Chapter Thirty-Two: The Nurturing of Pokémon

Previously, Cheng Cheng had been caught skipping class by the school and was publicly criticized. If he skipped class again, he would be expelled. This incident left Cheng Cheng frustrated for several days; he regretted not applying for leave in advance. Still, the courses had to continue, and before long, he had put the matter behind him.

Today was yet another bright and sunny day. The class was supposed to be on Pokémon level training, but since the instructor was absent due to personal matters, it was turned into a self-study period for everyone. Cheng Cheng decided to use this free time to have his Pokémon battle each other, hoping to strengthen them.

Taking advantage of the freedom this period allowed, Cheng Cheng planned to return to the place where he had previously hatched the Sigilyph. When Muzi heard of Cheng Cheng’s intentions, she insisted on coming along with him.

After some thought, Cheng Cheng agreed—this way, they could also have a friendly duel between their Pokémon. Once they arrived, Cheng Cheng released all his Pokémon.

“Come out, Chimecho, Kirlia, Abra, Gothita, Natu, Spoink, Slowpoke, Mr. Mime, Lunatone.”

He didn’t release the Sigilyph, as it wasn’t convenient.

“Are all these your Pokémon? That’s so many!” Muzi was amazed to see so many Psychic-type Pokémon. She also knew that Cheng Cheng couldn’t use Pokémon of any other type. It did seem rather pitiable—although she specialized in Dragon-types, she could still choose from other types if she wanted. Cheng Cheng, on the other hand, was restricted to only Psychic-types.

“Muzi, why don’t you let your Pokémon out too?”

“I only have three. Why don’t we have a three-on-three battle?”

“Sure, no problem.”

“I’ll go first—come out, Goomy!”

Muzi’s first Pokémon was Goomy, already at a fairly high level. Cheng Cheng knew he would have to use his strongest team members.

“Come out, Slowpoke.”

Cheng Cheng compared both sides’ data:

Pokémon: Goomy
Type: Dragon
Level: 27
Rank: Deep Green
Rarity: Rare
Ability: Sap Sipper
Hidden Ability: Gooey
...
Held Item: None
Moves: Tackle, Bubble, Absorb, Protect, Endure, Dragon Breath, Rain Dance

Pokémon: Slowpoke
Type: Water, Psychic
Level: 24
Rank: Blue
Rarity: Rare
Ability: Oblivious
Hidden Ability: Regenerator
...
Held Item: None
Moves: Curse, Growl, Water Gun, Confusion, Bind

Cheng Cheng realized that apart from a higher rank, his Slowpoke was inferior in most ways, but he believed he wouldn’t lose.

“Slowpoke, use Water Gun!”

“Goomy, Protect!”

Goomy’s Protect successfully blocked the Water Gun.

“Slowpoke, use Confusion to lift Goomy up.”

Cheng Cheng repeated the move.

“Goomy, use Absorb!”

“Slowpoke, shake Goomy from side to side to disrupt it.”

Under Slowpoke’s psychic grip, Goomy was shaken so vigorously that its Absorb move was interrupted.

“Goomy, use Endure!”

“Slowpoke, put Goomy down.”

Goomy used Endure, and Cheng Cheng wasn’t sure he could quickly defeat it. Endure would raise its attack if hurt, and he wasn’t willing to risk it.

Once Goomy was set down, Endure had no further effect.

“Slowpoke, now’s your chance—use Water Gun!”

“Goomy, Endure again!”

“Slowpoke, use Curse.”

Slowpoke had too few moves, so Cheng Cheng decided to use Curse to boost its attack and defense.

“Goomy, use Dragon Breath!”

“Slowpoke, Water Gun again!”

Goomy’s Dragon Breath hit Slowpoke, but Slowpoke’s Water Gun also struck back. Yet Water Gun was hardly effective against the sturdy Dragon-type, and Water moves only do half damage to Dragons.

“Goomy, use Absorb!”

Cheng Cheng hadn’t anticipated a Grass-type move; it was highly effective against Water-types like Slowpoke. He decided to concede this round.

“Come back, Slowpoke. Your turn, Chimecho.”

Pokémon: Chimecho
Type: Psychic
Level: 38
Rank: Deep Yellow
Rarity: Rare
Ability: Levitate
...
Held Item: None
Moves: Bind, Growl, Astonish, Confusion, Tackle, Uproar, Yawn, Psywave, Take Down, Heal Bell

Chimecho had fully absorbed the reagent, achieving Deep Yellow rank and reaching level 38, learning new moves in the process.

“Chimecho, use Yawn.”

Goomy was hit and began to grow drowsy.

“Goomy, stay alert, don’t get distracted! Fight it off!”

“Chimecho, use Psywave.”

The Psywave deepened the effect of Yawn, and Goomy could no longer continue battling.

“Cheng Cheng, I didn’t expect you to be so skilled. Take a look at my second Pokémon—come out, Altaria!”

Altaria! Cheng Cheng was surprised, and then saw its intimidating stats.

Pokémon: Altaria
Type: Dragon, Flying
Level: 36
Rank: Pale Blue
Rarity: Rare
Ability: Natural Cure
Special Ability: Weatherless
HP: 38/75
Attack: 30/70
Defense: 40/90
Special Attack: 31/70
Special Defense: 50/105
Speed: 42/80
Total: 231/490
Held Item: None
Moves: Growl, Peck, Astonish, Sing, Fury Attack, Safeguard, Mist, Round, Natural Gift, Tackle, Refresh, Dragon Dance, Dragon Breath

Although Altaria was two levels lower than his Chimecho, Cheng Cheng didn’t dare underestimate it—it was a Dragon-type, after all.

