The confrontation between Shen Yu and the Skarmory ultimately concluded with Delphox gaining a comprehensive advantage. Although Skarmory possessed a certain level of superiority in terms of level, it was completely outmatched by Shen Yu and Delphox in terms of type advantage and command.
The so-called Fiery Vortex involved creating a vortex-like effect with magical flames in a high-speed rotational state. While the flame vortex targeted the opposing Pokémon, the Fiery Vortex was self-directed but would burn any opponent engaging in close combat.
The Skarmory, using its Steel Wing, could have precisely hit Delphox. However, Delphox reacted with an extreme crouch, dodging the Steel Wing while maintaining the Fiery Vortex. The unfortunate Skarmory, as it flew past, engulfed itself in flames.
Magical flames did not have a burn effect, but when twisted into a vortex, it was an exception. The burned Skarmory didn't waste any more words with Delphox; after suffering a minor setback, it departed. Fortunately, the Pidgeot, although hit by Delphox's Future Sight and Psyshock, had already recovered, and the two Pokémon flew off together.
Shen Yu gained nothing this time, and his plan to leave the island by flying was thwarted. However, Shen Yu was not discouraged. If he could see them once on this unfortunate island, he could see them a second time and figure out other solutions then. In any case, Shen Yu estimated he would be on this island for quite some time.
After driving away the two large birds, Shen Yu and Delphox were about to return. As Shen Yu turned to go back, the sky suddenly changed. The island, which had been a bit bright with the setting sun, was suddenly engulfed in darkness and storm clouds, rendering it completely black.
In the darkness, occasional calls of Corvisquire could be heard, which sounded particularly jarring and eerie in the silent night. Fortunately, the moon was only obscured by clouds. When the clouds dispersed, Shen Yu could vaguely make out the path under the dim moonlight. With experience in spending nights in mystic realms, Shen Yu led Delphox back towards his camp. After walking less than a hundred to two hundred meters, Shen Yu felt the surroundings becoming strange. The scene before him gradually grew hazy and blurred, as if he had walked into a misty, ethereal realm. Shen Yu observed carefully; fog had begun to rise on the island.
Although the thin fog did not significantly impair vision, getting lost was still a possibility in such conditions. Not daring to proceed blindly, and unable to sit out the night here, Shen Yu found himself in a dilemma.
"What should I do? I should have brought a Pokémon that knows Mist," Shen Yu muttered softly. Neither A Kong nor Delphox, nor even Zorua, could learn Mist. If he couldn't find a way, it would be troublesome.
Shen Yu pondered a solution while cautiously exploring. But after taking just a couple of steps, Shen Yu felt his legs growing weak.
Sensing something was wrong, Shen Yu immediately covered his nose and mouth, but it was too late. Shen Yu felt a sudden dizziness and then fell backward.
Fainting alone in the wilderness is a very dangerous situation, even with one's Pokémon around. Shen Yu's only thought before losing consciousness was that he was done for this time.
...
Time flew by. The long night would eventually pass, and Shen Yu, who had fallen to the ground, would, as expected, wake up.
"Mmm..."
Shen Yu groggily sat up and immediately checked his clothes, only letting out a sigh of relief after confirming nothing had happened.
Last night, Shen Yu had a long-forgotten dream with Xia Huanao. It was a dream without a trace, only Shen Yu's blushing face seeming to signify something.
Shen Yu got up from the ground and muttered softly, "Strange, nothing actually happened, why did last night's dream feel so real?"
Unable to figure it out, Shen Yu called out to Delphox and the others, who were also lying on the ground: "Alright, alright, stop sleeping. Let's go back. It's almost dawn."
As the sky began to lighten, Shen Yu and his Pokémon returned to the cabin. Looking at Snorlax, who was sleeping leaning against the door, Shen Yu sighed, "You must have stayed up all night waiting for me to return. You worked hard."
After speaking, he saw the sleeping Snorlax smacking its lips. It didn't look tired; it was dreaming of a feast, and drool was flowing out.
Looking at Snorlax's drool, Shen Yu lowered his head and looked at his chest. His clothes were wet with saliva...
"Stop sleeping, wake up!"
Shen Yu, with complex emotions, slapped Snorlax's belly. Snorlax casually rubbed its belly, showing no intention of waking up.
"Sleep, sleep to death then!"
