Chapter 709: Groudon vs. Dual Legends!

Chapter 709: Groudon vs. Dual Legends! (Combination Chapter, Requesting Monthly Votes!)

"Roar!!"

As the saying goes, when enemies meet, their eyes turn red with fury.

At least, in Groudon's eyes, Jinghe falls into the category of "enemy."

Back in Hoenn, it was precisely because of this guy's appearance and interference that Groudon and itself failed to secure the Iridescent Megalith, thus missing the chance to gain even greater power and potentially surpass Rayquaza.

Later, in Kalos's Desert City, after being summoned by Primal Groudon, Jinghe called forth those Mythical Beasts, who gave it a severe beating.

While, in a sense, Jinghe did save it and offer some help, the pain was unbearable!

If I can't fight back, can't I at least run away?

For this reason, Groudon even distanced itself from the familiar waters of Hoenn.

Yet, even in the remote Alola, this guy still pursued it relentlessly, even using its newly favored Wishiwashi to "lure" it!

After confirming that Jinghe had no Mythical Beasts to assist him, Groudon's malevolent intent grew, deciding to vent its frustrations and take out some of its pent-up anger!

However, Groudon had also thought it through.

Considering that Jinghe had helped it in Desert City, it would only give him a little lesson, nothing too extreme—just a small act of mercy from the great Sea Deity!

Yes, that’s it!

On Akarawa Island, off the coast of Kanekko City, dark clouds gathered and lightning surged.

The storm raged with wind and waves, seemingly intense, but in reality, it was much less than when Groudon first awoke in Johto.

However, even this would cause unnecessary destruction to Kanekko City if Groudon unleashed its full power without restraint, so...

"Shu Lian, can you hold on?" Jinghe asked.

"Uh-huh!" Shu Lian gripped the fishing rod tightly, her voice firm.

"Good." Jinghe smiled but still warned, "If you can't hold on, don't force it. Remember, this is Groudon we're dealing with!"

"Got it!"

Shu Lian naturally heeded her teacher's advice.

"Let's go! We need to head further out to sea to minimize the impact on the coastline!"

With that, Jinghe pulled Shu Lian out of the small boat and placed her on the back of his bicycle, riding on the ice surface formed by Nine-Tails, heading toward the distant sea.

"Shu Lian! Teacher Jinghe!" Mao cupped her hands to her mouth and shouted from the shore.

"It's fine", Shu Lian's father looked very calm.

"Uncle, you're really composed", Kaki wiped the sweat from his palms.

Shu Lian's father smiled, "That's Teacher Jinghe!"

If there was anyone in the Pokémon world who could be trusted to handle a legendary Pokémon, it was definitely Teacher Jinghe!

Moreover...

"Shu Lian is very determined when it comes to fishing. Stopping her now might make her regret it for the rest of her life", Shu Lian's mother showed concern but still offered her support.

"Exactly!" Shu Lian's father's smile faded, "The daughter of the sea must face the storm at some point!"

It was clear that Shu Lian's parents were worried about her, but they respected her wishes and supported her.

On the other hand, as her father said, wasn't there Teacher Jinghe? This was probably the safest opportunity to encounter Groudon!

"Roar!!"

Seeing Jinghe and Shu Lian run away without a fight, Groudon's anger flared, and it grew bolder, thrashing its tail and stirring up the waves to chase after them.

It looked like...

Shu Lian's fishing line was dragging Groudon, wearing it down.

"Is Shu Lian really trying to catch Groudon?" Mao and Kaki were stunned.

Boom!

Dark clouds swirled into a vortex, and heavy rain poured down, lightning striking the sea, turning it into a white expanse. Amid the surging waves, the monstrous sea beast emerged.

"Ninetales!" Jinghe pedaled his bicycle, the Rotom motor at full power, "I won't let this rain fall anymore!"

"Awooo—"

The agile Nine-Tails let out a howl, its azure eyes turning a snowy white.

The temperature plummeted.

