It seems it still can't quite adapt to the notion of a Trainer personally capturing Pokémon.
On the other hand, after a crash course on the Pokémon of the Galar Region, he already knew that Galarian Rapidash is a Psychic Attribute Pokémon, and since it's a Psychic Attribute Pokémon, it's destined to cross his path.
What a pity.
[You've lost track of the Galarian Rapidash, its movements are too nimble, you simply can't catch up to it.]
Without a doubt, it's nearly impossible to capture a nimble wild Pokémon the first time you enter an unfamiliar forest.
However, a Superpower User with an Orbeetle, a Pokémon that naturally possesses the ability to emit Spiritual Power to detect its surroundings, could see the hoofprints of a Galarian Rapidash as plainly as day.
[You begin to prepare tools to capture the Galarian Rapidash—rope]
Baimu: "?"
A cowboy lassoing horses?
In a setting like the Mist Forest, filled with small trails and giant trees, using a rope to lasso a horse... he could only say that this superpower user was exceptionally skilled, as he certainly wouldn't dare try it.
On the screen.
Thanks to Orbeetle's assistance, the Superpower User found the "lost" Sunshine Rainbow Little White Horse, which clearly hadn't expected the Superpower User to catch up, and it immediately turned to run.
But before it could run more than a few meters, a rope flew over under the direction of Spiritual Power and looped around its neck, with the Superpower User quickly leaping onto its back and clenching its neck forcefully.
What followed was a rather lengthy horse-taming sequence where the Galarian Rapidash tried to shake off the Superpower User from its back, but the Superpower User clung firmly to its neck, both sides competing in a battle of Spiritual Power.
The only one truly suffering was Orbeetle, whose flying speed couldn't match the galloping Galarian Rapidash, coupled with being unfamiliar with the terrain, often getting left far behind, having to desperately chase after like a little dog chasing a scooter.
Before long.
The scene returned to normal.
The Galarian Rapidash fell over sideways, panting heavily as if it was on the brink of collapse, whereas the superpower user was still full of energy, showing no signs of exhaustion.
[You have captured a Galarian Rapidash, increasing your collection of Psychic Attribute Pokémon]
Full party.
Baimu looked at the bottom row of six Pokémon in the simulator and the narrator also informed him that the Superpower User decided not to capture any more Pokémon, planning to use these six for the upcoming Gym challenges and the Champion Cup.
The Elite System is indeed impressive.
It's reasonable to say that, as of now, the Gym Battles in the Galar Region seem much harder than those in other regions, and the difficulty of the Champion Cup is expected to be even higher. No wonder a recommendation letter is needed to challenge the Gyms.
The Superpower User won't have an easy time facing the next four Gyms without following the Elite System.
The scene changes.
A town built amid giant trees, surrounded by multicolored luminous fungi, dreamy and illusory, appears before the Superpower User.
[You've arrived at Ballonlea Town, where the brilliant lights make you feel the place is shrouded in mystery; not daring to hesitate, you proceed directly to Ballonlea Arena]
The Ballonlea Gym Leader, Poplar, is the oldest among all Gym Leaders, known as the "Dream Theater," for her strategy that seems capable of predicting her opponent's moves. She has held a key position for seventy years.
In her younger days, she and former Champion Mustard were rivals, but Mustard has long since retired, while she remains in her position.
Perhaps in a few years, her successor Peter will finally take over.
Baimu mused as the Superpower User in the animation, wearing a pink T-shirt, began the battle with Poplar.
Huh?
Pink T-shirt?
He was momentarily puzzled, then the narrator timely piped up to explain that the Superpower User was playing a question-and-answer game with Poplar, who had cajoled him into wearing the pink T-shirt for the battle.
"The animation really has such a quirky sense of humor..." Baimu smirked, recalling that in the game, Poplar is an eccentric old lady who loves riddles, and even Peter, who originally dressed in purple, ended up as a pink young lad under her influence, much like Cai Ming.
Now, the Superpower User had also fallen prey to her wiles.
The battle commenced.
The first choices were Galarian Slowbro and Galarian Weezing.
