After the first batch of challengers tested the lineup, Aiden's newly added gym team for this week quickly spread throughout Naranja Academy.
Pelipper + Palafin—the very Paldean-style Rain core—didn't seem particularly difficult to handle at first glance.
After all, both Palafin and Pelipper were weak to Electric-type moves. Even without competing for rain control, challengers could easily deal heavy damage with Thunder in rain.
Even with the Eject Button item saving time to quickly activate Palafin's Zero to Hero, the type disadvantage remained hard to overcome.
Thus, the very next day, a child who defeated Teacher Azure with a Pawmot appeared, successfully earning the first gym badge of the week for students.
With the first pioneer, subsequent students quickly followed suit. Rookies with Electric-type Pokémon in their teams all wanted to try their luck.
After all, Sunshine Gym's difficulty was unpredictable—who knew what even more unorthodox lineups might appear later, leaving them stuck for days without passing…
They had to seize this possibly once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!
Electric-type Pokémon weren't rare, were relatively easy to raise, and with cute options like the Electric Rodents (regional 'Pikachu' archetype), they were beloved by new trainers. Quite a few students met the conditions.
However, when they personally challenged Sunshine Gym, they quickly realized—
"Oh no—we've been tricked!"
Since the tactic was exposed, how could Aiden not have anticipated such an obvious weakness?
So his strategy quickly evolved.
The solution was simple—Aiden added a very conventional Pokémon to his rain team.
Seaking.
This long-discovered Pokémon, commonly found in waters across all regions, had always been a rain team option.
The reason was simple—like Ludicolo, it also had the Swift Swim ability, gaining significant speed in rain.
However, Aiden chose it to counter Electric-types for a more specific reason.
This led to Seaking's hidden ability—Lightning Rod.
Like Manectric, its effect was even better.
It not only mitigated a type weakness but could also be unexpectedly deployed for defensive synergy, enabling damage-free rotation while boosting its own stats via Lightning Rod.
Moreover, despite being pure Water-type, it could surprisingly learn Ground-type moves like Mud Shot and Drill Run—combined with Lightning Rod, it became an Electric-type killer.
Though Seaking's strength was mediocre, it caused major trouble for later challengers.
However, with support and rapid analysis from the Logistics Group (Team Star), a counter to this Lightning Rod Seaking soon emerged—
Ground-type moves were easy to handle—just use Levitate ability or directly bring in the Electric/Flying-type Kilowattrel to effortlessly neutralize and fully resist them.
Even without relevant Pokémon, trainers could use Tera Orbs to change to Flying type and avoid the weakness.
Though Tera Orb production was limited, to give new trainers more winning options against gym leaders, nearly all Naranja Academy students had been equipped with them.
For them, using Tera Orbs was routine—though usually, when challenging Teacher Azure, they never survived long enough to actually use them for a comeback…
This advice sounded reliable, so many rookies quickly adopted it, storming back into Sunshine Gym to redeem themselves.
Then…
There was no "then."
Tera Flying avoided Ground weaknesses but exposed a more fatal flaw—
Water and Ice were always strongly linked. Almost all Water-types had numerous Ice-type moves for coverage, and Flying was weak to Ice.
After thorough analysis by Team Star members—including Mudan herself—they finally concluded:
Might as well just fight for weather control again…
After a full cycle, the counter-strategy against Aiden's new tactics returned to the starting point.
Not even Team Star members could hold back, and even Aiden almost lost his composure.
Though the Eject Button Pelipper setup had been exposed, who said he had to use it?
He had revealed this tactic initially for his own reasons.
Once used, future challengers would definitely guard against him reusing it to reclaim weather while easily bringing in Palafin.
So if opponents assumed he'd use this move, half his strategy had already succeeded.
Pelipper's setup was highly flexible—changing its held item mid-match wasn't difficult. It could even run Choice Specs or Life Orb offensive modes.
Soon, challengers discovered another issue…
Before the battle even started, they had to first guess against "thin air" to determine Aiden's two Pokémon's setups, while Teacher Azure simultaneously learned their team composition.
Pokémon battles might inherently involve rock-paper-scissors elements, but facing an opponent who's completely transparent—where you can see their tactics at a glance, even borrowing their strategies—how could you possibly win?
