Chapter 139: The Official Match, Battling Shudi
“Bang! Bang! Bang!” With the sound of the ceremonial cannons, the United Alliance Hinoki Conference’s official battles were about to begin.
“The first official battle of today will allow each side to use two Pokémon, with free switching permitted. Now, let’s draw for the battle order.”
As the host spoke, the screen displayed everyone’s avatars and names, followed by the random pairing of opponents.
Soon, the matchups were revealed. Each participant needed to locate their opponent, the battleground, and the number of rounds.
Kenny Yang’s opponent was Bai Lu, marking the first battle between teammates.
Cheng Cheng saw his own name and his opponent—Xiu Di. This puzzled him. Although Cheng Cheng wanted a match against Xiu Di, Xiu Di’s true rival was supposed to be Ash. By all rights, Ash should have been battling him; how had he ended up interrupting their match? Losing was simply out of the question.
No matter what, Cheng Cheng was determined not to lose.
The first round of battles took place across five arenas, each with only one official battle site.
In Cheng Cheng’s arena, the first round featured Kote battling Bai Lu. Ultimately, Kote emerged victorious, and Bai Lu was defeated. Though Bai Lu’s Infernape was strong, it lacked speed and attack power, leading to its downfall.
Next came Ash’s battle, in which he also triumphed. Following Ash’s match was another battle, and then it was time for the intermission.
“Muzi, it’s your turn next. Are you confident?”
“Of course! I intend to fight all the way to the end.”
“Good. Then I’ll see you in the finals.”
“No problem.”
“Cheng Cheng, our match is coming up soon. I want you to know that I’ve grown a lot since before.”
“Yes, Xiu Di. I want to see just how much you’ve grown.”
“I won’t lose.”
“No, you will.”
After the break, it was Muzi’s turn. She sent out Sticky Goo and Sonar Larva. Though the battle was tougher than before, Muzi still secured the victory.
The final round was about to begin, naturally pitting Cheng Cheng against Xiu Di.
“Come on, Xiu Di. Show me all your strength.”
“Of course. I’ll fight you with my strongest power.”
“Now, the battle between challenger Cheng Cheng and Xiu Di will commence. Each side may use two Pokémon. When one side loses all battle capability, the other is declared the victor. Please send out your Pokémon.”
“First up, it’s your turn. Go, Wobbuffet!”
Ah, Wobbuffet—an old acquaintance. Long ago, Cheng Cheng had faced off against two Wobbuffets, so he was familiar with the species. Still, he reviewed this Wobbuffet’s stats.
Pokémon: Wobbuffet
Type: Water, Ghost
Level: 42
Ability: Water Absorb
Hidden Ability: Damp
Base Stats Total: 480
Combat Power: 4410
Moves: Bubble, Water Walk, Leech, Curse of the Night, Leech, Bubble Beam, Recover, Water Pulse, Strange Wind, Saltwater, Rain Dance.
Learned Moves: Awakening, Ice Beam, Shadow Ball, Hydro Pump.
“First, I’ll send out my ace. Go, Gardevoir.”
Cheng Cheng deployed his trump card, Gardevoir.
“Wobbuffet, use Bubble Beam!”
“Gardevoir, dodge!”
Gardevoir smoothly evaded the attack.
“Wobbuffet, Shadow Ball!”
“We’ll counter with Shadow Ball too!”
The two Shadow Balls collided, evenly matched in power.
“Wobbuffet, Strange Wind!”
“Gardevoir, use Meditation!”
Gardevoir entered a meditative state, focusing all attention. The Strange Wind had no effect.
“Wobbuffet, Ice Beam!”
“Gardevoir, Teleport!”
Gardevoir teleported to evade the attack, landing above Wobbuffet.
“Gardevoir, Psychic Shock!”
“So-nae!”
Gardevoir’s Psychic Shock struck Wobbuffet. Enhanced by meditation, the attack was stronger than ever.
Though Psychic-type moves weren’t especially effective against Wobbuffet, it was temporarily immobilized.
“Gardevoir, Thunderbolt!”
Gardevoir unleashed Thunderbolt directly on Wobbuffet, dealing significant damage. Wobbuffet lost its battle capability.
“Wobbuffet is unable to fight. Victory goes to Gardevoir. Xiu Di, please send out your second Pokémon.”
“You’re strong indeed. Now, let me show you my strongest Pokémon. Go, Serperior!”
Xiu Di sent out his ace, Serperior—the first Pokémon he ever caught.
Pokémon: Serperior
Type: Grass
Level: 48
Ability: Overgrow
Base Stats Total: 528
Moves: Tackle, Leer, Vine Whip, Coil, Growth, Leaf Tornado, Leech Seed, Mega Drain, Knock Off, Leaf Blade, Wrap, Giga Drain.
