"Alright, everyone! Next up is the Bug Pokémon battle segment!"
"The purpose of our Bug-Catching Contest is to show everyone that Bug-types are not only beautiful but also incredibly powerful. Any trainer who has challenged the Azalea Gym knows that Gym Leader Bugsy can defeat fully evolved Pokémon using nothing but a Metapod. So, do not underestimate these exquisite creatures!"
"Due to time constraints, we will have the top four scoring contestants face off in a tournament to crown our champion."
"The first-place prize is the Bug Crystal, a concentrated essence born from a legendary Bug-type overlord. Second place will receive two specialized Poké Balls crafted by the world-renowned master artisan, Mr. Kurt. Third place will receive one of Mr. Kurt's masterpieces. Additionally, all top four finalists are permitted to keep the Pokémon they captured!" Mayor Hakke announced to the roaring crowd.
"Trainers, you have one hour to bond with and train your new partners. We will reconvene here for the battles!"
I see. To win that crystal, I need to get this Vivillon up to speed, Feng Che thought. He initiated his system to scan the new catch.
Pokémon: Vivillon (Sun Pattern) Gender: Male Potential: Epic (Cyan) Level: 22 Ability: Compound Eyes Skills: Aerial Ace, Air Cutter, Bug Struggle, Gust, Psybeam, Supersonic, Poison Powder, Stun Spore, Sleep Powder, Draining Kiss, Sunny Day, Solar Beam, Bug Buzz, Safeguard, Hurricane, Silver Wind. Evaluation: An extremely rare Sun Pattern. With careful breeding, it could sire a lineage of rare variants.
The system suggests I can breed more of these... I'll have to find a high-quality mate for him later, Feng Che mused. He had originally caught it purely for its aesthetics, not expecting such stellar potential.
"Alright, Vivillon, show me what you can do."
Feng Che led the butterfly into the deep woods and spotted a wild Ledian flying nearby. The five-star Pokémon, resembling a bipedal ladybug with blue eyes and silver-tipped fists, noticed the intruder and grew agitated.
Vivillon beat its wings, instantly manifesting two small air currents beneath them. Its speed surged as it intercepted the Ledian. Enraged, the Ledian lunged forward, its fists glowing with the energy of Mach Punch.
Vivillon used Aerial Ace, flickering behind the Ledian in a blur, and countered with Air Cutter. Razor-sharp blades of wind whistled through the air. The Ledian was agile, however, using the momentum of its Mach Punch to spin away from the blades.
Using Mach Punch for mobility... impressive, Feng Che noted.
The Ledian's fists then erupted with golden electricity—Thunder Punch. Vivillon simply beat its wings, manifesting a milky-white Safeguard barrier that neutralized the shock. Seizing the opening, Vivillon unleashed a Silver Wind. The shimmering gale engulfed the Ledian, spinning it disorientingly until it collapsed, unconscious.
"Excellent. Its natural talent is high. With a few of my specialized potions, I can give it a temporary boost for the finals."
In another part of the grove, Doris, the girl in the lace dress, kicked a tree trunk in frustration.
"Dammit! Someone actually caught a better Vivillon than me? Infuriating!" She paused, her eyes narrowing. "But... if I can 'acquire' that Sun Pattern for myself, it would be worth twice my current one. It's a golden-egg-laying hen. With that specimen, my family could monopolize the rare pattern market. That's a fortune waiting to be taken." She let out a chilling laugh.
Meanwhile, the Insect Pillar was equally annoyed. He had been certain his Beautifly would secure the win.
A Sun Pattern Vivillon... if I can bring that back to Team Rocket, it would be a massive asset, the ninja thought, his blood pumping with excitement. I'll find out who the trainer is during the battle segment. Let's see who I'm dealing with.
One Hour Later
Feng Che returned to the square, satisfied with the temporary speed boost his potions had provided to Vivillon. At the drawing station, he reached for a number—and froze.
Standing right next to him was the Insect Pillar.
What the hell is he doing here? Was that Beedrill from before his? Feng Che remembered the ninja's signature Beedrill from Death Island.
"Elite Feng Che?" The Insect Pillar looked equally stunned. What is he doing in Johto? He's supposed to be in Kanto!
The two "slackers," both operating away from their assigned posts, exchanged a knowing, slightly awkward look and a strained smile.
Feng Che drew number 4. The Insect Pillar drew number 3.
"The brackets are set!" Mayor Hakke announced. "Participant 1 vs. Participant 2, and Participant 3 vs. Participant 4!"
Feng Che and the Insect Pillar walked onto the battlefield, facing each other from opposite sides.
"Go, Beautifly!" the Insect Pillar shouted, releasing a stunning butterfly with vibrant yellow-and-red wings.
"Go, Vivillon!" Feng Che released his Sun Pattern variant.
The moment Vivillon emerged, it scattered golden-orange scales that shimmered like stardust under the sun. It looked like a dreamlike celestial being. The crowd erupted into screams of awe.
"It's a Sun Pattern! Truly one in ten million!" "That's a literal fortune on wings!"
"Beautifly, Quiver Dance, then Silver Wind!" the Insect Pillar commanded.
"Vivillon, Quiver Dance, then Air Cutter!" Feng Che countered calmly.
The two butterflies began a rhythmic, spiraling dance in the sky, their stats rising. Beautifly whipped up a shimmering silver gale, sending a flurry of metallic scales toward Vivillon. Vivillon dodged with elegant ease, beating its wings to fill the sky with a dense web of Air Cutters.
"Beautifly, Hurricane!"
Beautifly's wings created a massive cyclone that sucked in the air blades, neutralizing them in a clash of wind.
The Insect Pillar truly is a master of Bug-types, Feng Che thought. But my Vivillon has a few more tricks.
"Vivillon, use Hurricane!"
Vivillon beat its wings once, then twice, manifesting two massive tornadoes that converged on the Beautifly.
"What?!" The Insect Pillar's face paled. This Vivillon was just caught! How can it command such power? This level of wind control rivals a Pidgeot!