After Hikaru exited the Ghost-type experts' group, he noticed the Psychic—actually, let's call it the "Doll Group"—chat had an influx of new messages! Once he finished reading, he fell into deep thought.
Future Sight really seems too overpowered!
They're discussing everything across group chats, each one claiming they won't abuse it, yet they're all spamming it enthusiastically!
This doesn't look good for Musubi. Sabrina has already stated she'll fight with full force, and she's probably borrowing extra Pokémon in secret!
"Sorry, Musubi. It looks like the result of this exam will come down to you and your Pokémon's bond! That's all I can do to help!"
Even if you can't win, at least go down with dignity!
You've got to defend the honor of us spiritual folks!
At the same time, Hikaru opened the Battle Company's software on his computer and decided to start his first match.
Since he'd just recommended a Perish Song team, he'd try it out himself in this virtual matchup!
"Items are somewhat limited, but I do have plenty of berries and some natural power boosters. Okay, let's go!"
"This is just a small test!"
In the virtual software, you can choose from a wide array of Pokémon generated according to data published by each region's Professor. Because the software was only released in recent years, some regions' Pokémon data hasn't been fully added yet, including Legendary and Mythical Pokémon.
"Gengar, Dewgong, Gothitelle, Scrafty, Amoonguss…"
…
In the Unova region, Lacunosa Town…
"What kind of messed-up team is this? Who battles like that?!"
"Stop it! You're not even a real Trainer! And you have the nerve to advertise your shop? The nerve!"
One player had run into a strange matchup on the simulator: an unending Perish Song + Shadow Tag lock. They were on the verge of ripping out their internet cable.
They'd been excited to log in for some casual daily battles, hoping for a fun, passionate match and more experience. Who knew they'd face such a bizarre opponent?
"What is up with this so-called 'intelligent' system? Who's actually winning here?!"
A clear-voiced young woman with a high ponytail clutched her head in frustration. She stared at her battle results screen with dismay—she'd desperately wanted to rage-quit. But due to her sense of sportsmanship, she ended up accepting defeat anyway.
"Losing is one thing, but yanking the cable is another! As a Trainer, I should at least own my failures!"
"Sigh… I'm calmer now after venting. I should keep trying. After all, running into a weirdo like that is a rare occurrence."
"But in fairness, this player is pretty skilled, even if their methods are sneaky!"
"Truly, there are Trainers of all kinds in the world, with all kinds of tactics. I'm definitely not ready to travel yet!"
"This battling software can teach me so much more before I set out."
The girl named Douzi decided she was still too green. When it comes to battles, you've got to win. Losing always hurts. To become stronger before heading out on her journey, she'd accumulate enough experience here.
Time to queue again!
…
Near Pallet Town in the Kanto region…
"…What is this team? Lorelei's Perish Song tactic? But it's totally different."
"Very interesting, indeed—just as you said…"
A girl wearing a sunhat watched the simulated battle on her software. Her Venusaur was on its last legs. If this were a real fight, she might have clutched a victory with the bond between her and her Pokémon. But this is a simulation, where cold data doesn't account for the Trainer-Pokémon bond or other special circumstances.
[One side has chosen to forfeit].
Leaf tapped "forfeit," ending the frustrating game. Even Lorelei's Dewgong-based Perish Song wasn't this annoying; at least that was somewhat straightforward—leading with Fake Out…
"'Check out the Workshop'… that phrase doesn't sound like a friendly plug—it's more like a post-battle taunt. Don't they worry people will track them down online to rage at them?"
"This guy is infuriating!"
A message popped up on Leaf's Pokégear from someone with the ID "Cilan."
"So, did you beat him?!"
"No, I surrendered."
"Huh?! But you're… Wait, you actually lost?"
"Well, the software is still just software. It can't replicate every nuance of a real fight. So I'm treating it as theoretical data. In a real match, I wouldn't go down so easily."
"Ugh, I got matched with that bizarre user too, and I was hoping you could avenge me!"
"They probably don't even know who you are…"
Facing her friend's complaints, Leaf could only sigh and offer some vague "maybe next time" responses. She then shifted the conversation to Cilan's business situation.
"Business is fine! But I've run into a weird rival group lately—like three people forming a knockoff team. Not only is their fakery better than mine, but their production speed is beyond reason…"
"And to top it off! I wanted to chill out by playing a match, only to lose to another 'shop owner!' So unlucky. Defeated by some small-timer's store!"
"Oh, by the way, Leaf! Since I can't reach Red, how about taking these unsold goods for me…"
"I refuse!"
Leaf typed her merciless reply.
Immediately, Cilan responded with a crying emoji (;︵;`).
Warm hands, cold words…
"Alright then… if neither of you will help, I do have another idea!"
"The moment I followed that Workshop, I was thinking: maybe I can just copy their items and sell them myself. Specialized battle gear is such a draw!"
"But the problem is, even though it looks like a small, obscure shop, the items' descriptions are so bizarre that I'm unsure. If they really do what they claim, I might not dare to counterfeit them… maybe I'd just market them as novelty merch. Like, 'Focus Sash–the spin-off version!'"
"That's… I'm not sure I get it. Anyway, I'll buy some and test them out myself…"
"Right, that gear sounds crazy, doesn't it? A Focus Sash that keeps a Pokémon standing even when hit with a finishing blow? That's practically cheating!"
Cilan was still ranting somewhere. Then Leaf noticed a familiar, cocky figure strolling down the road into Pallet Town.
Green!
"Oh, so you're finally back, Leaf. I've been waiting all day. Let's battle right now—you're going down this time!"
A battle… Leaf raised an eyebrow.
They'd called her back for some secret test, so she'd hurried home, and it wasn't too far from Pallet Town. Now Green's Pokémon… a Rhydon…
Wait—that belt Rhydon's wearing…!
Leaf: "Is that a Focus Sash?"
So that's his plan—to blindside me with a fancy item, huh? Great!
Let's see if that magical gear actually works. I'll find out myself!
(End of Chapter)
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