Even a newly evolved Blastoise could block Primal Groudon's "Terrestrial Zenith"; how could it possibly lose to Groudon, especially one that wasn't in its primal form and was poisoned by a Poison Jab?

In an instant,

The torrential rain froze into ice, turning into snowflakes that drifted down, covering the entire sea in a layer of white.

"Roar!!"

Feeling the weather's power being suppressed, Groudon was startled.

But it had already caught up to Jinghe and Shu Lian, and with one big wave, it could sweep them into the vast sea.

As the Sea Deity, it might be constrained on land, but in the sea...

Did you really think I was defeated in Desert City because I couldn't fight?

You're asking a fish to perform in the desert!

Now,

This guy is definitely using the weather to interfere and lure me, giving him a chance to create distance!

Hmph! I'm not as foolish as Groudon. How could I fall for such a trick?

A mere weather change.

I'll let you have it!

One wave, and I'll crush you!

"Roar!!"

Groudon manipulated the sea, raising a massive wave dozens of meters high, its fins flapping to stir up even more water, creating a terrifying visual impact and intense pressure.

"Teacher Jinghe!"

Shu Lian, gripping the fishing rod, bit her lip, her face pale, and called out nervously.

"Don't be nervous."

Jinghe stopped the bicycle and, along with Nine-Tails, looked up at the towering wave and the massive creature riding it.

Groudon's body glowed with a purple aura, its eyes wide and filled with malice and ferocity.

"Ninetales." Jinghe exhaled softly.

"Ice World!"

Nine-Tails' eyes narrowed, its tails unfurled, and a frigid aura burst from its mouth.

Crack, crack, crack—

The air seemed to freeze, and pale blue ice crystals formed, creating a path of ice flowers.

The moment the frigid aura touched the massive wave,

Time seemed to pause.

Ice crystals bloomed from the point of contact, spreading rapidly, accompanied by the clear sound of ice forming.

In an instant,

The entire massive wave was frozen into a giant ice sculpture.

Groudon's eyes widened in shock.

Such a massive wave, frozen in such a short time?!

No!

Groudon opened its mouth, ignoring the spreading poison, and unleashed a compressed, powerful Water Cannon, aiming directly at Jinghe and Nine-Tails.

One blast, and it would obliterate them!

Boom!

The massive water blast instantly engulfed Nine-Tails, Jinghe, and Shu Lian!

Groudon's face showed a hint of satisfaction.

As long as I'm on the sea, I am invincible!

But the satisfaction lasted only a second. When the water dispersed, they were unharmed, protected by an ice wall and Aurora Veil!

Moreover, a chilling aura emanated from Nine-Tails.

A pink stone plate, glowing with a crystalline light, hovered above Nine-Tails' head.

Fairy Tablet!

"Awooo—"

Nine-Tails looked at the cracked ice wall and the shattered Aurora Veil, its eyes filled with caution.

That was close...

Almost completely destroyed.

"Earth Control!"

"Awooo!"

Nine-Tails, lying on the ice, raised its head as a powerful aura from Akarawa Island and the Fairy Tablet infused its body.

The aura rapidly intensified, turning into a frigid force that began to freeze the surrounding sea.

Groudon, atop the frozen wave, sensed something was wrong.

Something was very wrong!

Is this guy really going to let a single Nine-Tails face me?

While it admitted that this Nine-Tails had surprised it, the chilling sensation on its back grew stronger and more intense!

"Roar!"

Groudon turned around.

Behind it, Gengue had somehow appeared, looking rather sheepish.

"What?"

Caught off guard, Gengue hesitated for a moment before giving a somewhat embarrassed smile.

What the hell are you embarrassed about?

"Gengue!"

Below, Jinghe's cloak flapped in the cold air, his black hair frosted over and slightly white.

In his hand, he held a stone that glowed with a rainbow light.

"Mega Evolution!"

Buzz!!

A brilliant rainbow light enveloped Jinghe and Gengue, their hearts instantly aligning, unleashing a powerful and mysterious force, a force of the heart!

"Gengue!!"

