Chapter 83: Fairy-Type Pokémon
Professor Oak had gone to Viridian Forest. It was ten days before he returned to the laboratory. During those ten days, Cheng Cheng took the opportunity to carefully organize information about Fairy-type Pokémon. He also used the laboratory’s Pokédex data to identify every Pokémon that could possess the Fairy type.
Meanwhile, Cheng Cheng continued training his own Pokémon. After witnessing Banmu’s Beedrill, Cheng Cheng realized just how far he still had to go. If he didn’t make his Pokémon stronger, he might not even be able to protect himself should he ever encounter such a situation again.
During this period, Ash also came by to see Cheng Cheng several times, and Cheng Cheng even spent a night at Ash’s house. Ash’s mother treated Cheng Cheng very kindly, making his stay there a pleasant one. Another Pokémon was also quite happy: Mr. Mime.
Cheng Cheng’s Mr. Mime and Ash’s Mr. Mime performed pantomimes together, clearly enjoying themselves. If not for their slight differences in appearance, one might have thought they were looking in a mirror.
Ten days later, Professor Oak returned to the lab, though he appeared somewhat tired. Cheng Cheng didn’t bother him, allowing the professor to rest.
It wasn’t until the following afternoon that Professor Oak arrived at the lab.
“Professor Oak, how are you feeling?”
“I’m all right. There was some trouble in Viridian Forest, but it’s been resolved now.”
“Professor, what exactly happened in Viridian Forest? Ash and I were in Viridian City before, and we encountered a Pokémon riot. What was that all about?”
“This incident in Viridian Forest has already been classified as confidential by the League, so there’s not much I can tell you. All I can say is that a powerful force appeared in the forest. This power caused panic among the Pokémon, driving them into each other’s territories and sparking chaos.”
Professor Oak sighed, his concern evident—such turmoil hadn’t occurred in quite a long time.
“Many Pokémon are still unwilling to return. Even after my investigation, I found nothing concrete. Still, we did detect a strange energy inside.”
Strange energy? Cheng Cheng had indeed sensed a powerful force at the time, but he couldn’t pinpoint what it was.
“All right, let’s not dwell on that. How did your research go while I was away?”
“Professor, I compared the characteristics of Fairy-types with various Pokémon, then compiled a list of all known Psychic-type Pokémon from the Pokédex.”
“Oh? Do you have the list? Let me see it.”
“Of course.”
Cheng Cheng handed Professor Oak the list he had prepared, detailing all currently discovered Fairy-type Pokémon.
Professor Oak glanced through it; there were twenty-three Pokémon listed:
Sylveon, Cleffa, Clefairy, Clefable, Togepi, Togetic, Togekiss, Snubbull, Granbull, Igglybuff, Jigglypuff, Wigglytuff, Mime Jr., Mr. Mime, Azurill, Marill, Azumarill, Ralts, Kirlia, Gardevoir, Mawile, Cottonee, Whimsicott.
Although there were other Fairy-type Pokémon in the Alola region, Cheng Cheng hadn’t listed them, since Professor Oak’s database didn’t include them yet. It wouldn’t be appropriate to add Pokémon they had no data on.
Cheng Cheng had placed Sylveon at the top of the list, since in some sense it could be considered the first Fairy-type Pokémon.
“I didn’t expect there to be so many Fairy-types. Cheng Cheng, you’ve done excellent work. Our task will be much easier now.”
“It’s nothing, really. I may not be able to help much with the next steps, so I’m thinking of returning to Inyuu City to check on the research lab.”
“Very well, if that’s your decision. If anything comes up, I’ll let you know. Likewise, if you need anything, just ask.”
“Of course, Professor. Don’t hesitate to contact me.”
“When do you plan to leave?”
“In two days. I’d like to stay a bit longer and say goodbye to Ash.”
“All right. Stay as long as you like, and come back anytime.”
After spending this time together, Professor Oak had come to realize what a fine young man Cheng Cheng was, and treated him with great kindness.
Cheng Cheng lingered a while longer in the lab before heading out. He released Gardevoir.
“Gardevoir, Teleport.”
“Gar-de-voir!”
Gardevoir used Teleport, and they arrived in Viridian Forest.
Cheng Cheng was very curious about what had happened in the forest and wanted to see for himself.
He unleashed his psychic powers, scanning the area within a kilometer radius. Finding no one nearby, he continued on his way. Every hundred meters or so, he paused to scan again, making sure no one was around. After all, the League was temporarily monitoring the area, and he couldn’t come and go as he pleased.
