Chapter 128 Only through hardship can one grow.
Reprimanded by Aya, Axing wore a wronged expression.
Young, naive, and eager to become stronger
, Axing never considered such matters. Little did she know that her actions were impacting the development of Fuchsia City.
"I'm sorry, Auntie, I just didn't want Dad to waste his time on those weak trainers. You know, Dad often gets a headache dealing with novice trainers," Axing said.
"But you can't always be so reckless. You're grown up now; you can't be like before. Otherwise, how will you inherit the Fuchsia Gym and become its leader? Your assessment is coming soon," Aya said.
Actually, Aya was exaggerating. Many trainers didn't come to Fuchsia to travel and challenge the Fuchsia Gym because Aju was too strong.
Even if Aju held back, could his strength be compared to that of an ordinary Gym Leader?
After all, most trainers are only of average skill. Going up against someone with Elite Four-level experience like Kikyo is practically suicide.
To put it bluntly, Kikyo is playing favorites, just like in the original series where she held back Ash. Otherwise, how could Ash have gotten the pink badge for the Fuchsia Gym?
When I was a kid watching the anime, I thought Ash, while relying on luck, at least earned the gym badge through some real skill. Later, I gradually realized how absurd it all seemed.
"I understand, Aunt Aya," A-Xing sighed deeply.
Then she turned to Xia Mu and Sonia, apologizing, "I'm so sorry, I was reckless just now. I shouldn't have attacked you directly."
"It's alright, we weren't hurt," Sonia said first, clearly not wanting to stoop to the level of children.
Xia Mu glanced at Sonia, then at A-Xing: "So, can you take me to see your father, Gym Leader A-Ju?"
He didn't beat around the bush or press the issue further; there was no need to get too entangled with her, or it would become troublesome.
A-Xing and Aya clearly hadn't expected Xia Mu to be so direct, and Aya clearly sensed A-Xing's emotional change.
As the child's aunt, after so many years together, how could she not know A-Xing's personality?
"Actually, if you want to get the Pink Badge, defeating A-Xing is the same. When the Gym Leader isn't around, she faces the challengers; she will be the future Red Gym Leader." It seemed that Aya was reminding Xia Mu for A-Xing's sake.
Hearing this, Xia Mu was slightly taken aback.
So Aya wanted him to have a Pokémon battle with A-Xing.
She was using him as a testing ground.
"Although I'm not the Fuchsia Gym Leader yet, if you can defeat me, I can give you the Pink Badge." With Aya's help, Axing put her hands on her hips and resumed her previous arrogant posture.
"But my purpose in coming to Fuchsia Gym isn't just to get the Pink Badge; my main purpose is to battle Gym Leader Akai, after all, he's the future Poison-type Elite Four member," Xia Mu said.
As soon as he finished speaking, Sonia, who was next to Xia Mu, reached out and tugged at Xia Mu's hand.
Obviously, these words were too direct and too hurtful.
Aya was shocked to hear this. For
Xia Mu to say such things, his strength must be considerable, and he must be very knowledgeable about many things.
Currently, besides Sonia and A-Xing, not many people know that A-Ju is about to be promoted.
Unless it's someone within the League, or…
Before Aya could speak, A-Xing's eyes sharpened after hearing Xia Mu's words: "The more you say that, the more I want to know how strong you are? Don't be so weak that you can't even defeat me, yet you dare challenge my father."
Her words were clearly somewhat overly emotional.
Xia Mu realized that if he didn't defeat this little girl, he probably wouldn't be able to fight A-Ju.
"Alright, then defeat this future Crimson Dojo Master first, and then fight your father." Xia Mu didn't back down because of Sonia's reminder; instead, he became even more aggressive.
When dealing with this kind of girl, if you go along with her rhythm, you'll be completely controlled by her.
So either be even more aggressive, or simply ignore her existence.
…
After confirming the fight, Xia Mu and A-Xing distanced themselves, with Aya acting as the referee.
Before the battle began, Xia Mu heard Mewtwo's voice and then scanned it with his Aura.
