Chapter 50: Battle Against Deoxys

With the cooperation of Latios and Darkrai, Deoxys was wounded, and now Deoxys was thoroughly enraged. Deoxys shifted forms, first transforming into its Speed Form and launching Pursuit directly at Latios. The Dark-type move struck Latios, knocking him to the ground. Latios had no strength left to fight.

Darkrai seized the opportunity and hurled a Shadow Ball, but Deoxys swiftly switched to Defense Form, blocking the attack. Then, shifting to Attack Form, it used Psychic Illusion, immobilizing Darkrai in place, before unleashing Hyper Beam, causing Darkrai to lose all combat ability.

Cheng Cheng was astonished by Deoxys’s power. He wondered if he could possibly catch it. The answer, he realized, was no. With his current abilities, he couldn’t even touch it.

Deoxys was still preparing to attack, firing an Electromagnetic Cannon.

At that moment, a Lunatone intervened, standing between the two Pokémon. Cheng Cheng had commanded Lunatone to use Protect, blocking the Electric-type attack, though not completely—Lunatone was injured. Fortunately, being an Electric move, Lunatone managed to endure it. Deoxys’s attention turned to Cheng Cheng.

Cheng Cheng hurried over to stand beside the two Pokémon, only to find another person standing nearby.

“Are you alright?”

The stranger eyed Cheng Cheng warily; his sudden arrival was cause for concern.

“I mean you no harm,” Cheng Cheng said. “I just want to help.”

“Hello, my name is Cheng Cheng.”

“Darkdo.”

Yes, this was the legendary Beast Master—Darkdo.

“Sorry to trouble you. Don’t mind me; carry on.”

Darkdo made no move, merely stared at Cheng Cheng, making him feel a bit awkward.

“Um, aren’t you going to battle Deoxys? Don’t worry about me—I won’t interfere. Let me help heal your Pokémon!”

“Come out, Chimecho.”

“Chimecho, use Heal Pulse.”

“Chimecho~” Chimecho’s healing waves began to restore Darkrai and Latios.

Seeing Cheng Cheng heal his Pokémon, Darkdo relaxed a little.

“Return!” Darkdo recalled his two Pokémon, though Chimecho’s healing was not yet finished.

“But—didn’t I say I’d help you heal them?”

“No need. I should go.”

“Wait, aren’t you going to catch Deoxys?”

“No. My other Pokémon can’t match it either.”

“No way! Since you have Latios, you must have Latias too. And with Darkrai, surely you wouldn’t let Cresselia slip by!”

Darkdo stared at Cheng Cheng, then turned to leave.

“Even with them, I’m no match. I’ll go now. Come out, Latias.”

Darkdo released Latias and rode away atop it.

Cheng Cheng had hoped to converse more, but now that seemed impossible. Still, Latias was indeed his, so Darkdo possessed at least three Psychic-type legendary Pokémon—each a mythical beast. Cheng Cheng envied him greatly, but Deoxys remained.

Cheng Cheng turned back to Deoxys, who stared at him, its battle interrupted by this stranger.

After a moment, Deoxys prepared to leave.

[Wait.] This time, Cheng Cheng used telepathy to communicate with Deoxys.

Deoxys sensed Cheng Cheng’s psychic power and stopped.

[Deoxys, please battle me!]

[You cannot defeat me.]

Deoxys glanced at Lunatone and Chimecho by Cheng Cheng’s side. His strongest Pokémon were simply too weak, leaving Deoxys uninterested in battle.

[Deoxys, trust me. We’ll have a fierce match.]

[Very well.]

Deoxys entered battle mode, curious what Pokémon Cheng Cheng would use.

Cheng Cheng knew his own Pokémon were no match for Deoxys—he wouldn’t even survive a single move. So he decided to call for external aid.

He took a necklace from his neck—not the Psychic Gem necklace given by Slowking, but one made from leaves gifted by Celebi.

Cheng Cheng infused the leaf with his psychic power, expressing his request.

Soon, a time-space vortex appeared beside him, and a green Pokémon emerged, flying out.

“Celebi~”

Deoxys watched the sudden arrival, marveling at the powerful energy radiating from this Pokémon.

“Celebi, please help me in battle.”

“Celebi~” Celebi agreed to Cheng Cheng’s request.

“Deoxys, your opponent will be Celebi.”

Celebi approached Deoxys; the two Pokémon hovered in mid-air, facing off. The size difference was rather odd.

Soon, they began to fight. Cheng Cheng, lacking the right to command Celebi, let them battle freely. Meanwhile, he compared their stats.

