Chapter Ninety-One: Snowflake Dojo

A violent crack of thunder rolled through the air, and electric power surged all around Pikachu.

"Pi-ka!"

Pikachu kept discharging electricity without pause, the current around it growing so fierce that no one could even approach.

"Chimecho, Mr. Mime, Gardevoir, and Lunatone, use Protect."

Chengcheng released his Pokémon and used Protect to shield everyone.

"Pi-ka!"

Pikachu was in obvious pain. The enormous electrical load left its whole body aching.

"Pikachu."

"Ash!"

Ash suddenly dashed forward and hugged Pikachu. The force of the electricity made even him flinch in pain, and then he was thrown straight backward.

"Are you all right, Ash?"

Chengcheng helped Ash to his feet and saw that he was not seriously hurt at all. What an astonishing constitution.

Just then, the thunderclouds overhead vanished all at once, and Pikachu returned to normal.

"Pika~"

"Pikachu, how are you feeling?"

"Pika-pi~"

A spark flickered from Pikachu's tail. It was fine now.

"Pikachu, wonderful. You're back to normal."

"Pikachu, use Thunderbolt on me."

"Pi-ka, chu~"

Thunderbolt flew toward Ash and struck him directly. Chengcheng hurried out of the way; he could never have endured an attack like that himself.

"Good, Pikachu, use Volt Tackle."

Pikachu hurled itself straight at Ash with Volt Tackle, sending him flying a great distance.

"Wonderful, Pikachu."

Ash's hair was standing on end from the electricity, yet he looked delighted. Chengcheng was left speechless by such reckless behavior.

Before long, night fell, and everyone sat together for dinner.

"Ash, have you decided to take part in the Unova League?"

"Of course, Professor Juniper. I want to get to know more of the Pokémon here, and I want to travel through this region together with them."

"I see. Then afterward, I'll give you a Pokédex and some Poké Balls."

"All right, thank you, Professor Juniper."

"Professor Juniper."

"What is it, Chengcheng?"

"To enter the Unova League tournament, do you need a Pokédex?"

"Of course. If you want to take part in the Unova League, besides collecting eight badges, the most important thing is the League Pokédex. A Pokédex is your proof of identity in Unova."

"I see. Then, Professor Juniper, could you also prepare a Pokédex for me?"

"Why? Do you want to enter the Unova League too?"

"Yes, I want to give it a try."

"I see. Since you want to go, I'll leave it to Professor Oak."

"Of course, Professor Oak."

"That's wonderful. Thank you, Professor Juniper, and thank you as well, Professor Oak."

Chengcheng naturally understood that Professor Juniper had agreed so readily because of Professor Oak.

"No need to thank me. I hope you achieve excellent results in the Unova League. I also look forward to receiving your Pokémon reports from Unova. I hope you can surprise me."

"I'll do my best, Professor Oak."

"Chengcheng, I never expected you to enter the Unova League too. Then from now on, we'll be rivals."

"Absolutely. I'm looking forward to battling you in the League, Ash."

"Pika-pi!"

Pikachu was excited as well.

"All right, you two should get some rest early tonight. We'll be leaving first thing tomorrow morning."

The next morning, Professor Juniper handed one Pokédex each to Chengcheng and Ash, along with five empty Poké Balls.

"All right, Chengcheng, Ash, I wish you both a safe journey."

"Thank you, Professor Juniper."

With that, after saying goodbye to Professor Oak, Professor Juniper, and Ash's mother, Chengcheng and Ash set off together on their journey through Unova.

Once they had left the laboratory again, Chengcheng suddenly remembered the matter of the map. If he continued traveling with Ash, he would very likely never have the time to search for the treasure. Even if Ash was willing to go with him, Chengcheng was not. He did not want anyone to know about it. So he decided to set out on his own.

"Wait, Ash."

"What is it, Chengcheng? We need to hurry forward and catch the first Pokémon in Unova!"

"I've thought it over. I think we'd better travel separately."

"Why?"

"Pika?"

"I have something to do in Unova, and it may take some time, so I need to take care of it first. Since we're both going to take part in the Unova League, why not travel separately and give each other some room to grow? That way, we'll also be better prepared when we battle in the tournament."

"All right then. Where are you going?"

"Snowpoint City."

After Chengcheng found the map of Unova in the Pokédex, he compared it with the map given by the system and discovered that the place where the treasure lay was Snowpoint City.

"I see. All right, then how are you getting there?"

"I'll use Teleport to return to the port, then head straight to Snowpoint City."

"Then all right. Do your best, Chengcheng."

