Pokémon: The Cheating Life

Chapter 40: The Battle on the Water Field and the Arrival of Friends

The next day, Ron drew the Water Field for his match, while Lillie was assigned to the Rock Field. Lillie's match was in the morning, while Ron's was in the afternoon, so he continued to cheer her on. However, as a competitor himself, he wasn't allowed to be at the battlefield to offer guidance. Instead, he could only silently support her from the stands.

Lillie's opponent was a strong trainer named Aya. Her first two Pokémon, Pidgeotto and Onix, were quickly taken down by Lillie's Pikachu and Snowy. However, Aya's ace, Charizard, swiftly turned the tables, knocking out Pikachu and Snowy in an instant. Lillie was forced to send out Omanyte, the Pokémon she had chosen from Ron's selection. Thanks to their strong bond, Omanyte managed to secure victory and even evolved into Omastar.

Ron breathed a sigh of relief—Aya's Charizard was powerful, but it was only in the low fifties level-wise. Meanwhile, Ron's fossil Pokémon were all around level eighty, and even the one Lillie had chosen was at level seventy-two. It was a total level gap victory.

Luckily, Lillie and Omanyte (now Omastar) got along well. If they hadn't, she probably wouldn't have been able to command it properly.

After lunch, the two of them took a short break before Ron's match in the Water Field's third round. His opponent was a trainer from Lavender Town named Kai, who specialized in Ghost-type Pokémon.

As the bell rang, both trainers sent out their Pokémon. Ron chose Greninja, while Kai sent out Gyarados.

Ron smirked. "You can go first."

"You're strong, so I'll bring out my ace from the start. Gyarados, use Hydro Pump!" Kai said seriously. He knew Ron's strength had already made him one of the top competitors in the tournament.

"Hydro Pump it right back," Ron countered.

Greninja launched its own Hydro Pump, colliding with Gyarados's attack in mid-air. As the crowd watched, Greninja's Hydro Pump began to overpower Gyarados's, pushing it back before striking Gyarados head-on.

Kai's expression darkened. From that brief exchange alone, he could tell his Gyarados wasn't a match for Greninja.

Gritting his teeth, he shouted, "Gyarados, don't give up! Use Dragon Dance, then Outrage!"

Ron remained calm. "Lick."

Greninja's long tongue lashed across Gyarados's face, dealing minor damage but—unfortunately—failing to paralyze it. Gyarados managed to complete its Dragon Dance before entering a wild frenzy with Outrage, repeatedly striking Greninja.

However, the attacks seemed to pass right through Greninja's body.

Kai's eyes widened in realization. "A Ghost-type?! No way!"

Ron smirked. "Finish it with Hydro Pump."

Greninja launched another powerful Hydro Pump, sending Gyarados crashing into the stands. It was unable to battle.

"Gyarados is unable to battle!" the referee announced.

"Return, Gyarados…" Kai recalled his Pokémon and sighed. "I had no idea your Greninja had the Ghost typing. Looks like I need to get serious. Go, Magnezone!"

Ron raised an eyebrow. A Steel/Electric-type, huh? A pretty good counter to Greninja. But then, something about this match felt familiar.

Then it hit him.

Kai smirked. "Magnezone, use Lock-On, then Zap Cannon!"

Ron's face darkened. "Damn it, not this again… Greninja, set up Spikes."

Just as he had expected, Magnezone locked onto Greninja, ensuring Zap Cannon wouldn't miss. The massive electric blast struck Greninja head-on.

As the smoke cleared, Greninja remained standing, completely unharmed.

Ron let out a breath of relief. "Hydro Pump."

The attack hit Magnezone directly, sending it flying and slamming it into the battlefield. Magnezone wobbled but barely managed to stay afloat, its Sturdy ability preventing it from being knocked out in one hit.

Kai's confidence wavered. "That's impossible! How did your Greninja take no damage?!"

Ron shook his head. "Finish it, Lick."

Greninja's tongue flicked Magnezone, delivering the final blow.

Kai recalled Magnezone and took a deep breath. "I can't beat you, but I need to know why. If I don't figure it out, I won't be able to move forward."

"I'll tell you after the match," Ron replied. He didn't want to discourage Kai too much.

Kai thanked him and sent out his last Pokémon—Gengar.

"Gengar, use Curse!"

Ron's expression hardened. "Damn… Water Pulse!"

But instead of using Curse, Gengar activated Destiny Bond.

"Oh no! Greninja, dodge—"

It was too late. As Gengar was hit by Water Pulse and knocked out, it sent out a ghostly aura that enveloped Greninja, causing it to collapse as well.

Even though Ron won, he was left frustrated. He had no choice but to admit that Ghost-types were terrifying when used correctly. Moves like Curse, Destiny Bond, and Pain Split could turn the tide of battle in an instant.

After stepping off the battlefield, Kai approached Ron through the competitor's tunnel.

Even though he had lost, he wasn't angry. Instead, he was eager to learn.

"So… what happened?" Kai asked.

Ron explained Greninja's Battle Bond ability and how its transformation gave it the Ghost typing. Understanding that he had lost due to an unexpected ability rather than just a pure power gap, Kai accepted the loss with a smile.

"In that case, I won't make the same mistake next time. If we meet on our journeys, let's have a rematch," Kai said, holding out a hand.

Ron shook it. "Sounds good to me."

Later That Evening—Arrival of the Alola Crew

At the Indigo Plateau's airfield, a private jet landed smoothly.

Ron whistled. "Man, the Aether Foundation really is loaded."

Lillie, however, had no interest in luxury—she was far too excited. She ran forward and leaped into Lusamine's arms.

"Mom! You came to watch?!"

Lusamine smiled. "Of course, dear. How could I miss cheering for you?"

"Yeah, yeah! And you're so sneaky, Lillie!" Mallow teased. "Running off on your own without inviting us."

Lillie blushed in embarrassment, then pulled Ron forward, introducing him to the newcomers.

Ron glanced around, immediately recognizing all of them. Lusamine, Gladion, Professor Oak, Professor Kukui, and Lillie's classmates—Lana, Mallow, Kiawe, and Sophocles. It was the full Alola cheer squad.

Everyone swarmed around Ron, peppering him with questions.

Meanwhile, Gladion stepped forward, placing a firm hand on Ron's shoulder.

"…Take care of Lillie," he said in a serious tone.

Ron broke into a cold sweat. Was this a warning from the big brother already? But wait—he and Lillie had only recently started liking each other. Was this really happening? Was he already meeting the parents?!