Chapter 989: Battle Master

Rest day.

All Baimu took Ho-Oh's guard back to Mt. Silver.

Compared to the quiet Sacred Forest, Mt. Silver was a bit livelier, with wild Pokémon gathering in large numbers in small areas, and under the leadership of many "geniuses," they organized activities whenever they had nothing to do.

Therefore, their arrival caused a large number of wild Pokémon to enthusiastically line the road... to watch.

Ho-Oh's guard was very skilled at showing a friendly attitude.

When crossing thousands of mountains and rivers, weak wild Pokémon often sought their protection, and over a long period, they had long been accustomed to it.

Not bad place.

Ho-Oh's guard could feel that most of the wild Pokémon here were very happy.

Even the small Grass-type and Bug-type Pokémon were plump and wealthy, proving that the natural resources here were very rich.

Suddenly.

They stopped and looked at the five Regis in the distance.

The reason the Regis came out was because they felt a strange and powerful aura.

Including Regieleki, all five pillars had agreed with All Baimu to guard Mt. Silver, so it was impossible for them to slack off.

"Let me introduce you, members of the Mt. Silver security team..."

All Baimu laughed.

Ho-Oh's guard had different expressions.

Raikou couldn't help but turn its head to look at him; although it didn't make a sound, its expression clearly showed a few words—

"You captured them?"

"Yeah, I captured them."

He responded.

And when Calyrex appeared with the two horses, welcoming them with the attitude of a host.

Ho-Oh's guard fell into silence.

Actually, All Baimu capturing one or two Legendary Pokémon was something they could fully understand.

But capturing so many...

Entei and Suicune looked at Raikou, Raikou was even more confused than them.

Not.

Why are you looking at me?

How long has it been since I last saw him!

If it weren't for the foundation of peaceful interaction yesterday, Ho-Oh's guard would really suspect that All Baimu invited them over to find a way to capture them.

"Everyone, please!"

Calyrex led them up the mountain.

The scene of Legendary Pokémon of different generations meeting friendly brought emotion to the Blacephalon siblings.

"... Simply a Legendary Pokémon gift package."

"Hoopa hasn't summoned so many Legendary Pokémon at once, right?"

"Hmm!? Meia underestimates Hoopa—"

"Didn't underestimate, didn't underestimate."

Blacephalon quickly stopped the troublemaker Hoopa, preventing it from summoning some heavyweight existence in its excitement.

Hoopa hugged its arms angrily.

Forced by helplessness.

Meia stuffed half a donut into its mouth, and Hoopa immediately laughed and went to show off to the Shiny Gengar.

Made people suspect if it was intentional.

On the hillside.

All Baimu introduced the house he built with his own hands to Ho-Oh's guard.

Before leaving Agate Village.

He had sent the Shiny Milotic to the bottom of the waterfall to check on Lugia's condition.

Sure enough, it was still sleeping.

The long lifespan was enough for Legendary Pokémon to sleep for up to a hundred years; All Baimu only hoped that when he saw it again, he wouldn't be old and frail.

And in the detailed conversation with Raikou.

He learned that Ho-Oh's guard coming to Orre this time was also influenced by the great changes in the environment here.

In the natural world, there had never been such a large-scale explosion of life in a short period of time; they believed that Orre's transformation would have a certain impact on the whole world.

As for whether it was positive or negative...

That was unknown.

In short, they came for Calyrex.

Upon learning that the Pokémon in front of them was the source, they clearly expressed the hope that it would stop and not engage in behaviors that would significantly change the natural environment of a place in a short period of time.

Calyrex agreed indifferently.

If it weren't for All Baimu, how could it run around without fear of hardship?

True culprit laughed awkwardly.

Mission accomplished.

Ho-Oh's guard, however, wasn't in a hurry to leave Orre; they would go around to various places to check the impact caused by natural changes.

"Then stay in Mt. Silver for a few more days! Watch me win the championship!"

All Baimu encouraged them happily; he didn't want to part with the big cat so soon.

Raikou was speechless.

Why didn't Ho-Oh's guard like to form bonds with humans?

These guys being too difficult to deal with was also a reason, like Suicune being chased by someone for traces all year round.

Simply annoying.

Raikou had always done a good job of staying away from humans, who would have thought it would stumble on this pair of partners, All Baimu and Blissey.

"... Awoo."

"So obedient!"

Seeing it agree, All Baimu happily rubbed the cat's head.

Although he still didn't count on being able to capture Raikou, being able to stay for a while longer was also a good thing.

The day before the semifinals.

