Pokémon: I have no choice but to do this old thing?

Chapter 111 My legal partner, how can he be called fried fish?

The following morning, at the Great Wetland Arena.

The sunlight dispelled the morning mist, illuminating the venue. After two days of exciting matches, the audience's enthusiasm was at an all-time high, the stands were packed, and the noise was like a tidal wave.

Master Yoshihiro's signature booming voice resounded throughout the arena through the loudspeakers: "Trainers! Ladies and gentlemen! After the tests of strength and speed, today we will face the final round of this year's All-Around Competition—the skills test!"

The rules for this round were displayed on the big screen:

High-altitude circular racing

Trainers will ascend into the air in a hot air balloon, commanding a Flying-type Pokémon partner.

The competition consists of two parts: speed flying and hanging in a ring.

Pokémon must compete for a special ring, fly to the finish line tower as quickly as possible, and accurately hang the ring in the designated position.

Pokémon are allowed to use moves to interfere with each other during flight and compete for the rings!

"Ooh ooh ooh—!"

The rules, which allowed for confrontation, immediately ignited the atmosphere, with the audience excitedly discussing and anticipating a fierce aerial battle.

The trainers began their final preparations, releasing their chosen Flying-type partners.

For a moment, the edge of the venue was filled with the sound of flapping wings and various bird calls.

Mookie, Bobo, Aoguyan, Gugu ———

Looking around, most of them are common, early-stage or first-stage home bird Pokémon.

Zhang Jianying stood beside his hot air balloon basket, looking around at the adorable birds chirping all around, and then touched the Poké Ball containing Salamence at his waist.

The Poké Ball swayed gently, as if it were eager to try.

He scanned the surrounding birds with their adorable, blank stares.

Hmm—using Salamence shouldn't be considered cheating, right?

After all, the rules only say "Flying-type Pokémon" and don't restrict the type. How can you call a legitimate partner that you raise yourself by your own ability "Flying-type"?

Zhang Jianying convinced herself, and a self-righteous expression appeared on her face.

"On your marks—!"

The referee's whistle rang out.

Dozens of hot air balloons began inflating simultaneously, their enormous bladders slowly rising and lifting their baskets off the ground. The trainers gripped the railings, a mixture of tension and anticipation in their eyes.

Zhang Jianying's hot air balloon ascended smoothly. The wind at high altitude fluttered the hem of his clothes, and his view became incredibly expansive. The vast wetlands below resembled a huge green carpet inlaid with blue water.

"preparation--!"

All the trainers gripped their Poké Balls tightly, their eyes fixed on the ring floating in the air, shimmering with a metallic sheen, and the slender tower on the distant horizon that served as the finish line.

"Bang!"

The signal flare blared through the sky!

"Now!"

"Let's go!"

"Charge!"

Amidst the shouts of the trainers, various colored lights shone from beside the hot air balloon!

Zhang Jianying threw out a Poké Ball: "Salamander, it's up to you now!"

"roar-!!!"

A dragon's roar, deeper and more oppressive than any bird's song, echoed through the sky!

As the red light faded, the enormous body of the Salamander, covered in hard blue scales and with outstretched blood-red wings, appeared beside the hot air balloon.

It hovered there quietly, the airflow generated by its flapping wings several times stronger than that of other small Pokémon.

When Salamence saw the circle of tiny birds fluttering their small wings around it, each only a fraction of its size, it gave a wicked smile.

Intimidate ability activated!

The invisible aura spread out like a tangible wave!

"Chirp?!!"

"Gurgle—!!"

In an instant, at least seven or eight M'Kel, Pidgey, and Tallestow were struck as if by an invisible hammer, their feathers bristling and they let out panicked screams. Their flight paths became erratic, and two of them almost crashed!

Their trainers were startled and quickly called out to calm them down.

Other Flying-type Pokémon that weren't directly targeted were also affected, their speed noticeably slowed down, and they stared in horror at the blue dragon hovering in the air.

