Chapter 106: Battle in the Subway, An Unexpected Reunion-Pokémon: The Psychic Breeder(Mother Bean)

"Excellent, the Snivy stamp is in the bag."

Cheng Cheng stamped the paper. Originally, he had planned to leave Nimbasa City by subway, but upon arriving at the station, he discovered that a "Subway Stamp Rally" was being held. The rules were simple: collect stamps from 60 different subway station entrances across Nimbasa City, and you would earn the right to battle the Subway Masters. Seeing this as a fantastic training opportunity, Cheng Cheng decided to start collecting stamps with his Pokémon.

Although there were only three days left before the event concluded, Cheng Cheng was determined to collect all the stamps today and challenge the Subway Masters. He had the confidence to gather all 60 stamps in a single day, thanks to his Pokémon capable of Teleportation.

Cheng Cheng bought a subway map and marked the 60 stations he needed to visit. He then had Gardevoir use Teleport to whisk him from station to station to collect the stamps. They would take a short break after every five locations; by noon, they had already visited enough places to secure 39 stamps. Cheng Cheng promised himself that after one more, he would take his Pokémon to grab a bite to eat and rest.

"Alright, we're about to get the last stamp of the morning. Let's do this, Gardevoir."

"Gardevoir."

Gardevoir used Teleport, quickly arriving at the next station. As soon as Cheng Cheng landed, he collided with someone.

"Sorry, I'm so sorry!"

Cheng Cheng hadn't expected to run into anyone and quickly apologized.

"I'm sorry, I'm so sorry!"

The other person also apologized profusely.

"Wait, are you Muko?"

The person in front of him was none other than Saito Muko, whom he had spent time with at the Pokémon Breeder School.

"Cheng Cheng? What are you doing here? How did you come to the Unova region?"

Muko was pleasantly surprised to see him.

"I'm here to participate in the Unova League Conference."

"You're participating in the Conference? Me too!"

Cheng Cheng hadn't expected Muko to be competing in the Unova League as well, which meant there was a high chance they would face each other.

"By the way, why are you here? Are you here to challenge the Nimbasa Gym?" Muko asked.

"Oh, I'm participating in the Subway Stamp Rally. I had Gardevoir use Teleport to get here, and I didn't mean to bump into you. I'm really sorry."

"It's okay, don't worry about it. I'm also doing the stamp rally. Let's get the stamp here first, and then we can catch up properly."

"Sounds good."

Cheng Cheng and Muko stamped their cards and left the subway platform. They found a nearby restaurant and sat down.

"So, Cheng Cheng, how many stamps have you collected?"

"Adding the one we just got, that makes 40."

"So fast! Well, I guess that's expected with Gardevoir's Teleport. I've only managed to get 15 so far."

"Then I'll accompany you for the afternoon."

"Great, it's a deal!"

"Here is your lunch, folks," the waiter said, serving their meals.

"Thank you."

"I'm starving, so I'm digging in!" Muko said, starting her meal. Cheng Cheng picked up his utensils and joined her.

"Cheng Cheng, how many badges have you collected?"

"Counting the Volt Badge I just got, I have four."

"I see, then you're a bit slower than me. I've already got five. Just three more, and I'll qualify for the League."

"That's impressive! But I'll be getting my next one soon enough."

"Cheng Cheng, how have you been lately?"

"I've been traveling around, and life has been wonderful."

Cheng Cheng told Muko about his recent travels, though he made sure to omit the parts about the ancient world and the various chaotic incidents he had encountered.

"The ruins of Zekrom? Oh, I'd love to see those!"

"Don't worry, there will be a chance. Next time, I'm planning to visit the ruins of Reshiram. Let's go together then."

"Really? That would be amazing! I really want to see what Reshiram looks like."

Muko then shared her own travel stories, and the two chatted happily. Of course, the downside of having such a good time was that Cheng Cheng forgot to prepare food for his Pokémon, for which he was grumbled at for quite a while.

After the Pokémon finished eating and everyone had rested, Cheng Cheng took Muko back to the subway station. Eventually, with Gardevoir's help, both of them collected all 60 stamps. They were now ready to challenge the Subway Masters.

At the final station, Cheng Cheng showed the staff their completed stamp cards, and they were put in contact with the Subway Masters.

An hour later, a train pulled into the station and stopped. Two men stepped out—one in a white uniform, the other in black, both wearing hats.

