A new day.
Meteor Village gradually became lively.
Because the news that the village was attacked spread to almost all the Meteor People outside, those worried about their relatives hastened back to the village, some quickly, some slowly.
Upon discovering that their relatives were safe, their hearts were relieved.
However, the matter didn't end just like that.
According to Xijana, the Dragon Tamers who returned agreed to unite with the Dragon People from other regions to carry out a reprisal against the Rocket Team.
In the past, Dragon Tamers mostly kept to themselves and wouldn't proactively meddle in the disputes between the alliance and evil forces, only occasionally lending a hand when needed.
However, today their elders were bullied, which truly crossed a line.
Not just Dragon Tamers, any reasonable adult couldn't stand for this.
When it would end was unclear.
It would probably last until everyone calms down.
Recalling Xijana's unabashed excitement when she spoke about this, Baimu was curious if she had always been so righteous? She had been targeting the Rocket Team all along.
Having lost her mission to save the world, the Inheritor seemed to be letting herself go a bit.
Anyway, Xijana announced her departure that afternoon.
With a burning desire like Rapidash within, she barely stayed in Meteor Village and only returned to see if her grandmother was safe.
After finding the Dragon Elder still dining heartily, she naturally lost the reason to stay further.
According to her:
"If I don't go out and experience more while Grandma is still around, I might not have the chance in the future."
She seemed destined to be the next Elder.
Seeing Xijana's confident expression, Baimu was tempted to announce his intention to compete for the position of the next or even the next-after-next Elder of the Meteor People right then—
But it was just a thought.
His foundation was in the Ore Region, aiming for the Dragon Elder role would greatly affect his future path.
However, before Xijana left, she advised Baimu to contact her when he had six badges for the Inheritor's test, saying it wouldn't take too long if he succeeded.
He agreed wholeheartedly and quietly saw her off.
In the following days, besides continuously receiving thanks and gifts from returning Dragon Tamers, Baimu also sympathetically mourned for the unfortunate Boss Giovanni.
This time, even if it doesn't hurt Rocket Team too severely, it would definitely make Giovanni lose sleep at night, possibly even secretly shed tears.
Poor middle-aged man, having worked so hard to build such a huge enterprise, is now on the brink of losing it all to high blood pressure...
Feels like laughing.
Although Baimu had no deep hatred towards Giovanni, seeing the villain defeated surely brought moral satisfaction, he hoped the boss would stay strong.
With that, the small grudge towards Rocket Team was resolved.
His steadily positive mindset successfully transmitted to his Pokémon, enhancing Blissey and Mawile's coordination with notable progress.
"Great! Very good!"
With the melody ended, Baimu cheerfully clapped, "Take a break! Everyone, take a break!"
Blissey and Mawile gasped heavily but exchanged smiles as they looked at each other.
It was their first time flawlessly completing the entire performance, the breakthrough advancements were definitely worth celebrating, they understood well the difficulty from zero to one.
Success would become more frequent.
"Happy~"
"Chido!"
The two Pokémon cooed softly.
And Baimu, looking at Mawile, thought that not rushing into adding Super Evolution elements proved to be the right choice.
Though he owned three Pokémon capable of Super Evolution and three Super Stones, not all of them possess the ability to successfully evolve.
A great reason as to why Aggron succeeds in Super Evolution is that he and the big fellow have reached a stage of mutual understanding.
Mawile, however, is slightly behind.
On the second day of acquiring the Key Stone, Baimu and Mawile tested it, though the stone glowed when both held it, their mutual sensitivity and the release of the Mind Chain were far from smooth.
Clearly, their bond wasn't strong enough yet.
Elder Qing Liu said, Trainers and Pokémon have compatibility, its source is shared traits.
Personality, appearance, habits, etc.
Perhaps unknowingly, he and Aggron have a common trait that magnified unconsciously, resulting in their mutual understanding.
In other words.
To achieve mutual understanding and Super Evolution with Mawile, he must discover common traits between them and magnify them—
Whatever it might be.
It's never something accomplished overnight.
So, facing the temptation to incorporate Super Evolution elements into the performance, Baimu chose to stick to the original content.
First, complete the Gorgeous Competition in Fallarbor Town, then ponder Super Evolution.
But practice with Aggron's Super Evolution was not going to be lacking, once successful, numerous successes will follow, Aggron needs to master the balance of enormous energy imposed on mind and body.
Once it's no longer painful from brimming with energy, Super Evolution would be thoroughly successful.
The steel beast would be fully formed.
Steelix...
Steelix's resonance with Baimu doesn't even match Mawile's, it's still a bit distant and requires continued effort.
