The explosion was deafening.
Dragapult's Dragon Arrow was still quite powerful, successfully attracting other Pokémon.
The long-awaited "Full Salvo" also made it quite excited. It had almost forgotten what a proper Dragon Arrow felt like. Looking at the smoke-filled area, there was a guilty conscience about a reckless surprise attack, along with an eagerness for another shot.
Wasn't it the Trainer who told it to attack by surprise? It should be... alright, right?
Dragapult couldn't help but glance at Baimu, and suddenly realized the Dreepy siblings hadn't returned.
Logically speaking, after the Dragon Arrow attack, the Dreepy acting as missiles should automatically return home.
It quickly turned its head.
The smoke in the distance parted just in time.
It saw a bright blue, honeycomb-like spherical shield flicker and disappear, while the two Dreepy were being bitten by the arrogant Hydreigon using its two side heads, struggling wildly to break free.
"Shaa——!!"
It let out a mocking shout, directed primarily at Baimu beside Dragapult.
No sportsmanship in a sneak attack?
Heh heh! Muda muda!
The three heads aren't just for show, they're quick to react!
"Impressive, impressive," Baimu also cooperatively clapped for Hydreigon, suggesting it release the two Dreepy. Ever since battling Dragapult in the plaza that day, he has consciously been developing the dynamic vision and reaction abilities of the latter.
The goal is, when encountering Dan Emperor's Dragapult in the future, to have a chance to block its Dragon Arrow.
Achieving a block would undoubtedly be highly effective in influencing the course of the battle.
"Hee-yah!"
"Hee-yah!"
The two Dreepy quickly flew back as soon as they were freed. The brother naturally slipped back into the launch hole, while the sister hesitated slightly before silently entering.
This little change made Baimu beam with joy.
The reason he suddenly had Dragapult make a move was precisely to stir Sister Dragapult, to awaken her innate longing for sonic speed.
The goal was achieved!
Dragapult also felt a bit of surprise, but immediately felt at a loss on what to do next.
"What are you dazing about! Start fighting!"
Baimu pushed it, and only then did it belatedly charge at Hydreigon, releasing various moves and engaging in a tangle with it.
It's not uncommon for team members to attack each other for practice, nothing surprising about it.
Consider it a semi-real battle.
He shifted his gaze away, unlike Ash Ketchum, who would jointly command Pokémon on both sides.
Every Trainer has their own style and approach. Baimu is used to giving his Pokémon some autonomy, so they can make beneficial decisions on the battlefield by themselves, to avoid missing opportunities for action because he couldn't give commands for some other reason.
Currently, the mainstream tactical style among Trainers is that they shout once, and the Pokémon moves once.
The fundamental reason is that there are too many dumb Pokémon.
For instance, at the battle tent in Verdanturf Town where Baimu participated before, it was supposed to be autonomous combat but was in total chaos. Many Pokémon didn't even understand Attribute Compatibility, let alone the opponent's attributes. It led to the comical scene of using Destructive Beam on a Ghost Type.
Since witnessing such a scene, he has become increasingly determined to enhance his Pokémon's knowledge base.
So far, he's done quite well.
The most outstanding illiterate young lady is about to shake off the "illiterate" title, which is quite remarkable.
However.
Learning to read does consume some of Mawile's Heart Power, and Baimu worries it might end up like Meowth—"having exhausted all its potential on learning to read and speak, unable to become stronger and learn more moves."
But at present, the concern hasn't manifested.
Mawile recently learned a move called [Wild Dance Swing]. It seemed like it got infuriated by some TV drama plot and, with no outlet for venting, decided to relentlessly bash Aggron's Giant Jaw and thus learned it.
Poor Big Monster took a beating but didn't learn any new moves.
...Thick skin and tough flesh, that's why.
"Mawile!"
Baimu called from afar and walked over.
He is currently at a place specialized by the Da Wu Family for nurturing Pokémon, similar to the hundred-square room, spacious and divided into multiple areas, to prevent Pokémon from disturbing each other due to crowding.
Right now, Mawile is busy practicing double battle coordination and Gorgeous Performance with Blissey.
He said directly, "This time, I'm planning to bring your Super Evolution on stage!"
With four to five days for integration, he doesn't expect full mastery, but to hold out for at least ten minutes should be manageable. And ten minutes would be enough for him to secure some victories.
"Chi-do? Chi-do!"
Mawile's eyes lit up. It had thought it wouldn't get field time after fighting Verdanturf Gym, but it was suddenly chosen?
Wait a minute.
After battling Mossdeep Gym this time, wouldn't the Mikoli Club have nothing to do with it?
Mawile clearly remembered this special Gorgeous Competition often mentioned by the Trainer, its cute big eyes squinting in delight.
Hmm...
Alright.
The Trainer said the Mikoli Club is Milotic's main stage, it couldn't possibly steal the spotlight from others, right?
Being the lead in a Gorgeous grand festival is good enough.
It happily donned the Super Stone Ornament, carefully storing away the Calming Bell. After all, it was used to wearing it when Super Evolution wasn't needed.
The jingle of the bell sounded quite nice.
"Let's begin." Baimu pulled out a Key Stone. Mastering Super Evolution doesn't have any shortcuts; it can only be slowly accustomed to, like how Aggron walked this path.