Shen Yu snorted, returned Snorlax to its Poké Ball, and then went into the room. The sound of footsteps startled Buneary, who was half-asleep. Seeing Shen Yu return, Buneary hopped over to him. After receiving Shen Yu's permission, it returned to its Poké Ball to rest.
Hanging the Buneary's Poké Ball on his waist, Shen Yu heard a familiar melody. It was his phone's ringtone. This made Shen Yu pause. When he woke up yesterday, there was no signal, so how could there be a signal a day later?
Shen Yu looked down at his phone. The call was from Tong Ruo. As soon as he answered, he heard Tong Ruo's complaint: "You finally answered! The college Pokémon tournament is almost here. I've already brought the team to Linglong City. Are you coming back or not?"
Shen Yu couldn't believe Tong Ruo was joking. It was just the beginning of November yesterday, and after one night's sleep, it was already the college Pokémon tournament? Was it that absurd?
"Did you hear me? Can you come back?"
Shen Yu quickly replied, "Ah, I don't know where I am right now!"
"Don't worry, Zhi Shui will make arrangements. Tell me, what's going on?"
Shen Yu briefly explained his situation. Mu Zhi Shui and Tong Ruo on the other end were stunned. It was Mu Zhi Shui who reacted first: "So, you must have entered some mystic realm that confuses your sense of time, making you feel like months have passed in a day. I have reason to suspect you encountered Dialga."
Hearing Dialga, Shen Yu asked, "Is that the legendary Pokémon that controls time?"
"Yes, that explains it."
"What explains it?"
Having finally managed to contact his friends and family, Shen Yu naturally wanted to chat more. Tong Ruo on the other end said, "The day you disappeared, we went to an elder trainer from the Meng family. He used his psychic Pokémon to try and track you, but he could only confirm you were alive, not where you were. If you were chosen by Dialga, it's not surprising. Alright, that's all for now. I'm pinpointing your exact location, and we'll be there soon."
After hanging up, Shen Yu looked around the cabin: "Thinking about it, I actually lived through almost five months yesterday. No wonder I felt yesterday's daytime was so long. But why didn't I feel hungry or tired? Could it be that Dialga, while distorting the sense of time, also synchronized my sense of fullness?"
After pondering for a long time without finding an answer, Shen Yu packed his backpack: "I've stayed for a day and I'm leaving, but I can remember this place. Someday, when I'm truly free, I'll come back to this island and live here. It would be quite nice."
Shen Yu packed his belongings and had Delphox light a bonfire outside the cabin. The rising smoke was very conspicuous in the clear blue sky. The helicopter sent by Mu Zhi Shui, after hovering for a short while, found the island isolated in the sea.
"That's it, head over, land!"
The helicopter approached rapidly and then slowly landed outside the cabin: "Wow, there's such a building on this island."
Shen Yu said with a hint of pride: "Yes, I built it in a day."
Hearing Shen Yu claim to have built a tall building from scratch in a single day, Mu Zhi Shui and Tong Ruo both laughed: "As expected of Xiao Yu, amazing."
After a few pleasantries, they took Shen Yu onto the helicopter, and the group headed towards Linglong City. On the plane, Shen Yu explained in detail his absurd day to Mu Zhi Shui and Tong Ruo.
Mu Zhi Shui nodded as she listened, while Tong Ruo, hearing that Shen Yu's Pokémon had also made significant progress, became excited: "Great! This time, let's show them the potential of the newcomers from our Six Peaks University."
Shen Yu turned to Mu Zhi Shui: "Sister Ruo, is it appropriate to talk about this with Sister Zhi Shui? I remember Sister Zhi Shui is also leading a team in the competition, right?"
Mu Zhi Shui shook her head: "No, I'm not leading a team this time. Although I have my main team, I'll be providing technical support and commentary with that kid Zhang Hong."
"Oh, is that so? I understand."
The plane continued to fly. After a short while, Shen Yu suddenly remembered something and asked Mu Zhi Shui: "By the way, can we make a detour to Jinghai City? It's been so long, I'm afraid my parents will worry."
Tong Ruo patted her chest: "Don't worry about your parents. We've already brought them to Linglong City. They'll be watching the entire Pokémon tournament. You have to perform well!"
Shen Yu replied, "Thank you, Sister Ruo."
"You should thank your Sister Zhi Shui more. She arranged all of this."
...
Shen Yu's peculiar adventure, which felt like months in a single day, came to an end on the airplane. And another, even more peculiar, and even somewhat absurd adventure, was about to begin.