Of course, acquiring the Key Stone is exciting, but Baimu hasn't forgotten the other Pokémon.
Among them, Hydreigon was still sent to the Dragon Nest by him, even though it was extremely unwilling, under compulsion, it could only comply obediently, but it made a request before leaving.
——A dignity battle with Aggron as a wager for the ace position.
Unexpected yet reasonable.
Baimu was surprised that Hydreigon coveted the "ace" position, to be honest, even though he called Aggron the ace, he consciously treated every Pokémon equally.
Therefore, "ace" can only be considered a title.
It doesn't represent anything special.
But everyone seemed to care a lot... He noticed that not only Hydreigon had an obsession with being the ace, even Blissey and Mawile were somewhat leaning in that direction.
Considering the benefits of healthy competition, Baimu agreed, and so did Aggron.
A grand battle commenced.
In the early stages, Hydreigon continually suppressed Aggron with high output, ramping up damage and madly building more advantages, once with a chance to defeat the latter.
Unfortunately, in its over-eagerness, it forgot an important move - [Brute Force].
Ultimately, Aggron triumphed over the young Hydreigon with superior Perseverance, advising the youngster not to be arrogant just because of evolution, there's much more to train!
As the Referee, Baimu mourned for Hydreigon.
At this stage, it can't defeat Aggron, and once it masters Super Evolution later, it will be even harder to win.
The defeated Hydreigon obediently went to the Dragon Nest.
Later, Zheng Fang said that Hydreigon went crazy and constantly challenged various older dragons trying to learn their battle experience.
Determined to strive for strength?
Baimu felt somewhat gratified.
Besides Hydreigon, it's imperative to pay double attention to Shiny Feebas.
Day after day practicing Climbing Waterfall, it finally successfully crossed the most challenging and rewarding "hurdle" in its life under the witness of him and Mawile.
A hurdle named Dragon Gate Waterfall.
The watching wild Magikarp wouldn't know how much effort and hardship Shiny Feebas invested for this waterfall. If perseverance is considered a talent.
Shiny Feebas is undoubtedly one of the outstanding ones.
Initially tempted by the condition that "crossing the waterfall would likely lead to evolution", after realizing, it never uttered words of not wanting to evolve anymore, not even concerned with evolution.
It just wanted to climb over Dragon Gate Waterfall, leaving an indelible mark in its seemingly insignificant life.
To ensure someday it won't regret, to respond to the Trainer and companions' expectations, to reciprocate its own efforts, to bid farewell to the unaccomplished past.
Climb!
At the moment Shiny Feebas broke through the water's surface, it emitted a glow.
Baimu found it difficult to distinguish whether it was the glow from a move or its own light, only feeling it was so dazzling he could hardly look away, yet unwilling to leave, with astonishing beauty exhibited as the figure cut through the waterfall and surged upward.
Beauty comes in many forms.
What Shiny Feebas displayed was the soul-stirring beauty of life refusing to yield to nature, bravely charging forward!
The concept it represents, the power it embodies, far exceeds the deficiency in Shiny Feebas's appearance.
Appearance?
In comparison, a trivial thing.
Perhaps people's first evaluation of beauty and ugliness of a certain thing is based on appearance, but with deeper understanding, the judgment of beauty and ugliness will depend on other factors.
For example——
A noble soul!
A soul never yielding to fate, persistently yelling defiance!
Dragon Gate Waterfall.
Estimated to be over thirty-five meters high, an insurmountable barrier for most fish Pokémon, absolutely unreachable height, a wall of the world they look up to.
The other side a completely different realm.
But what turns impossibility into possibility is Pokémon!
Pokémon, if you invest your unreserved trust, will show you miracles!
If possible.
Baimu hopes time could momentarily freeze at the instant Shiny Feebas surpasses the last centimeter, because he wants to thoroughly appreciate the scene that fills him with pride.
Countless gentle comforting words, cannot match the pride in success.
What does the view from the top of Dragon Gate Waterfall look like?
Filled with pride, Baimu and the deeply moved Mawile climbed the rock face beside Dragon Gate Waterfall to its summit, enjoying the same view with the returning Shiny Feebas.
Looking down, overlooking the numerous Magikarp gazing up.
At this moment, the mistreated, rejected Shiny Feebas was in the past tense.
Its soul has completed transformation, only needing a small opportunity next to embrace its new self.
Shiny Feebas had a premonition.
It also realized the Trainer didn't deceive it, as climbing Dragon Gate Waterfall truly represented it had the qualification for evolution, it has completed half of the life's transition.
Future.
Already so close!