The smoke cleared.
Gabite lay on its back in a crater, its mouth slightly open as smoke drifted out. The spirals in its eyes were unmistakable.
Iris's excited expression froze.
"Ga-Gabite..."
No one could be happy when their Pokémon went down right after evolving, especially after losing a head-on clash of attacks. The gap in strength between two Dragon-type Pokémon was so obvious that it seemed to lay bare her failings as a trainer.
And perhaps it did.
Once she calmed down, she realized that although Hydreigon had displayed far more power than Milotic, what had truly cost Gabite the battle was her own loss of caution.
The sudden evolution had made her blindly believe Gabite could take Hydreigon head-on.
If she had fought steadily with Dig as she had against Milotic, Gabite might still have had a chance. Earth Power would not catch it so neatly every time.
But there was no use dwelling on what might have been.
"Congratulations on evolving. You worked really hard."
She recalled Gabite to its Poké Ball. As she spoke softly to comfort it, a trace of regret crossed her face.
She had hoped the evolution would give Gabite a chance to have a thrilling battle with Hydreigon. During the fight, she had planned to use her ability to connect with Hydreigon's heart, then try to share that connection with Baimu.
Perhaps she could draw him into that mysterious state of mind and let him fully experience what Hydreigon was feeling.
Instead, Gabite had fallen just short.
What a shame!
Iris sighed. But when she looked toward Baimu, she suddenly stopped. He was gazing up at Hydreigon, his expression distant, as though in a daze.
Could it be...?
Before she could study him more closely, he came to his senses and looked her