Chapter 75: Battle with Blue
"Now, would both sides please send out your Pokémon."
"Come out, Umbreon."
Umbreon… Cheng Cheng had seen this Umbreon before; it was indeed formidable. Umbreon was a Dark-type Pokémon, with a strong advantage over Psychic-types like his own. In that case...
"Go, Gardevoir."
"Garde~"
"So it's Gardevoir. Your Kirlia evolved; you've worked hard," Professor Oak said.
"Yes, Professor Oak," Cheng Cheng replied.
Taking advantage of the pause, Cheng Cheng carefully examined Umbreon's data:
Pokémon: Umbreon
Type: Dark
Level: 37
Rank: Deep Green
Rarity: Rare
Ability: Synchronize
Hidden Ability: Inner Focus
...
Battle Power: 3102
Moves: Tackle, Tail Whip, Helping Hand, Sand Attack, Pursuit, Quick Attack, Confuse Ray
Learned Moves: Shadow Ball, Double Team
Impressive, indeed worthy of being Professor Oak's grandson. With so many resources at his disposal, the training was excellent. But only such opponents made battles worthwhile.
Wait, what was this?
Besides Umbreon's data, Cheng Cheng noticed another statistic—it seemed to be a battle power as well, and its owner was Gary. Cheng Cheng hadn't expected he'd be able to see humans' battle power, too. He examined Gary's stats: Gary's battle power was 1020.
Cheng Cheng then looked at Professor Oak; a number appeared above him, too—1750. Cheng Cheng hadn't expected the seemingly frail Professor Oak to be even stronger than the young Gary.
"System, can I see my own battle power?"
"Of course. The host's status panel now displays your battle power."
Cheng Cheng checked his own, a bit expectantly, and saw it was only 555. So weak? Even two of him together couldn't beat Gary. Now he was curious—how much would Ash's battle power be?
"I declare the battle begins!"
Hearing Professor Oak's voice, Cheng Cheng snapped back to the present, focusing on the match.
"Let's go, Gardevoir."
"Garde~"
While Cheng Cheng was briefly distracted, Gary launched the first attack.
"Umbreon, use Sand Attack!"
A gust of sand swept toward Gardevoir.
Gardevoir dodged easily with Teleport, appearing right above Umbreon.
"Shadow Ball!"
A dark sphere shot at Umbreon, who swiftly evaded.
"Good reflexes, your training is paying off. In that case, let's see how you handle this."
"Gardevoir, Magical Leaf!"
Magical Leaf couldn't be dodged—its tracking made it relentless.
"Umbreon, use Quick Attack!"
Umbreon darted around the field, Magical Leaf chasing persistently. Suddenly, Umbreon charged at Gardevoir; Cheng Cheng realized Umbreon wanted to lure Magical Leaf toward Gardevoir herself. But Cheng Cheng wouldn't let that happen.
"Gardevoir, use Confusion!"
Gardevoir's psychic power gripped Umbreon, but after a brief struggle, Umbreon broke free. Psychic attacks were indeed weak against Dark-types like Umbreon.
Umbreon landed, hastily adjusting its stance and putting distance between itself and Gardevoir.
"Umbreon, Shadow Ball!"
"Gardevoir, let's use Shadow Ball too!"
The two Shadow Balls collided mid-air, but Umbreon's was stronger. Gardevoir had only just learned the move and was not yet skilled, and Umbreon had the edge in power.
Gardevoir dodged the attack with ease, but Umbreon closed in with Quick Attack.
"Gardevoir, Protect!"
Gardevoir successfully blocked the assault.
Cheng Cheng had Gardevoir fire a barrage of Shadow Balls. Umbreon dodged, leaping high; a Shadow Ball sailed toward Gardevoir, forcing her to evade once more.
"Gardevoir, Double Team!"
"Umbreon, Double Team as well!"
Both sides split into five images each: five Umbreons and five Gardevoirs filled the field.
"Umbreon, Shadow Ball!"
Five Shadow Balls flew at Gardevoir, making it impossible to tell the real attacker.
"Don't panic, Gardevoir. Sense its energy fluctuations, find the target, and counter with Shadow Ball."
Gardevoir focused, then fired a Shadow Ball. In total, ten Shadow Balls streaked across the field, but only two were real.
Umbreon's attack hit a Gardevoir, but it was just a clone; Gardevoir's Shadow Ball, however, struck the real Umbreon.
"Finish it—Magical Leaf!"
Umbreon was hit, losing the ability to battle.
"Umbreon is unable to battle. The winner is Gardevoir. Would you like to continue?"
