Chapter 41 Litten Overtaking on a Curve The Growlithe of the Lazuli region is a descendant of the "Island King," one of the ten Pokémon blessed by Arceus, and inhabits the vicinity of Blizzard Island.
Such a Pokémon, holding special significance in the Pokémon world, naturally has its bloodline continuing to this day.
When the ancient Sinnoh people left, they took some of them to other regions, and upon returning to Lazuli, they built the "Lava Battlefield" on the then-Azure Coast (roughly in the present-day Mt. Harsh region), where they were beloved by Team Pearl.
As a knowledgeable Pokémon expert, Mew's information confirmed Link's guess, but also brought unexpected news.
"The Tree of Beginning and Farnsworth?"
Isn't that the place that appeared in the Aura and Wish Star movie?
"Yes, one is in the Kanto region, and the other is in the Hoenn region, but neither is very welcoming to outsiders… I mean, humans."
This made Link wonder if Mew was the same Mew from the Aura and Wish Star movie.
Perhaps sensing his thoughts, Mew performed a backflip in mid-air using his psychic powers: "I don't live in either of those places, so I can't offer you any assistance."
Anyone who can reach the Dream Realm is trustworthy, and introducing Link to the Pokémon needed for his team isn't out of the question.
However, Mew himself lives alone on a small island in the south, with little influence over the outside world, and can't offer any substantial help.
But having received this level of guidance, Link no longer needs any further help. He decides to book a boat ticket to Mt. Harsh in the Sinnoh region as soon as he wakes up to find his long-awaited companions.
After finishing the last meal provided by the café, the reassembled "Scizor Ultimate Team," led by him, once again arrived at the site of the Dream Sky Battle.
Accompanied by the familiar opening lines of a mysterious voice, Scizor's desperate battle begins once again.
After repeated wipeouts, the assault team has figured out some of Scizor's tactics.
When Pokémon gather, it will use "Agility" followed by "Double Tap" and "Aerial Ace" to create chaos and then eliminate them one by one.
When faced with a potentially damaging group attack, it will use a large number of "Rock Tomb" to shield itself, then unleash "Tailwind," "Swords Dance," and "Rock Slide" from within.
When restricted and unable to move, it will unleash a barrage of incredibly powerful "Stealth Rocks."
After taking some damage, it will become enraged, unleashing a "Sandstorm" that eclipses the sky and can wipe out the entire team in a short time with just the grazed sand, making its elusive form completely impossible to spot.
When near death, it will "Endure" any damage and then "Return the favor," retreating to a distance at the last moment and using its last energy to unleash a "Hyper Beam" that resembles a curry stick, triggering a nuclear-level explosion that destroys everyone.
Powerful, absurd, with an unlimited number of moves, invincible—even "Shadow Tag," "Perish Song," and "Destiny Bond" were ineffective.
Due to the vast level difference, almost any variation of moves was useless against it; they could only rely on basic damage-dealing moves to slowly chip away at its health.
So far, the raid team's greatest damage inflicted on it was only by seizing three opportunities when it was off guard and prematurely detonating "Stealth Rock," using Scizor's own moves against itself.
The entire night was filled with relentless team wipes, driving both humans and Pokémon to the brink of madness.
If Link's mental strength hadn't grown so rapidly, they probably would have been wiped out halfway through the night…
"How are we supposed to fight this?"
Link began to doubt his own abilities. Was this truly an enemy they could defeat at this stage?
However, with each wipe, he also noticed a subtle increase in the strength and combat experience of his Pokémon, including his two little ones.
This enhancement was a transformation of spirit, will, and experience; while it couldn't affect their physical bodies, perhaps it could have a gradual, subtle influence?
This made Link, who had originally planned to stop everyone and discuss a sacrifice-based, suicidal approach to skipping class in order to ensure victory, hesitate.
Should he choose the spiritual transformation or the simple victory (but with the rewards like experience points and candy)?
"Alright, let's stop here for today. If we keep dying, everyone's getting numb. Let's go back to the cafe and rest."
After their tenth wipeout of the night, noticing the Pokémon's growing fatigue, he stopped these still somewhat eager fighters.
Did they each have their own reasons for needing to become stronger in reality?
Perhaps for their species, perhaps for their trainers, perhaps for some other goal…
Link wasn't sure, but a balance of work and rest was necessary.
Without humans, the Dream Sky Battle couldn't be activated, and the Pokémon could only drag their weary bodies back to the cafe on the main island.
"Welcome back. Looks like you've suffered another crushing defeat."
Mu chuckled, looking at the Pokémon, and had Snorlax bring over a whole cart of snacks: "There were only 50 stages there to begin with; it's not something you can finish in a day or two. Being impatient won't help."
Even so, the constant deaths were disheartening for both the Pokémon and the Pokémon.
Link gazed at the Eevee flower on his latte, trying to soothe his soul.
He only had a little time left to stay here.
Suddenly, the Incineroar, who had participated in the assault for two consecutive days, appeared at his desk.
"You're already exhausted after only half an hour? You really need to train more. I heard a normal human can stay here for an hour."
"I'll try my best, I'm already training."
Link could only smile wryly; he and those superhumans weren't even species different.
He then looked at the Incineroar, unsure of its purpose.
"I heard from Fennekin yesterday that your ideal team also includes Incineroar?" The latter patted his shoulder, "and you even designed a lot of tactics specifically for us, very insightful!"
Hearing this, Link turned to Fennekin in surprise.
It had a "Praise me!" "Praise me!" "Praise me!" expression on its face.
He gave it a thumbs up under the table; he hadn't expected his own Pokémon to think of him even while sleeping—it was truly touching.
"Don't get too excited yet. I have my own trainer too."
Incineroar clearly had no intention of joining the other's team himself. "But I can recommend my junior to you, and you must guarantee that Litten will also participate in the Dream Realm Battles and become at least as strong as me."
"You can rest assured. My goal is to surpass the Champion's Battle Legend. As long as the Pokémon are willing, I will help them reach the limits I can achieve."
Pokémon are quite perceptive and can discern whether a human's words contain lies.
After understanding Link's true intentions, Incineroar felt much relieved and immediately asked him to come to the Dream Realm at the same time tomorrow to take away one of its Litten members who longed to leave Alola and see a wider world.
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(End of Chapter)