Chapter 173:The Story of Cyclizar!

“Cyclizar!”

Cyclizar opened its eyes.

It immediately jumped up from the hospital bed and nervously looked around.

This was the Pokémon recovery room at the ranger base.

In the neighboring bed lay a Forretress.

A Chansey stood beside the bed, checking on the Forretress.

“You’re awake.”

Cyclizar turned to look at Natsume, who was sitting next to it.

“Cyclizar!”

Cyclizar looked anxiously at Natsume.

Natsume put down the phone he was holding and said, “He is dead.”

“You must have seen it.”

“Cyclizar.”

Cyclizar immediately lowered its head and sat down on the bed, feeling defeated.

Natsume looked at the sad Cyclizar and asked, “Cyclizar, do you mind telling me how you met?”

“Cyclizar.”

Once upon a winter, snow was falling heavily from the sky.

Cyclizar had sustained serious injuries and was lying in the snow.

Its body had become frozen.

Consciousness was gradually fading.

Cyclizar had given up hope.

However, just then, a figure came running happily toward it.

Ano, a Pokémon poacher.

“Lucky find, picked up a Cyclizar for free.”

“Damn it, don’t die on me.”

“I’m counting on you to make me some money.”

These were the last words Cyclizar heard before losing consciousness.

Ano pulled out a Poké Ball and captured Cyclizar.

When Cyclizar woke up next, it was inside a cave.

A campfire was burning.

It was warm.

The man who had picked it up was eating instant noodles.

Cyclizar was also very hungry.

Its stomach grumbled.

“This is for you.”

Ano tossed the noodle soup in front of himself.

Cyclizar drank it all.

It tasted great and was a bit spicy.

After drinking, it felt warm inside.

Very comfortable.

“Cyclizar~”

However, Cyclizar was still quite hungry.

It remembered there were berries not far away, so it told Ano that it was going out to find something to eat.

Cyclizar stood up and ran outside.

Ano thought it was trying to escape and cursed angrily.

“Cyclizar.”

Cyclizar tried to explain, but he couldn’t understand at all.

Cyclizar sighed.

It thought it would be fine once it brought back some fruit.

The snow outside had stopped.

Everything was covered in white.

Cyclizar successfully found the berries.

But when it returned to the cave, it discovered that the poacher named Ano had been found by the rangers.

They were in the middle of a battle.

Ano was at a disadvantage.

Without hesitation, Cyclizar immediately launched an attack to save Ano. 

Once saved, Ano cheerfully said, “You’re not too useless after all.”

“Since that’s the case, I won’t sell you. You can stick with me from now on.”

“Cyclizar~”

Cyclizar felt very happy as well.

Because it could repay the debt.

Later, they traveled to many places together.

They battled, escaped, and poaching.

They participated in various activities together.

Cyclizar thought this way of life was pretty good.

But now, the trainer who rescued it from the snow was gone.

To normal people, Ano was definitely a bad guy.

The things he did were seen as wrong by many.

But to Cyclizar, he was the good guy who had saved it from the snow.

The world of Pokémon is quite simple.

They don’t think too deeply about complicated issues.

Their sense of right and wrong is straightforward: those who are good to me are companions.

Natsume looked at the saddened Cyclizar and remained silent for a moment before saying, “You should rest for a while.”

Cyclizar didn’t respond.

Natsume stood up and walked outside.

Yuki was heading this way.

“Natsume.”

Yuki waved at Natsume and asked, “What happened to that Cyclizar?”

“It’s awake, but it still looks very sad.”

Yuki sighed, “This kind of thing must be hard for Cyclizar to accept.”

“I hope it can get past this soon.”

Natsume closed the door.

“How is the questioning going on your side?”

Yuki leaned against the doorframe and replied, “They’re probably just ordinary poachers.”

“They're still being questioned; do you want to take a look?”

“Sure.”

Yuki led Natsume toward the observation room next to the interrogation room.

There was a one-way glass through which they could clearly see the questioning scene inside.

“You have a Rayquaza tattoo and you're like this?”

Sugimoto Ken scolded the tattooed man in front of him, “Now, repeat what you did.”

“Start with your introduction.”

The tattooed man grimaced and said, “My name is Ryuzawa. I came out this time because Kenken said he bought a new machine that could attract Steel-type Pokémon.”

“So we came to Towada Lake.”

“That machine, according to him, is a defective product from Team Lightning.”

Natsume raised an eyebrow at the mention of Team Lightning. “Team Lightning?”

Yuki stood next to Natsume and said, “Team Lightning is a notorious terrorist organization internationally.”

“Their goal is to find Zekrom from the legends and create their ideal world.”

Yuki sighed as she continued, “There are many such terrorist organizations.”

