Chapter 638: Silver Bullet and the Normal Z-Crystal
Accept the Iceberg Badge?
Lu Ye paused slightly.
He saw DeFu the old man look at Pupitar with gentle eyes and grin:
“Evolution is a big moment in a Pokémon’s life. If they evolve to win, they’ll surely want to keep a precious memento, right?”
“I personally love watching trainers and Pokémon work hard together.”
The white-haired, broad-shouldered elder looked at Pupitar and smiled, saying, “Don’t push yourself too hard either, Pupitar.”
“Shaji…” The eyes hidden beneath Pupitar’s mask flickered slightly, and it shyly lowered its faceplate.
Even after evolving, Lu Ye could still see that bashful, adorable little dinosaur expression.
Pupitar was like a Pokémon entering adolescence—prone to battle rage, but also with a shy side.
If described in a Pokémon senryu— Pupitar, silver bullet in the sandstorm, powerful and handsome!
Lu Ye let out a quiet laugh and said,
“I appreciate your kindness… but this wasn’t an official Gym challenge, so there’s no need to give out a badge.”
DeFu shook his head, opened his palm, and said seriously, “This isn’t for you. It’s for Pupitar.”
Lu Ye glanced back at Pupitar and saw it looking eager and ready.
Years from now, when Pupitar evolves into Tyranitar and sees that badge, it’ll remember evolving during that blizzard.
Lu Ye thought for a moment and tallied this trip’s gains in his head.
He’d only received Korrina’s badge so far;
adding DeFu’s badge wouldn’t be a big deal.
“Thank you.”
Lu Ye took the glittering Iceberg Badge and, following trainer tradition, smiled and declared:
“I have obtained the Iceberg Badge!”
[Ding! Quest progress updated!]
[Badge Collection: (3/8)]
DeFu nodded with satisfaction, crouched slightly to pat Pupitar’s forehead, and murmured:
“Getting stronger for someone you love must feel really warm inside.”
“Shaji…” Pupitar looked up at Lu Ye;
its eyes behind the mask shifted, and it lightly tapped its head.
DeFu smiled, rose, stroked his white beard, and suddenly lowered his voice:
“I heard you and Cynthia are a couple?”
“...It’s already spread to Kalos, huh.”
“That… I’m a hot-blooded, grand sort of man,” DeFu said with a strange expression. “But my wife’s sub-freezing stare is terrifying… don’t you think?”
Lu Ye was taken aback, recalled the look from Cynthia’s Garchomp, and replied with feeling:
“I get it!”
DeFu breathed easier and said, “A man as rigid as solid ice still worries about his wife getting angry. I always carry photos of my wife and kids with me.”
Lu Ye looked at the Keystone pendant DeFu showed him, the pendant holding family photos.
Only a deep sense of happiness and contentment shone in DeFu’s eyes.
“It’s because of my wife and children’s support that I keep being the Gym Leader.”
DeFu smoothed his white beard and said gently, “No matter when, as long as your family is by your side, you feel secure and reliable!”
Lu Ye blinked slightly, looked toward Haunter and Pupitar at his side and the few Poké Balls clipped to his waist.
“That’s right,” Lu Ye said with a smile. “I think so too.”
...
In the afternoon, the trainers were still talking about the morning’s weather battle.
“DeFu actually retreated after losing the weather?”
“Pupitar’s Earthquake… combined with Sandstorm was absurd!”
“Isn’t the key Lu Teacher’s Iron Head intimidation?”
In the end, the trainers came to the same conclusion and agreed wholeheartedly:
“Lu Teacher’s tactics were seriously dirty!”
The second battle that day was Korrina versus Grant.
Lucario unleashed astonishing fighting power and defeated Grant’s Tyrantrum.
Korrina secretly breathed a sigh of relief: “Good, I didn’t embarrass my grandfather!”
Needing to check on Pupitar’s condition, Lu Ye returned ahead to the Battle Chateau lodgings.
“Come out, everyone!”
Lu Ye released his little guys so Pupitar could greet everyone.
But as soon as it came out of its ball, Pupitar hid behind the wall and refused to meet everyone.
“Cha-ji-du-yi~~” Togepi slowly walked behind Pupitar and poked its hard shell with its tiny fingertip.
“Shaji…” Pupitar wouldn’t turn back, worried it might scare Togepi.
“Cha-ji-du-yi! ヾ(◍°∇°◍)ﾉﾞ” Togepi grinned broadly and poked Pupitar again.
“Shaji!!” Pupitar reluctantly turned, its eyes beneath the mask glowing red.
“Cha-ji-du-yi~(❁´◡`❁)*✲ﾟ*” Togepi patted Pupitar’s forehead.
Pupitar’s irritable temper calmed;
it closed its eyes and stood quietly on the floor: “Shaji…”
“Bu-i!”
Sylveon stared at Pupitar, the silver-bullet-like figure, scanned it up and down, and nodded in appreciation.
Hmm… very handsome!
“Ka-may…ヾ(⌐■_■)” Blastoise gave a slight nod.
Looks like Iron Defense training can be scheduled.
“Gah~(´･ω･)ﾉ(._.`)” Sirfetch’d stepped forward and rubbed Pupitar, its sharp gaze unusually dignified.
