A month passed quickly in the blink of an eye, and the start date of the Pokemon Contest in Pacifidog Town was drawing ever closer. The progress of the Pokémon was clearly visible.
After this period of intensive training, the two Vulpix's progress was nothing short of phenomenal.
Ice Vulpix had mastered its "Snowfall" ability.
It no longer simply used Snowfall, but could condense a portion of its surrounding energy into tiny ice spikes, then select them into the Ice Wind move.
When it used Ice Wind and exhaled a chilling breath, the ice was propelled outwards by the cold air.
Although it couldn't freeze large areas of seawater and build a magnificent ice wall like Milotic, it still left fine white frost on the crests of the waves.
The waves, which had been surging towards the beach with a powerful crashing force, were suddenly slowed down by a gust of icy air.
The spray condensed into tiny ice crystals in the air, which then landed on the water's surface with a soft patter, like a thin veil of ice draped over the waves.
Furthermore, the Vulpix had learned the "Icy Beam" skill from Milotic.
A pale blue beam of icy light shot from its mouth, instantly freezing a patch of ice on the sea.
The Vulpix had also mastered the basics of the "Rain Dance" and "Kiss of Absorption" skills:
The former could create a light rain over a small area, and in snowy conditions, it could create a misty drizzle, making the Vulpix's form appear ethereal and elusive in the snowy landscape. The latter has developed a tolerance for Fairy-type energy in Vulpix, allowing it to recover some HP by attacking enemies with skills.
Although these two skills are newly learned and seem very similar, they are already quite impressive for a baby Vulpix.
Similarly, Flamethrower Vulpix is not much worse than its sister.
Its original "Flame Ball" has evolved into a true "Flamethrower."
A thick pillar of fire can even create a large cloud of white mist on the sea surface, repelling the surging waves.
Most surprisingly, it has the "Fireblast" move.
While it doesn't yet reach the enormous "large" shape of Larvesta, only managing to condense a small ball of fire the size of a palm, it can at best be considered a "small Fireblast."
But for a Vulpix at such a young age, learning this powerful Fire-type move is already a huge surprise.
Beyond learning new skills, more importantly, the two little ones are becoming increasingly proficient in the precise control of their abilities.
When Lionel has free time, he takes the Vulpix sisters, along with Milotic, to watch the Pokemon Contests.
As the saying goes, education should begin in childhood, and Lionel hopes that the two will develop an interest in Pokemon Contests from a young age.
Sure enough, the two little ones are quickly captivated by the Pokemon Contests.
Whenever they see a contest featuring Vulpix, Eevee, or a Sylveon, they become incredibly excited.
This allows them to often immerse themselves in the contest, feeling as if they are the ones receiving the applause on stage.
In their spare time, Ice Vulpix often practices alone, creating Ice Pokemons to hone its control over Ice-type energy.
Ice Vulpix before it first exhaled icy breath, pale blue threads of cold air spreading out like embroidery, gradually condensing into a blurry shape.
At first, it was just an irregular cluster of ice flowers, but as it controlled its energy output, the outline of the ice sculpture slowly became clearer.
A round head, drooping ears, and six fluffy tails trailing behind it—it was clearly its own likeness.
Just then, a sweltering aura suddenly approached.
The Fire Vulpix, with its six bushy tails, almost touched the ice sculpture with its nose; the cooling aura emanating from it nearly melted the ice.
The little ice-Vulpix quickly protected its creation with its claws, turning its head to glare at its younger sister. "Are you saying 'Don't mention it'?" it seemed to say.
The little fire-Vulpix ignored its older sister's glare, instead nuzzling its neck with its head and making a soft, whining "chicken-horse" sound.
It stared intently at the little ice sculpture, its six tails pointing towards its own body.
The meaning was clear: it wanted its sister to make a small ice sculpture in its likeness.
Lionel sat on the doorframe, watching curiously.
In Lionel's eyes, the ice sculpture carved by the little ice-Vulpix was...
The two Vulpixs had the same appearance, with no difference in color.
However, the Fire Vulpix could instantly "see through" it, identifying that the other was carving itself, and insisted on having a copy—one that looked exactly like it.