“However, our Japan league's investigators have always been quite effective against these organizations, so they hardly operate in our country.”

Natsume nodded slightly, shifting his focus away from their interrogation.

These individuals would soon be taken away by the investigators.

As for their fate, Natsume wasn’t concerned.

Yuki looked at Natsume and asked, “Are you going to take that Cyclizar with you?”

Yuki and Natsume were strolling through the ecological park inside the base.

The Pokémon they had rescued were all active in this area.

They would be observed here for a day, and once it was confirmed that they were okay, the rangers would return them to the forest.

Natsume nodded slightly and said, “That Cyclizar is a good one.”

“If it’s willing, I’d definitely like to take it with me.”

Yuki smiled at Natsume and said, “If it can live on the farm with you, Cyclizar will surely adapt quickly.”

Ding dong~

At that moment, Natsume's phone suddenly rang.

Rotom sent a message.

Rotom said that a very strong trainer had arrived at the farm.

Umikawa mentioned that the trainer was dispatched by the international Pokémon league to assist Natsume.

Natsume frowned slightly at Rotom’s message: “What a hassle.”

Yuki looked at Natsume in confusion and asked, “Is something wrong?”

Natsume simply replied, “I recently obtained a Manaphy Pokémon egg.”

“And now, many people are showing up.”

“Huh?”

Yuki stared at Natsume in shock. “Manaphy?”

“The Prince of the Sea?”

Natsume nodded, “That’s right.”

Yuki looked at Natsume with a strange expression. “Natsume.”

“What kind of legendary Pokémon magnet are you? It seems you always encounter those Pokémon from the legends.”

Natsume chuckled and said, “If that’s the case, I hope I can meet all of the legends.”

Farm Gym.

Pop~

Tohn snapped his fingers. “Inteleon, let it rest for a bit.”

“Snipe Shot!”

In the battle arena, a long-bodied water lizard aimed its fingertips at Heracross.

“Heracross!”

Heracross wore a serious expression.

The opponent was very strong!

So strong that it couldn’t even touch him.

Bam~

A water ball, darting like a bullet, hit Heracross instantly.

Heracross was sent flying backward from the impact of the water ball.

“Serperior~”

Just as Heracross thought it was going to crash hard onto the ground, a Vine Whip caught its body.

“Heracross.”

Heracross felt a bit down.

It had lost this battle.

“Serperior~”

Serperior patted Heracross on the shoulder with its Vine Whip, then walked toward the battle arena.

“Wow, this foreigner is amazing! He actually managed to defeat Gym Leader Natsume's Heracross.”

“Who is he? He must be quite famous, right?”

“I have no idea; let’s check.”

Tourists outside the battle arena were discussing in surprise, watching Tohn standing in the arena.

It had been a long time since they had seen someone who could defeat Heracross.

“Let me see.”

A young man took out his phone and snapped a picture of Tohn.

Before long, he found information about Tohn.

He widened his eyes at the character description on his phone and let out a gasp.

“No way, he’s an Elite Level Trainer from ASEAN!”

“Wow~”

A chorus of “wow” echoed around.

“Is this for real? Why would the Champion from ASEAN come here to challenge Gym Leader Natsume’s gym?”

“Is he here to disrupt the match?”

“Holy crap!”

Suddenly, another exclamation as loud as a move echoed.

A man exclaimed, “He even has four wives!”

“Ah?”

“Wait, what??”

A girl pinched her male companion and asked, “What are you on about?”

“Do you want to marry four as well?”

He quickly begged for mercy, “That’s not the case.”

He looked toward the battle arena to change the topic and said, “Look, Serperior is entering the arena.”

At the Battle Arena.

A uniformed person standing behind Tohn said, “Tohn, don’t go overboard.”

“We’re not here to cause trouble.”

Tohn smiled, “Don’t worry, Mahathir.”

“I know what I’m doing.”

“I’m just stretching a bit.”

“Is the next opponent Serperior?”

At this moment, Umikawa suddenly said, “Tohn.”

“If Serperior is coming out, I think it's better if you go all out.”

“Why?”

Tohn asked in confusion, “Is it really strong?”

Umikawa replied seriously, “Very strong!”

“You can tell by the cheers around.”

Tohn looked around the venue.

“Serperior, go!”

“Serperior, let him see the true strength of our Farm Gym!”

Click~ click click~

Amid the cheers, a group of people was snapping photos of Serperior.

Serperior has a striking appearance, powerful strength, and a very cool and proud personality.

Such traits are indeed quite appealing.

Thus, Serperior has a substantial fan base.

Tohn raised an eyebrow slightly, “Looks like we have to take this seriously.”

Mahathir is also from ASEAN.

He is an ASEAN ranger.