"Of course. You too, Ash."

"Then goodbye."

"Gardevoir, use Teleport."

Chengcheng used Teleport to return directly to the port where he had first arrived. After checking all the ships, he found that one would soon be sailing to Snowpoint City.

He bought a ticket and boarded the ship for Snowpoint City. As the vessel rose into the sky and entered the air above Snowpoint City, Chengcheng could clearly feel the surrounding air growing colder. From his backpack he took out the thick coat he had bought at the port. When he learned his destination was Snowpoint City, he had guessed it might be extremely cold.

Soon the ship docked at Snowpoint City. After disembarking, Chengcheng found that there was not much snow here, contrary to what he had imagined. It was much like any other place, only somewhat colder than other cities, perhaps because it was not winter yet.

After arriving, he went to the Pokémon Center again and handed his Pokémon to Nurse Joy for examination. He also booked a room.

Now that he had a Pokédex, all his expenses at the Pokémon Center were free, which made him very happy. Being a League Trainer was wonderful.

In the afternoon, Chengcheng headed straight for Snowpoint Gym. Since he had come to Snowpoint City, he might as well challenge the Gym first.

Soon he found Snowpoint Gym. He entered, registered for a battle appointment, and was told he could battle in an hour. During that time, he also learned more about the Gym.

The Snowpoint Gym Leader was Byron. He used Ice-type Pokémon, and the battlefield itself was an ice field, giving him a great advantage.

Fire-type Pokémon would be best against Ice-types, but Chengcheng did not have one. Still, Ice-types did not resist Psychic-types, so this would be a pure contest of strength.

Not long after, Mr. Byron appeared. The battle was about to begin.

"Hello, Mr. Byron. I am Chengcheng from Verdanturf Town in the Hoenn region. This is my first Gym Challenge since arriving in Unova."

"Is that so? Hello, Chengcheng. I hope we have a splendid battle."

"Of course, Mr. Byron. Though this is my first Gym Challenge, please do not hold back. I am not a novice Trainer."

"Very well. No problem."

Every Gym Leader would review a challenger’s record before a battle. They would decide which Pokémon to use and how much strength to show based on the challenger’s achievements.

Naturally, Byron had also looked over Chengcheng’s record. He saw that Chengcheng had no prior Gym Challenge experience and had never entered a League tournament. However, Chengcheng’s contributions in academic research did surprise him somewhat.

"Very well, the Gym Challenge is about to begin. The competitors are Chengcheng, challenger from Verdanturf Town, and Byron, Gym Leader of Snowpoint Gym. Now, both sides, send out your Pokémon."

"All right, this is my first Pokémon, Vanillite."

"Vanillite, hmm? In that case, you will take the first round. Go, Chimecho."

"Chimecho~"

Chimecho was Chengcheng’s first Pokémon, and he wanted his first Gym Challenge to be completed by Chimecho as well.

"Chimecho is a rather rare Pokémon. Very well, then, let the battle begin."

"I declare the battle started."

"Go, Chimecho, use Psywave."

"Chimecho~"

Chimecho struck first with Psywave, disturbing Vanillite.

"Vanillite, use Hail."

Vanillite’s Hail made the air around them grow colder, affecting Chengcheng as well.

Within the Hail, Chimecho had difficulty escaping and could only defend.

"Chimecho, use Protect."

Soon the Hail passed, and Protect faded as well.

"Vanillite, use Icicle Spear."

"Chimecho, dodge quickly."

"Chimecho, use Astonish."

Chimecho’s Astonish succeeded, and Vanillite was briefly unable to move.

"Chimecho, use Bind."

Chimecho wrapped Vanillite up, preventing it from acting.

"Vanillite, then use Hail like this."

Vanillite exhaled another Hail, dealing heavy damage to Chimecho.

"Chimecho, come back."

"Chimecho, Hypnosis."

"Chimecho~"

"Vanillite, use Astonish."

Vanillite’s Astonish interrupted Chimecho.

"Vanillite, Icicle Spear."

"Chimecho, dodge."

With its tiny body, Chimecho had no trouble avoiding the attack.

"Chimecho, use Confusion."

Chimecho seized Vanillite with psychic power, leaving it immobilized.

"Chimecho, throw it out."

Chimecho lifted Vanillite high, then smashed it to the ground at great speed.

"Final move, Psychic!"

"Chimecho!"

Psychic hit Vanillite, and Vanillite lost the ability to battle.

"Vanillite is unable to battle. The winner of the first round is Chimecho."

At last, Chimecho had won the first challenge.