Mt. Silver was filled with laughter, without any tense atmosphere as the match approached.

—

Battle Mountain summit.

Observation deck.

Dawn illuminated the earth, and also illuminated Bertie, whose clothes were soaked by dew.

He slowly opened his eyes.

"Time is up."

His majestic figure, over two meters tall, stood up straight; he turned around, ignoring the gazes of awe, and locked onto the smiling Lei Ou.

Bertie said flatly: "I thought you had run away sneakily long ago."

"Just came to see you miserably defeated."

Lei Ou didn't fall for this crude provocation.

Bertie hummed, not talking back. Although he was angry that this person hadn't kept the appointment, All Baimu's power was indeed extraordinary.

'Reigning King'.

The joke-like title had been recognized by more and more people, just because of the arena dominance he displayed.

Can he win?

Only after fighting would he know.

Bertie was a practical person; he hated all ethereal predictions before the match.

Win, prove he had taken another step forward.

Lose, then it was meaningless; there was no difference between the final four and the final eight.

To ensure he and his Pokémon reached their best state, he sat in his most familiar position for a whole night.

Even though the environment had become strange, the wind blowing was still so familiar.

In the bathroom.

He slowly washed away the dust and dirt on his body, shaved his beard, and combed his beautiful blonde hair.

Time to go on stage!

To welcome that crucial battle!

Bertie's blue eyes shone, he left the athlete preparation room and strode toward the arena.

Semifinal first battle.

The second-to-last hurdle to the championship throne.

"Welcome everyone to the Orre League semifinals! I am White Bird, and I will broadcast the most professional battle process for you!"

White Bird shouted excitedly.

Although it was only the semifinals, in the hearts of many Orre people, the lineup of Bertie vs. All Baimu was no different from the finals.

Both symbolized the highest level of the Orre battle world!

White Bird believed that no matter the result of this match, as long as he maintained his level.

Then his status in the Orre commentary world would be completely consolidated, and he would be on the list for the annual tournament commentary and even the Champion League commentary!

Seemed to be infected by his voice.

The audience at the scene was also cheering and shouting enthusiastically.

The surprise Lei Ou brought in the previous match was still fresh in their memory, and everyone expected Bertie to also let them look at him with new eyes!

Inside the arena.

Bertie and All Baimu looked at each other from afar, nodding to each other politely.

It wasn't the first time both sides had heard each other's names.

As early as the first half of this year, All Baimu won the Ever Grande Conference and defeated Elite Four Drake, the record echoing in Phenac City.

Both knew they would have a battle sooner or later!

The prophecy was finally fulfilled.

Battle Mountain Master vs. Reigning King, who had more gold content, would be revealed immediately!

Referee entered.

"The upcoming Orre League semifinals, both sides can use six Pokémon..."

He announced the rules loudly, and the first random arena rose slowly.

Moist soil, lush water grass, and one puddle after another of accumulated water.

"It's a Wetland Arena!"

White Bird said loudly: "Both sides are about to send out their starting Pokémon—"

Bang bang!

Light overflowed.

Milotic's entrance splashed water, and it happily swung its golden tail.

"Milotic~"

The semi-home environment added a few more charms.

The audience's eyes were all attracted by its beauty; no matter how many times they saw it, they could still feel that astonishing beauty.

The Pokémon opposite it was a Crobat with four wings, an oval-shaped body, and rabbit ears.

"Crobat!"

Crobat flew around in the air quickly.

All Baimu remembered it; the first time he saw Bertie himself, it was it entangled with the Probopass of Justice.

The mobility and reaction speed it displayed once surprised him so much that he wanted to participate, but unfortunately there were too many people at that time, so he chose Justice as a substitute.

Now it could be considered a wish fulfilled?

All Baimu smiled.

The referee confirmed that both Pokémon were registered, drove the Rotom flying machine under his seat backward, and shouted at the same time:

"Match start!"

Beep—

The whistle sounded.

Bertie and All Baimu gave orders separately.

"Tailwind."

"Rain Dance."

Crobat flapped its wings quickly, Milotic raised its head and sang long, and in a short while, wind and rain were mixed in the arena.

However.

In terms of moves, Crobat was still slightly faster.

Therefore, Bertie's second command followed very closely, almost at the point of being issued.

"Quick Attack!"

"Crobat!"

Crobat flapped its four wings and flew toward Milotic with incredible speed.

All Baimu narrowed his eyes and said: "Aqua Ring."

"Milotic."

Milotic slowly lowered its head, and three surging translucent water rings appeared around its body.