However, perhaps because Aiden took pity, or after testing, he roughly assessed the newcomers' strength.
Even several rookies who didn't win—struggling hard for a while—still received the Sunshine Badge, which looked 90% identical to an evolution stone.
Failing but still receiving a badge, as long as they showed their spirit—this encouraged many new trainers, reigniting their determination to clear Sunshine Gym.
As long as I work hard enough, Teacher Azure will surely recognize me!
Countless newcomers held this belief—some truly broke through with sheer passion, receiving Sunshine Badges personally awarded by Aiden.
Perhaps this was Teacher Azure's final mercy after all? (smile)
...
Time flew, quickly reaching Friday.
Trainers aiming to challenge the new tactics had already visited earlier in the week. Today's challengers were mostly pragmatic types targeting Mewtwo or other rental Pokémon, prioritizing securing badges first.
Thus, Aiden enjoyed leisure time, sitting on the grass outside the gym, quietly watching Mewtwo's commands.
Two weeks ago, Mewtwo's knowledge of training was virtually zero—everything started from scratch. Yet with terrifying learning ability, it had basically become a competent rookie trainer.
However, in Aiden's view, it still had some distance to go before passing.
"Being a trainer isn't that easy!"
Aiden shook his head.
And he felt… though he deliberately hadn't taught Mewtwo tactics, planning to guide it only after it developed its own style, why did Mewtwo's commands now feel like it was mimicking his own battle style?
This match clearly used a sun team, yet the Tangrowth evolved by Mewtwo's psychic power showed no offensive intent. Instead, it used various disruptive moves and defense to wear down opponents.
Just days ago, it had been a reckless head-on attacker—using rain teams and getting steamrolled by the opponent's Chandelure. Yet in mere days, it had suddenly become strategic?
Wouldn't it eventually turn Mewtwo into an unorthodox trainer too…
Wait, why did I say "too"?
Aiden scratched his head.
It really was his fault.
Even without directly teaching Mewtwo his battle insights, other challengers—from whom Mewtwo learned—were all influenced by him to varying degrees. Their tactics during battles with Mewtwo were quite unorthodox.
Plus, Mewtwo's limited internet time was mostly spent playing "Pokémon Champion," where toxic players outnumbered offline ones.
Naturally, Mewtwo's battle database was now overflowing with unorthodox strategies…
Analyzing these examples, how could it not become unorthodox?
As Aiden pondered this, the opponent's Wash Rotom used Will-O-Wisp on Tangrowth.
Aiden clearly saw Mewtwo's mouth twitch, its gaze instantly sharpening.
With tactics like yours, I'd believe Mewtwo could even turn evil!
Though corrupted in the wrong direction, it posed little threat to the Pokémon world. Yet thinking the culprit was probably himself…
If Mew—that street-loafer—got tired of wandering and visited Sunshine Gym one day to find Mewtwo had become an unorthodox schemer, enduring hundreds of defensive turns against these rookies… wouldn't it laugh at him for hundreds of years afterward?
Unable to bear watching, Aiden decisively turned his head away.
What a blue sky today!
...
That evening, after a week's work, the Pokémon finally welcomed their long-awaited weekend.
Aiden didn't disappoint them—just like last time, he had ordered an extremely lavish takeout from a Mesagoza restaurant.
During the leisurely pre-dinner time, Pokémon engaged in their own activities in small groups.
Mewtwo seized the opportunity, diligently taking notes on the sofa before dinner, recording all the tactics and Pokémon it had seen today for evening review.
Utterly devoted—forgetting even meals and sleep.
Even Aiden couldn't help but admire this dedication.
He actually knew about Mewtwo's midnight phone usage—the Rotom inhabiting his special Pokédex was highly sensitive to household appliance usage. Mewtwo thought it hid well, underestimating Pokémon technology…
But Aiden hadn't exposed it.
Superficially, Mewtwo did abide by their agreement—its mental state had greatly improved recently.
Under such circumstances, he allowed it small indulgences.
And why wouldn't Mewtwo succeed with this drive? Whatever it did would surely succeed!
As for the cloned Pokémon it led—they were noticeably lazier.
Perhaps because Mewtwo could evolve them via psychic power, they felt their own strength mattered less.
