Chapter 122: The Battle Against Shaka, Muzi's Defeat

“Cheng Cheng, what should I do? I’m a little nervous.”
“Relax, it’s just a gym battle.”
“But Mr. Shaka is really powerful. I’m afraid I won’t be able to beat him.”
“Well, Shaka is a Dragon-type Pokémon master. It’s normal if you can’t beat him.”
“What do you mean? Am I that weak?”
“No, no, I mean that even if Shaka uses his strongest Pokémon against you, you probably still wouldn’t win. So it’s better to have a good match. The real importance isn’t winning, but learning from the battle experience with your Pokémon team.”
“You’re right. But aren’t you nervous at all? You’re battling too.”
“Of course I’m a bit nervous. Nervousness is always there. I just prefer to turn that nervous energy into fighting power.”
“Sounds nice. I’ll go in first.”

Muzi walked straight into the gym. Cheng Cheng shook his head and followed him into the Twin Dragons Gym.

When they arrived at the battlefield, Mr. Shaka was already there. Mr. Saito was also present.

“Dad, you came too?”
“Of course, I want to watch your battle.”
“Then watch closely.”
“Mr. Shaka, thank you for your help.”
“Muzi, are you ready?”
“I’m ready.”
“Then let’s begin.”
“My first Pokémon is this one. Go, Haxorus.”

Pokémon: Haxorus
Type: Dragon
Level: 72
Combat Power: 10260
Moves: Slash, Leer, Double-Edge, Dragon Rage, Dual Chop, Fake Out, Slash, Revenge, Dragon Claw, Dragon Dance, Taunt, Dragon Pulse, Sword Dance, Guillotine, Dragon Scale Rage.

This Haxorus is very strong. Although it’s not Shaka’s strongest Pokémon, it’s still a formidable opponent. Under normal circumstances, Muzi absolutely cannot win.

Cheng Cheng wiped the sweat from Muzi’s brow.

“Haxorus, huh? I’ll send out my first Pokémon. Go, Staraptor.”

Muzi sent out Staraptor, full of fighting spirit. The Twin Dragons Gym battle generally uses two Pokémon. Since Muzi’s first choice was Staraptor, her second would likely be Dragonite. But even together, they might not be able to defeat this Haxorus. If only Sneasel had evolved into Ursaluna, maybe they could win.

“Battle start.”
“Haxorus, use Slash.”

At Shaka’s command, Haxorus charged straight at Staraptor.

“Staraptor, use Cotton Guard.”

Staraptor quickly puffed up its feathery fluff, covering its body to block the attack. But Haxorus’ power was too great and still sent Staraptor flying.

“Staraptor, use Double-Edge.”

Staraptor rushed forward with Double-Edge.

“Haxorus, block it.”

Haxorus used both arms to block the attack.

“Haxorus, Dragon Claw.”

After blocking Double-Edge, Haxorus struck Staraptor with Dragon Claw, sending it crashing to the ground.

“Staraptor, fly up.”

Staraptor took flight but was badly injured.

“Staraptor, use Dragon Pulse.”

Staraptor began gathering energy.

“Haxorus, use Dragon Pulse too.”

Both unleashed Dragon Pulse simultaneously. The two forces collided, but Haxorus’ was stronger. Staraptor was hit by the residual energy, fell to the ground, and lost its ability to fight.

“Staraptor, you did well. Come back.”

Muzi took a deep breath and threw out a Poké Ball.

“Go, Dragonite.”

This was Muzi’s last Pokémon and her trump card. It was uncertain how much chance Dragonite had.

“Hmm, Dragonite, huh? It’s well trained.”

“Haxorus, use Dragon Claw.”
“Dragonite, use Dragon Claw too.”

Haxorus and Dragonite’s Dragon Claws clashed head on, evenly matched in power.

“Muzi, keep it up!”

Cheng Cheng cheered from the sidelines.

“Of course I know. Shut up, idiot.”

“Dragonite, use Thunder Punch.”
“Haxorus, use Slash.”

Both attacks struck simultaneously. Muzi didn’t try to leverage Dragonite’s flying advantage; the two Pokémon were battling purely by strength.

“Haxorus, use Revenge.”
“Dragonite, use Mega Punch.”

They clashed again, each taking a step back.

“Haxorus, use Dragon Rage.”
“Dragonite, use Dragon Rage too.”

Their powers collided, creating a powerful shockwave.

“Go, Haxorus.”
“Go, Dragonite.”

Once again, the two dragons faced off. This was a battle of pure strength.

“Dragonite, Dragon Claw.”
“Haxorus, Dragon Claw too.”

Their Dragon Claws met again, but Dragonite fell first, losing the battle. Haxorus still had fighting ability.

“Dragonite lost all fighting ability. The winner is Gym Trainer Shaka.”

“Sigh, I lost.”
“Come back, Dragonite.”

“Muzi, are you alright?”

Cheng Cheng came over to comfort Muzi.

“I’m fine. Although I lost this time, I’ll win next time for sure.”

