Pokémon: I picked up a reborn Eevee at the start of the game

As expected, this healing aura successfully won over Zeraora.

Unfortunately, it's against Gardevoir.

Seeing Zeraora ignore him and look at Gardevoir with gratitude, Xia Chen's face stiffened.

Hey, is there some mistake here?

This is not the same as the script I wrote!

It's okay, this is only part of the plan, I have other tricks up my sleeve!

…………

Putting aside his dejected mood, Xia Chen looked at Zeraora and smiled, "Didn't you have enough fun just now?"

Zeraora did not respond, remaining noncommittal.

Xia Chen continued to tempt him, "If you can fight against opponents of the same or even greater strength than yourself, you'll definitely see a significant improvement in your abilities."

This time there was a response.

The silver-white electric cat glanced at Xia Chen with its sharp eyes and sneered, "Oh my god—(I know this without you telling me!)"

Playing chess with a terrible player will only make you worse.

Although there is no similar proverb in the wild Pokémon world, the principle is the same, and Zeraora certainly understands it.

But the old dragon is already the strongest Pokémon on this mountain besides itself, having grown stronger through sparring with powerful enemies...

Is it that I don't want to?

Zeraora glared at Xia Chen, finding this human truly annoying.

Xia Chen ignored Zeraora's gaze and said, "How about you try sparring with my Pokémon? You should be able to sense that they're not much weaker than you, right?"

Zeraora is considered "Super Champion level," a level of strength that Mega Sylveon and Mega Gardevoir can already handle.

For the latter, this is also an excellent opponent at this stage.

They're a bit stronger than me, but not invincible.

Zeraora was silent for a moment, then said, "Oru... (We'll see...)"

Xia Chen shrugged and didn't bring it up again.

Given their current relationship and Zeraora's wariness, this response is more than enough.

Since she wasn't going to leave Alola anytime soon, Sylveon was anxious.

First, help Zeraora resolve the misunderstanding between the residents of Wind City, then come to the mountaintop to harass it whenever you have the chance.

Xia Chen believed that one day he would be able to win over this dream cat!

"By the way, how do you usually store electricity? I remember your race doesn't have generators, right?"

Although this Pokémon appeared late, Xia Chen still had some knowledge of Zeraora.

Unlike other Electric-type Pokémon, it cannot generate electricity through any of its own organs. Instead, it absorbs external electrical energy, stores it in its body, and releases it when needed.

Jeraora was quite surprised and looked at Xia Chen with a puzzled expression, "Aurora? (How did you know about this?)"

This is a secret of the Zeraora clan, could it be...?

Have you encountered someone like me before?

The electric cat asked excitedly, its ears perking up involuntarily.

As phantom spirits, the Zeraora race is extremely rare.

At least this electric cat has never encountered another Pokémon like itself, except for its mother.

Xia Chen smiled mysteriously, "That's a secret. I can only say that you are the first Zeraora I've ever met. Anyway... I know you better than you think."

The second key point is to maintain your mystique.

Cat-like Pokémon are curious creatures; you need to guide them to understand you. This is true for amateur-level Litten, and even for super champion-level Zeraora.

Although Zeraora didn't say anything on the surface, it was clear from his eyes that he had already been initially attracted by this mysterious statement.

Xia Chen smiled inwardly.

Plans are in place!

…………

"So how do you usually store electrical energy?"

Xia Chen pressed on with the question that had just been left unanswered.

Zeraora didn't hide anything and replied, "Ora—(Thunderstorms are frequent in Alola, so I usually store up enough energy during those times.)"

Xia Chen nodded silently.

As expected, natural lightning not only has abundant energy, but also has the effect of tempering the body.

Imagine the scene: Zeraora stands atop a mountain peak, with dark, ominous clouds overhead, from which rolling lightning crashes down and strikes its body.

A dazzling electric light covered his body, and his silvery-white hair stood on end like needles.

One word: Cool!

But being handsome comes at a price.

"What if there hasn't been thunder for a long time?"

Xia Chen's question dealt a heavy blow to Zeraora. It remained silent for a long while before replying, "Aurora... (Then we'll wait...)"

