For more than three hours, Peter stayed inside the dream space, endlessly running simulated battles alongside Eevee.
Whenever they got tired, they rested and ate Pokéblocks. The moment they recovered, they dove right back into another match.
Unfortunately, even after more than ten consecutive battles, Peter still hadn't truly achieved silent command. But during the process, the bond and synchronization between him and Eevee continued growing stronger and stronger.
As the remaining time in the dream space began running out, Peter opened the final matchmaking prompt.
[ Ding! Simulated battle matched successfully. Opponent: Linoone Lv59 (Gym Leader Advanced)! ]
The instant the system notification ended, a familiar figure appeared on the opposite side of the battlefield.
Peter froze.
"Sensei?!"
The flat haircut, red jacket, long pants, and flip-flops—
Who else could it be but Norman, the Gym Leader of Petalburg Gym?
"Hm?" Norman blinked in confusion. "Peter? Wasn't I taking a nap just now…? Is this… a dream?"
Peter didn't bother explaining. Instead, he grinned and pointed forward.
"How about a battle, Sensei?"
Norman laughed immediately.
"You brat! Haven't seen you in months. Since we're already dreaming, let your teacher see how much you've improved!"
Without hesitation, Norman sent out Linoone, while Peter naturally chose Eevee.
"Using Eevee?" Norman chuckled. "That's going to be difficult if you want to win."
As soon as he finished speaking, he waved his hand.
"Linoone, Belly Drum!"
"Linoooone!"
Linoone's stomach expanded dramatically as huge amounts of HP were converted into power. At the same time, waves of light burst across its body as its Attack sharply rose!
Norman had instantly realized Eevee's level wasn't high, so he opened with Belly Drum to maximize offensive pressure.
"Eevee!!"
Peter shouted, his eyes becoming completely serious.
"Vee!"
The little fox's eyes shone brilliantly as well.
At that very moment, Peter and Eevee entered perfect synchronization once again.
Whoosh!
Eevee moved after Linoone but arrived first. Using a highly refined Quick Attack, it appeared beside Linoone in a flash before throwing a playful wink and launching a pink heart.
Attract!
"Extreme Speed!" Norman commanded immediately.
Extreme Speed—a Normal-type physical move with 80 power, an ultra-fast priority attack even quicker than Quick Attack.
Linoone transformed into a streak of white light, tracing an "L"-shaped path through the battlefield. It avoided Attract while instantly charging toward Eevee's flank!
This was Linoone's specialty. Its straight-line speed was terrifyingly fast, but its turns were rigid—it could only pivot sharply at right angles.
Just as Extreme Speed was about to connect, both Peter and Eevee narrowed their eyes simultaneously.
And suddenly—
Linoone's movements seemed to slow down.
Eevee twisted its body slightly to the left, its fluffy fur barely brushing against Linoone as it slipped past the attack with perfect precision.
Detect!
It completely read the opponent's attack and executed an elegant dodge!
"Vee~!"
Without stopping for even a second, Eevee tossed out another pink heart, striking Linoone squarely on the cheek.
"Linoooone~..."
Hearts filled Linoone's eyes as it became infatuated.
In the next instant, Eevee charged forward wrapped in white light, its tail smashing hard into Linoone's face and sending it flying backward.
The entire combo flowed together flawlessly.
This was the result of the countless hours Peter and Eevee had spent training together.
"You've got some tricks," Norman praised with a smile before issuing another command. "Linoone, Stomping Tantrum!"
"Linoooone!"
Despite being knocked away by Quick Attack, Linoone's infatuation hadn't activated. It leapt high into the air before violently slamming down onto the battlefield.
Stomping Tantrum—a Ground-type physical move with 75 power. If the previous attack failed, its power doubled!
Eevee reacted instantly. The moment Linoone jumped upward, it used Quick Attack to retreat at top speed.
But a doubled-power Stomping Tantrum with +6 Attack was practically equivalent to a devastating Earthquake.
The battlefield shattered apart as chunks of flooring exploded everywhere. Eevee flashed through the debris as a streak of white light, weaving and dodging desperately.
