Chapter 102: Fanba Dojo, The Mighty Hippo

After bidding farewell to Dr. Yew, Cheng Cheng didn’t take long to arrive at Hanba City. Hanba City was known as the City of Minerals, famed for its abundant mineral resources.

The first place Cheng Cheng went to was the Pokémon Center. He handed over his Pokémon to Nurse Joy for a check-up, then settled down to stay there for a while.

Before challenging the gym, Cheng Cheng knew he had to prepare thoroughly. Borrowing the Pokémon Center’s computer, he researched information about the Hanba Gym.

The gym leader of Hanba Gym was Boss Ju, who mostly used Ground- and Rock-type Pokémon, such as Krookodile, Whiscash, and Excadrill. Unlike other gyms, Hanba Gym was located underground—an underground gym.

Cheng Cheng analyzed the traits of these Pokémon and carefully selected the ones he would use for the upcoming battle.

Early the next morning, after warming up with his Pokémon, Cheng Cheng headed toward Hanba Gym. Although the gym was underground, there was a prominent building visible on the surface.

Standing in front of the gym, Cheng Cheng pressed the doorbell, and soon a man came out.

“Hello, this is Hanba Gym. How may I help you?” the middle-aged man asked. He appeared to be a staff member.

“I’m Cheng Cheng from Inyu City. I’m here to challenge Hanba Gym,” Cheng Cheng replied.

“No problem. Follow me. Boss Ju is available now,” the man said.

Cheng Cheng followed the staff inside and took an elevator that descended underground.

Soon the elevator stopped. Stepping out, Cheng Cheng found himself in a place resembling a mine, lit by many lamps but filled with dust floating in the air. Overall, Cheng Cheng didn’t like this environment and hoped to finish the battle quickly and leave.

Following the staff further inside, Cheng Cheng soon faced a burly man wielding an iron pickaxe.

“Boss Ju, there’s a challenger here to train with you today,” the staff member said.

“Oh? Is that so?” Boss Ju glanced at Cheng Cheng.

“Let me handle the gym challenge,” Boss Ju said, ignoring Cheng Cheng as he walked to the right and tapped a switch with his pickaxe. A door opened, and he entered. Cheng Cheng followed him inside.

Soon, Cheng Cheng saw a sandy battleground, barely qualifying as a battle arena. He and Boss Ju stood on opposite sides, ready to begin.

“This is the gym battle. The challenger is Cheng Cheng, and the gym trainer is Boss Ju. Each side has three Pokémon. When one side’s Pokémon are all unable to fight, the battle ends. Only the challenger is allowed to switch Pokémon. Please send out your Pokémon.”

“All right, I’ll show you my first Pokémon. Go, Krookodile.”

“So it’s Krookodile. Then you’ll face my Whiscash,” Boss Ju responded.

Against Ground-type Pokémon, Water-type Whiscash was naturally the choice. Though Krookodile also had a Dark attribute, which was unfavorable to Psychic types, Cheng Cheng’s Whiscash wasn’t Psychic-based but Water-type.

“Are you sure about using a Psychic-type Pokémon? Although your Whiscash is Water-type, it also has a Psychic type. Are you confident with that choice?” Boss Ju asked.

“Boss Ju, all my Pokémon are Psychic-type,” Cheng Cheng said.

“Oh? You want to be a Psychic-type Pokémon master?” Boss Ju smiled.

“Something like that.”

“All right, let’s begin. Krookodile, use Rock Tomb!”

“Whiscash, Water Gun!”

Water Gun should have been a straight attack, but under Whiscash’s telekinetic control, the water bent and curved. With psychic power, the water stream deflected the Rock Tomb stones one by one.

“Oh, clever use. Impressive.”

“Now, use Dig!”

Krookodile dove underground and quickly reached Whiscash’s side.

“Now, Bite!”

Suddenly, Krookodile sprang up from underground, biting Whiscash’s arm sharply—an effective move.

“Whiscash, use Fissure Punch!”

Whiscash’s punch sent Krookodile flying.

“Now, Hydro Pump!”

Whiscash sprayed a powerful Hydro Pump, slamming Krookodile into the wall. The continuous water blast pinned Krookodile against the wall, unable to get down.

“All right, Whiscash, stop.”

Whiscash ceased the Hydro Pump. Krookodile fell down, unable to continue fighting.

“Krookodile is unable to battle. Whiscash wins.”

“Very good. Your Whiscash is indeed strong. Next, come out, Whiscash,” Boss Ju said, sending out a blue toad-like Pokémon.

