Chapter 343
Qiao Ran patted her cheeks to cheer herself up.
After what just happened, Qiao Ran fully realized that this battle was completely different from ordinary Pokémon Hilbert. Although it resembled an "Battlefield," his opponent didn't care about any Rules.
In other words, similar situations are likely to occur again, and we may even need to be prepared to switch to other "Floating Island" to continue the fight.
"... In the end, will we still have to go back to Wild Battle?"
Qiao Ran smiled helplessly. He had indeed been fooled by the "Battlefield" format, thinking that the opponent's attack could not possibly hurt him, but that was just his own habitual way of thinking.
That mad bull with bloodshot eyes didn't care about any of that.
Tapu Bulu had struck out with the Wood Hammer, had also withdrawn its energy and floated up from the center of the spreading dust. The energy that had been wrapped around the bell gradually dissipated, and it soon returned to its original form.
Its gaze swept across the Battle Court and quickly spotted Qiao Ran and Ninetales, who were unharmed.
"Moo... Moo!!!"
However, the opponent's state enraged it once again, and it let out a series of frenzied Roar. Although the Ninetales Fox's appearance had changed considerably, the opponent's aura did not deceive it.
That is—that is the opponent it wants to defeat.
That Pokémon whose body contains that kind of aura...
"Ninetales!"
However, at this point, Qiao Ran and the Ninetales were no longer afraid of it.
"Aww--!"
With its snow-white fur fluttering, and with just a few light leaps, its agile body sprang out from the ruins created by Tapu Bulu.
Compared to the adorable Vulpix, the Ninetales's movements are noticeably lighter and more elegant.
Those graceful steps should be like dancing.
"I'm counting on you from now on!"
Having come this far, this Competition is even more crucial to avoid losing.
"... We need to go back together!"
"Ninetales!"
The evolved Ninetales is significantly stronger than when it was the Vulpix.
First and foremost, the Pokémon's base stats will be improved. Vulpix's original base stats were a very low 299, which is even worse than 300. It was significantly worse than Qiao Ran's other Pokémon, let alone compared to Legendary Pokémon like Yveltal or Dianxi.
After evolving, Ninetales' base stats increase to a respectable 505, which is quite good for a regular Pokémon. Furthermore, Ninetales' Speed stat reaches 105, allowing it to better utilize its speed advantage in battle.
Another point is the change in attributes. The original Vulpix only had the single attribute of "ice", but after evolving into the Ninetales, it gained the second attribute of "Fairy type". The bewitching and strange aura on its body is mostly related to this additional attribute.
"Fairy type" is not a weak attribute; on the contrary, it can further enhance Ninetales' resistance and attack range.
"Ninetales! Aurora Veil!"
"Awoo--"
Even after evolving, Ninetales is not a Sheer Force forces an attack and confronts its opponent Pokémon. Under Qiao Ran's command, Ninetales raised its neck high, and a seven-colored light curtain appeared from the sky, enveloping the "Floating Island" and adding a layer of fantasy to this dull and Torn World.
Aurora Veil is a powerful move that can reduce the damage of all physical and special moves to the opponent for several turns. However, this move can only be used in Hail weather, and only a limited number of Ice-type Pokémon can learn it.
"Moo!!!!"
Tapu Bulu's next attack, Horn Leech, was also completed at this moment. However, after passing through the curtain of colorful light, its attack was weakened considerably, and its originally fierce power became much Flaaffy.
"Now's the time! Blizzard!"
When dealing with Pokémon that have lost their minds, Ninetales, with its various disruptive abilities and ability to create numerous obstacles, might be the most suitable Pokémon.
At this moment, Qiao Ran's original "worries" about the Vulpix had completely disappeared. In its place was the thought that this time it was her... which was really great.
"Whoosh--!!"
A fierce Blizzard Spit Up from Ninetales' mouth, carrying biting cold air and icy blue snowflakes, splattering Tapu Bulu's face with it.
The Ninetales' Blizzard was several levels stronger than when it was Vulpix, and it even had a slight power to contend with Tapu Bulu.
"Here you go!"
