"You won..."
Courtney withdrew Mightyena, her delicate face showing a slight blush.
Her eyes sparkled, almost as if the word "curious" was written all over her face.
Baimu and Aggron walked toward her together, but her gaze remained fixed on the former, never straying toward Aggron.
This made him somewhat embarrassed.
"Well, how about we first find a Pokémon Center, let Camerupt and the others recover, and talk when we get there?"
Baimu tentatively asked, "The nearest Pokémon Center is only five kilometers away, it won't take long."
"Roar~"
Aggron nodded in agreement, it had not held back against Mightyena out of caution. Although Pokémon's condition stabilizes quickly once inside a Pokeball, the sooner they receive treatment, the better.
Courtney shook her head, "We're... going to see the boss!"
She pulled out a walkie-talkie from her pocket, "Battle's over... come pick us up..."
Hmm?
Baimu was stunned for a moment.
Then he suddenly looked up at the sky.
He saw flickering light patterns in the sky, cleared by the Big Explosion to reveal a bright day. A giant shadow appeared out of nowhere, its crimson armor and volcano-like patterns vividly bright.
Undoubtedly, it was the Magma Team's airship, which looked quite normal overall, without anything too bizarre. Aside from its excessively large helicopter-like body, it had four huge spinning turbine fans—
How did he not notice such a loud noise?
What's the principle behind its invisibility?
[Protective Color]?
While Baimu was pondering, the cargo bay door of the airship opened, and two flying vehicles, resembling Segways, descended quickly to their side.
"Captain Courtney!"
The two men saluted Courtney in unison.
But she ignored them and turned her head to Baimu, "The flying vehicle... do you know how to ride it..."
"... I'll ride on my Pokémon."
He shook his head, having observed that this thing's operation wasn't quite the same as a hoverbike. Better not to delay the Pokémon waiting for treatment over learning how to drive.
Bang!
Baimu raised his hand and released Steelix.
"Roar..."
Its massive presence naturally exuded an intimidating aura, like a mountain standing before them.
The two Magma Team members showed a look of shock, instinctively holding their breath. Although they had seen it through the camera from the air, looking up at it felt much more chilling than a bird's-eye view.
Even more confusing to them, Steelix actually flew up into the air carrying Baimu!?
Huh!?
Is Steelix actually a Flying-type Pokémon?
"Captain Courtney..."
They couldn't help but look at Courtney, but without them noticing, she had already taken off in her flying vehicle to follow them, without even greeting them.
But that was indeed Courtney's nature, speaking more than necessary to those she wasn't interested in exhausted her, and she'd chase after those she was interested in with all her might.
One major reason she joined the Magma Team was out of interest in Boss Chi Yansong.
The two Magma Team members exchanged glances and started scrambling for the last flying vehicle, eventually squeezing onto it together to head toward the airship in the sky.
——
Baimu stood on Steelix's head, quickly approaching the airship's cargo bay door.
Speaking of which.
It was the first time for Steelix to fly this high, it took a bit of effort.
And as Steelix curiously peeked inside the cargo bay, the Magma Team members inside, seeing this enormous head, displayed somewhat timid expressions.
Thankfully, Courtney arrived quickly, which made them immediately regain their composure.
"Lady Courtney!"
Someone approached with a tray.
Courtney placed her three Pokémon on the tray, then turned to Baimu, who had withdrawn Steelix and was curiously looking around, "Your... Pokémon..."
"No need, after we finish our discussion, I'll personally take them to the Pokémon Center."
Baimu waved his hand.
While he dared to come alone to the Magma Team's airship, casually handing over his injured Pokémon was out of the question, especially without knowing Chi Yansong's intent; you can't be overly trusting.
Even though Courtney probably wouldn't pull any tricks.
Upon hearing this, she didn't insist, just instructed those nearby, "Let the command control room... head to the Pokémon... Center first..."
"Yes!"
The Magma Team member didn't say anything superfluous, bowing before taking the Pokeballs and turning to leave.
Hearing this, Baimu showed a look of amazement, saying, "Thank you."
Was this kid really this considerate? He always thought she was just a deranged girl...
Courtney didn't reply, just gave a delighted smile, "Let me show you around... the airship..."
"Sure!"
Coincidentally, he was a bit curious about the airship's structure, so he agreed.
So.
Led by Courtney, Baimu visited almost everywhere they could go, from the command control room to the crew's cabins, and even the weapons room.
Wherever they went, the Magma Team members were taken aback, no one could believe that Courtney, who usually found it exhausting just to speak a few more words, would actually present the airship's inner workings to someone!
Usually, only Lord Huo Cun and Boss Chi Yansong had this privilege, right?
Who is this kid really?
Feeling the curious gazes of the Magma Team members around, Baimu also felt a lot of pressure.
If his memory was correct, there were at least a few hundred people on this airship, and most of the materials inside greatly weakened Pokémon moves; if a fight broke out, it would be hard to escape.
While he was observing everywhere, Courtney informed him they had arrived at the Pokémon Center.
"Oh! Thank you!"
——
Magma Team base.
Chi Yansong was reviewing a file.
Knock knock~
"Come in."
He removed his glasses, put down the file, and rubbed his brow.
A Magma Team member entered, "Boss! Captain Courtney's battle with Baimu has ended!"
"And the result?"
"...Captain Courtney suffered a narrow defeat, with all three of her Pokémon losing their ability to fight. Baimu, Baimu's Pokémon, none have fallen!" After a brief hesitation, the Magma Team member loudly announced the result.
"Oh?"
Chi Yansong's face showed a trace of interest, "A complete defeat? Did she use Super Evolution? Did the opponent have Super Evolution too?"
"Uh... she did. The opponent didn't..."
The Magma Team member's voice grew smaller.
"Having not, yet winning against having."
Chi Yansong's face remained calm, as the computer beside him automatically opened a webpage about Baimu, "Where did the Ocean Team find such a talent?"
When Magma Team was still a criminal organization, he was well aware of the importance of talent. Now, even after transitioning into a land development company, their desire for talent had not diminished, but rather increased.
They were eager for talented trainers and coordinator trainers like Baimu, who were quite famous and strong in battle.
With this thought in mind.
Chi Yansong made a decision, "Where are they now?"
"On their way to the base as we speak!"
"Very good."