Ice Vulpix, at its wit's end, could only sigh and begin modifying the Little Ice Sculptor's form.
The head of this Vulpixed ice sculpture became more rounded, and the raised tail behind it became more Larvesta.
Indeed, after Ice Vulpix's modification, Lionel could actually see the difference between these twin sisters.
Fire Vulpix is a bit fatter, and prefers to hold its tail high behind it, probably learned from Larvesta.
Larvesta also always likes to tilt its head. But thankfully, Fire Vulpix tilts its tail, unlike Larvesta which tilted its head and couldn't see where it was going, and ended up falling over.
Larvesta's pretend push-ups while stomping on the threshold...
Somehow, the Tyrantrum in Unova found out. That day, Lionel was video chatting with Cynthia, just as they were saying goodbye, when the Larvesta turned around and saw the Tyrantrum lying on the ground. Its hindquarters floated on the ground, its two tiny, short front paws struggling to support its body.
It began doing push-ups, one up and one down.
The clumsy yet deliberate manner was clearly imitating Larvesta's embarrassing situation.
After finishing a set, Tyurantrum even deliberately raised its head, baring its teeth at Larvesta on the screen, letting out a triumphant growl.
"Lar Lar Ves!"
Larvesta immediately bristled, its five small antennae around its head standing erect, barking and snapping at Tyurantrum on the screen, spinning around in anger.
But Tyurantrum completely ignored its anger, instead doing even more vigorously.
It even pretended to collapse, making Larvesta's angry face turn red.
It lunged at Milotic and Metagross, who were smirking nearby, its eyes blazing with accusations, "Who told the Tyurantrum ?"
But Milotic just slowly swished its tail fin, blew a bubble, and remained completely unfazed.
Metagross, on the other hand, stared intently at Larvesta, showing no emotion despite Larvesta's scrutiny.
After the video ended, Larvesta was devastated. Its chubby body snuggled into Lionel's arms, rubbing its head against his chest.
Its sobbing sounds were almost tearful, insisting that Lionel help it find the "whistleblower" and get justice.
Lionel could only hold it and comfort it gently, promising to give it two more high-level energy balls and allowing it to be a main attacker in the gym challenge, barely managing to keep the creature in check. To completely dispel Larvesta's grievances, Lionel specially took it to the town's jewelry store.
The store was filled with dazzling trinkets that dazzled Larvesta:
There was a woolen hat with a sun pattern, sunglasses with red-glowing locks, a pink caterpillar backpack, and even a plastic charm with "Fighting King" printed on it.
Larvesta picked out seven or eight items in one go, hoisting them all into its arms, and a proud smile finally appeared on its chubby little face.
Back inside, while Larvesta was showing off its jewelry to its companions, Lionel had already edited the preview video for tomorrow's challenge at the Dewford Gym.
He clicked publish.
Actually, during these days of special training at the beach, Lionel had also done quite a few live streams.
Sometimes the footage showed him busy in the kitchen. The steam from steaming clams, the sizzling of stir-fried shrimp, accompanied by his occasional explanations, made viewers feel like they could smell the aroma even through the screen.
Sometimes, there were scenes of the two Vulpixed clams training; the ice cream of the little ice cream shimmered in the sunlight, and the fire of Fire Vulpixed clams began to leap on the beach. The barrage was full of comments like "So cute!" and "I want to pick them up!"
Donations and popularity points surged like a tide, making life fulfilling and pleasant.
On the day of the gym challenge, Lionel started his live stream early. As soon as the live stream started, the number of viewers flooded in exceeded 10,000, and the barrage scrolled densely:
[Love!]
[Finally, the gym battle is here!]
[Where are the two Vulpix clams? Let me see the little one!]
[What is Larvesta doing? Cosplay?]
[Is Larvesta going to be a model for a fashion show? Has it?]
The newly-headed Larvesta was "dressing up," its dressing table overflowing with its accessories.
First, it put on its new sun-marked beanie, tilting it slightly before straightening it.
Then it put on sunglasses, the lenses reflecting a red light, looking quite smug. Next, it pinned its badge to its chest, twirled around, as if showing off its "battle."