Besides following Mewtwo's commands, these little ones constantly found ways to slack off—climbing rooftops via Bulbasaur's vines, playing hide-and-seek to avoid detection, and other creative antics.
Though Mewtwo usually found them immediately, sighing as it psychically dragged each one out.
These mischievous youngsters brought laughter to the gym.
Occasionally, they'd sit neatly on the grass, quietly watching battles they didn't participate in, cheering and making sounds.
However, these playful kids had one sworn enemy in the gym—who turned them into obedient angels upon sight.
That was Incineroar with its Intimidate ability…
The reason was simple—Incineroar's imposing appearance intimidated these children far more than the familiar Mewtwo.
Whenever Incineroar passed by, the clones would immediately stand at attention, only breathing easy after it left.
Aiden observed all this.
Actually, this Incineroar was quite gentle—always wanting to befriend these little ones. But its wild appearance made them dislike it instead…
In comparison, even the Dark-type trickster Sableye got along better with kids.
So whenever Sableye was dragged by clones to be "it" in tag, Incineroar would watch enviously.
This truly was a sad story.
Besides them, Shelgon had its own recent troubles.
After evolving, it struggled to adapt to its new life.
The truth was, perhaps all worlds were makeshift operations.
When a certain Alpaca created Pokémon, it likely had good intentions—letting bipedal Bagon evolve twice into quadrupedal, winged Salamence, a miracle of biological evolution.
But during the intermediate stage, Shelgon felt awkward.
It had no mouth to eat, and walking on four legs made it less agile than before. Its heavy body caused it to wobble while walking—even flipping over sideways mid-stride.
Like now.
Weighing over 200 pounds, it flipped over and could only flap its four short legs, looking at Aiden with pitiful eyes.
Aiden felt helpless…
Shelgon now weighed over 200 pounds—no longer easy to pick up like before.
But just turning over, though difficult, was possible if it cooperated.
As Aiden stepped forward to help, Lucario quickly intervened, effortlessly lifting Shelgon and placing it upright on the ground.
Aiden sighed in relief, then stroked Shelgon's hard head shell.
"If you want to become more agile, work hard to accumulate strength. Evolve soon into Salamence, the soaring dragon."
Late-blooming Pokémon often had quirks during evolution.
Like Shelgon's counterpart Zweilous—its two heads argued constantly, leading to the two-headed dragon biting itself. Or Hakamo-o, which needs constant battles to shed its scales…
Though in Sun/Moon games, low-level Salamence could supposedly be caught—technically skipping the juvenile stage via a small bug?
But in reality, this was clearly impossible.
So Aiden had no real solution—Shelgon just had to endure this awkward phase itself.
"..."
Shelgon stared at Aiden with aggrieved eyes for a long time.
If only I'd known evolution would be this painful—I'd have forced myself not to evolve!
Perhaps accumulating enough strength as Bagon could've let me evolve twice at once, skipping this awkward stage…
Unlike now—starving with nothing to eat but a belly full of frustration!
As Shelgon sulked internally, crisp knocking came from outside, followed by Miraidon's impatient cry.
Clearly, the long-awaited takeout had arrived.
Seeing this, Shelgon's eyes moistened, tears of envy streaming down.
Damn it!
Why did the trainer suddenly learn to cook normal food right after my evolution? And every Friday ordering delicious takeout…
This must be intentional!
Unable to eat anything, it could only retreat sadly to its little nest, pulling its blanket tight.
Your happiness is yours—I have nothing at all… sob sob sob…
When Aiden opened the door, he expected to see the same hardworking Indeedee sister from before.
But surprisingly, today's delivery Pokémon was a Machoke.
The heavy delivery bag that was burdensome for Indeedee was effortlessly held by Machoke's single hand.
Clearly, Machoke was better suited for this job.
Aiden nodded inwardly.
Like last time, while taking the takeout, he handed Machoke several energy cubes and curiously asked:
"Did the Indeedee from before quit?"
"Ho?"
Machoke scratched its head, seemingly not understanding Aiden.
"..."
Seeing it clearly didn't know the Indeedee, Aiden already guessed the situation.
She'd probably been "optimized" by the restaurant owner.
So even Pokémon in human society faced unemployment?
Aiden sighed inwardly.
