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The continuous defeats clearly caused a subtle change in Serena's mood.
However, as a talented young girl, Serena's ability to adjust was clearly very strong. She reined in those messy thoughts and continued to immerse herself in the battle.
Serena's third Pokémon was Jolteon, one of Eevee's evolutions, a high-speed special attacker.
This time, Serena was more cautious, but it was still useless.
Pheromosa, which had defeated two of Serena's main Pokémon, had already activated its Beast Boost ability twice, and its speed had also increased twice. It was now terrifyingly fast.
Although Jolteon was also a high-speed special attacker, in front of the current Pheromosa, it looked like a greenhorn.
Not only could it not keep up with Pheromosa's movements, but even in a direct confrontation, Jolteon was no match for Pheromosa!
However, at a critical moment, Serena 'operated' effectively.
Pheromosa's crucial High Jump Kick hit Jolteon, a blow that should have absolutely knocked Jolteon out of the fight.
But Serena had Jolteon use Endure.
The Normal-type Endure allows a Pokémon to barely hold on even after taking a fatal attack. (PS: In the game, it leaves 1 HP)
Endure withstood Pheromosa's crucial High Jump Kick, and then Jolteon's explosive Thunder hit Pheromosa at close range.
Although Pheromosa retreated and created distance immediately, the Thunder attack still hit.
Thunder dealt a significant blow to Pheromosa.
But this sole opportunity was still not seized, as Pheromosa then used an Aura Heart Sphere to finish off the exhausted Jolteon.
As a result, Pheromosa had successfully swept three Pokémon!
"What a powerful young girl."
Diantha looked at Platinum with extreme solemnity.
In her opinion, Serena was already an incredibly talented newcomer, and Diantha believed that Serena would soon reach Champion level.
Champion level in one year!
What kind of frightening Trainer talent was that?
But unexpectedly, Serena was now being beaten like this by someone her age.
Having three of her main Pokémon swept by one of the opponent's Pokémon is very rare in a full-team battle.
Could Serena still make a comeback? In Diantha's opinion, it was almost impossible.
After all, Pheromosa was just Platinum's starting Pokémon, and who knew what other main Pokémon she had.
"Serena is actually not bad, Miss Diantha, don't you think there's a bit of a problem?"
Mammon looked at the two girls still battling in the arena; the outcome was already clear.
Serena could not defeat Platinum.
"Please speak, Mr. Mammon." Diantha looked at Mammon, puzzled.
"Serena's team is a bit weak in terms of strength." Mammon looked at Serena's fourth Pokémon, Clefable.
Then the fifth one should be Serena's Mega Absol, and the Kalos starter she received.
Serena's main team, in Mammon's opinion, was really not that great. If you ask about strength? It did have a little, but not much.
It was not as good as Platinum's original team, let alone compared to Platinum's current team.
Diantha frowned slightly; she didn't particularly agree with Mammon's words, because Mammon's implication was that Serena's main team was holding Serena back?
"Mr. Mammon, what do you think the relationship between a Pokémon and a Trainer is?" Diantha's tone was very serious.
"I understand what you mean, Miss Diantha, but don't be so anxious yet."
Mammon chuckled and replied to Diantha.
"There are no weak Pokémon, only weak Trainers. This statement itself is not problematic, but we must look at it according to the actual situation."
"Now, Miss Diantha, where do you think the gap between Miss Serena and Miss Platinum lies?"
Mammon gestured to the two people in the arena to Diantha.
... Diantha was speechless.
"In my opinion, Miss Serena's Trainer talent is extremely outstanding. A newcomer who just started this year, having such strength at this point in time, can be called a 'monster'."
"But the current Platinum, if it's a true full-power battle, I think she could beat three Miss Serenas, and that's a conservative estimate."
Mammon said slowly. Yes, in Mammon's estimation, that was the case.
Pheromosa was strong yet fragile. In Platinum's team, it could only be considered a core main force, and it was a core main force that was relatively easy to counter if a method was found.
Platinum's current aces were actually Mega Garchomp and the recently captured Entei.
"Why is there such a big gap in strength between the two of them, Miss Diantha, where do you think the problem lies?"
Mammon asked Diantha.
Diantha opened her mouth but didn't know how to refute.
"I don't deny that Platinum's current Trainer level is higher than Miss Serena's, but as long as the Trainer level difference isn't substantial, such an exaggerated difference in strength wouldn't appear."
"The main reason is that the strength gap between their main forces is too great."
Actually, Mammon's words were a bit sophistry.
Platinum's Trainer level alone was also stronger than Serena's now, after all, Platinum had gone through Team Rockets' training and participated in many battles.
The gap in Trainer level was indeed not enough to completely overwhelm Serena.
The main reason was still the difference in both the main lineups and the strength of the main Pokémon.
