Through their conversation, Thomas learned that Chen Kai was just visiting Paris, having only arrived in the city that evening, and was not a participant in the Climb the Peak Competition.
"I'm so sorry, it's all my fault. I thought you were also a student competing," Thomas apologized sincerely.
Chen Kai watched Thomas spray Potion on Rattata and couldn't help but ask curiously, "Thomas, in France, can Pokémon be raised from junior high?"
Thomas sighed helplessly and said, "I'm already considered a late starter. Some kids haven't even finished elementary school yet and already have their own starter Pokémon.
Because of this, I always have a hard time winning in battles. See, I've dropped back to RANK Z again."
Then, Thomas said, "Do you know the way back to your hotel? As an apology, I can lead the way for you."
Upon hearing this, Chen Kai happily said, "Really? Thank you so much!"
If he had to bypass the Battle Zone, he indeed didn't know the way back, and he certainly didn't want to be ambushed again.
So, Thomas led the way, with Chen Kai following behind, and the two chatted casually along the way.
During their conversation, Chen Kai learned that Thomas's brother worked in Paris, which was why he had the opportunity to study there. However, his skill in raising Pokémon was rather average, and his Rattata was currently only in the novice stage (around level 10).
However, Thomas seemed to have a good talent for languages, and his brother also thought he learned French very quickly.
Therefore, Thomas would also study other countries' languages in his free time.
"But your Chinese is really quite good! It doesn't seem like a level you could reach by self-study," Chen Kai praised sincerely.
Previously, Thomas hadn't been fully confident in the Chinese he had learned, but now, the more smoothly he chatted with Chen Kai, and as basic communication gradually became effortless, he was exceptionally happy:
"Hehe, so I want to be a translator in Paris in the future, that way I can help my brother!"
"Hey! Want to battle?"
At this moment, a blonde girl appeared in Chen Kai's line of sight. She was dressed in sportswear, exuding youthful vitality. Her golden hair shimmered under the lights, cascading like a waterfall over her shoulders. Her bright and lively blue eyes seemed to hold vast stars.
When the girl saw Chen Kai, her eyes lit up. She immediately took out a Poké Ball, walked quickly to him, and issued a Pokémon battle invitation in fluent French.
Thomas quickly stepped forward and explained to the girl that Chen Kai was visiting Paris and had just accidentally wandered into the Battle Zone.
After listening to Thomas's explanation, the girl still had a smile on her face, but a hint of regret appeared in her eyes. She said in a playful tone:
"Alright, that's a real shame. But could you tell this young man for me? Maybe he wants to battle too?"
Thomas had no choice but to turn and translate the girl's words to Chen Kai.
Upon hearing this, Chen Kai's fighting spirit was instantly ignited. How could he back down when someone invited him to a Pokémon battle?
"Alright, how do we battle!"
Then, through Thomas's translation, Chen Kai learned that the blonde girl opposite him was Emilie, and this would be a 1-on-1 match.
Chen Kai had originally planned to send out Xiao Mei, but then he remembered that Big Boss hadn't had a chance to stretch its limbs in a long time. Moreover, Hydrapple had recently learned several new moves through a TM and needed practical testing, so Chen Kai decided to send out Big Boss:
"Go, Hydrapple!"
He quickly took a Poké Ball from his waist and swung his arm forcefully, sending the Poké Ball soaring like a meteor across the night sky.
With a "pop," the Poké Ball opened, and a dazzling white light flashed. Big Boss, leading its four little brothers, majestically poked out its head, their eyes bright and gleaming with sharp light.
The other two Syrupy Apple Wyrms had their tails exposed, swinging them powerfully like steel whips. The Second Boss, in particular, created a gust of wind with each swing, as if challenging its opponent.
Seeing Chen Kai send out Hydrapple, the blonde girl showed no fear.
She smiled lightly, flicked her wrist, and threw her own Poké Ball.
A flash of white light, and Heliolisk made its grand entrance.
Heliolisk had a lithe physique and strong, powerful limbs, each step landing with a tremor of power.
Around its neck was a frill-like neck flap. The main body of the neck flap was a deep black, while the edges were encircled by a vibrant orange. That orange was bright and fiery, like burning flames, standing out remarkably against the black.
Chen Kai couldn't help but ponder to himself: Is this Emilie also a reverse-type master? I sent out a Grass/Dragon-type Hydrapple, and she still dared to send out an Electric/Normal-type Heliolisk.
As the battle horn sounded in the holographic projection, Chen Kai stopped thinking and quickly entered battle mode. With a firm gaze, he loudly commanded Hydrapple:
"Hydrapple, use Nasty Plot!"
This was a newly learned move for them. Big Boss hadn't mastered it perfectly, but luckily, the other six Syrupy Apple Wyrms could guide Big Boss, helping it quickly adjust its posture and rapidly spin around the massive apple shell.
Their bodies shimmered with a mysterious light, which grew more dazzling as they spun. This mysterious power surged within them, significantly boosting their special attack.
At this moment, Hydrapple seemed to be infused with new energy, radiating an even more powerful aura.
However, Emilie showed no weakness. Her eyes were calm as she decisively gave her command:
"Heliolisk, Glare!"
Upon hearing this, Heliolisk's eyes instantly widened, glowing with an eerie green light. That light, like a cold, sharp glint, shot directly towards Hydrapple.
An invisible power of paralysis shot from Heliolisk's eyes, instantly enveloping Hydrapple.
The Syrupy Apple Wyrms felt their bodies stiffen, their movements becoming sluggish, and electricity danced across their bodies, leaving them in a state of paralysis.
Seeing this, Chen Kai's heart tightened. Gaining 2 points in special attack in exchange for paralysis was not a good deal! He couldn't afford to take it slow anymore, so he decisively shouted:
"Hydrapple, use Earth Power!"
This was also a newly learned move for Hydrapple; Big Boss had only managed to learn these two moves for now.
Although the Syrupy Apple Wyrms' bodies were still affected by paralysis and somewhat unresponsive, they still struggled to obey the command.
They pressed their bodies tightly against the ground, drawing on the power of the earth. The surrounding ground began to vibrate violently.
Slabs of pavement on the street were lifted high, forming surging waves of earth, rushing towards Heliolisk like the mighty waters of the Yellow River, an unstoppable and overwhelming force.
Seeing this, Emilie immediately responded:
"Heliolisk, Roar!"
Heliolisk took a deep breath, then let out a deafening Roar. The sound echoed through the night sky like thunder, and the sound waves transformed into powerful sonic attacks, rushing towards the oncoming earthen waves.
In the blink of an eye, the earthen waves heavily impacted Heliolisk. Although Heliolisk had high special defense, it was still knocked back by the immense force of Earth Power, its body splattered with mud, and the glow of its previously radiant neck frill dimmed slightly.
Meanwhile, the powerful sonic blades emitted by Heliolisk successfully pierced through the earthen waves and struck Hydrapple. The Hydrapples were shaken by the sound waves, but the damage caused by Normal-type moves was ultimately not high for them.