Chapter 116: Obtaining Two Badges, Setting Off Once More

The Slowbro was hit by the Jigglypuff’s signature move, and it was very likely to end up like Gardevoir—lying on the ground. Cheng Cheng knew he might lose.

However, unlike Gardevoir, who would lie still and be considered unable to battle after being hit by this move, Slowbro kept shaking from side to side while lying down, showing no sign of losing its fighting spirit.

Cheng Cheng knew he had bet right.

Aloe was also quite surprised by Slowbro’s reaction; she hadn’t expected a Pokémon to still be able to move after being struck by that technique.

“Jigglypuff, use Sing.”

Jigglypuff hit Slowbro, causing it some pain.

Slowbro was angered and immediately fired a Hydro Pump in return.

“Jigglypuff, dodge!”

“Double Slap!”

Jigglypuff evaded the attack and rushed forward with Double Slap. But Slowbro was lying on the ground, continuously spinning and rolling while unleashing a barrage of Hydro Pumps. Gradually, the floor was flooded with water.

Since they were in a museum, and to prevent any damage to the exhibits, the battle room was highly sealed, so Slowbro’s water attacks couldn’t escape.

The water level rose steadily until it reached ankle height.

“All right, that’s enough. Cheng Cheng, recall your Pokémon. I can’t beat it.”

Jigglypuff had used all its skills—Double Slap, Sing, and more—but none could render Slowbro unable to fight. With the water, Slowbro moved even more freely, making it impossible to land an attack. The water kept rising, and if it continued, cleaning up would become a nightmare.

“Come back, Slowbro.”

Cheng Cheng recalled Slowbro, and the water level stopped rising.

Next, Cheng Cheng and the others dealt with the accumulated water. Fortunately, this time it wasn’t much; otherwise, it would have taken several more hours.

It seemed best to limit Slowbro’s battles in the future; otherwise, cleaning up would take four or five hours, which was far too troublesome.

After the water was cleared, Mrs. Aloe handed Cheng Cheng the gym badge, marking his sixth badge.

“Muzi, our next stop is Sanyao City. There’s the Sanyao Gym, and there you can earn your final badge.”

“No, I’m not challenging the Sanyao Gym.”

“Why? You only need one more badge. With that, you’ll qualify for the League Tournament.”

“Because I made a promise.”

“A promise?”

“Yes, a promise. When I left Dragon’s Home, I vowed that my last gym challenge would be at the Twin Dragon Gym in Dragon’s Home.”

“Twin Dragon Gym?”

Cheng Cheng recalled that gym; its leader was a renowned Dragon-type Pokémon trainer.

“All right then. Are you going back now?”

“No, it’s still early. I plan to travel with you for a while longer. You want to challenge the Sanyao Gym, right? Let’s head there first. After you get the seventh badge, we’ll go to Dragon’s Home together. You can also try challenging the Twin Dragon Gym as your final gym.”

“Sounds good, no problem.”

Cheng Cheng was curious about Dragon’s Home, eager to see Muzi’s hometown. Besides, his Gardevoir and Mr. Mime were Fairy-types, which had an advantage against Dragon-types.

“Let’s set off for Sanyao City.”

Cheng Cheng and Muzi left Qibao City and took three days to reach Sanyao City. Along the way, they passed two forests and two small towns, traveling like tourists. Their next challenge was the Sanyao Gym.

Cheng Cheng went to the Pokémon Center and researched the Sanyao Gym. Unlike others, this gym had three leaders: Tian Tong, Bert, and Cohen, each specializing in a different type—Grass-type Pansage, Fire-type Pansear, and Water-type Panpour.

After Ash challenged the gym, Tian Tong had traveled with him, leaving just Cohen and Bert behind. It looked like an interesting battle awaited.

Originally, Cheng Cheng planned to challenge the gym the next morning, but Muzi wanted to buy more local specialties since it was their last city.

So Cheng Cheng spent the entire morning playing porter.

“All right, Cheng Cheng, where exactly are we going to eat? I’m starving!”

After a morning of shopping, both were hungry. Cheng Cheng suggested going to a restaurant, but after passing several, he didn’t enter any.

“Where is it? I’ve been walking for so long.”

“We’re almost there.”

After a bit more walking, Cheng Cheng stopped.

“We’re here.”

“Huh? Isn’t this the Sanyao Gym? Why are you bringing me here? I thought we were going to eat, not challenge the gym.”

“We are eating here.”

Cheng Cheng strode into the Sanyao Gym and pushed the door open.

“Hello? Is anyone here?”

