Chapter 630: To Alyss

The next day

The finals venue.

It was high noon, more than an hour before the match began, yet the vast arena was nearly full.

The scorching sun beat down on the uneven, surging sea of heads, like rolling waves of heat, making spectators dizzy and disoriented.

"Drinks! Bento boxes! Badges! Plushies! Anyone need any?"

Vendors hawked snacks and merchandise along the stairs and corridors, with ice drinks and Baimu's Pokémon fan badges selling fastest—often clearing out after just one or two rounds.

Inside the arena.

Teams of staff were conducting final adjustments.

Though the machinery had never malfunctioned in years past, everyone wanted absolute certainty for such a crucial finals match.

Moreover, both trainers' Pokémon were exceptionally powerful, placing extraordinary strain on the arena's durability in case of accidents.

Of course, there were also the defense systems.

"Director! This side is good!"

"This side's OK too!"

"Defense systems are nominal! Ready for smooth activation!"

The reports over the walkie-talkies brought a smile to the face of the event's director—the man known as Director.

He shouted loudly: "Excellent! Everyone! Let's prepare to welcome the strongest finals match in recent years! I believe this will create a historic milestone in viewership and beyond that we can all be proud of!"

"Ooooh!"

The walkie-talkies erupted in cheers.

If the Sinnoh Conference was, for trainers, the starting stage to vie for the pinnacle of their dreams,

then for the conference bureau staff, it was a burden they must uphold—this stage bearing others' dreams would determine many fates and symbolize their own internal glory—

Viewership.

Even though every conference opening always ranked as the top-rated TV program in the Hoenn region,

competing against the viewership of previous and earlier editions remained a major goal for the staff, each eager to witness history—or become part of it.

Meanwhile, the two contestants, awaited by tens of thousands, had not yet departed—they were in the restaurant, making final adjustments—

Digesting lunch.

"Alyss, are you sure it's fine to eat so much for lunch?"

Xiao Guang watched anxiously as Alyss sat slumped, her belly swollen, looking utterly satisfied.

Alyss waved her hand: "No problem! How can I fight if I'm not full?"

She rarely ate herself to fullness, but the sense of crisis Baimu brought pushed her, raised in the wild, to rapidly replenish energy and bring her body to peak condition.

Of course.

The Pokémon were too.

Xiao Gang returned from flattering the restaurant's female owner and glanced around: "Where's Baimu?"

"Out walking with Liu Liu Qiya," Man Chong wiped the sticky fluid from his face—he was nearly accustomed to Milotic's affection.

Xiao Guang couldn't help retorting: "Are you really finalists?"

Others on the verge of finals might be too nervous or anxious to eat, yet these two—one boldly overfeeding their Pokémon, the other leisurely taking a stroll.

Xiao Gang chuckled: "Maintaining a calm mindset before a match is good—it means they're already at their peak!"

"Exactly."

Man Chong nodded. He had been equally calm before the Silver Conference finals—first, from habit, second, from unwavering conviction and determination to win.

Outside the restaurant, on the street.

Baimu and Liu Liu Qiya strolled forward, behind them the Seven-Sleeping Bird pacing like a mother hen.

After the Sinnoh Conference, the former would return home, dedicating himself to promoting Oure, while the latter would continue her pursuit in the Grand Show circuit.

Though they would surely remain in contact, parting inevitably stirred reluctance.

After all, they had once been fierce rivals on the same stage, senior and junior from the same lineage, guiding and helping each other.

Also, friends unbound by gender, age, or height, each advancing toward their own dreams.

In just one short year, from strangers to close companions, without many dramatic events or grand stories, their friendship had not diminished one bit.

"Do your best, Baimu."

Liu Liu Qiya suddenly fell back a few steps, standing still as she whispered: "You absolutely can do it—whether Sinnoh Champion, Oure Champion, even World Champion or Pokémon Master… I've always been on your side."

For the first time, she did not call him "apprentice" in private.

The brilliant sun fell upon Baimu, casting a shadow that half-covered Liu Liu Qiya, obscuring her expression.

Then.

Baimu turned around.

Radiant sunlight bathed Liu Liu Qiya, illuminating her golden-indigo eyes, like the sea at dawn.

"Of course. I'll never let you or Master Adam and the others down. Future Grand Show Master, remember to leave a spot for the World Champion in your songs later."

He raised his fist, his smile sincere.

Liu Liu Qiya smiled too, slamming her fist against his, "Win the match this afternoon first! If you lose to Alyss, I won't forgive you!"