"Of course."
"Return, Umbreon."
Gary recalled Umbreon and drew another Poké Ball.
"Go, Electivire!"
"Cheng Cheng, let’s make this a two-on-two match."
"No problem."
Cheng Cheng checked Electivire's data—it was even more impressive than Umbreon.
Pokémon: Electivire
Type: Electric
Level: 45
Rank: Light Blue
Rarity: Rare
Ability: Motor Drive
Hidden Ability: Vital Spirit
Battle Power: 4330
...
Moves: Fire Punch, Quick Attack, Leer, Thunder Shock, Low Kick, Swift, Shock Wave, Light Screen, Thunder Punch, Discharge, Thunderbolt
Learned Move: Flash
This Electivire was formidable. Only his Lunatone could take it on evenly, but Gardevoir still had some fight left, so Cheng Cheng decided to keep her in.
"Electivire, Thunderbolt!"
Powerful electricity surged toward Gardevoir, but she dodged with ease.
Suddenly, Electivire charged, closing the distance.
"Fire Punch!"
Sensing danger, Gardevoir teleported away, then launched a Shadow Ball. Electivire countered with Thunder Punch, smashing the Shadow Ball aside.
"Again, Thunderbolt!"
"Gardevoir, Protect!"
Gardevoir blocked the attack, but her speed was reduced. Electivire used Quick Attack, ramming Gardevoir and sending her flying.
"Return, Gardevoir."
Cheng Cheng recalled Gardevoir in time, knowing she couldn’t continue.
"Now it’s your turn—go, Mr. Mime!"
Instead of using Lunatone, Cheng Cheng sent out Mr. Mime. Although Lunatone had a type advantage, he hadn’t brought it along.
"Electivire, Thunderbolt!"
"Mr. Mime, Barrier!"
Thunderbolt struck the glassy barrier, the current deflecting harmlessly.
"Electivire, Thunder Punch!"
"Mr. Mime, keep using Barrier!"
Mr. Mime quickly raised multiple barriers. Electivire’s Thunder Punch shattered them.
"Mr. Mime, Double Slap!"
The rapid slaps landed on Electivire. Gary seized the moment.
"Use Shock Wave!"
Mr. Mime was jolted by the electricity.
"Mr. Mime, fall back and keep using Barrier!"
Mr. Mime shielded himself again. Gary gave a new command.
"Electivire, Swift!"
The stars hit the barrier, which held but was pushed back.
Cheng Cheng had no other move but to continue defending.
"Electivire, another Thunderbolt!"
"Mr. Mime, Mirror Coat!"
The Thunderbolt was reflected back; Electivire was hit, but not seriously hurt.
"Mr. Mime, use Psychic!"
Mr. Mime’s psychic assault struck Electivire, stunning him.
"Now, Hypnosis!"
Mr. Mime’s hypnosis worked—Electivire grew drowsy.
"Hang in there, Electivire!"
At that moment, Electivire’s ability activated, nullifying the hypnosis.
"Well done! Electivire, Quick Attack!"
Electivire closed in rapidly.
"Electivire, Low Kick!"
"Mr. Mime, Barrier!"
A barrier appeared between them, but Electivire smashed through, landing a blow on Mr. Mime.
Mr. Mime’s stamina was low—they had to end this quickly.
"Mr. Mime, Psychic!"
Cheng Cheng switched tactics—the barriers flew up, then hurtled at Electivire under precise psychic control.
Electivire tried to dodge, but was struck.
"Electivire, Fire Punch! Thunder Punch! Low Kick!"
Electivire battered away the flying barriers until all were destroyed. Mr. Mime was exhausted, unable to continue. In the end, Electivire’s endurance prevailed.
"Mr. Mime is unable to battle. The winner is Gary."
"You did well, Mr. Mime. Return!"
Cheng Cheng recalled Mr. Mime and walked over to Gary.
"Gary, you were incredible."
"You were amazing too, Cheng Cheng. Honestly, I almost lost."
Cheng Cheng’s praise wasn’t empty. Though he hadn’t used his strongest Lunatone, Gary hadn’t used his Blastoise or Arcanine either.
If it had been Arcanine, it might have been manageable. But if he’d faced Blastoise, who countered Lunatone, Cheng Cheng would have certainly lost. He had to admit, Gary was far stronger than Ash.
"Alright, the battle is over, and it’s getting late. Let’s head back."
"Yes, Professor Oak."
Cheng Cheng, Gary, and Professor Oak returned to the professor’s villa. For the next while, Cheng Cheng would be staying there.