Chapter 77: Journey to Moonview Mountain

After Xiao Zhi left, Cheng Cheng turned his attention to the remaining Bag Dragon and Mini Dragon. Two top-tier Dragon-type Pokémon, and both the offspring of the champion-level Pokémon belonging to Professor Oak. Cheng Cheng couldn’t help but covet them, but since he was only allowed to have Psychic-type Pokémon, their strength was irrelevant to him. Still, envy lingered in his heart—he remembered the grade of that little Charmander from before, a rare blue-grade! For now, Cheng Cheng only had one Slowpoke that reached blue-grade, but even that Slowpoke wouldn’t be his in the end; it still had to return for Slowking’s inheritance.

Oh well, never mind.

Then Cheng Cheng remembered he could call on the legendary Pokémon Celebi and Deoxys for help, and instantly felt relieved.

“All right, get ready to set out,” Professor Oak instructed.

“Yes, Professor Oak.” Cheng Cheng slung his backpack over his shoulder, took his essentials, and climbed into Xiao Mao’s red sports car.

He had to admit, though Professor Oak seemed disheveled, Xiao Mao lived in style. This sports car alone was worth all Cheng Cheng’s worldly possessions—never mind the four bikini-clad beauties in the back seat.

“All right, Cheng Cheng, let’s go.” The car sped off, drifting smoothly.

Xiao Mao’s driving skills were excellent, making the ride a pleasure as the red sports car raced across the open fields. Soon, Cheng Cheng saw the spot where he’d fed Pidgey and Spearow. They zipped through the meadows at breakneck speed, the wind caressing his face—a wonderful feeling, if not for the noisy chatter from the back.

They reached Viridian City quickly, and Xiao Mao slowed down as they entered. After taking care of lunch there, they continued toward Mt. Moon. At Cheng Cheng’s firm insistence, all four bikini beauties vacated the car before they set out again.

The car continued on, and before long they entered Viridian Forest. On the way in, they encountered a swarm of Beedrill, but with a single blast of Chimecho’s Psychic Wave, the two of them got through without trouble.

Gradually, the trees thinned and boulders grew more abundant—they had reached Pewter City, not far from Mt. Moon now.

Xiao Mao had visited Mt. Moon many times, so he navigated with ease, and soon they arrived at the foot of the mountain. Xiao Mao’s sports car was not suited for climbing, so the two set off on foot.

Mt. Moon was indeed beautiful, its rock formations strange and varied, with many trees dotting the slopes—an ideal home for Pokémon.

Most Pokémon on the mountain were Rock-types: Geodude, Graveler, and even the immense Onix.

Cheng Cheng hadn't planned to catch any Pokémon, but as fate would have it, they blocked his path. He ended up catching five altogether.

Rock-type Pokémon were rare in Verdanturf City, so this added a bit of variety to his collection. Still, they were of little use to him, so he exchanged them for money through the system.

Unfortunately, this period was no longer within the mission timeframe, so Cheng Cheng could only get ten percent of their value.

After noticing the system’s oddities, Cheng Cheng had cut back on Pokémon catching, only doing so when absolutely necessary.

The two continued forward and soon spotted a cave ahead—surely a place where they might find a Cleffa.

All the lighting in the cave had been removed; inside, it was pitch-black.

“Come out, Gardevoir. Use Flash.”

Bathed in Gardevoir’s light, the path ahead gradually became visible, but the illumination also startled the cave’s inhabitants. A flock of Zubat flew overhead, but didn’t attack.

Along the way, Cheng Cheng and Xiao Mao encountered many Pokémon—at one point stepping on a Sandshrew, another time bumping into an Ekans. The journey was anything but calm.

Suddenly, something flashed before their eyes and disappeared. Cheng Cheng gave chase, only to find a multitude of branching tunnels ahead.

“How should we choose?”

Cheng Cheng knew that besides this cave, Mt. Moon had another cave that was home exclusively to Clefairy. He would have to find that one to reach Cleffa.

But without a Clefairy to guide them, there was no way of knowing which path would lead to that cave.

“Let’s head back out for now,” he said.

“Go out?” Xiao Mao questioned.

“Without a Clefairy to guide us, we have no way to find their habitat, and so no chance of finding Cleffa. We need to find a Clefairy first,” Cheng Cheng explained.

Leaving the cave, Xiao Mao followed. “Wait here,” Cheng Cheng said.

“Gardevoir, Teleport.”

