c10: Arriving in the Capital
In Western Guangdong Province, one mountain stood apart from the rest. Unlike the surrounding peaks draped in lush vegetation and forest canopy, this mountain was stark and gray-yellow in hue, resembling a colossus carved from ancient rock. On this towering Rock-Type-dominated range, a determined female voice rang out.
"Metang, use Metal Claw to take down the opponent!"
A white-colored Metang, with a saucer-shaped body and twin magnetic arms ending in gleaming steel claws, lunged forward. This wasn't just any Metang this was Chen Xiaoxiao's recently evolved Flash Metang, born from the Beldum egg obtained in Chapter 9.
It raised its heavy iron claws and charged at its opponent an aggressive Graveler, a dual Rock/Ground-type Pokémon with gray boulder-like skin, stubby legs, and four muscular arms. The claws struck squarely.
However, Graveler withstood the blow. With a defiant roar, its body began to glow intensely. Power surged wildly beneath its rocky hide.
"It's going to Self-Destruct! Gardevoir!"
Chen Xiaoxiao's expression shifted sharply as she instinctively called out. Gardevoir, ever-attentive at her side, responded before orders could even be fully formed.
"Shanai!"
With immediate understanding born of a deep psychic bond, Gardevoir disappeared in a flash Teleport—to Metang's side and projected a glowing green barrier Protect just as Graveler detonated in a violent burst of energy.
Boom!
The mountain echoed with the impact, smoke and dust erupting in a blinding cloud. Seconds later, Gardevoir returned to Chen Xiaoxiao's side, gripping the Flash Metang by one arm with psychic ease.
From Chen Xiaoxiao's rapid retreat using Gardevoir's Teleport, to Gardevoir instantly moving to defend Metang with Protect, then teleporting both of them back—each motion flowed flawlessly, like a carefully practiced performance. Not that it was entirely voluntary. Judging by Chen Xiaoxiao's exasperated sigh and twitching brow, this wasn't the first time a wild Pokémon had forced such a response.
It had now been more than a month since the Flash Beldum hatched from its Champion-tier egg.
Thanks to the combination of a system-redeemed Exp. Share and a limited-use Double Experience Card unlocked at 10,000 system points, the once-level-5 Beldum had evolved into a Level 38 Flash Metang—Peak Elite level. A growth rate that defied logic and would, if publicized, likely shock the Pokémon League's Research Division and provoke an investigation by the Battle Institute.
But of course, Chen Xiaoxiao wasn't foolish enough to tell anyone the truth.
Even her grandmother was only told that she had received a Metang as a gift from the Metagross settlement.
She'd contacted her grandmother the day Beldum evolved, sharing her location and explaining she'd befriended a Metang during her time in the wild. Her grandmother, though concerned, didn't question it. Like most elders, she was simply relieved to know her granddaughter was safe.
After all, Chen Xiaoxiao was an orphan in her previous life, and only in this one did she learn what family meant. She always took care not to worry her grandmother, sending a message to report her safety every couple of weeks.
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Metang (Flash Variant)
Gender: Genderless
Level: 38 (Peak Elite)
Type: Steel/Psychic
Personality: Serious (Neutral Nature)
Ability: Clear Body (Prevents stat reduction from moves and abilities featured prominently in Pokémon Adventures: Ruby & Sapphire Arc.)
Hidden Ability: Light Metal (Reduces weight by half; seen during Steven's usage of Metagross in manga battles.)
Qualification: Champion
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Drip, drop, drop!
The familiar message alert the Piplup chime from the PengYou Poké-App rang from her Pokédex smartphone.
Chen Xiaoxiao tapped the app bearing the adorable Piplup icon. She didn't need to check the sender. Only one person sent her messages with this level of sass.
It was, of course, Leng Yue.
Her grandmother rarely used the app and would never message first unless it was an emergency.
"Xiaoxiao, where are you?! Didn't you say you were coming to the capital to play with me? You've been gone for over a month! I've been waiting forever!"
"...I'm near Guishi in western Guangdong," Chen Xiaoxiao replied with a darkened face, texting quickly.
"What kind of friend are you?! Even pigeons would've come back by now if you released them! You totally ghosted me!"
Leng Yue's rapid-fire voice messages came in with exasperation and dramatics only she could deliver. If it were anyone else, Chen Xiaoxiao might've ignored it—but Leng Yue had a way of getting under her skin.
"Speak human language," Chen Xiaoxiao replied flatly.
"Fine! I'm just bored! I'm stuck in the capital all holiday. I barely leave the house. My only friends are my Pokémon! I'm practically turning into a Pikachu at this point!"
Seeing Chen Xiaoxiao give in, Leng Yue immediately switched tactics and began acting pitiful, her voice exaggerated with a whimpering tone.
"My dear, if you really turn into a Pokémon, I'll definitely catch you in a Luxury Ball! That way you can enjoy high-class living and still be the pampered young lady you are."
Chen Xiaoxiao's response was dry and laced with dark humor.
"Fine, come or not, come or not, come or not!"
Leng Yue bombarded her again with a stream of pestering messages.
"Alright, alright. I'll head there tomorrow."
Chen Xiaoxiao finally relented. After thinking it over, she realized that Metang's double experience card had just expired yesterday. It marked the perfect break point.
She had also been living deep in the mountainous region of western Guangdong for over a month now, to the point she felt like she was reverting to a primal state. Going to the capital would be a good change of pace a rare opportunity to rest, relax, and reset. So she agreed.
Less than a minute later, Leng Yue sent over a QR code.
"Plane ticket from Guishi Airport to Beijing Capital booked! Just scan the QR with your Pokédex to confirm. Your boarding pass for 8:00 AM tomorrow is now bound to it. I'll be at the airport to pick you up! No need to thank me just call me Lei Feng!"
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——— I am the dividing line of Cold Moon ——
Beijing Capital International Airport
"Xiaoxiao, over here!"
Before even entering the arrival hall, Chen Xiaoxiao, who was at the tail end of the deboarding passengers, heard Leng Yue calling out her name. Her voice pierced through the crowd like a directed sound wave.
"Wait, who's picking someone up on the runway?! They drove a car onto the tarmac?!"
A girl in front of her exclaimed in disbelief to the boy next to her.
The boy tugged at her sleeve quickly.
"Shhh, don't say that out loud. That car isn't just any vehicle check out the license plate. See the 'Elite' designation? That's reserved only for the Four Elites or direct League-certified families."
"What?! Elite status?"
The girl gasped in shock.
"...Do you really need to show off this much? Damn, the privileged class,"
Chen Xiaoxiao muttered internally, her tone filled with restrained irritation.
After a quick glance to confirm that no attention was directed her way aside from Leng Yue and the driver, she activated Teleport discreetly. In an instant, she vanished and reappeared beside the car.
"Such a convenient ability…"
Leng Yue muttered as she peeked into the car and saw Chen Xiaoxiao already sitting inside, expression calm and composed. She opened the door and slipped in, sighing at her friend's mastery over psychic movement.
"Where is the young miss?"
The driver, clearly accustomed to elite circles and psychic talent, didn't flinch. He was no ordinary chauffeur. In the Pokémon world, especially around high-level trainers and League circles, even drivers needed to be combat-ready bodyguards. A non-psychic with no Pokémon strength wouldn't qualify to serve an Elite's family.
Yet even this seasoned man's pupils contracted slightly. He'd seen psychic movement before, but teleporting directly into a moving vehicle with pinpoint precision was no ordinary feat. Such control required ironclad confidence, spatial awareness, and a bond between trainer and power few possessed.
"Xiaoxiao, where should we go? Shopping, maybe?"
Leng Yue leaned over and asked, brimming with excitement.
"Sure. I actually need to find some TMs anyway especially power moves for my team."
Chen Xiaoxiao agreed. Though her system allowed item exchanges, her points were currently too limited. For example, the Protect TM cost 1,000 points in the system shop, yet could be purchased in the real-world market for around 300,000 credits.
She had held off on buying it for Metang because of the high system cost. Had she owned it earlier, it would've saved Gardevoir from stepping in against Graveler's Self-Destruct in the recent battle.
"Uncle Li, take us to Qianda Plaza," Leng Yue said to the driver. Then she turned to Chen Xiaoxiao with sparkling eyes. "Now spill. What happened during your training arc? You catch any new Pokémon? What TM are you after? Tell me everything!"
Uncle Li nodded, then professionally raised the soundproof partition between the front and back seats. Clearly a veteran, he knew when and how to provide privacy especially for young ladies discussing things meant to stay within the car.
"I've been training my team out in the wilderness of western Guangdong. Nothing crazy though I did take in a new Metang. I'm hoping to grab the Protect TM for it. When battling wild Graveler, their constant Self-Destructs were driving me mad."
Chen Xiaoxiao shared her recent exploits in her usual calm, measured tone.
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