The situation is increasingly turning in their favor.
As expected, Tapu Bulu isn't a particularly powerful Legendary Pokémon. If they continue attacking and wearing down their opponent like this, it's only a matter of time before Defeat them.
"Aww!"
Ninetales- Tailed Fox nodded slightly, glanced at Qiao Ran, and smiled with a hint of smugness.
Legendary Pokémon has lost its mind and is uncontrolled.
It's nothing special.
The battle situation is indeed developing in a direction favorable to Qiao Ran.
However, as the battle progressed, Tapu Bulu's Rage and venting of power became increasingly frenzied. As Grass-type Pokémon, it also had the ability to recover its stamina, and its brute Superpower directly caused Qiao Ran a lot of trouble.
"Click, click..."
Looking at the "Floating Island" in front of him, which had been completely destroyed and turned into fragments falling into the dark abyss, Qiao Ran felt a wave of fear.
Fortunately, at the last moment he didn't hesitate at all and rushed out like a bolt of lightning, arriving on a new "Floating Island." Otherwise, he would definitely have fallen down below and become food for some unknown creature by now.
As the Floating Island crashed, Ninetales and Tapu Bulu immediately changed their battlefield and arrived at the Floating Island where Qiao Ran was.
"Ninetales! Hail! Aurora Veil!"
Qiao Ran continued to give orders; the Hilbert was far from over.
In order for this battle to continue, ensuring the Ninetales' stamina is of paramount importance, and the protective capabilities provided by the Hail and the Aurora Veil are indispensable.
Of course, the Nine- Ninetales' ability is not only evident in one-on-one battles. Due to the extremely large coverage area of Aurora Veil, this skill is also a strategic weapon in team battles.
"Tapu Bulu! Tapu Bulu Tapu Bulu!!!!"
Tapu Bulu's face was covered in black soot, and its red eyes seemed to bulge out. It had exhausted all its strength, yet that ordinary Pokémon was still hopping around on the ground, and judging from its injuries, it seemed to be less badly hurt than Tapu Bulu...
Impossible...
This is impossible!!
"Ninetales, again to the upper right, be careful to dodge its attacks! Then take advantage of the Blizzard!"
In a fit of rage, Tapu Bulu unleashed another powerful Wood Hammer, but Qiao Ran and Ninetales were already prepared to deal with it. Based on Qiao Ran's observation of the Battle Court, Ninetales accurately grasped the direction of the opponent's attack, and Qiao Ran quickly moved towards the center of the Battle Court to prevent the "Floating Island" from collapsing after being severely damaged.
"Boom!!!!"
Clang!!!
The moment the giant bell touched the ground, the sound of the Floating Island collapsing and the resounding bell rang out simultaneously. The Ninetales had already Detect the opponent's movements, dodging while simultaneously unleashing a Blizzard upon it.
Although she would still be affected by the aftershocks of the opponent's energy, with the help of the Aurora Veil, these aftershocks would not pose any obstacle to her.
After completing this series of movements, she leaped lightly among the rubble and rushed to Qiao Ran's side. Qiao Ran, in perfect unison, also lightly Splash and landed on her back.
"Um!"
The next "Floating Island" is still some distance away, and it would be difficult for Qiao Ran to jump across on his own. However, with the help of the Ninetales, it might not be a problem.
Holding onto the Limber fur of the Ninetales, Qiao Ran glanced back at the sinking "Floating Island." On it, Tapu Bulu gradually recovered and stared intently at them with its bright red eyes.
It shows absolutely no sign of giving up...
When did the battle begin?
Qiao Ran had completely forgotten the answer to this question. In this world where space and time were incredibly chaotic, these questions had lost all meaning. The only thing Qiao Ran could do was to forge a path of "life" together with the Ninetales.
They still have places to return to, and people waiting for them; they cannot simply fall here.
"..."
After the Ninetales Fox carried him to another Floating Island, Qiao Ran immediately flipped over and landed on the ground.
After landing, he quickly left the vicinity of the Ninetales, found a safe spot, and began to observe the terrain of the Floating Island.