"That joke's not funny—you think she's champion? Even champions get beaten! If I can't beat Alyss, how can I return home in glory…"

The two walked forward into the sun, the Seven-Sleeping Bird like a white cloud beneath the blue sky, singing sweetly as it followed behind them.

——

"Ladies and gentlemen! Welcome to the Sinnoh Conference Finals! After over a week of fierce competition, we've reached the final match!"

The commentator's voice echoed throughout the main arena.

The audience immediately put down their snacks and phones, eagerly looking down to catch sight of Baimu and Alice, but unfortunately the two had not yet appeared.

But their enthusiasm was not dampened.

They knew the match would begin soon.

Indeed.

As the referee ascended the judging stand, Baimu and Alice stepped out one after another from the competitor's tunnel, both appearing calm and composed, even having the leisure to wave to the crowds.

The crowd immediately erupted in a thunderous roar of cheers and shouts.

"Baimu! Baimu!"

"Alice! Alice!"

Alice clearly had her own supporters, but their numbers were far fewer, quickly drowned out by the one-sided chants for Baimu.

For a moment, the spectator seats surged with people, countless banners, signs, and light boards blindingly dazzling.

Xiao Gang and the others arrived late, and after struggling through the crowd, finally found their seats, looking down at the arena.

"It's finally starting!"

"Both of you, give it your all!"

"Baimu…"

Each of their faces showed subtle differences: Xiao Gang and Miss Liuqi were calm and expectant, Xiao Guang was excited yet worried, and Man Chong was tense and serious.

Qixi Qingniao and Pachirisu carelessly focused solely on cheering for Baimu.

One had a crush on him personally, the other on his Pokémon.

Thus, they openly favored him.

At this moment, the two reached their separation point.

"Baimu, I won't lose to you this time!" Alice extended her hand; her voice was soft yet slightly husky, but what drew more attention were her eyes blazing with battle intent.

A dragon-obsessed girl from Long Zhi Xiang, she came to Hoenn seeking Rayquaza, having endured countless trials on her journey, now ready to test her gains at the Slateport Conference.

Like Baimu, upon returning to Sinnoh, she planned to challenge for the Regional Championship.

Undoubtedly.

Alice bore the weight of her aspiration to become a Dragon-type Pokémon Master, and the expectations of the elder of Long Zhi Xiang and the Dragon Tomb Gym Leader Xia Ka.

Baimu took her hand and whispered, "I'm looking forward to it."

Each walked toward the battle platform above.

The final match differed from previous ones.

Shan Ren had contacted numerous bloggers and media outlets to further hype the Orre Conference, and press releases were already prepared.

All waiting for the moment he claimed victory.

So he must not only win—but win beautifully, so brilliantly that every spectator would be awestruck!

"Let's go."

Baimu stepped onto the Trainer's Bench; across from him, Alice stepped onto the stage simultaneously.

The referee glanced at the two and declared: "The upcoming match is the Grand Final of the Hoenn Slateport Conference! Competitors: Baimu from Huang Tie Town, and Alice from Long Zhi Xiang!"

His words fell.

On the arena's largest screen, the two trainers' portraits appeared, six circles arranged in descending order around each portrait.

A four-color wheel appeared, light spots flashing rapidly across its regions.

The commentator shouted over the crowd's cheers: "Let's see the battlefield for the first half of the final—"

Beep!

A soft chime, and the deep orange region shaped like rock lit up.

"Rock Terrain!"

The ground suddenly rumbled; the ordinary battlefield split apart, and a terrain of sand and rocks slowly rose.

The referee raised his flag.

Baimu and Alice, seeing this, promptly threw their Poké Balls.

"This is your chance to prove yourself!"

"Go! Sharpedo!"

Boom! Boom!

White light flashed.

In the vast Rock Terrain, Sharpedo, a creature like a fusion of shark and dinosaur, faced off against the car-sized Poliwhirl II.

Orange light glowed across its body—the sign of Download's ability activating.

Correct.

Alice's Sharpedo had evolved again, becoming a vital stepping stone on her path toward becoming a Dragon-type Master.

Moreover, this was a Special Attack-oriented Pokémon.

Until now, its main offensive moves remained only two—Meteor Shower and Dragon Pulse; other Special Attack moves had yet to be revealed due to opponents' insufficient strength.

But why start with Sharpedo?

Baimu narrowed his eyes.

The referee, seeing both Pokémon released, cleanly lowered his flag.

"Begin!"

Ding!

As if sounding the horn for attack.

Alice waved and shouted first: "Sharpedo, use Sandstorm! Charge!"

Crack!

Growling low, Lickitung strode forward at blistering speed toward Polygon2, lowering its center of gravity and pulling its arms tight, its sharp fins like the wings of a supersonic fighter jet.