The audience erupted in uproar.

"Why do the scales of this Salamence have a slightly different pattern?"

"What kind of competition is this?! This is just like frying fish!"

Even the host, Master Ji Xian, was taken aback for a moment, then stroked his chin and burst into laughter: "Wow! Interesting! Looks like we've got a remarkable guy in this competition!"

Feeling the resentful gazes directed at him from all directions, Zhang Jianying's lips twitched. He leaned out and slapped the tip of the excitedly wagging tail of the Flying Dragon, laughing and scolding, "Stop fooling around, hurry up and grab the ring, or we'll all be laughing our heads off!"

"Roar!"

Salamence restrained some of its aura, but its "arrogant" arrogance remained undiminished.

Its gaze was fixed on the most intense battleground ahead.

There, two Pokémon were locked in a fierce battle, vying for the ring.

Ash's Staraptor has sharp eyes and swift movements.

Shinji's crow leader, cunning and agile, tries to snatch the ring.

The two Pokémon were significantly stronger than the newbies around them, and they also had considerable resistance to Salamence's Intimidate. They were currently locked in a fierce battle, with the ring changing hands between them.

"Wyvern," Zhang Jianying commanded, "[Tailwind]."

The Salamence let out a low roar, and bluish-white air currents swirled around its blood-red wings, greatly increasing its speed.

The next moment, its massive body transformed into a blue and red afterimage, hurtling towards the location where the Mk Eagle and the Raven leader were engaged in fierce combat, the sound of it tearing through the air sharp and piercing.

Shinji had been observing the entire arena and noticed it almost the instant Salamence activated. He decisively ordered a retreat: "Chief Crow, abandon the Rings, retreat!"

Without hesitation, the crow leader released the ring, nimbly sidestepped, and narrowly avoided the path of the Salamence's charge, a hint of fear flashing in its eyes.

However, Ash's reaction was completely different.

When he saw the Salamence charging towards him, he was not panicked at all. Instead, his eyes suddenly ignited with an even more intense flame of fighting spirit! It was the pure excitement of encountering a powerful enemy!

"Perfect timing!"

Ash put his hat on backwards and slapped his cheeks hard, as if to sweep away all distracting thoughts, leaving only the most primal fighting spirit.

He leaned half his body out of the basket, facing his Starhawk, and shouted with all his might, "Starhawk! Don't be afraid of it! I believe in you!"

"[Brave Bird Attack] Smash it! Snatch the ring! Let's charge—!!!"

"Pikachu! Pikachu!!"

The yellow electric mouse also stood on the railing, its little paws clenched into fists, its cheeks flashing with electricity, cheering for its companion with all its might!

"Eh-!!!"

The Munk Eagle let out a long cry that resounded through the sky!

The trainer's unwavering trust and burning fighting spirit are like the most powerful fuel injected into its body!

The last trace of wariness towards Salamence vanished from its eyes, replaced by an unwavering determination and an equally burning fighting spirit!

The Mk Eagle caught the falling ring in its beak, flapped its wings, and its body rose vertically like a rocket.

A sky-blue energy suddenly surged from its body, instantly enveloping its entire body like flames.

[Brave Birds Attack!]

At the same time, Staraptor also activated its Intimidate ability to its fullest extent.

Although not as domineering as Salamence's Intimidate, it carries an indomitable momentum, charging fiercely back at Salamence!

"Roar?!"

Salamence's crimson pupils suddenly contracted, but instead of being angry, they burst forth with even more excited light!

Although Staraptor's abilities were slightly diminished due to its Intimidate ability, a head-on collision? When has Salamence ever been afraid, especially against such a spirited Pokémon!

"Salamander!" Zhang Jianying's voice rang out with excitement. "[Charge!] Charge, damn it!"

"roar-!!!"

Salamence roared excitedly, mobilizing the remaining energy of its "Flying Skin" and mixing it with the innate strength of Dragon-type Pokémon, causing its body to burst with dazzling white light!

