After super evolution, the Big Monster's trait changed to Filter, and even its original Rock Attribute disappeared, making the Double-bladed Head Hammer, a move with great power but side effects, seem a bit lacking.
Of course, it's not unusable.
It's just that after super evolution, Heavyweight Charge is more effective.
The Pokeball gently shook in response.
He turned and leaned toward Leon's side, but was startled by the latter's staggering descent down the stairs, quickly grabbing him for support.
"Are you okay?"
"..."
Leon looked at him blankly for a few seconds before asking throatily, "Why? Why are you so strong? How many tournaments have you participated in?"
Baimu: "Hmm... well, the Ever Grande Conference is my first tournament."
As for why he is so strong.
Can't really tell you that besides daily training, tutoring from masters, and 'treasures of heaven and earth,' I also have a cheat code, right?
"First, one."
Leon was stunned, then pushed away his hand and walked forward shakily.
Baimu understood his feelings at the moment, so he didn't mind.
On a stage where the strength is supposed to be equal, being defeated by the opponent using only two Pokémon and still being able to speak normally is already commendable.
Mental resilience is not something that can be trained easily.
But as he was also about to leave, Leon suddenly turned and ran over, trying to place his hands on his shoulders.
Such a sudden move couldn't be allowed by Baimu, and instinctively he wanted to grab the guy's hand and throw him over his shoulder.
But halfway through the action, seeing the tear-streaked face, he forcibly stopped.
Leon's hands managed to grab his—arm.
"You, you must win the championship! Woo woo woo! Otherwise, I'll be too unwilling!" The dark-skinned boy, possibly only in high school in a past life, cried incessantly, completely oblivious to the Aerial Rotom in the distance filming his face.
Upon hearing this, Baimu grasped the other's hand and patted it gently to comfort him: "Don't worry, the victory of the Ever Grande Conference is within my reach!
"Also, remember to keep watching me, because one day, you'll be proud of this day!"
"Woo woo woo..."
Leon couldn't detect the sharp determination in his words, indulging in ceaseless crying over his defeat.
Do many contestants cry after losing in a tournament?
Far too many.
Competitive tournaments never lack trainers with uncontrollable tears, at least crying over losing proves they still care. If they get used to losing...
Then it's truly over.
And trainers who can pull through crying will undoubtedly become stronger!
——
Afternoon.
The second semifinal was proceeding steadily.
Alice's opponent was the only local from Hoenn among the top four.
The Pokémon used had mixed attributes, with very little cooperation and cohesive tactical systems throughout, unlike Leon's Rain Team.
This wasn't surprising, as most trainers in the animated world were like this.
Many become trainers without detailed team planning, capturing and nurturing Pokémon based purely on Illustrated Guide data and appearance.
Much like those who play games just to clear them.
And a large number of them later specialize in a single attribute, saving breeding time and allowing more combinations of differing Pokémon with the same attribute.
Alice was one of them.
But as the Dragon-cancer Maiden, she had three non-Dragon Attribute members in her team—
Excadrill, Emolga, and Archeops.
The former was her initial Pokémon, captured after many real fights and barely after an accident.
The latter was due to its excessively cute appearance, sharing a 'bang' hairstyle with Alice, and being a lazy drama queen.
The last was by pure chance.
This added more variety to her pure Dragon Attribute team.
Interestingly, even until the end of the main story of Super Wishes, Alice only had five Pokémon. Even when participating in the Eight Masters Tournament, she didn't use a sixth.
And now, in the semifinals, she didn't even need a sixth to win...
"Good thing I saw one during lunch."
Baimu secretly commented.
Besides the familiar Archeops, Alice also had a new Goodra this time.
Thinking of that sticky, coquettish Goodra, he couldn't help but twitch his mouth.
As someone who prefers fluffy Pokémon and keeps things clean, a Pokémon that likes to share its sticky mucus with favorites was really hard to accept.
Being clingy is one thing, but crying if it doesn't get to cling.
After breeding Pokémon for so long, he'd never seen an individual with such active tear glands, crying profusely at the slightest trigger, worrying him every time he knocked on Alice's door with others.
On a side note.
Mann Chong was also one of the victims.
Due to his gentle nature and inability to refuse, he received excessive 'affection' from Goodra.
Therefore, Baimu often placed him between himself and Goodra to divert attention.
Evening.
After enjoying a meal at a specialty restaurant, everyone leisurely walked back to the hotel.
To give Pokémon enough rest time, the tournament commission scheduled the finals for tomorrow afternoon.
Alice originally wanted some last-minute training like Ash Ketchum, but was dissuaded by Liuqia and Xiaogang.
"Balancing work and rest is the key to becoming stronger, so let them rest peacefully tonight."
"Yes, a Pokémon's growth isn't just about training. Adequate rest is also crucial."
She glanced at the calm Baimu and nodded.
Not feeling pressured in a battle against him would be a lie. After all, the battles of the Ever Grande Conference should have made everyone's abilities clear.
But has anyone pushed Baimu or herself to the limit?
No one.
The attack of Mega Mawile was so fierce that it reminded her of the Haxorus she fought during the Dragon Land celebration.
However, Alice had an inkling — Mega Mawile might not be Baimu's strongest Pokémon.
This inkling was validated when Aggron appeared.
Its strength made Alice shudder.
Excitement? Fear?
Perhaps a bit of both.
She knew she had to surpass Baimu and Aggron to continue her journey towards becoming a Dragon-type Pokémon Master.
The Ever Grande Conference will be the first cornerstone!
Back at the hotel.
Baimu didn't immediately return to his room but went to the backyard to find a quiet corner and released his Pokémon.
Though most Pokémon don't dislike being in Pokeballs, the outside world is ultimately more vibrant and breathing fresh air is never a bad thing.
Well.
Maybe not for Dragapult and Corsola.
He saw these two Pokémon instantly hiding, the other shrinking its head and feigning death, and he helplessly held his forehead.
"Tomorrow is the final match. Let's lift the trophy and happily return to Ore!"
Baimu raised his fist and shouted, with Aggron and other Pokémon responding in earnest.
The opponent is Champion Alice, predicting the current strength should be around ordinary Celestial King level, Champion strength... unlikely.
He looked around at the eager Pokémon and focused on Porygon II, "You will be the first to go tomorrow, any issues?"
"Porygon!"
The addressed Porygon II nodded firmly.
He then turned to other Pokémon, recalling Alice's team composition, "Blissey! You're second."
"Happy~"
Blissey smiled cheerfully.
"Dragapult!"
"Waddles."
Dragapult's voice came from the air, reluctantly emerging.
Baimu asserted, "You're third."
Social Dinosaur nodded and vanished in invisibility.
The choices afterward were clearer.
"Milotic, Steelix, Aggron! Make sure you're ready!"
He named them one by one, ignoring Hydreigon that always wanted to fly to the designated spot, "Remember this isn't the entry order, I'll decide based on the situation."
"Milotic~"
"Roar!"
"Roar."
Hydreigon watched the three responding Pokémon, its three ferocious faces burning with fury.
It wants to appear too!
It wants to participate in the finals! It's unfair! It's only appeared twice!
Mawile glanced at the creature, raised its small fist, thought for a moment, and then lowered it.
"Hehe~"
Altered-color Gengar was a bit disappointed.
Though the trainer previously asked it to watch Alice's battles closely, indicating possible participation, it knew the odds were slim.
No way, the gap in strength is quite large.