Dust swirls surrounded its entire body, its speed given a second boost by its unique posture.

Zing!

In the blink of an eye, Lickitung had ridden the yellow sand across the field's center line!

Where it passed, sand and stones flew, blurring vision.

Commentator: "Incredible speed! Lickitung uses its fins to adjust its posture, reducing air resistance—no wonder it's called the Sonic Pokémon!"

"Electro Float."

Baimu's command came a fraction late.

But he paid it no mind, silently observing Lickitung's surprise attack as it crossed more than half the field.

Plii!

Polygon2's eyes glowed with electricity, watching the charging Lickitung with eerie calmness; its oval legs spun in an instant, lifting it high into the air.

Alice cried out: "Chase it!"

Crack!

Lickitung bent its legs and leapt with all its strength, leaving the ground and chasing Polygon2 at no lesser speed.

The distance between them closed again, causing the dust storm Lickitung had raised to engulf the latter.

Whoosh!

The tiny Polygon2 was swallowed by yellow sand; Alice did not hesitate and gave another order.

"Dragon Pulse!"

The opportunity vanished in an instant.

She knew Polygon2 could change its type in response to attacks, so she planned to strike while it was trapped in the sandstorm, unable to hear her commands or execute moves.

Even if only for a single breath—

One step ahead, and you stay ahead!

Lickitung opened its mouth full of razor-sharp teeth; blue dragonfire flickered within, then surged forward like a volcanic eruption.

Roar!

The blazing flame took the form of a vivid, living energy dragon, violently tearing through the sandstorm toward Polygon2 trapped inside!

Boom!

Dragonfire exploded!

The commentator shouted excitedly: "No breathing room! Dragon Pulse hits Polygon2! This move—ohhh! The move didn't land!"

Polygon2, wreathed in dragonfire, suddenly revealed its body had turned a dazzling pink, two rosy patches glowing on its face.

"Polygon2 changed to Fairy type!"

The audience erupted in ecstatic cheers at this thrilling turn!

Alice gasped for breath.

Did Baimu give the command? Or did Polygon2 act on its own?

The type change was so fast!

"Get out of there!" she realized the danger and shouted to guide Lickitung, still high in the air.

As if confirming her suspicion.

In an instant.

A bolt of ice-blue lightning shot from Polygon2's slanted tail tip; every grain of sand it touched turned to ice shards, racing toward Lickitung with bone-chilling cold.

And then… it passed right through!

The ice-blue lightning, having missed its target, dissipated naturally; Lickitung, pierced through, appeared on the other side, then vanished mysteriously again, reappearing far away.

The commentator yelled: "Ice Beam missed! Lickitung's movements are erratic!"

This miraculous sight drew gasps from many spectators; Jun, the knowledgeable Breeder, spoke the truth in one sentence.

"Alice's Lickitung has the Sand Veil ability—in a sandstorm, its evasion is greatly boosted. Baimu's Polygon2 may struggle to land any hits."

"Sand Veil!"

Xiao Guang gasped, recalling when Xiao Zhi fought Zhen Si, and Zhen Si's Snorunt had Snow Cloak.

The two seemed to share something in common.

Inside the arena.

High above, Polygon2 looked down at the sandstorm covering more than half the field, where Lickitung flickered in and out, strangely elusive.

Sand grains eroded its body, yet it remained oblivious.

Sand Veil?

"Lock on! Ice Beam!"

Though the wind and sand were fierce, the Trainer's command reached its ears clearly.

A phantom red crosshair appeared before Polygon2's eyes; its agile tail spun to aim directly at Lickitung.

Ziiii—!!

A flash of ice-blue light erupted; a bolt of lightning pierced the air.

Alice, waiting for this moment, shouted: "Dodge! Then use Iron Tail!"

Crack!

Lickitung's form vanished from its spot, then surged upward from another direction toward Polygon2, its long tail turning the color of steel.

Yet the ice-blue lightning, as if it had eyes, sharply curved midair to chase Lickitung!

Whoosh!

Alice cried out in shock, "What!?"

The lunging Sharpedo felt the terrifying chill from behind, instinctively twisting its body in a roll, but it couldn't escape the attack of the icy-blue lightning.

Boom!

A ball of milky-white freezing mist exploded in midair!

"Ice Beam hits! The elusive Sand Veil was detected and broken through by Porygon2's Lock-On! After Magnet Rise blocked Ground-type and Wonder Guard blocked Dragon-type, Sharpedo's Ability has now been cracked by Porygon2 as well!"

The commentator kept roaring, "This hit is going to be super effective!"