Chapter 20: A Favor from the Poison-type Master
Lu Ye specifically checked the tournament schedule online. The group stage would last about 3 rounds, with the entire event running close to a month, just in time for his final exam week. He figured that if Gastly lost this round, he could simply focus on studying.
But he couldn't believe it. It was already the group stage, and Gastly actually won?!
This year's freshmen in the Battle Department must not be that great!
Since Gastly advanced, Lu Ye considered stepping in for the next round. For one, being present ensured Gastly wouldn't suffer serious injuries. And if the opponent turned out to be really strong, he could always surrender. Lu Ye wasn't too interested in the championship. His main goal was to keep Gastly from feeling any regret.
Since he planned to participate, Lu Ye decided to look into his opponent's strength. He called Tian Youwei, a keen competitor, and they agreed to meet at the Starbucks near campus.
On this scorching summer day, the streets were filled with vibrant young women and energetic wild Pokémon. Humans and Pokémon coexisted harmoniously. The life seen in Detective Pikachu's Ryme City was now real before him.
Look at those Poké Balls hanging from belts; they were so shiny!
"Welcome!"
A refreshing wave of cool air greeted them inside Starbucks.
"I'll have a medium latte."
"I'm sorry, sir. We have a large and extra-large."
"...I'll take the one in between."
As Tian Youwei walked in, he spotted Lu Ye with an exasperated look.
"Brother Lu! Gastly actually won that match!"
Lu Ye wore a pained expression. "Yeah, I know."
"That Vigoroth even placed in a county-level competition!"
"But against Gastly's Substitute, it was all for nothing!" Tian Youwei exclaimed.
"Amazing, Brother Lu! I didn't think you had such a trick up your sleeve!"
Lu Ye sipped his coffee quietly. He couldn't just say Gastly trained hard for one night—that would be too harsh!
Clearing his throat, Lu Ye asked about the tournament.
"You're planning to participate next round?" Tian Youwei's eyes widened.
Lu Ye nodded. "Let's aim for a decent result."
He was hoping to at least reach the top 16. That way, he could start his exam prep on time.
Tian Youwei rubbed his hands. "This is the first round of the group stage; 2 more wins, and you'll advance. If you get lucky and skip a round, you'll go straight to the top 16!"
"When's your next match?"
"I just lost this morning!" Tian Youwei retorted.
"Pfft."
"...What are you laughing at?"
"The coffee's too hot."
Lu Ye coughed. "Are there any strong competitors in the next round?"
"Yes." Tian Youwei nodded. "The top seed is Feng Shu from Zhejiang University's Battle Department, a freshman already on the university team! Then there's Lu You from Modu Jiaotong University; even the Electric-type Gym Leader praised his Magneton! And there's Shen Tingzhi from our own university, from a prominent Fairy-type family—a true goddess of the Pokémon Academy!"
"Wonderful!" Lu Ye clapped in admiration.
"Brother Lu." Tian Youwei looked at him, conflicted. "Why don't you seem even slightly worried about such strong opponents?"
"Am I?" Lu Ye turned his head. "Look, I'm trembling."
"You're clearly laughing!"
Lu Ye cleared his throat. Facing strong opponents would not only challenge Gastly but ensure no regrets, even in defeat. This way, he could focus on his studies and career. It was a win-win!
A family of Fairy-type Trainers? They sounded intimidating. Then there were "Gym Leader-approved Trainers" and "college team prodigies." With these elite opponents around, he couldn't possibly win, right? Even though Will-O-Wisp counters Magneton and Poison counters Fairy, the skill gap was clear. Losing to these elites would make perfect sense!
"Gastly." Lu Ye released Gastly from its Poké Ball.
"Gengaa?"
"Let's give it our all next round and make sure there are no regrets!"
"Gengaa~! (✪ω✪)"
In the Johto Region, Mt. Silver.
Thick white fog blanketed the mountains. Besides natural hot springs and rare plants, Mt. Silver was a training haven filled with powerful wild Pokémon.
Through the dense fog, a fearsome Charizard emerged. On Charizard's back was a black-haired young man in a red vest, his cap pulled low to reveal a resolute gaze. Landing near the lake atop Mt. Silver, Red patted Charizard. With a powerful flap, Charizard vanished into the dense mist.
"You called me here—what's up?"
A rustle in the leaves caught his attention. Suspended upside down from a branch was a middle-aged man in ninja attire, his face partially covered. "Your instincts are still sharp."
Red sighed. "Well, after being ambushed so many times on Mt. Silver…"
This man was none other than Koga, the Poison-type Elite Four of Johto! Koga leapt down and got straight to the point. "I need you to repay a favor."
Red raised an eyebrow. "You, owing a favor?"
Koga fell silent for a moment before speaking. "Recently, I made a new breakthrough in Poison techniques."
"What?"
"Look beneath you."
Red looked down and felt a shiver. Around his ankles were countless tiny Grimer, each radiating a faint green glow! These miniature Grimer, each only the size of an ant, had gathered into a toxic, sludgy mass. The area was covered with foul, sticky sludge—it was hard to say how many mini-Grimer were there!
"Venusaur."
Without a second's hesitation, Red released Venusaur and leapt onto its back. "Vine Whip!" With lightning speed, 2 vines shot out and wrapped around Koga's neck. From releasing the Poké Ball to restraining Koga took less than 3 seconds!
Koga raised his hands in surrender. "No harm intended. I just wanted to see if the Champion could counter this new tactic." Koga smirked. "It looks like it worked."
Red said coldly, "This is your so-called new tactic?"
"Yes." Koga nodded. "I think, with hundreds of Grimer lying in ambush, even the Elite Four would struggle to escape."
Red glanced at the retreating Grimer swarm, feeling uneasy.
"I got the idea from that Trainer, Lu Ye… that's his name, right?"
Koga murmured, "A full team using Minimize—it's downright dirty! Anyway, he inspired me."
"I know you know him; even my daughter watches his streams and says Red is one of his fans…" Koga rambled on. "She's all grown up but can't find a husband, just staying home all day. Sure, she's cute, strong-willed, and takes a load off my shoulders… But she can't stay home forever! A daughter's gotta get married someday!"
Koga got a bit emotional and wiped his eyes.
Red coughed awkwardly, signaling Koga to get back on track.
"In short…"
Koga cleared his throat. "I need a favor."
"That's an odd way to ask."
Koga took off his mask and laughed. "Or…how about I introduce you to my daughter?"
That was his real goal all along!
Red sighed. "What exactly do you want?"
"I know he recently captured a Gastly… and while it may sound boastful, this 'Toxic' technique represents my life's work."
Koga tossed a scroll to Red, which Venusaur caught skillfully with its vines.
"I'd like you to give it to him." Koga bowed deeply to Red. "Thank you so much!"