Chapter 653: Groudon: Who's Calling Me?

Chapter 653: Groudon: Who's Calling Me? (Combined Chapters, Seeking Monthly Votes!)

Jinghe, Male stepped forward and picked up the Friend Ball that had fallen to the ground, his face showing a hint of helplessness.

"Tsundere, my reputation as a Pokémon psychologist was almost ruined by you."

He hadn't failed to use the Pokédex to check Snivy's status before.

But,

Tsundere, as everyone knows, is moody and unpredictable. The information the Pokédex displayed one second could be vastly different the next.

Snivy

Type: Grass

Ability: Contrary

Moves: Tackle, Glare, Vine Whip, Bind, Photosynthesis, Double Slap, Leaf Blade, Coil, Giga Drain

Mood: Nervous, Anxious

Condition: Poor (Fatigued, Injured, Needs Rest)

Friendship: 60 (It's hard to tell from its appearance how it feels about you)

If it weren't for the Friendship value giving Jinghe, Male some confidence, he wouldn't have known whether to throw the ball or not.

"Seems like Contrary isn't just a move ability, but also a personality trait", Jinghe, Male muttered half-jokingly.

Snivy's actions often matched the "Contrary" characteristic, doing the opposite of what it truly felt.

As for the ability itself, Contrary is quite powerful.

Contrary: When a Pokémon with this ability is affected by a stat change, the effect is reversed. Stat increases become decreases, and vice versa.

In simple terms, it has a reverse effect on stats.

For example, Swords Dance normally boosts a Pokémon's Attack by two stages, but if a Pokémon with Contrary uses it, its Attack will decrease by two stages instead.

A powerful move like Swords Dance becomes useless in the hands of a Pokémon with Contrary.

However, the benefit of Contrary is that when the opponent attempts to lower the Pokémon's stats, it will instead gain a stat boost.

For instance, the common Intimidate ability.

If used correctly, this ability can have a significant impact.

Snivy's final evolution is Serperior, and a Contrary Serperior is a strategy Jinghe, Male has used before, thanks to its ability to learn Leaf Storm!

The Grass-type move Leaf Storm has a power of 130, similar to the Dragon-type move Dragon Rush, which severely lowers the user's Special Attack after use.

But with Contrary, the user's Special Attack will actually increase instead!

That's terrifying.

It can deal high damage while continuously boosting its own stats.

This is one of the best uses of the Contrary ability.

Additionally, with the introduction of Terastallization in the ninth generation, more specifically with the use of Star Crystals, "Terastal Burst" has become another viable strategy.

In any case,

Whether for Snivy or its final evolution, Serperior, Leaf Storm is a crucial move.

Unfortunately,

The little guy hasn't learned it yet.

But this is precisely why Jinghe, Male values Snivy even more.

Despite not knowing Leaf Storm, it can still take on the Queen of Cold and display such strength.

More importantly,

It hasn't been extensively trained by its trainer.

Snivy's potential is undoubtedly excellent.

However, to achieve such strength, Snivy must have endured a lot of hardship.

Of course, for Jinghe, Male, the most important thing is that Snivy is a Grass-type Pokémon!

And it knows the move Photosynthesis.

Just looking at it makes one feel at ease.

Yay~

Inside the Friend Ball, Snivy was slightly uneasy and anxious, hurriedly looking around.

It finally relaxed when it saw Jinghe, Male staring at it through the transparent glass of the Poké Ball and smelled the familiar scent.

Sitting down on the soft cushion, it glanced at Jinghe, Male once more and couldn't help but pout.

"Hiss."

Idiot.

As soon as it relaxed, the fatigue hit.

It had been a tiring day.

In the morning, it battled the Queen of Cold, tracked a Pokémon Hunter, and fought alongside Zeraora against the Pokémon Hunter's Pokémon, suffering injuries and exhaustion multiple times.

"Hiss!"

Snivy wrinkled its nose.

If I weren't so tired, he wouldn't have caught me so easily.

Hmph!

I must have been too tired.

As Snivy thought this, it relaxed further, lying down on the soft cushion inside the Poké Ball and slowly closing its eyes, drifting off to sleep with a steady snore.

