"Little, Xiaosheng, what's wrong?"
Xiaosheng saw the young man in front of him with a strange expression and instinctively shrank his head.
"Is it the son of Petalburg Gym Leader Qianli, that Xiaosheng?"
Baimu carefully observed the other's face. Some celebrities aren't as easily recognizable when converted from 2D to 3D images.
Xiaosheng was also surprised that Baimu associated his name with his background. After a brief guess, he asked, "Big brother, have you challenged Petalburg Gym?"
"No, I plan to challenge the Gyms in the Hoenn Region, so I did some homework online and learned your name."
The latter shook his head and casually gave a reason, "I'm called Baimu. Just call me by my name."
In the animation, as the Gym Leader of Petalburg Gym, Qianli had a daughter and a son. The daughter was Xiaoyao, and the son was Xiaosheng, who had traveled with Ash Ketchum and Xiaogang in Hoenn and Kanto, witnessing many Divine Beasts.
Anyone who has watched the animation would certainly recognize him.
It seems that as Ash Ketchum travels to other regions, Xiaosheng has finally turned ten and gained the qualification to travel.
"I see."
Xiaosheng didn't doubt him. His father and sister were very famous figures, one considered a strong contender for the next Four Heavenly Kings of the Hoenn Region, and the other praised as a Hoenn Dancer and a top Coordinator Trainer in reserve.
With the surroundings being overly noisy, the two found a quiet place to chat.
Through conversation, Baimu learned that it was Xiaosheng's first trip, aiming to reach the Unova Region in a week.
"Not choosing Hoenn?"
"I hope to train more before coming back to challenge the Hoenn Region. Besides, I'm very curious about the unique Pokémon of the Unova Region..."
Xiaosheng embarrassingly scratched his head.
Perhaps he's afraid of not performing well at the Ever Grande Conference and embarrassing his father and sister. Baimu understood his thoughts well.
With such outstanding family members, it's easy to feel insecure if one is too "ordinary."
Upon hearing that Baimu came from the Ore Region and was also on his first trip planning to challenge the Hoenn Region, Xiaosheng's eyes lit up, as if he'd found a confidant, and he incessantly began talking about some features of Hoenn.
This kid is quite the type to easily believe others and talk about everything.
They chatted for about half an hour.
Suddenly, Xiaosheng said, "How about having a Pokémon battle?"
"...Sure."
Though Baimu wasn't sure how they veered into this topic, he agreed, as he came to the Battle Area specifically to fight others.
Fighting with Xiaosheng was fine too.
The two walked out and waited about ten minutes to secure an open battle ground.
The battle ground was outdoors, fifteen meters long by eight meters wide, not particularly large, with a view of the blue sky above. There didn't appear to be any protective barriers around, and spectators crowded closely nearby.
However, there was an invisible defensive screen that ensured all Pokémon-caused damage remained within the arena.
"Big brother Baimu, what kind of battle format do you like? Single battle? Double battle? One-on-one, three-on-three, or six-on-six?" Xiaosheng's voice came from not far away.
"I only have four Pokémon right now."
Baimu realized that the environment wasn't favorable for Steelix, so he decided to exclude it.
"In that case... How about starting with a one-on-one?"
"Okay."
After a brief discussion, the two made their decisions.
The professional referee, responsible for determining the outcome, looked at them and raised the flags, ready to blow the whistle once both held their Pokeballs.
"Beep!"
Both simultaneously threw their Pokeballs forward.
Bang! Bang!
A flash of white light appeared.
"Roar!!"
A thundering roar sounded first as Aggron swung its thick tail, looking indifferently at the petite and adorable Kirlia across the field, like a girl.
"Kirlia~"
Kirlia let out a low call.
Seeing the significantly larger Aggron, Xiaosheng's eyes sparkled. "Such a huge Aggron! Big brother Baimu, you—"
"Cannon Light Cannon!"
Baimu didn't bother with small talk and immediately launched an attack.
Aggron opened its massive mouth, a silver light rapidly gathered within, transforming into a thick beam that shot forward, its dazzling glow overshadowing the sunlight!
Boom!!
"Dodge quickly!"
Xiaosheng shouted, and Kirlia began twisting its body like dancing, narrowly avoiding the Cannon Light Cannon, which hit a suddenly appearing violet barrier.
"Use Telekinesis!"
"Kirlia!"
Kirlia raised its little hands, preparing to channel its Spiritual Power forward, but Aggron had already moved with heavy steps, rumbling to its front and suddenly moved its massive body!
"Iron Tail."
Whoosh!
The sound of wind howled!
A tail shimmering with silver light, like a Meteor Hammer, struck Kirlia directly!
Bang!
The immense force sent Kirlia flying, crashing hard against the massive purple energy screen.
Then.
Kirlia displayed spiral eyes.
"Beep!" The referee blew the whistle. "Kirlia has lost the ability to battle. Aggron wins!"
The crowd buzzed.
"So strong!"
"A one-hit knockout!"
"This is because of the attribute advantage."
"Roar... roar?"
Aggron initially wanted to roar to the sky but found it pointless seeing its opponent. What's there to gloat about bullying a kid?
It didn't feel like roaring.
Xiaosheng ran to Kirlia, relieved to find it was just knocked unconscious momentarily by the attack.
Adjusting his glasses, he looked at Aggron and Baimu with admiration.
"Amazing."
"You need to change your habit of not issuing orders when the battle starts. You're underestimating others too much." Baimu didn't respond to Xiaosheng's praise.
"Hehe, sorry."
Xiaosheng knew he hadn't performed well and embarrassingly scratched his head.
Baimu helped him up and turned to see someone standing in his original spot.
"Come! Let's have a battle!"
The person looked eagerly at Aggron and him, holding the Pokeball and looking impatient.
Xiaosheng quickly retreated into the crowd, turning from a participant to a spectator in an instant. "Big brother Baimu, go for it! I support you!"
This little ghost...
Baimu helplessly stood in his original position and recalled Aggron.
"One-on-one?"
"One-on-one!"
The person nodded furiously.
The referee followed the usual procedure, blowing the whistle when both were ready. "Beep!"
Bang! Bang!
Two Pokeballs opened!