Whiscash was Water- and Ground-type. Whiscash’s Water moves wouldn’t be very effective here, so Cheng Cheng had no clear advantage. Still, he chose to use Whiscash again.

“Won’t you switch Pokémon? Keep in mind, Whiscash is Water-type. Your Whiscash’s moves won’t do much,” Boss Ju remarked.

“I know that well. Whiscash can’t be hurt much by Whiscash either. My Whiscash won’t lose.”

“Let’s see then. Whiscash, Mud Bomb!”

“Whiscash, Water Gun!”

Whiscash used Water Gun again, directly intercepting the Mud Bomb.

“Whiscash, Hydro Pump!”

“We’ll use Hydro Pump too.”

Both sides unleashed Hydro Pumps simultaneously, seeming evenly matched. This round was a contest of which side had more water.

The water jets kept firing until Whiscash’s water supply ran out. Seizing the moment, Whiscash’s Hydro Pump surged forward, knocking Whiscash down.

“Whiscash, use Lick!”

Whiscash’s tongue lashed out, wrapping around Whiscash, causing paralysis.

“Whiscash, grab Whiscash’s tongue!”

Though the tongue induced paralysis, it was ineffective against thick-skinned, slow-reacting Whiscash.

Whiscash grabbed the tongue firmly.

“Now, spin!”

Whiscash spun while holding the tongue, sending Whiscash flying into the air.

“Throw it down!”

Whiscash slammed Whiscash to the ground.

“Whiscash, final strike, Fissure Punch!”

Whiscash charged and punched Whiscash, which lost the ability to continue battling.

Boss Ju’s expression tightened at Whiscash’s defeat. Cheng Cheng posed a serious threat, far from a novice trainer.

“Then this one it is. This is my strongest Pokémon. Come out, Excadrill.”

As expected, Boss Ju’s last Pokémon was Excadrill, Ground- and Steel-type. Whiscash still held the advantage.

“Cheng Cheng, your Whiscash has fought twice already and must be low on stamina. Aren’t you going to switch it out?”

“No need. Whiscash alone is enough.”

“All right, then. Excadrill, use Dig!”

“Whiscash, Hydro Pump!”

Whiscash relentlessly sprayed Hydro Pump at the ground, making it increasingly wet.

Excadrill jumped, slashing Whiscash with Metal Claw, causing significant injury.

However, the damp ground made Excadrill uncomfortable.

“Excadrill, keep using Metal Claw!”

Excadrill clawed repeatedly, but Whiscash remained unmoved, continuously firing Hydro Pump.

“Whiscash, start running!”

Cheng Cheng wouldn’t let Whiscash endure the attacks alone. Whiscash ran while spraying Hydro Pump.

Yet, Whiscash was slower than Excadrill, which struck with a claw.

“Whiscash, roll!”

Whiscash fell and began rolling. Though its heavy tail made rolling difficult, dodging like this was Whiscash’s specialty.

While rolling, Whiscash sprayed Hydro Pump, soaking the entire battlefield. Water rose to ankle height.

Gradually, Excadrill found itself submerged. The water restricted its digging ability, slowing its movements.

“Final strike, Hydro Pump!”

The Hydro Pump hit Excadrill, sending it flying into the water. It soon lost the ability to fight.

“Excadrill is unable to battle. The winner of this match is Cheng Cheng.”

Winning a battle using just one Whiscash was a first for Cheng Cheng.

“Damn it! A battle’s a battle, but why’d you flood my mine?” Boss Ju grumbled.

A large pool of water had accumulated on the battlefield, rendering the mine unusable.

“Sorry, I didn’t expect this. Let me help you drain the water,” Cheng Cheng said.

He released his Pokémon and used telekinesis to push all the water out.

After restoring the gym, Cheng Cheng and Boss Ju returned to the surface.

“Well, congratulations on your victory. Here is proof of defeating me,” Boss Ju said, handing over the Shock Badge. This was Cheng Cheng’s third badge.

“What are your plans next?” Boss Ju asked.

“I’ll go challenge the next gym,” Cheng Cheng replied.

“Is that so? Then I’ll wish you advance congratulations on earning the next badge. Your Pokémon are truly strong.”

“No, it’s just type advantages,” Cheng Cheng modestly said. “Well then, Boss Ju, I’ll be off.”

“Good. You’re welcome to visit anytime. If you could help move some ore next time, that’d be even better,” Boss Ju joked.

Cheng Cheng smiled but was determined never to come back. Draining the water had taken much effort, and he had no desire to help move ore.

With that, Cheng Cheng left Hanba Gym and continued toward the next gym challenge.