Muzi followed and realized it wasn’t a gym at all—it was a restaurant, bustling with customers.

“Welcome! This is the Sanyao Restaurant. I’m Cohen. How can I serve you today?”

A young man with blue hair appeared before them.

“We’re here to eat.”

“Right this way, please.”

Cohen led them to a table nearby.

“What would you like to order today?”

He handed the menu to Cheng Cheng and Muzi.

Cheng Cheng scanned the restaurant but didn’t see Bert anywhere.

“Cheng Cheng, hurry and order something.”

Snapping out of his trance, Cheng Cheng saw Muzi had already ordered five dishes.

“That’s enough.”

“All right, coming right up.”

Soon, their food arrived.

“Enjoy your meal.”

“Wait, Cohen.”

Cheng Cheng called out.

“Yes? What can I do for you?”

“I want to ask, when can I challenge the gym? I’m here for the gym battle.”

“The gym challenge? Of course! Battles can start after the customers finish dining around 2 PM.”

“Thank you.”

“No problem. If you need anything, just ask.”

Cheng Cheng noticed Cohen seemed a bit off, especially when talking about the gym battle.

“Didn’t expect the Sanyao Gym to be a restaurant.”

“Well, gym leaders have side jobs.”

“True.”

They smiled at each other.

After finishing their meal and waiting a bit, Cheng Cheng and Muzi prepared for the gym battle.

Upon arriving at the battle area, Cheng Cheng saw Cohen alone.

“Just you here?”

“Tian Tong and Bert are traveling, so you’ll only face me.”

“Okay then.”

“Since they’re away and no one can referee, it’ll be a one-Pokémon battle.”

“Is it really that casual?” Cheng Cheng thought silently.

“Go, Panpour.”

It was Panpour! Cheng Cheng hadn’t expected it to have evolved.

“Go, Mr. Mime.”

Cheng Cheng sent out his long-unused Mr. Mime. With the Dragon-type gym coming up, Mr. Mime would be a key player. Though he had a type advantage, the level and strength difference were still significant.

Panpour
Type: Water
Level: 35
Combat Power: 4978
Moves: Scratch, Leer, Lick, Water Gun, Fury Swipes, Aqua Ring, Bite, Scald, Taunt, Fling, Skill Swap, Salt Water, Recover
Can learn Ice Beam, Dig

This Panpour wasn’t very strong but appeared to be Cohen’s strongest Pokémon. The Sanyao Gym seemed relatively weak. Understandably, since they spent much time running the restaurant, their Pokémon training wasn’t as specialized as other gyms.

“All right, let’s start. Panpour, use Water Gun.”

“Mr. Mime, use Barrier.”

Mr. Mime quickly created a barrier, blocking the Water Gun.

“Use Skill Swap.”

Panpour darted around like a performer and struck Mr. Mime directly.

“Mr. Mime, use Barrier.”

Mr. Mime surrounded himself with barriers on all sides, making it impossible for Skill Swap to land a hit.

“Panpour, use Dig.”

Panpour suddenly burrowed underground, dug quickly toward Mr. Mime, then popped up and struck him.

“Mr. Mime, use Double Slap.”

Mr. Mime adjusted swiftly and sent Panpour flying with a barrage of slaps.

“Use Psychic.”

Mr. Mime unleashed a psychic shock that hit Panpour.

“Now, use Confusion.”

While Panpour was stunned by Psychic, Mr. Mime levitated all the barriers in the air and hurled them at Panpour.

“Panpour, Dig again.”

Panpour dodged by digging underground, then emerged behind Mr. Mime.

“Use Bite.”

Panpour bit down hard, causing significant damage.

“Mr. Mime, use Pound.”

Mr. Mime slammed Panpour away.

“Confusion.”

Mr. Mime controlled the barriers once more, hitting Panpour repeatedly. Panpour collapsed, unable to continue.

“Come back, Panpour.”

“Congratulations, Cheng Cheng. You’ve won this battle. Here’s your gym badge.”

Cohen handed the badge to Cheng Cheng. After receiving it, Cheng Cheng and Muzi left the Sanyao Gym.

Though it seemed something was amiss with the brothers, Cheng Cheng wasn’t interested in investigating and headed back to the Pokémon Center with Muzi.

“Cheng Cheng, are we heading back to Dragon’s Home next?”

Muzi asked as they walked.

“What do you think?”

“I want to travel a bit more; the tournament doesn’t start for some time.”

“All right, I have a place I want to visit too.”

Cheng Cheng looked up at the sky, sensing that something significant was about to happen.