Chapter 137: Returning to Opelucid City, Iris's Battle

When Cheng Cheng walked out of the room, Grandma Long emerged as well.

"Is something the matter, Grandma Long?"

"Oh, I sensed that something happened on Iris's end, so I am going to take a look."

Cheng Cheng projected his psychic powers and indeed discovered Pokémon battling not far away. At the same time, he also sensed the presence of Ash and his friends. If not for the system's data, Cheng Cheng might have thought that Grandma Long possessed psychic abilities as well.

The three of them arrived at the scene to find Iris engaged in a battle with a Hydreigon. Cheng Cheng felt a familiar aura coming from this Hydreigon, and he also spotted a Zweilous nearby. It turned out that this Hydreigon was the evolved form of the Zweilous he had encountered earlier, though its emotions were currently very unstable. Iris was trying to find a way to calm it down.

Iris had her Pokémon corner the Hydreigon, then looked for an opportunity to jump onto its back. She held on tightly and began to soothe it. However, after she jumped on, the Hydreigon began to thrash violently, shaking her off. Iris quickly scrambled back up and leaped onto the Hydreigon again. Eventually, she succeeded in calming it.

"There, there, Hydreigon, it's okay now."

"Iris, the Hydreigon has calmed down."

"Thank you, Iris."

"Iris, you did a great job."

"Grandma, you're here."

"Iris has raised her Pokémon very well. Iris can always achieve anything she sets her mind to."

"Thank you, Grandma."

Iris was overjoyed by the praise.

"That remains to be seen."

Suddenly, a voice rang out—it was Drayden.

"It's Mr. Drayden."

"Why would Mr. Drayden be here?"

Iris grew very nervous upon seeing him. "Mr. Drayden, I am very sorry; I shouldn't have run away from the academy."

"It seems you have improved much since before. You did well just now, but it is far from enough. I look forward to our battle; I will be waiting for you in Opelucid City."

"Understood, Mr. Drayden."

"Mr. Drayden, we meet again."

"Are you two out on your journey again?"

"Yes."

"Very well. Would you like to return to Opelucid City with me?"

"That would be a bother, but thank you."

"Ash, Iris, and Cilan, we will wait for you in Opelucid City."

"Got it, Cheng Cheng, we will head there tomorrow."

"Then, everyone, goodbye. Grandma Long, I will come to visit you again. Thank you for everything today."

"Of course, you are welcome to visit anytime."

Cheng Cheng and Muzi left the Village of Dragons with Mr. Drayden and set off for Opelucid City.

"Mr. Drayden, what is the status of the Dragonspiral Tower incident?"

"I knew you would ask. Ever since the League removed that object, I have been investigating the tower for some time. But since that thing left, things have returned to calm, and I haven't found anything."

It was just as he had suspected. This only made the Dark Ball monster even more mysterious.

"Mr. Drayden, you seem to be very strict with Iris."

"Indeed, there is no help for it. To cultivate an excellent successor, one must be strict."

"Mr. Drayden, why must it be Iris? Look at Muzi; she is quite talented as well."

Muzi stared at Cheng Cheng in confusion.

"Hmph, Muzi is indeed talented, but she may not necessarily stay in Opelucid City in the future. If you can convince Muzi to stay here, I might consider her."

"Well, what do you think?" Drayden asked with a smile.

"I think I'll pass on that." Cheng Cheng gave up on the idea of Muzi becoming Drayden's successor. After all, Muzi was destined for Fortree City.

Soon, they arrived back in Opelucid City.

"Alright, you two go ahead. Remember to come and watch the battle later."

"Understood, Mr. Drayden."

"We're home."

"You're back."

"Father, you're actually at home?"

"Why shouldn't I be? If I weren't, I wouldn't know what you two were up to."

"Father, what are you saying?"

"How was it? Now that the journey is over, did you encounter anything interesting?"

"Of course! This time we saw Meloetta, and we also saw the Forces of Nature once again."

