16. Robert vs Ethan

It was rather silent and stifling in the stadium. When Robert first went up with his king of the mountain style challenge many were angered. When he sent out a shiny Vulpix most just thought it was weird, those who knew better were surprised but not too much. Most shiny Pokémon were still only dark silver talent and there were more than a few here whose Pokémon had similar talent.

This attitude didn't last long. Robert's opponent was made quick work of, even with this, many were still unconvinced and lined up to take him down. After the third defeat, some wavered. After the fifth, a few quietly stepped away. The sixth battle was with a Corsola, most assumed Robert would back down. Unexpectedly Robert and his Vulpix welcomed the challenge, the battle was drawn out and hard-fought, but Vulpix still won!

Someone thought they could take advantage of Vulpix being tired and raced up and sent out his Pokémon and hurried it to attack before Robert could retrieve Vulpix. unexpectedly Vulpix suddenly unleashed a flamethrower, the opponent was burnt and lost soon after. Robert was over the moon and tried to get Vulpix to use flamethrower again, but it failed. It obviously hadn't mastered this move and only just learned it.

After seven battles Vulpix was looking worn out. Some people also wanted to take advantage of Vulpix being tired to win and maybe gain a little fame but hesitated after the last display. That was when they truly despaired. Robert returned his Vulpix but didn't leave the arena. He took out another Pokéball and sent out a shiny Eevee!

Everyone was currently staring at Robert and his Eevee in shock and dismay. It took seven of them just to wear out Vulpix, they couldn't even beat it. now there was this Eevee right after. This time no one stepped forward.

"Tch, since none of you cowards are going then I will." The crowd frowned when they heard that but their eyes lit up when they saw who spoke. It was Ethan. Ethan had been in the stands watching the whole thing. When he first saw Robert go up, he wasn't happy but thought it beneath him to teach a farm boy a lesson. His attitude like the others quickly changed.

Even with Roberts display, Ethan was still sure he was better. He also didn't think he could have a second Pokémon as strong as that Vulpix.

Kris sitting at the other end in the stands was Also amazed. She really didn't expect Robert's Vulpix to be so impressive. After she heard Ethan was acting, she was worried again. She also didn't think Robert's Eevee could be as strong as his Vulpix. Just as she was going to stop Ethan Joel stopped her. When Kris glared at him Joel just smiled and said, "Robert told me himself that Eevee is his strongest Pokémon."

Kris sat there with her mouth hanging open staring in shock at the Eevee in the arena. Joel himself was amazed at the display Roberts Pokémon were putting on. He had seen Vulpix fight before but it hardly used any effort then, it surpassed his expectations that it was this tough.

After Ethen arrived at his side of the arena he sneered at Robert, "this is as far as you go, now its-"

"stop being so long-winded and battle, not like I'm gonna remember any of it" Ethan felt his forehead throbbing. Every time he was around this guy he felt like he was going to pop a vein. "Fine, let's see what you can say after I-"

"and he's still talking, do you even know how battles work. You send out you're Pokémon then direct it on how to battle. No part of battling includes talking so much nonsense." Ethan's whole face was cramping up in anger again. He learned his lesson and didn't retort this time though. He grabbed a ball from his belt and threw it.

On the field appeared his Poliwhirl, Ethan's strongest pokemon currently. After sending out his Poliwhirl Ethan regained a little of his composure. Though his forehead was still throbbing.

Robert quickly checked its talent and saw it was Light Gold. seems Ethan wasn't just bragging about his Poliwhirl having gold phase talent. The inspector who had been refereeing the matches so far made sure both sides were ready before swinging his hand down.

"hypnosis"

"Substitute then baby doll eyes"

Poliwhirl's eyes glowed, then a wave of purple energy shot out heading for Eevee. Before it could hit a phantom of Eevee appeared in front of it and the strange wave simply disappeared when it hit the phantom. Before Poliwhirl's hypnosis finished fading Eevee's eyes glowed pink then Poliwhirl flashed red briefly.

"Water gun Poliwhirl and close the distance."

"Keep your distance and keep using baby doll eyes."

Poliwhirl was much faster than Eevee and soon caught up, while chasing Poliwhirl fired three water guns but only one hit. Eevee's substitute tanked the blow and held. Even though Poliwhirl caught up Eevee managed to fire off 5 more baby doll eyes.

Ethan was annoyed that Poliwhirl's attack was lowered so much before he even got a proper hit in. unfortunately baby doll eyes was a high-speed move and difficult to dodge.

"Use Mega Punch then follow with Ice Punch."

