Meanwhile, in the farm training area, Shinx was undergoing intense training.
Earlier that day, after witnessing Yanma's battle, it had been deeply shaken and moved.
If it were to face off against that Yanma, could it emerge victorious?
That question repeatedly echoed in Shinx's heart, filling it with a growing sense of urgency.
After all the battles concluded, it would face the final champion of the tournament. Failure was not an option.
Zzzt zzzt~
Electric currents began to spark intensely across Shinx's body.
But this time, it didn't use a traditional electric-type move like Spark. Instead, it released the electricity outward, firing bolts high into the air.
It was pondering how to engage Yanma in battle. If its opponent stayed airborne the whole time, Shinx could only rely on ranged attacks to fight.
Realizing this, Shinx felt its current method of training was insufficient. It needed to find a flying Pokémon to help it practice—yes, Starly would be a perfect target.
In the berry orchard, Starly, who had been leisurely preening its feathers atop a tree branch, suddenly shivered for no apparent reason.
When Shinx finally came to ask it for help, its head shook like a rattle drum. Was this a joke? Shinx actually wanted to use it as a live target to practice electric shocks?
"You want to train your electric attacks?"
Hearing Shinx's request, Aven fell into deep thought.
He understood that Shinx must have been awed by Yanma's overwhelming strength, and was now trying to come up with a counter-strategy.
After a moment of contemplation, Aven spoke:
"Actually, rather than focusing on honing your electric moves, I think what you truly need to work on is your speed."
Ever since they returned from the Black Forest, Aven had been refining Shinx's training regimen.
Shinx's speed was a unique talent it had developed through training. Combined with its innate Ability—Guts, which boosts its Attack stat when afflicted by a status condition—it already had considerable potential.
Furthermore, Shinx as a species had a natural advantage in physical attacks. Therefore, the most effective training direction for it was still close combat—relying on its speed and electric-type melee techniques to fight.
Aside from that, the Shinx line also possessed unique biological traits. Not only could they sense electromagnetic waves, but their muscles produced electricity when contracting. When in danger, their bodies could emit blinding flashes of light.
"Shinx, try running at full speed," Aven suggested.
Shinx tilted its head in confusion but still obediently nodded.
Then, in a flash, its figure darted off. Its muscles flexed and stretched in swift, rhythmic motions.
As it ran, a faint glow shimmered around its body—this was the light generated by the current flowing through its fur as its muscles contracted.
Shinx was already quite familiar with this special ability. Back in the Black Forest, it often used this glow to dazzle its enemies' eyes, buying time to make an escape.
"You can use the electricity generated by your muscle contractions—that's the key to your next phase of training," Aven said with a smile.
He sat down beside Shinx and took out a notebook. It was time to give it a proper lesson, one that might inspire new ideas.
"Meow~ Meow~"
Shinx's eyes sparkled brightly as it watched Aven draw in the notebook.
Soon, Aven sketched a creature that resembled a small dog, with lightning symbols on its body.
Pointing to the simple drawing, Aven explained,
"This Pokémon is called Electrike, also an Electric-type."
Hearing this, Shinx leaned in, examining the drawn Pokémon carefully, clearly wondering why Aven was bringing it up.
"Besides their shared typing, Electrike also has a special ability similar to yours."
"They can generate electricity through the friction between air and their fur. What's more, they've mastered using electric current to stimulate their leg muscles, allowing them to achieve explosive bursts of speed—so fast that the naked eye can't follow."
This time, Shinx seemed to understand.
Using electricity to stimulate its leg muscles for a sudden burst of speed...
Could it master such a skill as well?
Just the thought filled Shinx with excitement. It immediately cried out to Aven:
"Meow! Meow!" I want to learn it! I want to master this ability too!
Shinx was confident that such an ability would be perfectly suited for it—and would significantly enhance its combat prowess. Combined with Quick Attack, the power would be overwhelming.
"Don't worry. I'll help you train for it," Aven reassured.
"Though I have raised an Electrike before and understand how to develop its abilities, I've never attempted to apply those methods to a Shinx. So, I can't be certain that you'll be able to learn it."
"That's why I can only guide you through the training. Whether you succeed will ultimately depend on your own talent and perseverance."
Aven spoke earnestly. Just like how Shinx's sensitivity to electromagnetic waves was a species-specific trait, some abilities were exclusive to certain evolutionary lines—not all Pokémon could acquire them.
However, Electrike's special ability was just so compatible with Shinx's physiology. He has done calculations and deductions before, and feels that Shinx may really be able to master this ability.
And, most importantly, since Shinx could already generate electricity through muscle movement, this training method posed no risk of harm, even if it failed.
"Meow! Meow! Meow!"
Shinx cried out energetically, determined to train hard and master this ability!
Without delay, it began sprinting around the training ground again, trying to generate electricity through its muscle contractions, then attempting to direct that current to its leg muscles.
