Chapter 131: The Beach Beauty and Miss Zhulan’s Villa

"Cheng Cheng, are you sure they are in Undella Town?"

"I think so. I remember them participating in the Junior Cup there; they might still be in the area."

"Even if they aren't, it doesn't matter. Undella Town has beautiful beaches. Wouldn't it be nice to spend some time playing on the sand?"

"A beach! Yay! I've never been to a beach before. Oh, and I remember—if we go to the beach, we have to wear bikinis, right? Should we wear them together?"

Cheng Cheng imagined Muzi in a bikini. *Hmm, that doesn't sound bad at all.* Besides, Muzi probably wouldn't be the only one wearing one at the beach. He might even get a real eyeful. With that thought, Cheng Cheng picked up the pace.

Soon, Cheng Cheng and Muzi arrived in Undella Town. Even after searching, Cheng Cheng still couldn't find any sign of Ash and his friends. He pulled up a map and located East Unova. It wasn't far away, and his intuition told him that was exactly where Ash would be.

They traveled to East Unova, where vast stretches of beach were filled with women in bikinis.

"It's the beach! Cheng Cheng, come over and play!" Muzi ran straight onto the sand, splashed into the surf, and began to play in the water.

Cheng Cheng released his psychic powers and detected the presence of Ash and the others. They were at a nearby villa—presumably Cynthia’s. It seemed he had found them. However, he didn't go to see them immediately; instead, he decided to enjoy the beach. He changed into his swim trunks and relaxed. The sun, the sand, the waves, and the beautiful scenery were truly impossible to resist. He felt so happy that he even considered buying a villa here to settle down.

After a while, Cheng Cheng used his psychic powers again to check their positions. He noticed they had moved to a different location. At the same time, he sensed a powerful psychic fluctuation. *Such a strong surge... it must be it.*

"Muzi, we have to go. I can sense Ash and the others nearby."

"Ah? But I want to play a little longer."

Cheng Cheng looked at the reluctant Muzi, feeling a bit helpless. "Come on, we can play with Ash and the others later. Let’s go find them now."

"Alright."

They changed their clothes and headed toward Ash's location. As they drew closer, a melody drifted toward them: "Melo-melo-melo-melo-melo..."

*That's Meloetta's voice. It really is her.* Before long, the singing stopped.

Cheng Cheng continued forward until he reached the exterior of an estate. A sign indicated it was a Pokémon Kindergarten—not for children, but for Pokémon. Many young Pokémon lived here during their early stages of development. Entering the grounds, Cheng Cheng saw many adorable young Pokémon and couldn't help but want to pet them.

Suddenly, he realized Ash and his friends had already left. It seemed they had taken a different path. Not wanting to linger, Cheng Cheng headed straight toward Ash's latest position. Soon, he arrived at a villa and saw them entering. *If only I had known, I would have just waited here instead of taking the long way around.*

He pressed the doorbell, and an elderly man answered. "May I ask what you need?"

"Hello. Is this Cynthia’s villa? My name is Cheng Cheng. I'm here to see Ash and his friends."

"Oh, you know Ash?"

"Yes, I know Ash, and I know Cynthia as well. I'm here to find them."

"Very well, please come in."

Cheng Cheng realized this must be the butler. He and Muzi followed him inside, and shortly after, they met Cynthia.

"Cynthia, it's been a long time."

"Oh, Cheng Cheng! I didn't expect to see you here."

"Oh, Muzi, this is Cynthia, the Champion of the Sinnoh region. Cynthia, this is my companion, Muzi."

"Hello, Cynthia. It's a pleasure to meet you."

"Hello," she replied. "By the way, how did you know I was here?"

"I possess psychic powers; I can remember everyone's energy signature. I was actually looking for Ash and the others, but I didn't expect to find them with you."

"I see. They are in the back; you can go find them."

"Thank you, Cynthia."

"Butler, please show them the way."

Cheng Cheng and Muzi followed the butler to the backyard, where they saw Ash, Iris, and Cilan. At that moment, Cheng Cheng felt a specific energy signature suddenly vanish.

"Cheng Cheng? What are you doing here?" Ash was surprised to see him.

"Long time no see, Ash, Iris, Cilan."

"How did you find us?"

"We saw your battle in Undella Town at the Pokémon Center, so we headed there. When we couldn't find you, Muzi and I decided to hit the beach. I used my psychic senses to track your presence."

"I see! It's great that you could make it. By the way, how many badges do you have?"

"Muzi and I both have eight. What about you, Ash?"

"I have eight as well! I'm ready for the Unova League. I was just training with my Pokémon."

"Cheng Cheng, what's wrong?" Ash noticed Cheng Cheng staring at an empty spot.

"I'm looking at a little friend."

"A little friend? There's nothing there." Muzi looked in the same direction, but saw nothing.

"Yes, there is! She's right there," Cheng Cheng insisted, pointing at the empty air.

"Cheng Cheng, can you see Meloetta?" Ash asked.

"I can't see what you call Meloetta, but I can feel the presence of a Pokémon—a Psychic-type, at that."

"Yes, it's Meloetta. She's our friend, but she doesn't like being around strangers, so she's hiding."

"There really is a Pokémon? Her name is Meloetta?" Muzi was delighted.

"Yes."

"Why can't I see her?"

"Meloetta is using invisibility. No one can see her; I can only sense her energy fluctuations."

"Meloetta, could you please come out? We won't hurt you!" Muzi called out in the direction Cheng Cheng pointed.

Cheng Cheng closed his eyes and began to communicate with Meloetta. At first, she was frightened, but eventually, she responded to his goodwill. They communicated for a moment, and Meloetta revealed herself. Muzi gasped in surprise, nearly scaring the poor Pokémon back into hiding.

She was an adorable Pokémon. Cheng Cheng observed her, and her data appeared in his mind:

Pokémon: Meloetta
Type: Normal/Psychic
Level: 81
Base Stat Total: 600
Combat Power: 12,360
Moves: Round, Quick Attack, Confusion, Sing, Teeter Dance, Acrobatics, Psybeam, Echoed Voice, U-turn, Wake-Up Slap, Psychic, Hyper Voice, Role Play, Close Combat.
Special Ability: Invisibility.

Like Celebi, Meloetta wasn't primarily a combat-oriented Pokémon, but her singing possessed magical powers, and her invisibility was highly practical.

"Hello, Meloetta," Cheng Cheng greeted her. He felt a surge of envy; with a base stat total of 600, Meloetta was incredibly rare among Psychic-types. In his memory, only the Lake Guardians, Lugia, Celebi, Deoxys, Latios, Latias, Jirachi, Cresselia, Victini, and Hoopa held similar power. He realized there were actually quite a few legendary Psychic-types, but they were all formidable entities.

"Everyone, it's time for dinner!" Cynthia called out, signaling that the meal was ready. They all followed her to the dining room.

"Cynthia, may I have a word with you alone?" Cheng Cheng asked.

Cynthia looked at his serious expression and realized he had something important to discuss. "Of course. Follow me to the study. Butler, please take the others to dinner."

"Yes, ma'am."

Cheng Cheng followed Cynthia to the study. It was filled with books, and he noticed many were about food. He was surprised—Cynthia liked food? That was just like him. He felt they could exchange some culinary tips.

"What is it you wanted to tell me? You should know that interrupting my dinner is a very serious matter."

Seeing the dark look on Cynthia's face, Cheng Cheng wondered if he should even proceed.