Learned Moves: Energy Ball, Dragon Tail.
Cheng Cheng hadn’t expected Serperior to know Dragon Tail, a powerful move. He noticed Serperior’s speed was very high, but its defense was weak—its obvious weakness.
“Come back, Gardevoir.”
“Go, Mr. Mime.”
Cheng Cheng recalled Gardevoir and sent out Mr. Mime.
“Serperior, Vine Whip!”
Two vines lashed toward Mr. Mime.
“Mr. Mime, use Barrier!”
Mr. Mime raised a barrier, blocking the vines. Yet the vines wrapped around from both sides.
“Mr. Mime, use Telekinesis!”
The vines couldn’t attack against the telekinetic force.
“Serperior, Dragon Tail!”
Serperior dashed forward, hitting Mr. Mime with Dragon Tail. The speed was so fast Cheng Cheng couldn’t react in time.
But, the Dragon Tail had no effect on Mr. Mime.
“Mr. Mime, use Double Slap!”
Mr. Mime unleashed Double Slap, striking Serperior and knocking it away.
What was going on? Xiu Di was stunned; he couldn’t understand why Dragon Tail failed. Many onlookers were equally baffled.
Though surprised, Xiu Di quickly regained composure.
“Serperior, Energy Ball!”
“Mr. Mime, Mirror Coat!”
Serperior fired Energy Ball, but Mr. Mime reflected it back. Serperior easily dodged the counterattack.
“In that case, Leaf Blade!”
“Barrier!”
Mr. Mime’s Barrier blocked Leaf Blade.
“Once more, Leaf Blade!”
Serperior swiftly moved behind Mr. Mime and hit it hard, knocking it away.
“Energy Ball!”
Energy Ball shot toward Mr. Mime, which had no time to evade.
“Mr. Mime has lost battle capability. Serperior wins.”
“Come back, Mr. Mime. Gardevoir, it’s your turn.”
“So-nae!”
Cheng Cheng mainly wanted to test Serperior’s battle power and had now gleaned its strengths and weaknesses.
“Serperior, Dragon Tail!”
Serperior charged and struck Gardevoir with Dragon Tail.
“Why Dragon Tail again? No other moves at all, unlucky kid.”
“Gardevoir, Shadow Ball!”
At close range, Shadow Ball struck Serperior, severely injuring it.
“How come it had no effect again?”
“Serperior, Leaf Blade!”
“Teleport!”
Gardevoir teleported, dodging the strike.
“Gardevoir, Shadow Ball!”
“Energy Ball!”
Shadow Ball and Energy Ball collided, filling the arena with smoke.
In an instant, Serperior vanished, appearing behind Gardevoir. Others would be caught off guard, but not Cheng Cheng and Gardevoir.
As Serperior rushed forward, Gardevoir teleported away.
“Shadow Ball!”
Shadow Ball hit Serperior again, and it collapsed.
“Serperior has lost battle capability. Victory goes to Cheng Cheng.”
“Come back, Gardevoir. You did well.”
“Come back, Serperior.”
After the battle, Cheng Cheng prepared to leave.
“Cheng Cheng, wait!”
“I know what you want to ask. Let’s talk outside.”
They left the battle arena.
“Cheng Cheng.”
“You’ve grown a lot since before, even surpassing Ash a bit.”
“I…”
“Alright, you want to know why Serperior’s attacks had no effect on Gardevoir and Mr. Mime, right?”
“Yeah.”
“Do you know what Gardevoir and Mr. Mime have in common?”
Xiu Di thought carefully, then shook his head.
“You should pay more attention to official Pokémon announcements.”
“Ever heard of the Fairy type?”
“I’ve heard of it.”
“Both Gardevoir and Mr. Mime have the Fairy attribute.”
“So?”
“Guess.”
“I…”
“Well, some things can’t be revealed yet. If you figure it out, keep it to yourself. If not, forget it.”
“Got it.”
“Good.”
“Thanks.”
“No problem.”
“Well then, I’ll take my leave.”
Xiu Di turned and walked away.
So smart already, huh? Well, whatever—people are infuriating sometimes.
“Oh, I think I forgot something.”
“Right, Muzi! I left Muzi behind!”
Cheng Cheng ran back to find Muzi.
The first round of battles had ended. The second round would take place tomorrow.
Cheng Cheng returned to the dormitory’s first floor to eat, then prepared to soak in the hot springs.
“Hot springs, beauties, here I come!”
Though walls separated them, he had psychic powers after all. What a wonderful day!
He chuckled softly.