Niezi had checked before—Jiang Feng's Combusken was bog-standard, no crazy talent. So… how'd he pull it off?
Brother-in-law, you capping or what?!
"Realer than Whitney's Miltank," Jiang Feng smirked.
"Bull! If you've got Master-tier, I'll wash my hair upside-down!" Zicai snapped, planting a flag bigger than a Gyarados.
Her Overqwil's Quick Attack was only Competent-tier—how'd Jiang Feng outpace it in days?
Just 'cause he's got a weapon?
Men—buncha hoof-chasing pigs!
Time to show Miss Mali only women bring the real joy!
Right then, a nameless Shorts Kid, fresh off a training grind, swaggered in to rechallenge the Gym.
"Last time, I slipped up—no dodging. This time, I'm not losing!"
"Go, Swellow!"
Perfect timing.
Jiang Feng stepped up, ready to show off.
Swellow, a sleek swallow-like Pokémon, rocked inky-blue feathers, with scarlet streaks on its neck, tail tips, and forehead. Its white belly gleamed, and two tail feathers stood straight like chopsticks.
Word of a Gym challenge spread, and a crowd swarmed to hype the scene.
"I know this guy! His Taillow evolved from last week?!"
"Training paid off—evolution buff's in play. Bet a pack of spicy strips Jiang Feng's toast!"
"Swellow's got speed and air control. Combusken's screwed!"
Hearing the chatter, Shorts Kid puffed up, confidence maxed.
This round's mine!
"Swellow, Wing Attack!"
Soaring high, Swellow's wings glowed white, diving like a hunting Staraptor, aiming to swoop Combusken.
Eagle vs. chicken!
But Combusken wasn't here to cluck. "I'm no chick—I'm a kun!"
With Master-tier Scratch, it parried with ease, slashing Swellow back with a few swipes.
Swellow's melee game? Zero advantage.
"Swellow, take flight! Prep Air Slash!"
Seeing close combat flop, Shorts Kid switched tactics.
Flight meant air superiority—attack, retreat, control the pace.
No wings? All you've got is a weak cluck.
Big gap.
Swellow shot skyward, safe from Combusken's reach, calmly charging energy for its post-evolution Air Slash.
Three breaths, and you're history!
What now?
A breeze stirred. Combusken crouched, claws bracing the ground, brewing something.
"What's it doing, waiting for a cooldown?"
"That's a 100-meter sprint stance!"
"Jump, Clucky!"
Before, Combusken couldn't leap past a knee!
But now…
Wind's picking up!
Time to counter!
"Watch close—this move's gonna be fire!"
"Quick Attack!*"
What's Master-tier Quick Attack look like?
Whoosh! A yellow blur flashed—Combusken didn't just sprint, it launched!
Still as a statue, wild as a psycho chicken!
"No way, that high?!"
Shorts Kid jumped, spooked. Swellow's half-baked Air Slash was mid-charge—no melee allowed!
Thank Arceus for Aristotle's gravity, capping Combusken's ascent!
Just 0.01 km short, Combusken's momentum fizzled!
So close!
But no—it ripped Newton's coffin open, unleashing lost Chinese kung fu…
Left foot on right, right on left—spiral skyward!
"What the?!"
"That's allowed?!"
"This ain't science!"
An unseen force drove its steps—one, two, devil's pace!
Combusken, a yellow streak, zipped behind Swellow, flashing a Dragon King smirk!
Darkness cloaks all, but I'm the final dawn!
With thunder—shatter the dark!!
Hiyah!!
BAM!
Swellow took a brutal hit, crashing like a meteor, kicking up a dust storm!
Blazing speed, mid-air steps, spinning leaps…
No doubt—Master-tier Quick Attack!
The crowd gaped, sucking in ten lungfuls of cold air!
Holy Miltank, it's real!
Combusken landed lightly, crest feathers dancing in the breeze, radiating main character energy…
Flex successful. Jiang Feng felt glorious.
One word: Sick!
Shorts Kid was questioning life.
He thought Swellow's evolution would clinch the badge, but Jiang Feng's a freak!
What's the deal?! Man or chicken, everyone's showing off—except me, getting clowned!
"It's a BUG!"
Swellow croaked the truth, then collapsed…
"You'll see—I'll be back!" Shorts Kid scooped up Swellow, storming off with stubborn grit.
Jiang Feng snagged two spicy strip packs from a cheerleader lackey, then shot Zicai a smug look.
"So, when's the upside-down shampoo show? Want me to livestream it?"
Impulse is a devil. Zicai's flag was bold, but now? Big oof.
Zicai flushed, huffing and turning away.
"Overqwil's evolving soon—don't get cocky! Next time, I'll crush you!" The Gym scored a Razor Claw—Overqwil's evolution was imminent.
"Master Quick Attack? Big whoop—Toxtricity carried you! Bet it's been slacking all week!"
Toxtricity, slacking?
Jiang Feng didn't bother explaining, just popped out its Poké Ball.
"Toxtricity, Light Screen!"
What's he mean? Did Toxtricity…?!
The crowd's hearts skipped, eyes locked on the field.
Toxtricity spread its arms, a translucent Light Screen flashing into existence, morphing into body-tight armor!
In that moment, Toxtricity shone like a neon-plated warrior!
Badass supreme!
No question—Master-tier Light Screen!
Mali's eyes widened, her cute face screaming WTF—it actually broke through! In just a week!
"Holy mama, one week for Master Light Screen?!"
"Show-off, is that you?!"
"Others' 18 glows; mine's stuck installing antivirus!"
"This kid's got Emperor vibes!"
"Interesting!"
Niezi's eyes flashed with surprise, glancing at Jiang Feng, then Mali… Perfect match, too damn perfect!
Zicai clenched her fists, shook. How?!
Damn it, he flexed in front of Miss Mali!
Worse, while everyone was stunned, Jiang Feng sneaked a peck on Mali's cheek!
Seeing Mali's wide-eyed, adorkable shock, Zicai's heart sank, pressure skyrocketing.
Miss must be sweating buckets…
Gotta admit, a guy who trains Pokémon like that? Major charm points.