But the Champion Garchomp that Platinum herself raised could actually completely suppress Serena.
Ultimately, the growth environment played a very important factor for talented Trainers like them.
Of course, the difference in the strength of the main Pokémon itself also did exist.
Serena's current main lineup strength was indeed average. Although under Serena's training, it was indeed very strong.
But when facing a 'monster' with equivalent talent, the pressure immediately mounted.
Actually, Serena's current situation was similar to Ash's earlier; it wasn't obvious normally, but when encountering the same type of opponent, the inherent weakness would be exposed.
Altaria? Meowstic? Clefable?
It's not that Mammon looked down on these Pokémon; it was still the same saying, Serena could also train them to be very strong.
But that would take time.
Otherwise, with the same training time, how could Altaria compare to Garchomp? How could Meowstic compare to Pheromosa?
How could Clefable compare to Entei?
Isn't that making things difficult for them?
"If there was a growth environment that could provide Serena with better resources, I think Serena would definitely undergo a rapid transformation."
"What do you think, Miss Diantha?"
He's not even pretending anymore!
Diantha's fair face twitched slightly. You might as well just say that if Serena joins your Team Rockets, you'll give her more resources, right?
Ridiculous!
What your Team Rockets can give, my Kalos Alliance can also give!
Want to abduct Serena? Dream on!
The battle quickly ended. Looking at Greninja, defeated by the opponent's Empoleon, Serena couldn't help but feel a moment of daze.
She lost. This full-team battle, she lost cleanly and decisively.
Throughout the entire match, she only defeated one Pheromosa, and then lost to Platinum's second main Pokémon, Empoleon.
How to put it? She really felt quite lost.
"Are you okay, Serena?"
A gentle girl's voice entered Serena's ears, making her slightly regain her senses.
Serena looked up and saw that Platinum had already come closer.
"I'm fine... Platinum, you're really amazing~"
Serena pursed her lips, forced a smile, and praised Platinum.
She originally thought she was a very excellent Trainer, especially among her peers, but today's battle truly taught her a lesson.
"Thank you~ Serena, you're also very strong."
Platinum smiled without showing her teeth, her smile a bit shy and reserved.
Serena felt a bit awkward. Strong? You defeated six of my Pokémon with two of yours...
This kind of battle undoubtedly indicated a huge gap in strength between the two sides, although there was a factor that Serena didn't understand Pheromosa's characteristics.
But Serena didn't want to make excuses for herself.
A crushing defeat was a crushing defeat.
"I didn't mean anything else, you know. If it were the old me, I'd probably be similar to you, Serena, but now I'm much, much stronger than before."
Platinum also realized that her words might not be suitable for the current situation and quickly explained.
?
Serena was puzzled.
"It's Mr. Mammon. He helped me become stronger." Platinum smiled, her voice full of gratitude and emotion.
The growth environment, excellent resources, and powerful Pokémon, Mammon was not stingy at all.
For example, that Entei, Platinum also understood that it was essentially a gift from Mammon to her.
And this further solidified Platinum's determination.
As long as Mr. Mammon's ideas don't 'deteriorate', even against the Pokemon League, Platinum will firmly stand on Mr. Mammon's side!
Hearing Platinum's words, Serena was startled.
Mr. Mammon helped Platinum become stronger?
What did that mean?
But Platinum clearly couldn't elaborate, after all, Kalos Champion Diantha was still nearby.
"A very exciting battle, Miss Serena, you are indeed an excellent Trainer."
Mammon walked over and praised her with a smile.
"Compared to Platinum, I'm still far behind." Serena, hearing this, inevitably felt a bit lost and shook her head.
"Platinum is the strongest rookie Trainer in Sinnoh. Miss Serena, don't be discouraged, and I think as long as you work hard from now on, you might still have a chance to defeat Platinum."
Mammon encouraged the young girl.
"That's right, Serena, you need to have confidence in yourself."
Diantha felt she couldn't just stand there anymore, or Mammon would take all the good words.
"Thank you, I will continue to work hard."
Serena pursed her lips, looking at Mammon's gentle smile and thanking him.
But in reality, what she was thinking about more was Platinum's earlier words: that Mr. Mammon helped her become stronger.
Platinum can do it, so I should be able to too, right?
But how exactly was it done?
Serena hesitated a bit. She and Mr. Mammon had only just met, so asking directly would be a bit too rash.
However, she was indeed very concerned about this point.
Serena was already strong-willed, and having just suffered a crushing defeat, she was still very eager to know how Platinum specifically became stronger.
Never mind, I'll ask next time.
After chatting with Diantha and Serena for a while, Mammon left with Caitlin and the other girl.
And seeing the three of them leave, Diantha immediately bid farewell to Serena and rushed back to the Alliance building, arriving at the Kalos Alliance President's office.
"President! Something terrible has happened! Team Rockets has attacked!"