No matter what, I’m on your side, duck!
“Shaji~~(இωஇ)” Pupitar rolled tears and hopped around;
the marble floor tiles cracked under the impact.
All the Pokémon present were momentarily stunned and cautiously looked at Lu Teacher.
“No big deal—just lost control of strength right after evolving. No harm done.”
Lu Ye replied calmly: “Lu Ye isn’t so poor he can’t cover this little expense.”
A chorus of happy noises rose in the room.
Suddenly Lu Ye’s expression changed slightly.
“But don’t sing out loud, Haunter!”
**
The sun set.
In the group chat.
Lu Teacher sighed: “Larvitar evolved. (picture)”
Ash sounded a bit reluctant: “Eh… that was sudden.”
“From a breeding perspective, Lu Teacher’s Larvitar could evolve early,” Brock said. “Evolving now is reasonable.”
The girl nodded and said, “Not evolving would’ve limited Larvitar’s raging energy.”
Lance, who’d also raised a Pupitar, looked at the picture and said:
“Pupitar looks pretty good… have you considered flying on Pupitar?”
Lu Ye was stunned: “There’s such a thing?!”
“There is,” Xiao Yin said with a straight face. “Hold onto Pupitar while it flies, like grabbing the leader of a flock of crows.”
Lu Ye felt odd.
Flying? Better not… I’m not ready to die yet.
A private message window popped up.
“Is the Battle Chateau schedule finished?” Cynthia asked.
“Yes, I’ll be back in Miare City by tomorrow morning,” Lu Ye replied.
Cynthia smiled faintly and said, “I’ll wait for you in Unova.”
Lu Ye: [Little Penguin received · jpg]
Lu Ye: “I need to stop by Masago Town to pick up a little penguin.”
Cynthia: “Would you like me to come with you?”
Lu Ye: “No, it’ll be quick. I’ll head to Unova after.”
Unova still had many remnants of Team Plasma… to be cautious, he’d bring Darkrai along as well!
While he was thinking, someone knocked on the door.
“The Duke reward is ready, Lord Lu Ye.” The butler said respectfully.
Servants carried a box containing the Mega Stone and a Normal Z-Crystal.
Lu Ye had no plans to continue challenging, so he accepted the reward directly.
The butler and attendants bowed out;
Lu Ye stayed in the room to tally his haul.
This Pupitarite was similar to the previous one—excellent quality—but Pupitar no longer needed a Mega Stone to draw nourishment.
In other words… Pupitar could only look on enviously!
“Shaji…” Pupitar glared with big eyes;
its shell-like body trembled, then it drooped in disappointment.
When it raised its head again, a burning resolve shone in its gaze.
Evolve soon, and I can eat tasty things again!
The other box held a faceted white Z-crystal, the Normalium Z, which could upgrade Normal-type offensive moves into—
“Breakneck Blitz!”
Lu Ye: “...A bit cheesy, but strangely hype.”
Z-Move names were like that—tacky with a dash of cool.
Lu Teacher thought Snorlax’s Z move, “Pulverizing Punch” when serious, was awesome;
Primarina Z and Alakazam Z’s “Ocean Deity Symphony” and “Ten Million Volts” had serious style too.
So Z-Moves deserved individual consideration… when cute girls like Primarina use a Water Z, it’s extremely adorable.
Executing a Z-Move requires matching choreography.
Lu Ye looked down at the translucent Normalium Z and recalled its pose.
“The Normal Z isn’t bad… pretty cool.”
He stroked his chin.
“But the Shiny Stone isn’t coming my way, so it’ll be for the collection shelf.”
Lu Teacher now understood why Steven was so fanatical about minerals.
In the dim, dark room, the rocks emitted a natural, colorful sheen that blended into a starry display… very romantic.
Of course, for a little dinosaur, it might be no less wondrous than a grand feast.
However, Pupitar couldn’t and shouldn’t eat soil anymore.
“Thanks for your hard work, Pupitar,” Lu Ye said admiringly.
“Shaji~(இωஇ)”
…
Pupitar successfully evolved and demonstrated impressive dominance in the weather battle.
This trip to the Battle Chateau thus came to an end.
The next day.
Lu Ye said goodbye to DeFu and the others and prepared to return to Miare City.
“Come visit Vernal Town sometime!” DeFu folded his arms and beamed proudly. “My wife’s cooking is unbeatable!”
My wife… her cooking might not be that great.
Lu Ye cleared his throat: “If you come to Miare City, I’ll host you as well.”
DeFu laughed heartily: “I’ll come with eager anticipation!”
As they reached the castle’s exterior, Korrina glided up on her rollerskates from behind and slid alongside Lu Ye for a bit, smiling:
“Master, are you heading back to Miare City?”
Lu Ye nodded and said, “Yes. Why?”
“Come with me,” she said, earnest and fist-clenched. “I want to learn some of your training methods along the way.”
“My training method is not to train,” Lu Ye answered truthfully.
Korrina: ???
He politely declined Korrina’s offer to accompany him.
Lu Ye looked at the two badges pinned inside his shirt and nodded with satisfaction.
Good, I got away with this—big profit for me!
...