Gengue, bathed in the rainbow light, completed its Mega Evolution, quickly transforming into Mega Gengue, the Mega Evolution symbol flashing on its golden eye.

The power of Mega Evolution comes from Key Stones and Mega Stones, but at its core, it's the bond between the Trainer and their Pokémon—the alignment of their hearts and the integration of their wills.

For other Pokémon, Mega Evolution can greatly enhance their abilities.

The depth of the bond determines the strength of the Mega Evolution.

Jinghe and Gengue’s bond is unbreakable.

They believe they can match any Trainer and Pokémon duo in the Pokémon world!

Especially since Gengue, who has harnessed some of the power of the Iridescent Megalith, has further amplified his Mega Evolution after digesting and absorbing it!

This is a synergy that goes beyond the sum of its parts.

Megagengue instantly broke through the "Champion" tier, reaching a higher level!

If we had to define what lies beyond "Champion", it would be—Legendary!

Moreover, it's not just one Pokémon that has broken through the "Champion" tier.

Nine-Tails, using the "Fairy Tablet" for the first time in battle, felt a perfect synergy with it, especially after using "Earth Control."

The Gnome Field now envelops the entire sea!

Legendary!

Legendary!

Legendary!

This is the complete tablet!

"Get ready, Gengue, Nine-Tails!" Jinghe and Megagengue, along with Nine-Tails, locked their eyes on Groudon!

Come on, Groudon!

Sensing the intense battle desire and the unyielding, fearless aura, Groudon finally realized that it had underestimated this human and his Pokémon.

Mythical Beasts?

When they were weak, they indeed needed the protection of Mythical Beasts, but now, they can face these legendary beings head-on.

This is the meaning of becoming stronger!

Putting aside its underestimation and disdain, Groudon’s eyes turned cold as it hovered over the icy sea, six pale blue orbs of light appearing around it.

In an instant, it felt as if the sea’s immense pressure from the depths of the primordial ocean and the surging currents were all converging on it.

The indigo light gathered, eventually forming a beam of destruction, aimed at Nine-Tails and Megagengue!

Jinghe’s senses were on high alert.

Groudon vs. two Legendaries!

The moment to test the quality of "Legendary" has arrived!

"Nine-Tails! Nature's Wrath!"

"Roar!"

Nine-Tails, with the "Fairy Tablet", raised its upper body and slammed its paws on the ice three times.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

A pink energy field spread out, transforming into a brilliant light that swept toward Groudon!

Tapu Koko, who had just arrived at the edge of Akarawa Island and Kanekko City, saw this and widened its eyes in shock.

Which Tapu taught it this move?

It seems more powerful than when I use it!

Boom!

The Gnome Field, combined with the Fairy Tablet, unleashed Nature's Wrath, clashing with Groudon’s primal wave. The terrifying impact enveloped the entire sea.

The ice crystals on the frozen sea shattered into powder, drifting down, and the powerful shockwave created a spectacular and dangerous wave in the sea!

At the same time,

"Gengue! Maximum power, Shadow Ball!"

"Gengue!"

A supermassive Shadow Ball, like a black sun, loomed overhead, obscuring the clouds. It was the energy of Megagengue, as well as the will of Gengue and Jinghe.

Three primal waves clashed, and the massive Shadow Ball met them head-on.

Hum—

There was no explosion, no dazzling light.

Silently.

As if...

The primal waves and the massive Shadow Ball mutually canceled each other out, vanishing without a trace.

Only the faint indigo light and the dissipating black fog remained, testifying to what had just happened.

"Look!"

Mao, Kaki, and the others on the shore widened their eyes and trembled, pointing.

"Teacher Jinghe is really taking on Groudon alone!"

Tapu Fini, observing from behind them, instinctively shrank back. Even without the "Fairy Tablet", this human’s strength was something to be taken seriously.

Perhaps...

At this moment, Tapu Fini felt a bit grateful for Tapu Bulu’s foresight. By returning the "Fairy Tablet" and binding this warrior to the dangers Alola would face, it was a wise move.

