Chapter Seventy-Eight: Journey to Lily Island

Cheng Cheng and Xiaomao drove back to Pallet Town, and on their way through Viridian City, they ran into Xiaozhi. The Viridian Gym was closed as usual, so following Cheng Cheng’s suggestion, Xiaozhi set out for the next city, Pewter City.

Upon returning to the lab, Cheng Cheng and Xiaomao gave Professor Oak a detailed account of their recent experiences. Professor Oak was delighted to see the two Pichus.

“Professor Oak, who will take care of these two Pichus?” Cheng Cheng asked.

“After you left, I looked up some information and gave it careful thought. It seems that the evolution of Fairy-type Pokémon is related to something called affinity.”

“Affinity?” Cheng Cheng hadn’t expected Professor Oak to focus on affinity.

“That’s right. Affinity refers to the relationship between a Pokémon and its trainer—the higher the affinity, the closer and more intimate their bond. I believe that these Fairy-type Pokémon evolve when their affinity reaches a certain level.”

“I see. Then let’s try raising affinity with the Pichus!”

“Cheng Cheng, this time you and Xiaomao will each take care of one,” Professor Oak said.

“Me?” Cheng Cheng had anticipated that Professor Oak would entrust him with a Pichu, but he recalled the system in his mind and refused.

“Professor Oak, it’s difficult for me to build connections with other Pokémon. That’s why I only train Psychic-type Pokémon. I’m afraid I can’t fulfill this task.”

“I understand,” Professor Oak mused, resting his chin in his hand.

“In that case, I’ll personally take care of the other Pichu. That way, I can observe it more closely.”

“That’s certainly best.”

Thus, Xiaomao and Professor Oak each took a Pichu and began nurturing their affinity.

Early the next morning, Cheng Cheng left Pallet Town. He had originally planned to continue his research there, but the Sinnoh League’s Lily of the Valley Conference was imminent. Cheng Cheng had promised Xiaozhi he would watch his matches, so he boarded a ship and set off.

Cheng Cheng departed from Viridian City, hoping to take a direct flight to Lily of the Valley Island, but the flights were all full. He had no choice but to take a ship to the nearest port to the island. After disembarking, he immediately boarded a ferry bound for Lily of the Valley. After several hours at sea, he finally arrived. Night was falling, and after dinner, Cheng Cheng hurried to the tournament venue, where the opening ceremony was underway.

Originally, Cheng Cheng wanted to come with Professor Oak, but the professor was engrossed in studying Fairy-type Pokémon and had no time to attend, so Cheng Cheng went alone.

He found a seat in the venue and cast his gaze toward the center, where sixty-four trainers stood. Using his psychic senses, Cheng Cheng quickly located Xiaozhi.

[Pikachu.]

Pikachu suddenly turned, as if searching for something.

“What’s the matter, Pikachu?”

“Pika pi~”

“Are you saying someone’s calling you?”

“Pika~ Pika pi~”

Xiaozhi searched the crowd, spotting Brock, Dawn, and the reigning champion Cynthia. Besides them, he didn’t see any other familiar faces. With no results, Xiaozhi focused on the ceremony.

Cheng Cheng didn’t call out again after that, watching the opening ceremony intently. Suddenly, he sensed something—or someone—fixated on him. He followed the gaze and saw a familiar figure: Darkrai.

He almost forgot Darkrai was participating in the tournament this time.

At that moment, Darkrai smiled at Cheng Cheng, a smile that sent a chill down his spine.

Cheng Cheng shivered. When he looked again, Darkrai was no longer staring at him. He shifted his focus away and watched the rest of the ceremony.

After the opening ceremony, the list for the first round was released. Xiaozhi would face his acquaintance, Mr. Shangzhi.

Once all the matchups were announced, the ceremony ended. Everyone prepared to return to the Pokémon Center for the next day’s battles.

Cheng Cheng saw Xiaozhi leaving and followed after him, only to be stopped by Darkrai.

“Long time no see, Darkrai.”

“Long time no see, Kimu Cheng Cheng.”

Hearing Darkrai address him by his full name, Cheng Cheng paused, feeling a bit embarrassed.

“Darkrai, are you also participating in the Lily of the Valley Conference?”

“Yes, just here for fun. What about you?”

“Oh, my friend Xiaozhi is competing, I’m here to watch.”

“I see. I thought you were here for me. So, did you catch Deoxys yet?”

Cheng Cheng shook his head.

“That’s a shame—I was hoping to face you. Well, I’ll be off then.”

With that, Darkrai headed toward the Pokémon Center.

Xiaozhi and his friends had already entered the Center, so Cheng Cheng didn’t disturb them. Instead, he found a tree outside, climbed up, leaned against the trunk, and quickly slipped into meditation.

