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"Piip! Pip-lup!"
Seeing that its attack had no effect, Piplup looked discouraged for a moment. But the next second it forced itself to cheer up a little and shouted loudly at Liam.
"What? Are you angry?"
"Piip! Piplup!"
"Heh, then let's battle!"
"Piip! Piplup!"
"Alright! Zorua, get ready to fight!"
Looking at Piplup, whose morale had risen slightly, a faint smile appeared at the corner of Liam's mouth. Then he waved his hand decisively, signaling Zorua to step forward and battle.
"Chi-chi-chi!"
Upon receiving the command, Zorua quickly ran up to Piplup, letting out a strange chuckling sound.
"You attack first, Piplup!"
Liam spread his hands, indicating that Piplup could make the first move.
"Piplup!"
Piplup didn't hold back at all. It suddenly raised its round head, took a deep breath, and opened its beak wide. Just like before, a stream of Bubble Beam shot out rapidly!
"Dodge it, Zorua! Then use Scratch!"
"Chi-chi!"
The attack posed no threat. Zorua simply sidestepped lightly and avoided it completely, then immediately swiped forward with a claw.
"Piip!"
Piplup fell to the ground instantly.
Liam: "…"
Liam was speechless. This was the first time he had encountered something like this.
A starter Pokémon from the Sinnoh region… could actually be this weak?
It couldn't even withstand a single attack from a newborn Pokémon that had only been alive for a few days. This wasn't just weakness—this was outright useless.
For a brief moment, Liam even hesitated, wondering whether he should really take this Piplup. But that hesitation quickly disappeared.
Liam had always believed in one principle: there are no weak Pokémon—only weak trainers.
He decided he would capture this Piplup and raise it with his own efforts, train it, and make it stronger. That was what a Pokémon Trainer should do, wasn't it?
With that thought, Liam nodded slightly as he looked at the Piplup lying on the ground. He took out a PokeBall and was just about to throw it—
"Piplup!!"
The defeated Piplup suddenly struggled back to its feet! Using its tiny wings to support itself, it wobbled upright again in front of Zorua.
"Hmm, good spirit! Zorua, use Scratch again!"
Piplup's determination impressed Liam, but he didn't hesitate. He immediately ordered another attack.
"Chi-chi!"
A white glow quickly formed around Zorua's claws. Then Zorua struck Piplup again.
"Piplup!!"
But this time Piplup endured it! White light flickered around its body. It only staggered back a step instead of collapsing like before.
"Hm? Endure? Heh. Zorua, again!"
"Chi-chi!!"
Liam realized Piplup was using Endure and smiled as he gave another command.
Zorua struck again.
"Piplup! Piip!!"
But this time Piplup couldn't hold out any longer. It cried out in pain and fell backward.
"Po…ga…"
Completely exhausted, Piplup still refused to give up. It struggled desperately to stand again, its eyes filled with stubborn determination.
"Chi-chi-chi~"
At that moment, Zorua suddenly let out a strange laugh.
Then, right before the eyes of Liam, Professor Birch, and Piplup—
Zorua's body rapidly changed!
The small, adorable fox vanished. In its place appeared a massive white Garchomp, radiating a violent aura, glaring fiercely at the stunned Piplup.
"Pip-lup!"
Piplup stared blankly at the terrifying Garchomp. Its entire body trembled. It wanted to run but couldn't move at all, only watching helplessly as the white Garchomp stepped closer and closer.
Then—
"GRAAAH!!"
The white Garchomp lowered its head right in front of Piplup and let out a thunderous roar!
And finally—
"Piip~…"
Piplup's eyes rolled back, and it fainted.
Liam: "…"
"Chi-chi-chi-chi~"
After Piplup fainted, the fierce Garchomp suddenly burst into Zorua's unique giggling laughter. Then the illusion dissipated, and Zorua reappeared on the ground.
"Go, PokeBall!"
Taking the opportunity, Liam quickly threw a PokeBall. It struck Piplup precisely, opened, and released a red beam of light that pulled Piplup inside.
"Zorua, you're not allowed to use that power carelessly in the future. Understand?"
Liam walked forward, picked up the now-still PokeBall, and spoke sternly to Zorua.
"Chi-chi…"
Hearing Liam's serious tone, Zorua's ears drooped. It lowered its head and nodded sadly.
Liam: "…Ahem. As long as it's not excessive, you can still use it. This time was excessive, understand?"
Seeing Zorua's pitiful expression, Liam couldn't bear to forbid the illusion power completely.
"Chi-chi! Chi-chi-chi!"
Zorua immediately perked up again, nodding vigorously. It ran up Liam's body and settled on his shoulder, affectionately rubbing its face against his cheek.
"Hehe, that tickles. Alright, alright. You worked hard too, Zorua. Go back and rest."
Liam gently patted Zorua's head and returned it to its Love Ball.
Then he looked at the Piplup's PokeBall in his hand.
"Professor Birch, since there's nothing else to do here, I'll take my leave. I just arrived in this region from another place and I'm already a bit tired. I'll go rest at the Pokémon Rescue Center. Goodbye."
There was nothing left to do in the lab, so Liam said farewell and left, ignoring Professor Birch who was still standing there in shock.
Only after quite a long time did Professor Birch finally snap out of it. He slapped his hand suddenly as realization dawned.
"I remember now! The white Garchomp! Liam! That League Champion!!"
It was already close to noon when Liam arrived at the Pokémon Rescue Center. Using the ordinary identity card prepared for him by Yulong Zhongguo, he registered for a guest room and went inside to rest.
"Come out, Piplup."
"Piplup…"
Piplup still looked completely shaken. Liam picked it up, feeling the small body trembling in his hands, which made his heart ache.
He took out the milk he had prepared earlier, opened it carefully, and slowly fed it to Piplup. Watching Piplup gradually drink the milk, Liam then pulled up its information to check.
...
[Ding!]
Pokemon: Piplup
Type: Water type
Species: Penguin Pokémon. It has a round body and round head, often losing balance and falling over because of its shape. It prefers living in cold places and possesses extremely strong self-esteem.
Ability: Defiant
Nature: Hardworking
Gender: Male
Base Stats: Total 219 / 314
HP: 31 / 53
Attack: 42 / 51
Defense: 37 / 53
Sp. Atk: 40 / 61
Sp. Def: 41 / 56
Speed: 25 / 40
Moves Learned:Pound, Growl, Bubble, Water Sport, Peck, Bubble Beam
Egg Move:Endure
TM Moves: None
Evaluation: Good? Possesses a congenital defect. Potential is nearly nonexistent. No training value. Recommendation: abandon.
....
Liam: "…"