Chapter 38: Returning to Kanto
Ji Xian watched his Floatzel get defeated, while Staryu calmly controlled its Bubble Beam to descend into the water.
At this moment, this fist-sized Pokémon seemed exceptionally small, but no one could deny the power contained within its body.
Ji Xian pondered for a moment, then threw out a Poké Ball from his hand.
The next Small Elves was Gyarados!
Gyarados's dragon-shaped body appeared exceptionally robust in the pool, and with its Intimidate Ability, as soon as it emerged, Staryu's expression became somewhat uneasy, as if even its will to battle was slightly shaken.
“Intimidate Ability, Level 53 Gyarados…” Chen Xi looked at the Gyarados’s data in front of him.
It must be said that this Gyarados had already learned its skills quite thoroughly, and in terms of level, it had already entered Gyarados's mature stage, making it a relatively standard Elite Class Small Elves.
To determine if a Small Elves has matured, there are generally two common standards. As long as one condition is met, it is considered a mature Small Elves.
One common standard is Level 59, which is the limit for Elite Class Small Elves.
The other standard is to see if the Small Elves has learned all of its own growth skills.
As long as either of these standards is met, it can basically be judged that the Small Elves has matured.
Small Elves that reach this level have essentially reached their normal limit.
Therefore, an Elite Trainer is almost the limit for a civilian Trainer, because the path ahead cannot be taken without money or resources!
Even if a Small Elves successfully becomes an Elite Class Small Elves and further acquires resources, it is best to select elites from the descendants of these Small Elves for training.
This is because, without sufficient resources to invest in treating hidden injuries, these Small Elves have basically exhausted their potential by the time they reach the Elite Class, and years of battles have left their bodies riddled with weaknesses.
At this point, trying to push them to Master Class with a large amount of resources might lead to them being unable to absorb the benefits, causing their bodies to collapse instead.
“Staryu versus Gyarados… I’m really looking forward to it!”
Chen Xi had no intention of switching Small Elves. He was the first to order Staryu,
“Confuse Ray!”
In an instant, the gem on Staryu’s chest began to emit a dazzling and eerie light.
Ji Xian laughed, “That move again!
Your Staryu is indeed well-trained, but since I summoned Gyarados, I don't want to get entangled with Staryu any longer!
Close your eyes, use Twister!”
Gyarados closed its eyes, no longer looking at the dazzling light.
Its mouth and entire body rose, and an astonishing Twister began to swirl around Gyarados.
This Twister swept in all directions, and everything in the pool was its target.
“Oh no, oh no! This Gyarados is too cunning!” Ci Lang couldn't help but worry about Chen Xi as he watched the scene unfold.
However, Chen Xi showed little panic. Instead, he whispered, “AOE?”
It must be said that Ji Xian, as a Gym Trainer, was absolutely competent.
After using his Floatzel to test Staryu's level, he decisively used the mature Gyarados for a level suppression, roughly solving the problem of various lights by closing its eyes, and adding a clearing AOE to deal with the now smaller and harder-to-target Staryu.
The entire plan was perfectly sound.
At this moment, the Twister caused the pool water to flow in reverse, and Staryu found it increasingly difficult to move in this aquatic environment.
“Staryu, use Cosmic Power to Protect yourself!” Chen Xi calmly commanded.
Upon hearing the command, Staryu was seen with a Light Screen barrier appearing around it, supporting its defense.
Neither the raging Twister nor the stirred-up waves could penetrate this Cosmic Power.
For a moment, although Staryu was still struggling in the wind and waves, it could at least hold on.
After all, Staryu's body had shrunk, and the defensive effect provided by Cosmic Power was enhanced because the covered area became smaller.
Therefore, the intensity of the Cosmic Power around Staryu actually increased.
Of course, the only problem with this was that while it could withstand the onslaught of the Twister and waves,
Because its body had shrunk, its grip was further weakened, and Staryu could only drift with the Twister.
After being swept into this Twister, Staryu naturally headed towards Gyarados's mouth!
“Although Cosmic Power has strengthened its defense, it is undeniable that this Staryu is getting closer and closer to Gyarados…”
Ji Xian watched as Staryu did not use Bubble Beam, planning to escape using the flying move from earlier.
