Chapter 26: A Duel with Daigo, the Return of Reshiram!
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Chapter Twenty-Six: A Match with Steven, and Rayquaza Reappears!
At that moment, after hearing Steven’s words, Zhang Feng could not help but feel somewhat bewildered.
Zhang Feng: “Wait, you want to battle me?”
Steven was none other than a Champion, hailed as the strongest Trainer in the Hoenn region. Later, he would even represent Hoenn in the Masters Eight tournament and rank third in the world!
And someone of that caliber wanted to battle a rookie Trainer who had only started his journey a month ago?
What kind of international joke was this?
It was true that Zhang Feng had Rayquaza as his trump card, but in a normal sparring match, wouldn’t sending out Rayquaza to bully someone be a little excessive?
Looking back, Zhang Feng felt that when he had battled Norman and sent out Rayquaza, the fact that Norman’s mentality had not completely collapsed was proof that he possessed the mindset of an absolute powerhouse!
After all, Norman had thought highly of Zhang Feng. He had even said that Zhang Feng could receive a Badge despite failing to defeat his Slaking, which amounted to acknowledging Zhang Feng’s strength.
Otherwise, if someone who had been a Gym Leader for decades—hailed as the strongest Gym Leader in the region, second only to the Elite Four—were instantly defeated by a rookie Trainer who had just begun his journey, and that rookie even had Rayquaza…
If Zhang Feng were Norman, there was no way he could have kept his composure!
Still, looking at it from another angle, battling a top-tier powerhouse might allow Zhang Feng to gain a better understanding of their strength. It could also inspire his Pokémon to develop a stronger desire to grow more powerful.
Among his Pokémon, Grovyle unquestionably possessed the heart of a powerhouse. His unwillingness to submit and his drive to become stronger were precisely what had made him look down on ordinary Trainers—until he met Zhang Feng.
Pidgeotto and Milotic had not been particularly fond of battling at first. However, Zhang Feng had protected Pidgeotto’s flock and rescued her when she was still a Pidgey.
As for Milotic, he had helped her fulfill her dream and evolve into the most beautiful Pokémon in existence. As a result, both Pokémon were deeply grateful to Zhang Feng and willing to fight with their lives for him.
Thus, they could be said to possess the beginnings of a powerhouse’s spirit.
Aron, on the other hand, had only recently been caught. There was no need to send him into a battle that he was certain to lose. He could simply watch from the sidelines.
Just as Zhang Feng was making his decision, the system once again issued a notification.
“Ding! The host is facing Steven’s challenge. The Divine Choice System has issued the following options:
“Option One: Accept Steven’s challenge and gain his favor. Do not send out Rayquaza, and receive Steven’s gift—a Pokémon Egg!
“Option Two: Refuse Steven’s challenge and receive nothing!
“Option Three: Accept Steven’s challenge and send out Rayquaza to defeat Steven. Gain Steven’s acknowledgment and receive his gift. The system will also award one Pokémon Egg!”
After seeing the system’s three options, Zhang Feng did not hesitate for even a moment. He directly chose Option Three!
“Ding! The host has chosen Option Three. One Pokémon Egg has been obtained and placed in the system space. It may now be viewed!”
After receiving the system’s reward, Zhang Feng did not immediately inspect the Pokémon Egg. Instead, he looked at Steven.
“Then… shall we have a battle?”
Hearing this, Steven smiled.
“Don’t be so nervous. It’s only a sparring match. I’ll send out my Pokémon first. As long as you can defeat one of my Pokémon and prove that you’re an excellent Trainer, I can give you a gift.”
It was a gift from a Champion. Although Zhang Feng had no idea what it might be, he could not help but feel a little expectant.
Very well, then. Let them battle!
The next moment, Steven took out a Luxury Ball. A silver-white Shiny Metagross appeared before Zhang Feng.
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“Damn, he sends out his strongest ace right from the start, and he calls this a spar?”
Seeing that Steven had abandoned even the slightest pretense of restraint, Zhang Feng cursed inwardly. He immediately decided not to hold back either. Once he sent out Rayquaza later, he would teach this bastard Steven a lesson and show him not to toy with rookie Trainers whenever he pleased!
Who would have thought that the former Champion of Hoenn would have such a malicious sense of humor?
Zhang Feng wondered what kind of expression Steven would wear when he saw Rayquaza.
Pokémon: Metagross (Shiny)
Level: 85
Ability: Clear Body
Type: Steel/Psychic
Potential: Red
Bond Evolution: Unlockable
Mega Evolution: Unlockable
Moves: Hammer Arm, Confusion, Bullet Punch, Explosion, Flash Cannon, Psychic, Meteor Mash…
Without a doubt, this Metagross was the most terrifying and powerful opponent Zhang Feng had encountered since beginning his journey.
