Chapter 135: Show Yourself to the World, Munchlax
After Blastoise’s defeat, Munchlax’s former trainer sent out his second Pokémon—a Level 32 Pikachu. It fell even faster. He then sent out his third and final Pokémon for the Gym challenge—a Level 38 Nidoking. This one lasted a bit longer, holding on for about a minute before being defeated.
Sarcastic remarks came from the spectator stands.
"His commanding skills are awful."
"He sent out three Pokémon and still couldn’t beat a single Kadabra."
"With that level of skill, why even challenge a Gym? Go back to raising Miltank!"
Hearing the criticism, Munchlax’s former trainer clenched his fists and snapped back: "None of you have even battled yet—what right do you have to judge me? Win a match first before you talk—you’ll probably lose even faster than I did!"
With that, he stepped off the battlefield and prepared to leave the Gym. Just then, an announcement came over the loudspeaker: "Challenger with number 2, please proceed to the battlefield."
Munchlax’s former trainer turned to look at the stands, wondering if it was one of the people who had mocked him. Instead, he saw a familiar figure—accompanied by an even more familiar Munchlax—walking down from the stands. He couldn’t help but laugh, and as they passed by him, he couldn’t resist taunting them.
"If your ace is that Munchlax, don’t bother embarrassing yourself. Even I couldn’t beat Gym Leader Sabrina—you don’t stand a chance."
"Oh?" Rio glanced at the fool. "What if Munchlax sweeps two of Sabrina’s Pokémon? Will you kneel down, call me ’Daddy,’ and apologize to Munchlax on your knees?"
"Sweeps two?" Munchlax’s former trainer laughed. "Are you joking? If it can beat even one of Sabrina’s Pokémon, I’d admit you’re a great trainer—but two? Where do you get that confidence?"
Rio raised an eyebrow. "Cowards sure talk a lot. I’ll ask you once—do you dare? If not, get lost and stop embarrassing yourself."
If Munchlax could only use Metronome twice, he would have said "sweep three" just to blind the guy.
"Why wouldn’t I dare? Fine—if Munchlax sweeps two of Sabrina’s Pokémon, I’ll kneel, call you ’Daddy,’ and apologize to Munchlax on my knees!" His face darkened. "But if you fail—what’s your bet?"
Rio shrugged. "If I fail, I’ll kneel, call you ’Daddy,’ and give you a million League coins. How about that?"
At the mention of a million League coins, the man’s eyes lit up with greed. "Deal!"
Rio smiled at the man’s greedy expression and patted his shoulder as he passed. "Oh, and one more good thing—Munchlax isn’t just sweeping two Pokémon. It’s sweeping Sabrina’s ace Pokémon."
The man’s greedy expression froze. Two seconds later, he stared in shock at Rio and Munchlax’s backs as they walked onto the battlefield.
Is this guy bluffing? he muttered to himself. His own strength was far beyond what it was when he abandoned Munchlax, and even he had been swept by Sabrina. What gave this guy the right to be so confident that Munchlax—his Munchlax—could sweep two of Sabrina’s aces? It was absurd.
He didn’t know Munchlax’s new trainer—but he knew Munchlax. He admitted it had decent potential aside from its appetite, but "decent" was all. There was no way it could have grown strong enough to beat Sabrina’s ace. If it had that kind of potential, he’d never have abandoned it.
Ten seconds later, as he reached the spectator stands, he heard Rio’s voice: "Gym Leader Sabrina—I’d like to challenge your ace Pokémon."
He spun around in disbelief, staring at the young man on the battlefield. He’s actually serious!
The other spectators erupted in murmurs of surprise. Meanwhile, under Sabrina’s orders, major TV stations across Saffron City were broadcasting the match live. People on the streets, busy with their own affairs, stopped and turned to their screens when they heard someone was challenging the Saffron Gym’s ace—a battle rarely seen.
Sabrina nodded in response to Rio’s request. And with that single nod, everyone watching—in homes, in shops, on street corners—put down what they were doing and fixed their eyes on the screens.
"Come out, Mr. Mime."
Sabrina sent out her first ace—a Level 52 Mr. Mime.
Before stepping onto the battlefield, a Gym trainee had relayed Rio’s bet with Munchlax’s former trainer to her via Bluetooth earpiece. Sabrina was curious—what gave Rio the confidence to claim Munchlax could sweep two of her ace Pokémon? Was it luck, or raw strength? If it was just luck, wasn’t he afraid of an accident? This was live television—she wouldn’t dare throw the match in front of the entire city.
"The stage is set, Munchlax—time to show yourself to the world," Rio said, patting Munchlax’s head.
"Ka~" Munchlax hopped from Rio’s side onto the battlefield.
"Both trainers have sent out their Pokémon—battle begin!" the referee announced.
"Mr. Mime—Psychic!"
"Munchlax—Metronome!"
"Mr. Mime~" Mr. Mime’s eyes glowed, psychic rings forming around its hands and shooting toward Munchlax. Munchlax’s eyes also lit up as it raised its paws and began waving them.
He’s opening with Metronome again, Sabrina thought, narrowing her eyes. She’d expected it, but it still caught her off guard.
In the stands, the trainers who had hoped for an intense battle erupted in outrage.
"Are you kidding me?! Metronome?! Do you even know how to battle?"
"Is this guy just trying to get attention? He knows it’s being broadcast, so he claims he’ll challenge the ace for the spotlight?"
"What a clown! I actually thought I was about to watch a real battle!"
Even Munchlax’s former trainer was speechless. "All that talk—and you open with Metronome? I thought Munchlax had been completely transformed under your training." He scoffed. "This is hilariously stupid—"
He never finished the word "stupid."
His pupils slowly widened.
Mr. Mime’s psychic rings were about to hit Munchlax—but at the last moment, Munchlax entered its divine state. A dark energy sphere materialized in front of it, starting at fist-size but swelling to basketball-size in the blink of an eye. The psychic rings struck the sphere—and were instantly absorbed.
"Ka~" Munchlax pointed, and the dark sphere shot toward Mr. Mime at incredible speed.
"Mr. Mime~" It didn’t even have time to react—it let out a pained cry and collapsed instantly.
The trainers who had been mocking Rio’s command fell silent, their jaws dropping in stunned disbelief.
The same scene played out across Saffron City—in every street, every shop, every home. When Rio had given the Metronome command, the city had erupted in jeers and laughter. Now, after a single hit had taken down Mr. Mime, everyone wore the exact same expression: utter shock.