Chapter Fifty-Nine: The Nature of the Fairy

"What! Immune to Dragon-type moves? Even Ice-type Pokémon can only deal super-effective damage, but immunity? That can't be!"

"It's true. Fairy-type Pokémon are immune to Dragon-type moves. I wonder if Professor Oak has brought any Dragon-types with him. We could try it out."

"Alright."

Everyone gathered at the outdoor battle field. The duelists would be Cheng Cheng and Professor Oak.

"Come out, Flygon."

"Cheng Cheng, are you ready?"

"Wait, let me switch Pokémon."

"You have another Fairy-type Pokémon?"

"Yes. Come out, Mr. Mime."

"It's Mr. Mime. Is it also a Fairy-type?" Ash couldn't hide his excitement at the sight of Mr. Mime; he had one at home too.

"That's right. Mr. Mime is both Psychic and Fairy-type."

"Then let's begin. Flygon, use Dragon Claw, but go easy."

"Mr. Mime, brace yourself."

Flygon struck lightly with Dragon Claw, but the difference in their levels was apparent; Mr. Mime was knocked back.

Mr. Mime quickly regained its stance.

"How is it?"

"Mr. Mime is only partially Fairy-type, so the immunity isn't complete. It still took some damage," Cheng Cheng reported after checking Mr. Mime's condition.

"Incredible. I never expected a Pokémon could actually be immune to Dragon-type moves," Brock exclaimed in awe.

"Yeah! I really want a Fairy-type Pokémon too!" Dawn chimed in.

"Cheng Cheng, I'd like to speak with you alone."

"Of course, Professor Oak."

"Brock, would you look after Mr. Mime for me?"

"No problem."

Brock realized that this time, Cheng Cheng had taken the lead.

Cheng Cheng and Professor Oak entered the living room and sat down.

"Cheng Cheng, your discovery is extremely significant, but it's not suitable for public release."

"Why not?" Cheng Cheng nearly stood up in surprise.

"Calm down for a moment."

"The discovery of the Fairy-type upends the current classification system. If it were only single-type Pokémon, it would be easier, but since other Pokémon also have Fairy typing, this marks a new era for Pokémon attribute classification."

"Isn't that a major breakthrough?"

"Indeed, it's a monumental discovery that will shape decades to come. But the one problematic aspect is that Fairy-type Pokémon can be immune to Dragon-type moves."

"Why is that a problem?"

"For the world of Pokémon, it's a good thing. But for families who breed Dragon-types, it's not. Owing to the strength of Dragon-type Pokémon, those families hold considerable power. They won't allow the existence of anything that could threaten their dominance."

"So is there nothing we can do?"

"This doesn't hinder our research. We can still report it to the League, but the fact that Fairy-types counter Dragon-types can't be announced publicly."

"I see. That's fine, as long as our research continues."

"Very well. When would you like to join the research?"

"Give it some time. There's a lot of preliminary work, and I'm not very familiar with it. I'll leave it to you, Professor. Let me know whenever you need my help."

"All right, I'll handle the preparations. When we're ready, you can come to my lab."

"Understood, Professor Oak."

"By the way, Professor, if we're going to research, we should start with the Clefairy line. They're pure Fairy-type."

"Clefairy? I always thought they were Normal-type. Looks like there's a lot to be done."

"Do you know any other Fairy-types?"

"I know Ralts, Clefairy, Mr. Mime, and Marill. Their evolutions and pre-evolutions should count too. That's all I know."

"Alright. If I need anything, I'll let you know. If you discover anything new, contact me immediately. Here's my communication number."

"Okay."

Cheng Cheng and Professor Oak exchanged contact details.

"Alright, let's head outside. Remember, keep what I just told you a secret."

"No problem."

Cheng Cheng and Professor Oak stepped outside.

"Cheng Cheng, how did it go?" The others crowded around him as soon as he appeared; after all, this was a new Pokémon type.

"Everything's fine. Professor Oak has decided to begin research, and I'll be joining him."

"Will you still travel with us?"

"Of course. The research will take time to prepare, so I'll keep traveling with you for a while."

"That's great news!" Ash said, delighted.

"Alright, everyone, let's head inside. I'll get dinner ready."

"I'll help too."

"Thanks, Brock."

"Cheng Cheng, could you tell me more about Fairy-type Pokémon?"

"Of course, Professor Oak."

"Can we listen in?" Dawn asked.

"Of course you can, Dawn. Ash, you too."

Back in the living room, Cheng Cheng shared a few tidbits about Fairy-types—not much substance, but Professor Oak, Ash, and the others listened eagerly. After all, it was a new type—some novelty was only natural.