A Pokémon with Red potential—potential enough to contend with an ordinary Legendary Pokémon—possessed by a Shiny pseudo-legendary did not seem all that unreasonable, did it?
Feeling the terrifying aura radiating from Metagross, Grovyle and Aron, standing beside Zhang Feng, immediately became as vigilant as if they were facing a formidable enemy.
“Grovyle, you’ll go first. Experience the gap between you and a top-tier powerhouse.”
Upon receiving Zhang Feng’s command, Grovyle immediately stepped forward.
Metagross’s aura was indeed terrifying, but Grovyle endured Rayquaza’s draconic pressure every day inside the system space. Naturally, he would not be frightened by a mere Metagross.
Seeing that Zhang Feng’s Grovyle had actually ignored Metagross’s aura, Steven could not help but marvel.
“A rookie Trainer who doesn’t feel afraid when facing my Metagross? This Grovyle certainly has courage. You’ve raised him very well, Xiaofeng!”
“Thank you for the compliment, Mr. Steven!”
With that, the two Trainers simultaneously issued commands to their Pokémon.
“Metagross, use Iron Defense!”
“Grovyle, combine Quick Attack with Leaf Blade and aim for Metagross’s head!”
As Zhang Feng’s combined attack was unleashed, Grovyle instantly transformed into a streak of green light. Blades of energy extended from both his arms, striking Metagross directly in the head!
Seeing that Metagross neither dodged nor evaded, and had instead used Iron Defense, Zhang Feng could not help but feel that Steven was deliberately looking for amusement.
When Grovyle’s attack landed, however, Metagross did not even flinch. Instead, a dazzling metallic sheen appeared across its body, as though it were silently declaring: You can’t even break through my defenses!
“Not bad power, but it’s useless against my Metagross.”
As Steven’s voice fell, Metagross’s eyes suddenly turned blue. In the next instant, a surge of psychic power instantly immobilized Grovyle.
A moment later, Grovyle realized that he could not move at all. He could only watch helplessly as he was hurled through the air and slammed heavily into the mine.
With that single attack, Grovyle was defeated!
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Although Zhang Feng had anticipated this outcome, he still felt unwilling to accept it.
These people who were stronger than him now had merely set out on their journeys many years earlier. Give him a little more time, and he would certainly teach them all a lesson!
After taking a deep breath and exhaling the stale air in his chest, Zhang Feng recalled Grovyle.
“Next, Milotic. It’s your turn!”
As Zhang Feng spoke, a flash of light burst from the Luxury Ball. A Milotic with a long, slender body as white as jade appeared before Steven and Metagross.
“Milotic? I never expected you to have a Pokémon like that as well. What a surprise, Xiaofeng!”
“Milotic, use Rain Dance. Once Aqua Ring is active, unleash Hydro Pump with all your strength!”
Since this was only a sparring match, Steven clearly wanted to see the strength of Zhang Feng’s Pokémon. Therefore, he had not fought seriously at the beginning.
That gave Zhang Feng sufficient time to bring Milotic’s condition to its peak before launching an attack.
Of course, Steven’s challenge was not necessarily driven solely by malicious amusement.
Perhaps he had simply been inspired by the sight of a rare talent. Having finally encountered an excellent Trainer with great potential, he wanted to use this battle to assess Zhang Feng’s strength and help him become even stronger.
As soon as Milotic received Zhang Feng’s command, she immediately used Rain Dance.
When rain began to fall across the entire mine, many Pokémon found the conditions unpleasant and hurriedly left the area.
Immediately afterward, Milotic activated Aqua Ring. Ring after ring of water bubbles appeared around her body, forming a circle that continuously restored her stamina.
Only then did Milotic gather all her strength and fire Hydro Pump.
Unfortunately, the usually unstoppable Hydro Pump was blocked by Metagross once again.
In the next instant, empowered by Psychic, the water blast was sent back toward Milotic, striking her head-on and completely defeating her.
Seeing that he had lost another Pokémon, Zhang Feng recalled Milotic and sent out Pidgeotto as well.
The result was the same. How could Pidgeotto possibly stand a chance against a Shiny Metagross at Champion level?
After three consecutive defeats, Zhang Feng still showed no sign of losing his will to fight. Even Steven, standing as his opponent, was moved by the sight.
“This fellow’s willpower is truly astonishing. His potential is excellent as well. It seems that little one can be entrusted to him.”
After muttering to himself, Steven assumed that Zhang Feng would send out Aron next. Unexpectedly, Zhang Feng took out a Master Ball instead.
Suddenly, Steven felt a vague sense of foreboding.
The moment Zhang Feng violently hurled the Master Ball, a divine dragon appeared before them. Rayquaza’s roar echoed through the heavens, shaking the entire mine.
When Steven clearly saw the Pokémon Zhang Feng had sent out, he was instantly dumbfounded.
Steven: “You’ve got to be kidding me…”
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