Chapter 238: Demonic Wind, Fire Dance

Just as All Baimu had thought, that Little Chaobei was a rare Ground-type specialist.

Given the chance, it should have summoned a sandstorm to maximize its combat power, but unfortunately Munchlax didn't give Du Juan that opportunity.

156n.

It was taken out in a single exchange.

"Munchlax's explosive power is astonishing to me; its mastery of electromagnetic levitation can be called divine."

Du Juan handed the Rock Badge to All Baimu. "Congratulations! You've earned this badge!"

"Thank you!"

The latter took it and admired it for a moment.

Unlike the Balance Badge from the Orange Academy—which looked like a dumbbell and bore the pattern of Rayquaza—the Rock Badge resembled two interlocking triangular rocks.

He recalled that in the games before Generation IV, Badges could raise one of a Pokémon's stats; he wondered whether the anime had that too…

Probably not.

Du Juan beside him was still marveling at Munchlax's explosive power; clearly that ghost-like rush just now had genuinely startled her and left a deep impression.

But in truth Munchlax's "Explosive Rebound Strike" demands a lot from the field, and the rocky terrain of the Kanaz Gym happened to provide springboards that let it move nimbly—wasting that would be a shame.

Suddenly.

Du Juan spoke up and asked, "Excuse me, are you free tomorrow?"

"Uh, sorry, but tomorrow I need to prepare for the Contest," All Baimu replied, still not knowing what she wanted, but he refused nonetheless.

The other immediately showed a regretful expression. "I was going to invite you to be my assistant and help me teach a class on Pokémon size differences. But if you're challenging the Contest, then it can't be helped."

"I'm really very sorry."

"It's fine; on the contrary, I'm the one putting you out. I wish you a triumphant start at the Contest."

Du Juan nodded in acknowledgment.

All Baimu likewise bent slightly at the waist in thanks.

Immediately afterward the two made their way to the Gym's main hall and took a moment to admire Du Juan's various collections.

It had to be said, as a rock enthusiast, Du Juan lacked no fossils—from the Kanto region's Helix Fossil and Omanyte Fossil to the Galar region's fish, bird, drake, and sea-beast fossils, everything was there.

He just didn't know how many fossil Pokémon she had…

Maybe all of them?

All Baimu suddenly grew curious about Du Juan's Pokémon-raising ecological garden and very much wanted to go in and see what it looked like.

But that thought was only a flash; besides, Du Juan looked very busy, and Munchlax was also rather impatient to try out all kinds of special-move techniques for the Contest.

——

After leaving the Pokémon Center.

Confirming that the two battlers had no hidden injuries or abnormalities, All Baimu sent off Steelix, returned to the hotel, and soothed the excited Munchlax.

"Calm down, we haven't even settled on a theme yet, and there's still the outfit issue."

The Contest didn't strictly require entrants to change into especially dignified or lavish formal wear, but to ensure they themselves were a pleasure to look at, many Trainers would switch into a suit or distinctive outfit, or apply makeup to brighten their appearance.

Such as May's dancing-girl costume, and Dawn's Princess dress, among others.

All Baimu certainly had no intention of dressing up in some gaudy fashion, but at the very least a suit befitting a formal occasion was necessary.

"Chido~"

Munchlax stood before the floor-to-ceiling window, looking left and right; meanwhile the Soothe Bell at the back of its head gave out a clear, pleasant chime, and it nodded in satisfaction.

Perfect—no need for any extra outfit embellishments!

"You may be perfect, but I'm not. Surely you're not going to let me go up in these traveling clothes? I don't mind, personally." All Baimu poked its forehead.

Munchlax covered its bangs and looked at its Trainer with some displeasure.

All Baimu continued, "Fine, come with me to buy clothes. Or would you rather stay at the hotel and keep watching the recordings while I go alone?"

"Chido!"

Of course I'm going!

Munchlax responded at once—it had to keep an eye on its Trainer; what if All Baimu wore something weird? …Granted, the Trainer had always been reliable, but still—what if?

It recalled the ridiculous outfits of some Trainers it had seen in the recordings, and felt uneasy in its heart.

Half an hour later.

All Baimu returned with Munchlax, his face still bearing a trace of physical pain. "The word 'high-end' really is terrifying—one whole set actually costs five hundred thousand!"

Suits in the Pokémon world also came in grades; high-end brands and mass-market brands differed enormously in price. Acting on the principle that if he was buying, he might as well buy something good, he went to a reportedly high-end custom tailor; with the suit inside and out plus leather shoes, the whole set was so expensive it made him want to cry.

He had originally been about to turn around and head to the affordable custom tailor next door, but was firmly stopped by Munchlax.

Seeing its expression that said this shop was wonderful, All Baimu had no choice but to grit his teeth and buy two sets—one to wear during the Contest, the other for any contingency.

"Theme, theme! Even if we don't win a Ribbon this time, we still have to make a sensational debut!"

He said this seriously to Munchlax, and the latter nodded with equal seriousness.

The core element of the Contest's first round of judging is—

How will you showcase your Pokémon's shining points?

Munchlax's shining points…

First, undoubtedly its appearance: soft, glossy fur, adorably big eyes, a delicate cry, and a girlish bearing all prove its cuteness. Having earned Miss Liuqi's praise, All Baimu believed it was a perfect ten in terms of spirit and demeanor; as long as it kept up its looks, the score would certainly not be low.

Next, its personality: as a spoiled Young Lady, although it was extremely fond of sweets and highly competitive, it behaved quite well in matters of etiquette toward people. At the very least, All Baimu hadn't really taught it, yet it would still perform all sorts of pleasing greetings and farewell gestures.

It could also be considered full of love and compassion; it had never bullied any Pokémon in the team, and would even comfort Miss Liuqi when she was feeling down.

Then finally, its special skill—eating an entire cake in a single day?

Well, if one had to name a special skill, Munchlax's explosive power counted as one; then there was its use of electromagnetic levitation to fly, and its fighting technique, which barely passed muster… and then dancing?

In order to learn the move Swords Dance, under All Baimu's guidance Munchlax had learned all sorts of strange dances.

"How about a sword-dance performance?"

He turned his head to look at Munchlax.

"Chii-doo?" The latter was a little puzzled, not quite catching his meaning.

"It does look like it has potential, but I don't know how to dance with a sword myself, and there's no way to order a Han-style sword right now…" All Baimu thought it over and decided to shelve this very promising theme for later.

On further thought, spinning in circles was still the more reliable option.

If he could find a way to make the scene grand and spectacular, getting past the first review shouldn't be a problem.

"Using Fairy Wind and electromagnetic levitation as the core — what do you think?"

All Baimu showed Munchlax the Fairy Wind demonstration video he'd filmed earlier. "Break those wind blades down into warm wind, combine it with electromagnetic levitation and Fire Fang, then you do a spinning dance — put it all together as a Fairy-Wind Fire Dance. What do you think?"

"Chii… doo?"

Munchlax hesitated — it couldn't share a brain with its Trainer, so it was a bit hard to picture.