Hop watched Sobble's evolution unfold with genuine interest. After all, they were rivals, not enemies, and seeing Yuri grow stronger filled him with sincere joy.
By all rights, that Sobble should have evolved long ago, considering its strength. Who knew what had caused the delay? Still, witnessing the moment of evolution firsthand Hop figured that was pretty lucky.
As the bright glow of evolution faded, the newly evolved Drizzile appeared before everyone, eyes sharper and more focused than before.
"Let's go, Sobble no, Drizzile!"
Yuri reached out and gently patted Drizzile on the head. The familiar touch reassured them both.
Cradling Appletun in her arms, she stood up and looked across the field at Hop, who was still casually watching the scene with his hands behind his head.
"Sorry to keep you waiting."
"No problem at all! I actually feel like I lucked out getting to see an evolution in person."
"Then let's pick it back up!"
Yuri returned to her position. Though Drizzile had grown stronger, adapting to the sudden increase in power wouldn't be immediate. The fine control she'd shown over her moves before like that last Whirlpool would probably be difficult for a while.
But knowing Drizzile's skill, Yuri wasn't too worried about things going as sideways as they had with Silicobra. Since she didn't have a perfect strategy ready for a freshly evolved Pokémon, she figured their best shot was to charge forward with everything they had.
"Drizzile, use Water Gun!"
"Corvisquire, dodge and use Pluck!"
Drizzile could feel the boost in strength, but it left her slightly off-balance. Channeling Yuri's command, she raised one arm and released a powerful stream of water thicker and more forceful than before.
Splat!
Corvisquire, nimble in the air, twisted his body mid-flight and narrowly avoided the blast. With wings spread wide, he curved through the sky, channeling Flying-type energy into a dive straight toward Drizzile.
"Whirlpool! Cut him off!"
"Drizzile!"
Drizzile knew her control wasn't perfect yet. Rather than risk undercharging and missing entirely, she gathered her energy and went all in. Stretching both hands outward, she summoned a vortex nearly twice the size of her previous ones. Water droplets scattered and sprayed across the field.
It looked impressive, but Drizzile knew it wasn't intentional. The wild splashing was a sign that she still couldn't fully control the flow and structure of the attack.
Still, there was no time to adjust. Corvisquire's strike was closing in. Drizzile aimed and hurled the Whirlpool straight at her opponent.
"Caw!"
Corvisquire wasn't fazed. He dipped his wings and tilted to one side, narrowly skimming past the vortex. The splash didn't do much but then, Drizzile's expression didn't change.
With a sharp motion, she clapped her hands. The unstable Whirlpool exploded, sending chaotic waves of water and scattered energy lashing outward in all directions.
Splooosh!
"Cawwwk! What the-?!"
Corvisquire burst from the water, feathers soaked, glaring at Drizzile in frustration. His dive had been interrupted, and his drenched wings now flapped sluggishly.
On the ground, Drizzile stared up at him, calm and composed. If it had been her pre-evolved form, she would have followed up with another Water Gun or a Water Pulse right as Corvisquire emerged, catching him off-guard. But in this new form, Drizzile wasn't sure she could pull it off. Her attacks weren't as crisp, and her timing was still off. It would take time to adjust.
"Corvisquire, use Taunt! Then get some altitude and Hone Claws!"
"No way I'm letting that happen! Drizzile, use Tearful Look!"
Yuri had hesitated for a moment wondering if Drizzile would still be willing to use that move after evolving. But when she saw Drizzile carry it out instinctively, her worries melted away.
Before Corvisquire could provoke her, Drizzile's mournful gaze landed first, and his attack dropped by one stage. At least they wouldn't be starting the round at a disadvantage.
"Now! Water Pulse bring him down!"
"Drizzile!"
Lifting her hands again, Drizzile summoned a wave-like stream of water that surged upward toward Corvisquire. Though the attack was rough around the edges, it covered a wider area than before. She wasn't aiming for power this was all about disrupting his movement.
Splat!
"Caw!"
Corvisquire, still trying to complete Hone Claws, couldn't dodge in time. The blast caught his right wing, and he lost balance, spiraling downward.
Yuri wasn't about to waste the opportunity.
"Another Water Pulse go!"
"Drizzile!" (Here I come!)
Drizzile understood this was her moment. With only a brief pause to steady herself, she fired again. A second Water Pulse rushed toward Corvisquire, who was still recovering from his fall.
"Corvisquire, dodge!"
"Caww!"
The Flying-type gave a panicked screech, twisting awkwardly in midair to barely avoid the incoming wave. But this time, he didn't try to regain altitude. Instead, he started to descend.
Soaked feathers weighed him down, making every flap of his wings more of a struggle.
Hop saw it too. Even though Corvisquire had only recently learned the next move, and hadn't yet mastered it, Hop trusted his Pokémon's judgment.
"Corvisquire! Brave Bird!"
"Cawwww!!"
That was what he'd been waiting for. The second he heard the command, Corvisquire's eyes lit up with energy. His cry rang out, full of fire and spirit.
"Drizzile, be careful! Prepare Water Pulse! It has to hit!"
Yuri was fully alert now. Brave Bird might be different from Rookidee's Sky Attack, but the principle was the same an overwhelming, high-power assault. Drizzile couldn't possibly dodge it from the ground.
The only way forward was to counterattack. There might still be a chance.
Flying-type energy surged around Corvisquire, wrapping his body in a powerful current. He circled overhead, sweeping around Drizzile as the pressure mounted.
Drizzile watched him rise, expression growing more focused with every passing second.
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