Pokémon: Celebi
Type: Psychic, Grass
Level: 72
Grade: Deep Blue
Rarity: Epic
Ability: Natural Cure
HP: 90/100
Attack: 78/100
Defense: 82/100
Special Attack: 85/100
Special Defense: 85/100
Speed: 90/100
Total: 510/600
Moves: Leech Seed, Psychic, Teleport, Recover, Heal Bell, Safeguard, Magical Leaf, Ancient Power, Baton Pass, Nature Power, Perish Song, Leaf Storm, Heal Block, Energy Ball, Future Sight.
Innate Skills: Time Travel, Plant Manipulation

Pokémon: Deoxys
Type: Psychic
Level: 68
Grade: Light Blue
Rarity: Epic
Ability: Pressure
HP: 45/50
Attack: 130/150
Defense: 41/50
Special Attack: 120/150
Special Defense: 39/50
Speed: 125/150
Total: 500/600
Moves: Leer, Bind, Night Curse, Taunt, Knock Off, Teleport, Double Team, Swift, Pursuit, Amnesia, Iron Defense, Agility, Recover, Zap Cannon, Recover, Psychic Illusion, Calm Mind, Snatch, Strength, Swift, Hyper Beam, Counter, Coating, Extreme Speed, Illusion Shift, Zen Headbutt, Infinite Energy
Innate Skills: Meteor Transformation, Copy

From the stats, Deoxys was slightly weaker, but its moves balanced offense and defense. Celebi had few offensive moves, mostly healing or status skills. Cheng Cheng was somewhat worried.

“Celebi, do your best!”

“Celebi~”

Celebi struck first. Though not an offensive Pokémon, its combat ability should not be underestimated.

“Celebi~”

Celebi unleashed Leaf Storm. In the forest, its power was magnified, tens of thousands of leaves forming a whirlwind that swept toward Deoxys.

Deoxys shifted to Speed Form, dodging rapidly. Then, it switched to Attack Form and fired Zap Cannon.

Celebi flashed aside and gathered strength for Energy Ball.

Deoxys quickly became Defense Form and took the hit.

“Celebi~”

Celebi summoned vines from all around; they shot from the earth, entangling Deoxys.

Deoxys kept dodging, but Celebi increased the speed and number of vines, eventually ensnaring Deoxys tightly.

Deoxys rapidly changed forms, finding a gap to use Swift, shattering the vines. Then, shifting to Battle Form, it launched Hyper Beam.

Celebi, anticipating this, had already used Future Sight and easily dodged the Hyper Beam’s trajectory.

After unleashing Hyper Beam, Deoxys was somewhat exhausted.

Celebi began to sing Perish Song.

Deoxys used Amnesia, nullifying Perish Song’s effect.

“Celebi~” Celebi erupted another Leaf Storm, masses of leaves spinning toward Deoxys. Deoxys became Defense Form, enduring Celebi’s attack.

Afterward, Deoxys was extremely fatigued. It returned to normal state and used Recover.

Celebi did nothing, seemingly waiting for Deoxys to finish healing.

Cheng Cheng, though eager to obtain Deoxys, kept silent—it was Celebi’s battle, after all.

After a while, Deoxys regained full strength, and the two resumed fighting.

They battled for some time, yet neither could claim victory.

“Wait a moment, Celebi.”

Cheng Cheng stopped Celebi, who was ready to continue. He used telepathy to communicate.

[Everyone, that’s enough. There’s no need to keep fighting.]

[Deoxys, I apologize for disturbing you. Having Celebi battle you is unfair, since Celebi isn’t truly my Pokémon, so let’s end it here.]

[Thank you, Celebi.]

[No need to thank me.]

Celebi indicated there was no need for thanks, and left battle mode, returning to its playful, mischievous self.

Deoxys, hearing Cheng Cheng’s words and seeing Celebi’s lack of fighting spirit, also reverted to its usual state.

“Celebi, thank you again.”

Cheng Cheng took out an energy cube from his backpack—a mid-grade one. He had bought a new mid-grade energy cube machine after the exam and now could craft them skillfully.

Celebi eyed the energy cube, quickly snatched it, and ate happily.

Deoxys flew over, watching Celebi eat with curiosity.

“Deoxys, would you like one too?”

Cheng Cheng produced another energy cube and handed it to Deoxys.

Deoxys gripped it with its tentacles, glanced at Celebi, then ate it.

After finishing, Deoxys spun around, seeming delighted.

“Like it? I have more.”

Cheng Cheng brought out several more energy cubes, specially made for Psychic-type Pokémon, which apparently suited Deoxys’s taste. As for Celebi, it seemed to enjoy any flavor.

Cheng Cheng released all his Pokémon, distributing food and energy cubes. Everyone ate together joyfully.

[Deoxys, would you like to travel with me?]