A roar suddenly erupted from the back kitchen: "I told you, we're only cooking today, no challenges!"Ahhhhh!!!"
The waiter explained innocently, "But the customer ordered the hidden meal..."
Following that, a chef stormed out from the back kitchen. He was burly and muscular, with a sharp cleaver tightly clutched in one hand under his rolled-up sleeves, and a spatula vigorously waved in the other.
Most of his chef's uniform was soaked with sweat, and two buttons at his collar had popped open from his excitement, revealing a colorful tattoo.
The tattoo snaked from his arm to his shoulder, a lifelike black dragon design. The black dragon's scales seemed to shimmer with mysterious light under the illumination, its whiskers flew wildly, and its Dragon Claws were sharp and pointed, as if it would soar from his arm and break through this world in the next second.
He strode straight towards Chen Kai. However, when his peripheral vision caught sight of Miraidon, his initial rage instantly dissipated considerably.
When the chef reached Chen Kai, he actually asked, "Are you Chen Kai?"
Chen Kai was full of doubt, as he seemed to have never met this chef before.
But he still nodded and replied, "That's right."
The chef then pressed on, "You're the trainer with Mega Ampharos?"
Chen Kai was even more surprised: "It's me, how did you know?"
The head chef nodded slightly: "Alright, since it's you, then I'll have a battle with you."
After speaking, he raised his arms and shouted: "Guests, there weren't supposed to be any battles tonight, but today I'll make an exception and give everyone an impromptu battle performance, how about it?"
"Good!!!" The entire venue instantly erupted in thunderous applause and cheers.
Yelena, who had just entered, showed a 'just as expected' expression.
No sooner had he spoken than the chef gave a look to the waiter and ordered, "Activate the switch!"
The waiter understood, quickly moved to the side, and pressed a switch hidden in the corner.
In an instant, all the neatly arranged tables and chairs in the restaurant seemed to come to life, slowly beginning to move. Like well-trained soldiers, they steadily carried the guests on them, smoothly sliding along their predetermined routes. Every table and chair cooperated perfectly, without any collisions or chaos.
As time passed, the central area gradually cleared, and a standard battle arena impressively appeared before everyone's eyes.
Chen Kai was stunned by this sudden scene.
At this moment, the chef introduced himself: "My name is Zhang Zhao, and I am the Gym Leader of Cheng City. My Master has mentioned your Mega Ampharos many times. I've never battled a Mega Pokemon before. Will you send out Mega Ampharos in this battle?"
After hearing him say that, Chen Kai instantly guessed that this Zhang Zhao, who was both a Gym Leader and a chef, was most likely the apprentice of Lin.
Chen Kai had originally planned to visit the Gym in Cheng City, and who would have thought it would be such a coincidence.
Since the Gym Leader had proactively issued a battle invitation, Chen Kai naturally had no reason to refuse.
"No problem, come on, Gym Leader Zhang!"
The waiter stood in the center of the arena and, seeing that Chen Kai and Zhang Zhao had agreed, said, "Then please, both battling parties, take your positions."
Chen Kai took his position, sent out Xiao Mei, and said, "Your opponent is looking forward to battling you!"
Xiao Mei stretched her limbs and roared with fighting spirit:
"Dragon~!" (Then let them see how amazing I am!)
Xiao Mei hadn't battled for a long time; she had been training on her own daily, and Chen Kai would occasionally check on her training progress.
Just a few weeks ago, Xiao Mei naturally learned Power Gem.
Now, Chen Kai estimated that Xiao Mei was about to reach the Senior-level (around level 38-39), still the highest level among the Pokemon he had raised.
Seeing Chen Kai send out Ampharos, Zhang Zhao nodded in satisfaction and commanded, "Go, Pangoro!"
A sturdy-bodied Pangoro appeared on the field, its hands clenched into fists, and its fur was black and white.
Unlike the adorable pandas on Earth, this Pangoro had a fierce face and always casually held a bamboo branch in its mouth.
Chen Kai took out his Pokedex to check and found that this Pangoro was at the Senior-level (over level 40), making it a well-matched opponent for Xiao Mei, who could Mega Evolve.
"Let the battle begin!" The waiter signaled with a wave of his hand, and the battle officially commenced.
Chen Kai quickly shouted, "Xiao Mei, Electric Terrain!"