Seeing the sleeping Snivy, Jinghe, Male smiled.

Grass, huh? Got it!

If he counted, his Pokémon only lacked Normal, Bug, and Psychic types.

"Caught it?"

Seeing Jinghe, Male pick up the Friend Ball, Hiruna stepped forward.

Then, Gengue, Male, Yuki, and the other old Jing family Pokémon gathered around.

A new family member!

"Gengue."

Gengue, Male rubbed his chin.

What kind of welcome ceremony should we have?

"Yoojii~"

Yuki was grinning like a fool.

This was the "True Little Brother", not like Beartic or Regieleki, who were simply given the "Little Brother" title because one was naive and the other was dense.

If Jinghe, Male had noticed what Yuki was thinking, he probably would have poured a bucket of cold water over his head.

Who the real "Little Brother" was, was still up in the air.

"Captured." Jinghe, Male nodded and shrank the Friend Ball, tucking it back into his waistband.

He would let the little guy rest for now and introduce him to everyone when he woke up.

"Mayor Oliva and the others are still waiting for you." Hiruna gestured with her eyes.

Right.

The Pokémon Capture Contest!

The sudden outbreak of the "Spore Agent" had forced the contest to an abrupt halt.

But based on the number and quality of Pokémon captured by Gengue, Male, the championship was undisputed.

Z-Crystal!

As Jinghe, Male approached, Mayor Oliva's secretary was already standing by with a beautiful box.

This was the same box that had been displayed earlier, containing the Z-Crystal.

"Teacher Jinghe, Male, after our emergency calculations, you have undeniably won the Pokémon Capture Contest. Congratulations!" Mayor Oliva extended his hand with a beaming smile.

The ultimate goal of offering the Z-Crystal as a prize was to attract Lugia.

Not only did Lugia come, but it even brought a baby Kyogre.

The mission had been more than accomplished.

Whether Lugia came because of Jinghe, Male or because of the friendly relationship between humans and Pokémon showcased during the contest, didn't really matter.

"Gengue~ Gengue~"

Gengue, Male stepped past Jinghe, Male and, to Oliva's surprise, shook his hand.

Ha ha, congratulations to us both~

Then he gazed longingly at the unremarkable trophy and the box containing the Z-Crystal.

Jinghe, Male couldn't help but smile wryly.

There was no way around it; Gengue, Male had been the one who put in the effort in this contest.

The mayor's secretary, equally surprised, handed the box and the trophy to Gengue, Male.

"Gengue!!"

Gengue, Male held the trophy in one hand and the prize in the other, raising them high in celebration.

Now, I'm a champion too!

Oliva and his secretary exchanged glances.

Is Teacher Jinghe, Male's Pokémon really that unique?

Gengue, Male happily held the trophy and handed the box directly to Jinghe, Male.

The prize?

I want the trophy!

Jinghe, Male opened the box.

Hmm?

He was taken aback when he saw what was inside.

There wasn't just an Electric Z-Crystal, but also a grass-green crystal that looked like jade.

A Grass Z-Crystal?

Oliva quickly explained:

"One is the prize, and the other is a token of our gratitude to Teacher Jinghe, Male and your team for helping Windy City."

A token of gratitude.

Jinghe, Male's expression showed a moment of realization.

That didn't seem right.

If he accepted the token of gratitude, wouldn't he lose the right to claim expenses?

But then he thought, the value of a Z-Crystal far outweighed the cost of expenses, right?

He picked up the Grass Z-Crystal from the box and gently rubbed it.

"Windy City only has two Z-Crystals in stock. We were worried that the Grass Z-Crystal might not be useful to you, Teacher Jinghe, Male, but now that you've captured Snivy, it's perfect." Oliva smiled.

Indeed.

Jinghe, Male could have sold the extra Z-Crystal for money, but now he couldn't.

Given Snivy's competitive nature, if it found out that Jinghe, Male had sold a Z-Crystal that matched its type, it would probably stomp on his head in the middle of the night.

So...

His future goal was to acquire Normal Z, Bug Z, and Psychic Z-Crystals!

