He knows Pokémon better than me.

"Max Magnum!!"

The third Dynamax move struck Dust Mountain, causing its energy shield to shatter and leaving it in a weakened state.

After using three Dynamax moves, the Shellder Dragon returned to its original size.

"Jia Ao."

It was panting; fighting a four-star opponent alone was already its limit.

Fortunately, the attack power of Dust Mountain was average, and the most troublesome "poisoned" status did not appear afterward.

Is the peach fruit still working?

Ash thought to himself, "Usually, tree fruits are all one-time detoxification, right?"
However, after the armored dragon ate it, the effect seemed to last, as if it had entered a period of "mysterious protection".

Perhaps this is the magical ability of ancient species?
In particular, its durability seems to be much higher than that of a pseudo-legendary that has just evolved to the second stage.

"Hui eh!!"

Gigantamax Dust Mountain was also in bad shape and seemed to lack the strength to use Gigantamax moves anymore, resorting to smaller moves instead.

"Hiccup—uh?"

He opened his mouth wide, trying to use his powerful "burp" technique, but unfortunately the burp stopped halfway through, and nothing came out except for a foul smell.

"Didn't you eat any tree fruits?"

Ash realized that the burp move was powerful, but it required eating food first.

"Idea hammer!"

Taking advantage of the opportunity, the armored dragon charged forward again. The surrounding area was still under the influence of the psychic field, which made this mental hammer attack exceptionally powerful. It slammed into the dust mountain's body, causing it to cave in again and let out a miserable scream.

Outstanding effect!

Gigantamax Dust Mountain simply opened its mouth and this time spat out a huge venom bullet.

If you can't handle burping, then use a sludge bomb!

"Iron Wall. Then continue with the Mind Hammer!"

The Armored Dragon's ability to use Iron Wall while in its "cocoon" state can be said to be self-taught.

The grayish-white carapace was covered with a metallic gleam, greatly reducing the venom damage from the sludge bomb.

The sustained effects of peach fruit also allow it to completely ignore the effects of poisoning.

It sprinted through the venom, then leaped high into the air, a pinkish-purple arc of light flashing at the front of its head.

Clang!
The final psychic strike finally knocked over Gigantamax Dust Mountain's massive body, causing it to crash heavily to the ground.

The body began to shrink rapidly, and an unidentified yellowish-brown liquid and garbage kept oozing out.

Its Gigantamax form seems to have truly fused with all this junk and debris.

"Phew, finally it's solved."

Xiao Zhi pinched his nose in relief, glanced at his phone, and saw that the progress bar was almost down to the last bar.

The armored dragon was also exhausted, panting heavily.

He wanted to pat the Shellder Dragon's body to encourage it, but as soon as he raised his hand, he noticed the cloudy yellow liquid on the Shellder Dragon's body, and Ash's hand finally hovered over it.

"Um, if we're going home, how about we give the armored dragon a good back scrub outside the castle first?"

As for Ash Ketchum, who was already unable to fight, he shook his head.

Taking them back seems like it's a bit of torture for the other Pokémon?
If it's an Alola-type Muk or a Galar-type Weezing, they're excellent companions for Castle Ranch.

However, sending it to Professor Oak should also work, since he has a lot of garbage to deal with every day.

Rumble rumble rumble—!
The nest space began to tremble violently, so Ash recalled his Pokémon and ran out of the nest space with Pikachu, carefully avoiding the unknown liquids along the way.
"Gah~!"

Back on the surface, the Corviknight guarding the nest entrance immediately came over and nuzzled Ash's cheek. As a Corviknight, it could completely ignore Ash's body, which was now thoroughly intoxicated by the smell.

Xiao Zhi sniffed his arm and made up his mind:

"Okay, let's take a bath at Lake Menas on the way back!"

"Pika pika!"

Beside him, Pikachu nodded in agreement. Since it couldn't attack inside the nest space anyway, it would just stay at the nest entrance like Corviknight.

Ash looked at his spoils—

A few experience candies, a highly poisonous orb, a giant mushroom, and a raw material plant for making a special salve.

"Not bad at all!!"

Ash exclaimed in surprise, wondering if it was to make up for the "sacrifice" that had to be made in this battle.

In return for these things, Pikachu seems to smell nice now?

Ash carefully stored away the loot, especially the highly poisonous orb, and temporarily entrusted it to Corviknight to carry.

If other Pokémon accidentally touch it, they will quickly fall into a troublesome poisoned state.

Corviknight is much less risky, as it is immune to poison and can even add a "throw" move in the middle of throwing Corviknight's Feather, throwing the Poison Orb as a projectile to poison its opponent.

"Hmm, that's a pretty good tactic!"

Ash, gripping the bird's claws, was carried back into the air by Corviknight, this time flying straight towards home.

Along the way, he could even see a beam of light from a giant nest to the south, but this time he didn't have time to fly over there.

Before long, we arrived at the massive stone bridge that spans the open fields that divide the city into north and south.

Below, in the giant archway, you can still see that plump Gardevoir wandering around, like a dangerous older sister who might lure young children at any moment.

She was even waving at him from afar.

"Uh"

Ash shuddered, sensing that this Gardevoir had an inexplicable sinister aura, unlike a Psychic-type, but rather a Ghost-type.

He avoids it like the plague, but that doesn't mean others don't like it.

boom!
While still flying in the air, his Poké Ball suddenly popped open automatically, and Gengar floated out excitedly.

It could smell a wonderful scent even through the Poké Ball!
"Gengga gengga!!"

As soon as it emerged, Gengar's big red eyes began to scan left and right. After locking onto Gardevoir in the thin mist, it excitedly stuck out its big tongue and howled like a ghost in the sky.

A Ghost-type Gardevoir?
Here I come!
Unable to stop it, Ash could only frown helplessly and let it go.

Hopefully, this Gardevoir won't show up at my door with a big belly in a month.

"Hey Gengar, once you're done playing and exchanging ideas, remember to go back to the Watchtower! It's in that direction!"

"Geng Ga~!"

He could only offer a distant warning, but Gengar didn't even turn his head, merely waving his ghostly paws perfunctorily, indicating not to disrupt his grandpa's good time.

Xiaozhi: "."

He sighed and said, "Never mind."

Anyway, Gengar likes to roam around, so it'll eventually find its way back to Watchtower Castle.

Looking back, you can actually see Gardevoir raising its arms in the mist, welcoming the bizarre scene of Gengar embracing it.

"Uh, is Gengar going to end up getting played?"

Xiao Zhi suddenly had a bad feeling. (End of Chapter)