Chapter 398: The Power of the Mind

"Woo-oh!"

The pain made Dragonite cry out in anguish; it flew off along an arcing trajectory toward the horizon, and under the gaze of many eyes, plunged into a pond deep within the oasis jungle, Peng— a heavy crash sent a towering column of water shooting skyward.

Shhhla-la-la—

The water fell back into the pond like firecrackers, then gradually subsided.

"Dragonite!"

Alys shouted as she ran toward it.

Red mist swirling around its body, its eyes glowing a crimson hue, Xu Xu the Hydreigon slowly beat its wings and raised its head to let loose a Gao Ang and blood-curdling roar.

"Screeech—!"

"Mm."

All Baimu clutched his head, feeling only that his mind had suddenly become somewhat muddled, as if a great many thoughts had been crammed into it in an instant; the Hydreigon's inner voice he wanted to listen to carefully was completely inaudible.

Is it because of Outrage?

He shouted at the Hydreigon: "Come down! Fly down!"

He shouted twice with no reaction at all; the latter still kept howling wildly with its broken-gong voice, as if threatening someone, and as if flaunting its absolute martial power.

"Get down here!"

All Baimu raised his voice and put more weight into his tone; only then did the Hydreigon turn its head as if waking from a dream, and slowly descend.

"Scree, screeech…"

The Hydreigon, which had been wearing a ferocious face moments ago, lowered its head, its voice gone soft.

But he did not speak to scold it—after all, it hadn't done it on purpose—he simply placed his hand on its chest, hoping to hear its inner voice.

Unfortunately, this deliberate gesture failed to work; it even made the chaotic thoughts in his own mind vanish, leaving only the Hydreigon, wreathed in red mist all over, displaying an utterly restless demeanor.

In the games, after using Outrage one cannot use other moves for two to three turns, nor use items, switch it out, or even flee.

Why?

All Baimu, through observation, arrived at two conclusions.

On one hand, it concerns the continuity of Outrage's attribute energy; on the other, because the Pokémon that uses Outrage enters a dual spiritual and physical berserk state, it becomes very hard for it to hear its trainer's voice, and may even lose control.

It's like a person so angry they've lost their reason.

During this period, the Hydreigon's response to his commands dulls rapidly, and its attacking behavior and logic lean more toward instinctive action.

In other words, the richer its combat experience, the higher its combat power in the Outrage state.

And for those reckless Pokémon that thrash about wildly when using Outrage, it might even become a perfect opening for the opponent to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat; for that reason, this move is not within his preferences.

Practically speaking, Outrage isn't a great move for the Hydreigon either.

As a Pokémon whose abilities lean mainly toward special attack, being limited to physical damage for an extended period means its output will be restricted. Even though it's currently running a mixed-attacker build, All Baimu won't forget which side is stronger.

Fortunately, as the move is used more times, the hard-to-control problem has improved to some extent.

For instance, right now.

The Outrage state has not yet ended, yet the Hydreigon has already heard his voice and obediently flown down to stay quietly by his side.

Quite the feat.

It also reflects this fellow's tremendous talent.

In the end, the reason Outrage was chosen just now was entirely because the postures of the Hydreigon and Dragonite were rather awkward; if Dragonite had been below, things wouldn't have been so passive—Dragon Pulse at point-blank range might even have hurt itself, and Dragon Rush couldn't build up momentum.

Only Outrage, which is super-effective and amplified by the Dragon Fang, was the most suitable—able to take Dragonite down in a single strike.

The outcome was exactly as he had imagined.

Never mind that Dragonite had just used Roost to recover; as long as its stamina hadn't returned to the point of triggering Multiscale, it absolutely couldn't withstand Outrage—let alone having already been hit twice.

One light, one heavy.

Even if Alys hadn't returned yet, the result was already abundantly clear.

"A bit weaker than expected…"

All Baimu murmured softly.

Draco Meteor certainly dealt full damage to Dragonite, but based on his estimate of the latter, weathering this move shouldn't have been any particularly big problem.

Was it too weak? Or was the Hydreigon carrying the Dragon Fang too strong?

He personally leaned toward the latter.

After all, the Hydreigon had stayed in the Dragon's Nest for nearly a week, fighting almost every day with the young dragons and the uncle and old-man dragons there; its strength must have improved, and the level reflected it—within less than half a month it had already risen to level sixty-six.

And after carrying the Dragon Fang on it, the power of its Dragon-type moves had risen in a straight line, and it had at one point pulled off the Triple Draco Meteor that had been difficult to execute back in Meteor Village.

What level would Dragonite be? Around seventy?

