Pokémon: Starting with a Bound Entry System

Chapter 214: Gym Challenge – Latias vs. Mimikyu!

At the elderly woman's command, Gengar, with its sinister crimson grin, ceased drifting around Hikaru.

Black ghostly energy, like flowing ink, settled onto the trio's Dusk Stones.

Under this energy, the previously fluctuating aura of the Dusk Stones calmed completely.

It was similar to how Hikaru sealed them with his Aura, except Gengar's sealing method was permanent.

Hikaru probed with his Aura.

Indeed, the Dusk Stones were no longer radiating energy.

"Come with me. It's time for the gym challenge."

Seeing Gengar finish the sealing, the elderly woman spoke softly.

The trio exchanged glances before quickly following her.

After all, they had endured the grueling trials for this very moment—the gym challenge.

Rushing ahead, they soon reached the gym.

Inside the gym, the young woman in the white blouse from earlier—Li Min—had now changed into a white martial arts uniform, stretching in preparation.

Two elderly men, whom Hikaru had previously seen on the street, stood nearby.

To Hikaru's surprise, the elderly woman didn't step onto the battlefield. Instead, she moved to the side of the arena.

Li Min, now fully warmed up, called out:

"You three—who's first?"

"Huh?"

Hikaru blinked in confusion.

Wasn't the challenge supposed to be against the elderly woman?

Noticing his puzzled expression, Li Min smiled and explained:

"Grandma's weakest Pokémon are Elite-level Gengar. So, I'll be your opponent for this challenge. Win or lose, clearing the challenge earns you the official badge of the Ghost House Gym."

Such was the rule of the Ghost-type National Gym.

As long as the challenger completed the challenge, they would receive the badge.

Hikaru nodded in understanding, then turned to the Damnson siblings.

"Mind if I go first? I've got some things to take care of."

He planned to finish the challenge, claim his prize money, and immediately fly back to Shuimu City.

"Sure…"

Leo Damnson glanced at Emma. Seeing her nod in agreement, he also nodded.

Emma then asked softly:

"Something urgent?"

Hikaru shook his head.

"Not really. Just need to head back quickly."

"Alright," she replied, not prying further.

"Thanks."

Hikaru expressed his gratitude, then patted Latias, who floated beside him.

"I'm counting on you."

Since speed was the priority, Latias was the obvious choice.

It's just a Youth League qualifier. How tough could it be?

Besides, the opponent is only a young woman in her early twenties.

This should be an easy win.

"Mmm~!"

Latias chirped cheerfully, immediately soaring into the arena.

"Straight to Latias?"

Even the elderly woman, seated on the sidelines, blinked in surprise.

After three days of observing Hikaru through surveillance, she was well aware of Latias's strength.

There was no doubt—

This Latias was a Master-level Pokémon.

And…

Her true power went far beyond that.

Ghost-type trainers, attuned to life energy, could easily gauge a Pokémon's vitality.

This Latias—

Had once, without a doubt, been Elite-level, if not Champion-level!

That realization had left the surveillance room's Elite trainers stunned for a long time.

To have a Legendary Pokémon of Elite-level strength willingly follow him…

Such a trainer was destined to become at least a top-tier Elite himself.

The elderly woman was equally astonished.

During the High School League, Hikaru's Latias had only been at Apex Lord level.

But now it had advanced to Master level.

How did it regain its strength so quickly?

At this pace, it wouldn't take more than two years for Latias to return to Elite level.

And Hikaru?

Given the unbreakable bond between them, he was undoubtedly on track to become an Elite trainer himself.

A teenage Elite trainer…

Unbelievable!

Every generation surpasses the last…

Sighing inwardly, the elderly woman turned her attention to the battlefield.

Facing Latias, Li Min's expression grew serious.

Her grandfather had already briefed her on Latias's capabilities.

Though Li Min was a fresh university graduate, she had come to this remote town for a specific reason:

Her grandfather—the town's protector—was grooming her to be the next guardian of Xuzhen Town.

Guarding both a National Gym and its affiliated SS-ranked secret realm?

Too cool!

This was to be her first official gym defense battle.

Unfortunately, my first opponent seems way too strong…

Let's just hope it's not a complete disaster.

Setting aside her thoughts, Li Min summoned her strongest Pokémon.

"Come out, Mimikyu!"

With a flash of red light, a Pokémon emerged from the Poké Ball.

It tilted its head, its eyes resembling spiraling coils.

The entire figure looked like a fallen Pikachu.

"Mimikyu?"

Seeing the opponent, Hikaru raised an eyebrow.

[Pokémon: Mimikyu]

[Ability: Disguise]

[Gender: Female]

[Potential: Elite]

[Level: 51]

[Moves: Scratch, Jump Kick, Astonish, Copycat, Wood Hammer, Shadow Sneak, Double Team, Baby-Doll Eyes, Mimic, Hone Claws, Shadow Claw, Pain Split, Psychic, Shadow Ball…]

A Master-level Mimikyu…

Hikaru couldn't help but admire it.

"The battle will be a one-on-one. Victory is determined when one Pokémon can no longer fight."

"Are you ready?"

It was clear that Li Min was a bit nervous about her first gym defense.

Though her nervousness was subtle, Hikaru, with his Aura, picked up on it easily.

He raised his hand to signal his readiness.

"Ready."

The moment his words fell, tension flooded the arena.

It was as if an invisible current stirred between the two sides.

As trainers advanced and experienced more battles, they naturally exuded an aura—much like seasoned warriors developing an intimidating presence.

Normally, gym challenges gave the challenger the first move.

But faced with Latias's innocent-looking gaze, Li Min instinctively blurted out her command:

"Shadow Sneak!"

Mimikyu's stitched smile widened maniacally, its neck twisting at an unnatural angle.

Its crazed expression was unsettling.

Just because it wore Pikachu's disguise didn't mean it shared Pikachu's cheerful nature.

Ghost-types were born with wild, reckless instincts.

Under the dim lights, Mimikyu's shadow writhed as if alive.

It shot toward Latias at breakneck speed, like a whip lashing through the air.

"Dodge it."

The constraints of official battles became evident.

Though the gym's battlefield was spacious, it was barely more than a short dash for Latias's speed.

Thus, dodging became tricky.

The black shadow, like an unrelenting serpent, clung tightly to Latias's tail.

After all, this Mimikyu was a Master-level Pokémon.

Its strength was undeniable.

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