"Delelele-WHOOOOP~!"
Kricketune's signature cry snapped Peter out of his chaotic inner monologue.
Right.
This wasn't some meme-forged, internet-deified "Kricketune Hero" from his previous life.
This was just… a regular Kricketune.
"Kricketune Hero, use Sing!"
Peter raised a brow. "Ignore it. Charge in with Fire Punch!"
Kricketune crossed its blade-like forearms and produced a drowsy, violin-like melody that drifted across the clearing.
Teddiursa pushed forward through the soundwaves, eyelids growing heavier with every step.
Then Peter's calm voice rang out:
"Eat the berry you just picked up!"
"Bine~!"
Out of nowhere, Teddiursa pulled out a bluish-purple Chesto Berry and stuffed it into its mouth.
The drowsiness vanished instantly.
Flames ignited around its fists—
BOOM!
The punch landed squarely, interrupting the melody and sending Kricketune sliding back several meters.
"Again! Fire Punch!"
"BINE!"
A second blazing strike crashed down.
Kricketune collapsed.
[Ding! Teddiursa defeated a higher-level opponent.
Universal Talent Points +30!]
Shuhei scooped up his fallen partner, shouting dramatically as he retreated:
"Kricketune Hero and I will return!"
Peter stared blankly.
"…Please don't."
He rewarded Teddiursa with a jar of Sweet Honey.
Honestly, Pickup was absurdly useful in the wild.
Without that Chesto Berry, Teddiursa—already full on move slots—wouldn't have shaken off Sing so easily.
…
Rustling in the Bushes
Suddenly, nearby shrubs shook violently.
A flash of yellow burst out.
"Pika—Pika Pika!"
Peter and Whitney froze simultaneously.
A Pikachu.
"Heyyyyy—Peter!"
Several figures rushed over.
At the front—
Ash.
Behind him—
Dawn.
Brock.
And…
Peter's gaze shifted to the final figure.
A tall young woman with long green hair tied in a scorpion-tail braid that fell to her hips.
She wore a short green top and a long dark-green skirt, tall boots matching the shade.
Her bangs parted like leaves framing her face, with a single thin strand down the center.
Pure.
Elegant.
A hint of clumsy charm.
She stepped forward politely.
"Hello, Professor Peter. My name is Cheryl. I come from a treasure-hunting family."
Peter nodded in recognition.
Cheryl.
One of Sinnoh's partner Trainers in the games.
And—
One of his mission targets.
He needed to defeat her in a stamina-focused battle.
Peter pulled Whitney closer.
"This is my girlfriend, Whitney."
Then gently tapped her shoulder.
"Babe, you've met Ash and Brock before."
Whitney blinked.
"Oh right! You're Pikachu! I knew I'd seen such an adorable Pikachu before!"
She promptly lifted Pikachu off Ash's shoulder and rubbed cheeks with it.
Ash and the others were effectively invisible.
Pikachu: "Pika… (°ー°〃)"
Ash: …
-----
Lunch Break
Soon, at Brock's invitation, everyone sat down for a meal.
Peter never refused Brock's cooking.
Besides—
He needed to challenge Cheryl anyway.
Midway through vegetable porridge, Peter asked casually:
"Wait, Ash—you guys should've come from Floaroma Town, right? Why are you south of Eterna?"
Ash scratched his head awkwardly.
"Well…"
Dawn deadpanned. "Because we got lost."
Peter: …
Cheryl laughed lightly. "But thanks to them getting lost, we found Amber Castle."
Whitney tilted her head. "Amber Castle?"
"It's a Combee hive," Peter explained gently, wiping porridge from Whitney's lips. "Built entirely from honey. Looks like amber."
Brock sighed admiringly. "As expected of a Professor…"
Ash blinked.
"Wait—why does everyone call you Professor?"
Dawn groaned. "Ash, do you ever read news? He discovered Mega Evolution, Dynamax, and officially established the Fairy-type classification!"
Ash's eyes lit up instantly.
"Then Peter! I challenge you!"
Peter rubbed his forehead.
Of course.
But he didn't answer immediately.
Instead, he turned to Cheryl.
"Cheryl, I heard your partner is a Chansey specializing in endurance. Is that right?"
"Yes."
"Would you honor me with a battle?"
Her eyes sparkled.
"It would be my pleasure."
"Ash," Peter added, "if it doesn't delay your journey, let's battle after I finish with Cheryl."
Ash clenched his fists enthusiastically.
"Deal!"
-----
Back to the Forest Clearing
Cheryl and Peter took their positions.
"Go, Chansey!"
Peter released his partner.
"Arboliva, I choose you!"
Chansey — Lv.45 (Elite-tier Intermediate)
Brock frowned slightly.
"This could take a long time…"
Peter smiled.
He appreciated Brock's tactical awareness.
"Arboliva—Giga Drain!"
"Chansey—Light Screen!"
A shimmering barrier rose.
Green energy was siphoned—
But Chansey barely flinched.
"Chansey—Ice Beam!"
"Light Screen!"
The icy beam struck the barrier harmlessly.
Meanwhile, seeds fell from Arboliva's branches—
Grass began spreading underfoot.
Grassy Terrain activated.
Soft green light restored its HP steadily.
Brock muttered, "Even super-effective Ice Beam isn't making a dent…"
Cheryl narrowed her eyes.
"If we can't break through, we'll boost. Chansey—Calm Mind!"
"Arboliva—Leech Seed!"
Chansey closed her eyes as psychic energy gathered.
Leech Seed struck true.
More green light pulsed.
Arboliva's HP fully stabilized.
Cheryl's plan was simple.
If she couldn't out-damage—
She would outlast.
Chansey's massive HP pool made her a fortress.
But endurance warfare was exactly what Peter wanted.
To defeat Chansey at her own specialty—
He needed prolonged engagement.
And Leech Seed was the fulcrum.
Whitney suddenly whispered, "Doesn't this mean Chansey's going to lose?"
Almost instantly—
Peter's voice rang out.
"Arboliva—Toxic."
--------------
T/N:
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