Ash's Pokémon Travel Has Big Problems

But the wounds on Gyarados's body are also increasing rapidly.

The golden scales were scratched and rolled up by the rocks, and even fine beads of blood seeped out in a few places.

"Roar—!!!" Once again, it was slammed into the side by the heavy rocky tail. The excruciating pain, mixed with the suppressed frustration, completely ignited the fragile nerve called "reason" that Gyarados had evolved into.

He endured the pain and tried his best to obey Satoshi's commands.

But now I really can't hold back anymore.

The crimson eyes were instantly and completely consumed by the raging red flames!

The desire for destruction erupted within it like a volcano!

What tactics!

What command!

They were all crushed!

Its enormous head snapped back, and deep within its throat, a destructive orange-red light gathered frantically, almost tangible.

The air was distorted by the terrifying heat, emitting a hissing sound, and even Xiaoxia at the edge of the field felt a suffocating heat.

"Oh no! Destroy the beam!" Ash's expression changed drastically.

At this distance and in this state, it's impossible to interrupt!

"Onix! Iron Tail! Maximum power! Aim for its head!" Brock's command pierced out like an icicle, terrifyingly calm.

He had been waiting for this moment when things would spiral out of control.

"Hiss—!!!" The giant rock snake's thick rocky tail was instantly covered with a layer of cold metallic luster, so heavy that it seemed to crush the space.

Its massive body twisted violently with explosive force beyond its size, and its tail, which transformed into a giant steel whip, tore through the air with a piercing shriek and an aura of annihilation, fiercely lashing out at the destructive beam about to erupt from Gyarados's mouth.

Time seemed to freeze for a moment.

The next moment——

"boom--!!!"

The destructive beam from the mouth of the Golden Gyarados finally burst forth.

However, just as the destructive beam left the giant mouth, Onix's iron tail, which was incredibly heavy and contained all its power, struck Gyarados's jaw with perfect precision, like divine punishment.

"Crack!!!"

The sickening sound of bones shattering was drowned out by the terrifying roar of the energy explosion.

The orange-red beam of destruction was deflected upwards by this powerful blow, like an out-of-control laser cannon, and slammed obliquely into the towering dome of the Rock Core arena.

“Rumble——!!!”

The rocks of the dome were instantly vaporized and shattered by the violent energy, and countless fragments of rock fell like a torrential rain.

It's alright, the venue is top-of-the-line, sturdy and durable... If it were a regular venue, we'd have to be prepared to renovate it.

Gyarados's massive golden body, like a toy struck by a giant's club, was slammed to the ground by the irresistible force of its Iron Tail.

The Onix's iron tail lashed out with considerable power.

After all, that weight is what it is.

Keep in mind that this is a 30-ton monster lashing out with its tail; it's like being hit directly by a heavy truck.

If Gyarados weren't also enormous... a regular Pokémon that got hit so hard like that... would probably turn into a two-dimensional character, right?

"Boom——!!!"

The entire core site trembled violently.

Where Gyarados crashed, the hard rock surface was instantly covered with spiderweb-like cracks.

Its massive head lay limply to one side, its jaw twisted unnaturally, billowing black smoke from its mouth, and blood gushing from its torn mouth and nostrils, flowing down the wet rocks.

The raging flames in his crimson eyes were completely extinguished, leaving only boundless pain and bewilderment.

Its massive body twitched slightly a few times before finally going completely limp and motionless.

Dead silence.

...Uh...Even with Gyarados's constitution, taking this attack head-on would result in serious injury.

The entire stadium fell silent.

Only the rustling sound of rubble hitting the ground and the humming of residual energy from the destructive beams striking the dome echoed in the empty space.

The murky water silently flowed over Gyarados's collapsed body, the mixed blood appearing particularly glaring.

The referee raised his flag expressionlessly, his cold voice breaking the silence:

"Gyarados, unable to battle!"

Then a beam of red light shot onto Gyarados.

"Thank you for your hard work, buddy," Ash said to the Poké Ball.

“The injury is quite serious; you can hand it over to the dojo for first aid,” Xiao Gang said at this moment.

It's normal for Pokémon to get injured in battles.

Pokémon gyms typically have various first aid facilities and medical care for common injuries.

After all, when it comes to fighting, fists and feet have no eyes, not to mention the various powerful moves of Pokémon.

When there is a significant difference in strength, it is acceptable for both sides to hold back.

However, when the difference in strength is very small, it becomes impossible to stop... There's nothing that can be done about it.

Chapter 25's evaluation of Ash

Xiaoxia rushed into the field.

She grabbed the heavy Poké Ball that Ash handed her, and could feel a faint vibration coming from inside it.

Even the most warlike Pokémon can feel pain.

"Leave it to me!" Xiaoxia said tautly, then turned and ran, her heels echoing rapidly on the slippery rocks as she headed straight for the emergency exit at the edge of the field.

As a professional Water-type Trainer, she feels very upset when she sees a Water-type Pokémon injured.

Even if it's a Gyarados, it's the same.

The heavy soundproof door slid open and closed behind her, shutting out the heavy atmosphere inside.

The light outside the passageway was slightly brighter.

He hadn't run more than a few steps when two figures blocked his way.

"Miss Xiaoxia?" Wu Neng's deep voice rang out, his tall figure almost blocking the passage.

Standing next to him was Xiao Mi, a gentle and refined lady whose face was also filled with concern as she looked at the Poké Ball in Xiao Xia's hand.

"Uncle Wu Neng? Aunt Xiaomi?" Xiaoxia paused, somewhat surprised, but more anxious. "Gyarados is badly injured and needs immediate treatment!"