Xiao Mei unhesitatingly began to gather the electrical energy within her body, concentrating it onto her feet, preparing to activate Electric Terrain.
"Taunt!" As expected, Zhang Zhao commanded Pangoro to use this move.
Pangoro suddenly opened its large, blood-red mouth and let out a deafening roar.
This roar was filled with endless Taunt and pressure, and at the same time, Pangoro's eyes revealed deep contempt and disdain, staring fixedly at Xiao Mei, and a faint dark-type energy spread from its body towards Xiao Mei.
Xiao Mei's rhythm was completely disrupted by this sudden Taunt. She had been methodically gathering power to activate Electric Terrain, but Pangoro's speed was faster than Xiao Mei's, and this Taunt directly impacted Xiao Mei's rhythm.
Xiao Mei only felt that the Electric-type energy she had so painstakingly gathered instantly became chaotic, and at this moment, she could only use offensive moves, unable to use status moves.
However, all of this was within Chen Kai's expectations. After all, there aren't many Pokemon slower than Ampharos in releasing skills, and Mega Ampharos's speed would decrease after Mega Evolution. Chen Kai just wanted to try if he could successfully activate Electric Terrain.
"Mega Evolve! Xiao Mei!"
After being Taunted, Xiao Mei was furious and roared:
"Dragon!" (I'll smash you!)
No sooner had she spoken than a large amount of electrical energy instantly surged around Xiao Mei's body. This energy, like a surging tide, spun wildly around her.
The light grew increasingly intense, almost blinding to the eyes.
Enveloped in this dazzling Radiance, Xiao Mei successfully completed her Mega Evolution.
After evolving, Xiao Mei began to grow many red beads on her head, along with a lot of flowing white fur.
These white hairs, like soft clouds, drifted out in strands, shimmering with a sacred and mysterious Radiance in the light.
Seeing this, Zhang Zhao secretly mused, "Mega Evolution isn't restricted by Taunt? Mega Pokemon are truly not simple!"
Now that Xiao Mei had finished evolving, it was time to launch an attack.
"Xiao Mei, Thunderbolt!"
Upon hearing the command, Xiao Mei immediately raised her head, her fur standing on end, and countless electrical energies surged wildly within her body like turbulent waves.
The red beads on her head glowed brightly, and thick bolts of lightning rapidly converged and coiled around her body. In the blink of an eye, a gigantic electric sphere formed around Xiao Mei, tightly enveloping her.
Zhang Zhao's eyes narrowed, and he decisively ordered, "Pangoro, Fire Punch attack!"
Pangoro instantly charged towards Xiao Mei like an enraged black beast.
Its right fist instantly burst into raging flames, the flames appearing orange-red, interspersed with leaping and flickering golden sparks. The scorching aura caused the surrounding air to twist and deform.
Pangoro ran incredibly fast, stirring up a scorching whirlwind, and in a blink of an eye, it arrived in front of Xiao Mei, its flaming fist rocketing straight towards Xiao Mei's chest like a cannonball.
With a loud "boom," the Fire Punch was even faster than Xiao Mei's Thunderbolt, striking Xiao Mei squarely.
In an instant, fierce flames, like surging waves, immediately engulfed Xiao Mei's body.
However, after Mega Evolution, Xiao Mei gained the Dragon-type. Although this seemingly powerful Fire Punch hit her squarely, the damage caused was not as high as imagined.
Xiao Mei merely shook her head lightly, and the flames gradually dissipated. Though a hint of pain flashed in her eyes, it quickly refocused, her gaze fixed steadily on Pangoro.
Immediately after, Xiao Mei instantly released all the electrical energy she had gathered within her body without reservation.
A bolt of lightning, like a giant dragon, shot out from her, carrying immense power like a collapsing mountain, roaring towards Pangoro.
Where the lightning passed, the air was intensely ionized, emitting a harsh "sizzling" sound, and the surrounding temperature rapidly increased.
Pangoro had not yet fully recovered from its previous attack when it was mercilessly enveloped by this Thunderbolt.
The strong electric current instantly wrapped around its entire body, and Pangoro's body trembled violently uncontrollably, being forced back repeatedly by the powerful electric shock.
Zhang Zhao was full of doubts. He had heard his teacher say that after Mega Ampharos's Mega Evolution, only its special attack power increased, so the immense power of that Thunderbolt was normal.
