Ash's Pokémon Travel Has Big Problems

“It seems that Black Cloud City’s main transportation indeed relies on waterways,” Xiao Gang said, observing the surrounding environment. “With the land routes maintained like this, there must be very little passenger and freight traffic.”

The river rushed by, its waters roaring.

But upon closer inspection, the river water seemed to have an unhealthy, oily sheen.

A faint, strange smell began to permeate the air.

This place used to be an industrial city, and even though it is gradually changing its industries, pollution is still quite serious.

Xiao Gang glanced at the sky and then at the stream beside him, which was somewhat murky but still had a fairly rapid current: "It's getting late, and the road ahead doesn't look easy to travel."

"Why don't we set up camp here? It's close to a water source and easy to get water... well, although the water might need to be purified before we can use it."

The river water in the wild is not even polluted.

Even if it's not contaminated and looks very clear, it shouldn't be eaten casually.

The polluted river water contains some chemical substances.

Unpolluted river water contains bacteria and parasites.

As for which is more dangerous?

It’s really hard to say.

...At least a small amount of diluted sewage won't kill you, but if there are deadly parasites and bacteria in the water...

...emm, in short, outdoor camping is very dangerous.

"Yay! Finally, I can rest!" Xiaoxia cheered immediately.

After riding continuously for half a day and having to push her bike from time to time, her legs were already a little sore and weak.

"Xiaoxia, I think you also need to exercise a bit~" Xiaozhi compared his arms and his biceps muscles, which were clearly visible.

"I don't want to get so hard, I'm a beautiful girl~" Xiaoxia likes to see Xiaozhi's muscles, but she definitely doesn't want to get like that on her own.

The three of them carefully leaned their bicycles against a particularly thick tree and began to divide the work.

Ash was responsible for clearing a clean campsite and helping to set up the tents.

Xiaoxia went out for a walk to see if she could find some fruit or mushrooms, and also to fetch some water.

Xiao Gang, of course, began taking out pots, pans, various ingredients, and tree fruits from his backpack, ready to show off his skills.

Liuwei was helping Xiaogang start a fire.

In a sense, Xiao Gang was the busiest.

Cooking is physically demanding.

Soon the campfire was lit.

The flickering flames dispelled the evening chill in the forest, bringing warmth and light.

Xiao Gang skillfully prepared the ingredients.

The rich broth simmering in the pot began to release an enticing aroma, mixed with the sweet scent of roasted tree berries.

Although cooking such delicious food in the wild is a bit arrogant.

But who is he?

Xiao Gang isn't afraid of this.

Xiaoxia picked some edible mushrooms and berries, washed them, and handed them to Xiaogang.

While Xiaoxia was bored, she sat around the campfire with several Pokémon, chatting and waiting for dinner to be cooked.

A nimble figure slipped silently out of the bushes under the cover of dusk.

Its eyes were fixed on the few plump tree fruits that Xiao Gang had just cut up and was preparing to use for a salad on the mat next to it, and it swallowed hard.

This is a monkey monster!

It was drawn over by the rich aroma of the food.

Seizing the opportunity when Xiao Gang turned around to get the seasonings, the monkey monster suddenly lunged forward with its hind legs, its claws reaching straight for the tempting tree fruits.

However, while it moves quickly, someone can move even faster.

Almost at the same instant the monkey monster set off, Ash, who was unconsciously practicing his punching trajectory in the air with a tree branch, suddenly narrowed his eyes.

He didn't even stand up completely; he just used his waist and abdomen to twist his body to the side like a taut bowstring, and his right hand holding the branch moved like a venomous snake emerging from its hole, striking first despite being behind.

The branch was launched.

"Snapped!"

A soft sound.

The branch struck the monkey monster's claw.

A surge of chaotic waveguide power instantly penetrated in.

It won't harm your health.

But it's enough to interrupt the movement and bring a tingling or numb sensation.

"Roar!" The monkey monster cried out in pain, its forward momentum coming to an abrupt halt.

The monkey seemed to be paused, then fell to the ground with a thud, clutching its numb paws, and looked up at Ash with a bewildered expression.

It had no idea how it could be stopped by this human when it was moving so fast.

Ash looked at the grinning Mankey on the ground and shook his head helplessly: "It's better not to steal a Trainer's things. If you want some, you can try to get it from them."

"Hehehe..." Xiaoxia laughed as she watched Xiaozhi train the monkey. "If you want it, you can ask nicely, or you can exchange it for something!"

Xiao Gang walked over.

Looking at the monkey monster's somewhat thin figure and dirty fur, a knowing glint flashed in his eyes.

He picked up the few berries it had tried to steal, added some extra Pokémon food, placed them on a clean leaf, and pushed it in front of Mankey.