“Muzi, you did great this time.”

Just then, Shaka and Saito approached.

“Mr. Shaka, thank you for your guidance.”
“Your battles with your Pokémon were wonderful, and your Pokémon are strong. You’ve grown much since before, which is a good sign.”
“Alas, I still lost.”
“That’s okay. Many things aren’t decided by winning or losing alone. Although you lost to the leader, I still decided to give you the badge because you understand what a Dragon-type Pokémon battle truly means.”
“Really? That’s great! Thank you, Mr. Shaka.”
“Here is the Twin Dragon Badge.”

Muzi held the badge, which featured two dragon heads, filled with joy.

“Currently, you are the only one to have obtained the Twin Dragon Badge. Even counting previous tournaments, fewer than ten people have earned it. So, Muzi, you must keep working hard.”

“I understand. Thank you, Mr. Shaka.”

Cheng Cheng was very surprised to hear that Muzi was the first person in this tournament to earn the Twin Dragon Badge. He knew the badge’s value was high, but this was extraordinary. It seemed he needed to get one himself.

“Mr. Shaka, now it’s my turn to battle.”

“Of course. But you won’t be battling me; you’ll be battling Ashi.”

“Uncle Saito?”

Cheng Cheng couldn’t believe his opponent was Uncle Saito.

Would he win or lose?

“Mr. Shaka, is my battle with Uncle Saito as official as battling you?”

“Certainly. If you defeat Ashi, you’ll also earn the badge.”

“That’s right. If you beat me, you’ll get the Twin Dragon Badge, and I’ll also agree to your relationship with Muzi.”

“Dad, what are you saying?”
“Who wants to date him?”
“Alright, I know what’s going on between you two. If you win, you get the badge and can date Muzi. But if you lose, you lose the badge and are forbidden from seeing Muzi anymore. Do you agree?”
“I don’t agree. Even though Muzi and I haven’t officially started dating, I don’t want our relationship to change because of this battle.”
“Fine, suit yourself. Kid, then the bet is just the badge. But if you lose, I still won’t allow you to date Muzi. Are you going to battle or not? Even if you refuse, it counts as a loss.”
“Dad, how can you say that?”
“So, Cheng Cheng, battle or not?”
“Of course, I accept.”
“Good. Shaka, you’ll be the referee.”
“No problem. I want to watch your battle too—it’s been a while.”

Cheng Cheng and Saito Ashi stood on opposite sides, ready to begin.

“Ashi, how many Pokémon?”
“One is enough.”
“Alright, this gym challenge allows each side to use only one Pokémon. When one Pokémon loses fighting ability, the other side wins. Please send out your Pokémon.”

“Go, Hydreigon.”

Pokémon: Hydreigon
Type: Dark/Dragon
Level: 87
Combat Power: 15670
Moves: Tri Attack, Dragon Rage, Focus Energy, Bite, Focus Energy, Bite, Iron Head, Dragon Breath, Roar, Crunch, Pound, Dragon Pulse, Work Up, Dragon Dive, Crush Grip, Fake Out, Hyper Voice, Dragon Scale Rage.
Learned moves: Protect, Dark Pulse, Hyper Beam, Dragon Tail.

What a joke! How to fight this? A level 87 Pokémon, Dark type, and all those learned moves? It could slaughter anything!

Cheng Cheng was suddenly at a loss. Even if he sent out all his Pokémon together to gang up, he probably still couldn’t win. Even the earlier Haxorus would be crushed by this Hydreigon. Seeing this Hydreigon appear, Cheng Cheng’s heart sank.

“Dad, how could you? How can you send out Hydreigon? That’s your ace! Cheng Cheng is still a rookie trainer, why do this? If you keep going like this, I’ll be angry.”

“Hey, hey, whose daughter are you? So quick to betray your own side? If you want me as your father-in-law, you naturally have to face my strongest Pokémon. If you can’t beat Hydreigon, what right do you have to pursue her?”

“Alright, kid, battle or not? You’re not going to surrender right away, are you?”
“Of course not.”

Cheng Cheng looked again at Hydreigon, feeling hopeless. How could he possibly win?

He thought about his own Pokémon. All were Psychic types, which are weak against Dark types. Since the opponent had Dragon types, only one option remained.

“Go, Gardevoir.”

“Gardevoir.”

“Why would you send out a Psychic-type Pokémon? Don’t you know that Dark types counter Psychic types?”

“I know, but all my Pokémon are Psychic types.”

Cheng Cheng felt helpless.

“All Psychic types? Your luck really is bad.”
“Luck my foot! I told you, Cheng Cheng wants to be a Psychic-type Pokémon master. All his Pokémon are Psychic types. You’re doing this on purpose.”
“Ahem, no, that’s not true. Alright, Cheng Cheng, start your battle.”

“Gardevoir, I’m counting on you.”

“Gardevoir.”

For Cheng Cheng, the most difficult battle was about to begin.

“Battle start.”
“Go, Gardevoir.”