Jinghe, Male set his mind on this new goal.

"Thank you."

He didn't pretend to be overly formal and accepted the two Z-Crystals.

Two more useless items.

He couldn't feel too elated about it.

Seeing Jinghe, Male accept the Z-Crystals, Oliva breathed a sigh of relief.

Good, he accepted them.

Building a good relationship with Teacher Jinghe, Male was important.

With his connection to Lugia and baby Kyogre, inviting him to Windy City's Wind Festival would ensure Lugia's presence as well.

Oliva had his own calculations.

"Mayor Oliva." After putting away the Z-Crystals, Jinghe, Male asked, "Will the fireworks later still go ahead despite today's situation?"

Oliva was taken aback for a moment.

Then he smiled, "Yes, the spore fog didn't affect the fireworks that were prepared in advance. And everyone—"

He looked around at the relieved smiles on everyone's faces and added earnestly, "Everyone needs a grand celebration to help them recover from the shock."

"That's good to hear." Jinghe, Male smiled.

He had used the summer fireworks to persuade Hiruna to come, and it would have been a shame if they were canceled, even if there was a good reason.

"Teacher Jinghe, Male, you go ahead and take care of things. I need to handle other matters."

With that, Mayor Oliva excused himself and went to deal with the numerous issues caused by the spore fog, which had almost brought the entire city to a standstill.

Moreover, the Power Station was only restored to a basic level by Jinghe and Male. It still needed professionals to inspect and repair it, otherwise, it might catch fire again at any time.

"Windy City is really wealthy." Watching Oliva's car drive away, Jinghe and Male clicked their tongues.

They had immediately taken out two Z-Crystals.

"Did you get the prize?"

Seeing Jinghe and Male walk over with a smile, Hiruna couldn't help but ask.

"There's a part for you too."

"Mine?" Hiruna looked surprised.

Jinghe and Male then briefly explained.

The Grass Z-Crystal, given as a "thank you" gift, was actually from Oliva on behalf of Windy City to both Jinghe and Hiruna. It wouldn't be right to keep it all to themselves.

Besides, Hiruna had Roselie, a Grass-type Pokémon, that could use it.

"You can keep it." But Hiruna directly refused.

"Eh?"

"I'm not really used to Z-Moves."

Everyone has their own preferred method for enhancing their Pokémon.

Mega Evolution, Z-Move, Dynamax, Terastallization, and so on.

Most people, due to their abilities, funds, and preferences, usually choose only one method.

Jinghe and Male opened their mouths, feeling a bit disappointed.

It was a shame. He wouldn't get to see Hiruna perform a dance.

He also wouldn't be able to "smoothly" distribute the Grass Z-Crystal and get some money in return. If Hiruna had accepted it, he could have asked for a transfer, and everything would have been perfect.

"I have one already." Hiruna rolled up her sleeve, revealing a Z-Ring on her snow-white wrist, which held a Dragon Z-Crystal.

Tsk.

A twist in the tale.

Pokémon enhancement methods are diverse, and some inevitably conflict with each other.

For example, Mega Evolution can't be used with Dynamax, and Z-Move can't be used with Dynamax or Terastallization. After all, Dynamax moves are Gigantamax moves, and Terastallization moves receive a Tera Boost.

However, Jinghe and Male had never tried using Mega Evolution with Z-Move.

"Alright." Jinghe and Male "reluctantly" put away the Grass Z-Crystal again.

Hiruna blinked her eyes. "Aren't you going to show your appreciation?"

"Show my appreciation?"

He raised a finger and said playfully, "A popsicle!"

Then, he added very seriously:

"A jumbo one!"

Seeing her serious yet cute expression, Jinghe and Male couldn't help but chuckle.

He sighed softly.

"Ah—"

"What's wrong?"

Sighing over a popsicle?

Jinghe and Male tilted his head back at a forty-five-degree angle, looking quite "melancholic."

"Things have changed."

"Changed how?"

"Rich ladies no longer give me money; they start taking it from me instead."

Hiruna was taken aback. Meeting Jinghe and Male's teasing gaze, she immediately clenched her fist.