"Follow me, the emergency room is this way." Xiaomi immediately turned around and led the way, her steps quick and her voice still steady, "Xiaoxia, don't panic. Nibi Dojo's emergency equipment is top-notch."

Wu Neng silently followed beside her, his gaze sweeping over the Poké Ball before settling on Xiaoxia's face: "That kid... how well did he command?"

The emergency room door slid open silently, revealing cold metal instruments and soft, soothing lighting.

Chansey was already waiting with the equipment cart.

While it's impossible to have a Nurse Joy permanently residing at the gym, given the status and prestige of the Pewter Gym, getting a few Chanseys shouldn't be a problem.

Xiaomi deftly caught the Poké Ball, and with a flash of red light, a massive golden Gyarados appeared on a specially made alloy platform. Its jaws were twisted, blood was gushing from its mouth and nose, and golden blood meandered on the cold metal platform, a shocking sight.

"Lucky!" Chansey immediately stepped forward, its palms glowing with gentle healing energy, covering Gyarados's hideous wounds.

While skillfully operating the instrument to connect the energy channeling interface, Xiaomi asked a question without looking up, her voice particularly clear amidst the instrument's hum:

"Xiaoxia, tell us about Xiaozhi."

"Professor Oak entrusted him to Brock, but he didn't say much. What kind of character does this kid have?"

Is this material worth polishing?

Xiaomi looked at the data on the instrument... This Gyarados is really good. It looks badly injured, but it's actually just a superficial wound.

Given Gyarados's vitality, even without medical treatment, it can recover on its own after a period of rest.

Looking at the golden behemoth convulsing in pain on the platform, and then at Aunt Xiaomi's calm profile and Uncle Wu Neng's furrowed brows, a complex emotion welled up inside Xiaoxia.

She leaned against the cold wall, letting out a long breath, as if trying to sort out her chaotic thoughts.

“Him…” Xiaoxia began, her tone weary and strangely enigmatic, “is a complete monster in training!”

"A monster?" Wu Neng raised a thick eyebrow.

"Yes, a monster!" Xiaoxia nodded vigorously, her orange ponytail swaying. "Have you ever seen a rookie trainer who can capture a runaway golden Gyarados and then command Pikachu to use it as a punching bag every day?"

"But that Gyarados was completely subdued, looking pitiful like a big dog!"

She recalled the countless "suppression" scenes that had unfolded in the forest, and the aggrieved look on Gyarados's face as it rubbed against Ash's pants leg, and her lips twitched involuntarily.

"What about tactics?" Xiaomi's voice came through the hum of the instrument. She was focused on adjusting the parameters of the energy conduit, and the bleeding from Gyarados's wound was slowly slowing down under the healing fluctuations.

"For a newcomer, she has a lot of potential!" Xiaoxia said quickly. "As you all saw, she tried to soak the entire 'Rock Heart' with a water gun right from the start to create a stage for Pikachu! Although Brock saw through her plan and dominated her..."

She paused, a complex light flashing in her eyes:

"He has a strange 'understanding' of Pokémon. It's not the kind of understanding we develop through emotional connection, but rather... it's hard to explain."

"He's always talking about some kind of ultimate individual... He also knows about champions like Dan-Di and Zhu-Lan, and he talks about them in great detail..."

"His goal is very clear: to become a champion trainer."

"...I think he has that ability."

Xiaoxia's voice lowered, and her face felt a little hot.

Being rendered speechless by a newcomer who called you a "frog in a well" is hardly a glorious experience.

"Hmph, all talk and no action, and it all comes down to nothing but a tail!" Wu Neng crossed his arms, watching the Gyarados gradually stabilize on the platform. "Professor Oak's judgment this time might not be right..."

Back then, Wu Neng also wanted to become a champion trainer.

Then they taught him a lesson from the monster-like Four Heavenly Kings... He was beaten so badly he was running for his life.

“No, the child’s father,” Xiaomi interrupted him.

She straightened up, wiped the fine sweat from her forehead, and looked down at Gyarados's eyes, which, though weak, were no longer frenzied. In those scarlet eyes, besides the pain, there was still a trace of calm.

Gyarados's frenzy is in its nature.

Gyarados grows by gradually overcoming its natural instincts.

Xiaomi, as a professional water-type trainer, is very certain of this.

This golden Gyarados is striving towards that goal, doing its utmost to remain rational.

Ash, as the trainer of the Golden Gyarados, did not abandon or despise it because of its uncontrollable nature.

"He may be reckless or radical, but he has indeed grasped the core of Gyarados—power and obedience."

“Use stronger power to suppress, and use ‘rewards’ to guide.”

"Simple, brutal, but... effective. Especially against such ferocious beasts."

"This is a qualified trainer."

Xiao Mi turned her gaze to Xiao Xia, her expression gentle yet insightful: "Xiao Xia, are you afraid of him?"

Xiaoxia paused for a moment, then pouted and crossed her arms:

"Afraid? Are you kidding me?"

"I just find traveling with him too tiring!"

"I live in constant fear, afraid that his Gyarados will go berserk again, or that his Pikachu will set some forest on fire!"

Tsundere Xia~ Stubborn to the end~

She paused, her voice lowering, tinged with an awkwardness she herself didn't realize: "But... he's truly exceptional when it comes to those he considers 'partners'..."

The heavy doors of the passageway creaked as they opened, and the sounds of battle rumbling from within could be faintly heard.

Xiao Gang's calm voice came through the loudspeaker, echoing clearly in the corridor outside the emergency room: