Xia Huanao, who had taught his Froakie the skill Water Pulse, did not get carried away. He knew he absolutely had to replace Water Pulse. For Froakie, he had chosen Flying type Water Shuriken, Dark type Dark Pulse for wider coverage, perhaps Ice Beam for versatility, and Double Team for support.
Originally, neither Greninja nor Ash-Greninja typically carried Double Team in the game, but the Psychic-type Pokémon Malamar's powerful priority move "Quash" was given infinite importance, thus significantly increasing the strategic value of Double Team.
However, if Water Pulse were replaced with another move, Froakie would be unable to use Water Pulse due to its internal energy limitations.
"System, what should I do? Water Pulse is such a good move, and it's suddenly become like a trial version."
"What do you mean 'trial version'? Replacing Water Pulse would be a huge loss. Don't you think of Water Pulse as a technique for applying force? Even though the skill is constantly being replaced for some reason, the technique for applying force remains unchanged. Can't you develop a Tai Chi version of Shuriken, a Tai Chi version of Dark Pulse?"
Xia Huanao realized he was right; he had foolishly made a mistake again. He needed to eat something to boost his brainpower.
Without rushing to develop other Tai Chi versions of moves, Xia Huanao had Froakie practice Water Pulse while he spent time with his other Pokémon, whom he had been neglecting lately.
He released Diancie and the others and played with them for a while. Apart from Rotom, who remained in a rather unhappy state, Momi and Diancie were quite happy. Niu Niu also came over to enjoy Xia Huanao's horn-scratching service.
Xia Huanao looked at his lone Tauros, "Cow Cow," who was "guarding the empty nest": "Poor Cow Cow, but what can I do? It's because that kid Zhang Hong still hasn't gotten his Junior Trainer license. But speaking of which, has that kid Snivy evolved yet?"
As he spoke, Xia Huanao seemed to recall something and chuckled: "I forgot. Although Snivy is a few months older than Froakie, there aren't any high-intensity battles at school, so it's natural for its level to be slower."
After playing with his Pokémon for a while, Xia Huanao stood up: "Diancie, can you dance?"
Diancie turned to look at Xia Huanao and then nodded. As a little princess from the Diamond Kingdom, Diancie had also learned to dance, although...
"Diancie, could you dance for me?"
Hearing her trainer's request, Diancie didn't hesitate and began to dance a dance that had been passed down for perhaps hundreds of thousands of years in the Diamond Kingdom.
Watching Diancie's movements, Xia Huanao hesitated: "System, I don't think you asking me to dance with Diancie is a very wise decision. Do you think I can even perform this dance?"
"Are you trying to mess with me again? I told you to do partner dancing. With your physique, how can you do the Diamond Kingdom's dance?"
Xia Huanao pointed at Diancie, who was dancing: "Why do you think I'm watching Diancie dance the Diamond Kingdom's dance? Do you think Diancie's lower body can support a princess in partner dancing?"
Xia Huanao's科普 time: /
Partner dancing, also known as ballroom dancing, social dancing, and international standardized dance, is a common social activity and the universal language. The most challenging aspect of partner dancing is the footwork. Quickstep, slow waltz, and Viennese waltz are not particularly difficult, but they require extensive practice.
Xia Huanao pointed at Diancie: "The little princess doesn't even have legs. How are we supposed to do partner dancing?"
Yes, although Princess Diancie was adorable, her lower body consisted of large chunks of raw diamond ore, making it impossible for her to perform partner dance steps.
Xia Huanao and the System stared at Diancie, who had finished dancing, in deep thought. Diancie, seeing her trainer silent, tilted her head cutely and then came beside Xia Huanao, taking his hand.
Xia Huanao always believed that there were more solutions than problems. He had the System hack into his computer and generate a partner dance video first.
While the System was busy hacking the video, Xia Huanao gently stroked Diancie's headpiece: "Diancie, shall we see if we can learn a new dance later?"
Diancie's interest in dancing was probably as great as humans' interest in money. Upon hearing Xia Huanao mention new dances, the circular gem on her head emitted a pink glow, and the entire Pokémon became somewhat excited.
The System quickly hacked a video of a Latin dance competition from Xia Huanao's previous life and placed it on the desktop.
Xia Huanao looked at the video title and asked the System: "System, why did you hack a Latin dance? I thought you said partner dancing?"
The System began to educate Xia Huanao: "Although you know a little about partner dancing, it's clear your basic knowledge isn't very solid. Didn't you know that International Standard Ballroom dance has two divisions? The first is Modern Ballroom, and the second is Latin."
Xia Huanao deleted the video: "You're just retaliating against me for messing with you earlier, aren't you? Considering the explosive nature of Latin dance steps, do you think I or Diancie can do it?"