Mahathir and Tohn are here on a mission to protect Manaphy.

He looked at Chen River, “Maybe Serperior is impressive, but Tohn’s Inteleon is also not to be underestimated.”

“After all, it is one of the Champion's signature Pokémon.”

Umikawa smiled, “Is that so? Let’s wait and see.”

“Serperior~”

Serperior locked eyes with Inteleon.

Inteleon felt an immense pressure from Serperior's gaze.

“Inteleon!”

Without waiting for Tohn to speak, Inteleon launched an attack.

At this moment, the attack was meant to relieve the pressure inside.

Hydro Pump!

Boom~

A torrent of water surged towards Serperior.

Rumble~

The ground trembled.

A massive Vine Whip broke through the soil and rapidly grew.

These vines intertwined, blocking Inteleon's Hydro Pump.

Water splashed in all directions.

The surrounding land became damp.

“Serperior~”

The Vine Whip pressed down.

The heavy Vine Whip cast a shadow over Inteleon's head, blocking the sunlight.

This is Serperior's Frenzy Plant!

“Inteleon!”

Inteleon moved quickly.

It leaped atop the vines, evading the incoming Vine Whip while charging towards Serperior.

Tohn looked at Inteleon with some surprise.

He knew his Pokémon well.

Inteleon's sudden offensive could only mean that the opposing Serperior was applying too much pressure on it.

Tohn commanded, “Inteleon, Liquidation!”

Inteleon’s body was immediately enveloped in a flow of water.

This water surrounded its body like a protective shield.

Inteleon charged swiftly toward Serperior.

Serperior calmly watched Inteleon.

“Serperior~”

A massive green sword of light began to condense in front of Serperior.

Leaf Blade!

Whoosh!

The Leaf Blade came down!

A flash of white light crossed the sky.

Serperior's Leaf Blade sliced through Inteleon's water shield, hitting Inteleon directly.

Bang!

Inteleon's body crashed to the ground.

Lying on the ground, Inteleon raised its head to look at Serperior.

Serperior’s crimson gaze was filled with indifference, pride, and contempt.

Storm condense!

This was Leaf Storm!

A powerful shockwave rippled outward.

The rising energy barrier made a whirring sound.

Bam~

Inteleon's body was engulfed by the storm.

Thick smoke rose, enveloping the entire battle arena.

“Inteleon!”

Tohn shouted Inteleon's name.

Umikawa looked on with a slight sense of pride and said to Mahathir, “What do you think?”

At this moment, the smoke began to dissipate.

Mahathir looked incredulously at the dazed Inteleon and the Serperior on the field, saying, “How is this possible?”

“It couldn’t even last a minute.”

Tohn's expression darkened as he recalled his Inteleon into the Poké Ball.

They had come under the pretense of assisting Natsume.

When ASEAN negotiated with the Japan league, they initially thought the discussions would drag on for days.

However, they didn't expect the Japan league to agree so readily.

They simply stated that it was fine as long as Gym Leader Natsume had no objections.

This statement left those from ASEAN quite puzzled.

Since when does something like this require a Gym Leader's approval?

So, Tohn wanted to test Natsume's strength personally.

Unfortunately, when they arrived, Natsume was not there.

Tohn noticed the gym battle happening nearby and decided to sign up on the spot.

Defeating Heracross was not much of a concern for Tohn.

After all, the Pokémon guarding gyms were usually from the second-tier team.

When Serperior entered the battle, Tohn realized it must be one of Natsume's main Pokémon.

Inteleon was also a key player for Tohn.

However, what surprised Tohn was how quickly his Inteleon lost.

It was not even a fair opponent.

“Nice Leaf Storm.”

A voice filled with amusement came forth.

A figure appeared beside Serperior.

Serperior nuzzled against Natsume's cheek.

“Serperior~”

Umikawa stepped forward, looking at the returning Natsume, and introduced, “Gym Leader Natsume, this is Tohn.”

“He's here to—”

Natsume waved his hand to interrupt Umikawa.

“No need for introductions.”

“As Trainers, I believe we can get to know each other in battle.”

Natsume looked at Tohn and said, “Since you're here to challenge the gym…”

“Let's have a 6v6 full battle.”

Tohn was slightly taken aback. “A full battle?”

Natsume smiled, “Don’t worry, Audino and Chansey are quite reliable.”

“So you won’t have to worry about getting seriously injured.”

Natsume proposed the 6v6 battle suddenly because Farm Story had launched an optional quest.

Trigger Optional Quest
Quest Name: Serperior's Battle
Quest Description: Serperior sometimes craves an exhilarating battle. Please let Serperior enjoy itself!
Task Requirements: Use Serperior to defeat the challenger’s six Pokémon.
Quest Reward: Serperior's level increases by 2.