The Trial Begins

Liu Xin was just as bewildered by what he saw: a blue, luminous substance that slowly extended along a path similar to the Treasure Hoarders' escape route.

The Lighthouse Guardians also noticed the blue light and called out as they came over to investigate.

After examining it, a Pokémon research expert let out a long sigh and shook his head. "The Treasure Hoarders are getting more and more depraved!"

"The moment we learned they were absorbing negative energy from wild Pokémon to use as fuel, we should have realized there were more secret experiments going on at their base."

"Although I don't know the principles behind it, all of this is psychic power released by Wobbuffet. It's energy produced by its own ability."

"No wonder the cage reflected energy and was so impossible to break. They were using Wobbuffet's energy."

Wobbuffet had a blue body and a black tail, with two eyes that looked as though it was enduring something and ribbon-like protrusions on its head.

Wobbuffet never attacked on its own; it only reflected attacks.

That made the psychic power it released the ideal material and energy source for defense. But how they provoked it into releasing that power, and how they collected it, remained unknown.

Their methods certainly wouldn't be gentle, and the outcome certainly wouldn't be pretty.

Liu Xin clenched his fists. "This is outrageous! Isn't there anything we can do?"

"Can't we wipe out those villains?"

A Lighthouse Guardian replied helplessly, "No. We've tried, too. First, we can't find their base. Second, we can't predict their numbers. They keep increasing without end."

"With the numbers and forces they brought today, we might have lost if you hadn't stepped in."

"Their strength is growing quickly. None of them is particularly strong individually, but together, they're terrifying."

Hearing that, Liu Xin sank into thought.

In the end, he simply wasn't strong enough.

"One day, I'll come back and settle all of this. It won't take long!"

The conflict between the lighthouse and the Treasure Hoarders planted a seed in Liu Xin's heart.

"Liu Xin, let me see your Pet Egg. Why hasn't anything happened yet?"

Sen Anxiang had come to check Liu Xin's Pet Egg again. She came by to look at it practically every day, and this was already their fifth day at the lighthouse.

Giant Dragonite would probably appear in another day or two, over the weekend.

So Liu Xin set training aside and let his Pokémon roam around and play.

Naturally, complaints poured in. All four were troublemakers who beat up other people's Pokémon and then ran off without taking any responsibility.

That forced Liu Xin to keep watching them. By contrast, Sen Anxiang's and Ito Hei's Pokémon were extremely well-behaved.

"It won't happen that quickly. It'll take at least several more days."

"At the very least, it won't hatch while we're competing for the treasures."

Sen Anxiang considered that, then smiled. "The fighting will be so dangerous. Why don't I hold on to it for you?"

"I won't be taking part in this kind of battle for treasure."

Ito Hei walked over slowly and agreed. "That's true. I hear the competition is pretty fierce. One careless mistake could lead to serious trouble."

"So you should give it some careful thought."

Liu Xin handed the Pet Egg to Sen Anxiang, then looked at the four Pokémon before him.

All their stats appeared.

Shiny Cubone:

Level: 20 (evolves into Marowak at level 30)

Attack: 280

Special Attack: 240

Defense: 200

Special Defense: 179

Speed: 130

Abilities: Rock Head, Lightning Rod

Shiny ability: Battle Armor

Moves: Headbutt, Endure, Bonemerang, Perfect Evasion, Ground Spike, Bone Rush

Mutant Phanpy:

Level: 22 (can evolve into Donphan at level 30, but due to its mutation, requires a Fire Stone to complete evolution)

Attack: 200

Special Attack: 260

Defense: 200

Special Defense: 190

Ability: Sand Veil

Mutant ability: Armor-Breaking Fire

Moves: Ground Spike, Flamethrower, Fireball Technique, Earthquake, Tackle, Endure, Defense Curl

Giant Onix:

Level: 18 (completes evolution at level 30 by absorbing a Steel Stone)

Attack: 230

Special Attack: 190

Defense: 260

Special Defense: 240

Speed: 40

Abilities: Rock Head and Sturdy (one-hit knockout moves have no effect on Pokémon with this ability)

Giant growth ability: when hit by a physical move, Defense decreases and Speed increases

Moves: Rock Slide, Tackle, Harden, Tighten, Dig, Earthquake

Super Gabite:

Level: 20 (can evolve into Garchomp at level 40)

Attack: 300

Special Attack: 245

Defense: 170

Special Defense: 170

Speed: 140

Abilities: Sand Veil, Rough Skin

Super ability: Violet aurora

Moves: Sand Tomb, Dragon Breath, Bulldoze, Sand Rush, Tackle, Slash, Dragon Claw

Each had its own strengths. Some had powerful abilities, some excelled in physical attacks, others in special attacks, and one had a tremendous advantage in size.

In short, not one of Liu Xin's four Pokémon was ordinary. They were all strong.

Sen Anxiang looked at the two of them and suggested, "Why don't you two work together?"

"After all, nobody said the lighthouse trial had to be one-on-one, right? You're both strong. If you work together, you'll definitely get twice the results with half the effort."

"Wouldn't that let you get more treasures?"

At her words, the two exchanged a smile. They both understood.

Having spent so much time together, they knew each other's strength well.

They had to admit that, without Liu Xin around, Ito Hei's Pokémon would have been considered quite strong. Unfortunately, Liu Xin had overshadowed him.

With their agreement settled, they spent the next day building their coordination and practicing combined attacks with their Pokémon.

Just like Mutant Phanpy and Shiny Cubone.

Night fell, a storm swept in, and the sea battered the shore furiously. It felt as though a tempest was brewing.

A dark silhouette slowly emerged high in the distant sky and drew closer.

A Lighthouse Guardian warned, "Everyone, stay alert! Giant Dragonite is here!"

"We'll activate the lighthouse when the time comes. Good luck to you all."

It had appeared. Giant Dragonite was here!

Its entire body was orange-yellow, with large gray eyes, a rounded snout, and small nostrils. Two long, slender antennae and a small horn sat atop its head.

Its striped belly was cream-colored, extending all the way to the tip of its long tail.

Dragonite's thick limbs each ended in three claws. Its legs were clearly delineated from its body, while its arms joined its body smoothly.

Its wings looked small compared with its body, but their membranes could carry it into the sky.

Giant Dragonite magnified all those features to an immense scale, making it look incredibly impressive.

It flapped its little wings and slowly spoke.

It could actually speak human language!?

"Trainers who have come to take part in the trial, I have prepared five treasures this time. They are scattered throughout the lighthouse. Do your best to claim them!"

"Begin!"

Five lights lit up at once. The dim lighthouse instantly blazed with light, brimming with life.

All the trainers erupted with excitement, shouting, "The treasures are mine! Charge!"

Liu Xin and Ito Hei exchanged a glance, mounted Rapidash, and took the lead, charging straight toward the entrance.