As soon as it landed, it eagerly chirped and reported to Wen Qi.
Listening to Pidgeot's account, a smile as radiant as the spring sun bloomed on Wen Qi's face—a smile that seemed capable of dispelling all the gloom in the world. His eyes sparkled with excitement as he exclaimed:
"Great! I never expected things to go so smoothly."
Wen Qi stepped forward, gently stroking Pidgeot's feathers, and said with admiration:
"Pidgeot, you did an amazing job! I was worried there might be some twists and turns, but you handled it so cleverly and perfectly."
The more Wen Qi thought about it, the more impressed he was with Pidgeot's performance. He couldn't help but sigh:
"I never realized before that you're such a good talker. Looks like I'll need to train you well from now on—maybe you can help me solve even more problems!"
With that, Wen Qi gave Pidgeot some of its favorite energy cubes as a reward. Pidgeot happily enjoyed them, feeling quite pleased with itself.
Wen Qi then remembered that the competition was set to start in three days, and there were still many things he needed to handle.
First, he needed to make more energy cubes, as the current stock wouldn't be enough for future rewards. Second, he had to build a battle platform for upcoming matches. Finally, he needed to find a place for Venusaur and Scyther to stay.
The energy cubes were easy to solve—he just needed to work a few extra hours at night and slack off a bit less during the day.
As for the battle platform, Wen Qi thought for a moment and then sent the Sandslash family, along with Rhyhorn and Torterra, to build it.
Upon receiving the task, the Sandslash family sprang into action. They deftly used their sharp claws to dig into the ground, working in unison as dirt flew through the air like drifting willow catkins. Before long, a large pit began to take shape.
Rhyhorn trudged over to the edge of the pit with heavy steps. Taking a deep breath, it focused its energy and slowly released a powerful surge of Ground-type energy. The excavated soil seemed to be guided by some mysterious force, quickly compacting into a solid, sturdy foundation.
Next, Torterra ambled to the center of the foundation. Closing its eyes slightly, it channeled its inner power. A dense wave of Ground-type energy surged from its body like a tide, merging into the foundation. The once uneven surface instantly became as smooth as a mirror.
After completing the initial platform, they began reinforcing the battle platform with Rock-type energy. Rhyhorn exerted itself once more, its rocky armor gleaming with dazzling light as a steady stream of powerful Rock-type energy poured into the platform. What was once ordinary soil gradually became infused with the strength of rock, its texture turning as hard as iron.
The Sandslash family didn't rest either. They searched for suitable stones nearby, using their small but strong claws to carry them onto the platform. Torterra then used its sturdy forelegs to arrange the stones neatly before releasing Rock-type energy to fuse them seamlessly with the platform.
Through their collective efforts, a sturdy and imposing battle platform gradually took shape. Wen Qi then had them build some spectator stands, which were completed quickly.
With the battle platform done, the next task was to arrange accommodations for the Pokémon.
The Scyther clan was easy to handle—they could stay with the Scyther already there, as they weren't very large.
The Venusaur clan was also manageable, except for the Alpha Venusaur. It was too big to fit into the warehouse, and leaving it to sleep outside would be too disrespectful.
With no other choice, Wen Qi had to make do by modifying Torterra's old shelter under the big tree, expanding it to accommodate the Alpha Venusaur. After all, the Alpha Venusaur was somewhat of a mentor to Torterra, so a little sacrifice was acceptable.
Time slipped by like a fleeting horse passing through a crack as Wen Qi dealt with these three tasks, and soon the day of the competition arrived.
The day of the competition finally came. Sunlight draped over the farm like a golden veil, coating everything in a brilliant glow. Wen Qi rose early to meticulously set up the competition grounds.
At the entrance of the arena, he hung a bright banner that read, "Pokémon Battle Tournament: The Excitement Begins!" The bold letters were vibrant and full of energy. The banner fluttered gently in the breeze, as if warmly welcoming every participant.
Inside the arena, each Pokémon clan had its own designated waiting area. Wen Qi carefully divided the space, marking different zones with colorful ribbons and signs. To make the venue more appealing, he placed various flowers around the perimeter. The colorful blooms vied for attention, emitting a fragrant aroma that transformed the arena into a beautiful garden.
Wen Qi brought out the fireworks he had purchased earlier and carefully set them up in the corners of the arena, ready to add a festive atmosphere to the competition's key moments. He also set up several stalls around the venue, stocked with plenty of food. There were meticulously crafted energy cubes in various flavors and effects to meet the needs of different Pokémon, as well as fresh berries that gave off an enticing scent.
With so much to do, Wen Qi couldn't manage it all alone. Fortunately, Wen Hua and his siblings came to help, bustling about tirelessly. Audino, Bellossom, and Mr. Mime also arrived. Bellossom used its healing abilities to relieve everyone's fatigue, Audino cheered everyone on with its sweet singing, and Mr. Mime added a touch of fun to the setup with its magical tricks.
The Butterfree squad joined in as well, fluttering lightly as they took on the role of greeters.
Just as everyone was busy setting up the arena, a rustling sound suddenly came from the direction of the forest. In the next moment, a swift figure streaked through like lightning—it was the leader of the Scyther clan, a powerful quasi-Elite-level existence. Behind it followed eleven Scyther, all agile and imposing.
They moved at incredible speed, the air currents from their wingbeats causing the surrounding flowers and grass to sway gently, as if dancing joyfully. The leader executed a graceful mid-air flip before landing steadily in front of Wen Qi. Its twin scythes gleamed with a cold light, like sharp swords. Its eyes were sharp and confident, and its carapace reflected dazzling rays under the sunlight, as if clad in golden armor. Its aura seemed capable of overwhelming everything.
The twelve Scyther lined up neatly, their movements synchronized and rhythmic, earning admiration from all. The leader gave a slight nod to Wen Qi and said:
"Wen Qi, thank you for the invitation. Our Scyther clan will give it our all."
Wen Qi smiled and replied:
"Welcome. I believe today will be a wonderful day."
After exchanging pleasantries, Wen Qi had the Scyther already present guide the newcomers. The members of the Scyther clan followed the escort, walking in an orderly manner toward their designated area. Their steps were light yet powerful, each stride exuding strength, as if showcasing their might and confidence. They moved like triumphant warriors.