Hong Meiling Sleepwalks Through the Heavens

When Hariyama approached, Heatran opened its maw and spat out a wave of fire.

The waves of fire swept over Hariyama, immediately stopping his advance. Hariyama cowered slightly, and his advance was halted instantly as his skin became charred from the sheer heat.

The heat waves continued, and Hariyama staggered, like a candle in the wind.

If Heatran simply knocks it over with its paw, it can win!

However, just as Hong Meiling was about to let Heatran do its thing, Petal shouted, “Hariyama, use Reversal!”

Meiling’s eyes widened as her heart dropped. Reversal?!

Reversal is a Fighting-type skill which increases in power the lower the Pokémon’s health is.

Hariyama was barely able to stand, so Meiling estimated that even if it could attack, its blows wouldn’t be that powerful.

Hariyama slightly limped towards Heatran, and reached Heatran in just two or three steps while Meiling was still deep in thought, and its palm limply flew across the air to strike Heatran in the paw.

“Heatran, give it a headbutt!” Meiling shouted. She could only hope Heatran was fast enough to cause it to faint before the palm connected.

Immediately, Heatran slammed its head into Hariyama, but not before its right palm striking Heatran in the back.

This is no ordinary slap, but a slap that is empowered by Reversal.

Heatran, uncharacteristically, let out a wail of pain, but Hariyama fainted as soon as it landed its blow.

Heatran’s legs looked as if they were wobbling – if Petal had any more Pokémon to send out, Heatran would easily be dealt with. Pity that he has reached his maximum Pokémon limit.

“Hariyama has fainted!” the referee’s voice rang across the gym. “All Pokémon belonging to Petal, our Gym Leader, has been defeated. Hong Meiling, you are the winner!”

Meiling smiled with pure joy. After all, this was the first Gym Badge she had obtained. Although this was solely relying on Heatran, winning is still winning, no matter how cheap it is.

The two Trainers then unsummoned their Pokémon.

“All of you, you did well,” Petal whispered to his Poké Balls.

Afterwards, the two Trainers walked to the center of the battle area, and Petal handed the Veilstone Gym Badge (the Cobble Badge) to Meiling. The Cobble Badge is diamond-shaped and composed of four, orange-brown rectangles.

“Congratulations on obtaining the Cobble Badge,” Petal congratulated with slight hesitation. After an awkward silence, he couldn’t suppress his curiosity and asked, “How did you catch that Heatran of yours?”

Meiling stored the badge into her badge case that Dr. Carolina gave her, and replied nonchalantly with a carefree smile, “I just beat it up and captured it.”

Meiling didn’t try to hide it, but Petal simply assumed that Meiling had used a Pokémon to beat Heatran up, and not herself.

Does she have other powerful Pokémon? He wondered. If she does, she might be Sinnoh’s next Champion, even though her own ability to command Pokémon is lacking.

Meiling bid Petal farewell, and was about to leave, but Maylene and the young student came back.

At this time, she was just about to leave, since Petal was personally sending her off.

Petal wanted to do so since he wanted to remain amicable with her. She might do great things in the future, he thought to himself. Better get along well with her.

And thus, the four of them bumped into each other.

“Ah!” Maylene shouted as soon as she saw Meiling. “It’s her! The one who can fly!”

Petal’s eyebrow raised. What was his daughter talking about? Flight? A person?

The young man next to Maylene seemed nervous, not expecting that Meiling would challenge the very gym that he studies at. Would Meiling snitch? Is it over for him?

He didn’t have to worry, though, because Maylene immediately ran up to Petal with an innocent smile, “Dad! I caught a Pokémon!”

She fumbled trying to take her Poké Ball out of her pocket as it rolled on the floor, and a Shroomish flopped out.

Shroomish is a Grass-type Pokémon that resembles, well, a mushroom, but with two tubby legs. It can evolve into a Breloom.

Maylene was so happy that she had forgot her father’s direct instructions to not capture a Pokémon for herself before she was ten years old. All she cared about now is showing off her new friend to her father.

And Petal’s expression became dark – he loved her, and he was reluctant to teach her a lesson.

Plus, there was no way that she could catch a Pokémon all on her own, even if it was just a weak Shroomish.

Looking up, he glanced at the young student next to Maylene. Must be him.

He was reluctant to teach Maylene a lesson, but he could definitely teach this student of his one!

Catching his gaze, the young man became pale, as if he was about to die.

I shouldn’t have agreed to Maylene’s request…!

Amidst the silence, Maylene realized that she had got herself into trouble, and that she should’ve raised the Shroomish behind her father’s back. She was simply too happy and wanted to show her new Pokémon off to her father!

“I… I… I wanted a Pokémon for myself!” she cried out and stood in front of the student. “I asked this big brother to help me out! Please don’t blame him! I… I forced him, yeah!”

Petal’s forehead wrinkled as he glanced at Maylene. Even if what she’s saying is true, he wanted to blame the student for having a heart that was too soft.

Considering that his esteemed guest is still smiling at the scene unfolding between them, Petal suppressed the idea of disciplining his student, and beckoned Meiling to follow him out.

However, this time, an Officer Jenny stumbled into the Gym as she briskly walked over to Petal, “Mr. Petal, I require your assistance. The Pokémon Hunter is out on the loose, and is robbing citizens of their Pokémon. However, I was no match for her, and my Growlithe was captured too. I hope that you are able to provide assistance to not only me, but the citizens of Veilstone City.”

Just like how there are many Nurse Joy’s that are employed in various Pokémon Centers in each region, there are also many Officer Jenny’s stationed in each region, acting as a police force.

Indeed, this Officer Jenny is exactly the same as the one in the anime, with green hair and a police uniform. However, this particular Officer Jenny seemed anxious, which contrasted with her usually cool demeanor.

Speaking of which, she mentioned a Pokémon Hunter, who are criminals who unlawfully capture other people’s Pokémon to sell off to their clients.

Petal was shocked upon hearing this. He couldn’t believe that those criminals had the gall to mess with a police officer, and to capture her Pokémon too? How egregious!

Officer Jenny’s are usually strong, but if she couldn’t deal with this strange Pokémon Hunter, that means that this particular Pokémon Hunter must be somebody strong.

Petal immediately offered his assistance. As a Gym Leader, he has a certain responsibility to uphold the peace of the region he’s in. Plus, this is mandated by the Pokémon League themselves.

Although his other Pokémon had fainted, he has other Pokémon he could use.

He brought over another student and instructed them to take his unconscious Pokémon to the Pokémon Center for treatment. He then took three other Poké Balls from his room and ran out behind Officer Jenny to hunt the Pokémon Hunter down.

“Let’s go, Dad! Beat that Pokémon Hunter up!” Maylene yelled enthusiastically as she punched the air.

Petal smiled, “I’ll only be gone for a while. I’ll just help Officer Jenny out for a bit, and I’ll be back real soon.”

Meiling decided not to intervene, however. Despite the Pokémon Hunter seeming strong, a Gym Leader should be enough to deal with them in her short deduction.

Hence, Meiling left the Gym alone and walked towards the Pokémon Center of Veilstone City to treat Plus, Mine, and her Heatran.