However.

Crobat didn't launch a sneak attack from behind.

It circled Milotic once, suddenly came to the front, and sneered arrogantly.

"Gigi—"

"Well done! U-turn!"

All Baimu's tone rose.

Milotic, provoked, lunged at Crobat.

The latter dodged backward extremely quickly, the acceleration of Tailwind making it as fast as an afterimage, but the translucent water rings surrounding Milotic were shattered by its golden tail that followed!

Splash!

The sky full of water splashed on Crobat!

"Crobat!"

Crobat climbed calmly, and after reaching a height it considered safe, it opened its eyes, which were sour from the water flow.

It looked down and found that Milotic had already left the field.

Hit by U-turn?

Crobat was somewhat incredulous, and Bertie also frowned.

White Bird shouted excitedly: "Incredible! Milotic, provoked by Crobat, successfully left the field! This fusion of moves—is it a Contest move!?"

Undoubtedly.

【Aqua Ring】, as the core move of the Sootopolis Gym, could be fused with many, many moves, and didn't affect the additional effects!

All Baimu's Contest fans cheered and shouted, and when the Pokémon to be exchanged appeared, the tone rose even higher!

"Happy!"

Blissey's curly hair shook, appearing solemnly.

Bertie didn't hesitate at all, "Taunt!"

"Crobat!"

Crobat flew and made faces at Blissey, and under the first-hand attack, it was equivalent to a guaranteed hit according to common sense.

It's just a pity that Blissey wasn't "normal".

Although the psychological problems of the past had been cured for the most part, it also made it more dull than other Pokémon, making it harder to get angry at enemies when attacking each other.

To some extent.

This wasn't a good thing for battles that required passion and resonance, but if used reasonably, it could also cause good results.

For example, now.

"Gravity."

"Happy~"

Blissey swallowed the blue leaf in its mouth slowly, and at the same time raised its small hand.

In an instant.

Strong gravity descended on the arena!

Hum!

Crobat almost fell from the air instantly, falling heavily into the wetland, splashing a lot of water.

At the same time.

A light blue light lit up on Blissey's body.

Shiratori shouted, "It's a Mental Herb! Trainer All Baimu prepared a Mental Herb for Blissey in advance! Taunt has been lifted!"

The rules allow Pokémon to carry one item.

But because physical items are difficult for many Pokémon to keep safe during battle, most trainers don't let their Pokémon carry anything.

All Baimu is clearly not that kind of person.

He will have his Pokémon carry every possible item that could be useful in battle.

"Protect!"

"Thunder."

Boom—!

Dark clouds unleashed a roaring thunderbolt, instantly shattering the spherical light shield that had appeared on Crobat's body and electrocuting it into a daze.

"Thunder hits! Thunder in the rain is both fast and accurate!" Shiratori shouted excitedly.

The referee approached to confirm that Crobat had not lost its ability to battle.

Bartlas quickly swapped it out, not giving Blissey the slightest chance to continue its attack.

He pondered the scene that had just unfolded.

He didn't know if others had seen it clearly, but he had: Blissey had used Gravity first, and only then did the Mental Herb's effect appear.

Taunt ineffective?

No.

It was that Taunt took effect too slowly.

Bartlas grasped Blissey's trait, and he also discovered that the power of its Thunder was much stronger than he had imagined.

"Go!"

Bang!

"Roar!!"

A violent roar echoed through the arena as the blue-scaled giant dragon spread its demonic, blood-red wings.

"Trainer Bartlas's second Pokémon! Salamence enters the fray!"

As the words fell.

An oppressive low pressure descended upon the arena.

A deep blue light rippled across Blissey's body; its physical attack was lowered by Salamence's Intimidate.

And its expression...

Just as Bartlas had expected, Blissey didn't feel too afraid.

This was a relatively "dull" Pokémon.

However, its trainer was anything but dull!

"Skill Swap."

"Happy!"

Bathed in the light of its lowered stats, Blissey swapped 【Natural Cure】 with Salamence, gaining 【Intimidate】 for itself.

Activated the moment it was swapped!

Blissey suddenly felt fierce, as if it were scolding a patient for trying to remove their own bandages or licking their wounds, and it began to berate Salamence!

"Happy!!"

"Roar—roar..."

The roaring Salamence paused for a moment; what was this guy saying?

Bartlas said in a deep voice:

"Snap out of it! Hurricane!"

"Roar!!"

Salamence flapped its wings rapidly, and a massive, pale-white storm vortex formed at a speed visible to the naked eye!

It swept toward Blissey!