Chapter 16: Defeating Ash, A Gift from Nurse Joy!

Chapter 16: Defeating Ash, Miss Joy’s Gift!

In the world of Pokémon, if a Pokémon loses its ability to battle or suffers a serious injury, it may not fully recover even by the next day. This can prevent it from participating in subsequent matches at the Pokémon League tournaments.

For example, during the Silver Conference of the Chengdu League, Ye Yue’s Blaziken defeated Ash’s Charizard but was severely wounded, rendering it unable to continue in the following battles and ultimately leading to his bitter defeat.

Therefore, to achieve good results in league competitions, trainers must carefully select their Pokémon lineup.

Although Forest Lizard and Pidgey were previously defeated and lost their ability to fight, their recovery was swift. By the afternoon, both had fully regained their vigor.

At the Pokémon Center’s battle arena, a match that attracted many spectators was about to begin.

This battle was especially noteworthy because it was rare lately for a trainer to earn the Orange League badge. Even Miss Joy came to watch!

The referee was none other than Brock.

“Next up is the battle between Ash and Zhang Feng. The rules are one-on-one. The match ends when either side’s two Pokémon lose their ability to fight!”

“Now, begin the match! Both trainers, please send out your Pokémon simultaneously!”

As Brock’s voice fell, Ash’s first Pokémon appeared.

Pokémon: Swellow
Level: 26
Ability: Guts
Type: Normal/Flying
Potential: Blue
Bond Evolution: Not unlocked
Mega Evolution: Not unlocked
Moves: Quick Attack, Wing Attack, Double Team, Agility, Peck...

At this point, Ash had already cleared four gyms, and normally Swellow would have evolved by now, yet it hadn’t. Its strength had reached an elite level.

Coincidentally, Zhang Feng’s first Pokémon was also Flying-type. If it wasn’t Pidgeotto, then what was it?

Though Zhang Feng’s Pidgeotto was slightly lower in level than Swellow, it was a second-stage evolution. Evolved Pokémon are always stronger than those that aren’t.

“Swellow, the opponent is also Flying-type. You must win!” Ash’s words sharpened Swellow’s gaze. As the original leader of his flock, Swellow feared no one among Flying-type Pokémon.

However, Zhang Feng’s Pidgeotto had fought against Swellow’s kind back when it was a Pidgey and bore a grudge against them.

“Pidgeotto!”

“Let’s tear it apart!”

The two Flying-type Pokémon immediately clashed fiercely.

“Swellow, use Quick Attack!”

“Pidgeotto, Quick Attack too!”

In terms of size, Zhang Feng’s Pidgeotto was much larger than Swellow. After all, Swellow was modeled after a small swallow, while Pidgeotto resembled a fierce bird of prey like a golden eagle.

Of course, if Ash’s Swellow had evolved into a Braviary, things might have turned out differently. But without evolution, Zhang Feng was confident Pidgeotto would win.

The two Pokémon unleashed Quick Attack simultaneously. Two white streaks of light shot toward one another, colliding violently.

With a thunderous crash, both Pidgeotto and Swellow were knocked back.

Overall, Pidgeotto held the advantage.

“Good, just like that! Use Wing Attack!”

Ash’s expression grew anxious as Swellow found itself at a disadvantage.

“Swellow, don’t give up! Use Wing Attack too!”

Encouraged by Ash’s voice, Swellow shouted fiercely, its speed surging as it charged at Pidgeotto again.

With determination, Swellow gradually managed to hold its own against Pidgeotto’s assault.

“Well done, Swellow, keep it up!”

But to Zhang Feng, Ash still seemed inexperienced.

If this had been during the Sinnoh League or the later stages of the Hoenn region’s Battle Pyramid challenge, Zhang Feng certainly wouldn’t be a match for Ash.

To truly defeat him, Zhang Feng would have to use a legendary like Rayquaza.

Even if Ash sent out Pikachu now, Zhang Feng wouldn’t be a challenge based on level alone.

But since Ash sent out Swellow, luck was, in a way, a form of strength.

Before evolving, Swellow’s level could never exceed thirty. After all, it wasn’t like Ash’s stubborn initial Pokémon—Squirtle or Bulbasaur—that refused to evolve yet still reached high levels.

Though they remained in their basic forms, their levels were high.

In terms of potential, Zhang Feng’s Pidgeotto had enough strength to take down Swellow.

Combined with differences in stamina and physical advantage, Pidgeotto ultimately knocked Swellow to the ground.

“Now, Air Slash!”

At Zhang Feng’s command, swirling blades of Flying-type energy gathered like Ultraman Ace’s Ultra Slash!

They surged toward Swellow.

Already knocked down and unable to evade, Swellow’s descent accelerated, its wounds multiplying.

Seeing Pidgeotto dominate Swellow, Ash grew anxious.

Ash’s companions—Misty, Brock, and others—also hoped Ash wouldn’t lose.

Only Brock cast a knowing look at Zhang Feng, realizing the outcome was already decided.

Meanwhile, Miss Joy, watching from the sidelines, frequently glanced at Zhang Feng with bright eyes.

At this moment, she made a decision.

After this battle, she would entrust her cherished Pokémon to Zhang Feng—only a trainer with such immense potential could truly bring out its strength.

“Swellow, give it your all! Use Quick Attack!”

“Pidgeotto, combine Quick Attack with Wing Attack! Go all out!”

Following their trainers’ commands, the two Flying-type Pokémon rushed toward each other again.

In midair, they collided fiercely!

Swellow immediately plummeted from the sky, losing the ability to continue battling.

Though Pidgeotto was slightly injured, it still had nearly half of its stamina left, unaffected.

“Swellow has lost the ability to fight. Pidgeotto is victorious. The winner of this match is Zhang Feng!”

As the battle ended, nearby trainers began to murmur.

“This guy is really strong. None of us without the Orange League badge stand a chance against him.”

Ash hurried onto the battlefield, scooping up Swellow and heading straight to Miss Joy.

Losing was perhaps for the best—having a formidable rival like Zhang Feng might push Ash to grow stronger faster.

Zhang Feng recalled Pidgeotto and glanced briefly at Misty, Brock, Ash, and others before walking away.

“Miss Joy, I’m entrusting my Pidgeotto to you!”

Hearing this, Miss Joy smiled warmly.

“All right, leave everything to me. By the way, Zhang Feng, wait for me later—I have a gift I want to give you.”

Surprised, Zhang Feng wondered what Miss Joy might be planning.

At that moment, the Divine Selection System sounded again.

“Ding dong, detected Miss Joy has a gift for the host. Activating the following options!”

...

P.S.: Don’t think it’s unrealistic that the protagonist defeated Ash, who already had four gym badges. After all, Pikachu lost to new trainers Snivy and Tepig in the Unova region. So it’s even less surprising that an unevolved Swellow could be defeated!