Chapter 138: There Are Always Fireworks Reaching for the Stars

A note before the main text: Something happened... I need some time to calm down, which is why I haven't been able to post updates these past few days... My apologies.

Bellossom’s dance truly looked magnificent.

However, Chen Ou only felt dizzy watching it. After all, he was currently suffering from a splitting headache. Even though he still appeared to be commanding with composure, the level of difficulty Erika presented made him feel a sense of foreboding.

[It would be too embarrassing to pass out on the battlefield in a moment.]

Thinking this to himself, Chen Ou envisioned the scene: he had yet to win the battle, only to collapse from exhaustion. The mere thought made him feel incredibly ashamed...

Consequently, he silently increased the intensity of the enhancement he was channeling into Growlithe.

The flames deep within Growlithe’s eyes surged once more. Fire erupted from its front paws and head, coalescing into armor and a helmet that encased them.

Erika was no longer puzzled. A Growlithe with such innate talent simply shouldn't exist. Therefore, all these anomalies must be a result of Chen Ou’s own ability.

[I’ve never heard of Chen Ou’s ability! Is it something new? Why does it feel like Chen Ou himself is like a Fire-type Pokémon???]

For a moment, Erika could not fathom the nature of Chen Ou’s ability, much less its origin.

One must understand that as a family with a long and storied history, they meticulously recorded every special ability they had ever heard of or witnessed. These abilities often served as indicators of a powerful Trainer.

While possessing a special ability did not guarantee greatness—after all, there were many who possessed psychic powers, yet few were truly formidable (a powerful psychic could rival a Psychic-type Pokémon, while a bottom-tier one could barely bend a spoon, and even that was considered a feat among the mediocre)—Chen Ou’s unseen ability piqued Erika’s curiosity. However, since the battle was still underway, she could only wait until afterward to ask.

Of course, she would ask, and Chen Ou would answer, but whether he would tell the truth was something even he couldn't guarantee. For one, his ability still had the potential to evolve, and for another... was it not a bit too naive to reveal one’s trump cards to others just like that?

But that is a story for another time.

Right now, Erika faced a simple headache: Growlithe was becoming a bit too troublesome.

Chen Ou’s ability didn't just enhance the flames; it bolstered Growlithe’s energy level—or, to put it another way, its strength. Although it was only a temporary boost, the magnitude of the increase was truly significant.

Growlithe’s already impressive speed was now even faster. After using Agility twice, its movement efficiency could only be described as ghostly. Combined with the defensive and offensive capabilities granted by the flame armor, it was no exaggeration to say that Growlithe was toying with Bellossom.

When Chen Ou had unleashed his full power to enhance Entei, the boost to a base Heavenly King-level Pokémon like Entei was massive; it stood to reason the effect on Growlithe, whose base strength was inferior to Entei’s, would be even more pronounced.

As for this Bellossom, it was slightly weaker than the Vileplume from before. However, Chen Ou didn't truly believe that the Vileplume was Erika's trump card. If nothing else, if the Saffron City Gym could acquire Mega Stones, why couldn't the Celadon Gym? There were not many Grass-type Pokémon capable of Mega Evolution, but there were certainly enough.

While Chen Ou was not a blind adherent to the "species theory," he did not disagree with some of its tenets. After all, there were indeed innate differences in strength between species.

But regardless of what might happen later, for now... the outcome had been decided.

With Growlithe sealing off the movement space with a Fire Spin and then launching a high-speed "Extreme Speed" toward the only possible escape route, Bellossom was officially out of the match.

By this time, Growlithe was growling lowly, its momentum not only undiminished but growing even more intense.

"Bellossom is unable to battle. Gym Leader Erika, please send out your next Pokémon!"

Erika recalled Bellossom into its ball. Although she didn't know why Chen Ou had suddenly shifted gears and increased the pace of the battle, she knew that unless she revealed her true hand, there was really no way to deal with this Growlithe.

Erika pondered for a moment, then pulled out a Poké Ball and threw it!

"Go! Ludicolo!"

An egg-shaped Pokémon wearing a poncho and a wide-brimmed green hat that looked like a lotus leaf appeared on the field. It hopped around, looking somewhat dim-witted.

However, among Grass-type Pokémon, this was one with a relatively smaller disadvantage against Fire-types. Ludicolo was a Water/Grass dual type, and compared to its Grass-type moves, it actually possessed a wider array of Water-type attacks.

Therefore, using Ludicolo against a Fire-type Growlithe was indeed a tactical advantage.

Emm, or perhaps one should say it wasn't at a disadvantage?

Chen Ou didn't care about the type advantage. He could sense that the Ludicolo before him had an energy level even lower than the Bellossom he had just faced.

It was clearly holding back.

Chen Ou didn't want to call her out on it; instead, he cast a grateful look toward Erika. After all, he was truly running on fumes—he had overestimated his own endurance.

Erika smiled and shook her head, signaling that Chen Ou needn't worry. Regardless of the circumstances, Chen Ou would receive the badge, and as for the battle... Chen Ou was clearly not giving his all, so there was no need for Erika to push him to the point of fainting again.

Erika’s strength was not to be underestimated... the number of Mega Stones she had at her disposal was not a matter of one or two sets. As a family that had built its fortune on Grass-types, by the time news of Mega Evolution reached them, they had already been collecting everything they needed with full force.

Of course, there were few gyms as wealthy and powerful as the Celadon Gym. After all, since the founding of the Pokémon League, many talented individuals from humble backgrounds had emerged, inevitably encroaching on resources that once belonged to established families. Fortunately, the League maintained a balance, and there were no major conflicts as of yet.

Was Erika’s strength weak? It was more likely she was keeping a low profile. While she might not reach the level of Lance, Red, Green, or Sabrina, she was certainly not much weaker than an average Heavenly King.

However, every family had its own wisdom for survival, and Chen Ou did not want to interfere. Between friends, it was more important to understand each other's needs rather than blindly insisting on "doing this for your own good."

The third match was, naturally, without suspense. Growlithe took down Ludicolo in just a few moves. Although Water-type Pokémon did have an advantage against Fire-types...

...the thing about steam is that it requires high heat to form!

And just like that, Ludicolo, nearly turned into poached lotus-leaf-wrapped duck, lost the ability to battle.

Chen Ou had won.