As dawn broke, Cheng Cheng awoke with the first rays of sunlight. Heading toward the restaurant, he heard loud voices along the way.

“Come on over, come on over!”

“We have delicious Swellow cotton candy and tasty rice crackers!”

“We also have all kinds of juices, meow!”

Suddenly recognizing the familiar voices, Cheng Cheng looked over and saw Team Rocket.

“Long time no see, Team Rocket.”

He walked up to their stall.

“Eh, how did you recognize us, kid?” Jessie asked him.

“Oh, let’s not dwell on that. Would you like something?”

“Yes, yes, meow! Our juice is delicious, meow!”

“In that case, I’ll take two dorayaki, one rice cracker, and a Peach Berry juice.”

“No problem!”

“Thank you!”

After receiving his food, Cheng Cheng left without further conversation. Truly, Team Rocket attended every tournament.

Eating as he walked, Cheng Cheng soon ran into Xiaozhi and his friends.

“Long time no see, Cheng Cheng—you made it!”

“Yes, I arrived last night. I promised you I’d come, so of course I did.”

“I see.”

“Pika pi~ Pika~ Pika pika~ Pi~”

Pikachu waved its arms energetically, seemingly trying to say something.

“Long time no see, Pikachu—it was me calling you last night.”

“Pika pi~”

Pikachu meant, “I knew it was you.”

Cheng Cheng patted Pikachu’s head, still as comforting as ever.

“Xiaozhi, do your best today—I’ll be watching your matches.”

“Of course! Look forward to my performance. This time, I’m determined to win the championship!”

Champion? Hearing this, Cheng Cheng thought of Darkrai. If not for Darkrai, perhaps Xiaozhi could claim victory, but fate had brought him here.

“All right, let’s hurry, or we’ll be late.”

Xiaozhi entered the contestants' tunnel, while Cheng Cheng, Dawn, and Brock went to the spectator seats. They chose their spots and began watching the battles.

Xiaozhi’s match was later, so Cheng Cheng first watched Darkrai’s battle. The match ended quickly, with Darkrai winning using only a single Darkrai.

After his victory, Darkrai glanced over at Cheng Cheng, and their eyes met. Cheng Cheng wondered how Darkrai could find him—did he also possess psychic powers? Yet Cheng Cheng sensed no psychic energy from him, which was odd.

Cheng Cheng then returned to watch Xiaozhi’s match against Mr. Shangzhi. There wasn’t much excitement, but Shangzhi’s Ancient Armor Pokémon piqued Cheng Cheng’s interest.

Ancient Armor Pokémon were remnants from prehistoric times, but their strength paled compared to true ancient Pokémon.

At that moment, both the Ancient Armor Pokémon and Xiaozhi’s Cyndaquil had lost their ability to battle, leaving each side with only one Pokémon left.

“What’s going on?” remarked a boy nearby—another of Xiaozhi’s friends, Ah Xun.

“Hehe, how about guessing who will win the championship?” another voice suddenly chimed in, surprising Cheng Cheng who hadn’t sensed his presence.

“Wow, you startled me! Who are you?”

“My name is Kao Ping. I’m predicting the winner of this tournament—and I easily won my first round.”

“Of course, I’ll be the champion!”

“No, no, I doubt it’ll be you.”

“Then who do you think it’ll be?” Cheng Cheng asked him.

“That’s a secret.”

Cheng Cheng had no interest in his secret; with Darkrai present, no one else stood a chance.

Soon, Xiaozhi’s Pokémon defeated Mr. Shangzhi’s, earning him victory in the first round.

“Excellent work, Xiaozhi.”

Everyone applauded Xiaozhi, and Cheng Cheng joined in.

Next came the second round, and Xiaozhi easily defeated his opponent. What impressed Cheng Cheng most was Xiaozhi’s Snorlax. Its immense endurance made it a tank among tanks—even Fighting-type Pokémon struggled to harm it, making victory seem effortless. Xiaozhi’s Snorlax was also of a high level. Cheng Cheng could only admire it.

In the second round, Darkrai again won with just his Darkrai. This was expected—after all, it was a legendary Pokémon. The trainers facing him stood little chance, even if several combined forces.

Then came the third round. Xiaozhi faced Kao Ping. After a grueling battle, Xiaozhi emerged victorious. Next was Shinji versus Ah Xun, with Shinji winning by a landslide.

In some ways, Shinji was very much like Xiaomao in his younger days. One thing they shared: both lost to Xiaozhi.

In the third round, apart from Darkrai’s solo victory, Cheng Cheng noticed another highlight: Xiaozhi’s Gible. Gible managed to swallow the opponent’s ultimate move—a formidable skill which might one day make it very powerful.

Next was the quarterfinals. Xiaozhi would face Shinji, and the format changed from three-on-three to six-on-six—a battle worth watching.