After receiving two challengers in one morning, Darius felt a rare sense of unfamiliarity.
"That smells good. When can we eat?"
"Uncle, the pork cutlets on my side are almost ready."
As he spoke, Reggie placed several pork cutlets into the oil for a second fry.
"Reggie, long time no see. How have you been? How many regions have you challenged now?"
Darius greeted him warmly.
Reggie sighed.
"My best result was only runner-up at the Ever Grande Conference. I’m still far from winning a Conference."
If Reggie could fix his impatience and obsession with quick results, perhaps he really could win a championship.
But that was something Reggie had to realise himself.
Julian could not interfere.
"The pork cutlets are done."
Reggie took out the golden fried cutlets and sliced them into strips. The fragrance spread immediately.
Tomato sauce, plum sauce, and barbecue sauce were placed on the table for everyone to choose from.
"Uncle, Maylene, Paul, Julian, come try the fried pork cutlets I made."
Julian cut one strip into three pieces and tried it with all three sauces.
His eyes lit up.
"The crust is crisp, the meat is juicy, and the three sauces each have their own flavour. Reggie, if you worked at a barbecue shop, Uncle Frank would have to close down."
"It’s not that exaggerated."
Soon, Julian’s grilled lamb chops were ready as well. He cut a large piece for everyone and prepared three different sauces of his own.
He thoughtfully cut smaller pieces for Jangmo-o and Croagunk.
"You two should try some too. Tomorrow, when we go to Verdant Cloud Mountain, whether we can catch Primeape will depend on your abilities."
Croagunk chewed the lamb chop, a faint light flashing in his eyes.
A mere Primeape
With him acting, they would definitely take it down easily.
First, he would beat Primeape.
Then he would go after Reggie.
Seeing Croagunk’s expression, Jangmo-o decided to let him take the lead tomorrow.
Consider it looking after a new colleague.
After following Julian for eight years, Jangmo-o understood one thing better than anyone.
When their Trainer treated them this well, it was definitely going to be hard work.
Since Croagunk wanted to show off, he could have the chance.
After Croagunk tested Primeape’s quality, Jangmo-o would step out and turn the tide.
Julian had bought a lot of ingredients.
With him and Reggie working together, they not only fed the two big eaters, Darius and Maylene, but also let all eight Pokémon enjoy the food.
Veilstone Gym had not been this lively in a long time.
Julian raised an eyebrow.
"Reggie, let your Pokémon out too. Make things a bit livelier."
Reggie shook his head.
"Forget it. I don’t really like being too close to Pokémon."
Julian beckoned to Paul.
"Paul, do you want to see your brother’s Pokémon?"
Paul looked at Reggie with anticipation.
"I do!"
Seeing that look, Reggie could not bring himself to refuse.
"Fine."
Staraptor, Drapion, Donphan, and Persian.
These were the four Pokémon Reggie had with him.
Each one carried a sharp, fierce aura, as if ready to lunge at any moment.
The moment they appeared, the lively atmosphere of the gathering cooled slightly.
Julian stepped forward directly and divided lamb chops and fried pork cutlets among them.
"Here. Try my cooking and your Trainer’s."
After tasting the food, their sharpness finally drew inward a little.
Julian smiled.
"Reggie, sometimes, when you learn to hide your edge, the next attack becomes even sharper."
As a friend, that was all Julian could do for him.
Reggie lowered his head thoughtfully.
...
Verdant Cloud Mountain was the most famous scenic spot in the western suburbs of Veilstone City.
Many hikers liked climbing the mountain in their free time.
Julian wore hiking clothes, with Jangmo-o and Croagunk following beside him, and headed towards the area Reggie had described.
A heavy rumbling sound came from ahead.
It was probably a large rock striking the mountain wall.
"Graveler! Are you all right?"
The voice was full of concern.
It seemed Graveler was badly hurt.
"Key! Key, key!"
That was Primeape’s cry.
Poor hiker
He and his Graveler had become Primeape’s targets.
"Let’s go take a look."
Julian ran to the scene.
Primeape stood on a boulder, hopping left and right as if it had endless restless energy.
Seeing that the hiker still had not sent out a second Pokémon, Primeape was about to leave.
Then it spotted Julian running over with two Pokémon.
Primeape beckoned at him.
"Key, key!"
Croagunk stepped forward on his own.
Although Machamp had only trained him for two short days, Croagunk believed he had already been reborn.
"Bulk Up."
Croagunk moved his body, and a layer of red light swelled through his muscles.
Primeape rushed forward directly and swung its fist hard at him.
It opened with Mega Punch.
"Poison Jab!"
Dodging was impossible.
He could only fight Primeape head-on.
Primeape was too fast. Telling Croagunk to dodge would only get him punched for free.
Even after strengthening once with Bulk Up, Primeape was still stronger.
But Croagunk was lucky.
A flash of purple crossed Primeape’s face.
"Bulk Up."
Taking advantage of the slight tremor caused by poisoning, Julian seized the chance to strengthen again.
But being poisoned did not panic Primeape.
Instead, it made the Pokémon even angrier.
"Key, key, key!"
Its glaring eyes were filled with blood vessels, and it felt as if the entire monkey was about to turn red.
Another punch filled with fury came crashing in.
"Brick Break!"
Croagunk was sent flying directly.
He crashed into the mountain wall and was buried under the stones his body shattered.
Julian was a little surprised.
Primeape’s attack just now...
"Jangmo-o!"
While Croagunk had been fighting Primeape, Jangmo-o had been quietly stacking Dragon Dance at the side.
After five Dragon Dances, Jangmo-o felt as if he could kill a Tauros with one swing of his tail.
Primeape did not care who the opponent was.
It raised its fist and attacked.
"Iron Defense!"
Jangmo-o adjusted the angle of his body slightly, unloading more than half of Primeape’s strength.
"Dragon Tail!"
He turned and struck Primeape in the abdomen with his tail, sending it flying into a rock over two metres tall and shattering it.
Primeape climbed back up.
This time, it completely lost its temper, and a layer of red light lit up around its body.
Not Bulk Up.
Rage.
The Normal-type move Rage grew stronger when used after being attacked by an enemy.
Rage plus Mega Punch would become the Rage Fist that allowed Primeape to evolve.
That punch from earlier already had the flavour of Rage Fist.
"Noble Roar!"
A powerful sonic wave surged forward.
Primeape charged straight through it, reached Jangmo-o, and punched him in the face.
Noble Roar barely weakened Primeape’s Attack.
The problem was not Jangmo-o.
It was this Primeape.
Its temper was too intense.
Anger kept Primeape at its highest fighting state at all times.
This Primeape had talent.
It could already form the embryo of Rage Fist.
And with that temperament, it might truly be able to evolve into Annihilape.
Jangmo-o was also tough and durable.
He crawled out from the pile of broken rocks and released another loud Noble Roar at Primeape.
Primeape’s fist burned with red flame as it roared and struck at Jangmo-o.
"Iron Defense!"
Jangmo-o’s dragon scales gleamed with metallic light.
He lowered his head and endured Primeape’s fist.
Then he countered by headbutting Primeape into the air.
"Well done, Jangmo-o!"
Hearing Julian encourage Jangmo-o, Croagunk suddenly pushed away the stones on his body and climbed out.
Primeape could only be mine
That cold look made the hiker’s heart tremble.
His legs went weak, and he fell beside Graveler.
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