Chapter 39: Glaceon and Monferno, Mauville Gym!

With the funds earned from the Golden Town capture competition, Zhang Feng purchased a significant number of Luxury Balls and successfully transferred his two Eevees and two Kirlia into them. After stocking up on supplies for his upcoming journey, he set off toward Mauville City.

Along the way, Zhang Feng had his Pokémon engage in battles. Having acquired several evolution stones, he evolved his two Nidorino and two Nidorina into Nidoking and Nidoqueen, consuming four Moon Stones in the process. Once they evolved, their potential improved to purple-tier. Naturally, their future offspring would benefit from better conditions, genetics, and talents. Zhang Feng planned to nurture them as core members once a gold-tier Nidoking with the Sheer Force ability appeared. Furthermore, within his Wood Gecko colony, several evolved into Grovyle, and many of his purple-tier Aron also successfully evolved. In the system's space, his various populations were steadily growing.

As for the two new Eevees, after showing them the various evolutionary paths, the first one chose to evolve into an Umbreon, while the second opted for Glaceon. Conveniently, Zhang Feng possessed an Ice Stone obtained in Golden Town. By combining it with a potential-enhancing stone, the Eevee successfully began her evolution. Normally, Glaceon requires leveling up in the icy rock area of the Sinnoh region, but with the game's mechanics, an Ice Stone could serve as the catalyst. Zhang Feng was happy to fulfill her wish, as it would also bolster his strength.

When the light of evolution faded, a nimble Glaceon stood before him.

Pokémon: Glaceon
Level: 22
Ability: Snow Cloak
Type: Ice
Potential: Gold
Bond Evolution: Unlocked
Mega Evolution: Unlocked
Moves: Yawn, Curse, Charm, Ice Shard, Ice Beam, Ice Fang...
Affection: 168
History: Met in the Golden Town sanctuary; evolved with the trainer's assistance.
Hobbies: Gluttonous, enjoys a peaceful life.

Thanks to the potential-enhancing stone, Eevee had evolved into a gold-tier Glaceon. Although her affection level was not yet very high, it was respectable given that Zhang Feng had only caught her a few days prior. As for the other Eevee, she would need to increase her affection and undergo training at night to eventually evolve into an Umbreon.

The Chimchar Zhang Feng had received from the system offered a pleasant surprise. During a simulated battle in the system space, after defeating its opponent, it began to evolve. By the time it reached its second stage, Monferno, it had successfully achieved gold-tier potential. Could this Monferno be the one destined to reach red-tier potential in its final form? Higher potential meant a higher level cap and greater strength—for a trainer like Zhang Feng, the higher the potential, the better. Truly, the system always produced quality.

"Ding! Monferno's current attributes are as follows:"

Pokémon: Monferno
Level: 19
Ability: Iron Fist
Type: Fire/Fighting
Potential: Gold
Bond Evolution: Unlocked
Mega Evolution: Unlocked
Moves: Scratch, Fire Punch, Thunder Punch, Flame Wheel, Heat Wave, Fire Spin...
Affection: 254
History: A Chimchar that saw its trainer upon hatching, it considers Zhang Feng family and has evolved into Monferno.
Hobbies: Loves its trainer, strives to become the strongest Pokémon for its trainer's sake.

With its affection nearly at its maximum, it was no wonder many trainers preferred to raise Pokémon from eggs. The boost in bond alone was unparalleled.

After training for a few more days, Zhang Feng finally arrived at the location of his fourth gym challenge: Mauville City.

"Ding! Host's current status is as follows:"

Host: Zhang Feng
Age: 18
Funds: 1.5 million Poké Dollars
Items: Luxury Ball x15, Sceptilite x1, Key Stone x1, Leaf Stone, Fire Stone, Water Stone, Thunder Stone, Dusk Stone...
Special: System Space
Core Pokémon: Rayquaza, Sceptile, Pidgeot, Milotic, Lairon, Metang, Monferno, Glaceon, Eevee, Kirlia (2)
Colony Pokémon: Pidgey (515), Treecko (130), Aron (303), Ponyta (4), Eevee (8), Rhyhorn (4), Swablu (2), Vibrava (4), Nidoking, Nidoqueen (4)...

Currently, Zhang Feng had eleven main combat-ready Pokémon, all of which possessed gold-tier potential. While only Rayquaza, Sceptile, Pidgeot, and Milotic were currently above level 40—entering the ranks of quasi-Elite Four strength—the others were steadily growing.

Upon arriving in Mauville City, Zhang Feng left his Pokémon with Nurse Joy at the Pokémon Center and rested for a day before preparing to challenge the Mauville Gym, which specialized in Electric-type Pokémon. He decided that Lairon would be his primary choice, with others determined by Gym Leader Wattson’s selections.

After entering the gym and waiting for the leader, the energetic, white-haired, and bearded Wattson appeared. "So, you are today's challenger, Zhang Feng? You look full of spirit! I hope we have a wonderful battle today."

Zhang Feng smiled. "I look forward to your guidance, Gym Leader Wattson."

"The match between challenger Zhang Feng and Gym Leader Wattson will be a three-on-three battle. Only the challenger may switch Pokémon," the referee announced.

Wattson's first Pokémon was a level 20 Magnemite. Recognizing it as a common-level opponent, Zhang Feng sent out his match. "In that case, I leave it to you, Monferno!"

Upon seeing the Monferno, Wattson didn't immediately recognize the Sinnoh-region Pokémon, but he knew it was a Fire-type. "A Fire-type I haven't seen before? Interesting. Magnemite, use Thunder Shock!"