"Riolu, jump!"
Riolu was forced to break off and immediately leaped up, trying to jump over Miltank.
But this was exactly the moment Yushu had been waiting for.
"Miltank! Stop! Ram upward!"
"Moo!"
Miltank suddenly stopped rolling. Using the rocks from Rock Tomb, its body shot up like a bouncing ball, slamming toward Riolu in midair!
"What?!"
Riley's expression changed abruptly.
Jumping straight up out of Rollout? How was that not dirty?
Riolu had nothing to push off against in midair and couldn't dodge at all. It could only watch helplessly as that pink figure drew closer and closer.
Boom!
Riolu was sent flying, tumbling several times through the air before crashing heavily to the ground.
Riley shouted, "Riolu! Get up!"
"Rio..."
Riolu struggled to its feet, but its body was trembling slightly. It had clearly taken a serious hit.
"Miltank! Finish it! Rollout!"
Yushu swept his arm down.
Miltank began spinning again, bearing down on Riolu once more.
"Riolu! Vacuum Wave!"
Seeing that Riolu lacked the strength to stand, Riley decided to stake everything on one last attempt.
"Rio!" Riolu gathered the last of its strength and fired a Vacuum Wave at Miltank.
Bang! Vacuum Wave struck Miltank, but its Rollout lost none of its momentum as it continued bearing down on Riolu.
Then... bang!!
The two collided. How could Riolu's little body possibly withstand that? It was sent flying on the spot! It crashed heavily to the ground, its eyes turning into spirals.
"Riolu is unable to battle! The winner is Yushu!"
Mayor Zongping was very pleased with the outcome, but also somewhat puzzled.
Honestly, this kid wasn't bad at commanding Pokémon. Even with that ability, he couldn't make it as a Trainer?
Or had the outside world become that competitive?
Afterward, Ritchie and Kaixin competed for third place.
Unfortunately, Ritchie's Murkrow still couldn't withstand Chatot's trash-talking tactics and ultimately lost the match.
Next came the award ceremony.
The ceremony went smoothly. As the runner-up, Riley received three Evolution Stones: Fire, Water, and Thunder.
Kaixin, who placed third, received several uncommon Poké Balls, such as Net Balls and Dive Balls.
Finally, amid Mayor Zongping's lavish praise, Yushu accepted the incubator Nurse Joy handed him.
It was a transparent incubator, with a pale green Pokémon Egg resting inside.
"This is a very healthy Pokémon Egg. I hope you'll raise it well."
Nurse Joy smiled as she spoke gently to Yushu.
"Of course. Thank you, Nurse Joy."
Yushu bowed to Nurse Joy, then carefully took the incubator.
[Ralts (hatching)] [Type: Psychic type + Fairy type] [Ability: Telepathy] [Status: Healthy, full of energy.]
Holy shit, Ralts? A little Psychic loli?
Was the Devon Corporation this generous? They just gave away a Ralts egg like that?
His hands trembled slightly as he held the incubator. After all, the little loli's final form, Gardevoir, was ridiculously popular.
Although it wasn't a pseudo-legendary, it was even more sought-after than pseudo-legendaries in certain circles.
As for the reason, those who knew, knew.
Gardevoir's appearance rate in those fan works was simply absurd.
"What's wrong? Is there a problem?" Nurse Joy noticed his subtle expression and asked softly.
Yushu snapped out of it and hastily shook his head. "No problem! No problem at all!"
What problem could he possibly have?
Who would turn down a little loli?
Amused by his expression, as though he'd stumbled upon a treasure, Nurse Joy reminded him:
"Keep the incubator's temperature at around 37 degrees, check the humidity once a day, and promptly wipe away any droplets on the eggshell's surface. That will help it hatch."
"Of course, of course. Thank you, Nurse Joy," Yushu quickly replied.
"Yushu!"
A voice came from behind him.
Yushu turned to see Ritchie running toward him, his backpack on his back. He looked ready to leave.
"You're heading out already?"
Yushu had thought Ritchie would stay in town for a few more days. After all, the tournament had just ended. He should at least rest for a night before leaving.
This guy was working way too hard. Leaving right after the tournament-was he really not going to waste a single moment?
Ritchie smiled. "Yeah, the tournament's over, and I still have four more Gyms to challenge. I can't spend too long here."
Yushu offered his well wishes. "Take care on the road, then. I'm sure you'll do well in the Sinnoh League."
"I will! Thanks for the kind words!"
Ritchie turned and walked toward the town's entrance.
Watching him go, Yushu suddenly felt a little wistful.
Relying entirely on one's own effort and perseverance like that deserved respect in any world.
Just then, a gentle voice came from beside him. "Aren't you in a hurry to challenge the Gyms? Or are you leaving in a few days?"
Yushu turned and found Riley standing beside him, regarding him with an inquisitive look.
"I'm not challenging them. I live here. I just came to join in the fun," Yushu replied casually.
"Joining in the fun? You beat everyone just to join in the fun?"
Riley clearly didn't believe him. His gaze fell on the incubator in Yushu's arms.
That Miltank was an Elite Stage Pokémon with abundant battle experience and precise tactical execution.
And now he was being told it was home-raised?
Then what did that make them? Clowns?
Yushu helplessly spread his hands. "Why would I lie to you? My ranch is just north of town. You're welcome to visit if you don't mind."
Why couldn't this guy accept the truth? He really was just a farmer.
It was just that his Pokémon liked working a bit more than others.
Ever heard of workaholic Pokémon?
"Sure. It's a little late today, so I won't impose. I'll come visit tomorrow."
Riley nodded.
He wanted to see just what sort of farm could raise a Miltank that could take such a beating.
Surely it couldn't simply be good food? That would be too ridiculous!
By the time he returned to the ranch, the sky had gone completely dark.
Yushu entered the house, and the first thing he did was set the incubator down securely.
If Staraptor or Rotom knocked into it, he might just have a heart attack on the spot.
Staraptor and Rotom: Fine, fine! So there's not a shred of trust left, huh!
Uxie floated down from midair and curiously leaned closer to inspect the egg.
"A Psychic-type Pokémon?"
Yushu replied, "Ralts. Its final evolution is Gardevoir. You've heard of it, right?"
Uxie tilted its head. "I have. It's very popular in your human circles. Apparently, many humans are willing to spend enormous amounts of time and effort just to catch a Gardevoir."
"You even know about that?"
Uxie proudly raised its chin. "Of course. I'm the god of knowledge. What Pokémon business could escape me?"
Yushu looked at Uxie, narrowing his eyes slightly.
"So, you wouldn't happen to have any more good stuff you haven't brought out yet, would you?"
That reminded him. This fellow was a Legendary Pokémon; surely it had plenty of treasures hidden away.
What if there was more than one Psychic Plate?