"Looking for a fight!"

"Screech—!!"

Hydreigon was delighted.

Let me at 'em!

As night fell completely, on the beach of the island where the Wind Festival was held.

A gentle sea breeze blew, carrying the fresh scent of the sea, mingled with the aroma of seawater and algae, creating a shimmering ripple.

"Today doesn't seem very suitable for fireworks, does it?"

Hiruna, sitting on the beach with her knees hugged, gazed at the dark clouds in the sky and said softly.

Many people on the beach shared her thoughts.

It looked like it was about to rain.

The moon was dim and hazy.

Windy City was having a really rough day. Earlier, when the moon first rose, everything seemed fine.

"No." Jinghe and Male stood up. "Even if Groudon shows up, it won't rain today!"

He called out:

"Lugia!"

"Whoosh—"

In the sky, Lugia, who was taking a post-meal stroll with her baby, heard Jinghe and Male's call.

"Please, make the weather clear up."

Don't want to see rain?

Easy.

If humans can't do it, let the Mythical Beasts handle it!

"Whoosh~"

Lugia nodded.

Legend has it that a single flap of Lugia's wings can cause a city to experience forty days of continuous rain.

Although its "sea god" legend became a joke due to Groudon's appearance, as the "god of ocean currents", it could still easily control the weather.

"Whoosh whoosh whoosh~"

Baby Kyogre seemed even more excited, flapping its wings and following its mother, making the dark clouds drift away a little.

"Whoosh!"

Baby Kyogre puffed out its cheeks.

Lugia gently patted its head, as if telling it to watch.

Whoosh—

As Lugia's wings flapped, the dark clouds visibly dissipated, and the crystalline moonlight cascaded down like a waterfall.

"Look."

Jinghe and Male pointed to the round moon in the sky.

Hiruna, her golden hair fluttering in the wind, smiled and said:

"Jinghe and Male, getting Mythical Beasts to help like that—"

"No problem, they're friends. No need to be formal." Jinghe and Male waved his hand and sat down beside her.

Friends.

Not many people could be friends with Mythical Beasts, right?

"At worst, I'll treat them to a meal in a bit!"

Nothing a good meal can't solve. If that doesn't work, two meals will!

Bang!!

In an instant, a brilliant firework burst in the night sky, painting it with a kaleidoscope of colors.

Jinghe and Male proudly took out two sparklers he had prepared in advance, smiling and said:

"Of course, we should set off fireworks ourselves."

Sizzle—

Sparks of light reflected in Hiruna's eyes.

She watched the scene, slowly leaning against Jinghe's shoulder, silent and still.

At this moment, she seemed to be quietly admiring the fireworks, or perhaps just feeling the warmth of Jinghe.

"Honk~"

Dratini, Thicklipuku, Gengue, Crimson Blade Phantom, Nine-Tails, Regieleki, Forger, Yuki, Beartic, Rotom, and Giratina Core sat in a row, watching the fireworks in the sky.

She remembered the last time they watched a fireworks show, it was just her, Jinghe, and the little Nine-Tails back then.

"Whoo."

Nine-Tails tilted its head, a smile on its face.

In just a year, everyone has grown so much.

Dratini and Thicklipuku didn't have such complex thoughts; they just thought the fireworks were beautiful, no wonder so many people enjoyed watching them.

"Yooji!"

Yuki pointed at a newly released firework in the sky.

Doesn't that look like me?

【That's clearly a Duraludon.】 Giratina Core said.

"Yooji."

Really? It's just as handsome as me.

Giratina Core rolled its eyes.

Trainers and Pokémon do tend to become more alike the longer they stay together. Yuki is just as narcissistic as that person!

Giratina Core lifted its head, picturing its fully restored form in its mind.

【No one is as handsome as me when I'm fully restored.】

A sense of satisfaction rose within it.

"Chaa!"

Hey! It's a big bird!

Falinks' fireworks excited Forger.

"Grrr."

Bear, looking at Crimson Blade Phantom.

Let's see who can sit still the longest?

Crimson Blade Phantom tilted its head, giving Thicklipuku a look as if it were a fool.