"Oh, really? To encounter legendary Pokémon just by going out is truly impressive." Saito-shi glanced at Cheng Cheng as he said this. "Very well, since you're back, get some rest and prepare for the upcoming League Conference. This is your first time participating, after all."

"Understood, Father."

"Cheng Cheng, I'll leave dinner to you."

"Yes."

Cheng Cheng, feeling the weight of Saito-shi's threatening gaze, obediently went to prepare dinner.

The next morning, Cheng Cheng and Muzi headed out toward the Opelucid Gym. Iris and her friends were expected to challenge the gym today, and he wanted to catch the match. Knowing that it would take them some time to travel from the village, Muzi took Cheng Cheng around Opelucid City.

Returning to the city felt familiar. After wandering for a while, they decided to visit the Opelucid Academy, as Cheng Cheng felt a certain attachment to the place where he had taught for a few days.

As they arrived, they suddenly heard an alarm sounding from the tower. Running over, they found a crowd gathered at the base, and a girl standing at the top. Cheng Cheng looked up and realized it was Iris.

Under Officer Jenny's warning, Iris climbed down. Then, Officer Jenny gave her a stern lecture.

"Iris, Ash, Cilan, you're here."

"Muzi, Cheng Cheng, are you here to watch my battle?"

"Yes."

"Alright, let's head to the academy. Mr. Drayden should be there now."

They met Mr. Drayden at the academy.

"Mr. Drayden, I am here to request a battle."

"Very well. I will head to the gym once I finish up here. You go on ahead."

"Understood."

They arrived at the gym, and Mr. Drayden followed shortly after.

"Well, Iris, are you ready?"

"I'm ready."

"Good, let the battle begin."

"This will be a two-on-two battle between Opelucid Gym Leader Drayden and challenger Iris. The match ends when all of one side's Pokémon are unable to battle. Please send out your Pokémon."

"Go, Haxorus!" Drayden sent out his signature Pokémon first. Cheng Cheng checked its data and realized this Haxorus wasn't particularly strong; clearly, it wasn't Drayden's true ace. That made sense, as Iris wouldn't stand a chance against his full strength.

"Go, Excadrill!" Iris sent out her strongest Pokémon, her very first partner. She had battled this Haxorus before, but the previous defeat had been so crushing that it had caused Excadrill to withdraw into itself for a time. This was more than just a gym battle; it was a quest for redemption.

"Excadrill, use Focus Blast!"

"Haxorus, block it!" Haxorus deflected the attack.

"Haxorus, use Dragon Tail!"

"Excadrill, use Dig!" Excadrill quickly dove underground, dodging the attack, and emerged behind Haxorus.

"Excadrill, Focus Blast!" The attack connected, injuring Haxorus.

"Excadrill, Metal Claw!"

"Haxorus, Rock Smash!" Haxorus blocked the blow with its tusks.

"Excadrill, Drill Run!"

"Haxorus, Giga Impact!"

The two Pokémon collided, and everyone felt the powerful shockwave. Both Pokémon collapsed to the floor.

"Both Haxorus and Excadrill are unable to battle! Trainers, please send out your final Pokémon."

Cheng Cheng knew Drayden had held back; otherwise, Excadrill would have never stood a chance.

"Very good. It seems you have grown quite a bit. Let us continue."

"Yes, Mr. Drayden." Iris felt a sense of relief after defeating Haxorus.

"Go, Druddigon!" Drayden sent out his Druddigon. While often mocked for its low stats, it was still a Dragon-type not to be underestimated. This particular Druddigon was clearly one of Drayden's top-tier fighters. It looked like a difficult win for Iris.

"In that case, I leave it to you, Dragonite!" Iris sent out her strongest companion.

"Go, Dragonite, use Thunder Punch!"

"Druddigon, Dragon Claw!"

The two engaged in a fierce battle. Dragonite abandoned its flight advantage to trade blows head-on. While brave, it wasn't enough to secure the win. Before long, Dragonite was defeated. Despite having Ice Beam and Dragon Rush, Druddigon was simply too powerful, and Dragonite had no way to overcome the gap.

"Oh man, I lost after all."