Successfully subdued the Odogaron!
Odogaron beginning Pokémonization...
Pokémonization successful!
Odogaron's information is as follows:
Odogaron
Level: 59 (Quasi-Elite Four)Attribute: DragonAbility: Cornice Walker (+200% speed when on walls, +100% speed when on the ground)Base Stats: HP 90, Atk 170, Def 70, SpA 40, SpD 70, Spe 160. Total: 600.
A weakened version of Nargacuga, but its ability to scale walls is still very strong, Zhang thought, nodding slightly. He wasn't thrilled, but he wasn't disappointed either.
Mission accomplished!
Your Anjanath has evolved into a Fulgur Anjanath!
Because your strength is the same as the Odogaron's, you have received a bonus reward: 1 Glory Point.
Glory Point Balance: 1
Zhang placed the Odogaron's severed leg into his space backpack, and the light of teleportation enveloped him. He and Kuro reappeared in his room in Kamura Village.
"First, let's get this Odogaron healed," he said, going outside and releasing the monster, his Escuregot, and the severed leg. "Escuregot, I'm troubling you again."
"Phew," the snail Pokémon shook its head, indicating it was no trouble at all, and began its healing work. Soon, the Odogaron's leg was reattached and fully healed.
"Alright, time to rest," Zhang said with a stretch, finally ready for sleep.
For the next few days, Zhang didn't go out on any missions. He trained hard. After a few days, his Gengar, Gardevoir, Arcanine, and Feraligatr all leveled up from 58 to 59. The others didn't change; a few days of training wasn't enough for them to break through to the next level.
In the pre-dawn light of Shanghai, Zhang walked out of the Water-type Gym's training grounds. Today was the day of the Global Junior Pokémon Tournament. He wanted the title of Rookie King, and he was determined to get it.
"Zhang, you're up early," Bea and Cynthia said, approaching him. They had also gotten up before dawn.
"You're up early too," he smiled. "Are you ready?"
"Of course! We both broke through to the quasi-Elite Four level not long ago," Bea said, giving him a thumbs-up.
"Awesome!" Zhang replied, giving her a thumbs-up in return. Cynthia just shook her head with a helpless smile.
"What about you, Zhang? Are you ready?" she asked.
"I'm ready. And this time, I'm going to be the champion," he said with cool confidence.
"I'm the champion!" Bea declared arrogantly.
"Alright, you two champions. It's time for breakfast," Cynthia laughed, leading the way.
The streets were already bustling with foreigners, all young trainers here for the competition. After breakfast, the three of them headed to the registration center.
"So many people," Zhang sighed, looking at the crowds of teenagers in the square.
"Hello, Dragon Boy!" a handsome, blue-haired young man said, approaching Zhang with a smile.
"Are you talking to me? Dragon Boy? What the hell?" Zhang asked, confused.
"That's right," the young man smiled. "A pleasure to meet you. My name is Steven. I'm from the Hoenn region."
"Steven?" Zhang was surprised. He didn't expect to meet Steven Stone, the future champion of Hoenn. Like Cynthia, he must not have fully grown into his power yet.
"Where I'm from, strangers don't approach you unless they want something," Zhang said, his eyes narrowing slightly. "So, what do you want?"
"I saw the video of your battle with Bella," Steven said. "You are very powerful. I would very much like a Barioth like yours. Money is no object."
"I'm sorry, I can't help you," Zhang replied, shaking his head. "I caught my Barioth by chance. I can't help you find another one." Even if he could, he wouldn't. It would be an act of betrayal to his world.
"Is that so? What a shame," Steven said with genuine regret. He gave a gentlemanly bow and walked away.
"Your Pokémon are really popular," Bea remarked. "If you weren't so strong, you'd be in big trouble."
"A man is not guilty for being a man, but for the treasure he carries," Zhang said lightly. "The world has never changed." This was why he had been so careful to develop his strength in secret at the beginning.
"That's true," Cynthia said, stroking her hair. "I have some news about the competition. Would you like to hear it?"
"Of course," Zhang nodded.