"Eat up," Xiao Gang said gently. "Judging from your expression, you haven't been finding enough food around here lately, have you?"

"Is it because the closer you get to Black Cloud City, the fewer clean fruits and water sources there are?"

...This is an extremely reasonable speculation.

...It's even possible that the tree fruits Xiaoxia found belonged to this monkey.

The monkey looked at the delicious-smelling food in front of it, then looked up at Ash and his friends. A hint of hesitation flashed in its eyes, but the rumbling of its stomach eventually overcame its wariness.

It carefully picked up the food and wolfed it down.

The monkey monster made indistinct "hey beep... hey beep..." sounds.

Watching the monkey wolf down its food, Ash crouched down and said seriously, "Stealing from trainers is dangerous. Not all trainers are as easy to talk to as we are... understand?"

The monkey-like creature blinked as if it understood, quickly stuffed the last bit of food into its mouth, then barked twice at the three of them before turning and nimbly darting back into the bushes, disappearing from sight.

Although there is a saying that the monkey monster has a bad temper.

However, not all monkey monsters are ignorant of their own limitations.

If you can't beat someone, you have to force your way in; that's just asking for trouble.

After releasing the monkey monster, the camp returned to peace.

The campfire crackled, and the aroma of the stew grew stronger.

Xiaoxia looked in the direction where Mankey disappeared and said, "It seems that the situation in Black Cloud City may be worse than we thought, and even the wild Pokémon in the surrounding area have been affected."

Xiao Gang nodded, and while distributing the stewed soup to everyone, he said in a deep voice, "Yes, the effects of industrial pollution are often very long-lasting."

"We need to be even more careful after we enter the Black Cloud City area tomorrow."

"There are probably more Grimer and Muk Pokémon there."

Xiao Gang remembered the tattered bag and the mountain of dust... This is going to be difficult.

These types of trash Pokémon are the kind of dung monsters that are very difficult to bully.

Fight them.

Winning brings no benefit, and losing brings even less benefit.

However, if left unchecked, these Pokémon will severely pollute the environment.

They are accomplices in the environmental pollution and expansion caused by humankind.

It was also born out of environmental pollution caused by humans.

Especially the tattered bags and the dust mountain.

The presence of these two often indicates the existence of a large landfill.

If there were a flowing water source next to such a landfill... the scene would be absolutely beautiful.

But unfortunately, Black Cloud City is surrounded by the sea.

It can be described as a paradise for trashy Pokémon, especially now that it also hosts a waste recycling project.

The accumulation of garbage and waste will definitely cause pollution, after all, even if you want to recycle it, there is a process involved.

There are just a lot of Pokémon in this world.

The power of nature can suppress the area.

However, unless something like a water spirit comes to purify it, the pollution will not completely disappear.

Ash took the steaming bowl of soup, but his gaze was fixed on the direction of Black Cloud City. He gently patted Pikachu's head beside him and said, "No matter what lies ahead, we will face it together."

"Pikachu!" Pikachu rubbed against his hand, its cheeks flashing with electricity, in agreement.

After all, everyone's strength has increased a lot now.

The Misdreavus also quietly floated down, leaning against Pikachu, watching the leaping campfire, lost in thought.

Chapter 155 The Absurd Garbage Scramble

When Ash and his friends finally arrived at the border of Dark Cloud City on their bicycles.

A strong gust of wind swept by... an indescribable stench, a mixture of putridity, chemicals, and a strong musty smell, crashed against us like a solid wall.

Is this normal?

This is very wrong!

Theoretically speaking, the technology in this world is very advanced.

After the initial period of chaos, the alliance...

Even an industrial city like Black Cloud City should start taking action now.

In other words, things should get better, not worse.

So something definitely happened!

"Ugh! What's that smell?!" Xiaoxia immediately covered her mouth and nose with her hands, her pretty face scrunched up, feeling a churning in her stomach.

This was far more intense and complex than any sludge she had ever seen, and the smell of sludge was far more intense and complex than anything she had ever seen.

It smells even worse than stinky flowers.

vomit--

Xiao Zhi frowned as well; the pungent smell made his eyes sting.

The Pikachu on his shoulder let out a miserable "Pika!"

Then it pinched its nose with its little paws, and the electric sacs on its cheeks twitched slightly due to discomfort.

Even the usually composed Xiao Gang's expression turned serious, and he said in a deep voice, "It seems we have entered the territory of Black Cloud City. This air... it truly lives up to its reputation."

"Mahmah..." The dream demon couldn't take it anymore.

Dream Fairy loves the scent of perfume and hates foul smells.

As Misdreavus lightly touched the Poké Ball with her forehead, she was absorbed into it in a red light.

A Dream Fairy: [I'm sorry everyone...]

A Dream Fairy: [I'll hide for a bit...]

A Dream Fairy: [I can't take it anymore.]