Yet even the tightest defense eventually leaves an opening.
Boom!
A massive slab of stone slammed into Eevee and blasted it away.
"Vee—!"
Eevee crashed helplessly across the ground, covered in wounds.
Norman shook his head calmly.
"In front of truly overwhelming power, all techniques are meaningless."
Peter clenched his fists tightly, his eyes fixed on the cloud of dust where Eevee had fallen.
Logically speaking, Eevee should've had no chance of surviving that hit.
But the connection deep within his heart told him otherwise.
Eevee… still hadn't lost.
"Vee…"
The tiny Pokémon struggled weakly at first.
Then harder.
Its four paws dug fiercely into the cracks of the battlefield as it forced itself upright through sheer willpower alone.
"Vee… VEEEEE!!"
The cry that burst from its throat was hoarse yet unwavering.
The cute little fox now carried an almost reckless determination in its battered face, a wild stubbornness that refused to yield.
Buzz—
In Peter's complicated gaze, the Z-Ring on his wrist suddenly erupted with radiant light.
The pure white Normalium Z crystal transformed.
The circular emblem vanished, replaced by a brown crystal engraved with Eevee's tail symbol.
[Ding! Eevee's bond has erupted forth! Newly learned move: Last Resort! Normalium Z has temporarily upgraded into Eevee Z!]
Peter's pupils trembled violently.
The fighting spirit, affection, and emotion surging within his chest all transformed into golden light.
Almost instinctively, he crossed his arms in front of him as the Z-Ring's brilliance exploded to its absolute limit.
The sky darkened.
As though the heavens themselves existed only to illuminate that tiny yet unyielding figure standing before him.
"Sensei… maybe Eevee and I still fall short in raw physical power…"
"But our hearts… will NEVER surrender!!!"
"Let me show you the brand-new move we obtained in Alola!"
"Go, Eevee—Extreme Evoboost!!!!"
"VEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!"
Eevee's cry shook the heavens.
Eight glowing silhouettes of Eevee's evolutions appeared in the sky simultaneously before transforming into streams of multicolored light that fused into Eevee's body.
One brilliant aura after another ignited.
Peter and Eevee lifted their heads together, four eyes shining like blades aimed directly at the opposing Linoone.
"VEEEEEEEEE!!!"
After a brief charge—
A gigantic orange star descended from the sky like a meteor.
Normal-type ultimate move—
Last Resort!!!
Watching the scene unfold, Norman smiled proudly.
"Linoone… full power… EXTREME SPEED!!!"
"Linoooooone!!!"
Linoone charged fearlessly forward.
And then—
BOOOOOOOOOOM!!!!!!!
Terrifying energy exploded outward, shaking the very earth itself. Broken chunks of the battlefield were hurled in every direction.
Eventually, the storm settled.
Eevee collapsed onto the ground, staring silently at the fading smoke.
Then—
Whoosh!
Linoone burst through the smoke, charging directly toward the completely exhausted Eevee.
However…
With every step it took, its speed dropped further.
By the time it finally reached Eevee, its movements had become unbearably slow.
It took one final step.
Then Linoone smiled.
It nodded once toward Eevee before gently closing its eyes and collapsing to the ground.
[Ding! Victory achieved in a higher-level battle! Reward: Universal Talent Value ×20!]
[Hidden Mission "Partner Eevee" Condition ① Silent Battle completed (2/10). Condition ② Use "Extreme Evoboost" through the power of bonds — Completed!]
[Eevee leveled up! Last Resort proficiency increased to "Mastered"!]
Peter rushed forward and scooped Eevee into his arms.
"Thank you, Sensei!"
Norman waved casually.
"Seriously… this dream feels way too real…" he muttered with a laugh. "Guess I really have been missing you, brat. Come visit when you've got time."
As soon as he finished speaking, his figure slowly faded away from the dream space.
Only Peter and Eevee remained, smiling at one another.
After this battle, their hearts had grown even closer.
"I'll definitely come back to see you soon, Sensei."
Peter spoke softly, but with absolute sincerity.