly.
Suddenly, Espeon activated Swift.
Its Psychic power surged outward, and a figure was immediately forced out of hiding.
It was Gengar!
Karen's expression changed.
How had she discovered Gengar?
After all, Gengar was a Ghost-type Pokémon, naturally gifted at concealment and sneak attacks.
Naoko smiled.
"In front of Espeon, all disguises are meaningless."
In the audience, Sam suddenly recalled Espeon's Pokédex entry.
Espeon was extremely loyal to a Trainer it recognized. It was said that, in order to protect its Trainer, its ability to predict danger had become exceptionally developed. Whenever it foresaw an opponent's actions, the tip of its forked tail would twitch slightly.
Looking carefully, Sam noticed Espeon's forked tail gently swaying.
Sure enough.
This Espeon possessed the ability to anticipate its opponent's actions.
Although Sam understood what was happening, Karen did not.
He immediately ordered Umbreon, still hidden in the shadows, to attack again.
However, Umbreon couldn't get close to Espeon at all.
Every movement seemed to have been predicted in advance.
Karen's expression gradually darkened.
The momentum of the battle was beginning to shift toward Naoko.
Naoko smiled.
"Let me show you my true strength!"
Then Espeon and Umbreon moved toward each other.
A brilliant light suddenly erupted from their bodies.
What's this?
Fusion?
The entire battlefield was engulfed in dazzling light.
When the light finally faded, a massive Eevee-like Pokémon stood in the arena.
Its body was larger and more powerful than before.
Strange patterns covered its fur.
A sun symbol and a moon symbol were engraved on opposite sides of its head.
The audience was stunned.
Everyone knew that Espeon and Umbreon were completely opposite Pokémon.
Fusion normally occurred between Pokémon with similar characteristics.
How could two Pokémon with completely opposing attributes merge together?
Espeon itself was already a special existence.
Originally, it had been an ordinary Eevee, but after being altered through Team Rocket's experiments, it had become something unique.
Before evolving into Espeon, it could freely switch between forms such as Flareon, Jolteon, and Vaporeon.
The experiment eventually produced an entirely new Psychic-type evolution.
Such a Pokémon was already incredibly rare.
Now, after fusing with Umbreon, its power had become even more astonishing.
Sam activated his appraisal ability.
The result shocked him.
This fused Pokémon had reached the Champion Peak.
"Is this… fusion?"
Sam muttered to himself.
Karen looked equally stunned.
"Impossible! How can two Pokémon with completely opposite attributes fuse together?"
Naoko smiled.
"But they did, didn't they?"
The crowd fell silent.
Everyone watched attentively, waiting to see what the fused Pokémon would do next.
Suddenly, it attacked.
A burst of holy light erupted from its body and shot straight toward Gengar.
Although Gengar quickly activated Reflect, it was still blasted backward.
What terrifying power!
At the same time, Naoko's Flareon wasn't idle.
A spiraling stream of flames shot from its mouth and raced toward Murkrow.
Karen's expression suddenly turned fierce.
"Then let me show you the power of my Dark-type Pokémon!"
A black vortex suddenly appeared before Murkrow.
The incoming flames were swallowed whole.
Sam frowned.
Did Murkrow have a skill like that?
In his memory, Murkrow shouldn't possess such an ability.
Even Naoko looked surprised.
Karen smiled.
"I also possess a completely new form."
Only then did everyone notice that Murkrow had changed.
Its feathers had become brighter.
Its coloration had grown even darker.
The aura surrounding it felt completely different from before.
Karen raised her head proudly.
"My Murkrow is a being that has been baptized by darkness!"
Darkness?
Sam frowned.
Something about that word felt wrong.
He couldn't explain it, but the moment he heard it, he sensed that something unusual was hidden behind it.
A feeling of unease rose in his heart.
A bad premonition flashed through his mind.
Has my journey in this world been a little too smooth?