Clever.

On the sea.

All traces of rain, snow, waves, and ice crystals vanished.

The entire sea seemed like an ice cream cone, with a chunk scooped out by a spoon.

"Roar!"

Groudon, hovering over the sea, showed a rare sign of excitement.

For a moment, it forgot its grudge against Jinghe, its earlier plans, and the fact that it was facing two "ordinary" Pokémon.

It just felt that the previous battles with Groudon and being controlled by Mega Rayquaza hadn’t been satisfying enough. Perhaps now...

It flailed its fins, trying to strengthen the primal wave.

However.

A deepening purple Poison Jab toxin spread across its indigo body.

Groudon’s expression stiffened.

Fighting two at once and dividing the primal wave was already a desperate move, and the division was even making it feel suppressed.

But with the toxin’s effects intensifying, its strength began to wane.

What a powerful poison!

Boom!

In front, the "Nature's Wrath" from the Gnome Field.

Behind, the massive Shadow Ball.

Like a sandwich, it was swallowed whole!

Boom!

One force was bright and radiant, the other dark and contained.

Nine-Tails took a deep breath, the "Fairy Tablet" falling and disappearing. Its tail coiled around Jinghe’s arm, facing the explosion center with confidence.

All the past timidity had turned into absolute confidence.

"Gengue!"

The Mega Evolution light faded from Gengue, who gave a thumbs-up, eyes sparkling, and grinned at Jinghe and Nine-Tails.

We’re really amazing!

Bang!

A massive object crashed into the sea, creating a tidal wave. The scooped-out water began to refill, forming a whirlpool, and Groudon seemed to vanish into it.

Jinghe felt the coolness from his arm, looked at Nine-Tails beside him, and then at Gengue hovering nearby, and slowly broke into a wide smile.

Unconsciously.

The Gastly that used to fight over instant noodles, the Vulpix that often hid under cabinets and coffee tables, had grown to this level.

Facing Groudon!

Suppressing Groudon!

Even though it was a Groudon weakened by Poison Jab and without Primal Reversion, it was still a legendary ancient Mythical Beast, a deity of the sea!

At this moment, even Jinghe couldn’t help but let out a triumphant roar.

With the "Fairy Tablet" and "Mega Evolution", Nine-Tails and Gengue both broke through the "Champion" tier, reaching the higher "Legendary" level!

And this...

Was far from their limit!

Nine-Tails had just received the "Fairy Tablet" and was using it for the first time. Its regular strength hadn’t even reached Legendary.

Gengue, even more so, had only used "Mega Evolution" without Tera Forming or Z-Moves.

Perhaps, with Tera Forming and Z-Moves, Gengue alone could face Groudon.

If its regular strength could improve further...

Call Rayquaza! I dare you to call Rayquaza!

Rushing water drenched the ice under Jinghe’s feet, bringing him back to reality.

Looking at Shu Lian, who was staring blankly, he shouted, "Now, Shu Lian!"

"Huh? Oh!"

Shu Lian snapped back to reality, feeling the force still on the fishing line in the whirlpool.

There’s still a chance!

This is the hard-won opportunity created by Teacher Jinghe!

"Haah!"

Shu Lian shouted, pulling the fishing rod with all her might, using every fishing technique her father had taught her to the fullest.

Meanwhile, Jinghe’s Waveguide reached deep into the sea, into the whirlpool, and communicated with the recovering Groudon:

"Come up, I’ll heal your poison and restore your strength."

Groudon was taken aback, feeling the force of the hook in its mouth.

If Jinghe hadn’t reminded it, it would have forgotten about the hook.

Thoughts raced through its mind.

Why can Groudon form a friendly relationship with this human, but not me?

I can too!

I can be patriotic, no, I can be a good guy!

The goodwill transmitted through the Waveguide was genuine.

It flicked its fins.

Following the fishing line, Groudon emerged from the water, the transparent line creating a beautiful arc in the air.

Click—Click—Click—

Rotom’s Pokédex recording function was still on, and it started taking photos.