As he expected, Aju was indeed hiding in the shadows.
He knew Xia Mu was there to challenge him, but he didn't try to smooth things over, choosing instead to have his daughter battle Xia Mu first.
As a father, Xia Mu could guess that Aju wanted to use the challenger to hone his daughter's skills. After all,
after becoming an Elite Four member, he would be away from the Fuchsia Gym for a long time, and before leaving, he certainly hoped his daughter could mature and stand on her own.
[Since you've been secretly watching, I'll teach your daughter a lesson. Don't blame me for being ruthless.] A slight smile appeared on Xia Mu's lips, and his eyes changed.
"The battle format is three to three. If one side's entire team is unable to battle, they lose..." With Aya's explanation, the battle officially began.
"Go, Ariados!" The Poké Ball flew from A-Xing's hand.
With a flash of white light, a gigantic Ariados appeared on the battlefield.
[Ariados]
[LV: 35]
[Gender: Female]
[Type: Bug, Poison]
[Nature: Jolly]
[Ability: Insomnia (Because it doesn't sleep, it won't fall asleep.)]
[Moves: Swords Dance, Poison Sting, Drain, String Shot, Focus Energy, Bug Bite, Deadly Sting, Entangling Strike, Scary Face, Nightshade, Shadow Sneak, Scratch, Sucker Punch, Agility, Pin Missile...]
[Friendship: 10]
[Mood: Neutral (Another battle.)]
...
A level 35 Ariados's strength is only average, but it does match the strength of a Gym Leader.
However, judging from the list of moves this Ariados has learned, its potential is quite good.
With a scrutinizing gaze and a hint of playful mockery, Ah Xing's expression grew even colder.
"Come on, send out your Pokémon."
"Okay." Xia Mu nodded slightly, casually taking a Great Ball from his waist.
"Go, Charizard!" With a command, the Great Ball exploded in the air, and Charizard emerged from it, before returning to Xia Mu's hand.
Using Charizard to battle A-Xing's Ariados felt like Xia Mu was bullying her.
Charizard was initially excited, expecting to face a powerful opponent, only to find it was a young girl with barely grown fur, and a relatively weak bug.
'Roar!'
With a roar, Charizard unleashed its power.
Annoying.
But there was nothing it could do; Xia Mu had sent it out to battle, so it had to obey.
Sensing the power emanating from Charizard, Aya was slightly shocked, and A-Ju, hiding in the shadows, was also stunned, not expecting this seemingly ordinary person to possess such a powerful Charizard.
[Ah Xing has really bitten off more than she can chew this time. It seems like she's doomed to lose this battle.] Aya thought to herself.
Ah Xing's expression was grave. She hadn't expected Xia Mu to send out such a powerful Charizard right from the start.
Not only was there a level difference, but Ariados was also at a disadvantage in terms of attributes, completely countered by Charizard.
The atmosphere was extremely tense, and Xia Mu didn't care what Ah Xing was thinking.
In fact, Ariados was already intimidated and somewhat afraid to step forward.
The gap was too big; this was level 22!
"You were the one who proposed the battle, so you have to have the courage to face it and see if I really have the strength to challenge your father." After saying this, Xia Mu smiled and gave the command to Charizard: "Flamethrower!!!"
At the command, Charizard immediately raised its head and roared.
Then, a dense jet of flame swept out from its mouth, extremely hot and incredibly powerful.
Such a blow was terrifying for Ariados, who was only level 35.
In just one exchange, its psychological defenses crumbled, and it surrendered inwardly.
A-Xing hurriedly shouted, "Get out of the way, Ariados!"
But her command was futile; the Ariados, devoid of any will to resist, couldn't move.
The Flamethrower struck without hesitation, and Ariados let out a shrill scream, blasted away, its body burned, and rendered unable to fight.
Seeing this, A-Xing gasped. Aya, acting as referee, immediately declared the result: "Ariados is unable to fight; Charizard wins."
Instant kill!
Such a blow was too devastating for A-Xing.
