The rush of wind tugged at the hem of Silver Wolf's jacket. Because the clash was so close, sand and gravel sprayed toward her, and she instinctively raised an arm to shield her face. It was only when the debris passed harmlessly through her form that she remembered she was merely a projection. She had become so engrossed in the heat of the duel that she had forgotten the barrier between the game and reality.
"Eevee..."
As the smoke cleared, Flareon stood firm. Her expression was resolute, even as her muscles occasionally twitched from the lingering mental strain. At the critical second, she had willed a Protect shield into existence, triggering an energy conflict that resulted in a localized explosion.
"Good job, Eevee!"
The audience erupted in cheers for the tenacious little fox.
"That was my mistake earlier, I let you suffer," Silver Wolf said, her voice steady. "Now, let's launch our counterattack together! Quick Attack!"
Flareon transformed into a streak of white light, blurring from the baseline toward the towering Exeggutor in the center of the arena.
"Exeggutor, Psychic!" Fu Xuan commanded, maintaining her pressure.
"Speed up! Charge at full throttle!"
Silver Wolf didn't care if the move was a feint or a direct strike. She knew that in their current state, Flareon would understand exactly what she needed. Flareon stomped the earth, a white flash bypassing the Exeggutor's mental lock before the confusion could take hold.
"Swift!" "Take Down!"
Flareon reacted with fluid grace, spinning the moment she passed the three-headed giant to unleash dozens of star-shaped energy projectiles. The barrage directly interrupted Exeggutor's mental focus. Seizing the opening, Flareon pivoted and delivered a Take Down kick that sent the opponent sprawling.
"Use Confusion to stabilize!"
Exeggutor, a creature with only two thin legs supporting three massive heads, had a notoriously difficult time recovering from a fall. Fu Xuan had it use its own telekinetic power to catch itself mid-air, slowly descending back to the grass.
"Ha..."
Fu Xuan let out a soft breath. She knew her ability to perform advanced, predictive calculations was becoming nearly useless in this chaotic environment. The battle had devolved into a raw exchange where instinct outweighed dividends. She needed to change her mindset. Even in a close-quarters brawl, she felt no fear toward the hacker across from her.
"I never thought I'd feel a spark of passion like this," Fu Xuan murmured.
Seeing Flareon's unyielding stance moved her. As a Master Diviner and a candidate for General, she couldn't help but be reminded of the Cloud Knights' indomitable spirit on the battlefield. She found herself wishing real conflicts could be settled as harmoniously as this. She quickly shook off the stray thought and refocused.
To avoid being pinned down, Silver Wolf had Flareon follow up with a Quick Attack the moment Exeggutor touched the ground.
"Magical Leaf!"
Since mental precision was failing, Fu Xuan chose a move that didn't need to aim. Shimmering green leaves floated into the air, rushing toward Flareon at a speed that outpaced the fox's sprint. Flareon attempted a backflip to dodge, but the leaves tracked her movement, curving in mid-air to strike her directly across the back.
Simultaneously, Flareon's tackle connected with Exeggutor.
"Flareon is unable to battle! Ladies and gentlemen, we have reached match point! Silver Wolf has only one partner left. Fu Xuan still holds a weary Exeggutor, a battered Mr. Mime, and a final, unknown combatant!"
Owlbert's announcement was met with thunderous roars from the stands. "That fire fox was so tough! I'm catching one as soon as I get home!" "Diviner Fu is just too strong. She's been in control since the start." "Don't count Silver Wolf out! Her last one is her ace, Dragonite! She can still take this!"
The atmosphere was thick with anticipation. Silver Wolf carefully recalled her Flareon, her fingers lingering on the Poké Ball. Her mindset had shifted completely. She no longer just wanted to win for the sake of the game; she wanted to win with her partner. It was a subtle change, but for her, it was a revolution. She realized now that the Pokémon trusted her, and victory was the best reward she could offer for that trust.
"Let's win this together, Dragonite!"
"Waaah!"
Dragonite materialized, let out a joyful cheer as if celebrating a reunion, and landed firmly on the scorched grass.
"Dragonite, Extreme Speed!"
Silver Wolf's voice was resolute, lacking the previous tension. Dragonite responded to that clarity, its small wings fluttering as it became a literal gust of wind.
"Exeggutor, Protect!" Fu Xuan countered instantly.
The white streak of Dragonite shattered the green shield, and in that split second of impact, Silver Wolf gave the next command.
"Dragon Tail!"
Before Fu Xuan could even formulate a thought, the tail slammed home.
"Exeggutor is incapacitated!"
The pro-Silver Wolf crowd erupted. Fu Xuan knew that with the opponent's current momentum, sending out a weakened Mr. Mime would be a waste. She decided to bring out her final pillar.
"Go, Alakazam!"
The stadium fell silent for a heartbeat. "Wait, a second Alakazam?" Owlbert gasped. "I didn't expect this! Alakazam's power is legendary, and Silver Wolf is down to her last stand!"
It was rare to see two of the same species in a competitive lineup, but Fu Xuan was nothing if not thorough. Silver Wolf felt a jolt of realization. If this Alakazam was different from the one she'd defeated with poison—possessing Magic Guard or Synchronize—her previous tactics might not work. But she didn't let the doubt take root.
"Dragonite, Extreme Speed!"
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