"Hello, I am Ingo."

"Hello, I am Emmet."

"Are you the ones who collected all 60 stamps?"

"Yes, my name is Kiba Cheng Cheng, and I have collected 60 stamps. Also, my friend Muko has collected 60 as well."

"Hello, my name is Saito Muko. It's a pleasure to meet you."

"I see. Since you both have 60 stamps, why don't we have a double battle?"

"A double battle?" Cheng Cheng and Muko exchanged glances.

"Sure, no problem."

"In that case, please board the train."

They stepped onto the train. Emmet pressed a button, and the carriage began to transform; the seats on both sides retracted, and the floor space expanded rapidly. Soon, a full battle arena appeared before them.

Cheng Cheng was completely stunned—what kind of high-tech marvel was this?

"Alright, this is the battle arena. Let's have a tag-team double battle!"

"Go, Chandelure!"

"Go, Eelektross!"

Ingo and Emmet sent out their Pokémon.

"I'm counting on you, Gardevoir!" Cheng Cheng chose Gardevoir, who was fully rested after their hour-long break.

"And you, Goomy, let's go!"

Cheng Cheng looked at Goomy's stats. It had grown a lot recently, and its combat power was quite impressive. Its potential had also increased—it seemed Muko was doing a great job raising it. Then again, she was a Pokémon Breeder, after all.

"Goomy, it's been a while! Do you remember me?"

"Goo-goo!" Goomy jumped into Cheng Cheng's arms affectionately.

"That's great, you remember me!"

"Okay, Goomy, it's time to battle. Hop down now." Muko called Goomy over, and the battle began.

"Eelektross, use Thunderbolt!"

"Gardevoir, dodge it!" Gardevoir evaded the attack.

"Gardevoir, use Shadow Ball!"

"Chandelure, use Will-O-Wisp!" The Will-O-Wisp blocked the Shadow Ball.

"Goomy, use Muddy Water!" The mud-filled water surged toward Eelektross, dealing significant damage.

"Chandelure, use Confuse Ray!" Goomy was hit by the Confuse Ray and became confused.

"Eelektross, Thunderbolt!"

"Gardevoir, Protect!" Gardevoir moved in front of Goomy and blocked the attack with Protect.

"Gardevoir, use Psyshock!" Gardevoir's Psyshock wasn't aimed at the opponents, but at Goomy. The impact snapped Goomy out of its confusion.

"Goomy, Dragon Breath!" The powerful Dragon-type move dealt heavy damage to both opposing Pokémon.

"Gardevoir, Shadow Ball!"

"Chandelure, dodge!"

"Eelektross, use Acid!"

"Goomy, Dragon Pulse!" The Dragon Pulse countered the Acid. Immediately after, Gardevoir's Shadow Ball hit Eelektross, knocking it out.

With only Chandelure left, the battle was nearing its end.

"Chandelure, Fire Spin!" The Fire Spin trapped both of their Pokémon inside.

"Goomy, Muddy Water!"

"Gardevoir, Teleport!" Goomy used Muddy Water to extinguish the flames, and Gardevoir teleported out.

"Gardevoir, Shadow Ball!"

"Goomy, Dragon Pulse!" Both attacks struck Chandelure simultaneously, knocking it out.

"Chandelure and Eelektross are unable to battle! The winners are the challengers, Kiba Cheng Cheng and Saito Muko!"

"Awesome! We won!" Cheng Cheng hugged Muko in his excitement, and Muko was just as thrilled.

"Gardevoir, Goomy, you both did great!" Cheng Cheng praised them.

"Well done. Congratulations on your victory. Here is the commemorative medal for defeating us: the Subway Medal." Ingo and Emmet handed the medals to Cheng Cheng and Muko.

"We look forward to seeing your performance in the future."

"Thank you!"

"Where are you two heading? You can ride our train if you'd like."

"That's alright, we'll get off here."

Cheng Cheng and Muko stepped off the train as it continued on its way.

"Cheng Cheng, that was amazing!"

"It was! We worked really well together. By the way, it's getting late. Would you like to go to dinner?"

"Sure, no problem!"

They left the station, returned to the streets, and shared a dinner at a restaurant. At Cheng Cheng's suggestion, they even went for a ride on the Ferris wheel afterward.

It had truly been a wonderful day.