"Azumarill!"
The Little Ghost shouted anxiously, "Use Water Jet!"
Sizzle!
Within the smoke, lightning flashed, Baimu snapped back and said, "Evil Fluctuation!"
In the next instant.
Countless black rings formed into a beam that pierced through the smoke, with Azumarill right at the top of the beam, slamming onto the railing and then falling down powerlessly.
"Azumarill..."
It showed a pair of swirling eyes, with tiny electric currents jumping intermittently on its body surface.
Without a doubt, this was the sign of paralysis.
The reason Water Jet couldn't be used smoothly was because of this, but Azumarill was tougher than Baimu had imagined, knowing that Deino has the "Vitality" trait that can boost attack power.
Is the level higher?
Of course, no matter how high the level, it can't withstand the consecutive combo of Thunder Fang and Evil Fluctuation.
"Azumarill!"
The Little Ghost rushed forward, picking up the fainted Azumarill.
"No worries, just a paralysis, just spray some anti-paralysis and healing medicine on its wounds and it'll be fine." Baimu patted the Deino that came over for a reward, and pulled two bottles of spray medicine from his pocket and handed them over, "Can you do it yourself?"
"..."
The Little Ghost's expression was somewhat hesitant.
Seeing this, Baimu squatted down and picked up Azumarill's body, spraying anti-paralysis medicine on the clear bite mark on its back.
Within seconds, the electric currents on its body surface stopped appearing.
After spraying the healing medicine evenly, Azumarill quickly woke up.
"Azumarill~ Azumarill!"
This chubby Water Rabbit revived with vitality.
The Little Ghost, seeing Azumarill become healthy, couldn't help but smile, "Azumarill! Thank you, big brother!"
"No problem, I also have to thank you for inviting me to battle."
Baimu patted the other's shoulder.
Originally confused about choosing a theme for the Gorgeous Competition, Azumarill's Frozen Beam inspired him. If he can execute it as imagined, passing the first review shouldn't be too difficult.
After cleaning up the aftermath of the battle, the two exchanged smiles and parted ways.
The Little Ghost went off to find other trainers for battles, while Baimu leaned on the railing sketching various dances Mawile needs to display in the Gorgeous Competition.
Thanks to its long-term efforts, he recently stumbled upon the trick for "Sword Dance" and believed it won't be long before mastering the move.
For Baimu, this was undoubtedly exciting news.
"Sword Dance" is not only a core amplification technique making Mawile more aggressive, but also a key move for the Gorgeous Competition.
Before long.
Baimu finished designing the next theme on paper, but upon reflection, realized there were quite a few challenges.
"How is Ice Punch done at a distance... or is it something only Pokémon with Psychic attributes can achieve..." He looked at pre-downloaded videos on his phone, feeling quite puzzled.
Many contact-based moves in the hands of animated trainers can become non-contact moves, like the classic three fangs—
Especially Flame Fang.
The form mostly involves creating a giant fiery mouth in front, even if the teeth don't touch the opponent, they can still cause similar damage.
That's not the most astounding part; the most astonishing is what he's watching now. In it, the Medicham uses Ice Punch as a long-range move. After concentrating the energy and projecting it forward, those caught off guard might mistake it for Ice Shard.
Baimu also knew Medicham's trainer, Grace, the elder sister Xiaoyao befriends for her first badge. He initially confused her for Musashi due to their similar hair color.
Eventually, he realized she was someone else.
Clearly, Baimu wished for Mawile to grasp this technique, but practice proved far more challenging than conceptualization.
Woo—
The prolonged whistle interrupted his thoughts.
Kaina City had arrived.
——
Kaina City.
A port city for interaction between humans, Pokémon, and nature.
It's a renowned tourism city in the Hoenn Region, lacking Kanaz City's tech-rich atmosphere, yet favored for its abundant local markets.
Due to frequent external exchanges, numerous merchants from various regions visit, allowing one to see many Pokémon unseen in the Hoenn Region, perfect for trainers wishing to broaden their horizons.
Baimu went straight to the Pokémon Center after disembarking, only to find single rooms fully booked.
"If you don't mind..."
"Sorry, I won't trouble you."
He politely declined Miss Joy's suggestion to share a multi-person room.
Kaina City has plentiful beachside vacation hotels; it's just a matter of the expensive prices. Despite receiving funding recently, he instinctively wished to save where possible.
Turning away.
Outside, a pillar leaned upon by a seemingly tall and imposing Blaziken wearing a nurse's cap caught his attention, looking quite amusing.
Baimu paused before recognizing it as the young Combusken that evolved early due to Ash and others before being picked by a new trainer.
They almost gave away Xiaoyao's Torchic due to poor decision-making, yet ultimately, Miss Joy adopted it, turning it into the Pokémon Center's bodyguard.
Didn't expect it to evolve further; remarkable...
He met Blaziken's gaze.
"Cluk?"
The latter glimpsed confusion, thinking he might need help and approached.
"No issues, no issues."
Baimu waved and exited the Pokémon Center.
He casually searched for a vacation hotel and headed to the nearest, successfully booking a high-ceilinged sea-view suite with an inbuilt kitchen.
"Here is your room card. Please contact us if needed~"
The smiling front desk lady offered a slight bow.
Baimu expressed thanks, heading towards the elevator. As soon as he pressed the button, the elevator door opened, and a black shadow suddenly pounced on his leg accompanied by an exclaimed shout.
"Piplup!"
"Piplup!"
The blue, round-headed penguin crashed into Baimu's knee with considerable force, causing pain.
However, the recoil left Piplup looking dizzy.
"Are you okay, Piplup!"
A black-haired girl wearing a white soft hat squatted hurriedly, ensuring Piplup was alright, then apologized to Baimu, "Sorry! Sorry!"
"No problem... Xiaoguang?"
Baimu rubbed his knee, sizing up the black-haired girl, unable to conceal his surprise.
She paused, raising her head to scrutinize him, displaying perplexity, "And you are...?"
"Piplup?"
Piplup, who stood up rubbing its head, looked over puzzlingly too.
It's truly a small world.
Baimu was at a loss for words, yet knowing Wula La would challenge the Gorgeous Competition in Hoenn, deduced Xiaoguang probably came to the Hoenn Region too.
"I've watched your Gorgeous Competition."
He smiled at Xiaoguang and Piplup.