Once inside Viridian Forest, Cheng Cheng refrained from having Gardevoir use any more psychic powers, wanting to conserve their strength in case he needed them later.
He moved cautiously into the deeper parts of the forest. The area near the center, which should have been teeming with Pokémon, was now deserted.
As Cheng Cheng drew closer to the heart of the forest, he sensed a faint, almost familiar presence—one he seemed to have encountered before, though he couldn’t recall where.
Suddenly, he froze, aware that someone was nearby—about nine hundred meters ahead, moving in his direction.
Cheng Cheng dared not move recklessly. He found a concealed bush and hid himself.
He watched as the person drew nearer, eventually passing by just ten meters away. Once the stranger had gone, Cheng Cheng exhaled in relief and pressed on toward the center.
As he advanced, he sensed more people ahead. Climbing up a tall tree, he surveyed the area.
He was surrounded by dense forest, but at the center was a clearing—devoid of trees, a place where something had clearly happened before.
Cheng Cheng leapt down from the tree and proceeded, cautiously probing each area, choosing a side with fewer people. He slipped through a gap unnoticed.
Suddenly, he felt someone appear just ten meters ahead. Instantly, he dropped to the ground and crawled into a bush.
He watched warily as the person drew closer—five meters away now.
Cheng Cheng thought he’d been discovered, but the man didn’t approach; he was simply relieving himself nearby.
Honestly, didn’t your mother ever teach you not to urinate in public? Cheng Cheng grumbled inwardly.
Two minutes later, the man left, and Cheng Cheng carefully crawled away in another direction.
Suddenly, Cheng Cheng paused, struck by a thought: Why had he come here in the first place? Was it just to see these things? The system hadn’t issued any tasks! Regret began to gnaw at him—if he were discovered, the consequences could be severe. Yet, having come this far, he had no choice but to continue.
Gradually, Cheng Cheng reached the open area ahead, surrounded by trees with a massive crater at the center. The pit resembled a funnel—wide at the top, narrow at the bottom. Something must once have fallen here, but now it was empty.
Cheng Cheng examined the pit carefully. Aside from a few lingering traces of some presence, he found nothing out of the ordinary.
After one more careful inspection, Cheng Cheng decided to leave. But just as he turned to go, a voice startled him.
“Who’s there?”
“Not good—I’ve been found.”
“Come out, Gardevoir! Shadow Ball!”
Gardevoir immediately fired a Shadow Ball at the opponent, who dodged.
“Teleport!”
Without hesitation, Cheng Cheng ordered Gardevoir to teleport them away. In an instant, they were a kilometer off. Cheng Cheng then used teleport again, returning directly to Viridian City. After a few more teleportations, he arrived back in Pallet Town.
He could have gone straight to Pallet Town, but he worried that someone might be tracking him, so he first went to Viridian City, recalled Gardevoir, and had Alakazam take him back to Pallet Town.
Once home, Cheng Cheng immediately went to Professor Oak’s lab, hoping no one would come looking for him.
Meanwhile, after dodging the Shadow Ball, the man looked for Cheng Cheng only to find he had vanished. His shout drew others over.
“What happened?”
“Sir, someone was just here, but I let him escape.”
“Did you see what he looked like?”
“No, he used Shadow Ball to distract me, then teleported away.”
“Shall we track him, sir?”
“No need. There’s nothing here worth keeping secret now. We’ll be withdrawing soon anyway.”
“Yes, sir.”
These people were, of course, Rocket agents. After years of research, they had developed ways to track teleportation. Fortunately, they hadn’t used it this time; otherwise, Cheng Cheng might have been discovered. Even staying at Professor Oak’s house wouldn’t guarantee his safety.
Unaware of what had transpired, Cheng Cheng was greeted with a system notification upon his return to the lab.
“Ding! Congratulations, host, for completing Task One. A special reward has been granted.”
“Congratulations, host, on completing Task Two. Calculating now…”
“Calculation complete. Congratulations, host, you have gained 500 achievement points.”
Cheng Cheng hadn’t expected the system to announce the task’s completion only now. Could his foray into Viridian Forest have been part of the mission? He hadn’t really done anything.
Perplexed, Cheng Cheng could only let it go.
He then remembered the special reward for Task One, and took it out. Upon seeing what it was, he was taken aback.