Jinghe nodded to himself.

With this recording, Groudon is settled.

"Here's the antidote."

Jinghe tossed a few Oran Berries, which Groudon swallowed in one gulp.

The sea gradually calmed down.

"Water, Shu Lian, did you really catch Groudon?" Mao covered her mouth in disbelief.

Shu Lian's parents, standing nearby, had tears in their eyes, proud of their daughter.

Shu Lian's two younger sisters, Shi Ting and Shi Han, looked at their older sister with admiration.

"Teacher Jinghe, you've done it again with another Mythical Beast", Kaki muttered.

Anyone could see that Shu Lian's "catch" of Groudon was purely due to Teacher Jinghe's help.

But regardless,

The "fishing master" only cares about the results, not the process. The only question is whether you caught something or not!

On the calm sea,

Jinghe removed the small hook from Groudon's mouth.

"Groudon, you've gotten fatter. You need to exercise more", Jinghe teased, looking at Groudon, who had grown more robust despite being smaller overall.

Groudon, with half its head above water, gave Jinghe an annoyed glance.

You always bring up the worst things.

[This isn't Hoenn, after all.]

Only in the Hoenn seas can Groudon unleash its full power.

"I understand."

Jinghe nodded.

He paused before saying, "When you're done playing, go back to Hoenn."

Huh?

Confusion clouded Groudon's eyes.

Jinghe glanced at the clouds dispersing in the sky and said softly,

"Alola might soon become turbulent. Solgaleo, Lunala, and even Necrozma might appear. You don't want to be surrounded, do you?"

As an outsider, Groudon would be the first target.

Solgaleo?

Lunala?

Groudon showed a hint of disdain.

Pfft, let them come find me in the sea.

But when it heard Necrozma, Groudon quickly dropped its disdain and nodded slightly.

[If you say so, I'll go back, then.]

Jinghe smiled.

Stubborn Groudon, flexible Groudon, and the mechanical Rayquaza—Hoenn's three fools are now complete.

"Take these for the journey."

Jinghe took out some energy bars.

Groudon obediently opened its mouth.

Huh?

Its eyes widened.

So, Groudon, the brainless oaf, suddenly became so cooperative.

And Rayquaza, the arrogant and overconfident one, willing to be ridden?

You guys...

If you had this tasty stuff, you could have said so!

As the sun set,

Watching Groudon's retreating silhouette and the sea returning to calm,

Shu Lian's family, Mao, Kaki, and the others felt like they were in a dream.

But they all looked at Teacher Jinghe, standing at Shu Lian's "secret fishing spot", and smiled.

Hehe, this is our teacher, hehe.

"Achoo!"

Holding the fishing rod, Jinghe sneezed, causing the rod to shake.

He rubbed his nose.

"Did I get too much seawater? Am I catching a cold? That shouldn't be it."

"Gengue?"

Gengue, the purple-skinned little fat guy, handed him a Spirit World Cloth, indicating that Jinghe should wipe his nose.

"No thanks", Jinghe said without turning around.

Use a Spirit World Cloth to wipe my nose?

Hmph!

Gengue, if you want a new one, just say so. No need to trick me!

Gengue pouted.

Why can't our Old Jing be as easy to deceive as other trainers' Pokémon?

Jinghe looked at Nine-Tails, petting its head, and smiled.

"Almost there. I think we have a good chance of passing the 'Champion's Path.' What do you think?"

"Growl."

Nine-Tails showed some hesitation.

Another year would be safer, but now there's still some risk.

Let's push a bit harder while we have a few more days!

"Here it comes!"

Jinghe perked up, feeling the force through the fishing rod.

"This time, it can't be a Magikarp. It's mine."

A fat, golden Magikarp arced through the air in the sunset.

Jinghe: "."

One benefit of Alola's infrequent information flow is that even after his shocking feat of "defeating Groudon",

When he returned to school, Dr. Kukui and Principal Oak still acted as if nothing had happened.

