NABC Chapter 699: They stole Karuno's Bird Position!
Chapter 699: They stole Karuno's Bird Position!
By the time we got back to the aromatherapy center, it was almost dark.
Ma Xiu brewed a pot of lavender tea, and its delicate fragrance filled the room.
The three sat around the tea table, the moonlight streaming in through the window, bathing the entire room in a soft, silvery glow.
Cynthia picked up her teacup and took a small sip.
Then she put down her cup and looked at Ma Xiu.
"Ma Xiu".
"Um?"
"Your strength," Cynthia said calmly, but the words made the air freeze slightly, "how come not only has it not improved, but it has actually regressed quite a bit?"
Ma Xiu's hand paused.
She lowered her head, looked at the lavender petals floating in the glass, and remained silent for a few seconds.
"Cynthia," she said softly, her voice tinged with bitterness, "you know, my dream has always been to be a fashion designer."
She looked up and forced a smile.
"Becoming the owner of the museum is also to better promote the clothing I design."
"Aromatherapy dojos attract a lot of challengers and high levels of attention. Wearing my designed clothes and appearing in the dojo competition is the best form of publicity."
She paused, then lowered her voice.
"So... we have indeed neglected Pokémon training somewhat."
Cynthia looked at her.
Those eyes, usually calm and composed, were now churning with complex emotions.
Disappointment, heartache, and something deeper.
Cynthia said, word by word, "The former Ma Xiu once said that she wanted to reach the pinnacle of both fashion design and Pokémon trainer."
She put down her teacup and leaned forward slightly.
What's wrong with you right now?
Ma Xiu's shoulders trembled slightly.
"If needed," Cynthia's voice softened, but remained firm, "Shuwen and I can help you."
Ma Xiu raised her head and met Xilona's gaze.
Those eyes held worry, expectation, and undisguised sincerity.
She took a deep breath.
"……really."
Her voice was no longer ethereal, but carried a certain weight.
"Since losing to Karuno, I've indeed been rather quiet these past few years."
She turned to look out the window, the moonlight falling on her face and outlining her soft features.
"I lost that battle completely. Sylveon's Moon Power was easily blocked by her Gardevoir, Mr. Mime's Teleport was completely seen through, and Marill's Hercules was like a child's strength in front of her..."
She looked away and turned her gaze back to Cynthia.
This time, her eyes burned with light.
"I don't want things to continue like this."
She looked intently at Shirona, then at Li Shuwen, who had been silently drinking tea.
"Then I'll have to trouble you," she said. "Please give me some special training."
Cynthia smiled.
"This is the Ma Xiu I know. If Carlos can sit in this champion's seat, why can't you?"
"By having Shuwen help with the training, you've directly taken away Karuno's bird spot!"
Li Shuwen nodded. "That's right, I'll help too."
The next morning, at the dojo's training ground.
Sunlight streamed through the stained glass, casting dappled shadows on the floor.
In the center of the training field, Ma Xiu's six Pokémon were lined up in a row.
The fairy gracefully twirled her ribbons, her pink fur shimmering softly in the sunlight.
The Big Mouth Baby stood beside it, its steel-like jaws opening and closing slightly, making a soft clicking sound.
The Mr. Mime stood with his arms crossed, looking thoughtful, his fingers unconsciously gesturing something.
Lady Flower stood quietly, her floral crown swaying slightly, emitting a faint fragrance.
The fragrance floated in mid-air, and the veil-like body flowed slowly in the air.
Mariluri squatted on the far side, her round body and big ears making her look like a cute doll.
Ma Xiu stood in front of them, her gaze sweeping over each Pokémon.
"Everyone," her voice was soft but earnest, "I've become a bit lax these past few years."
The fairy's ears twitched.
"I'm sorry for keeping you all stuck in this stagnation," Ma Xiu continued.
"Ee~" the fairy sprite called softly, the ribbon gently brushing against Ma Xiu's wrist.
The gesture was so gentle, it was like a comforting gesture.
Ma Xiu's eyes welled up slightly.
She took a deep breath, suppressing the surge of emotions that welled up inside her.
"So this time," she looked up, her gaze hardening, "let's work together, okay?"
All six Pokémon turned to look at her.
The fairy's eyes began to sparkle.
The baby's jaws are opening and closing faster now.
The Mr. Mime pushed up his non-existent glasses, a slight smile playing on his lips.
Madame Flower's crown swayed gently, scattering a shower of shimmering powder.
The aromatherapy essence twirled in the air, emitting a pleasant chirping sound.
Marilulli nodded vigorously, her round body trembling with each step.
Ma Xiu smiled, a smile that contained guilt, emotion, and a renewed fighting spirit.
"Okay," she said. "Let's begin."
At the edge of the training ground, the apprentices and staff of the aromatherapy dojo had already sat in a circle.
Ma Xiu specially invited them to come and watch.
