On the field, not only the audience but also every contestant watched Li Yuan's every move.
As a favorite to win, his strength was a major concern.
His starter Meowscarada (Huanhuan) and second Pokémon Gardevoir were known. Now, everyone cared about his third Pokémon.
Knowing the types of his three Pokémon would allow opponents to counter him.
But no one expected his third to be a small Eevee. Eevee was too common, unworthy of his status.
Perhaps he just wanted to troll his opponent by evolving Eevee into a counter type mid-battle?
Although Eevee could only evolve once, it was a disgusting tactic.
NTR-kun (the opponent) hesitated.
Against a favorite, he should use his ace. But his ace was Magmortar (Fire). If Eevee evolved into Vaporeon, he was done.
His second was Golduck (Water). If Eevee became Leafeon, he was done.
So, he could only send his weakest, Hypno (Psychic)?
Hypno would be crushed by Umbreon (Dark).
But everyone knew Umbreon only evolved at night.
Thinking it through, Hypno seemed the optimal solution. NTR-kun gritted his teeth and sent his weakest against the strongest.
"Go, Hypno!"
This move impressed many. Excluding Umbreon, no Eeveelution countered Psychic. At best, it was neutral.
Even if he didn't gain an advantage, he disgusted the beast who dated their beloved Champion.
You want to use Eevee's one-time evolution to troll? Let's see how you play now!
"Nice idea. But did you forget something?" Li Yuan smiled.
NTR-kun lived up to his name; even his Pokémon was "filthy." Hypno was known for hypnosis and kidnapping children. Li Yuan, a master of Hypnosis himself, knew how dirty that ability was.
"What?" NTR-kun had a bad feeling.
"Did you forget I'm a cheater?" Li Yuan snapped his fingers.
Eevee gave everyone a lesson: Never use common sense on a cheater.
Eevee glowed with evil black light. A black sphere enveloped her.
Her body darkened and grew. Yellow rings appeared on her legs and forehead.
Umbreon!
"How... how is this possible?" NTR-kun's pupils shrank in disbelief.
He expected a mid-battle evolution. Maybe even a Fairy-type move evolving her into Sylveon. Or a new form.
But evolving into Umbreon in broad daylight without moonlight?
You call her Umbreon, but you evolve without the moon? Just call her Espeon then!
Science proves Umbreon needs moonlight energy!
And... there was no evolution light!
Is that even evolution?
Even a cheater has limits!
The audience was confused too. They expected Gardevoir. Seeing a normal Pokémon was disappointing. But they forgot—Li Yuan had no normal Pokémon.
"Try and see," Li Yuan smiled.
"Try and die!" NTR-kun attacked.
"Hypno, Psybeam!"
A psychedelic beam shot toward Umbreon.
Umbreon stood arrogantly, ignoring the attack.
The beam hit squarely but did nothing. Like electricity hitting rubber.
Dark is immune to Psychic.
Everyone realized this Umbreon was real, not an illusion. NTR-kun lost the first round.
But they confirmed Li Yuan's third Pokémon was just an Umbreon. Strong, but manageable. Compared to his Meowscarada and Mega Gardevoir, it wasn't special. Future opponents planned counters.
But is it really just that?
NTR-kun refused to give up. He ordered Hypno to use coverage moves.
"Hypno, Thunderbolt!"
And then Dazzling Gleam (Fairy), the Dark-type killer.
He planned to test with Thunderbolt, then ambush with Dazzling Gleam.
Thunderbolt hit. Immune.
Dazzling Gleam hit. 1/4 damage. To a Special Defense tank like Umbreon, it was a scratch.
Thunderbolt immunity was understandable—maybe it had Lightning Rod (Jolteon's ability). Eevee having all Eeveelution abilities was a cheat, but acceptable.
But why did Dazzling Gleam, a super-effective move, deal 1/4 damage?
Because Umbreon sweat toxic fluid (Poison type, resists Fairy).
And simultaneously, Umbreon shifted form into Flareon (Fire resists Fairy).
With Poison and Fire resistances stacked, Dazzling Gleam did nothing.
Then, Flareon shifted back to Umbreon and used Knock Off. With Adaptability (STAB bonus x2 instead of x1.5), it slapped Hypno into oblivion.
Silence fell.