As a Trainer, he couldn't directly intervene in Pokémon battles. Rather than hindering her from the start, it was better to maintain a certain distance and choose a position with a better view to better control the battle.
This is what a Trainer should do.
Pokémon and their Trainer form a cohesive unit, with each person fulfilling their specific role. Without any one of these elements, the whole system would be incomplete.
And this battle will continue.
Even the Emissary of the Deity in Alola's legends can one day kill a god.
And then, who knows how much time later...
In this Torn World, the original
Many of the Floating Island that once Levitate in the air have now turned into dust and debris in space—traces left behind by fierce battles.
Qiao Ran knelt panting on one side of the "Floating Island," looking at one end of the battlefield.
Similar to him, Ninetales also collapsed to the ground, seemingly devoid of all strength. However, opposite her was an even more disheveled being, frozen within a block of blue ice.
It stared with a pair of Red eyes the size of copper bells, its two hooves still poised to attack, and the bell beneath it still swaying. But—at this moment, it had no strength left to resist and could only obediently be frozen by the ice, encased on the icy ground.
In the end, the victors were still Ninetales and Qiao Ran.
The so-called Legendary Pokémon are not invincible, a fact that both Qiao Ran and Ninetales are well aware of. Their opponents also possess physical bodies similar to theirs, and although they have mastered some special powers, these powers vary significantly in strength.
Although it had expended a lot of energy, the Ninetales' final attack was indeed a beautiful knockout, freezing the opponent in ice and completely immobilizing them.
Tapu Bulu is still quite a bit weaker than his Ninetales.
At least, I'll challenge them again after I've regained my senses.
"Ninetales..."
"Awoo!"
Despite being extremely exhausted, Ninetales managed to pull herself together and stagger over to Qiao Ran, tackling him to the ground.
"Alright, alright, you can't jump up like you used to now."
Qiao Ran looked at the Ninetales in front of her with a mix of amusement and exasperation. Unlike its previous petite size, which could be placed on her shoulder, the Ninetales was now about a meter tall, making it look like a large fox.
He couldn't withstand the pressure if it were pressed directly onto his shoulder.
"Hey... you."
Although that's what he said, Qiao Ran still hugged her and gently stroked the fur on her back. He could feel the joy in Ninetales's heart, as well as the deep sadness hidden within.
"Everyone evolves, and I like you the way you are now."
Humans cannot adapt to changes in their own bodies, and Pokémon are the same. The most important thing is that Vulpix does not have the same urgent Covet for strength and combat power as Silvally; she does not actually want to evolve.
However, she still made the same choice under those circumstances.
As Trainer, all Qiao Ran could do was try her best to comfort the other person and express her own thoughts.
While the Vulpix fox is cute, the Ninetales is pretty good too.
"And... thank you for saving me. Did you prepare the Ice Stone yourself?"
Qiao Ran continued to hold the other's slightly trembling body, accepting everything about her, until she too softly uttered a sound.
"... Um."
Although she was mostly insignificant in battles, she still had the idea of giving it her all. There were some things she might never need, but after seeing Qiao Ran in danger time and time again, she felt she needed to add an extra layer of insurance.
Every Pokémon in the Wild Area sacrificed a lot, and even the Trainer paid the price. She couldn't just enjoy the help and protection of others like before—after all, she was the first, Qiao Ran's first Pokémon.
"... Thanks a lot."
Qiao Ran held the Ninetales in his arms, and everything around them was changing.
The Floating Island beneath their feet began to sway, and the shattered fragments around them gradually began to come together again.
--It was as if the world was beginning to reorganize and time was beginning to flow backward. More and more amazing and wonderful scenes flashed before Qiao Ran and the Ninetales's eyes. The Tapu Bulu, which was originally frozen, gradually disappeared without a trace. What Qiao Ran saw was the vicissitudes of this land.
From ancient times to the gradual prosperity of the Alola Kingdom, from the appearance of the Tapu Island Guardian to save Alola, to the Altar being battered by wind and rain until it fell into ruin, all of this has been imprinted in the passage of time and engraved in the memory of this world.