The crucial element of achieving explosive speed seemed to be using electricity to stimulate its legs.
"I'll help you," Aven smiled, seeing Shinx so fired up.
For a Pokémon Breeder, there was no greater joy than tailoring training plans based on a Pokémon's unique characteristics and watching them grow stronger step by step.
…
Jorah hobbled down the street on his crutch.
The villagers around him all looked on with admiration and respect in their eyes.
He felt warmth fill his chest. Their emotions were sincere, a heartfelt admiration for the strong.
After several days of intense battles, Jorah had triumphed over one opponent after another, ultimately making it into the finals.
Now, he was about to face Peter, the captain of the patrol squad. If he could defeat this formidable rival, he would become the champion!
The thought filled him with pride and satisfaction. So, what if his body was disabled? He was still a knight.
"Lord Aven… I promise I won't let you down!"
Taking a deep breath, Jorah walked toward the battlefield, where the stands were already packed with spectators.
Pete watched Peter, who had already taken his place on the battlefield, his eyes full of envy.
To stand on the final stage of battle, to defeat one's opponent under the gaze of the entire village, and to become the first in the knight selection —this was the dream of every trainer in Fruitvale Village.
Yet the final battlefield could only hold two contestants. Today, Peter and Jorah would become the focus of the entire village.
"Sir Jorah! It's Sir Jorah!"
Suddenly, cheers erupted from the audience.
At the entrance, Jorah appeared, leaning on his crutch. Despite having only one leg, he walked quickly and steadily.
Seeing Jorah's arrival, Aven also stood up instinctively to pay his respects to the knight who remained determined despite his disability.
The spectators followed suit and rose to their feet. In an instant, not a single person remained seated.
Mado watched quietly, and even the burly man's eyes became misty. He glanced at Aven on the stage and could sense that the lord's respect was genuine.
Just as Aven had once said: they were heroes of Aspiration City and should never be forgotten. Mado knew that Aven had lived up to those words. Here, they were honored.
"I've looked forward to this battle for a long time," Peter said, expressing his respect toward his opponent.
Jorah smiled and nodded.
"I've been looking forward to it too."
"Now, the final battle is about to begin. Both sides, please prepare!"
Sutter took a deep breath and raised his flag high. Once both trainers signaled they were ready, he brought the flag down with force.
"Mightyena, use Howl!"
The moment the battle began, Peter gave a loud command.
With a powerful howl, Mightyena's aura surged as it boosted its Attack stat.
Buffing before combat had already become common practice. Still, few Pokémon actually had such moves in their arsenal.
"Yanma, use Screech!"
In the next instant, Yanma's wings vibrated violently, releasing an ear-piercing screech.
Though the real battle had yet to begin, the two Pokémon had already clashed through their sound-based abilities.
And when it came to sound, Yanma clearly held the advantage. Its screech quickly overwhelmed Mightyena's howl, halting the momentum it had been building.
"What a fascinating exchange," Aven nodded in approval.
Both trainers on the field were undeniably skilled.
Especially Jorah—his transition from knight to trainer seemed quite natural. After all, knights were already well-versed in commanding their mounts in battle.
"Mightyena, use Sucker Punch!"
Ceasing its howling, Mightyena charged forward, leaping high into the air as it lunged at Yanma.
"Quick Attack to dodge!"
Yanma responded instantly, vanishing from its position in a flash of white light.
It was already exceptionally fast, and now, with Quick Attack, it dodged Mightyena's strike with ease.
"Sand Attack!"
As Mightyena landed, it scraped its claws across the ground, hurling sand and dust upward.
This Ground-type move, which Aven had once taught his Rhydon, had also been learned by Mightyena.
Peter, recognizing the need for ranged moves, had trained it accordingly—and surprisingly, it had succeeded.
Whoosh—
Sand and gravel swirled into a storm, pelting Yanma in the air.
"Use Sonic Boom!"
Yanma flapped its wings, releasing invisible shockwaves.
The sand clashed with the shockwaves, erupting into a cloud of dust.
At that moment, Mightyena moved again. Using its sharp sense of smell to lock onto its opponent, it leaped straight from the ground.
Yanma had just sighed in relief after neutralizing the sandstorm with Sonic Boom when it suddenly saw Mightyena burst through the dust, glowing jaws open wide.
In a split-second reaction, it flapped its wings to dodge.
Though it evaded the bite, Mightyena's tail lashed out as it passed, sending Yanma flying.
"Sucker Punch!"
As Mightyena landed, it used the momentum to leap again.
Its form flickered with dark light as it instantly reappeared behind Yanma, slashing with its claws—striking Yanma squarely.
Having taken two solid hits, Yanma flapped desperately to climb higher, now hovering and panting heavily.
For Bug-types, stamina had always been a weak point. After two attacks from Mightyena, it was already significantly injured, while Mightyena remained completely unscathed.
The momentum of this match had clearly shifted.
(End of Chapter)