Chapter 108: Taming the Sneeze Bear, Battle on the Open Field
Cheng Cheng and Muzi bid farewell to the tundra bear and continued their journey toward Feiyun City. However, along the way, Cheng Cheng suddenly sensed something following him from behind. He knew who it was but didn’t pay it much mind.
As they exited the tundra bear’s forest, he noticed the little creature was still trailing them. Cheng Cheng stopped.
“All right, come out now. I know you’re back there.”
Muzi turned her head, curious about whom Cheng Cheng was referring to.
“Xiong Xiong.”
Soon, a Pokémon emerged from the nearby grass—it was the sneezing bear from before.
Cheng Cheng approached, crouched down, and patted its head.
“Little guy, you should head back now. We’re leaving this place.”
“Xiong xiong xiong xiong,” it replied.
“You want to travel with us?”
“Xiong xiong,” the sneezing bear nodded.
“Muzi, the sneezing bear wants to come with us. What should we do?” Cheng Cheng asked.
“If it wants to follow, then let’s take it along.”
“But I can’t have non-Psychic-type Pokémon. I won’t be able to take care of it.”
“Oh, right. I forgot about that. Then we’ll have to send it back.”
“Let’s send it back then.”
Cheng Cheng used his psychic abilities to communicate directly with the sneezing bear.
“Sneezing bear, I’m sorry, but we can’t take you with us. You should return to your group.”
“No, I don’t want to. I want to come with you.”
Cheng Cheng saw that the sneezing bear truly wished to leave with them.
“Sigh, well, alright then.”
“Muzi, why don’t you catch it?”
“I can’t. My other Pokémon dislike Ice-types. I can’t capture the sneezing bear.”
“Muzi, listen. Since you want to become a Dragon-type Pokémon master, you have to overcome the effects Ice-types have on you. Even though you have Charmeleon, you and your Pokémon are still affected by the cold, which isn’t good for future battles. I think you should keep the sneezing bear. Spend time with it, and it might lessen the Ice-type’s impact.”
“But—”
“Muzi, I believe you can take good care of it, don’t you?”
Cheng Cheng picked up the sneezing bear and handed it to Muzi. She glanced at him, then at the bear. Her hand trembled slightly as she reached out slowly.
“Come on, Muzi, you can do this.”
She looked at Cheng Cheng once more before accepting the sneezing bear. To her surprise, its fur was warm, not cold.
“Xiong xiong xiong xiong,” the bear was delighted.
“Well then, sneezing bear, welcome aboard.”
Muzi took out a Poké Ball and captured the bear.
“Congratulations, Muzi, you’ve caught another Pokémon.”
Suddenly, the Poké Ball locked. Muzi already had six Pokémon, so she couldn’t use the sneezing bear yet.
“Oh no, I forgot I can only have six Pokémon. I shouldn’t have rushed to catch it.”
“It’s okay, we’ll reach the next town and send one Pokémon back. Then we can use the sneezing bear.”
“All right.”
After catching the sneezing bear, Cheng Cheng and Muzi resumed their journey. They arrived at an open plain, a vast area where they decided to rest and prepare lunch.
Thanks to the berries given by the tundra bears earlier, ingredients were plentiful. Cheng Cheng and Muzi made a feast for their Pokémon.
Fortunately, the sneezing bear couldn’t be released yet; otherwise, even with the berries, the food might not have been enough.
Muzi complained about the future food expenses. Since she specialized in Dragon-type Pokémon with huge appetites, adding a sneezing bear to the mix meant she worried how much food would be needed if it evolved into a tundra bear.
“Muzi, how about a battle?”
Suddenly inspired, Cheng Cheng suggested a match.
“Sure. One-on-one or three-on-three?”
“Let’s do two-on-two.”
“Alright.”
“You go first—Swallowtail.”
Muzi sent out Swallowtail first.
“In that case, here goes—Gardevoir.”
“She’s such a beautiful Pokémon.”
“But Gardevoir’s male, you know.”
“So what? He’s still gorgeous and very dashing.”
“Solna.”
Gardevoir beamed happily at the compliment.
“All right, Gardevoir, this time Muzi and I are opponents. Give it your all.”
“Solna.”
Gardevoir grew serious.
Swallowtail Pokémon
Type: Dragon/Flying
Level: 48
Rank: Azure
Rarity: Rare
Ability: Natural Heal
Hidden Ability: No Weather
Combat Power: 5020
Moves: Howl, Peck, Frighten, Sing, Frenzy Attack, Mysterious Guard, White Fog, Chorus, Nature’s Blessing, Tackle, Refresh, Dragon Dance, Dragon Absorb, Cotton Defense, Dragon Pulse
Learned Moves: Protect, U-Turn
Impressive. Cheng Cheng hadn’t expected Swallowtail to be so strong. This would be a tough battle.
“Cheng Cheng, ready?”
“Of course. Let’s begin.”