It also didn't use Protect to camouflage itself, but instead allowed the Twister to wash over it, which made Ji Xian somewhat hesitant.
Ji Xian clenched his fist and thought, “Forget it… No matter what you're planning, I don't care anymore.
Because at the end of this Twister is Gyarados's gaping maw!
Although the accuracy of attacking a shrunken Starmie might decrease, there's no way Gyarados will miss when attacking a target that it’s controlling to deliver itself!”
“Gyarados, use Crunch!”
Gyarados heard Ji Xian's command and opened its gaping maw.
The Twister in its mouth became even more violent, and Staryu, having used Cosmic Power, plunged headfirst into Gyarados's mouth, with no way to avoid it!
In reality, Chen Xi did not want Staryu to dodge, or rather, this was what Chen Xi wanted to see.
Chen Xi could naturally tell that this Gyarados wanted to bite Staryu to death in one go.
And now, the tactical system Staryu had mastered, apart from a combat system primarily focused on light illusions and secondarily on bubbles, had no other tactical systems at all.
When the opponent closed their eyes to ignore Confuse Ray and used Twister for a clearing attack, Chen Xi understood that Ji Xian had figured out Staryu's strategy, so Staryu would definitely be at a disadvantage if it continued to fight.
So Chen Xi used this disadvantage to find an opportunity for a trade with the opponent.
Anyway, Staryu had already won against one, so one for one was not a loss, and one for two was a huge profit.
As Gyarados tried to critically wound Staryu with a single Crunch, Staryu also waited for the proximity to Gyarados!
At this instant, both Chen Xi and Ji Xian were waiting for Staryu to enter Gyarados's attack range!
“Now!” “Now!”
The two almost simultaneously perceived the optimal attack distance!
“Crunch!” “Thunderbolt!”
Chen Xi and Ji Xian both issued commands to their respective Small Elves.
Staryu's body erupted with astonishing high-voltage electricity, while Gyarados bit down without the slightest hesitation!
In an instant, the Twister ceased, and the water that had been swept into the sky splashed down, as if it were raining lightly.
But both Chen Xi and Ji Xian watched the confrontation with concern, waiting for the results.
Because Ji Xian hadn't expected Chen Xi's Staryu to have mastered Thunderbolt.
At least, it wasn't apparent at all during its battle with Floatzel just now.
If Staryu had used this move earlier, a single Thunderbolt would have been enough to severely injure Floatzel, and there would have been no need for two Psychic attacks.
And Chen Xi, knowing that the Marsh Gym was a Water-type Gym, had temporarily diverted the Thunderbolt, originally collected for Nidoran♂, to Staryu.
Staryu, besides being unable to Master Flamethrower, could Master both Psybeam and Thunderbolt.
In the Great Marsh, Chen Xi had allowed his Staryu to Master the corresponding skills to deal with the Water-type Pokémon of the Gym.
In this exchange, Thunderbolt against Gyarados's Crunch, was somewhat of an advantage for him!
Finally, the electric light ended, and Gyarados's entire body collapsed, falling heavily onto the water surface, its eyes showing large circles, having lost its combat ability.
Although Staryu was also in considerable pain from the Crunch, it managed to endure thanks to its Cosmic Power-enhanced defense. However, even when Staryu stood up at this point, it was still swaying unsteadily.
“Use Recover!” Chen Xi decisively commanded at this moment.
Recovery moves are best used sparingly during battle, as they can easily be interrupted by the opponent's attacks.
So, a trick for using recovery moves is to use them when the opponent's Small Elves loses its combat ability and needs to be swapped out.
At this time, quickly seize the opportunity to Recover, racing against time to restore the Small Elves's condition.
At this point, Ji Xian couldn't possibly just watch Staryu fully Recover its condition, otherwise all of Gyarados's efforts would have been in vain.
So at this point, Ji Xian recalled the Gyarados that had lost its combat ability and immediately summoned his next somewhat dull-looking, chubby Small Elves, the Level 58 Quagsire.