But no matter how hard he thought, he couldn't understand why, when that Fire Punch hit Xiao Mei just now, the feel was completely off, and it didn't cause much damage to Xiao Mei at all.
But no matter how strange the feel was, another punch would reveal the truth.
"Pangoro, don't let the distance widen, use Assurance!"
Pangoro heard the command, and its originally somewhat staggering body instantly stabilized.
A layer of gloom stained its fierce eyes, and its entire aura suddenly changed, as if it was heavily shrouded in a dark mist.
It turned its fists into palms, and a eerie, dark glow flickered on its palms, emanating a chilling aura.
Then, its movements were as swift as a ghost, its body slightly crouched, and it charged towards Xiao Mei at an almost incredible speed.
The moment it was about to approach Xiao Mei, it raised its palm high, like a sharp blade, and chopped down fiercely towards Xiao Mei's vital points.
At this moment, there was no time to use moves like Thunderbolt or Dazzling Gleam, Chen Kai could only shout loudly: "Xiao Mei, Thunder Punch to block!"
Xiao Mei's reaction was also extremely quick; the electrical energy throughout its body surged frantically again, and a large amount of current rapidly gathered on its right fist.
In an instant, its right fist was tightly enveloped by a bright, dazzling electric light, which flowed like liquid, constantly flickering and jumping, emitting crisp 'crackling' sounds.
Normally, Chen Kai generally didn't let Xiao Mei practice Thunder Punch, as he felt that Xiao Mei had outstanding talent in special attacks, and practicing Thunder Punch would not be very useful.
Fortunately, Xiao Mei did not completely follow Chen Kai's arrangements; she often had Miraidon teach her boxing techniques.
At this moment, the Thunder Punch she had diligently practiced daily finally came into use.
Xiao Mei charged forward without fear, meeting Pangoro's downward chop with a powerful swing of her right fist.
Thunder Punch, carrying powerful electrical energy, barely managed to block Pangoro's Assurance, and the two moves collided fiercely in mid-air.
For a moment, electric light and dark glow intertwined, erupting into an extremely dazzling Radiance. The intense energy fluctuations spread rapidly like surging shockwaves, causing dust to fly up from the surrounding ground.
Fortunately, Evil Eatery had a protective barrier, so not a speck of dust flew out of the battle arena, not affecting the other diners.
With a loud 'boom', the collision of the two skills produced a deafening roar.
Xiao Mei was shaken back several steps by the powerful impact, while Pangoro only retreated half a step.
The difference in physical attack power was fully demonstrated at this moment.
Zhang Zhao pressed his advantage, relentlessly shouting: "Don't give the opponent a chance to breathe, continue with Assurance!"
In desperation, Chen Kai could only direct Xiao Mei to continuously defend with Thunder Punch.
Since the battle arena was set up inside the restaurant, the space was relatively small. Under Pangoro's torrential assault, Xiao Mei continuously retreated, eventually being forced into the corner of the battle arena.
Its body trembled slightly, and each swing of Thunder Punch became increasingly strenuous.
However, there was no trace of fear in Xiao Mei's eyes; instead, a burning, unyielding flame blazed within them.
Gradually, the originally bright electric light on Xiao Mei's right fist began to undergo a strange transformation, gradually shifting from a bright yellow to a soft pink.
That pink Radiance was like cherry blossoms blooming in spring, beautiful and mysterious, yet it contained an unimaginable powerful strength.
Xiao Mei swung her fist, emitting a pink Radiance, and it collided once again with Pangoro's Assurance.
This time, the immense power unleashed by the pink fist instantly suppressed Pangoro's Assurance.
The pink Radiance, like a surging tide, devoured the dark glow on Pangoro's palm layer by layer.
Pangoro's originally fierce offensive came to an abrupt halt in the face of this pink fist, and its body was involuntarily forced backward by the powerful impact.
Zhang Zhao opposite was astonished and blurted out: "What is this?"
Chen Kai was equally surprised, and only Miraidon, off to the side, excitedly said: "Well done!"
It turned out that this pink light was precisely Dazzling Gleam.
Before Miraidon traveled to Blue Star, it most enjoyed using this move to battle other Miraidon of its kind.