"There are so many participants that there will be a qualifying trial first. The rule is simple: get to the competition location within ten minutes. The starting point is right here. From what I've heard, anyone below the Gym Leader level probably won't be able to pass. The main tournament will be 3v3 single battles."
"Simple rules," Zhang commented. "Even knowing them in advance doesn't give much of an advantage."
"Trainers must speak with strength," Cynthia replied. "A competition like this won't rely on anything else."
At that moment, a familiar voice called out. "Hello, can I interview you, Zhang Tian!" It was Xiaoxue, the host from the Pokémon Channel. "Netizens have compiled a 'champion list' of players likely to win. Do you know about it?"
"I've been busy training, so I don't," Zhang replied. "So, where am I on this list?"
"Number 19. Are you satisfied with that?" she asked with a smile. "By the way, netizens have also given you a nickname: Dragon Boy, because you seem to exclusively use Dragon-type Pokémon."
"Dragon Boy!" The smile on Zhang's face stiffened. What a terrible nickname. Now he understood why Steven had called him that.
"It seems you are not satisfied with the name," Xiaoxue giggled.
"I think 'Dragon Master' would be better. At least it's a little more domineering," Zhang said, recovering his composure. "As for the ranking, I don't care. In the end, the winner will only be me."
"So confident," Xiaoxue replied. "Well, I'm here to wish you the best of luck." She and her camera crew then moved on.
In the live broadcast room, the comments were flooding in.
"That's a teenager for you, full of spirit!"
"I used to be that confident and rampant..."
"Come on, young man! The future is yours!"
Registration began. Ten minutes later, Zhang, Bea, and Cynthia had their numbers: 520, 521, and 522. When everyone had registered, a purple-haired woman appeared in the sky, riding a Dragonite. It was Iris, the Dragon-type Gym Leader of the Unova region.
"Hello, everyone. My name is Iris, and I will be the judge for this qualifier," she announced. "The rules are simple. I will fly to the competition site. Arrive within 10 minutes to qualify. Teleportation and speed-boosting status moves are prohibited. The countdown begins now!"
"60, 59..."
As the countdown began, all the contestants released their fastest Pokémon.
"Legiana, come out!" Zhang raised his hand and released the wind wyvern.
The moment the 21-meter-long Legiana appeared, it drew the attention of everyone present. "Roar!" it cried, its deafening roar silencing the crowd. The surrounding Pokémon backed away in fear. Only a few powerful ones, like Cynthia's Garchomp and Bea's Machamp, stood their ground.
"Oh my god! What is that?"
"Is that a Pokémon?"
"It's huge! Is it Dynamaxed?"
"What a vicious aura..."
"Who is that person? He has a quasi-Elite Four level Pokémon!"
"That's Zhang Tian, the 'Dragon Boy.' A civilian genius who is good with Dragon-types."
"A civilian with Dragon-types? You're kidding, right? Dragon Pokémon are incredibly expensive to raise."
"3! 2! 1! 0!"
As the countdown ended, Iris and her Dragonite shot off.
"Cynthia! Bea! I'm going ahead!" Zhang called out, and his Legiana shot after them. Legiana's base speed was 160. Its ability doubled that to 320. It instantly took the lead, leaving all the other Pokémon behind.
So that's Zhang Tian, Iris thought, glancing back. The rumors of his huge dragon Pokémon are true.
"Leon, with your strength, you should be able to catch up. Why don't you release your Charizard?" a red-haired boy on a Flygon asked a black-haired boy next to him.
"Raihan, it's just the trials. There's no need to reveal my main team yet. It would lower my odds of winning," the boy named Leon replied calmly.
"Hmph. If it were me, I would have rushed ahead long ago," Raihan grumbled.
"That's why you can't beat me. Your character is flawed," Leon said coolly.
Elsewhere, Steven Stone watched the Legiana with a solemn expression. Such a cold, cruel aura,he thought. To form an aura like that, I wonder how many living things it has killed. He now understood the true danger of Zhang Tian.
The full story so far is available on P atreon!: p atreon.com/Zefyrus