Grand celebration event.
An annual coordinating trainer event organized by region.
The goal is to determine the strongest among many outstanding coordinator trainers and to bestow the title of top coordinator trainer, making it one of the most sought-after top-tier competitions.
Since the time Mawile first brought it up to now.
The four-time wins in the Gorgeous Competition have earned Baimu a ticket to this grand event.
And after nearly two weeks of waiting, the impending grand celebration sets off his and Liuqia's journey to fight for the top honorary title.
The host location —
Larus City.
That's right.
The same high-tech city that Ash Ketchum and the others went to in the movie, where Rayquaza was overwhelmed by human black technology and where two Deoxys appeared.
Baimu has long been eager to visit this place, but unfortunately never had the time. Who'd have thought it would be under such circumstances...
However, before that, he needs to detour to Verdanturf Town.
Since he had promised the Altered-color Milotic to find that watermelon-headed little ghost for "revenge," he certainly can't break his word, and it would be an opportunity to gather fresh tree fruit.
The tree fruit quality in Verdanturf Town is extremely high, and the probability of producing superior quality Poké Blocks from it far exceeds those bought from other places.
At the Glazed Gym, the three young generations particularly love using tree fruit from Verdanturf Town, even though most Poké Blocks at the Glazed Gym are directly purchased as finished products, they still hand-make some of them themselves.
The reason is to maintain sensitivity to the effects of Poké Blocks.
Liuqia intended to accompany Baimu, but as a celebrity idol of the Gorgeous Competition, she must do pre-event activities during this time, as many Hoenn town TV stations intend to interview her.
She had to watch helplessly as the "Rebel Disciple" swaggered away by train in Shuijing City.
If time had permitted, she would try to drag this rebel disciple along to the program — a Gorgeous Competition rookie and idol jointly interviewed to warm-up the event, isn't that a beautiful story?
On the other side.
In the train seat, Baimu is playing cards with the chuckling Altered-color Gengar.
"Ace of Spades!"
"Heh!"
A Black Joker was laid down.
Compared to some of the idiots in the team, this guy is truly smart, picking up on card games very quickly, able to win small games in less than fifteen minutes after being toyed with single-sidedly.
Perhaps it's from being in frequent contact with humans?
In terms of intelligence, it might not compare to the AI-operated Porygon II, but it's above the average Pokémon level.
"Double pair! Two cards left!"
Baimu dropped the cards in his hand, and the Altered-color Gengar beside him immediately showed a smug squinting face.
"Hehehehe! Heh!"
It tossed four twos with a sly grin.
The victory was assured!
"King Bomb!"
A thunderous voice echoed in the Altered-color Gengar's ears.
Its smile froze, staring with wide eyes at the falling Big Joker and Little Joker cards, then glanced at the human before it.
It then searched back and forth in the pile with its chubby claws, found nothing, and looked up again.
Baimu said, "What's wrong?"
"Heh..."
The Altered-color Gengar bowed its head, pondering.
It had clearly played the Little Joker already, and this person hadn't touched the pile; how could he still have a Little Joker? Could there be two Little Jokers?
"Is there a problem? If not, put on the stripes."
Baimu didn't give it much time to think, picking up strips of napkins torn into strips, wetting them, and sticking them on the Altered-color Gengar's large, round cheek.
On a rough count, the stripes on this fellow's face already numbered over a dozen.
If it keeps it up, it might become a White Ghost even without a Super Evolution.
"Heh~"
The Altered-color Gengar also realized it was teased by the human in front of it; in the past, it might have returned the favor with a little mischief, but now...
Since it's sticking with him for meals, what's there to say?
Let's go again!
"Heh!"
The Altered-color Gengar was somewhat unconvinced, eager to know how the other had managed to get the Little Joker.
"Again? Let's go again."
Baimu gathered the cards to shuffle.
The Gambler's Thousand Techniques were already at play from the shuffling phase, and manipulating cards was as easy as could be; unfortunately, it can only be used to bully Pokémon.
If truly used in gambling, the person on the other side might simply laugh and go to the kitchen to bring out British pounds and US dollars.
After nearly two hours of play.
Verdanturf Town arrived.
"It only took two hours to get from Hoenn's easternmost point to the central area; I'm not sure if I should say modern transportation is too powerful, or if Hoenn is just too small..."
Baimu thought, no wonder the Magma Team took the extreme route worrying about human living land.
However.
The scenery is truly beautiful.
"Heh..."
The Altered-color Gengar gazed in awe at the distant landscapes.
Vast fields, a small town nestled against the mountains and water.
Just standing there, a gentle and serene breeze brushed by, and the vibrant air seemed to awaken a person's body from slumber, making it full of vitality.
"We've arrived."
Baimu wiped off the napkin pieces from its face and asked with a smile, "Isn't it wonderful?"
The Altered-color Gengar nodded, "Heh!"
When staying by Jarvis's side, it never had the opportunity or thought to appreciate what is called nature. But at this moment, it truly felt the world's beauty.
Why?
Is the mood different?
The Altered-color Gengar tilted its head to look alongside it, immediately feeling a large hand placed on top of its head.
"A livable town is like this; hopefully, one day, Ore can also have such a beautiful natural environment."
He lightly petted it, heading towards the watermelon field in memory, "Let's go! There's a snake that's been waiting too long!"