In that case, the level difference with the Hydreigon isn't that great; losing is normal.

Not to brag, but Alys at this point clearly hasn't grown up yet—Axew hasn't evolved, Sandile has just evolved—a battle against him would be a guaranteed loss.

In the blink of an eye.

He noticed the red mist on the Hydreigon's body slowly dissipating, the red glow in its eyes gradually dimming—the unmistakable signs that Outrage was about to end.

Before this fellow fell completely into a confused state, he recalled it with a Poké Ball.

From the grass in the distance, Alys appeared, Poké Ball in hand.

"Dragonite is unable to battle!"

She stated Dragonite's result generously, then pulled out the Poké Ball where Axew resided.

"Hold! Let's stop here!"

All Baimu raised his hand to stop her; battling a sleeping Axew was pointless—even if it woke at Alys's call, it might not be a match for the Hydreigon in a single exchange. "There's no point in continuing, and besides, I just felt something again just now."

"Eh? Really?"

Alys said in surprise; having been too worried about Dragonite's condition earlier, she hadn't noticed the change in All Baimu's expression before he issued the Outrage command, so she found it a little hard to believe right now.

He nodded. "Really, if my perception isn't wrong."

"In that case, let's give it a try!"

Alice opened the Poké Ball and released the soundly sleeping Axew, "Come over here and see what mood Axew is in right now."

Right off the bat, you're using someone else's Pokémon?

Baimu hesitated. He actually suspected that his ability to feel the Hydreigon's mood and thoughts might be related to the long-cultivated rapport between them — switching to a different Pokémon might not work—

But what if it did?

He walked up to Axew, gently placed his hand on its head, and closed his eyes to sense again.

Unfortunately, all he could feel was Axew's unhurried breathing and the gentle warmth beneath its deep-green heavy armor; beyond that, not a single ripple in its heart.

"—I can't sense anything."

He opened his eyes and said regretfully.

Alice nodded along. "I could tell — you had your brows furrowed the whole time and never smiled."

"Uh, what does that have to do with smiling?"

"Because Axew is dreaming a sweet dream about playing games with other Pokémon. If you could feel its mood, of course you'd smile." Alice gave the standard answer.

The moment her words fell, Axew jolted awake from its dream. Quickly recalling what it had been through, it looked around — only to see a scene of utter devastation and the two trainers who had already gathered together.

Did we win?

Axew looked at Alice.

"Sorry, we lost." She very decisively admitted her side's defeat.

Upon hearing this, Axew couldn't help but lower its head in disappointment.

Alice placed her hand on its head and gently encouraged it: "It's okay! We'll win it back next time!"

"…Ong!"

Axew raised its head, met its trainer's gaze, and nodded back with utmost seriousness.

As their eyes met, various emotions were continuously exchanged.

Watching from the side, Baimu suddenly spoke up: "The feeling I had earlier should be pretty much the same as what you're doing right now with Axew, right?"

"Huh?"

"I mean, the reason I can simply grasp Hydreigon's mood and thoughts is because I'm familiar enough with it — the rapport built up from living and battling together for a long time."

He continued: "So maybe this has nothing to do with your ability at all, and is just a manifestation of the bond between me and Hydreigon."

A high degree of emotional resonance, to the point where even its chaotic thoughts can be sensed.

Very likely has nothing to do with 【Dragon Heart】.

Alice tilted her head. "So did you sense it or not?"

"I sensed it."

"Then there's no problem! Since you've already had that feeling, from now on even Pokémon you're not familiar with — you'll be able to sense their moods just the same."

Alice stroked Axew's head and said earnestly: "I've actually wanted to say this for a long time — what matters isn't these strange principles and logic, it's the heart that loves Dragon-type Pokémon and wants to communicate with and understand them! The heart matters more than anything!"

"The heart matters more…"

Baimu fell silent, then after some thought agreed: "You're right. I've been obsessing over principles and logic without grasping the true essence of Dragon Heart."

'Wanting to use Dragon Heart to speed up the bonding with new Pokémon.'

This utilitarian thought made him forget why Alice possessed this power—

Love.

An extreme love for Dragon-type Pokémon compelled her to want to understand them, to feel their moods, to meet and get to know more Dragon-type Pokémon.

This passion.

Perhaps that is one of the major reasons Alice possesses this power.

"Forgetting even this most important reason, yet still able to hear Hydreigon's voice — I really don't know if heaven was looking out for me."

Baimu gave a helpless smile.

Alice blinked and said: "This just proves your love for Dragon-type Pokémon! At the very least, you have a deep love for Hydreigon! Isn't that right?"