"Chaa?"

What's the point of that?

Bear, have you been practicing stillness too much lately?

In martial arts, it's all about movement and stillness, using stillness to control movement, conserving energy, and using softness to overcome hardness.

Bear used to punch nonstop, but now it has switched to a "still sitting" practice mode.

"Grrr." Thicklipuku scratched its ear.

Are you going to do it or not?

"Chaa?"

What if I win?

"Grrr." Thicklipuku grinned.

You win, you're the best!

"Chaa!"

Let's do it!

For men, no one can escape the phrase "you're the best", it's the ultimate bet.

Male Pokémon are the same.

Satisfied with the answer, Thicklipuku grinned.

Hey.

"Grrrzzz"

It lifted its head and fell asleep.

Crimson Blade Phantom: "???"

Buzz—

A Poké Ball on Jinghe's waist opened on its own, and Snivy, who had been sleeping, stretched and looked at the two cuddling, then walked over to Gengue and the others.

"Yooji!"

Yuki squeezed in next to Forger, patted the ground, and motioned for Snivy to sit down.

By size, it should have sat between Yuki and Rotom.

But Snivy's gaze swept around, and its eyes lit up.

Using Vine Whip to grab Dratini's tentacle, it climbed onto the head of the largest Dratini, standing tall.

"Hisss!"

Your queen has returned!

All Pokémon: "???"

Under a tree by the beach, Zeraora crossed its arms, watching the scene and the bustling crowd, but its expression couldn't stay serious.

"Zeraora."

Perhaps, people are indeed different.

Perhaps, the past is the past.

"Zeraora!"

Zeraora's expression returned, and it quietly transformed into a blue arc and disappeared.

"Zeraora? Zeraora?"

Ragoku turned around and found Zeraora gone, a look of disappointment on her face.

But her eyes soon lit up.

She noticed that the basket of fruit she had brought was left with only a core.

After sending food to Zeraora so many times, it finally ate.

Next to the core was an old, oddly shaped instrument that looked like a whistle, with a strand of golden hair floating on it.

Ragoku hurriedly approached and carefully picked up the instrument.

She understood.

Zeraora meant that when she needed it, she should blow this whistle, and Zeraora would appear.

"Zeraora", Ragoku whispered, "I only hope you're happy."

On the rooftop, Zeraora watched the scene, its eyes flickering.

The gentle sea breeze blew, and the sound of waves gently lapping the shore was drowned out by the fireworks. Jinghe and Hiruna sat quietly, watching the sparklers in their hands burn out, but the light in their eyes didn't fade.

"Bulbasaur", Jinghe said softly.

Hiruna's eyes sparkled, her flushed face making everything around her seem dull. Before Jinghe could finish, she lifted her head slightly.

A gentle touch, a soft peck.

Jinghe stood there, feeling the slight dampness on his cheek, a dreamlike sensation making his body feel light and weightless.

"I like you", Hiruna whispered gently in his ear.

Coming back to his senses, Jinghe grabbed her hand.

No, I can't float away.

Two days later, in the evening.

"Are we going back to Sinnoh tomorrow?"

Hearing the news, Jinghe couldn't help but feel a bit surprised.

Hiruna pulled her hair back, a mix of helplessness and reluctance in her eyes, but she still said:

"I've already taken four days off. If you count tomorrow, that makes five."

Five days already?

Jinghe, Male was slightly dazed.

For the first time, he felt time passing so quickly.

He said almost instinctively, "If it really can't be helped, let Wuson work a couple more days, I guess."

Hiruna covered her mouth and giggled.

"It's not because of that."

"Then what is it?"

Her expression gradually turned serious and solemn as she looked at Jinghe, Male with earnest eyes.

"I'm going to challenge the Champion's Path!"

The Champion's Path?!

Jinghe, Male's face was full of shock.

Hiruna, are you really going to become the Champion now?

But then he thought about it.

It made sense.

Ever since the "Young Master World Championship" ended, Hiruna had been training hard non-stop.

Wuson had already become one of the Four Heavenly Kings, so it was about time for Hiruna too.