He'd heard Indeedee highly adapted to human society with high intelligence—excellent housekeepers. Most were even skilled cooks.
If only he'd known earlier—he could've kept that Indeedee, offering her work at the gym.
He might've even learned cooking from her.
But now, with no idea where that Indeedee sister had gone, he had no choice but to give up.
After sending Machoke off, Aiden carried the heavy takeout into the gym, Miraidon following closely by scent.
Just as he prepared to call everyone for dinner, he noticed an unexpected guest in the gym.
"Mew~"
The familiar pink cat appeared out of nowhere, lazily lying on Mewtwo's forehead, waving its paw at him and letting out a soft cry as greeting.
Compared to him, the gym leader, Mew behaved more like the house's owner—truly cat-like.
Aiden silently nodded at this uninvited old friend.
Yes—you'd never know when or where Mew would appear. Just stay calm.
Cats were like this—the less you paid attention, the more they'd seek you out…
Aiden understood this well.
"You came at the perfect time—we have a feast today."
"Mew!"
At this, Mew instantly woke up, floating from Mewtwo's head to Aiden's side. Its long tail skillfully hooked his arm, showing extreme affection.
"..."
Mewtwo beside them silently facepalmed, unable to watch.
For a meal, it went this far—acting exactly like a spoiled pet.
In a way, having such an unserious personality, Mew was quite impressive too…
Meanwhile, Sylveon silently pouted, clearly unhappy.
It quickly walked to Aiden sitting at the table, leaped lightly, and landed firmly on his lap.
Feeling a numb sensation on his thigh, Aiden's mouth twitched.
Perhaps due to evolution, Sylveon had become a little jealous one. It loved spoiling him, but sometimes this affection was terrifying.
Sylveon weighed a solid 50 pounds—occasionally this sudden move really tested him…
As Aiden mentally complained, Sylveon seemed to sense it, its four ribbon-like feelers skillfully wrapping around his other arm.
I can handle it! It's my own lovely fluffball—I have to endure!
One Mew on his left hand, one Sylveon on his lap—this was the life of a true winner…
So this happy trouble, I'll bear it alone!
...
Human food surprisingly suited Mew's taste. After dinner, its belly was round and full, lying quietly on the sofa reminiscing about the delicious meal.
For this little cat that treated his home as its own, Aiden could only smile helplessly, instinctively poking its slightly protruding stomach.
Mew immediately gave him a "death glare."
"You're eating free food at our house—what's wrong with letting me touch you?"
Aiden smiled, his reasoning airtight—leaving Mew no counterarguments. It could only lie on the sofa playing dead.
Just then, while petting Mew, Aiden suddenly remembered something related to it—
Actually, his "Mythical Pokémon Lore" series could feature Mew as the star of a solo episode, right?
Though in Sunshine Gym, Mew often seemed unreliable and whimsical to others, its origins were undeniably significant.
Though not a legendary Pokémon, it possessed the complete genetic code of all existing Pokémon. Scholars considered it the common ancestor of all Pokémon—and thus could learn virtually any move.
Aiden had witnessed this personally—in reality, it was even more absurd than in games. Not only could it use exclusive moves of ordinary Pokémon, but even legendary Pokémon's signature techniques.
During the Viridian Gym rescue of Mewtwo, he'd seen Mew use Darkrai's exclusive move "Dark Void."
Its absurd transformation ability was hinted at in the anime, even taking the form of Lugia—the sea god revered by Johto generations.
Though its strength likely didn't match the real thing's, it clearly had terrifying capabilities.
In short, used properly, this single Pokémon could wield the combined power of all others…
Perhaps this was why Team Rocket was so obsessed with it.
Moreover, though mysterious, Mew had left urban legends across many regions. As guardian of the World Tree, it truly played a vital role in the Pokémon world's structure.
Hmm… though it spent at least half the year slacking off.
So introducing it loosely fit his "Mythical Pokémon" theme.
Of course, he had the idea—but most important was confirming Mew's own wishes.
If Mew disliked humans knowing of its existence, he'd never overstep.
Thinking this, Aiden looked again at Mew, which seemed to enjoy his petting, and quickly asked:
"Mew, I'm planning to film a video featuring you. Are you interested?"
"Mew?"
Mew immediately looked confused.
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