"You all need to improve too," she said last night. "Watching strong people fight is the best way to learn."
At this moment, more than a dozen pairs of eyes were fixed on the scene.
"Go, Miss Ma Xiu!"
Li Shuwen stepped forward.
Three Poké Balls popped out from his waist at the same time—
A burst of white light!
The moment Gallade landed, its twin blades were already drawn.
The Poison Skull Frog crossed its arms over its chest, a signature enigmatic smile playing on its lips.
The venomous stinger stood up slightly, emanating a faint but dangerous aura.
The Greatsword Demon shattered the ground, its thick forelimbs resting on the two enormous shell swords at its waist.
"First match," Li Shuwen said calmly, "Gallade versus Mr. Mime."
Ma Xiu nodded and looked at her companion.
"Mr. Mime, please."
The Mr. Mime stepped forward and made a strange gesture with his hands, as if to say, "Bring it on."
Gallade nodded slightly in response.
A flash of blue light appeared in the Mr. Mime's eyes, and his figure suddenly disappeared from the spot.
Instant teleportation!
The next second, he appeared three meters behind Gallade, his hands already radiating a pale purple light.
But Gallade didn't turn around, it just turned slightly to the side.
That sideways movement was just right, causing Mr. Mime's attack to miss, while simultaneously putting himself in the most advantageous position to counterattack.
With its double blades held horizontally, the tip of the sword was aimed directly at the Mr. Mime's throat.
Mr. Mime quickly retracted his attack and teleported again!
This time it appeared on the left!
Gallade rotated her wrist, and the tip of her sword moved accordingly.
Right side!
The sword tip followed again.
Above!
Gallade looked up, its gaze as calm as if it were watching a Pidgey practicing flight.
The Mr. Mime's teleportation speed is getting faster and faster; it can teleport eight times in three seconds!
Every time it appears in a particularly tricky location, every time it attacks from an unexpected angle.
But Gallade's sword tip was always pointed at Mr. Mime.
No matter where he appeared or from what angle he attacked, the sword seemed to have been waiting there all along, hitting him precisely and with such accuracy that it was despair-inducing.
"So...so strong..." an apprentice murmured.
"Mr. Mime's teleportation is already fast enough," another apprentice exclaimed, eyes wide. "But that Gallade... we don't even need to look, it seems... it seems like it can predict the future!"
Ma Xiu's eyes grew brighter and brighter.
"Mr. Mime," Ma Xiu said softly, "look carefully."
The Mr. Mime did not respond.
But something was burning in his eyes.
The tenth teleportation.
This time, it didn't appear around Gallade, but instead appeared directly one meter behind Gallade.
Closer than ever before!
The light of his spiritual power condensed in his palm, almost touching Gallade's back.
"It worked?!" an apprentice exclaimed.
Gallade moved.
Without turning around or dodging, he simply took a step forward.
Just one step.
The Mr. Mime's attack grazed his back, missing him by a hair's breadth.
Then Gallade teleported, and the tip of its sword lightly touched Mr. Mime's shoulder.
Point to end.
The Mr. Mime stood frozen in place.
He looked at the tip of Gallade's sword, then at his own hands, and finally at Marshall.
Ma Xiu is smiling at the Mr. Mime doll.
That smile was full of pride.
"You did it," she said. "You pushed yourself beyond your limits!"
The Mr. Mime's eyes felt slightly warm.
Gallade nodded slightly to Mr. Mime.
But Ma Xiu was filled with surprise; Gallade's teleportation was indeed incredibly fast.
Even with Mr. Mime's breakthrough, it still couldn't keep up with Gallade's pace.
The second match was between Poison Skull Frog and Fairy Elf.
"That poisonous skull frog..." a staff member swallowed hard. "The venomous spines on its body are such a dark color..."
"That's a sign of extreme poison," another older apprentice said in a deep voice. "The darker the color, the more potent the poison. This poisonous skull frog's venom is so potent that contact with it would likely be fatal."
Ma Xiu took a deep breath.
"Fairy spirit," she said, "beware of the poisonous skull frog."
The fairy gave a soft call, and the ribbon tightened slightly.
The poisonous skeletal frog did not move.
He simply stood there, arms crossed, watching the fairies and elves.
Ma Xiu waved her hand and gave the order, "Moonlight Power!"
Pink light gathered around the fairy, brighter and purer than usual, clearly indicating that she had used her full strength from the very beginning.
The beam of light shone directly on the poisonous skeletal frog.
Just as the beam of light was about to hit the Poison Skull Frog, the Poison Skull Frog vanished.
It moved so fast that it left afterimages in the air. The power of the moon passed through the afterimages and slammed into the wall behind it, exploding into a burst of pink light.
The next second, the Poison Skull Frog appeared in front of the fairy elf.
He raised his right hand, the poisonous stinger gleaming with a faint purple light.
Poisoning attack!
The fairy's pupils suddenly contracted.
