VS Leon (Final)

"Dreepy!"

Dreepy cried out in pain. Before Thwackey's second attack could land, it turned into a streak of light and flew away. Its Double Team finally activated a moment later, and a string of Dreepy appeared across the battlefield.

"Thwackey! Don't rush! Swords Dance!"

"Thwack!"

Holding two wooden drumsticks, Thwackey began spinning and dancing in place.

"Don't let it succeed! Dreepy! Disable!"

"Dreepy!!!"

The previous attack had hurt Dreepy badly, and now it was bursting with anger. It shouted and poured all its strength into its move, sending Disable toward Thwackey. At once, Thwackey's movements became sluggish and difficult. However, Dreepy, still in its infancy, clearly could not completely restrain Thwackey with Disable. This only made Dreepy angrier, and it continued forcing out the move.

Blake knew Dreepy did not have the strength to control Thwackey, but he did not remind it. Dreepy needed to learn a lesson. Its Double Team had failed to activate earlier because it had not obeyed his command from the start. In battle, a Trainer and Pokémon were one. If the Trainer lacked skill, they would hold their Pokémon back. If a Pokémon disobeyed orders, its limited perspective and other issues could also lead to it getting hurt. Pokémon and Trainers had always complemented each other.

Of course, Dreepy, having only been born for a month, clearly did not understand that. The only reason it listened was because Blake had been the first living creature it saw after hatching, and it instinctively depended on him. That mindset needed to change over time, and this battle was the first step in Blake's plan.

Naturally, if Dreepy truly disliked battling, Blake would not force it. At worst, he could raise it as a pet. His family could afford to feed one Dreepy.

But clearly, a pseudo-legendary Pokémon like Dreepy was born with the instinct to grow stronger and the desire to fight. After being attacked by Thwackey, Dreepy became more serious than ever.

"Dreepy! Dragon Tail! You can't hold it down!"

In the end, Blake did not let Dreepy waste any more time and gave another command.

"Dreepy!"

Dreepy hesitated for a moment, but it still obeyed Blake's order and charged toward Thwackey. Light appeared around its tail as it rushed forward, but Thwackey seized the opening created by that instant of hesitation.

"Protect!"

The blue shield that rose again sent Dreepy's attack bouncing off harmlessly. Worse still, Dreepy had once again entered Thwackey's range.

"Knock Off!"

"Thwack!"

Smack! Another slap struck Dreepy. This time, the pain nearly brought tears to its eyes. What was with this guy?!

"Come back! Dreepy!"

Blake wanted Dreepy to understand the rules of battle, but that did not mean he would neglect it. Seeing its attack fail, he immediately gave the command. This time, Dreepy did not hesitate at all. It turned and fled. Thwackey, running on two feet, obviously could not catch up to Dreepy, which twisted around and darted back.

"Dreepy! Dreepy!"

Dreepy came to Blake's side and cried out as if lodging a complaint. Its meaning was obvious: that guy's hits really hurt!

"If you know it hurts, then learn to follow commands. You have great talent, and you're the young of a pseudo-legendary Pokémon. But young is still young; that doesn't mean you're truly a pseudo-legendary Pokémon yet. You haven't received training, and you hesitated several times when following my commands just now. That's why you got hit again and again. You also don't know how to use your moves properly. You only know how to charge straight in and attack. That's the result of lacking training."

"Dreepy~~"

Dreepy lowered its head under Blake's scolding, unable to look up. It truly had hesitated over Blake's commands. While watching from inside the Poké Ball, it had thought Haunter looked cool toying with the opponent and believed it could do the same. But once it actually took the field, it realized things were completely different.

While Blake lectured Dreepy, Leon and Thwackey simply stood there and watched quietly. This battle was already over, really. What came next was only a teaching match, so they were not in any hurry.

"Well? Do you still want to keep fighting?"

Blake crouched down and asked Dreepy, which had its head lowered, at eye level.

"Dreepy! Dreepy!"

Dreepy raised its head and nodded firmly. Clearly, the pride of a pseudo-legendary would not allow it to give up halfway.

"Good. Then this time, remember to follow my commands. Go."

Blake smiled, rubbed Dreepy's head, and pointed toward the field.

"Dreepy!"

Dreepy nodded solemnly as well, its serious gaze returning to the battlefield.

"Looks like our opponent has gotten serious. What do you think, Thwackey? Still confident?"

Leon looked at the transformed Dreepy and asked with a smile.

"Thwack!"

Thwackey struck its drumsticks together and gave a confident cry. The gap in strength could not be closed by a mere change in attitude, and its own attitude had never been lacking.

"Very good! Then, Thwackey! Knock Off again!"

"Dreepy! Sucker Punch! Attack from the flank!"

"Thwack!"

"Dreepy!"

This time, Dreepy carried out Blake's command with complete focus. It streaked past Thwackey's side at incredible speed, its sharp snout striking Thwackey's ribs. Then it turned lightly, dodging Thwackey's Knock Off and opening the distance again.

"Dreepy!"

The successful attack and dodge made Dreepy incredibly happy, and it cried out cheerfully. But then Thwackey rushed in again and slapped it to the ground. Trained Thwackey clearly understood when it was best to attack. Without waiting for Leon's second command, it used Knock Off again while Dreepy was feeling proud.

Smack!

Blake slapped his forehead. It really still needed training. It had only landed one attack, without even knowing whether it had been effective, and it was already getting cocky.

The outcome of the rest of the battle was already decided. Even after adjusting its attitude, Dreepy was still no match for Thwackey. After getting pummeled by Knock Off from every conceivable angle, Dreepy was defeated in tears. Though Thwackey had not actually put much force into any of its Knock Off attacks from start to finish. Otherwise, Dreepy would never have lasted this long.

"So, three to one. You won." After putting away Dreepy's Poké Ball, Blake spoke with a smile.

"No, three to two. Mr. Mime has lost its ability to battle too, so it's three to two. By the way, would you mind if I asked about your Haunter's tactics? I'm rather curious."

"Of course. Ask away."