Xiao Mei learned this technique from Miraidon, attaching Dazzling Gleam to her fists to attack opponents.
It just so happened that Pangoro was Dark-type and Fighting-type, and was completely countered by this Fairy-type Dazzling Gleam.
Chen Kai quickly realized this was Dazzling Gleam and immediately shouted: "Good! Xiao Mei, it's our turn not to give the opponent a chance to breathe!"
Xiao Mei's left fist also began to glow with a pink light, and she let out a roar:
"Dragon ~" (Take this!)
Seeing this, Zhang Zhao could only continuously direct Pangoro to use other moves to resist.
However, Fighting-type is also countered by Fairy-type, so in desperation, Zhang Zhao could only have Pangoro use the Steel-type move 'Bullet Punch' to block.
But since Chen Kai had gained the advantage, he naturally wouldn't let his opponent off easily, shouting loudly: "Xiao Mei, take its Bullet Punch head-on, and at the same time, let it get a good taste of our Dazzling Gleam Punch!"
"Dragon ~" (Okay!)
Xiao Mei skillfully shifted her body, and Bullet Punch heavily struck her chest.
Fortunately, Electric-type Xiao Mei has some resistance to Steel-type Bullet Punch.
At the same time, Xiao Mei also put all her strength into smashing the Dazzling Gleam Punch heavily onto Pangoro's body, and the pink Radiance instantly spread like a tide over Pangoro's entire body.
Pangoro let out a miserable howl, its massive body was sent flying by the powerful force, falling heavily to the ground and raising a cloud of dust.
Pangoro struggled to get up, attempting to continue blocking with Bullet Punch, but Xiao Mei remained unyielding, taking Pangoro's Bullet Punch head-on, and then punching Pangoro again.
Xiao Mei, with a fighting style of injuring the enemy a thousand while harming herself a hundred, completely suppressed Pangoro, giving it no chance to breathe.
Seeing that the tide had turned, Zhang Zhao reluctantly raised his hand to surrender: "There's no point in fighting anymore, Pangoro and I concede."
Xiao Mei then stopped swinging her fists; she had some minor scratches on her body. Meanwhile, Pangoro, lying on the ground, had a face so swollen it looked like a pig's head.
Zhang Zhao recalled Pangoro, walked forward and shook hands with Chen Kai, sighing: "As expected of the person my teacher often praises, Chen Kai, are you really only in your second year of high school?"
Chen Kai had only met Lin a few times, and he didn't expect that he would praise himself and his Pokemon so often. Chen Kai scratched his head a little awkwardly and replied: "I am indeed still in my second year of high school."
"Truly, the waves behind push the waves ahead! I wonder when I'll also be able to have a Mega Evolved Pokemon, haha." Zhang Zhao said with a hearty laugh.
As he spoke, he pulled out a black, pot-shaped badge from his pocket: "Although this is just a commemorative badge, it can also be considered the Cheng City Gym Badge—the Black Pot Badge."
Immediately after, he flicked out a disc: "I didn't expect a battle today, so I only brought this 'Nasty Plot' TM."
Chen Kai thanked him repeatedly, then accepted the badge and the TM.
Zhang Zhao sighed: "The younger generation is truly getting stronger and stronger. You'll be participating in the high school student competition in December, right?"
Chen Kai nodded in response: "That's right."
"This year, just in Chengdu alone, I know of several exceptionally strong students. I look forward to your brilliant performance in the arena then!"
"I will give it my all."
"Why was Fire Punch not very powerful just now?"
"After Ampharos evolves, its type changes; it becomes Electric-type and Dragon-type."
"No wonder, now Ampharos truly lives up to its 'Dragon' name."
In this harmonious atmosphere, Zhang Zhao escorted Chen Kai to the entrance of Evil Eatery: "See you next time. If you see Lin, remember to say hello for me!"
Chen Kai walked out of Evil Eatery, waving goodbye: "If I meet Lin, I will definitely convey your regards."
Zhang Zhao nodded with satisfaction, then turned back into the "Evil Eatery" to continue cooking.
After walking for a while, Chen Kai and Miraidon suddenly realized that they hadn't even eaten yet!
But the atmosphere during the farewell just now made Chen Kai truly too embarrassed to go back.
"How about we go to another place?" Chen Kai asked Miraidon.
Miraidon said helplessly: "That's the only way."