Chapter 214:
Did he just dozed off to sleep??
Listening to Jirachi's words, Hayashi Kaede fell into thought.
So, when the time came, Jirachi would inevitably fall asleep.
It was a manifestation of its ability and the rules.
But the "long, big Pokémon" that Jirachi had summoned…
There was a high probability it had been Rayquaza.
Unexpectedly, Jirachi's wish could even summon the Sky Deity.
The only question was—which Rayquaza?
From the TV series and movies, it was clear there were multiple individuals of Rayquaza.
Based on the Shiny Rayquaza from the movies, Hayashi Kaede suspected there might be more than one Sky Deity.
Or perhaps, the Sky Deity had obtained something special that changed its color?
This thought made him recall the Dream Cake he had once created.
Although very effective, it had a peculiar side effect: it turned Pokémon completely green.
"If possible, I'd like to see that big Pokémon again and ask it what finally happened to Akaze's tribe."
With a hopeful gaze, Jirachi voiced its wish.
Hayashi Kaede's mouth twitched.
Alright…
This was truly a wish.
Rayquaza…
What level of powerhouse was it supposed to be?
Where was he supposed to find one too?
Still, he took out his phone, pictured Rayquaza in his mind, and began to draw.
Soon, a lifelike image of Rayquaza appeared on the screen.
He also sketched Genesect.
He showed them to Jirachi. "Were they like this?"
"Yes, yes, yes!" Jirachi's eyes lit up. "This purple Pokémon with the cannon is the one the human from the Beedrill tribe brought! And this long Pokémon is the one I wished for to come help!"
Then it hesitated, tilting its head. "But… it was so dark that night, I couldn't tell if it was green or black. I think it might have been black…"
Hayashi Kaede nodded. "Black is also one of its possible colors. It's the Legendary Pokémon that guards the skies in the Sinnoh region."
"And this Pokémon is called Genesect. It's a Bug-type Pokémon."
Jirachi listened attentively. "Since it's a Legendary Pokémon, is it usually very hard to find?"
"Yes. As rare as you are—and just as powerful."
Naturally glossing over its own rarity, Jirachi said in sudden realization, "No wonder I slept for a whole day after calling it for help."
Then it sounded a little regretful. "I wonder how Akaze's tribe is doing after its help…"
"They'll be fine. It's a very good and strong Legendary Pokémon," Hayashi Kaede reassured it.
In his memory, the Shiny Rayquaza had shown a good temperament.
For example, in the Hoopa movie, the Shiny Rayquaza summoned by Hoopa wasn't under Hoopa's control, but it still chose to help Ash and the others face seven rampaging Legendary Pokémon.
It even contributed to one of the franchise's most iconic moments.
From that alone, the Shiny Rayquaza seemed reliable.
If it had answered Jirachi's wish, it would naturally have helped.
Genesect, while strong, simply wasn't on Rayquaza's level.
Hayashi Kaede still wanted to ask why Jirachi hadn't wished to return a thousand years and see Akaze one more time.
But before he could, Jirachi nestled against him, rubbing its face against his chest with a soft smile. "Kaede-nii and Takagi Megumi are also very nice. I'm very happy."
Hayashi Kaede paused, his question fading. Gently, he patted Jirachi's back.
This child, even after millennia of slumber, still kept such an optimistic heart.
Down below, while they were talking, it was Takagi Megumi's turn again.
Jirachi instantly perked up, tugging on Hayashi Kaede's hand and trying to float higher.
"Jirachi!" (Megumi, it's Megumi's turn…!)
Hayashi Kaede released his Psychic energy and lifted Jirachi to give it a better view.
"Jirachi!" (Go, Megumi!)
The young girl's opponent was a Sandile with an energy level around [29].
Its strength was decent, but against Wartortle, it was at a disadvantage—not only was Wartortle close to evolving, but it also held a type advantage.
So although Sandile used Dig to avoid Wartortle's Water Gun and harassed with Sand Tomb, Takagi Megumi quickly found a solution.
She had Wartortle withdraw into its shell, spin out horizontally with Rapid Spin to escape the Sand Tomb, then used the move Muddy Water to turn the dug tunnels muddy and unstable.
Sandile's hit-and-run tactic was ruined.
It had no choice but to surface, where it fell victim to Wartortle's Water Gun.
Watching from above, Hayashi Kaede nodded in approval.
Takagi Megumi's improvisation in battle was impressive.
When she returned, Jirachi immediately showered her and Wartortle with praise, leaving them beaming.
Then Hayashi Kaede flicked her lightly on the head. "It's fine to be a little proud after a match, but don't let your guard down like this in the wild."
"Okay, okay…"
Takagi Megumi pressed both hands to her head, forced the smile off her face, and turned to Wartortle. "Did you hear what Kaede-nii said? Don't get so cocky!"
"Wartortle?"
Wartortle blinked in disbelief.
You were the one laughing harder just now!