“All right, Swallowtail, use Frenzy Attack.”
Swallowtail charged rapidly, attacking Gardevoir repeatedly. Gardevoir dodged with calm precision, avoiding every strike.
“Gardevoir, use Shadow Ball.”
“Swallowtail, use Cotton Defense.”
Swallowtail’s feathers fluffed up, forming a cotton-like shield that blocked the Shadow Ball.
“Gardevoir, Thunderbolt.”
“Solna.”
“Swallowtail, dodge!”
“Swallowtail, use Dragon Dance.”
Swallowtail swiftly enhanced its stats with Dragon Dance.
“Then I’ll use Calm Mind.”
Gardevoir raised its own attack power through meditation.
“Swallowtail, Dragon Pulse.”
“Gardevoir, block it with Psychic.”
Gardevoir deflected the Dragon Pulse and struck Swallowtail with Psychic, knocking it to the ground.
“Swallowtail, hang in there!”
“Why is Swallowtail’s ultimate move ineffective again? Fine, use Frenzy Attack.”
“Gardevoir, use Disable.”
Gardevoir endured the Frenzy Attack, then sealed it.
“Damn. You think that means we have no moves left? Swallowtail, Peck.”
“Gardevoir, Teleport.”
Gardevoir instantly avoided the attack.
“Shadow Ball.”
“Swallowtail, Cotton Defense.”
“Use Psychic.”
“Solna.”
The Psychic attack hit, injuring Swallowtail again.
“Swallowtail, use U-Turn.”
“Gardevoir, Teleport.”
“Shadow Ball.”
Gardevoir dodged; the Shadow Ball struck Swallowtail, rendering it unable to fight.
“Return, Swallowtail. Good job.”
“Next, your turn—Hydreigon.”
A black Dragon-type Pokémon appeared before Cheng Cheng; it was Hydreigon, which he had seen before.
“Cheng Cheng, did you know? To beat you, I specifically searched for this Pokémon.”
“Indeed, Dark-types counter Psychic-types. So you came prepared.”
“Of course. Now I’ll turn the tide of battle.”
“Let’s see about that.”
Cheng Cheng checked Hydreigon’s data.
Hydreigon Pokémon
Type: Dragon/Dark
Level: 45
Rank: Deep Azure
Rarity: Epic
Ability: Hustle
Combat Power: 4467
Moves: Tackle, Dragon Rage, Focus Energy, Bite, Headbutt, Dragon Breath, Roar, Crunch, Knock Off, Dragon Pulse, Inspire, Dragon Rush
Learned Moves: Dark Pulse, Shadow Ball
Very strong. Cheng Cheng knew he had to be careful.
“Gardevoir, return.”
Cheng Cheng recalled Gardevoir.
“Come on, Slowpoke.”
“You recall Gardevoir only to send out another Psychic-type? Let me show you how I’ll defeat you.”
“Hydreigon, use Dragon Rage.”
“Slowpoke, roll away.”
Slowpoke rolled to evade the attack.
“Slowpoke, use Water Gun.”
“Hydreigon, dodge.”
“Hydreigon, use Dark Pulse.”
“Slowpoke, use Water Pulse.”
Both forces clashed evenly.
“Hydreigon, charge with Tackle.”
Hydreigon rushed forward.
“Slowpoke, use Mega Punch.”
“Just what I was waiting for. Hydreigon, use Crunch.”
Hydreigon bit Slowpoke’s arm, causing it pain.
“Dark Pulse is effective. Keep going, Slowpoke, Mega Punch.”
Slowpoke struck Hydreigon with another Mega Punch, sending it flying.
“Hydreigon, get up! Use Shadow Ball.”
“Slowpoke, use Hydro Pump.”
Hydro Pump blocked the Shadow Ball and pushed Hydreigon back, hitting it directly.
“Hydreigon, are you okay?”
“Eeya.”
Hydreigon stood.
“Good. Hydreigon, use Dragon Rush.”
“Eya eya eya eya.”
Hydreigon charged at Slowpoke.
“Slowpoke, use Mega Punch.”
The two collided. Slowpoke was knocked back; Hydreigon fell to the ground.
“Slowpoke, Psychic.”
“Hydreigon, Shadow Ball.”
Psychic hit Hydreigon, disabling it. Shadow Ball struck Slowpoke, also incapacitating it. With Cheng Cheng’s Gardevoir still able to fight, the battle was his victory.
“Congratulations, Cheng Cheng.”
“Thank you. Your Pokémon are great too.”
“By the way, Cheng Cheng, I’ve always wanted to ask—why does Swallowtail’s Dragon Pulse have no effect on Gardevoir?”
“That’s because Gardevoir is not only Psychic-type but also Fairy-type.”
“Fairy-type?”
“Yes. Fairy-type is a recently discovered type. Pokémon with this type are immune to Dragon-type moves.”
“Immune to Dragon-type moves?”