It neither dodged nor avoided, but instead accelerated and crashed into the giant blue firebird, the Star Eagle!

"It's here!!"

Host Ji Xian's excited, almost hoarse voice echoed throughout the venue, "An amazing head-on collision! Ash's Staraptor, facing the powerful Salamence, actually chose the most direct confrontation! Zhang Jianying's Salamence is equally resilient! This is the ultimate battle of strength and will!"

On the big screen, close-up shots were fixed on the two figures in the air that were about to meet, each shining with a different light!

One is like a blue meteor, carrying an indomitable momentum!

One is like a white comet, carrying an overbearing power!

All the audience members held their breath and stared wide-eyed.

"boom!!!!!"

A deafening roar exploded high in the sky!

The blue and white energies clashed violently, forming a visible circular shockwave that spread outwards, causing nearby hot air balloons to shake violently!

Stalemate!

Although brief, it truly existed!

Salamence stared intently into the eyes of Staraptor, which burned with an indomitable flame, its crimson pupils conveying an unwavering and resolute will.

The long-lost pain came from the point of impact, but instead of making the Salamence back down, it completely ignited the fighting spirit and madness in its bones.

"Roar—Awooo!!!"

The Salamence roared excitedly, its blood-red wings flapped violently once more, and the power within its body surged forth a second time like a volcanic eruption.

The solid physical qualities that were built up in childhood are now on full display!

The white comet's light suddenly intensified, instantly overshadowing the blue meteor.

The Starhawk's Brave Bird Attack was decisively defeated!

It let out a muffled groan, the ring in its mouth came off, and its body was thrown backward like a kite with a broken string. It spun uncontrollably in the air and fell a long distance before barely regaining its footing. However, it was clearly exhausted and its feathers were disheveled.

"Starhawk!"

Xiao Zhi cried out in distress, but his eyes remained firm, "Are you alright? Can you still manage?!"

"Hey!!"

Starhawk shook its slightly dizzy head, refocused its eyes, looked at the Salamence that had turned around and was preparing to catch the ring, nodded vigorously, let out a long cry, and flapped its wings again!

It didn't give up!

Salamence was overjoyed to have defeated Staraptor. It felt like the last time it had such a satisfying collision was when it fought its friend Evilland in Padia.

It let out a triumphant growl and was about to catch the falling ring.

However, a dark shadow, like a venomous snake that had been lying in wait, silently crept over and precisely connected with the shadow of the Salamence cast on the clouds.

[Black Eyes]!

The Salamence froze, as if its wings were being held back by invisible chains.

It turned its head and looked in the direction from which the shadow was coming.

Shinji's raven leader was hiding behind a cloud of mist, its eyes gleaming coldly.

The Salamence blinked its large, scarlet eyes, paused for a moment, and then grinned.

This skill—he's mastered it!

My unscrupulous second brother, Gengar, often uses this trick to suddenly freeze it, then jumps out and makes funny faces to scare it, or steals its treats!

At first it would get infected, but later—

The Salamence rolled its eyes, perfectly displaying an expression of frustration, struggle, and helplessness. Its wings flapped with great effort, as if it were truly locked in place by the [black gaze].

Zhang Jianying, who was in the hanging basket, could see it clearly and almost burst out laughing.

He deliberately shouted in an anxious tone, "Salamander! Break free! The ring is about to fall!"

Meanwhile, he muttered to himself, "Yeah, make it more convincing. What kind of racing competition is this? As long as we knock all the opponents unconscious, we'll be number one, right? Almost there, almost there, the fish is about to bite—"

The Salamence blinked its big eyes and continued to struggle in "pain," even letting out a "helpless" growl.

Seeing that the Black Gaze had taken effect, the Raven leader realized that the Salamence seemed to be under control, and the ring was falling below—the timing was perfect!

