Divine Plan? But I'm a Pokémon trainer.

Chapter 495 Eighteen Colors Ascend and Gather at the Top!

Firefox has already started studying their opponents in the World Championship!

However, the PWT hasn't even started yet, so aiming for the world championship is a bit premature.

"Is there any progress on the 'stand-in' project?"

"Fu!"

After a long period of research (actually only a few days), it realized that there was a decisive gap between itself and the unknown totem, which could not be shortened by learning or effort.

Unknown totems are an extremely special kind of spirit. If Fire Fox's judgment is correct, they are fundamentally different from any other spirit in this world, and can be said to be an anomaly in this world.

However, through its diligent research, it has found a reliable alternative – terephthalic acid.

That's why it wanted to take Talebagos with it at the time.

The Fire Fox has now completely resolved the three flaws of the "Substitute" move.

First, by "mind swapping," the Stand is given a certain level of intelligence, allowing it to interact and use moves like a low-level AI.

Secondly, by mimicking the characteristics of Talebages, the Stand can crystallize along with itself, thereby absorbing the energy of the opponent's moves to replenish its own energy, eliminating the need for the user to expend a lot of stamina.

Third, by manipulating the energy of the crystal, the stand can be made almost identical to the original, so that experienced opponents or those with special abilities can no longer see through the original.

After resolving these three shortcomings, what we get is a new type of "Stand" that can fight like a real spirit, crystallize, and even form a crystal field shield like the spirits in the crystal pits, or absorb the opponent's energy to increase its endurance!
In this way, as long as you seize the opportunity in battle, the Fire Fox can transform into two Fire Foxes, and even the Endless War God is not impossible.

No, it should be a forbidden quadruple existence, right?

"I see, I completely understand now. In short, if you want to use this kind of 'stand-in,' you must lock the crystallization."

It's worth mentioning that three years later, the league has introduced special rules for some trainers regarding Crystallize—it can only be used once per battle, and it is forbidden to Crystallize the opponent's Pokémon.

The restrictions are relatively lenient.

However, if you use the Fire Fox's "Tycodon Substitute", you will have to give up the other Pokémon's Tycodon transformation.

"Muff~"

There's nothing we can do about it; Firefox is still developing, and its special features haven't reached the required level yet.

Outside of combat, it can take a relatively long time to complete this extremely complex combo.

However, in battles where the situation changes rapidly, only the trainer's Knowledge Badge and Crystallization can provide support.

Fire Fox judged that as long as it evolved to its final form, it would be able to independently perform the "Taijing Substitute" move.

By the way, Talebages has also learned "Typhon Substitute" and can do it easily without the help of a trainer.

"After all, it is the Taijing energy itself. Turtle has finally mastered the control of its Taijing energy... So, is Fire Fox ready to evolve?"

“MmQ…”

The fire fox lazily shook its head. It was only a few years old; there was no need to rush its evolution.

Indeed, in a little while... well, in about two months, it will evolve into a long-tailed fire fox!
The Long-tailed Fire Fox form allows it to stand on two legs and hold items, making it much more convenient for both battles and daily life!

In any case, now that things have come to this point, Fire Fox naturally has to demonstrate its results.

Because it had plenty of time to prepare outside of battle, it completed the "Taijing Stand" on its own.

"Fu!"

As the Fire Fox's "Crystal Substitute" took shape, one after another, crystal-clear and dazzling substitutes of various colors gradually appeared around it. A few minutes later, a crystalline Fire Fox of 18 colors was formed, looking exactly like its crystallized form.

Link seemed to be deep in thought, and then unleashed "Water Pulse" at the fire-attribute Taijing Stand.

However, even though Taijing's Stand was hit by a Stand with a type advantage, it remained very strong and did not lose much energy.

He then used the same trick on the grass-type Taijing Stand. This time, Taijing Stand not only did not lose any energy, but also absorbed most of the energy of "Water Pulse".

Finally, Link used the same move on the flying Stand that had no advantage against it. The Stand immediately raised a shield, blocking most of the energy and absorbing a small portion of it.

With the combination of Taijing energy and the "stand-in", the battery life was increased by an incredible amount.

“Hmm, I have an idea. Fire Fox, could you have your Stand use a buff-type move like ‘Meditation’ on yourself and then ‘pass the baton’ to you?”

"Is it possible for these substitutes to use a move like 'U-turn' to enter other Pokémon's Poké Balls and then emerge with their teammates?"

"Fu..."

The fox seemed thoughtful, feeling that something was off about this line of thinking.

1. Taijing uses Substitute "U-turn" to return to Incineroar's (hypothetical) Poké Ball, and then the Trainer sends out another Pokémon.

2. At this point, the Fiery Fox is still on the field, so how can the trainer send out a second Pokémon?

3. If the Fiery Fox had already returned to its Poké Ball, and the Substitutes had all gone to Incineroar's Poké Ball, could the Trainer send out Incineroar and a bunch of Substitutes at the same time?
It doesn't seem necessary, and it would become very crowded.

Even the substitute formed by the crystal energy in a critical state is difficult to return to the Poké Ball.

Regarding the question of whether Taijing's Stand can "take over" after being strengthened, the answer is no.

"Fou, Mufu~"

Fire Fox used a trick when creating these Stands, employing a prop-making approach, which resulted in all the Taijing Stands only being able to manifest one type of energy and only be able to use one type of move.

Moreover, since they are essentially "tools" or "portable items," they cannot be strengthened through methods such as "sword dance" or "meditation."

Of course, sounds like "screams", "blowing away", and "black mist" are still fine.

"Is it essentially a prop...?"

Link felt a vague, inexplicable inspiration.

Props...

Items to carry...

Hand rub props...

Although it looks like a fire fox, it is actually just a ball of energy, and it doesn't really matter what shape it is.

"Fire Fox, is it possible to mold this 'Taijing Substitute' into a different shape than your own, such as a weapon, armor, a wall, or spikes?"

"Fu?"

The flaming fox tilted its head, which seemed reasonable, but none of these animals have legs, so who is the trainer planning to equip them with?
What if the opponent gets it?

The biggest problem is that the Fire Fox is not a Talebages after all. If it carries the Talebages' energy in this state, it will actually interfere with its own energy and moves...

(End of this chapter)