Chapter 20: The Deal

Chapter 20: The Deal

"What's the solution?"

"Head to the Abyss of the Sea Sky!"

"The Abyss of the Sea Sky?" Genma expressed unfamiliarity with the term.

"Yes, this world has many mysterious places that are little known and difficult to access. This is part of the heritage of families like ours," Jessica explained with pride. "Another ancestor of mine once visited that place and left records. There, exists something that can restore a Pokémon's latent potential and help it evolve. That ancestor had a Croagunk that couldn't evolve due to severe injuries, but in that place, it regained all its potential and successfully evolved into a powerful Toxicroak."

Pausing for effect, Jessica continued, "Although no one from our family has entered there since that ancestor, the method of entry was recorded. If Mr. Genma agrees to cooperate with us, I can help you gain access to that place."

Genma pondered for a moment and finally nodded, "I agree, but I can't guarantee that I can help you take over the Cyan Gym. If by chance I succeed, I hope you will treat the Cyan sisters with the respect they deserve." His Pokémon were more important to him than the Cyan sisters, and he planned to compensate them later.

"That's okay, this is also an investment in you. If I'm willing to invest in the Cyan sisters, who are considered a fallen house, why wouldn't I gamble on you? The value of these artifacts is constantly decreasing. Rather than holding onto them until they lose all their value, I might as well bet on something that could potentially bring a greater return," Jessica smiled. "Mr. Genma, don't feel too pressured or think you're committing some unforgivable act. The Cyan Gym rightfully belongs to my family. We had an agreement with the previous gym leader, and if his descendants are not worthy, it's better to hand it over to someone more capable."

"When can you provide the means to reach that place?" Genma asked.

"Don't worry, we'll set out tomorrow."

"We?" Genma caught the implication in her words.

"Yes, I will accompany you," Jessica leaned back in her chair, gazing out the window. "You saw it yourself in the gym battle. Due to some past experiences, I have developed a fear of Pokémon battles and cannot engage in them myself. This is unacceptable for someone who aims to inherit the leadership of my family, so I want to travel, to see if I can overcome this condition."

"Then I hope we both achieve our goals."

"Indeed, though I'm not holding out too much hope," Jessica seemed not too optimistic. "By the way, we'll need to pass through the Orange Islands to get there. You might encounter many water-type Pokémon along the way, and who knows, maybe after this trip you'll have the strength to defeat the Cyan Gym!"

"It's not as easy as you make it sound." Genma shook his head, preferring to delay as much as possible. He thought that by the time Misty grew up, he might not even be able to beat her in a battle involving water-type Pokémon. He could then find a way to compensate Jessica, settling all debts.

The two stopped talking and quietly enjoyed their tea snacks. But such peaceful moments are often easily disrupted, and soon, a middle-aged man's arrival broke the calm.

"Uncle Ming, what brings you here?" Jessica asked the entering middle-aged man, not particularly pleased to see him.

"Miss, while you have the authority to make decisions, we also have the right to verify whether your decisions are correct. You know your position is not stable, and members of our faction are always watching the position of family head. If your decisions prove wrong, it could affect your succession."

"Uncle Ming, do you also doubt my investment?"

The man shook his head, "Miss, your insights have always been sharp, but given that it affects so many people's wellbeing, I must be cautious."

"What do you propose?"

"It's simple. Let me have a Pokémon battle with Mr. Genma here to assess his strength. Don't worry, Miss; I won't use my full strength."

"Mr. Genma, do you---" Jessica looked at Genma.

"Of course, I have no problem with that. To receive guidance from such an expert is an opportunity I welcome."

"Then please follow me." Uncle Ming was pleased with Genma's attitude and became more courteous.

The trio moved to a standard battle arena where the referee was already in place, and some of Jessica's elders were seated in the spectator area.

"The field is a normal one, is that okay?" Uncle Ming asked.

Genma shook his head, "No problem." A normal field impacts water-type Pokémon like Magikarp and Goldeen, but most Pokémon can adapt.

"Then let's begin. My Pokémon is Lanturn." Uncle Ming released his Pokémon, a well-cultivated Lanturn that appeared high level, possibly chosen for its ability to adapt to terrestrial battles.

"A challenging combination of water and electric!" Genma noted the Lanturn's attributes with some concern, as it was effective against any of his own Pokémon.

"I have no choice then. Come out, Butterfree!" Genma called out Butterfree, his strongest Pokémon, "Butterfree, although it's a disadvantage, I have to rely on you."

Butterfree nodded and flew into the arena.

"You can attack first," Uncle Ming said.

"Since you insist, Butterfree, use Safeguard." Genma started with a defensive move to prevent status conditions.

"Lanturn, Charge." The opponent chose not to attack directly either, opting instead to boost its Special Attack and Special Defense.

"Silver Wind." After thinking it over, Genma skipped the poison powder strategy. Given the opponent's electric-type moves, trying to wear it down with poison would be futile; a quick battle was preferable.

"Lanturn, ignore it and use Discharge again." The opponent chose to endure the attack and boost its offensive capability, planning to resolve the battle with one powerful move.

"Curses," Genma muttered under his breath. The opponent's strategy relied entirely on attribute and level suppression, a challenging scenario for him.

"Butterfree, use Psybeam." Genma had Butterfree launch its best psychic-type attack, hoping to confuse the opponent.

"Lanturn, Volt Switch. Whatever you try, this move should be enough to knock you out." Uncle Ming commanded sharply, and a burst of electricity shot from Lanturn towards Butterfree.

But Genma was lucky that day; the recent Silver Wind had boosted Butterfree's Special Defense, so the damage from Volt Switch was less than expected. Butterfree held on, and the match did not end immediately, while Lanturn became confused on the other side.

"Now's our chance, Butterfree, use Psychic." Genma saw a glimmer of victory as long as the confusion lasted, he could win.

"Thinking it's that simple to win? Lanturn, use Aqua Ring." Uncle Ming commanded. Although Lanturn was still confused, it successfully executed the move, starting to recover health.

Genma, Jessica, and Uncle Ming continued the battle, each move crucial in the unfolding strategy that could tip the scales of this decisive and symbolic fight.

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