The next morning, an excited Professor Oak boarded his airship and left early, reminding Cheng Cheng to keep an eye out for Fairy-type Pokémon.

That day was still the Twinleaf Festival, and everyone decided to enjoy the festivities together in the streets.

The streets were lined with food stalls, and everything looked delicious. Cheng Cheng wasn't about to let the opportunity slip by. Soon enough, he had bought all sorts of snacks.

"These takoyaki are fantastic, and the Naughty Candy is delicious too. Want to try some?" Ash said between bites.

"I still think the honey cake is the best," Dawn said as she ate her cake.

Cheng Cheng let them debate and focused on eating.

"Hey, what you've got looks tasty too!"

Ash ran toward another stall and accidentally bumped into someone.

"Ouch, that hurt."

"Barry! What are you doing here?"

"Ash! Of course I'm here for the Twinleaf Festival."

"Oh, right, I forgot you're from Twinleaf Town too."

"And this is...?" Barry noticed Cheng Cheng, who was still stuffing his mouth.

"I'm Cheng Cheng. Pay me no mind."

"Alright. Ash, let's have a battle!"

"Sure, no problem!"

"I'm going to watch. Brock, Cheng Cheng, what about you?"

"I have to help out at a stall, so I'll pass. What about you, Cheng Cheng?"

"I'll come along."

Cheng Cheng bought a few more snacks and caught up with them.

They headed to a nearby forest, a quiet spot perfect for battling.

"Alright, Ash, let's battle here."

"Okay. Go, Pikachu!"

"Go, Heracross!"

"Pikachu, use Quick Attack!"

"Heracross, use Horn Attack!"

Pikachu and Heracross collided, but Heracross's strength was clearly superior.

"Ah! What's that?!"

Suddenly, Barry cried out in shock.

"What's wrong, Barry?"

"Look over there!"

Everyone looked in the direction Barry was pointing. A Xatu was flying across the sky.

Cheng Cheng saw it too and sensed a strong psychic wave coming from the Xatu—though not as intense as the one at the ruins.

Cheng Cheng quickly checked its data:

Pokémon: Xatu
Type: Psychic, Flying
Level: 64
Grade: Pale Azure
Rarity: Epic
Ability: Synchronize
Hidden Ability: Magic Bounce
...
Held Item: None
Moves: Peck, Leer, Night Shade, Confusion, Teleport, Psybeam, Wish, Future Sight, Miracle Eye, Ominous Wind, Imprison, Psychic Noise
Special Move: Time Image

This Xatu was strong.

"Let's go, Heracross, after it!"

"Hey, Barry, where are you going? Our battle isn't over yet!"

"Forget the battle! It's that one!"

Barry dashed off after the Xatu, with Ash and the others following.

Cheng Cheng also sensed a powerful psychic wave and decided to investigate.

"Ah!"

A cry rang out—it seemed to be Ash and his friends. Cheng Cheng quickened his pace.

Running along, Cheng Cheng soon saw a huge tent. It looked familiar, but he couldn't quite place it.

He guessed Ash and the others had probably entered the tent. Should he go in too? With their protagonist luck, they should be fine.

After some thought, Cheng Cheng decided to go in and take a look.

"Come out, Chimecho!"

He released Chimecho to prepare for any danger.

As Cheng Cheng lifted the tent flap, a beam of white light dazzled his eyes. When he opened them, the tent had vanished.

Turning to look at Chimecho, he was startled to see a head even bigger than his own—a gigantic Chimecho head.

He jumped but quickly calmed down; this wasn't his first encounter with giant Pokémon. Still, he was puzzled—had he traveled back to ancient times again?

While pondering, he heard a loud buzzing. Turning around, he saw a swarm of enormous Beedrill.

This was a nightmare. Beedrill swarms were terrifying enough, but now they were gigantic—running was the only option.

Clinging to Chimecho, Cheng Cheng let it fly him to safety. Though his speed was better than before, he'd shrunk, so Chimecho had to carry him.

They soon escaped the danger by reaching a river. But because Cheng Cheng was now tiny, he was nearly swept away by the current—luckily, Chimecho used Psychic just in time.

Climbing ashore, Cheng Cheng surveyed the area and found no other Pokémon around. Ash and the others must be nearby.

"Chimecho, can you sense where Ash and the others are?"

"Chime~"

Chimecho shook its head.

Indeed, the whole space was wrapped in psychic energy—psychic powers couldn't be used.

"Oh, what's that..."

Cheng Cheng noticed a Natu ahead, heading in a certain direction.

"Chimecho, let's follow it."

He guessed everything happening was tied to that Xatu from earlier, so following this Natu might reveal something.

He hurried along behind it, and before long, caught sight of Ash and the others.