The two previous generations of the Glazed Gym stayed in the backyard, with the giant water orb behind them refracting sunlight. They listened to the sound of Pokémon diving in and out, silently.
Suddenly.
Mikoli said, "When I had thoughts about the Hoenn Champion, you weren't like this back then. You were much fiercer."
Adam glanced at him, "I don't remember when the Glazed Gym needed reviving."
"But that was my dream!"
"Your dream is to play positioning games with Da Wu? Letting Baimu sit in that position would definitely be more reliable than you two."
"..."
Mikoli left feeling stifled.
For Adam, he and Da Wu's flexible exchange of the championship title was a black mark in their lives, one that couldn't be washed away.
Gym hall.
Baimu carefully placed a trophy into the cabinet.
"How do you feel about this spot?"
He turned to ask the Altered-color Gengar, which gave its approval, then pulled out a camera from its belly and asked if he wanted a picture.
Baimu waved his hand, declining.
The display cases nearby were nearly filled, radiating brilliance, making him too embarrassed to take a conceited photo.
He turned to the Gray Fatty who was stashing the camera away and laughed, "Getting more proficient, aren't you?"
"Kekeke~"
The Altered-color Gengar let out a proud chuckle.
Growing closer to Baimu, it was determined to contribute more to the team, making itself a vital part faster. After consulting with Porygon II—
The "Sha Wujing" was born.
To put it simply, Gengar cleverly utilized its ability to stash items in its body, thereby relieving Baimu from the daily burden of a backpack.
Everyone praised this ability.
Especially Mawile, who, upon discovering the ample space within the Altered-color Gengar, realized it could stash a bag effortlessly, understood it could buy more things in the future.
It grew quite affectionate towards Gengar.
The Altered-color Gengar couldn't help but feel flattered. According to Porygon II, the hardest team member to please was Mawile. Winning its favor meant having nothing to worry about.
What surprised it even more was the Sun Corsola, notorious for its laziness and rarely engaging with other members, also shown goodwill toward it.
Why?
Porygon II: "…Maybe so it can sneak into your belly and slack off."
The Altered-color Gengar realized through this answer that its understanding of Sun Corsola—and of Baimu—had expanded.
To tolerate Pokémon slacking off without reprimand, indeed, the trainer was someone worth entrusting!
However, it frequently felt someone in the shadows was watching it.
Was it the Dragapult that Porygon II mentioned?
The Altered-color Gengar clearly remembered when it was under Jarvis's command, where Dragapult's tail had whipped it dizzy, and when it came to, it was already back in the Pokeball.
Such a powerful companion, it had always wanted to have a chat with it.
But despite this, for some reason, Dragapult always avoided it, whether at dinner or bedtime.
The Altered-color Gengar suspected it might have been rejected.
So it asked Porygon again.
The answer received was that this was just Dragapult's nature. Even Baimu rarely saw its silhouette and sometimes had to talk to "air," which led some humans to think of him as crazy.
The Altered-color Gengar: "!"
What a great trainer is this?
This can be tolerated?
The more the Altered-color Gengar understood the team, the more its admiration for Baimu grew continuously, like an endless river.
It was hard to imagine how Baimu had managed to lead this group of quirky Pokémon to where they were today.
Was it perseverance?
While lamenting, it suddenly realized it too might be a quirky Pokémon?
After seeing the odd look in Porygon II's eyes, the Altered-color Gengar began to doubt itself and fully understood the importance of its storage position.
At its core.
Gengar's abilities were developed for "feeding."
Transforming into a shadow, it could ambush humans or Pokémon, trapping them in its pitch-black space, where the fear and other emotions they produced satisfied its energy needs.
Urban legends about Gengar claim it could snatch away people's lives, create partners by killing, and are related to this ability.
People unfamiliar with it mistakenly believe that pitch-black space is the world after death.
Being trapped and then released, believing they narrowly escaped death, hence creating widely spread urban legends related to Ghost-type Pokémon.
There are many debunking posts online, but few pay attention.
