“Yup!” He was ever-eager to battle, caring not if his opponents knew if he was blind or not. Just as long as they didn’t hold back against him because of that.

With the battle officially started, his Rotomdex did a brief scan of their opponent. “It’s a Hitmonchan, and he ain’t got anything special, so go nuts.” Helpful advice as always, but Hideo had one of his own, so he had a good idea of what they were capable of.

And it didn’t sound like his opponent claimed the first move, so…

“Crab!” Hideo ordered - his creativity with names shining bright. “Get in there and start with an opener!” A vague command that fortunately, the Crabominable understood, eagerly approaching the Hitmonchan and aiming to deliver a Power-up Punch.

Crabominable used Power-up Punch

Lulu Flint

“It wasn’t a solid hit,” the Rotomdex said, “but a hit’s a hit.” After all, that attack was more than just to deal damage; Crab’s arms grew ever so slightly in mass, empowered by his own attack.

But soon, came their opponent’s riposte. Crab put his arms up as he tried to prevent the flurry of blows from hitting anything important, his body toughening from his Iron Defense. “That’s some Close Combat right there,” the Rotomdex added. “Pun fully intended. At least Crab has a good defense.”

“Yeah, yeah,” Hideo said, waving his Rotomdex off before shouting another order. “Crab, don’t just block! Attack back!” Not that Crab intended to just block attacks; he take a swing at the Hitmonchan, his fist glowing white with an Ice Punch.

Crabominable was hit by Close Combat, but used Iron Defense to toughen up.

Crabominable used Ice Punch

Power-up Punch uses:  1

Iron Defense uses:  1

Lulu Flint

“Nice hit!” the Rotomdex commented, “He even froze the Hitmonchan!”

Hideo raised an eyebrow, surprised. “Wait, really?” A small burst of excitement reached his heart; freezing his opponent this soon would’ve pretty much set the match for him.

“Wellllll, just one of his hands. But that’s still pretty good!” And that excitement dampened, but was still running through him. A hit was a hit, especially if it limited his opponent, even if just a little.

Though it sounded like his opposing trainer had a concern. “Oh, don’t worry!” his Rotomdex answered, waving one of its "arms", “Hideo here’s blind, so I’m just seeing stuff for him! We made sure I’m allowed to help him, so it’s alright!” Hideo gave a thumbs-up, confirmed it spoke the truth.

So with that explanation out of the way, time to take advantage of the situation. “Crab, go for a big hit!” The Crabominable happily went for it, aiming to deliver a devastating Dynamic Punch, his massive fist rapidly approaching...

But the Hitomonchan struck first, the Fake-out hitting Crab right in the chest. He was pushed back, unable to complete his attack - and fully vulnerable to the follow-up Bullet Punch.

“Oh my Arceus, that’s a turnaround!” the Rotomdex exclaimed, “He Faked-Out Crab and punched him with that frozen fist!”

“Dang it! Crab, hit him back!” But to his misfortune, Crab was too busy trying to reorient himself.

Crabominable was hit by Fake Out.

Crabominable was hit by Bullet Punch

Crabominable flinched

-inflict or sustain a flinch condition fulfilled

Power-up Punch uses:  1

Iron Defense uses:  1

Lulu Flint

Well, didn’t sound like she was too concerned about Hideo’s blindness being stated. She didn’t make a big deal out of it, and it didn’t seem like she was going easy on him for it. The best possible reaction that Hideo wanted.

Crab was able to collect himself, just in time to pull his arms up as the Hitomonchan laid in another assault. Fists coming from many directions, he did his best to keep his face safe - though the rest of his body wasn’t so lucky.

Hideo didn’t need his Rotomdex to tell him Crab was under assault again. “Crab, bury him!” he shouted.

It wouldn’t be immediately apparent what Crab was doing, apart from his body glowing while he was being pushed back by the Hitomonchan’s assault. It’d be up to the opposing trainer to notice the massive cloud appearing above the two Pokemon - and Crab was leading his opponent right under it. In a quick moment, the chunks of ice his Avalanche produced would come storming down.

Crabominable was hit by Close Combat

Crabominable tried to lead the Hitmonchan under an Avalanche

Power-up Punch uses:  1

Iron Defense uses:  1

Lulu Flint

Just a little longer. Hide could barely hear the hail start to fall. Aaaaand-

Dang it, she noticed. He could hear the Avalanche breaking against the Quick Guard. That was the last trick he had up his sleeve, and he was pretty sure Crab was worn down by now. He had to think of something, fast.

"He's open!" his Rotomdex shouted - failing to realize it may have tipped their opponent off in the process. "Now's your chance, Hideo!"

He wouldn't waste it. "Crab, hit him hard!"

His Crabominable was tired - his breathing was getting heavy, his arms unsteady - but he wouldn't miss this chance. He rushed right in, aiming a Dynamic Punch straight at the Hitmonchan's exposed chest.

Crabominable used Dynamic Punch

Power-up Punch uses:  1

Iron Defense uses:  1

Lulu Flint

Hideo could hear the impact from where he stood. Crab finally got a solid hit, and it sounded like the Hitmonchan went down hard.

But from the sound of his opponent, down didn’t mean out. On one hand, Hideo felt bad going after a downed opponent. But on the other hand, he could hear Crab’s heavy breathing. This was the best shot he had to win this. “Crab, get in there and knock him out!”

Crab had let his arms down for a moment to rest, but raised them back up the moment he was ordered. He lumbered towards the downed Hitmonchan, taking in a breath as his fist glowed bright, going in for one more Ice Punch.

Crabominable used Ice Punch

Power-up Punch uses:  1

Iron Defense uses:  1

Lulu Flint