As for whether she could succeed...

She definitely could!

The Sinnoh region was the first to implement the "Youth Program", and Hiruna was the standout among the young trainers there. Even if she hadn't reached her peak yet, she was more than ready.

If Aisu's Kanto Champion's Path was hellishly difficult, then Sinnoh's Champion's Path was only moderately challenging.

Mainly because...

Aisu had a rival in Kanto who had him completely pinned down.

In Sinnoh, Hiruna had Wuson, Daiya, and Aryu—her subordinates and allies.

Nevertheless, Hiruna was taking this extremely seriously, and she should.

Moderately challenging doesn't mean it's easy; it's just relatively easier.

In the end, it's still the "Champion's Path"!

"I'll let you know when I'm ready, and I'll make sure to watch", Jinghe, Male said.

"You better not skip it!"

Hiruna scrunched her nose and clenched her fists, waving them in a threatening manner.

The "Guardian" Hydreigon bared its sharp scythes, looking ferocious.

Family members can be terrifying.

Back in the room.

"Ge, genge?"

Gengue, Male, perched on the windowsill, met Jinghe, Male's gaze.

"Yo, yo!"

Yuki called out from below.

Slap—Slap—

Two Vine Whips slapped against the window, and Snivy quickly climbed up to stand on the windowsill, meeting Jinghe, Male's gaze.

Snivy didn't show any fear; instead, it looked quite fierce.

Snivy didn't show any fear; instead, it looked quite fierce.

Over the past two days, ever since Snivy joined the team, it had been going out with Gengue, Male and Yuki to "level up."

According to Snivy, this place was a perfect "leveling ground."

And here it was, just back from another "leveling" session.

Facing the "ferocious" Snivy, Jinghe, Male didn't hold back. He gave a "Gengue, Male-style" trademark evil grin, and in Snivy's "frightened" gaze, he picked it up.

Then he hugged it and started rubbing it.

Snivy let out a happy hiss, its body relaxing in Jinghe, Male's arms as it enjoyed the affection.

Snivy went limp in Jinghe, Male's arms, losing all ability to struggle.

Hmph.

Can't handle a little tsundere?

Jinghe, Male was getting better at dealing with Snivy.

"Rest well these next two days. We're heading back to Hoenn soon, and we'll have a welcome ceremony for you when we get there."

"Hisss~"

There were still a lot of little ones at home who didn't know about Snivy.

They had pretty much finished exploring the Castelia region, so it was time to head back to Hoenn for a break.

Besides, King AZ was waiting for his Wyytrot.

Soon.

After a while of noise, the room gradually quieted down.

Jinghe, Male slowly drifted off to sleep, dreaming of Deoxys piloting a spaceship and capturing Rayquaza.

Below, Groudon let out a long sigh: "Glad I can't fly."

Groudon then leaned in to mock: "That green worm is nothing special."

Johto.

Devon Corporation Headquarters.

"President!"

The secretary rushed into the president's office, where the old president and young master Da Wu were present.

"What's the matter, so flustered?" The old man asked gently.

"The batch of minerals Da Wu brought back from Petalburg City..." The secretary took a breath before continuing, "They reacted with a giant stone from the mine!"

The old man's eyes narrowed.

"The batch from Petalburg City?"

"Yes."

"What's so strange about it?" Da Wu looked at the old man's serious expression, puzzled.

While it was rare for stones to react with each other, it wasn't unheard of. Why was his father so serious?

"I'll go check it out."

Da Wu straightened his clothes and stood up.

"No."

But the old man stopped him, waving the secretary away.

After the secretary left, the old man took a deep breath, his voice slightly hoarse as he finally spoke:

"Da Wu, there's something I've never told you. Our Devon 'Infinity Energy' is actually—"

Da Wu's relaxed expression vanished as he listened to the old man.

Infinity Energy!

Also known as "Life Force"!

It was the key to the birth of Mega Stones.

Could it be that Johto also had such an energy source?

And if a massive carrier like that giant stone appeared, would it cause some changes?

The old man chuckled bitterly.

"I hope I'm just being overly cautious."

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end