Chapter 11: Orange Blossom City, The Reappearance of Choice!
After securing victory, Zhang Feng left the system space, taking along Forest Lizard and Pipi Bird.
After checking his current status panel, Zhang Feng prepared to depart from the Orange Grove Forest and continue heading toward Orange City.
Along the way, he mainly focused on traveling quickly, and during rest periods, he had his Pokémon engage in simulated battles within the system space.
The upcoming simulated opponents were primarily Pokémon like Slaking and Primeape.
After all, the Orange City Gym Leader, Senri, specializes in this type of Pokémon.
Allowing Forest Lizard and Pipi Bird to battle these kinds of Pokémon in advance would help them prepare thoroughly for the challenge of the Orange City Gym and accumulate valuable experience.
Time passed slowly, but the reward was steadily growing strength.
On the journey ahead, Forest Lizard led the way on the ground, while Pipi Bird soared above, using its Sharp Eyes ability to scout so effectively that no Pokémon could escape its detection.
As a result, Zhang Feng encountered no dangers and proceeded smoothly.
How did he know the direction? After all, Dr. Odanaka had provided a Pokémon Pokédex containing maps of the Hoenn region, Kanto region, Chengdu region, and Orange Archipelago.
After several days of travel, Zhang Feng finally emerged from the edges of Orange Grove Forest and arrived at Orange City.
...
As soon as he stepped out of the forest, Zhang Feng headed straight for the Pokémon Center.
Now equipped with a Pokédex and Dr. Odanaka’s certification, he was truly recognized as an official League-affiliated trainer.
With the Pokédex, any League territory was accessible to Zhang Feng without obstacle.
Naturally, the Pokémon Center welcomed him freely.
However, emerging from the vast forest to the towering skyscrapers of Orange City felt jarring to Zhang Feng, a stark and sudden change in scenery.
It also seemed as if someone was waiting specifically for trainers coming from Orange Grove Forest.
Upon seeing Zhang Feng, a youth about ten years old strode over eagerly, brandishing a Pokéball and asked impatiently,
"Are you a traveling trainer?"
Hearing this, Zhang Feng guessed this young challenger likely sought to challenge traveling trainers.
He nodded in response.
"Yes, I’m a trainer. What’s up?"
"Perfect! As a trainer, you can’t avoid challenges. I’m Fox, and I want to battle your Pokémon. Are you brave enough? I’m willing to wager all my pocket money!"
Hearing this, Zhang Feng smiled.
"Since you’re willing to pay me, of course I’ll accept. But I’ve been wandering in Orange Grove Forest for nearly half a month; my Pokémon aren’t at their peak."
"I need to visit the Pokémon Center to restore their strength. If you really want to battle, wait for me there."
After hearing this, Fox thought for a moment and decided to follow Zhang Feng to the Pokémon Center.
Upon arrival, Zhang Feng handed over Forest Lizard and Pipi Bird’s Pokéballs to the beautiful Nurse Joy.
Soon after, Nurse Joy, with the help of a Happiny, checked their health and returned the Pokéballs to Zhang Feng.
"Xiaofeng, your Pokémon are well trained. They’re now back at their best condition!"
Hearing this, Zhang Feng smiled.
"Thank you, Nurse Joy. By the way, is it still possible to register for this year’s Hoenn League Rainbow Cup?"
Seeing Zhang Feng’s desire to challenge the Hoenn League Rainbow Cup, Nurse Joy smiled warmly.
"Of course, but there are only seven months left before the Rainbow Cup begins. As a new trainer, gathering all eight badges and passing the final evaluation within half a year might be difficult. If you don’t mind, you could consider participating next year."
...
Just as Zhang Feng was about to respond, the system issued a new set of choices.
"Ding dong, host facing decision. The Divine Selection System presents three new options."
"Option One: Accept Nurse Joy’s suggestion to compete next year, gaining her favor and a random Mega Evolution Stone."
"Option Two: Reject Nurse Joy’s suggestion and challenge this year’s Hoenn League Rainbow Cup, gaining her favor, a random Mega Evolution Stone, and a corresponding Keystone."
"Option Three: Reject Nurse Joy’s suggestion and immediately register for this year’s Hoenn League Rainbow Cup. After successful registration, immediately challenge the Orange City Gym, gaining Nurse Joy’s favor, the Charizard Mega Evolution Stone, and Keystone."
Upon seeing these options, Zhang Feng was momentarily stunned.