"Ehehe, Kaede-nii scolds me, so I scold you! That way, we both get scolded!" Takagi Megumi declared matter-of-factly.
Wartortle's jaw dropped even further.
Hayashi Kaede could only shake his head helplessly.
As the second round went on, the average strength of the Pokémon increased.
Matches ended faster, often in just a minute or two unless they hit a stalemate.
Soon, it was Hayashi Kaede's turn.
Contestant No. 67 stepped onto the field as though he is heading to his execution.
After the commentator's dramatic introduction, Hayashi Kaede glanced at his opponent—a boy with a Normal-type Pokémon, a pink, long-bodied Sentret around [Lv. 24–26].
Its furry, snake-like body and tiny face made it strangely cute.
Hayashi Kaede wondered, Why can a squirrel be as long as a snake?
And it was a Shiny.
It is even cuter.
A Sentret at that level would've been good practice for "Little Nine" or "Little Five."
So after Kondō Satoshi called, "Battle begin!", Hayashi Kaede began: "Little Nine, I choo—"
But his opponent cut him off, panicked.
"Referee, I forfeit!"
"Huh?"
Hayashi Kaede had just sent out Eevee.
Wait, I'm using Eevee? And you're surrendering?
The newly emerged Little Nine blinked in confusion, looking from one side to the other.
Why had the battle ended before it even began?
"He's surrendered! Contestant No. 67 has surrendered!" Kondō Satoshi announced. "What a pity—we've lost the chance to see Hayashi Kaede's Pokémon in action. We won't even get to see what ability this Eevee might hold…"
Contestant No. 67 sighed in relief and practically bolted away from the field.
Leaving Hayashi Kaede and Eevee standing there, dumbfounded.
At last, Hayashi Kaede recovered, calling into the mic, "Wait, I was using Eevee! Not my previous Pokémon! It hasn't even evolved yet!"
But instead of reassurance, his words only made the other contestants warier.
They thought this Contestant No. 66 wasn't just strong—he also enjoyed toying with opponents.
Alolan Vulpix, Goodra, Blaziken—every one of them had looked weak or harmless at first, only to crush their opponents in battle.
Now this small Eevee which looked harmless is weak?
Surely it was just another act.
No doubt it would start firing Hyper Beams the moment a battle began.
Better to forfeit than be humiliated.
"Seriously…"
Why though?
Back in the seating, holding Little Nine, Hayashi Kaede couldn't make sense of it.
Fortunately, Little Nine wasn't disappointed. In fact, after Alolan Vulpix cheered, "Vulpixxx!" (Little Nine, you're so amazing! You scared them off without even fighting!), it began to feel proud.
The second round concluded, leading to the third and final round of the afternoon.
This round was more challenging.
Takagi Megumi's Wartortle faced a Grovyle with an energy level around [30–33].
The opponent clearly understood her strategies.
Knowing she liked to start with Rain Dance, he immediately opened with Agility and Fury Cutter, denying her setup.
Wartortle, despite being faster than most of its species, was still outpaced.
From the start, Wartortle was pressured.
Fortunately, its solid defenses and Special Defense allowed it to endure.
After weathering repeated Fury Cutters, it used Dig, catching the opponent off guard.
Takagi Megumi quickly adapted the Sandile tactic from earlier, having Wartortle launch Aqua Tails and Water Guns from underground.
The Grovyle dodged as best it could, but two Water Guns landed, tipping the outcome.
The Grovyle's Trainer was stunned—the accumulated Fury Cutter damage had been weaker than two Water Guns?
Was its shell really that sturdy?
Unbelievable, but undeniable.
Takagi Megumi returned more solemn this time, clearly reflecting on the battle.
Hayashi Kaede was pleased.
A little setback is necessary for growth.
When his own match came, the same thing happened again.
His opponent forfeited on sight.
By now, only Gym Leader-level or stronger Pokémon remained.
Sending out his Eevees would've been impossible anyway.
This continued all the way to the top 16 and top 8 in the evening.
Takagi Megumi's luck finally ran out here.
She faced a Breloom with Poison Heal, a seasoned traveler with seven Gym Badges and an energy level of [36–38].
Its mastery of powders allowed it to poison Wartortle early, then trade blows relentlessly.
With Poison ticking, Wartortle's endurance was remarkable, but in the end, Breloom was simply too much.
This Breloom was considered a top candidate for the Junior Cup runner-up.
And so the main event day of the Junior Cup concluded.
Takagi Megumi chose to remain in Nagisuna City since her parents were there.
Hayashi Kaede suggested Dragonite and Salamence could escort them home, but her simple, honest parents insisted they not trouble him further.
They would stay at a hotel and return tomorrow.
Hayashi Kaede didn't press the matter.
It made sense.
Later, Jirachi mentioned wanting to see more of the city lights, finding them beautiful. Takagi Megumi volunteered to accompany it.
Thus, in the end, Hayashi Kaede returned to the Breeding House alone.