Chapter 80 Arrival at Goldenrod City

Chapter 80 Arrival at Goldenrod City

"Goldenrod City is the largest metropolis in the Johto region, filled with high-rise buildings and bustling with activity. The city has a large Pokémon Center, a huge department store, a Radio Tower, a train station, a Game Corner, a flower shop, and even an underground passageway containing a Pokémon Salon and various other facilities. There's also the Goldenrod Gym, specializing in Normal-type Pokémon, led by Gym Leader Whitney," Ruby introduced his hometown to Ron and Rosa.

"Let's head to my home to rest first," Ruby suggested.

Ron and Rosa nodded in agreement. After traveling for five whole days from Mahogany Town to Goldenrod City, they were genuinely exhausted. It would indeed be best to rest at Ruby's place first, then go challenge the Goldenrod Gym afterward.

A big city was truly worthy of its name. After walking around for nearly half a day, Ron and the others finally reached Ruby's home. They were warmly welcomed by Ruby's mother, Mitsuko, an elegant and gentle woman with short hair who enthusiastically took care of Ron and Rosa.

"Is Mr. Norman not at home?" Ron asked after lunch.

"Oh, my husband was transferred to the Hoenn region. He said he needed to familiarize himself with the Petalburg Gym first. Ruby and I will be moving to Hoenn next year," Mitsuko replied.

"Ruby, your father was actually a Gym Leader?" Rosa asked in surprise.

"Yeah. From what I've heard, Mr. Norman is extremely strong. Forget being just a Gym Leader, he probably could've become a member of the Elite Four without trouble," Ron said seriously.

"No, it's nothing like that. My husband values family, so he chose to become a Gym Leader," Mitsuko said, smiling happily.

The three, who had been fed a mouthful of lovey-dovey sweetness, felt rather awkward. Ruby quickly said, "Mom, I'm taking Ron-senpai to challenge the Goldenrod Gym. After that, I'll head over to Ron-senpai's Pokémon Ranch to pick out a Pokémon. For the time being, I'll travel with Ron-senpai while he completes his Johto League challenge. When the time comes, we'll move."

"Alright, I understand. Ron, please take good care of Ruby," Mitsuko said kindly.

"Don't worry, Auntie," Ron said sincerely, "I'll look after Ruby."

Afterward, Ron and Rosa followed Ruby to Goldenrod Gym, where they met the Gym Leader, Whitney.

"Oh, Ruby, why are you here?" Whitney was grooming her Miltank's fur when she noticed Ron and the others, asking curiously.

"Hello, I'm Ron from Pallet Town. I'm here to challenge the Goldenrod Gym."

"Oh, you're a challenger? I accept your challenge. However, all my other Pokémon are currently resting. This Miltank is my ace, so we'll settle it with just one match," Whitney said.

"No problem. Go, Mienfoo," Ron sent out his Mienfoo. "Mienfoo, this is your first Gym battle, so do your best."

Mienfoo flipped several times gracefully in midair before landing firmly on the ground. It cupped its fists respectfully toward Whitney and Miltank, then assumed a battle stance, indicating for Miltank to attack first.

"Mienfoo!" Rosa and Ruby instantly felt sorry for Whitney.

These past few days, they'd seen how harsh Ron's training for Mienfoo had been. Though tough, the results were remarkable. Rosa and Ruby had both tried challenging Mienfoo before, and after those attempts, they had to admit—when it came to close combat, Mienfoo was nearly invincible.

Seeing Ron sending out a Fighting-type Pokémon like Mienfoo, which held a type advantage over the Normal-type Miltank, they couldn't help but silently mourn for Whitney.

"Oh, looks pretty strong. We'll attack first then—Miltank, Rollout!" Whitney commanded.

"Use its strength against it, redirect force gently," Ron instructed.

Mienfoo made a circular movement with its hands. As Miltank rolled toward it, Mienfoo gracefully sidestepped, guiding Miltank's momentum with its left hand and unleashing a Force Palm with its right. The hit accelerated Miltank's rolling speed uncontrollably, sending it out of the battlefield, forcing it to make a wide circle before returning.

"Interesting, what a peculiar battle style. Miltank, continue Rollout!" Whitney shouted.

Ron smiled confidently. The training for Mienfoo had been very successful over these past days. Mienfoo quickly grasped the Chinese martial arts principles Ron had explained to it and was now skillfully applying them in battle.

"It's too bad I'm currently saving up popularity points to activate that cheat device. Otherwise, if the system provided modified moves specifically suited for Mienfoo, it would become even stronger," Ron muttered softly.

Without needing further commands from Ron, Mienfoo dodged Miltank's next attack again, disrupting its accumulated Rollout momentum with another precise Force Palm.

"Something's off. Though it's not obvious, Miltank's speed and power are increasing gradually. We can't drag this on. Mienfoo, Dig!" Ron ordered.

Mienfoo swiftly burrowed underground, avoiding Miltank's Rollout.

"Earthquake! Did you think Rollout was my only move?" Whitney exclaimed.

Miltank immediately stopped rolling, stomping heavily on the ground. Powerful tremors shook the battlefield, blasting Mienfoo out of the earth and inflicting significant damage.

"Keep going! High Jump Kick!" Ron shouted.

"As if that'll hit! Miltank, move back and use Milk Drink to recover," Whitney instructed.

Miltank stepped back, confident that Mienfoo wouldn't reach it, and began drinking its own milk to regain health. Ron smiled silently as Mienfoo flipped in midair, oriented itself downward, and used its hands to push off the ground, swiftly redirecting its body. Its High Jump Kick landed squarely on Miltank, interrupting its Milk Drink and sending it flying.

"Don't hold back. Use Drain Punch consecutively!" Ron commanded.

Mienfoo rushed toward Miltank, unleashing a barrage of fierce punches. With each hit, a black energy field appeared around Miltank, transferring strength from Miltank to Mienfoo.

Watching Mienfoo's relentless punches landing on Miltank, Ron thought: Right now, if I shouted "Ora ora ora ora ora ora!", it would probably feel incredibly satisfying.

After the continuous assault, Miltank was overwhelmed and collapsed to the ground, fainting.

"Miltank! Hey, Ron, don't you think that was too harsh?" Whitney angrily said while comforting her fallen Pokémon.

"I'm sorry, I got carried away and couldn't hold back," Ron scratched his head awkwardly. "Here, this is a Full Restore; it'll immediately heal your Pokémon."

Ron quickly took out a Full Restore as an apology. Whitney healed Miltank with it and only then reluctantly forgave Ron, tossing him the Gym Badge as proof of his victory.

Mienfoo also appeared slightly embarrassed. It respectfully cupped its fists to apologize to Miltank, who, being good-natured, accepted graciously.

Rosa and Ruby exchanged a look, making a silent yet firm agreement: If they ever faced Ron's Mienfoo in battle, they absolutely must avoid close combat at all costs! Attacking from a distance and wearing it down would be their only hope!

If Ron knew what they were thinking, would he find it amusing?

After bidding Whitney farewell, Ron and his companions prepared to fly directly back to Pallet Town. Ron had initially wanted to wait for them in the next city rather than returning immediately, but Pheromosa had contacted Ron, saying that representatives from the Pokémon League had come knocking, intending to take some top-quality Pokémon from his ranch.

With no other choice, Ron temporarily had to go back. After all, he wouldn't pass up such an opportunity to fleece the Pokémon League. He still clearly remembered how they tricked him over the Celebi incident; this time, he would surely reclaim every bit of that loss, principal plus interest!