“Altaria, use Dragon Dance!”

Altaria began to boost its attack with Dragon Dance.

“Chimecho, use Uproar!”

Chimecho tried to disrupt Altaria’s setup.

“Altaria, use Safeguard. Then keep using Dragon Dance.”

With Safeguard up, Chimecho’s Uproar had no effect.

“Altaria, use Dragon Breath!”

Chimecho was struck hard by Dragon Breath.

Chimecho healed itself with Heal Bell.

“Ling-ling~”

Chimecho soothed its wounds.

“Altaria, don’t give it a chance—use a fierce repeated attack!”

“Chimecho, dodge quickly!”

Altaria attacked relentlessly, and Chimecho kept dodging.

“Chimecho, use Psywave!”

Now that Altaria was close, it couldn’t evade.

“Chimecho, use Confusion!”

Chimecho’s Confusion gripped Altaria directly.

“Chimecho, now use Take Down!”

This battle couldn’t drag on—Chimecho would lose a war of attrition, so it was better to trade some HP for damage. Take Down hit Altaria squarely, injuring both sides.

“Altaria, use Peck!”

Chimecho was unable to dodge and took the hit. It could no longer fight.

“Come back, Chimecho, you did well. Your turn, Mr. Mime.”

Pokémon: Mr. Mime
Type: Psychic, Fairy
Level: 33
Rank: Green
Rarity: Rare
Ability: Soundproof
Hidden Ability: Technician
Held Item: None
Moves: Confusion, Barrier, Slap, Light Screen, Mirror Coat, Double Slap

“Since you’re down to your last Pokémon, I’ll switch too. Let’s have a final showdown. Come out, my treasure.”

Before long, a blue Pokémon appeared before them.

Pokémon: Dragonair
Type: Dragon
Level: 40
Rank: Blue
Rarity: Rare
Ability: Shed Skin
Hidden Ability: Marvel Scale
HP: 40/61
Attack: 48/84
Defense: 35/65
Special Attack: 37/70
Special Defense: 38/70
Speed: 50/70
Total: 288/420
Held Item: Dragon Scale
Moves: Bind, Leer, Thunder Wave, Twister, Dragon Tail, Slam, Agility, Aqua Tail

Seeing Dragonair, Cheng Cheng felt a twinge of frustration—each Dragon was stronger than the last. Still, he wouldn’t give up easily. His Mr. Mime was strong and had unique attributes.

“Mr. Mime, use Barrier.”

No matter what, defense came first.

“Dragonair, use Thunder Wave!”

Mr. Mime blocked the Thunder Wave with Barrier; it never hit.

“Dragonair, use Aqua Tail!”

Dragonair lunged forward, slamming Aqua Tail against Mr. Mime’s Barrier. Though the Barrier absorbed much of the blow, it was still breached and Mr. Mime took some damage.

“Now, Mr. Mime, use Double Slap!”

Seizing the opportunity, Mr. Mime struck Dragonair repeatedly.

“Dragonair, use Bind!”

Suddenly, Dragonair coiled up and restrained Mr. Mime.

“Mr. Mime, use Confusion to break free!”

Mr. Mime struggled with Confusion to escape, but Dragonair wouldn’t let go easily. The two Pokémon were locked in a stalemate until at last, Mr. Mime managed to wriggle free.

“Mr. Mime, use Barrier again.”

Cheng Cheng kept up his defensive tactics.

“Dragonair, use Dragon Tail!”

As Dragonair’s tail struck, Cheng Cheng saw an opening.

“Mr. Mime, take it!”

The Dragon Tail landed, but seemed to have little effect on Mr. Mime.

“Mr. Mime, one more time—Double Slap!”

Taking advantage of Muzi and Dragonair’s brief pause, Mr. Mime struck again.

“For the final move, use Confusion!”

Cheng Cheng stuck to his tried-and-true strategy. Shards of psychic energy hurtled toward Dragonair.

Muzi quickly responded.

“Dragonair, use Twister!”

A cyclone swept away most of the psychic shards, though some still struck Dragonair.

“Dragonair, are you alright?”

Dragonair soared back up, still able to fight.

“Muzi, let’s call it a draw for today—the time’s getting late.”

Muzi considered, then agreed.

“No problem. But we’ll have to battle again sometime.”

“Of course.”

“By the way, why didn’t Dragonair’s Dragon Tail affect Mr. Mime?”

“That... I won’t tell you yet. I still need that as my trump card.”

“Hmph, stingy!”

Cheng Cheng wasn’t ready to reveal the advantage of the Fairy type just yet—he needed it to keep Muzi in check.

Just then, a flash of white light drew their attention—a Pokémon was evolving.

Cheng Cheng quickly checked the data:

Pokémon: Kirlia
Type: Psychic, Fairy
Level: 20
Rank: Pale Green
Rarity: Rare
Ability: Synchronize
Hidden Ability: Telepathy
HP: 20/38
Attack: 16/35
Defense: 15/35
Special Attack: 30/65
Special Defense: 26/55
Speed: 27/50
Total: 123/278
Held Item: None
Moves: Growl, Confusion, Double Team, Teleport, Lucky Chant

To his surprise, Ralts—who had been watching on the sidelines—had evolved. It was an unexpected delight.

And so, Cheng Cheng’s life of study and Pokémon training continued.