After all that fuss, Larvesta was covered in accessories, looking like a moving little Christmas tree.
Then it turned around, showing off its "heroic" appearance to Ice Vulpix, Fire Vulpix, and Milotic, Metagross.
As if asking, "Aren't you scared?"
Lionel couldn't help but complain to Larvesta, "Are you sure you can fight dressed like that?
Aren't you afraid of burning your hat when you use Flamethrower?
Your sunglasses are blocking your vision, aren't they? And that pink backpack on your back, do you think it's fireproof?"
Larvesta froze, its little paws hovering in mid-air, looking at itself in the mirror, then at Lionel.
Clearly, it hadn't considered this.
It lowered its head, took out the medal from its chest, changed its hat, and its little sash was filled with the grievance of "all for nothing," almost bursting into tears on the spot.
The viewers in the live stream were laughing hysterically:
[Hahaha, Bug Bro's eyes are all over the place! He was so focused on looking cool that he forgot about actual combat!]
[Bug Bro is so adorable!]
[Poor Bug Bro, all that dressing up for nothing!]
Just when everyone thought that Larvesta was going to angrily throw away its accessories, Larvesta's eyes suddenly lit up. It immediately stripped all its accessories off its body and placed them on the table.
It had Metagross use its telekinesis to help it put the pink backpack's, the terminal, and the sunglasses onto the Fire Vulpix.
Finally, the badge with "Fighting King" printed on it, Larvesta stood directly on the X-mark on Metagross's forehead.
"Lar Vesta!"
Larvesta tilted its head at Lionel, as if to say,
"That's it, let Metagross and the others help me wear the accessories."
Immediately afterward, Larvesta looked at Milotic, who wasn't dressed up, and tilted its head in thought. It immediately went to find its own belongings to dress Milotic up.
However, unexpectedly, Larvesta didn't simply give Milotic accessories like just did.
Instead, it picked out three from its own collection: a star pendant, a bell, and a small newspaper. It placed them on the table, then made two "biting" sounds towards the camera, and pointed to the accessories on the table.
The viewers in the live stream immediately understood its meaning:
[Let us choose?!]
[These three won't do. Let's put that pink ribbon on Milotic!]
[We want them all! Put them all on Milotic!]
Lionel, watching the barrage of comments with a dazed expression, relayed the viewers' messages to Larvesta, and after a while, finally finished dressing Milotic up.
Then, at the suggestion of the viewers in the live stream, Larvesta replenished the equipment of Metagross and Vulpix.
Besides the original bell around its neck, Vulpix now had six different colored bells hanging from its neck, making it walk with a pitiful gait. The Vulpix had a bow tied around its neck, looking like a little noble gentleman, incredibly cute…
Lionel checked the time and urged,
"Alright, alright, that's enough dressing up, let's go, we need to get ready to go out."
Immediately, someone in the chat retorted:
[Don't rush! Let Bug Bro take his time! This is even better than the battle!]
[Exactly, it's rare to see Bug Bro as a stylist, give it more!]
[What's a streamer? He can't just leave the gym!]
Lionel was both amused and exasperated, and could only stand there holding his head.
Larvesta became even more smug, picking up a small flower wreath and putting it on the head of Ice Vulpix, even posing it to the lead shoe, looking every bit like a professional streamer.
Finally, when it was time to leave, Larvesta wanted to check its styling results one last time.
It circled the two Vulpix twice.
Then it used its head to straighten the Vulpix's hat, correcting the tilted hat, and checked the bell tied to Vulpix's tail...
After confirming everything was alright, it let out two satisfied "snorts" and turned to walk out the door first.
This time it was especially careful, even lowering its head to check the threshold when it reached the doorway, to avoid tripping twice.
This was a direct confrontation; if something went wrong again, it would really be a dead Pokémon.
Vulpix and Ice Vulpix followed closely behind Vulpix.
Their tin and other decorations complemented each other beautifully.
This attracted passersby who couldn't help but turn around for a few more glances.
"Let's go, let's challenge the gym!" Lionel called to Metagross and Milotic, following in their footsteps, heading towards the location of the Dewford Gym.