Its eyes lit up, and it rushed out from behind the clouds, its target the ring falling from the edge of the flying dragon's claw!

Shinji kept his eyes glued to the battlefield. When he saw Salamence's overly "exaggerated" struggle and Zhang Jianying's amused expression, his heart skipped a beat!

Something is wrong!

"Stop! Crow Leader! It's a trap!" Shinji shouted.

But it was too late!

Just as the crow's claws were about to touch the ring, all the pain and struggle on the Salamence's face vanished instantly, replaced by the hunter's "sneer" as he pulled in the net!

"Roar!"

Zhang Jianying's voice rang out simultaneously: "Now! Salamence, [Dragon Claw]!"

The figure of the Salamence, locked by the [Black Gaze], suddenly blurred for a moment, as the restraints were practically useless to it.

Its thick right forepaw was already brimming with ferocious dragon-type energy. With a piercing shriek that tore through the air, it slammed into the face of the crow leader who had come so close!

"Gah—!!!"

The crow leader let out a miserable howl, its vision blurred from the blow, its body tumbling several times in the air before plummeting downwards in a daze.

Shinji looked helpless and quickly recalled it with a Poké Ball.

Obstacles, clear them away.

Salamence let out a triumphant growl, easily catching the falling ring with its claws. It leisurely flapped its blood wings and smiled at the Starhawk that was chasing after it.

Then, under the watchful eyes of several people, some in amazement and others in helplessness, it slowly flew towards the finish line tower and steadily hung the ring on the hook at the highest point.

"Match over!!!"

Gym Leader Yoshihiro's voice rang out again, "The winner of the skill competition is—Zhang Jianying and his Salamence! Furthermore, based on the combined scores of all three rounds, Zhang Jianying has also won the championship of this year's Pokémon All-Around Competition! Congratulations!!!"

Thunderous applause and cheers erupted. Although some trainers shook their heads with wry smiles as they watched their birds, who were quite frightened by "Intimidate," their respect for the strong trainer was genuine.

The awards ceremony was brief but enthusiastic. Zhang Jianying received the trophy, symbolizing the champion, from Ji Xian, while Bao Feilong stood tall and proud, receiving all the attention.

After the ceremony, Yoshinobu did not immediately announce the disbandment, but instead whispered a few words to Lee, the gym leader of Veilgate City.

Then, Yoshinobu stepped forward and quelled the noise with his booming voice: "Distinguished trainers, this competition has come to a successful conclusion, but Nohara City and Veiled City would like to bring you an extra surprise!"

He patted Coach Li on the shoulder: "After discussing it with Coach Li, we've decided that tomorrow, we'll hold a special doubles match on this very court!"

"We will form doubles teams to meet the challenges from all trainers! Feel free to form teams of two and challenge us in doubles battles!"

"We will evaluate your performance based on your overall performance in battles. Those who excel will have the opportunity to receive both the Swamp Badge for the Wilderness Gym and the Pavement Badge for the Veiled Gym!"

"Interested trainers, today is a good time to find teammates and recharge. We'll be here tomorrow morning at 9 AM, looking forward to your challenge!"

"Now, everyone is free to move around, enjoy the scenery of the wetlands, and interact with the wild Pokémon!"

"Ohhhhhh!!!"

An even louder cheer erupted! The chance to obtain two badges at the same time! This was undoubtedly a huge temptation for many trainers who were collecting badges, especially since the Sinnoh League Tournament was just around the corner.

The crowd began to discuss excitedly, searching for potential teammates.

Zhang Jianying held the trophy, listened to the rules, and stroked his chin, considering for a moment.

Doubles match?

Should we try to lure Pikachu into this and let Ash carry us for a bit?

His gaze involuntarily drifted to a spot not far away.

Ash was spraying medicine on Staraptor while excitedly telling Brock and Dawn about the thrilling aerial collision they had just experienced. His face showed no sign of defeat, only excitement and fighting spirit.

Should we go ask them?