Bottom-tier trainers in the Pokémon world

“Wrong…” Kona choked on her words.

Seeing that she looked stuck, Xia Yan stopped teasing her.

He chuckled and said, "That's... the Invisible Dragon. It's a 'dragon,' right?"

"Transformation... Transformation into a Hidden Dragon?!"

Du's eyes widened, his voice trembled, and even his cloak shook.

If it transforms into a hidden dragon, does that still count as a 'dragon'?

"Pfft-"

Kona was the first to burst out laughing, laughing heartily.

The others also realized that Xia Yan was just teasing Du.

"What kind of dragon is this?!"

Watari couldn't help but roar out loud.

"Just tell me, does your name contain the character 'dragon'?"

Xia Yan glared back.

Watari: "..."

You can't get through this, right?

"It's more like a 'dragon' than a rat-headed earthworm, isn't it?" Xia Yan muttered.

"Rat-headed earthworm?"

Kona blinked, recalling the image of this elf in her mind.

Have it?

Daigo, standing next to him, slapped his forehead and said speechlessly, "Xia Yan is talking about Excadrill, isn't he?"

"..."

Upon hearing this, everyone in the room was speechless.

“Hmm—” Cynthia said thoughtfully, “But you know what, if it’s a Kecleon with the ‘Alter’ ability, it would actually be quite a good fit.”

Cynthia's words, however, served as a wake-up call for everyone.

Upon closer reflection...

It seems that's true.

They all looked towards the ferry.

But then he saw Lance grit his teeth and throw out the Poké Ball.

"Charizard, bite him!"

"Roar--!!"

Charizard lunged at Xia Yan with a menacing look on its face.

Seeing that things were not going well, Xia Yan immediately fled.

This scene was no longer surprising to anyone.

Xia Yan and Du's relationship was built up amidst these playful bickering.

Sitting on the sofa, Gosho pushed up his glasses and looked at Cynthia. "Big Sister, have Wataru and Natsuhiko always had such a good relationship?"

Cynthia smiled, looked at Xia Yan who ran into the training room, and nodded slightly, saying, "You two get along very well, don't you?"

A-Liu also spoke up: "I heard that Master Xia Yan and Du have gone through several life-and-death experiences together, and their bond was built in those life-and-death situations."

Cynthia glanced at him, pursed her lips, and raised the corners of her mouth.

"Once they meet in the competition, you'll know what it means to have a good relationship."

"How do you compare to Big Sister and Xia Yan?" Da Ye couldn't help but ask.

As soon as those words were spoken...

Before Cynthia could speak, Gosho shifted his position, creating distance between himself and Daye, and gave her a look that said, "Good luck."

Ah Liu trembled slightly as well.

"I... I'm going to the restroom."

Cynthia looked at Big Leaf.

She grinned, revealing her pearly white teeth.

His smile was gentle.

He said softly, "Da Ye, I heard you're preparing to challenge the Four Heavenly Kings, with me as your target?"

Da Ye: "???"

Does he have one?

...

...

They made a fuss for a while.

Xia Yan locked himself in the training room once again.

"It's okay..."

Xia Yan held the somewhat listless Tokis and gently comforted him.

The little guy has fully recovered at the Pokémon Center, but he's still a bit traumatized.

This is the first time it has performed so "inadequately" when facing its opponent.

He was almost rendered unable to fight after being hit by a single "throw" from the Slave King.

The "black iron ball" hit it, and although it hurt physically, it was nothing compared to the pain in the little guy's heart.

Although Togekiss is mischievous and seemingly carefree, it doesn't have high demands for its own strength. It only hopes to keep up with Xia Yan's pace and the pace of Beedrill and the others.

However, the pressure exerted by Slaking during the battle with Senri, and the fact that Slaking almost "annihilated" it, still made Togekiss quite uncomfortable.

Beneath its seemingly playful nature lies a strong will.

only.

Things have been going too smoothly lately, which has caused some changes not only in Xia Yan's mindset but also in Pokkis's.

This time, the "throw" from the "Farewell King" completely woke the little guy up.

"Cha-cha-yi~~"

Tokiss gently rubbed its cheek, covered in soft white fur, against Xia Yan's palm.

She pouted, looking aggrieved.

Seeing it like this, Xia Yan felt a little sorry for it.

He sat on the ground and gently pulled Tokis into his arms.

Do you remember the first time we met?

"Cha-cha-yi~~"

Pokkis sticks out his little tongue.

The first time it encountered Xia Yan, it caused Xia Yan to get lost deep in the dark ruins.

However, that was the first time it left the dark environment, the first time it saw sunlight, and the first time it ate an incredibly delicious energy cube...

So many firsts were experienced after it met Xia Yan.

Seeing Tokiss becoming more talkative, a smile slowly appeared on Xia Yan's face.

"Do you remember the first time you participated in a competition?"

"Cha-ke-yi!!"

Pokkis nodded repeatedly, his eyes brightening considerably.

It was its first time participating in a competition, and it didn't know many moves, so it could only rely on skills like "passing gifts" and "finger waving" to trick its opponents.

But don't say it.

The effect is very good.

Its ability to "gesture" is even more exceptional.

However, as his strength increased and he learned more and more moves, he gradually had fewer and fewer opportunities to use these moves.

Now, its most proficient technique is the "air slash".

However, its recent opponents have been very strong, and its "air slash" effect seems to be getting less and less effective.

"Because at that time, Tokis was God's most beloved child."

Pokkis blinked.

"Is that alright?"

Isn't that the case now?

Has God abandoned it?

Xia Yan rubbed its head again, saying with a touch of emotion, "Because now even God knows that even it doesn't love Togekis as much as I do, it can't compete with me anymore. But it also knows that you're doing very well now and don't need its favor anymore."

“Just...okay…”

Pokkis sniffed.

A pair of big eyes blinked as she looked at Xia Yan.

It seems so.

She nestled her head against Xia Yan's chest again.

'Togekiss is Xia Yan's most beloved pet!'