The direct clash just now drained the momentum from both sides. Although Ee-chan had been struck cleanly across the head, the blow hadn't done serious damage still, she couldn't immediately pick up where she left off.
Farfetch'd wasn't in much better shape. The sheer kinetic force behind Quick Attack had knocked it back, even though its strike had landed. It was forced to stagger a few steps before it could recover, unable to follow up immediately.
Both sides drew back, breathing room opening up between them, the pace of the battle momentarily slowed.
Watching from the sidelines, Marie couldn't help but see this Farfetch'd in a new light. She'd read about wild Farfetch'd who trained relentlessly in pursuit of evolution they were said to be exceptional.
But seeing one in person? That was something else entirely.
Marie knew full well what Ee-chan was capable of. Even against her brother's main team, Ee-chan had a real chance if she went all out. Sure, she was currently holding back, limiting her moves, but in terms of speed and execution, she wasn't pulling her punches anymore.
And even then, this Farfetch'd was still holding its own, standing its ground, and clearly had enough stamina to keep going.
Marie had to admit, she was impressed. To reach this level on its own this Farfetch'd had the makings of a truly powerful Pokémon. With the right Trainer, it could become something extraordinary.
"Quack! (I knew it. I'm lucky. Thanks again for accepting my challenge.)"
Farfetch'd took a deep breath and bowed slightly toward Ee-chan. After all this time, it was getting harder and harder to find worthy sparring partners in the wild.
"Eei! (Don't mention it. I'm benefitting too.)"
Marie understood what Ee-chan meant. The pressure from Farfetch'd's sword techniques was just right. For a while now, Ee-chan's only real practice partner had been Baru. But now?
This unexpected opponent felt like a stroke of fortune. Ee-chan was starting to think agreeing to this battle had been a win for her, too.
"Quack-quack! (Well then, let's continue!)"
Farfetch'd suddenly shifted its stance and swung its leek not to attack, but to begin a fluid, elegant Swords Dance.
It lasted barely two seconds, and no one could quite tell how it was done. Somehow, Farfetch'd had developed a simplified version of the move, perfectly executed before everyone's eyes.
The most surprised of all was Ee-chan.
Spectators might've thought she was just playing along as before. But Ee-chan knew the truth. During that brief Swords Dance, she hadn't found a single opening. No matter when she'd planned to strike, she knew it would have been blocked or countered.
No flaws. None that she could exploit, at least not at her current level. That display of swordplay had been seamless.
Seeing Farfetch'd finish its Swords Dance, its aura surging even stronger than before, Ee-chan braced herself. Holding back her moves only made this fight harder.
She crouched slightly, eyes fixed on her opponent, then sprang into action.
Quick Attack!
Whoosh!
But this wasn't just another straightforward charge. The earlier exchange had taught her a lesson: Farfetch'd could keep up with Quick Attack. If she didn't mix it up, she'd be predictable.
Iron Tail!
Farfetch'd, for its part, knew Ee-chan wouldn't just throw herself at it again. One direct clash was enough. She wasn't foolish enough to fall for the same trap twice.
Still, Ee-chan had the initiative. Whether she barreled through with Quick Attack or suddenly switched into an Iron Tail, she had the upper hand.
Farfetch'd wasn't reckless. It stepped back and raised its leek defensively in front of its body.
Thud!
Ee-chan's Iron Tail struck the leek with a heavy smack, but a shimmering light like a partial Protect spread from the point of contact. The blow was blocked, perfectly timed.
Ee-chan didn't seem surprised. She'd expected that and was ready with her next move. Twisting her body mid-recovery, she leapt back then, in a flash, a second Umbreon appeared beside her.
No time for Farfetch'd to guess or hesitate. The two Ee-chans struck at once, their Iron Tails swinging in opposite directions, converging on their opponent.
A calculated gambit. Farfetch'd had shown no ability to handle wide-range attacks so far. With only one blade, it would have to pick a side.
Farfetch'd understood this instantly. It couldn't tell which was the real one. But it didn't matter. In fact, if it guessed wrong, that might even give it a better opening.
So it didn't hesitate.
To the onlookers, it looked as though Farfetch'd had chosen at random. It turned toward the left Umbreon, raised its leek high, channeled Bug-type energy once again, and swung it in a powerful arc.
Wham!
Rip!
"Quack-!"
The moment the leek collided with the Iron Tail, the substitute shattered into smoke. The real attack came from behind.
The second Iron Tail struck Farfetch'd squarely in the back.
It had braced for impact, but the force still nearly knocked it off its feet. Still, it wasn't done.
Spinning on its right foot, abandoning balance completely, Farfetch'd clenched its leek with both wings. Its entire body coiled like a spring.
The pain in its back turned into raw power. An explosive wave of Fighting-type energy erupted from within, surging wildly as Farfetch'd twisted toward the still-airborne Ee-chan overhead.
It winced but managed a smile and then unleashed a strike, charged with more power than anything it had shown before.
Boom!
The enhanced attack hit Ee-chan dead-on before she could react, sending her flying through the air. Farfetch'd, unable to control the recoil, lost its footing and tumbled across the ground like a ragdoll.
But that moment of collision changed everything.
Still clutching its leek with desperate strength, Farfetch'd lay stunned. The overwhelming Fighting-type energy had exploded between them. Most of it had hit Ee-chan, but the residual force had nearly pushed Farfetch'd to its limit.
"Quack... (Cough...)"
It had taken a direct Iron Tail. Now it felt like it couldn't even stand. Its back burned, and its limbs trembled. Only the leek in its grip remained steady.
Its muscles refused to move properly, but the battle wasn't over. Farfetch'd knew it couldn't match the Umbreon in raw strength. If she hadn't been holding back, this match would've ended long ago.
And even now, that last strike probably Revenge was the only move that had landed with serious effect.
Farfetch'd was certain Ee-chan could still fight. Which meant it had to keep going too.
Clinging tightly to the leek that had been its partner since birth, Farfetch'd stared down the approaching Umbreon. Its eyes burned with resolve.
Then something stirred within.
The Fighting-type energy that should've dissipated began to surge once more, flooding its body, racing down its wings and into its blade.
A brilliant white light began to shine from Farfetch'd's body.
Its transformation had begun.
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