There's Something Off About My Pokémon. [68]

Ms. Du Wen's advice gave Lu Cheng a lot to think about. He decided to focus on Grovyle's slashing moves first, while Vulpix would develop in both the Psychic and Fire-type directions. Additionally, Lu Cheng had asked Ms. Du specifically about the "Detect" move. In academic circles, it's often debated that Detect is essentially the same as Protect, though the two exhibit very different manifestations. Protect creates a green energy barrier, while Detect often appears more like a Fighting-type move.

Even different Pokémon show different effects when using Detect. For example, Machop uses its strong muscles to block an attack, while Mienshao uses its superior agility to dodge. As for Grovyle, it takes a unique approach, using Leaf Blade or a sword to slice through attacks. This is why in the R-region, Detect is often referred to as "Swordsman's Cut," possibly due to its link to the legendary Japanese technique "Mugai-Ryu," where swordsmen disarm their opponents with bare hands.

"This move is a godsend!" Lu Cheng muttered to himself. "If I can get Grovyle to learn Quick Guard too, I could just keep using Swords Dance with Protect!" Quick Guard is another variation of Protect, capable of defending against priority moves like Quick Attack.

Detect combined with Swords Dance… this could be huge! Lu Cheng rubbed his chin, filled with excitement for the future.

Still, training couldn't be neglected. As usual, Lu Cheng took his Pokémon to their familiar training grounds, and today, Vulpix was brimming with energy. Looking at its coat, now more vibrant thanks to the fragrant berries he fed it, Lu Cheng smiled. If it's in this good of a state, I might let Vulpix fight in the next match.

With Vulpix now better at using Flamethrower, the flames could reach as far as five meters. Of course, Lu Cheng's "Advanced Player" ability helped with this, but it was also the result of Vulpix's hard work.

"Vulpix, same as before, try to form your flames into a vortex. Avoid Grovyle's blade!"

"Grovyle, use Detect to defend. If Vulpix misses, counter with Leaf Blade immediately!"

Grovyle nodded. Its Leaf Blade was still at the beginner level, and sometimes the move even failed. Training it to counterattack with this move was meant to improve that skill. More importantly, Leaf Blade could be executed using the leaves on Grovyle's wrist, giving it strategic importance in battle.

Vulpix didn't dare to take it lightly. This time, it was especially focused, gathering flames in its mouth.

"Vulpix!"

Once again, the flames were intense, but this time there was a subtle difference. Vulpix wasn't simply blasting out flames at full power. Instead, it watched Grovyle's movements carefully, waiting until Grovyle was about to use Detect, then suddenly ramped up the intensity of the flames. This adjustment caught Grovyle off guard, and Detect failed to deflect the attack.

But Grovyle had other mastered skills! With a swift movement, it ducked low to the ground, using Quick Attack to narrowly avoid the Flamethrower. The leaves on its wrist glowed with a sharp edge—Leaf Blade!

Bam! 

The Leaf Blade struck against the faint green energy of Vulpix's Protect, and Vulpix let out a sigh of relief.

"Again!" Lu Cheng smiled.

The scene repeated, but this time, something different happened. A flicker of psychic energy glowed in Vulpix's eyes! Lu Cheng's heart leaped with excitement. While it hadn't yet mastered Fire Spin, Vulpix was using Extrasensory to manipulate Flamethrower, splitting it into a vortex-like shape. And at the center of the vortex—was Grovyle's bone sword!

Faced with the vortex of flames that Vulpix had forced into shape using its psychic powers, Grovyle couldn't use Detect to slice through it. With no other option, it had to rely on Agility to barely dodge the flames.

"Vulpix!" Vulpix let out an excited cry.

"Nice job, Vulpix!" Lu Cheng called out. The flames from Vulpix just now had clearly formed the beginnings of a Fire Spin!

"That's it! Let's try again!"

As the sun began to set, only the sound of clashing moves echoed across the construction site. Grovyle first used Detect to slice through Vulpix's flames, then darted forward with lightning speed, readying its Leaf Blade for a follow-up strike!

However, Vulpix suddenly let out a sharp cry towards the sky, and fierce flames spiraled around it in a vortex, enveloping its entire body. Flash Fire ability triggered—Fire Spin!

Grovyle let out a resigned chirp and stopped in its tracks, turning towards Lu Cheng as if to say, How am I supposed to attack now?

Looking at the move list, where Fire Spin now appeared at the beginner level, Lu Cheng couldn't help but grin.

"That's enough for today," he said with a wide smile. "Let's head back and get some extra snacks!"

---

Two days later, it was the semifinal match—Lu Cheng versus Lu Ning. Lu Ning's Pokémon was a Lopunny, and from its appearance alone, it definitely stood out as one of the more peculiar creatures. A rabbit walking upright on two legs was already strange enough, but this Lopunny had a ridiculously elongated body, like a dachshund that had been forcefully stretched out. Its long ears were covered in thick, matted fur, full of grime, making what was once white now look as though it had been dipped in dirty paint. The rabbit's human-like eyes were set on its unnervingly long face, and its split lower lip revealed crooked, jagged rabbit teeth. That unsettling grin sent chills down Lu Cheng's spine.

As for Lopunny's lower half, it retained the traits of an animal—no chance of black stockings or high-heeled shenanigans here. Still, as the deafening cheers of the male audience filled the arena, Lu Cheng couldn't help but wonder, What exactly do these guys see in this Lopunny? Are they imagining it as some kind of cute girl? Lopunny doesn't have a gender-swap feature, after all! With a face full of exasperation, Lu Cheng sent out his Vulpix. The announcer's voice boomed through the stadium: "It's a showdown between cute and sexy!"

What kind of commentator is this? He's gotta be a creep, right? Lu Cheng thought, thoroughly speechless.

But despite the absurdity, there was no denying that Lu Ning's Lopunny was exceptionally well-trained.

Lopunny (Aileen)

Nature: Jolly

Ability: Cute Charm

Moves: Bounce, High Jump Kick, Agility, Quick Attack

Analysis: Its legs possess unparalleled explosive power, and its speed is incredibly fast. Physical contact moves have a chance of infatuating opponents of the opposite gender. However, it lacks stamina and has weak special defense.

If I remember correctly, my Vulpix is female… Lu Cheng muttered to himself. Sure enough, Vulpix had already fallen under the effect of Attract, her eyes glazed over as she stared dreamily at the Lopunny.

Wait a second... could this Lopunny be a crossdresser? Lu Cheng mused, feeling even more unsettled.

Despite Lu Ning's repeated commands for Lopunny to use Bounce and Agility to find an opening, Lu Cheng had been playing it smart. He instructed Vulpix to keep herself surrounded by her Fire Spin, a move even Grovyle had struggled to break through—there was no way Lopunny would manage it!

In the end, Lopunny was utterly exhausted, while Vulpix emerged from the flames glowing with power, thanks to her Flash Fire ability, boosting the strength of her flames by 1.5 times. With a single Flamethrower, the match was over.

"Heh," Lu Cheng adjusted his imaginary glasses, smirking. "A crossdressing trickster like you doesn't stand a chance against pure cuteness!"

---

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