"That's too inefficient. You could at least check the weather forecast and go out on your own."

Xia Chen said.

Zeraora frowned. "Oru? (What's the weather forecast?)"

Xia Chen waved his hand. "Never mind that. Let me tell you, I have a friend who's even stronger than you. He's full of energy and all he does is generate electricity. How about it? You two are a perfect match, right?"

The friend he was referring to was Zapdos, who spent his days eating and sleeping on Spirit Island with nothing to do.

Although Xia Chen assigned him the task of supplying electricity to the island, that didn't consume much of his energy.

It may be an insult to a bird, but that creature is still a genuine legendary elf.

It would be perfect to let it use its excess energy to refine Zeraora.

Zeraora remained silent, but judging from Xia Chen's micro-expressions, it was definitely tempted.

For a lightning-fast elf like Zeraora, the desire to become stronger is ingrained in its genes.

Now that the opportunity is right in front of it, it has to consider whether this is a once-in-a-lifetime chance.

Ultimately, it gave an ambiguous answer—we'll see.

Xia Chen shrugged and didn't try to persuade her any further. Zeraora had her own ideas; she just needed to explain the pros and cons herself, and it would make the rest of the judgment.

But as each factor was gradually added, Zeraora's balance began to tilt.

After knowing each other for only one day, Xia Chen planted a tiny seed called "craving" in its heart.

…………

Dinner was again a picnic at the top of Fenglin Volcano.

Xia Chen generously invited Jeraora and the old dragon to enjoy the delicacies of human society.

This was also an important stage for Xia Chen to showcase himself in front of Zeraora, and he was very well prepared.

I made dishes with all sorts of flavors—sweet, sour, salty, and spicy—in order to figure out what Zeraora likes.

Although this reserved fellow tried its best to hide its emotions while tasting the food, Xia Chen still managed to deduce its preferences from the frequency with which it picked up food.

Contrary to his handsome and cool appearance, this guy is a sweet tooth.

Xia Chen chuckled. Isn't this a direct way to control the situation?

Tomorrow I'll go back to Olympia and make some traditional Donghuang pastries. I'll bring them over and win over Zeraora's heart!

After dinner, night fell quickly.

Xia Chen stayed behind under the pretext of going to catch the mischievous Thunderball together later, but in reality, its time of committing the crime might not necessarily be tonight.

If he doesn't come, Xia Chen will stay on the mountain and continue his conquest of Zeraora.

Actually, Xia Chen hoped that the mischievous Thunderball would make its move later, so that he could have more time to linger on the mountain.

Unfortunately, that very night, a conspicuous flame appeared in the city at the foot of the mountain.

Zeraora has excellent eyesight; it was the first to spot the firelight.

Before it could even tell Xia Chen, it prepared to rush down the mountain.

Xia Chen quickly stopped him, "Didn't we agree to go later? Why are you in such a hurry?"

Zeraora's eyes were resolute. "Oro—(I'm afraid the fire will harm the people and elves there.)"

It hadn't considered this when it accepted Xia Chen's suggestion, and only now did it suddenly realize it.

Xia Chen slapped his forehead, realizing he had forgotten about this.

He said helplessly, "Fine, let's go down first and catch the naughty thunderbolt."

Jeraora's heart stirred slightly, and her gaze towards Xia Chen softened.

A wicked smile suddenly appeared on its lips, and then it swept Xia Chen into its arms.

Commonly known as a princess carry.

Because it is a dominant Pokémon, Zeraora is nearly two meters tall, and Xia Chen felt somewhat petite and dependent in its arms.

"Hey, what are you doing?"

Xia Chen exclaimed in surprise.

This isn't the kind of sticker I want!

"Oru—(Don't shout, this is the fastest way.)"

Jeraora's voice rarely carried a hint of laughter, as if teasing Xia Chen gave it a great sense of accomplishment.

Xia Chen retorted, "How could that be? Don't you know the saying 'There are always people better than you, and mountains beyond mountains'? Gu Leton, come save me!"