"Dei!"
Seeing its opponent falter, Deino shook its head proudly and laughed, immediately beginning to gather energy again, preparing to press the advantage and launch a second wave of attacks while the momentum was still in its favor.
Kecleon, noticing the dark energy gathering once more in the little black dragon's mouth, curled its lips into a sly, almost mocking grin. Instead of dodging, it charged straight toward Deino without hesitation.
The Dark Pulse struck Kecleon again!
But the result completely exceeded Deino's expectations. The move was exactly the same as before, still Dark Pulse, yet when it hit Kecleon this time, its power was drastically reduced, as if it were nothing more than a light tickle.
It was extremely strange.
Deino was completely baffled.
Theo naturally knew what was going on, but he did not explain it immediately.
This was Kecleon's ability, Color Change, activating.
After taking one Dark-type attack from Deino, Kecleon's attribute had already shifted from its original Normal type to Dark type. Combined with its exceptionally strong special defense, Deino's Dark Pulse could barely do any damage to it anymore.
Still unwilling to give up, Deino fired another Dark Pulse.
But just like before, it had almost no effect, while Kecleon continued accelerating, closing the distance between them.
A trace of panic flashed through Deino's heart.
Previously, at the Mossdeep Gym, it had relied on its immunity and advantage against Psychic types to sweep through opponents effortlessly. It had never encountered an enemy that could withstand its attacks like this.
But very quickly, Deino calmed down. In its mind surfaced Metagross's usual teachings.
In battle, the most important thing is to stay calm.
Once you realize that the opponent has an advantage in physical or special defense, you must immediately switch your method of attack and target their weakness.
With that thought, Deino instantly changed its approach and prepared to engage in close combat.
After all, it was a Dragon-type Pokémon, and under Tyrantrum's guidance, it had learned quite a few close combat moves. Since this lizard dared to charge straight in, it would meet it head-on and show it what it could do.
Deino pushed off the ground with its hind legs and shot forward like a cannonball toward Kecleon.
Seeing that Deino had regained its composure, Kecleon let out a series of hissing sounds. With a powerful leap, it stopped abruptly right in front of Deino.
Then, its tail, which had been curled like a lollipop, suddenly snapped straight. Using the momentum from its charge, it swung it fiercely.
Iron Tail, activated!
Deino's entire body tensed. Relying on the reflexes it had honed under Metagross's gravity training, it reacted instantly.
It twisted its little rear, and its short tail swept out with force, unleashing Dragon Tail!
Smack!
The two tails collided heavily.
But this time, Deino came out at a disadvantage.
Its charge distance had been too short, its tail far smaller than its opponent's, and its attack had been rushed, lacking sufficient momentum. As a result, it was sent flying by the immense force of Kecleon's Iron Tail.
Just like in their first exchange, when Kecleon had been knocked back by Dark Pulse, Deino tumbled across the ground in a rather embarrassing roll.
"Dei…"
After getting back on its feet, Deino shook its head. It was not angry. Instead, its eyes lit up.
Because it had keenly sensed something.
A Dragon-type aura had suddenly appeared on Kecleon.
It was the unique energy fluctuation of Dragon-type Pokémon.
Combined with the earlier moment when its Dark Pulse suddenly lost effectiveness, Deino's small brain began working at full speed. In an instant, it grasped the key point.
This green lizard could change its type!
Whatever typing it was attacked with, it would transform into that same type.
All of these thoughts flashed through its mind in a split second, and Deino immediately formed a plan.
It was not like Tyrantrum, who relied purely on brute force and Dragon Dance boosts. Under Metagross's strict teaching, it had long memorized the entire type effectiveness chart.
Dragon-type moves were super effective against Dragon types.
With that realization, Deino once again began gathering energy in its mouth. But this time, instead of the dark energy of Dark Pulse, a deep blue light began to form.
It was Dragon Pulse.
Across from it, Kecleon saw Deino using a ranged attack again and remained unconcerned.
It was not afraid of special attacks at all. It planned to rush in again and smash Deino with another Iron Tail, just like before.
But this time, its plan completely failed.
"Deei!"
With a roar, the exposed blue skin on Deino's body trembled violently as the deep blue energy sphere in its mouth rapidly expanded.
In the next instant, a thick beam of deep blue energy burst forth, striking Kecleon with perfect accuracy.
The power of type advantage was fully displayed at this moment!
No matter how strong Kecleon's special defense was, it could not withstand a Dragon Pulse boosted by type effectiveness. It was blasted away instantly and slammed heavily onto the ground.
Before Kecleon could even regain its footing, Deino had already dashed forward like an arrow released from a bow, stopping right in front of it.
Its short but powerful tail began to swing repeatedly.
Smack, smack, smack!
Each strike landed precisely on Kecleon's face.
The scene was almost identical to Kecleon's earlier tactic of pressing the advantage.
"Umi! Umi!"
Nearby, Fire Vulpix was so excited that its blood boiled. It mimicked Deino's movements, wiggling its little rear and swinging its six tails while cheering loudly.
Ice Vulpix also jumped down from Theo's arms, copying its sister as they both wagged their tails and shouted encouragement.
With the cheers of its two little followers, or rather, its two little sisters, Deino swung its tail even faster.
In the end, Kecleon was sent flying by the continuous barrage of Dragon Tail strikes. As it spun through the air, its eyes turned into spirals, completely losing its ability to fight.
Deino was overjoyed. It stomped its little feet excitedly, raised its head high, and let out a loud, triumphant dragon roar that echoed through the forest.
After all, it had defeated this "powerful enemy" entirely through its own observation and thinking, without any commands from its trainer.
Theo and Metagross both began to clap softly at the same time, praising it without reservation.
The reason Theo had not given any instructions when Deino was at a disadvantage was because he firmly believed in one principle.
In battle, a Pokémon's own reactions and judgment are far more important than a trainer's commands. A trainer's role is to observe the opponent's weaknesses and provide guidance at critical moments.
After all, battles change in an instant. By the time a command reaches a Pokémon's ears, the opportunity may already be gone. Training should cultivate independent thinking.
Feeling Theo and Metagross's approval, Deino became even more delighted. It ran toward Theo on its short legs, eager for a warm embrace.
But just as it approached, a brilliant white light suddenly erupted from its body.
The small bulge on its neck began to swell violently, and its form rapidly grew and stretched within the glowing light.
This was… the sign of evolution.
Deino was finally evolving.
(End of Chapter)