The System looked up at the sky and whistled, feigning indifference. After much persuasion, Xia Huanao finally got the System to find him a video of a partner dance ball.
Xia Huanao clicked on the video: "Ah, this video looks much more comfortable, doesn't it? Diancie, let's watch it together."
Xia Huanao and Diancie watched the partner dance ball together. Diancie's eyes lit up; it was clear she was quite interested in partner dancing. After the video finished, Diancie floated up and began to try dancing.
Watching Diancie's dance moves, Xia Huanao felt a pang of envy and jealousy: "Beings are different, aren't they? She learned it after watching it once? Is Diancie's talent in dancing really that strong?"
After dancing for a while, Diancie came over and took Xia Huanao's hand, wanting to dance with him. How could Xia Huanao refuse the little princess's request? He stepped forward and began to dance with Diancie.
Diancie's dance moves were graceful and elegant, and although Xia Huanao didn't have many skill points in dancing, with the System's assistance, he didn't embarrass himself. After they finished dancing a segment, Xia Huanao praised Diancie: "You are indeed a little princess, your dancing is truly wonderful."
The gem on Diancie's forehead flashed twice, indicating her happiness. Rotom floated over: "I want to dance too, Rotom!"
Xia Huanao glanced at him and waved his hand: "Go away. What kind of partner dancing are you going to do? Do you think your posture is suitable for partner dancing?"
Rotom looked at Xia Huanao and Diancie, as if understanding something, and floated to a nearby robot, possessing it. Then, the robot, wobbling, took a couple of steps and approached Xia Huanao.
Xia Huanao looked at the robot, which was half a head taller than him, and cursed inwardly: "Why did you build something like this, Zhang Hong?" But he maintained a relatively sunny expression: "Rotom, your idea is wrong. Diancie and I are dancing not because she's human-shaped, but because Diancie has good dancing talent. Control that thing and spin around for me to see."
Rotom obediently began to spin, but before he could complete a full rotation, the robot fell to the ground with a bang.
Xia Huanao quickly helped the robot up and put it back in its original position: "Rotom, you can't even spin, how can you dance?"
Rotom dejectedly emerged from the robot and looked at Xia Huanao. Xia Huanao couldn't completely crush his spirit: "It's a pity. You can only possess electronic or mechanical technology. Otherwise, if you possessed an inflatable doll, you might be able to dance. Later, when Zhang Hong makes a lighter robot, you can try again."
Giving up on dancing partner dances with Xia Huanao, Rotom pestered him to learn other dances. He refused to believe that among so many dances, none would be suitable for the Rotom species!
At Rotom's strong insistence, Xia Huanao found a street dance video for Rotom to watch. Seeing the dynamic street dance, Rotom became interested and started dancing along.
Xia Huanao, on the side, asked the System: "System, don't you think Rotom dancing street dance looks like a ball rolling around..."
"It's hard to say, but keep an eye out. I think your little princess also has the look of wanting to learn street dance."
Xia Huanao saw Diancie engrossed in watching street dance and quickly went to stop her. He couldn't let the little princess learn this; their temperaments were too incompatible.
"Diancie, don't learn street dance. If you want to, we have things like ballet and classical dance. Let's go learn those."
Xia Huanao spent the afternoon showing Diancie dances that suited his idea of her temperament. He was once again amazed by Diancie's talent for learning dance. No matter what kind of dance it was, she learned it after watching it once, and she could adapt it to suit Diancie's unique form. Xia Huanao clapped his hands excitedly: "I think it's not impossible for Diancie to pursue both Contest Spectaculars and Pokémon battles!"
The System agreed: "As expected of a great dancer, her dances are breathtaking and a true pleasure to watch. However, Host, don't you think Diancie isn't the only one in your team with great dancing talent?"
Xia Huanao looked at Momi, whose dance steps were still a bit clumsy but already showed some form: "You mean Momi? She's still a bit behind."
The System shook its head: "Who said Momi? I'm talking about Rotom. He's truly a good material for learning and applying."
Xia Huanao followed the System's gaze to Rotom. He saw Rotom spinning while speaking in his not-so-fluent Ming Long language, performing what could be considered rapping...
"Uh, this combination of street dance and rap isn't something I taught. But I must say, with Rotom's tone and inflection, it's actually quite interesting. How did he learn it instinctively?"
"That's why I say, it's Rotom's species limitations. Otherwise, he'd definitely be a promising great dancer."
Xia Huanao smiled: "Who isn't a promising great dancer?"
The System's daily expression was a black line: "Host, don't confuse concepts. Do you think I can't tell you changed your tone from the third to the fourth?"