"It's unbelievable how easily that Eevee defeated Anabel's Metagross," Scott muttered, crossing his arms as the wind from the battlefield rippled his coat. "That little Pokémon is unbelievably strong—and its evasion rate is off the charts! Could that really just be the Anticipation Ability?"

Eevee was a familiar face to almost every Pokémon Trainer. Cute, adaptable, and naturally clever, it was rarely underestimated. Yet what Gary's Eevee had just accomplished was more than clever—it was instinctive brilliance.

Most Trainers knew that Eevee's Anticipation Ability allowed it to sense dangerous moves moments before they landed. But to see that ability refined with such speed and precision was astonishing, even to an experienced observer like Scott.

Anabel recalled her fallen Metagross with quiet composure. She didn't show frustration—only renewed focus. "Alright, my friend," she said softly, holding her next Poké Ball. "Time for round two."

She tossed it high, and a brilliant burst of white energy formed mid‑air.

The radiance dimmed to reveal an elegant, violet‑furred Pokémon, slender and poised, with a jewel glimmering from its forehead.

"Espeon!"

[Level 65– Espeon / Champion Potential]

Espeon's fur shimmered under the Battle Tower lights as it landed gracefully. Its forked tail swayed lightly, its tones calm yet brimming with psychic power.

Gary's mouth quirked into a confident smile. "Anabel's favorite, huh? Looks like things are about to get interesting."

Indeed, Espeon had always been Anabel's most trusted partner. Among her roster, it was known for its perfect reflexes and nearly flawless prediction ability. Few Pokémon could match its elegance—or its raw control of Psychic power.

Across the stands, Scott murmured under his breath, "That one gave Ash some trouble before. I wonder how Gary's going to handle it."

Gary raised an arm. "Alright, Eevee—let's light it up! Use Thunderbolt!"

"Veeeee!!"

Crackling lightning burst from Eevee's small body, lancing toward Espeon like golden chains of electricity.

"Espeon, dodge and follow up with Psychic!" commanded Anabel, her voice steady.

"Eeespeon!"

Espeon dashed aside, graceful as a dancer, the bolts striking the ground where it had stood an instant earlier.

Her gem flashed, and a surge of psychic force rippled toward Eevee.

"Jump, Eevee!" Gary shouted.

"Vee!"

Eevee's tiny paws hit the floor—and the next instant, it somersaulted upward, the violet wave passing harmlessly beneath it.

Gary grinned. "That's my partner! She reads attacks like you do, Anabel!"

Anabel smiled faintly. "And yet I can tell this Eevee isn't simple either."

Her Espeon's eyes narrowed. Both Pokémon studied one another carefully, each waiting for the other to move first.

"Eevee, Fire Blast!" Gary called suddenly.

"Vee‑eeee!!"

Eevee launched a blazing sigil of fire, the five‑pointed inferno spreading out across the field.

"Espeon, Quick Attack, then hit with Iron Tail!"

"Espeee‑eeon!"

Like a beam of white light, Espeon dashed forward through the cone of heat, leaving shimmering trails behind. She flipped upward gracefully, tail gleaming silver, and slashed downward toward Eevee.

BOOM—Fire met steel mid‑air.

Sparks and embers swirled violently.

Gary pointed sharply. "Counter it—Iron Tail back!"

"Vee!"

Eevee's fluffy tail flashed silver and swung upward, colliding with Espeon's in a brilliant arc of metallic light.

Then—suddenly—Espeon's body shimmered, as if bending reality itself. She phased backward mid‑air, narrowly evading Eevee's tail, then surged forward again, whipping Eevee with a brutal psychic‑augmented strike.

Eevee cried out, "Vee‑ee!" as it was flung skyward.

Gary's eyes widened. "That Espeon is using Psychic to control movement mid‑air—that's advanced technique!"

The small Pokémon twisted and managed to right itself, landing hard but still standing.

Anabel's expression softened into approval. "Still moving after that hit? You really trained that Eevee well."

Gary smirked. "Thanks. But we're not done yet!"

"Espeon, capitalize! Zap Cannon!"

A bright golden sphere of energy began to form at Espeon's forehead, crackling with electric intensity.

"Eevee, return!"

The beam of Poké Ball light caught Eevee just as the Zap Cannon tore through the air.

BOOOM!!

The thunderous explosion shook the room, leaving scorch marks across the arena wall.

Scott exhaled through his teeth. "If that had hit, it would've been over. His timing's incredible."

Gary clipped the Poké Ball back on his belt. "You've done great, Eevee. Now it's time to call in the big guy."

He raised another Poké Ball high, his grin widening. "Alright, Tyranitar—let's show them your might!"

"TYRRRRR‑RRR‑ROOOAARRR!!!"

The ball burst open, shaking the entire stadium. A massive green figure materialized, its armored hide glittering under the lights. Sand and gravel erupted at its feet as the behemoth roared, sending a rolling echo through the tower.

The air immediately turned hazy as a Sandstorm began to swirl. Dust whipped violently, gouging small trails across the floor.

Scott shielded his eyes. "Whoa! That's Tyranitar for you—it can summon a sandstorm just by roaring."

Gary's face was set. "Anabel, hope you're ready. This is Tyranitar's battlefield now!"

Anabel blinked through the haze, her calm unwavering. "We'll see. Espeon—Quick Attack, then Iron Tail!"

Espeon darted forward in streaks of white light, landing a spinning blow against Tyranitar's armored chest.

Clang!!

The metallic echo filled the tower—but Tyranitar didn't budge. He simply turned his ferocious eyes downward, unshaken.

"Tyrrr…" he growled, deep and resonant.

"Now, Tyranitar—Iron Tail!" Gary shouted.

"ROOOOOAARRR!!"

The great Pokémon's thick tail flared with silver energy and whipped forward with violent momentum.

The impact struck Espeon squarely, sending her crashing backward through the air and slamming against the wall behind Anabel.

"Espeon!" Anabel gasped, catching her breath.

The psychic feline staggered to its feet, trembling from the massive hit. Its gem flickered weakly.

"Espeon…"

Gary's eyes softened just a little. "You've got spirit, I'll give you that."

Anabel looked up, realization dawning. "The Sandstorm—you've disrupted the airflow. Espeon's prediction relies on sensing movement through air currents, and now the storm is distorting them!"

She exhaled sharply, holding up Espeon's Poké Ball. "That's enough, Espeon. Return."

The red light enveloped her partner gently, drawing it back.

Scott leaned forward from the stands. "So this will be Anabel's final Pokémon."

Gary folded his arms. "And I've still got Tyranitar. Let's see what she brings out next."

Anabel studied the last ball on her belt—her ultimate partner. "My best friend… it's your turn."

She threw it high.

A massive thud shook the stadium as a giant blue‑gray Pokémon landed, the floor groaning under the weight.

"SNORLAX!!"

[Level 66– Snorlax / Champion Potential]

The enormous Pokémon scratched his belly, yawned, then flexed an arm that rippled like a steel python under layers of bulk.

Scott smiled. "There it is—Anabel's strongest wall."

Despite his lazy expression, Snorlax's muscle density and explosive power were legendary. That heavy frame didn't slow him—it contained energy capable of toppling mountains.