Twenty minutes later.
Krookodile's Shadow Claw struck Espeon from the side, sending it flying to the edge of the field.
Espeon struggled briefly, but ultimately failed to get back up.
Xatu, meanwhile, took a Dark Pulse from Krookodile head-on. After losing its ability to battle, it was recalled into Yamamoto Xianren's Poké Ball.
Krookodile stood in the center of the field, its crimson scales marked by numerous wounds left by energy attacks. Excitement gleamed in its dark red eyes.
Eevee crouched at its side, exhaustion filling its large brown eyes, yet its fluffy tail was still held high.
"Ha ha! Very good, very good! We lost this battle." Yamamoto Xianren laughed and clapped, voluntarily announcing the result.
He recalled Xatu and Espeon, then walked to the center of the field and looked at Xinhai with undisguised approval in his eyes.
"That was a beautiful battle. You adjusted quickly, Krookodile's Type advantage was brought into full play, and Eevee's support was perfectly timed. This is the right approach to Double Battles—not two Pokémon fighting separately, but having them cooperate and bring out the best in each other."
Xinhai stood in the command area, looking at Krookodile and Eevee in the center of the field as the corners of his mouth lifted slightly.
Krookodile was looking down at Eevee by its feet, a trace of surprise in its dark red eyes—it clearly had not expected to work so well with Eevee.
Eevee raised its head, its fluffy tail wagging happily behind it. Its big brown eyes narrowed into slits, wearing a tiny expression that said, Well? Aren't I amazing?
"Heylo." Krookodile nodded, its eyes full of amusement as it looked at Eevee.
Watching this scene, the gloom Xinhai had felt after losing the previous battle finally dissipated by more than half.
After