But just as the poisonous stinger was about to strike, a pink barrier opened up in front of her.
Wall of Light!
The poison slammed into the wall of light, splattering venom everywhere.
The light wall trembled violently, and countless tiny cracks appeared, but it blocked the attack.
Ma Xiu's eyes lit up.
"Fairy spirit!" she cried, "Attack continuously with the power of the moon!"
The fairy spirit let out a long cry.
Pink light poured out like a torrential rain, and wave after wave of lunar energy bombarded the Poison Skull Frog, so dense that it was impossible to dodge.
Poisonous skeletal frogs flitted through the moonlight.
The dense moonlight seemed to move in slow motion to him. He moved to the side, shifted, retreated, and charged forward. Each movement was just enough to avoid the attack, and each evasion brought him one step closer to the fairy.
"What... what kind of speed is this?!" an apprentice exclaimed.
The fairy's eyes grew brighter and brighter.
She absolutely has to hit it!
The attacks became faster, denser, and more cunning, as the attackers began to anticipate the Poison Skull Frog's movements and frantically squeezed out their own potential.
Finally, the fairy let out a long cry, and her whole body shone with a burst of pink light!
A beam of lunar power accurately predicted the Poison Skull Frog's landing point.
The moment the Poison Skull Frog emerged from its teleportation, that pink glow was already waiting there.
Bang!
The power of the moon struck the Poison Skull Frog squarely, sending it staggering back three steps.
Ma Xiu's hands trembled slightly.
"Fairy, elf..." she murmured.
The fairy turned to look at her, her big, watery eyes full of fighting spirit.
She will definitely not let Ma Xiu down.
Ma Xiu almost burst into tears.
Then it was Greatsword Demon versus Marill.
"Mariluli," came Maxiu's voice, "let them see your power."
Marilulli nodded vigorously and then rushed out.
That round body burst forth with astonishing speed at that moment.
Every step he took left a deep footprint on the ground.
She tore the air apart, creating a sharp whistling sound.
Hercules ability, unleash its full power!
A hint of admiration flashed in the Greatsword Demon's eyes.
He drew his two swords and charged forward.
Clang—!
The first sword collided with Marilulli's fist, creating a shockwave.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
Each collision sent a humming sound through the surrounding air. Mariluri's fists grew heavier and heavier, each attack carrying the power to shatter stone.
The Greatsword Demon is retreating.
"Mariluli!" Ma Xiu's voice rang out, "Use all your strength!"
Marilulli let out a long howl.
In that instant, a blinding white light erupted from his body.
The power that had been suppressed within her for so long was finally fully activated at this moment.
boom--!!
The shockwave from the collision exploded, sweeping away the dust within a ten-meter radius.
The Greatsword Demon took three steps back.
Mariluri stood there, panting, but her eyes were filled with excitement.
She did it.
She made the Greatsword Demon retreat!
Ma Xiu rushed into the field and hugged Marilulli tightly.
"You did it," her voice choked with emotion, "You really did it..."
Mariluri snuggled against her and purred contentedly.
She did it, so as not to disappoint Ma Xiu.
The training lasted all day.
Lady Flower learned the skill of mixing fairy energy into the blazing sunlight.
The misty atmosphere of the fragrance became solid and substantial.
The power of Mouthball's headbutt has increased by 30%.
As the sun set, the six Pokémon sat around Mash, each with a different light burning in its eyes.
That was the light that dispelled all confusion.
The apprentices gathered around, discussing the matter animatedly.
"That's amazing... That Gallade is as elegant as a swordsman!"
"The Poison Skull Frog's poison is so potent that just looking at it makes my legs weak. He wasn't even serious during the battle; he was just instructing the Sylveon!"
"The Greatsword Demon is the most domineering. Those two swords, when swung, are like they can split the heavens and the earth."
"But the most terrifying thing is the effect of the Midas Touch... Can a Pokémon really break through its limits just by fighting one battle?"
"That's why he's called the 'Midas Touch'! Every Pokémon he touches turns to gold!"
Ma Xiu stood up and bowed deeply to Li Shuwen.
"Thank you," she said. "Thank you so much. Your Midas touch is truly legendary."
Li Shuwen shook his head.
"It's your bond with everyone that made this breakthrough possible," he said. "I just created the opportunity."
"The fusion of trainer and Pokémon, heart to heart, will unleash an astonishing power!"
Ma Xiu straightened up and looked at her six Pokémon.
They were watching her too.
In everyone's eyes, there was trust, reliance, and an unwavering determination.
Ma Xiu smiled.
This time, there was no bitterness in that smile, only burning fighting spirit.
"Okay," she said. "Next, it's time to let certain people know..."
She paused, then looked into the distance.
"Aromatherapy dojos aren't to be trifled with!"
Hirona smiled and put her arm around Ma Xiu's shoulder.
"That's right, this is the Ma Xiu I know!"