"Rather than heaven looking out for you or anything like that, it's more accurate to say that you, who cherish Hydreigon, have rightfully received the same regard from a Hydreigon that cherishes you!" she said solemnly.

"…I've learned a great lesson!"

Baimu said in admiration. As a member of the main cast, Alice would occasionally come out with a stirring speech just like Ash.

He smiled. "Thank you. You've given me this novel experience and enlightened me — perhaps in the future I'll truly be able to grasp this miraculous power."

"You definitely can! We both love Dragon-type Pokémon so much!"

Alice cheered him on, then smiled and said: "And I should thank you too — this battle showed me my current shortcomings and gaps. Battling a powerful Dragon Tamer really was the right thing to do!"

The two chatted and laughed as they returned to the Pokémon Center, handing their injured Pokémon over to Nurse Joy to handle.

After the treatment was done.

They had breakfast together.

As the saying goes, nothing builds friendship like a good fight. Although Dragonite was a hot-tempered little brother, after losing it didn't sulk or anything — it generously admitted that Hydreigon was stronger than itself, and shared its food with it.

Hydreigon was normally quite aloof in temperament, but seeing its trainer get along so well with Dragonite's trainer, it shared its own food as well.

The two powerful Dragon-type Pokémon forged a friendship.

Meanwhile.

The shiny Milotic had gained two little fans.

Axew and Gabite's admiration for it began with looks and ended with strength — but it was limited to the stage of currying favor with Milotic. The affection was very pure, untainted by even the slightest desire to mate.

Milotic already enjoyed making friends, so naturally it wouldn't reject Axew and Gabite's friendly gestures. It graciously accepted their "tribute" and bestowed "rewards" in return.

"They're both exchanging food — so why does the atmosphere feel so different on the two sides?"

Alice seemed a little strange.

"Well… it's a bit complicated to explain." Baimu smiled without spelling it out.

After the meal.

They had planned to repair the devastated grounds, but when they went to take a look, the cratered spots left by the meteor swarm had already been filled in, and even the turf torn up by the shockwaves had been restored.

Looking into the distance, a Chansey nurse was walking off, humming a happy-happy tune while carrying a shovel and other tools.

"Quick work."

Baimu was impressed by its professionalism.

Alice nodded in agreement.

——

The moment of parting arrived.

After learning the details of Meteor Falls, Alice still planned to head north to challenge powerful Dragon Tamers there, and to try taming strong Dragon-type Pokémon from the dragon nests.

But what awaited her was most likely only the three-man Village Guard squad, and countless Grandpa and Grandma Dragon Pokémon.

Baimu set off for New Bark Town as planned, aiming to finish three Gym battles and one Contest within two months, so he could enter the Wallace Cup and the Ecruteak Gym Battle.

On foot, the time wasn't exactly generous.

So when necessary, he would choose to take the bullet train or ride his Triple-Headed Dragon to cover ground.

Before departure.

Baimu downloaded a compass app onto Alice's phone.

"This is the compass—head north and you absolutely won't go wrong. This is the map function—don't forget it." As he was giving instructions, he noticed her staring blankly, wearing an empty-headed expression.

He couldn't help but snap his fingers in front of her eyes.

Snap!

"Hey!"

Alice snapped out of it, nodding frantically, "Huh? Eh! Oh! Okay, okay, okay!"

"Okay what…"

Baimu clutched his wrist in despair—letting such an unreliable thirteen-year-old kid travel alone, only the Pokémon world would allow this.

"Hahaha, it's fine! When the cart reaches the mountain, there'll be a road; when the boat reaches the bridge, it'll naturally go straight! Even if I get lost, there'll definitely be a way!" Alice laughed heartily, completely unbothered.

Her carefree attitude left him speechless.

Let go of the savior complex, respect others' fate.

Baimu took a deep breath, then let out a long sigh, and patted her shoulder with the weight of years, "Take care."

"You too! Next time we meet, let's battle again!"

Alice said full of confidence, "I'll definitely surprise you!"

"I'll be looking forward to it."

He replied.

The two formally waved and parted ways.

Then.

"That way is west."

Baimu, standing in place, silently watched the girl stride boldly westward—despite having pointed out the direction for her just a minute ago.

"Ah, got it wrong."

Alice froze, then awkwardly did a hundred-and-eighty-degree turn and kept walking.

Baimu lowered his head deeply and covered his face, unable to watch, "…the opposite of west is east."

"I-I know that!"

Flustered red by the comment, Alice finally ran off northward at quite a fast pace, clearly too embarrassed to dawdle any longer.

And as she disappeared from view, Baimu turned his gaze back and prepared to set off.