Running to the fish tank to communicate with the Shiny Feebas has become something Mawile frequently does lately.
Faced with Mawile, a Pokémon that anyone would find adorable, the Shiny Feebas inevitably feels a bit inferior and is hesitant to approach it.
However, being naturally fond of beauty, the Shiny Feebas tends to find what Mawile considers beautiful to be beautiful as well, especially since Mawile has never shown a look of disdain.
The relationship between the two Pokémon quickly becomes friendly.
Using this breakthrough.
Gradually.
The Feebas no longer feels afraid of other Pokémon, not even Aggron, Zweilous, or Steelix.
It discovered that although Aggron looks fierce, it actually has a very gentle personality. It doesn't mind being attacked by others and often shows off its scars.
It even occasionally swims together with Feebas, especially when taken to the little river by the Trainer, helping it drive away the ferocious Tentacool and Carvanha, asking if it's okay.
Since then, Feebas no longer fears Aggron, finding it very handsome and reliable instead.
It seems to have become a little fan.
As for Zweilous, the initial impression it gave was of being the "youngest sibling at home," always clinging to the Trainer, appearing exceptionally lively and energetic... sometimes not very smart.
But Feebas's most memorable moment with it was when it was playing with a balloon in the pool and accidentally let it fly away; Zweilous took the initiative to retrieve it.
At that moment, Zweilous's demeanor was vastly different from when it was beside the Trainer, as if it transformed from a kindergarten pupil to a calm and collected adult, no longer screeching, only nodding to express its gratitude.
When its two heads looked at Aggron, Feebas could sense a strong will.
Just like the powerful Shiny Pokémon it's seen before, battling each other, trying to outdo one another.
Are Zweilous and Aggron on bad terms?
Upon closer inspection, it didn't seem like it.
Feebas's mind struggled to understand the notion of competitive spirit, but it understood Zweilous's persistence and the side unknown to the Trainer.
Steelix...
It didn't see this one often, mostly catching a glimpse during battles and training. At first, Steelix's size frightened it, but it later found that this creature is somewhat clumsy, with a good temper and wouldn't disdain it.
Hmm.
This is very important.
And now that it has adapted to the fiercest ones, the rest are naturally not worth mentioning, as Chansey has become its second friend besides Mawile (self-proclaimed), and the Galarian Corsola is usually asleep, with almost no interaction, while Porygon occasionally smiles at it, potentially becoming the third friend.
The fish tank may be smaller than the pond in the Eco Park, but life is more beautiful than before.
Though the pond is large, a despised Feebas couldn't venture far from its nest, easily bullied by other Pokémon.
The fish tank may be small, but the Trainer frequently takes it to a spacious pool and occasionally to streams and creeks, swimming together in the water.
The surrounding Pokémon are friendly.
Crucially, the food tastes great.
Feebas is very satisfied with its current life and wants it to continue forever.
Even if it's a bit weak, a bit ugly, the Trainer cares for it, doesn't disdain it, so it must have some potential to rely on.
Feebas hopes that when the time comes, it can be more powerful.
As for evolution...this term is a bit vague and difficult for it to grasp. The Trainer even showed it a picture of a very beautiful Pokémon, saying that with effort, it could evolve into that form.
Really, the Trainer likes to joke as well.
If it could evolve into that form, it would definitely strive for it with all its might!
——
While juniors strive hard.
Seniors naturally won't remain indifferent.
Led by Aggron, the four talents of Pyrite Town are also making slow progress on their paths.
Baimu recently gave Aggron the treasured [Thunder] move, attempting to enhance its Special Attack capabilities, and Aggron did not disappoint, releasing a very satisfactory Thunder.
But the level increased slowly, like a rocket before level 70, like a snail after.
The clear dividing line made him realize how arduous the path to becoming the strongest is and how gifted and talented champions and their Pokémon are.
And since rapid growth wasn't supported by level.
He had Aggron start learning more Special Attack moves, such as Big Character Burst Flame, True Qi Bullet, Blizzard, Destructive Beam, Sunlight Beam, making slight progress as a Special Attack cannon.
The result was that it didn't learn these moves but instead, in a collision with Steelix, comprehended the [Horsepower] Ground Attribute Physical Attack move.
Clearly aiming for Heavyweight Charge, who would have thought it would backfire.
But it's better than nothing, Horsepower being a pretty strong Ground Attribute move.
Aggron was very pleased with this move, loving such collision-type moves the most.
In comparison.
Mawile wasn't so happy, initially aiming for Deceit, intending to learn the techniques of Leverage, only to mysteriously unlock [Spiritual Fang] in its skill pool.
Perhaps it's related to its recent use of Shattering Bite to tear at Chansey's Telekinesis, infected by Psychic Attribute energy.
But according to the Trainer's assessment, Spiritual Fang has times when it's very useful.
Plus, the Trainer recently had it mysteriously learn [Shadow Clone].
The comfort soothed Mawile's mindset considerably.
Furthermore, its level hasn't reached the bottleneck stage like Aggron, and it can continue to grow.
Occasionally practicing Gorgeous Competition performances.
Mawile's life is very fulfilling.
Also fulfilling is Steelix, frequently traveling back and forth between two regions, much like a worker commuting daily by high-speed rail, though busy, it's very joyful.
It successfully cultivated a green area on Aggron's territory, earning Aggron's praise.
The diligent work attitude yielded very tangible results——
It learned to Pounce.
Perhaps the frequent forward lunges causing big holes led to this achievement.
Although it only learned one move, Steelix wasn't the least bit disdainful, quite the opposite, and was very satisfied. Pounce, in its hands, had an unusually terrifying power.
Even Aggron found it difficult to withstand its Pounce.
How could it not be happy with that?
Occasionally, even Baimu was infected by the silly joy of Steelix, laughingly scolding it for grinning after losing a fight, asking what that meant, its leaky teeth both ugly and comical.
Finally.
It was the biggest breakthrough after coming to Verdanturf Town——
Chansey.
This fellow learned [Substitute] and [Reflective Wall] from Mann Chong's Pokémon, after which Baimu also taught it [Strong Mental Will], because it expressed a desire to try directly attacking opponents.
Originally, it should have started with Pound, the most basic move representing the beginning.
But Baimu considered that long-range attacks could reduce the sense of guilt, like shooting an enemy with a gun, and since Chansey was exceptional in Spiritual Power, he had it learn the accumulated Strong Mental Will.
It was precisely by relying on Strong Mental Will.
In the span of half a year.
Chansey took its first step towards a new future, which was also the most important step.