Chapter 20: Kanaz City, Rock Dojo!
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Kanaz City, a major city in the western part of the Fāngyuán Alliance, is home to the headquarters of Devon Corporation—the company owned by the former Fāngyuán region champion, Professor Oak’s father. Within Kanaz City lies the second gym that Zhang Feng is set to challenge—the Kanaz Gym.
The gym leader, Azalea, is a young girl and also an outstanding instructor at the Kanaz City Pokémon Trainer School. Azalea specializes in Rock-type Pokémon, making the Kanaz Gym a Rock-type gym. Zhang Feng currently has three Pokémon: Forest Lizard, Pidgey, and Milotic. Both Forest Lizard and Milotic hold type advantages, so there is no real need to deploy his powerful Rayquaza for this three-on-three gym battle. After all, it would be a waste to use Rayquaza against every opponent.
Upon arriving at the Pokémon Center, Zhang Feng entrusted his three Pokémon to Nurse Joy for healing. Nurse Joy then remarked, “So you’re the Zhang Feng that Nurse Joy in Orange Town mentioned! That Feebas has already evolved into Milotic—impressive!” Hearing this praise, Zhang Feng initially thought the Nurse Joy from Orange Town had come after him. Given his eyesight, he could hardly distinguish between the Nurse Joy of Orange Town and the one in Kanaz City, so in this regard, Brock had some skill.
After Nurse Joy fully restored his Pokémon, Zhang Feng took the Milotic Poké Ball and called the Nurse Joy in Orange Town. When the call connected and her figure appeared on the screen, Zhang Feng smiled and said, “Nurse Joy, I haven’t let you down. Feebas has evolved into Milotic. Would you like to say hello to her?”
Nurse Joy was overjoyed. “Really, Zhang Feng? In less than a week, you successfully evolved Feebas into Milotic?” Astonished by her disbelief, Zhang Feng opened the luxury ball, and out came Milotic, sleek and radiating an enchanting aura, standing gracefully at the Pokémon Center. Seeing the undeniable proof, Nurse Joy finally confirmed that Zhang Feng had indeed evolved her Feebas into Milotic.
“Ding-dong, Nurse Joy’s affection level increased to 80!” Zhang Feng was puzzled. “No, I wanted to raise Milotic’s intimacy, not Nurse Joy’s affection. What good is that?” It seemed this was the first person who had an affection level exceeding eighty toward him.
After some casual conversation with Nurse Joy, Zhang Feng ended the call, contacted Professor Oda for a brief moment, and then prepared to challenge the Kanaz Gym.
Compared to the Orange Gym, Kanaz Gym is truly the first major stop for rookie trainers. Azalea, at just sixteen years old, is talented but not as powerful as the Orange Gym leader, Whitney. Moreover, Rock-type gyms are generally countered by many other types, so they attract numerous challengers, and many trainers have earned the badge here.
When Zhang Feng was ready to start his challenge, gym staff ushered him to queue. After nearly an hour’s wait, it was finally his turn.
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Zhang Feng placed his Pokédex inside the Kanaz Gym’s battle room for scanning, and Azalea immediately learned about his current status. Zhang Feng was a rookie trainer with less than a month’s experience, already holding one gym badge from defeating Whitney at the Orange Gym. That part of the introduction was quite normal, but when Azalea saw that Zhang Feng possessed the Libra Badge from the Orange Gym, she exclaimed in surprise:
“New trainers these days are really something! Just debuted and already defeated Mr. Whitney. Looks like I’ll have to bring my best game for this match!”
When Zhang Feng took his place on the challenger’s stand, he smiled and said, “Gym Leader Azalea, bring it on!”
With the gym battle underway, the referee stepped forward and announced, “This is a gym battle between challenger Zhang Feng and Kanaz Gym Leader Azalea. Each participant may use two Pokémon. Only the challenger may switch Pokémon. The battle ends when either side’s two Pokémon have been knocked out. Let the battle begin!”
As the referee finished, Azalea released her first Pokémon.
Pokémon: Gigalith
Level: 28
Ability: Sturdy
Type: Ground/Rock
Potential: Blue
Bond Evolution: Not unlocked
Mega Evolution: Not unlocked
Moves: Earthquake, Rollout, Rock Slide, Stealth Rock, Heavy Slam, Rock Polish, Harden...
Seeing that Azalea sent out Gigalith, the evolved form of Geodude rather than the basic Geodude, Zhang Feng was not surprised. Gym leaders are naturally strong trainers to hold such positions. Though only sixteen, Azalea had the prowess of an elite-level trainer.
Moreover, to cultivate trainers for the Pokémon League, gym leaders tend to match their Pokémon’s strength to that of challengers. Some gym leaders also set high standards for challengers. For example, Whitney’s first two Pokémon adjust their levels according to the challenger’s strength, but her ace, Miltank, is always at least level 30.
Those who hold the Libra Badge must possess considerable strength. Without Rayquaza, Zhang Feng would never have taken the Orange Gym, nor defeated Whitney’s ace Miltank in one strike, which opened his path to challenging the Pokémon League champions.
Knowing Zhang Feng had defeated the Orange Gym, Azalea naturally sent out stronger Pokémon. “Gigalith, then it’s up to you. Forest Lizard!”
As the luxury ball emitted a red glow, Forest Lizard appeared on the battlefield.
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“A Grass-type Pokémon, a good choice. Gigalith, roll up after using Harden!” Azalea commanded.
Immediately, Gigalith hardened itself to boost its defense, then began rolling straight at Forest Lizard.
“Forest Lizard, interrupt its roll with Razor Leaf!” Zhang Feng ordered.
Razor Leaf’s damage increases with the opponent’s weight. Gigalith, being a Rock-type Pokémon, was exceptionally heavy, so when Forest Lizard’s Razor Leaf interrupted its roll, Gigalith was sent crashing violently into the surrounding rocky walls with a loud thud.
“Well done! That’s it. Use Leaf Blade!” Zhang Feng urged.
“Gigalith, dodge quickly!” Azalea called out, but Forest Lizard was too fast. A green flash streaked across the battlefield as two glowing green blades extended from Forest Lizard’s arms, slicing deeply into Gigalith.
The immense attack power, coupled with a quadruple type advantage, immediately rendered Gigalith unable to continue fighting, collapsing helplessly.
“Ding-dong, Forest Lizard defeated Gigalith, gaining 285 experience points and leveling up to 30!”
With the victory, Forest Lizard caught up to Milotic in level, entering the thirties.
“Gigalith is unable to battle. Forest Lizard wins. Gym Leader Azalea, please send out your next Pokémon!”
Surprised that her Gigalith fell so quickly, Azalea soon sent out her next Pokémon.
“Onix, it’s your turn!”
Pokémon: Onix
Level: 32
Ability: Sturdy
Type: Rock
Potential: Purple
Bond Evolution: Not unlocked
Mega Evolution: Not unlocked
Moves: Harden, Sleep Talk, Rock Slide, Power Gem, Rock Tomb, Discharge, Sandstorm...
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