It must be said that Ji Xian was afraid of choosing other Small Elves, as he would be at a great disadvantage facing Starmie, which had unpredictable tactics and also a Thunderbolt. So, he summoned this high-level Quagsire, which was immune to Electric-type attacks.
Then, Chen Xi expressionlessly recalled Staryu and summoned his Floette.
He used his Level 69 Floette's Petal Dance and Energy Ball to completely overwhelm the Level 58 Quagsire in a crushing match from start to finish.
By the time Chen Xi calmly took the Marsh Badge from Ji Xian's hand, Ci Lang had gained a profound understanding of his friend's integrity.
Originally, Ci Lang thought the final match would be a spectacular dragon-tiger struggle, but Chen Xi used facts to tell Ci Lang that he was simply overthinking it.
Walking out of the Gym, the two were originally heading towards the Gym, but Ci Lang stopped. Chen Xi was slightly startled, also stopped, and looked at Ci Lang, asking, “Is something wrong?”
Ci Lang turned around, looked at Chen Xi, and said, “I received a notice from home, telling me to return as soon as possible. I'm going back to Kanto.”
“I see…” Chen Xi heard Ci Lang's words, nodded, and said, “Are you leaving today?”
“Not really, I'll set off tomorrow!” Ci Lang smiled sheepishly when he heard Chen Xi's words.
“In that case, let’s go have a good meal, consider it a farewell for you!” Chen Xi said.
“Uh…” Ci Lang was slightly stunned by Chen Xi's words, not knowing what separation had to do with eating.
But it must be said that with Chen Xi's words, the atmosphere of parting was diluted quite a bit.
The two also tacitly said nothing more. The next day, Ci Lang left in his family's private car.
Chen Xi sighed slightly at Ci Lang's departure.
Because these days with Ci Lang had been quite good.
After all, Ci Lang was humble and generally very willing to take care of the Small Elves. During the days they hunted in the Great Marsh together, Chen Xi had received more or less care from Ci Lang.
However, obedient children raised in families like his would always follow their family's orders and be good children.
And he himself might contribute to the family, but expecting him to be the family's obedient child was probably impossible.
When Ci Lang returned to his family's villa by private car, having traveled over mountains and rivers, his parents were waiting for him.
“Father, Mother, after returning to Kanto, I hope I can go to the Mutō-ryū Gym to study!” Ci Lang said directly as soon as he saw his parents.
“A Fighting-type Gym, you say… But that’s not a skill a gentleman should learn!” Father Lang said with a hint of surprise.
“My dear, if Ci Lang wants to learn, let him learn, what does it matter!” Mother Lang said to Father Lang with a touch of indulgence, “At least going to a Fighting-type Gym to study is more gentlemanly than collecting bottle caps, isn’t it!”
“Alright.” Father Lang then turned to Ci Lang and said, “Then we’ll hire another professional teacher.
However, after returning to Kanto, the other twenty-three essential courses a gentleman should Master cannot be neglected.
If any of the other courses do not reach an excellent grade, then the time for the Fighting-type Gym will be taken up by other courses!”
“Understood, Father!” Ci Lang heard Father Lang's words and happily agreed at once.
“Alright, hurry back and pack your things!” Father Lang said, “We are leaving Sinnoh and returning to Kanto!”
“Understood, Father, I'll go back and pack immediately!” Ci Lang replied very happily.
“My dear, if Ci Lang wants to learn, just let him learn. It's not often that he makes a request to us!” Mother Lang spoke only after watching Ci Lang's retreating figure disappear into the villa.
Father Lang smiled slightly and said, “Ci Lang is used to being submissive, I didn't expect him to make such a request upon his return this time.
It seems this trip must have been very exciting.
It's good that he has things he wants to do, but I hope he understands that to do anything, a price must be paid.
And don't you hope Ci Lang is a gentleman too!”
Mother Lang smiled, “My dear, actually, you're also very willing to see Ci Lang have his own opinions, aren't you.
The twenty-three lessons are indeed very tedious, but if he can complete them all and become a qualified gentleman,
Then the remaining time will be his own to command, won't it!”
Father Lang smiled and said, “It’s always good to Master an extra skill.”