Dusknoir did not hold out for long.
Even after it regained its sight and began attempting a counterattack under Fantina's direction, Frogadier's relentless attacks and vastly superior speed ultimately exhausted it, and it collapsed on the Battle Field.
The situation in this battle could be said to be the complete opposite of the previous one.
In the previous battle, Chimchar had fought with everything it had, trying to find that sliver of a chance at victory. This time, it was Dusknoir's turn.
The tables really had turned.
That was how differences in Pokémon strength led to different fates.
Although Frogadier and Chimchar had not been caught all that far apart, that gap in time, that order of arrival, had still created a considerable difference in their strength.
But that was all right. Chimchar would catch up sooner or later anyway.
By now, Fantina had recovered from her brief astonishment.
Although she had already anticipated her defeat a moment earlier, when it actually happened, it still left her with a rush of mixed feelings.
It still stings a little...
Shaking her head, she recalled the unconscious Dusknoir, then looked up at Xia You.
"That was truly impressive. Just like your Umbreon earlier, this Frogadier of yours is outstanding too. I was no match for you at all."
Had she been ten or twenty years younger, a young woman again, Fantina would never have conceded so easily, but now...
She truly did not want to battle this type of Pokémon Trainer.
There's nothing satisfying about it. I'm hemmed in at every turn. Better to get it over with quickly.
"You're too kind," Xia You replied courteously. "You're an excellent Gym Leader yourself, Miss Fantina. I gained some very valuable experience from this Gym battle."
Nearby, Paris and Chloe both applauded. Seeing May