Perhaps as a pampered young lady, A-Xing had never experienced the helplessness of being utterly defeated.
Now, Xia Mu had made her feel it.
The scene fell silent, deathly still.
Xia Mu remained silent, and Charizard showed no pride in its victory over Ariados; after all, Ariados's strength was only average.
"Xia Mu, aren't you being a bit too…" Sonia, standing beside Xia Mu, spoke tactfully.
But before she could finish, Xia Mu used his Aura to transmit a message.
He was telling her that A-Xing needed to experience this crushing defeat, otherwise her blind confidence and arrogance would ruin her.
Furthermore, Xia Mu also told her that A-Xing's father, A-Ju, was currently observing the situation from the shadows.
The implication was clear: he wanted to use him to show A-Xing how vast the world was.
…
"What? You're already afraid after just the first match? Is this where your confidence comes from?" After a long wait, Xia Mu finally spoke to A-Xing.
These words immediately ignited A-Xing's anger.
"Damn it! It's just that I beat Ariados! Stop being so self-important! The battle has only just begun!" A-Xing quickly threw out a Poké Ball to recall the powerless Ariados.
Immediately after, she took out another Poké Ball: "Go, Weezing!!"
With a flash of dazzling white light, Weezing appeared on the battlefield.
[Weezing]
[LV: 38]
[Gender: Female]
[Type: Poison]
[Nature: Bold]
[Ability: Levitate (Levitates from the ground, thus immune to Ground-type moves.)]
[Moves: Double Attack, Tackle, Smoke Screen, Misty Haze, Toxic Gas, Heat Wave, Clear Smoke, Pursuit, Sludge Belcher, Haze, Smash, Sludge Bomb, Toxic...]
[Friendship: 10]
[Emotion: Nervous (This Charizard... is so strong, Ariados was defeated in one hit.)]
...
Weezing is 3 levels higher than Ariados, but unfortunately, it still hasn't broken through to level 40.
Level 30 and level 40 are completely different levels.
This level of strength is considered the average strength level of Gym Leaders in the Kanto region.
Sabrina's strength is already incredibly high; if there weren't rising stars to support her gym, she could have gone even further.
Therefore, a veteran gym leader like Aju, once she reaches a certain level of strength, will have a chance to be promoted to Elite Four if her gym has a successor.
"Come back, Charizard." After recalling the still somewhat dissatisfied Charizard into its Ultra Ball, Xia Mu took out Gardevoir's Ultra Ball.
Although not as strong as Charizard, Gardevoir's level had reached 53 in the past two days.
The level difference alone still completely overwhelmed Weezing, and Psychic-type Poison-type Pokémon are absolutely effective against Poison-type Pokémon.
"What is this Pokémon?" Seeing a Pokémon they had never seen before, A-Xing and A-Ya were both shocked.
They clearly hadn't traveled to other regions, so they didn't know about Gardevoir from the Hoenn region. Just
as Xia Mu was about to explain, the figure hidden in the shadows finally emerged.
As he came out, he said, "This is just a Pokémon from the Hoenn region, called Gardevoir, a very rare Psychic-type Pokémon."
Aju had finally couldn't stand it anymore, and his appearance at this moment was most appropriate.
If Xia Mu had only sent Pokémon from the Kanto and Johto regions, he would have let his daughter finish the three-on-three battle.
But now that Pokémon from other regions had appeared, he roughly knew how strong Xia Mu was.
Undoubtedly, this was Gardevoir's strength, no less than the Charizard from before.
Not to mention his daughter, even he himself couldn't underestimate it.
"Father."
"Brother."
Axing and Aya both shrank back.
Looking at his daughter and sister, Aju didn't say anything, only casually saying, "Let's stop the battle, Axing. After this competition, I believe you'll mature a lot. Only through hardship can one grow."
After saying this, his gaze focused on Xia Mu and Sonia.
"I'm very sorry, my daughter acted on her own initiative, please forgive her." Xia Mu had enough power, so A-Ju wasn't as cold and serious as she appeared in the original story.
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(End of this chapter)