However.
This mysterious space, capable of stopping a child's night cries, was used by the Altered-color Gengar as a warehouse.
Baimu certainly had ideas about this but couldn't help grinning when he saw Gengar's cheerful initiative as a storekeeper.
Appreciation was certain.
Since traveling, the backpack had been the biggest burden, and with his shoulders now free, he could easily stand with a Mawile on each side without changing color.
"Let's go, time for practice."
He patted the Altered-color Gengar's head, smiling as its ears drooped forward with his gentle stroking.
With so many Pokémon in the team, he needed to appropriately allocate battle time.
Striving to give each Pokémon ample opportunity to participate in this battle feast.
The days after returning to the Glazed Gym were devoid of any ripples.
Besides training and battling, Baimu spent his days cooking dishes borrowed from the recipes he stealthily learned from the chef.
His superb culinary skills were lauded by everyone in the gym.
Fortunately.
As his culinary levels "upgraded," the Pokémon such as Aggron, surpassing Level 70, showed a noticeable trend for improvement.
It seemed there could be another push before the tournament started?
He was full of anticipation.
Xiaoguang, having finally arrived at the Glazed Gym, would naturally seize the opportunity to seek advice from Mikoli and often joined Liuqia to study the art of performance.
But more frequently, perhaps, she and Liuqia served as experience buddies for Baimu, sending out their Pokémon to battle his.
As a result, they grew significantly stronger themselves.
The one who progressed the most and fastest was Piplup.
This little guy was thrilled to spend long durations with Mawile and Altered-color Milotic, vigorously pushing forward.
During the day, it accompanied Mawile in watching TV series, and at night, it listened to Altered-color Milotic singing at the Eco Park.
Life was beautiful.
Almost like floating on air.
As a covert observer, Porygon II submitted this intelligence to Baimu, who indicated it was nothing to be concerned about.
The happier they feel now, the more painful the parting will be later.
Juggling both, huh? Hmph!
Destined to make you taste the world's most distant distance!
Baimu, seemingly foreseeing the future scenario, was somewhat expectant. Speaking of which, he always found Piplup quite adorable, hence whenever possible, he couldn't resist cuddling it.
How could such a proud little penguin bear this?
It only endured it to avoid offending the trainer it secretly admired, swallowing its pride and pretending to smile, burning with anger but not daring to speak.
Porygon II had discreetly advised it before that getting on Baimu's good side could increase the likelihood of romance success, and Piplup grew quite trusting of this Pokémon that could use a phone and read.
There's no doubt about Xiaogang constantly frequenting the Pokémon Center, helping Miss Joy with chores and vying for her favor.
As a traveling apprentice, he didn't need much longer to become an intern doctor, arguably the closest among them to achieving their dream.
He had completely handed over the Pewter Gym to his younger brother, occasionally returning to peek in, bully a few challengers.
The days were mundane, yet meaningful.
Under such conditions.
The evening before departing for Ever Grande City.
Baimu's simulator cooled down once more.
According to his past deductions, after two consecutive Blue Talent simulations, a Double Blue Talent simulation would always follow.
White Duck Dancer and Gambler were both single Blue Talent simulations—
Double Blue Talent guarantees tournament championship!
He suppressed a surge of excitement, summoned Blissey to sit aside, then stuffed a bewildered Altered-color Gengar next to him, laying out books and pointing at them.
The surrounding Pokémon, recognizing this scene, knew the trainer was about to enter his "once a month madness" mode and quickly distanced themselves.
Especially Mawile.
Last time, it had really enough and wished it could be as far from Baimu as possible at this moment.
Hydreigon also dared not get too close, as the trainer during this time was typically "unrecognizable," carrying a great terror!
The Altered-color Gengar cluelessly watched the many Pokémon retreating, its subconscious telling it something not so pleasant might occur next.
It glanced at Blissey, seeing it unperturbed and calm, it felt a little more at ease.
At least it had a Pokémon accompanying it.
So it was alright.