Chapter Sixty-Eight: Another Duel with Xiaoyao

Zhao Fang hurried back to Kanaz City. The snow accumulation in Kanaz City wasn’t very deep; the roads had been cleared, though the greenbelts on either side still bore untouched snow. He noticed some trainers letting their Pokémon out to play in the snow. Fire-type Pokémon, however, didn’t seem fond of such wintry weather. Shivering, they spat out small flames to warm themselves.

Wasting no time, Zhao Fang carried his fossil straight to the Devon Corporation. Fortunately, even though it was already nine at night, there were still quite a few employees working. Zhao Fang was able to make his way smoothly to the same laboratory as before.

“Excuse me, I’m here to revive—” Zhao Fang knocked and entered, only to see someone inside.

“May?” He stared in surprise at the girl before him. When had she arrived? He hadn’t heard anything about it.

“My father sent me to check on his fossil research. Zhao Fang, you don’t need to be so nervous.” May’s tone sharpened slightly when she mentioned the research, making Zhao Fang a little embarrassed.

Previously, Zhao Fang had used Professor Birch’s name as a pretext to delay things, knowing that researchers would trust other researchers implicitly. But he hadn’t expected Professor Birch would actually send May herself.

“Um… Where’s the researcher?” Zhao Fang tried to change the topic.

“He just went out to get coffee. He said he’s waiting for someone to bring back the fossil from my father, and he wants to start research on the Aurorus fossil as soon as possible.” May clasped her hands behind her back and walked slowly toward Zhao Fang, fixing him with a steady gaze.

She stood so close that Zhao Fang could catch a faint, pleasant fragrance from her, causing him to blush and step back.

“Ahem… I had something to take care of earlier. By the way, I just ran into the legendary Three Legendary Birds.” Zhao Fang thought of something that would definitely pique May’s interest.

“Oh? Is that so? I thought you’d run into Groudon instead!” May gave him a look that said, “Go on, keep making things up—I’ll believe it when I lose.”

Before Zhao Fang could take out his Pokédex to prove that he really had seen them, he saw May grab a Poké Ball from her belt and point it at him.

“I heard from my dad that you’ve already earned the Stone Badge? Battle me!” May’s expression was serious, though Zhao Fang couldn’t help but laugh. Indeed, she was a true Pokémon trainer at heart.

“Are you sure you want to battle here?” Zhao Fang glanced around at the advanced research equipment scattered throughout the room; it wouldn’t do to damage any of it.

“Of course not! Let’s go outside.” May grinned, returning her Poké Ball to her belt and pulling a playful face.

Before Zhao Fang could say anything more, the researcher returned. Upon seeing Zhao Fang, he was so excited he spilled his coffee on the floor. Without a second thought, he rushed over and seized Zhao Fang’s hand, asking eagerly about the Aurorus fossil.

Zhao Fang calmly withdrew his hand and said they could begin the revival process. At once, the researcher’s drowsiness vanished, replaced by a surge of energy.

“Are you sure you’re all right? Shouldn’t you get some sleep first?” Zhao Fang eyed him, suspecting the researcher hadn’t slept in days.

“I’m fine, really! I just got some data from my colleague in Kalos, which should help speed up the revival. If you two have nothing else to do, wait outside—don’t distract me!” As the researcher instantly slipped into work mode, Zhao Fang couldn’t help but marvel at how extraordinary people in the Pokémon world were.

Each one was a super rookie; perhaps in the future, everyone would be able to use Pokémon moves themselves.

Zhao Fang followed May out. She was silent as she led him to a training gym, making clear her determination to battle him.

“Are you really sure you want to fight me?” Zhao Fang held his Poké Ball, unable to keep a hint of resignation from his voice.

“Of course! If you can win badges, why can’t I?” May took a Poké Ball from her belt and threw it onto the field. A Combusken stood before Zhao Fang.

Zhao Fang smiled. Combusken—how nostalgic. It was with Torchic by his side that he had begun his own journey to become champion. Besides, his current Pokémon were well suited to counter Combusken.

“Then I’ll count on you, Dreepy.” Zhao Fang sent out Dreepy, who had been wintering until now.

He didn’t choose Gyarados; sending out Gyarados would have made the battle too easy, given Gyarados’s overwhelming advantage over Combusken.

“Hmph, not sending out Gyarados? Combusken, use Flame Charge!” May puffed her cheeks in annoyance. She’d already heard from her father that Zhao Fang’s Magikarp had evolved into Gyarados, and now he was using Dreepy to take her on!

May resolved to teach Zhao Fang a lesson—to show him not to underestimate her.

“How could I let you pull that off? Dreepy, use Astonish to interrupt!” Seeing the flames flickering around Combusken, Zhao Fang quickly issued his command.

Flame Charge increases speed after use, but as Dreepy unleashed Astonish, the fire around Combusken faded.

“Seize the opportunity, Dreepy! Use Dragon Tail!” Zhao Fang pressed the attack, and before May could order Combusken to dodge, Dreepy’s tail struck Combusken across the face.

He could have used Sucker Punch, but as a Dark-type move, it wasn’t ideal against a Fighting-type like Combusken.

“Combusken! Use Sand Attack, then strike with Peck when there’s an opening!” At May’s command, Combusken stepped back and kicked up dust to conceal its form.

Zhao Fang smiled. It was a clever move, but Dreepy had weathered sandstorms before and wouldn’t lose sight of an opponent over a bit of dust.

“Close in with Sucker Punch, then Dragon Tail!” Through the haze, Dreepy lunged at one spot, landing another tail strike, this time hitting Combusken right in the eyes.

Combusken cried out and fell heavily to the ground.

“Can you keep going?” Zhao Fang asked May.

“Combusken, can you still fight?” May looked anxiously at her Pokémon. But in the next moment, Combusken stood up again, flames blazing around it—Blaze ability, fully activated!