[Grey: Guys, another day entering Phase Two without a scratch!]
[Don't laugh—try it yourself; you wouldn't even get past Blaziken (facepalm).]
[The timid, self-preserving version of the streamer has been purged. Marching to the front now is the fired-up Grey!]
The chat loved the chaos and cheered Grey's switch in attitude.
A Fighting-type Trainer should fight like this—what kind of hero second-guesses every step?!
Karen's Umbreon: willing to charge in even at a type disadvantage, jamming its claws into the floor to brake hard after taking a heavy blow, then forcing itself upright on sheer grit.
Grey's Blaziken: pokes from range with Flamethrower, stacks Speed Boost for a few turns, and only picks its moment when the window is right.
If you didn't know better, you'd think their typings were swapped.
"Umb—!" (Good! Very good! That's it!)
Umbreon burst into a delighted laugh, deep violet poison threading between its claws.
Whip!
It ripped its paws free of the boards; even with splinters stuck in, it charged Blaziken without fear!
"If that's how you want it, then as your Trainer I'll do my best to grant the request."
Grey wore a helpless look, but the battle lust in his eyes matched Blaziken's pulse for pulse. "Fire Punch!"
"Chaoh!!"
Blaziken slammed its fists together; a column of fire roared up, hot enough to warp the air.
Umbreon pounced, the poison between its claws blooming with a fathomless glow as it raked for Blaziken's face.
It was going for blood.
Blaziken, though, didn't so much as ripple inside. After enough life-and-death matches, this kind of "child's play" stirred nothing; it wouldn't shake its focus.
It didn't overthink it. The burning fist drove forward, colliding with the descending claws in a heavy, dull crash!
Two utterly different auras pulsed outward. Umbreon threw its head up; poison seeped from its skin and splattered over Blaziken across from it!
Ssshhhh!!
Flame and venom crossed; a fishy, greenish haze billowed and rolled.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
One punch landed—and a flurry of after-images followed like a drumroll!
Amped by Speed Boost, Blaziken's hands moved at the limit; in under half a minute, Umbreon's face was a swollen mess!
If not for how tough Umbreon's hide was, that blitz might've planted it on the spot.
"Umb—!" (Is that all the strength you've got?! Say something!!)
That wild, arrogant grin flashed in Umbreon's eyes—and Blaziken's hands actually hitched for a heartbeat!
Look closely and you could see dark ripples quivering out from Umbreon's toes, gnawing at Blaziken's body.
Dark Pulse.
If you weren't paying attention, you'd miss it—and collapse without knowing why.
Grey covered his nose and mouth, voice heavy. "Double Kick!"
"Chaoh!"
Blaziken abandoned defense entirely; brown light flowed underfoot. With a light spring, an invisible heel hammered into Umbreon, trying to boot it skyward!
Karen's eyes chilled, a blade of light inside. "Dark Pulse!"
"Umb!!" (If that's all, you'll never beat me!)
Umbreon's crazed, feral look sharpened. Its malice compressed to a point—then detonated in a single burst!
A jet-black beam smashed into Blaziken; black radiance flooded over it, its expression darkening to something almost frightening!
Even so, Blaziken's kick launched Umbreon high; in midair, even moving freely took effort—turning it into a clay pigeon!
Would it be that simple?
No. If it were, Karen wouldn't be an examiner for the Gym selection battles…
Glorp…
Deep purple bubbles rose above Blaziken's head—badly poisoned.
That last exchange hadn't fully kept the venom at bay.
Grey wasn't surprised. His eyes tracked Umbreon overhead.
Blaziken bent its knees, primed to pursue.
"Bounce."
"Moonlight."
They called in unison.
Where Grey pressed the attack, Karen leaned into attrition.
More precisely, this Umbreon's whole kit was attrition.
Poison the foe, then heal with Moonlight—grind them down in a long war.
Unless you can one-shot Umbreon, you might as well forfeit early and save your hide.
Blaziken kicked off; wind burst from its feet, and in a blink it drew level with Umbreon—then kept climbing!
Not just altitude—its presence rose with it…
"Umb—"
The gold rings on Umbreon's body shone. A full moon surfaced above its head.
Silvery light poured down, cloaking it in a clean white sheen.
Most of its wounds knit; Umbreon's momentum crept back to its peak.
"Hah…"
Karen drew a deep breath and wiped phantom sweat from her brow.
As things stood, the field seemed painted in her colors.
Blaziken was badly poisoned; Umbreon was nearly full.
But she didn't dare raise a flag. The last thing she wanted was Grey pulling some big stunt the next second.
Karen kept her eyes on the sky.
One of Blaziken's feet was sighted squarely on Umbreon; sparks skittered as it fell, the air itself heating around the sole.
"A kill move…?"
She couldn't be sure—and prepared for the worst.
Fire gathered; Blaziken's foot hissed against the air, and with its Fire-type energy surging, a Blaze Kick that looked ordinary took shape.
At a glance, it seemed no stronger than usual.
But in truth…
"Umb…" (What terrifying power…)
For the first time, Umbreon's face went solemn. Poison-tinged sweat slid through its fur. Energies of every stripe circled its body, waiting for the next signal.
"Umbreon."
Karen's voice rose.
"Umb!" (I'm here!)
At its Trainer's call, a hint of softness flickered in Umbreon's eyes.
Then the ferocity returned. They didn't need words to know the plan.
"Umb!!!"
A clear cry burst from Umbreon. Its eyes flared blue, and a tide of psychic power surged wild inside it!
Psychic!
Against a Fighting-type like Blaziken, Umbreon could only throw its strongest card and meet it head-on.
Psychic poured out like a flood.
Blue light flashed; a sapphire barrier formed before Umbreon, trying to lock Blaziken in the air—helpless on the chopping block!
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