"Dodge and bite"

Poliwhirl's right fist glowed a white colour as it punched towards Eevee but smacked into its substitute that still held. Eevee went in and its teeth glowed a black light before it bit down on Poliwhirl. "Poli!!" Poliwhirl cried out in pain, but its left fist glowed with a light blue icy light that swung down at Eevee. Eevee's substitute once again took the attack and finally broke apart.

As Poliwhirl destroyed its substitute Eevee circled around Poliwhirl and used bite on its other side. Poliwhirl once again cried out and its right fist once again glowed with white light and swung it at Eevee. Just as Poliwhirl's fist glowed white again Robert called out, "Quick attack then Swift." Eevee let go and jumped off Poliwhirl, preparing to use quick attack to getaway.

Just before Eevee could land, Poliwhirl managed to step in and position himself so his mega punch was coming at Eevee from below making it impossible to dodge. "Eevee look out!" Robert cried out too late and there was no way for Eevee to maneuverer in mid-air. Poliwhirl's mega punch slammed into Eevee's underbelly and sent it flying.

"Bubble beam hit it in the air."

For the first time since he started battling today Robert panicked. It had been a long time since any of his Pokémon had taken such a heavy blow. Robert was truly lacking experience when it came to battle, the few battles he was in the other Pokémon were usually not as strong or as well trained.

The only battle he had with a truly well-trained Pokémon was with Margret's Cufant who was also much lower in level than Eevee. Unlike Robert however, Eevee didn't panic. Eevee managed to flip itself in the air so it was facing Poliwhirl, then shot a volley of stars at Poliwhirl with swift.

At the same time Poliwhirl launched Bubble Beam at Eevee.

Both attacks collided in mid-air, the occasional star crashed into the ground around Poliwhirl and a few bubbles shot past Eevee. Through the barrage, Eevee managed to land back on the ground without being hit. After landing Eevee immediately used quick attack to dash away out of range.

For a moment the battle paused and the room was once again plunged into silence. The audience was stunned at what they were seeing. Neither Pokémon paused till now and everything seemed to happen lightning fast. most didn't have the confidence to react and give proper commands in such a fast-paced battle.

Kris and Joel were also surprised. Kris never thought Ethan's strongest Pokémon would be pushed so hard. As she looked at both Pokémon, she was even more surprised that Poliwhirl was clearly exhausted and badly bleeding where Eevee had hit it. Eevee on the other hand looked mostly fine. She knew Poliwhirl was lv30, for Eevee to take a blow that was most likely a critical hit and shrug it off so easily, even with Poliwhirl's attack lowered, it had to be above lv30.

"I surrender. We lose." The audience was again stunned as they looked at Robert. Why was he surrendering? Eevee still clearly had the advantage while Poliwhirl looked almost spent. Ethan also looked like someone had just spat on his face. From start to finish he only landed one blow and it was clear if the battle continued, he would lose. Now his opponent was giving up, he felt utterly humiliated.

Eevee also looked at Robert in confusion. Robert turned to Ethan, "I'm sure you can tell that if we continued my Eevee would have won. I'm surrendering because I lost. You're Poliwhirl was also hurt a lot in this battle but you managed to keep calm. I however didn't." Robert then looked to Eevee, "I'm sorry Eevee. I lost this round. I promise to do better next time."

Eevee gave a final look at Poliwhirl then moved over to Roberts side and rubbed against his leg, showing she didn't mind. As soon as Eevee made it to Roberts side Poliwhirl staggered and fell on one knee, "Poliwhirl!" Ethan raced to Poliwhirl's side and held it close. "You did good Poliwhirl, I underestimated him and got you hurt. Have a good rest."

Ethan then returned Poliwhirl to his ball and stood up. he gave Robert a hard look and then silently left. Joel and Kris quickly walked down the stands to Roberts side.

In another room on the ship was Margret sitting on a chair facing a large monitor showing everything in the arena. Margret was currently looking at the screen with an uncharacteristic grin on her face. She knew Robert was rather mischievous, but she didn't know he was also rather prideful. He knew he could win but admitted defeat because he panicked once during a battle.

This might be an unacceptable mistake for a veteran trainer but was more than excusable for rookies like them, yet he still wouldn't tolerate it and even admitted defeat because of it. he had also managed to tame that Ethan a little. Ethan may be full of himself but was by no means stupid. He could see his Poliwhirl had little to no hope in the battle and no doubt considered it a major defeat.

Margret once again focused on the three kids now walking out of the arena together and her grin widened as she thought aloud, "Looks like things are going to be a bit more amusing this year."