In truth, given his mindset, after waiting so long for his starter Pokémon and now finally having the chance to challenge the League, his strength was improving rapidly.
Moreover, with Rayquaza at his side, Zhang Feng was not afraid of running out of time.
Therefore, he was determined to participate in this year’s Hoenn League Rainbow Cup.
Option One was immediately discarded.
As for whether to challenge the Orange City Gym right away, that was a matter of personal judgment.
Honestly, with his current strength, challenging the Orange City Gym would be insufficient.
Even if Leader Senri did not field his main team, Zhang Feng still had a high chance of failing to earn the badge.
But what if Rayquaza joined the battle?
After all, the Orange City Gym fights are three-on-three Pokémon battles.
With this thought, Zhang Feng promptly selected option three.
If the random Mega Evolution Stone didn’t match a Pokémon Zhang Feng wanted to catch, it would be a wasted reward.
Better to challenge the Orange City Gym directly, earn Charizard’s Mega Evolution Stone, and use it once Forest Lizard reached its final evolution.
Besides, Zhang Feng had no intention of hiding Rayquaza’s presence.
If he met an opponent too strong, he could send Rayquaza in.
After all, whether legendary or not, these were all his Pokémon.
With Rayquaza’s power, even if Team Aqua and Team Magma appeared with Groudon and Kyogre, he wouldn’t be shaken.
So why fear revealing that he had Rayquaza?
Without Rayquaza, traveling through the Pokémon world was full of hardship and caution.
Now that he had Rayquaza, hiding it and fearing exposure would be pointless.
With this resolve, Zhang Feng chose the third option.
"Ding dong, congratulations on your choice. You have gained Nurse Joy’s favor and received one Charizard Mega Evolution Stone and one Keystone."
"Ding dong, current attributes of host as follows:"
Host: Zhang Feng
Age: 18
Funds: 980,000 Pokécoins
Pokémon: Rayquaza, Forest Lizard, Pipi Bird
Items: Luxury Ball ×3, Charizard Mega Evolution Stone ×1, Keystone ×1
Extras: System Space
After placing the Mega Evolution Stone and Keystone into system space, Zhang Feng addressed Nurse Joy.
"Nurse Joy, have you ever seen a rookie trainer whose starter Pokémon evolves so soon after setting out?"
"So I choose to challenge the Hoenn League this year. Please help me register, and afterward, I will head to challenge the Orange City Gym!"
Hearing this, Nurse Joy initially thought Zhang Feng was overestimating himself.
After all, Leader Senri was the Gym Leader of Orange City, the strongest trainer there, known as the strongest trainer just below the Elite Four.
Zhang Feng was just a rookie trainer. Where did he get such confidence to challenge the Orange City Gym?
Yet, facing Zhang Feng’s confident smile, Nurse Joy suddenly felt that only a confident trainer could become strong.
She smiled and said,
"Very well, good luck, Xiaofeng. I have successfully registered you for this year’s Hoenn League Rainbow Cup. I hope you achieve excellent results!"
After thanking Nurse Joy, Zhang Feng grabbed his Pokéballs and prepared to head to the Orange City Gym, also hoping to see May and Brock.
However, the challenger named Fox was persistent, insisting Zhang Feng fight him first.
"If you can’t even beat me, you have no right to challenge Mr. Senri!"
It seemed this kid was a fan of Leader Senri.
"Then let’s have a one-on-one battle!"
With Zhang Feng’s agreement, they moved to the Pokémon Center’s battle arena and began.
"Go, my Pokémon!"
As Fox spoke, his Pokéball glowed red, and a Machop appeared before Zhang Feng.
"Ding dong, Machop’s current stats are as follows:"
Pokémon: Machop
Level: 15
Ability: Guts
Type: Fighting
Potential: Green
Bond Evolution: Locked
Mega Evolution: Locked
Moves: Leer, Low Kick, Karate Chop, Low Sweep, Focus Energy...
...
"Machop, huh? Then let’s start with a Gym challenge warm-up. Pipi Bird, I’m counting on you!"
With Zhang Feng’s command, Pipi Bird emerged from its Luxury Ball and fixed its gaze on Machop.
The battle began immediately.
"Pipi Bird, use Twister to end this!"
"Machop, dodge!"
A fierce tornado swept over, and Machop was caught in the whirlwind. When the storm ended, Machop was unable to continue fighting.
"Ding dong, Pipi Bird gained 87 experience points and leveled up to level 23!"
...