It was only after Mao, Kaki, and Shu Lian quietly informed Dr. Kukui that he showed a look of surprise.

But it didn't last long.

Because Jinghe went to the "Bear Forest" right away.

The next day,

They set out again for Aether Paradise, an artificial island in Alola, to complete the final home visit.

Mao, Kaki, and Shu Lian, along with the chubby Mamane, curious about Aether Paradise and eager to see if Teacher Jinghe would do something big again, joined the trip.

Considering the number of children, and it being Jinghe's first time, Dr. Kukui's girlfriend, Dr. Burnet, accompanied them.

Meanwhile,

Aether Paradise, upon receiving the news, prepared for their arrival and sent a helicopter to pick them up!

In terms of wealth and power, they could almost match the Da Wu family.

On the plane,

Jinghe gently stroked Nine-Tails' fur.

"Did you absorb the aura of Akarawa Island?"

"Growl~"

Nine-Tails nodded slightly.

With the help of the island's aura, the Fairy Tablet, and the clash with Groudon, Nine-Tails' strength, without the Fairy Tablet, had reached the level of a typical champion's ace Pokémon.

It was just one step away from becoming a legend.

And Gengue,

After the clash with Groudon, the purple-skinned little fat guy suddenly told Jinghe that it was sleepy.

Gengue, the energetic and active one, saying it was sleepy?

Now, it was curled up in Jinghe's shadow, fast asleep.

"Maybe Groudon gave it too much 'experience,'" Jinghe joked to himself.

But he had a strong feeling.

Perhaps

When Gengue wakes up, it will give him a big surprise.

It might even break through to the "legendary" level under normal circumstances.

Then, the "Champion's Path" would be a sure thing.

After all, the "Champion's Path" is like a competition where Pokémon can carry only one item and have only one way to enhance their strength. Clearly, stacking more buffs on Gengue wouldn't work.

Otherwise, even Ghost might call in a Spiritomb for a "ghost-horse combo"!

And if you add Mega Evolution, Z-Moves, and the like...

The scene would be too beautiful to imagine.

"Maybe I'll prepare a new 'Spirit World Cloth' as a gift", Jinghe thought.

To give Ghost a little surprise.

"Teacher Jinghe, we're almost there", Dr. Burnet said.

As a special consultant for the "UB Countermeasures Division" and a senior advisor to the Aether Foundation, Dr. Burnet was familiar with the place.

From a distance,

They could see the artificial island floating above the sea.

Unlike the natural landscapes of the four Alola islands, Aether Paradise was filled with modern and technological elements.

A large skyscraper stood at the center of Aether Paradise.

The front was the core structure of the Aether Foundation, while the smaller villa behind it was the residence of Lusamine and Lillie's family.

Even compared to the Da Wu family, it was no less impressive.

The helicopter soon landed on the helipad at Aether Paradise.

As soon as they disembarked,

A luxury car was waiting for them on the helipad.

"Teacher Jinghe!"

Lillie, with her golden ponytail, ran down excitedly to greet Jinghe and the other students.

The driver was Lillie's family butler, James, who was responsible for the daily lives of Lillie and her brother.

A well-dressed man in his fifties.

It was said that this seemingly ordinary butler was also a skilled Pokémon trainer.

"Lillie!"

Mao and the others hurried over, curious about Aether Paradise, their first visit.

"Teacher Jinghe, Dr. Burnet, and Miss Lillie's classmates", James said politely, "Chairwoman Lusamine is waiting for you."

They got into the luxury car.

Listening to the chatter of the children, Jinghe, leaning against the window, frowned slightly.

"What's wrong, Teacher Jinghe?"

Noticing his expression, Dr. Burnet asked softly.

Jinghe snapped out of it and smiled, shaking his head lightly.

He rubbed a tuft of pink fur in his hand, watching the scenery flash by outside the window.

"I don't know why, but I feel... a bit familiar."

"Familiar?" Dr. Burnet was puzzled, "Have you been here before, Teacher Jinghe?"

Jinghe could only say,

"Maybe... it's just a feeling."

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end