As the official description stated, Poplar was particularly adept at anticipating moves and actions, making many of the Superpower User's strategies seem completely seen through.
Only when the Superpower User began directing Pokémon normally.
What does normally mean?
It means Pokémon skilled in Special Attack obediently attacking from a distance, Hypno obediently seeking opportunities for hypnosis, Slowking keeping its hat on, and Starmie not rushing in to entangle opponents.
With such a strategy, Poplar indeed couldn't get the upper hand on the Superpower User.
[You clearly understand that your opponent has studied your favored moves and tactics, overpowering you with battle experience gained over many years, reminding you of Elder Liu from the Johto Region, another experienced and perceptive powerful Trainer]
True to form, the Superpower User didn't save Gigantification as a trump card, and when the timing seemed right, catching Poplar off guard, they immediately Gigantified the Galarian Slowbro.
The latter unleashed three consecutive Gigantic Acid Poisons, taking down Poplar's Togekiss and Galarian Weezing with a swamp-like wave of Severe Poison, and with dramatically enhanced Special Attack, inflicted severe injuries on the recently Gigantamaxed Alcremie.
Even though it was eventually taken out by Alcremie's exclusive Gigantic Technique [Gigantamax Happiness and Fulfillment], it succeeded in securing significant achievements for the team, a vast improvement over the Gigantic Orbeetle initially Gigantified that was haphazardly pounded, marking the Superpower User's progress in Gigantification.
In the end.
Hypno, using its Strong Mental Will, launched a preemptive strike, not giving Gigantamax Alcremie the chance to use [Gigantamax Happiness and Fulfillment] to recover, taking it down in one go.
[You defeated the Ballonlea Gym Leader Poplar, earning the Ballonlea Badge]
Baimu shifted his position, feeling like Poplar's Pokémon were slightly less powerful than Bea's at the previous gym, but her wealth of experience lent her an illusion of greater strength...
Ballonlea isn't doing well.
It's probably related to Poplar's age; she's too old to train Pokémon effectively anymore.
The victorious Superpower User took the train back to Fistgate City, setting off towards Route 7 in the eastern part of the Galar Region.
His next goal was Spikemuth Town, planning to get there through Jiulu Tunnel, even though initially this was impassable in the game, requiring the defeat of Circhester Gym first.
But ever since the Superpower User conquered the fifth gym, his fame skyrocketed across the Galar Region, with even passersby recognizing him in the wild, claiming to be his fans.
Faced with fans, the Superpower User straightforwardly—used a Pokémon battle to thoroughly defeat them, in a friendly gesture.
[You watched them leave in tears, sporting a satisfied smile]
What a devil!
While Baimu commented, he pondered whether he should follow suit...actually no, most of his fans seemed to be fans of the Gorgeous Competition, and hardly anyone directly wanted to challenge him to a battle.
The scene sped up.
The Superpower User traversed the dim tunnel, reached Route 9, and stood atop a high slope to gaze ahead at Spikemuth Town, now close at hand.
[You look at the desolate Spikemuth Town below, feeling a bit incredulous, having grown accustomed to the various towns in the Galar Region representing rich culture or unique styles, seeing a place like Spikemuth for the first time]
Spikemuth's lack of Energy Points means it doesn't have the popular Gigantification battles, coupled with Gym Leader Nie Zi's disdain for Gigantification, resulting in a rather desolate town.
The Superpower User steps into Spikemuth Town, and the plainly dressed townsfolk made Baimu realize that, at this point in time, Mary hadn't debuted as a Trainer yet, so the townspeople hadn't transformed into Team Yell stirring trouble everywhere.
In the deepest part of town, the Superpower User found Nie Zi hosting a concert.
Without any background music, Nie Zi's passionate movements on stage looked especially silly to Baimu—although the high-definition version on the Switch looks even sillier, proving how awkward it is for Game Freak not to add voice actors for NPCs.
However, as a talented singer-songwriter, Nie Zi still had many fans, though, unfortunately, it didn't boost Spikemuth's economy.
Unlike other gyms, challenging Nie Zi doesn't require waiting three days for tickets; it can be done the same day.
The sixth Gym battle officially commenced.