With a soft cry, Gardevoir activated Teleport, and Cheng Cheng vanished, leaving Xiao Mao alone. Before long, Cheng Cheng reappeared in Pewter City—he needed to fetch the Clefairy Professor Oak had previously caught to lead the way. Using psychic powers for transportation would be exhausting; it was better to use the Pokémon transfer machine.

Cheng Cheng entered the Pokémon Center and contacted Professor Oak. After a brief explanation, Professor Oak sent over Clefairy.

With Clefairy in hand, Cheng Cheng had Gardevoir use Teleport once again, returning to Mt. Moon. The whole process took about ten minutes, but now the sun was setting and time was tight.

“Leave it to me now. Let Gardevoir rest for a bit,” Cheng Cheng said.

“Electivire, use Flash.”

“Let’s go!”

Together, Cheng Cheng and Xiao Mao entered Mt. Moon again, releasing Clefairy. Using his psychic ability, Cheng Cheng communicated directly with Clefairy.

[Clefairy, we need your help. Would you lead us to your home cave?]

[Of course.]

Clefairy could sense the kindness in Cheng Cheng and Xiao Mao, and having lived with Professor Oak for a while, knew they were not bad people. So Clefairy led the way.

Guided by Clefairy, they soon exited the cave and reached a broad open area near the summit of Mt. Moon. Clefairy pressed forward, leading them across a stream and toward another cave.

[This is it.]

[Clefairy, could you please go in and speak with the others first?]

Cheng Cheng didn’t want to alarm the Clefairy, so he let Clefairy handle the introductions. After a while, Clefairy returned.

[You may enter. I’ve explained your situation, and everyone welcomes you.]

“We’re good to go,” Cheng Cheng told Xiao Mao.

“You can talk to Pokémon?” Xiao Mao suddenly realized Cheng Cheng seemed to be communicating with Clefairy.

“Yes, it’s just one of the abilities of a psychic. Let’s hurry.”

By now, the moon had risen; night had fully fallen.

Inside the cave, they were greeted by a group of Clefairy and Clefable. One of the Clefable stepped forward, waving its arms as if to convey something. Cheng Cheng linked to it directly with his psychic power.

[Hello, Clefable.]

Clefable was a little surprised that Cheng Cheng could communicate this way.

[Hello. What brings you here?]

[We need the help of a Cleffa, and would like to take one with us,] Cheng Cheng stated directly. There was no need to beat around the bush with Pokémon.

Clefable turned and consulted with the other Clefable and Clefairy.

[That’s fine, but it must be one who is willing to go with you.]

[Of course, no problem.]

Cheng Cheng was delighted to hear Clefable’s agreement; with their consent, he was confident he could take a Cleffa with him.

[Tonight is the night of the full moon. Why not join us for our festival?]

Only then did Cheng Cheng notice the full moon had risen—it was the night when Clefairy evolved into Clefable.

[Very well.]

Cheng Cheng told Xiao Mao about it, and Xiao Mao was thrilled both to take a Cleffa and attend the festival. He couldn’t help but marvel at the benefits of psychic powers.

Cheng Cheng could only smile at that.

An hour later, moonlight streamed through a hole in the cave’s ceiling, reflecting off the central boulder in a pale blue glow. It was a massive Moon Stone.

At that moment, Cleffa and Clefairy emerged from smaller caves, gathering around the stone to dance.

Soon, the Clefairy began to use Metronome in unison. The central stone began to crack, shedding fragments that floated up and scattered outward. Some of these were Moon Stones, and when Clefairy touched them, they were enveloped in the light of evolution, transforming into Clefable. This evolutionary spectacle left Cheng Cheng and Xiao Mao in awe.

After the evolution, the dancing continued until the moon set and the sun rose.

At dawn, Cheng Cheng decided to take a Cleffa with him.

[All the Cleffa are here. If any wish to go with you, you may take them.]

Cheng Cheng looked over the fourteen Cleffa present, then took out ingredients from his backpack and began to prepare Pokémon food. He had specially designed this recipe for Clefairy, based on data from Professor Oak, and was confident the Cleffa would love it too.

Once the food was ready, he distributed it to the Cleffa, with the rest going to the Clefairy and Clefable. After eating, ten Cleffa wanted to go with Cheng Cheng, but he decided to take only two of the most promising ones, storing them in Poké Balls.

[Thank you for your hospitality. I’ll take good care of them.]

[I’m sure you will. You’re welcome to join our festival again next time.]

[Absolutely. We’ll definitely come if we have the chance.]

Cheng Cheng knew he might never return, but politeness was called for—after all, he was taking two of their children.

So, Cheng Cheng and Xiao Mao successfully brought away two Cleffa, and after descending the mountain, they headed back toward Pallet Town.