"Hmm?"
Upon receiving the message, Aiden immediately clicked on it.
It was a group photo of Cynthia, Garchomp, and Jangmo-o.
In the picture, Cynthia was smiling and making a peace sign with one hand while holding a small Pokémon with limbs on the ground and scales of varying sizes covering its body in the other.
On its head, a large golden heart-shaped scale was particularly eye-catching.
It was because of this feature that it was called Jangmo-o.
(T/N: Jangmo-o's name in Chinese is '心鳞宝' which means 'Heart Scale Beast')
(A/N: Jangmo-o, I've always thought this is the cutest dragon.)
Next to Cynthia, Garchomp stood with a serious and impatient expression, arms crossed, seemingly showing off to someone outside the screen.
"It's probably not directed at me..."
Aiden twitched his lips and didn't pay much attention to these details.
His focus was mainly on the Jangmo-o in Cynthia's arms.
As a "late bloomer Pokémon" that first appeared in Pokémon Sun/Moon, Jangmo-o's training difficulty is much simpler than that of its predecessors from earlier generations.
At level 45, it can achieve two-stage evolution, evolving into Kommo-o, known as the "Dragon Warrior."
Although there is no level factor in reality, it can be roughly compared. For a champion, the breeding cycle would naturally be very fast.
Cynthia herself is an expert in raising pseudo-legendaries. She raised Gible from birth, so it's within her expertise.
However, since it's meant to be a reserve mainstay for the Dragon-type Master Tournament, all aspects need to be carefully considered.
[Aiden: This Jangmo-o looks pretty good. But what is its ability?]
The Kommo-o family has three abilities: Bulletproof, Soundproof, and Overcoat, all leaning more towards defense, each with its pros and cons.
[Cynthia: It's Soundproof.]
Soundproof ability blocks sound-based moves.
Since sound moves can penetrate Substitutes and hit the original target, this ability is quite effective for defense.
Additionally, it can block interference moves like Perish Song, Sing, and Supersonic.
They also won't be affected by Roar or Parting Shot, which is very useful.
Afterward, Aiden and Cynthia had a long video chat about the training direction and move selection for Kommo-o.
Until Cynthia blinked and then asked:
"If you know so much about Jangmo-o, why not just use it in the game later?"
Aiden thought about it and realized she was right.
With Pokémon Champions, many battle-related things can be solved directly by playing a few rounds of the game.
"Alright, let's go!"
Only when the match was about to begin did Aiden belatedly realize—
Wait a minute?
Don't I still have videos to edit? When did I agree to play games with her?
...
After a few games, both sides had about a fifty-fifty win rate.
Kommo-o is a very distinctive Pokémon with many tactics to play.
Whether it's using Clangorous Soulblaze combined with the item Throat Spray for multiple stat boosts to sweep the team, or maxing out stats with Belly Drum and using Drain Punch for a blood-steal strategy, it focuses on being both offensive and defensive, sticking around without leaving.
It can even assist teammates with Dragon Cheer, or use Coaching to become a pure stat-boost support.
Overall, these are all very simple and brutal tactics. Even at the champion level, Cynthia suffered significant losses when facing them for the first time.
Unfortunately, it was born in the wrong generation. If it were before the introduction of Fairy-types, it would definitely be a popular tournament Pokémon.
Its four-times weakness to Fairy-types is a major pain point. In the Alola region, where all four island deities heavily counter it, this drawback is infinitely magnified, causing this pseudo-legendary to lack presence.
However, in the Dragon-type Master Tournament's intra-dragon battles, it still has a lot to offer.
Unless some sneaky player brings Mega Altaria, the "Dragon Traitor."
Due to the time difference, Aiden's night equals early morning in Sinnoh.
Cynthia was clearly getting sleepy, starting to yawn consecutively.
Seeing the time was about right, Aiden also prepared to end today's gaming session with the excuse of editing videos.
"By the way, there's one more small matter."
At this moment, Cynthia spoke up first.
"Because I'm coming to Paldea to participate in this month's Dragon-type Master Tournament, I should arrive about three days early to adjust to the time difference."
"But in the Paldea region, I think I only know you..."
"So during the Master Tournament, can I temporarily stay at Sunlight Gym?"
???
Cynthia's casually mentioned topic instantly shattered Aiden's defenses.
"This..."
Although in his memory, due to their childhood friendship, they often visited each other, even sleeping in the same bed multiple times.
But those were old stories from childhood...
Can it be the same now!
Aiden suddenly felt unsure of what to say.
Should I agree, or immediately agree?
"Is it not okay?"
Seeing Aiden suddenly lower his head in deep thought without giving a clear answer for a long time,
Cynthia suddenly spoke again, but this time her tone clearly carried a hint of grievance, as if she didn't expect Aiden to refuse.
"Of course, no problem! Stay as long as you want!"
Hearing the emotional change in the blonde girl on the other side of the video call, Aiden didn't hesitate and almost immediately agreed to her request.
The originally seemingly aggrieved girl's lips suddenly curved into a faint smile, and her eyes squinted along with her smile.
"Alright, see you in a few days~"
Her light-hearted voice traveled through space via holographic imaging technology.
The call was quickly hung up.
Only then did Aiden suddenly react, instinctively placing his hand on his cheek.
The temperature was a bit high.
"Did I get played again..."
Aiden muttered softly and took a deep breath to barely suppress his wildly beating chest.
He suddenly remembered a viral Tom and Jerry meme from his past life.
Poor Tom, played like a puppet.
Impossible, absolutely impossible, how could Cynthia possibly be a scheming girl with a thousand tricks!
I must be overthinking it.
"We're childhood friends after all; it's normal to meet..."
"And she's just staying for a few days. The Sunlight Gym isn't short of guest rooms, so there's no need to be so nervous..."
After repeatedly brainwashing himself with words, Aiden finally calmed down.
It seems that due to the system's interference information at the time, he had always viewed Cynthia's intentions with tinted glasses, which is definitely not good.
Without even contacting her offline, assuming she has feelings for him is too presumptuous!
"Since it has come to this, I should finish the work at hand and get a good night's sleep!"
Aiden shook his head, clearing all distracting thoughts.
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