Defeat and New Friends

The next match would determine tonight's champion. A large crowd had come to watch, even the captain of the Wavebreaker.

Although there had been spectators before, having so many eyes fixed on him made Zeno, who was facing such a scene for the first time, a little nervous.

"Next up, Lin Yan versus Zeno! Let's wait and see!"

"Haha, thanks to you for taking care of that guy for me. Otherwise, I wouldn't have known what to do." Lin Yan looked at Zeno with a smile.

Zeno thought he was making fun of him and ignored him. Lin Yan realized he had misunderstood, but just as he was about to explain, the referee was already urging them on.

"Treecko, the opponent is strong. Don't let your guard down!"

Hearing his trainer's words, the proud Treecko became serious as well and no longer underestimated the opponent before him.

"Carvanha, Poison Fang."

"Treecko, use Quick Attack to build speed and dodge its attack."

Lin Yan gave the command with a smile. He had learned this move from Zeno's earlier battles. Before this, he had not known priority moves could be used that way.

"If that's the case, then use Aqua Jet."

Zeno realized this opponent was difficult to handle and could only try to blunt his momentum by striking first.

"Not a bad idea, but unfortunately, it won't work! Treecko, Quick Guard."

Carvanha rammed straight into it and was knocked back by Treecko's barrier. Lin Yan seized the opening and immediately counterattacked.

"Treecko, now! Leafage!"

Though the leaves looked rather fragile, they dealt considerable damage when they struck Carvanha.

"Carvanha, are you okay?!"

Seeing the wounds on its body, Zeno grew worried.

"Carvanha!"

"Okay, I understand. Aqua Jet isn't having much effect. Use Poison Fang again."

"So fast. This Carvanha is a little different!"

Although he had watched from outside the arena before, only when he faced it himself did he realize just how fast it was.

"Treecko, Scratch. Use your tail to hold its head back."

Lin Yan reacted quickly. Treecko used Scratch to throw Carvanha's attack slightly off course, but its tail was still grazed by the poisonous fangs.

Although it had not been hit head-on, the move still dealt Treecko significant damage. Its forehead also turned purple as it fell into the Poisoned status.

"It's poisoned. Looks like this battle can't be dragged out for too long."

"Good chance, Carvanha! Use Poison Fang again."

"Treecko, hang in there. Quick Attack—dodge while closing in on it."

"Carvanha, don't rush. It isn't as fast as you are. Find the right chance and finish it with Poison Fang."

Zeno stared intently at Treecko, waiting for an opportunity to land a decisive blow. At last, he spotted an opening.

"Now, Carvanha! Poison Fang!"

Seeing Carvanha lunging in to bite, Lin Yan smiled instead.

"This is what I've been waiting for. Treecko, Substitute."

Treecko suddenly vanished, leaving behind a doll Substitute. Carvanha bit down on it head-on, and the Substitute completely absorbed the damage.

"Substitute?"

Zeno was stunned. He had never seen Lin Yan use that move before. Realizing things had gone badly, he was just about to tell Carvanha to retreat.

"Too late. Treecko, grab it! Mega Drain."

Carvanha was tightly seized by Treecko. Green light shone around both Pokémon as Carvanha's strength was drained away bit by bit. It wore an expression of intense pain.

"Carvanha!"

Zeno was deeply worried. Just as he was about to concede, Carvanha lost consciousness.

"Carvanha is unable to battle. Treecko wins! I hereby announce that the champion of the New Trainer Challenge is contestant Lin Yan."

Zeno ignored the referee, scooped up Carvanha, and hurried toward the Pokémon Center.

"Captain, this Lin Yan is quite strong. For a new trainer, both his composure and tactics are excellent." The first mate had watched the entire battle alongside the captain, and Lin Yan had left a deep impression on him.

"He is quite good. But I think that Zeno was even more impressive."

"Oh? What are your thoughts, Captain?"

"First, considering the type disadvantage, it was already not easy for him to fight like that. Then look at their Pokémon: one was an ordinary Carvanha, while the other was a rare Treecko. Finally, consider their resources. Lin Yan could even produce a rare TM like Substitute, while Zeno relied entirely on his rapport with his Pokémon."

"Now that you put it that way, it really is true."

"You can't judge things only by their surface. All right, go hand out the reward."

"Yes, sir."

Watching Zeno hurry away, the captain murmured, "What a lucky kid."

Because Carvanha had completely lost its ability to move this time, the treatment took a while. Zeno waited outside, deeply worried about Carvanha's condition.

"Don't worry. Your Carvanha will be fine."

Lin Yan sat down beside Zeno and tried to comfort him.

"Thank you for comforting me."

"Actually, when I said that earlier, I wasn't looking down on you. I sincerely meant it when I thanked you for helping me deal with that Sneasel."

"I didn't think much of it. You don't need to explain yourself."

"It's good that there was no misunderstanding."

Lin Yan was about to continue when he saw Nurse Joy and Chansey pushing Carvanha out of the operating room.

"Carvanha, it's so good that you're okay." Zeno immediately hugged it.

"Good thing you're fine, or I would've become a sinner!"

"It's not your fault. We were simply less skilled."

"I only won because of Substitute. Otherwise, I really might not have beaten you. Let me properly introduce myself—I'm Lin Yan. Can we be friends?" Lin Yan held out his hand.

Zeno thought for a moment, then placed his hand in Lin Yan's. "Hello, I'm Zeno."

"Haha, then we're friends from now on. By the way, I live in Slateport City. Where do you live?"

"My home is rather remote. It's a small village below Lilycove City called Big Shell Village."

"That's fine. Here, write down my contact information."

"Me too, me too! I'm Jia Ya."

Zeno had just taken out a pen and notebook to write down Lin Yan's information when Jia Ya hurried over.

"I live in Rustboro City. Can I be your friend too?"

"O... okay."

"Zeno, your way of battling is so unique. It's completely different from what they teach at school, but it's both interesting and practical. Can we exchange ideas often in the future?" Lin Yan was very interested in Zeno's battling style. Those previous matches had benefited him greatly.

"Sure, sure. There are plenty of things I don't understand too, and I'd like to ask you about them."

"You can ask me too!" Seeing how enthusiastically the two were chatting, Jia Ya quickly jumped in.

"Mm, I understand."

"When we get to Slateport City, if you have time, you must come to my house and visit." Lin Yan invited him warmly.

"Okay."

"My house too, my house too!"