Ash's Pokémon Travel Has Big Problems

"But the will of a rock will not crumble because of a single setback!"

"Go!"

"Rumblestone!"

Red light flashed!

A sturdy Pokémon landed with a thud.

With a low growl, the rumbler slammed its thick rock arm into the ground, instinctively preparing to unleash its most effective tactic—hardening and layering its defenses before rolling into a destructive chariot.

This is a coordinated tactic for Pokémon training; it's a habit that's been cultivated.

Just like Ash discusses tactics with Gyarados before a battle, this Graveler also discussed tactics before the battle, so as to make the most of its time after entering the battle.

however.

Its rocky feet had just touched the ground.

"Chiliu——!"

The slippery rocks covered with a thin film of water caused the sturdy and heavy lower body of the rumble stone to lose its balance instantly.

It stumbled, sliding forward half a step. The "hardening" light that had been gathering momentum on its body surface flickered erratically as it was almost interrupted by its own clumsy movement.

Xiao Gang's squinting eyes looked even more listless.

That's why he said they were sure to lose.

He had already seen his own failure.

water.

It's that water.

The water spray that Gyarados had poured all its energy into earlier has now become Graveler's biggest nightmare.

The slippery ground was like an invisible layer of grease, completely destroying the foundation on which the rumble stones stood and exerted their strength.

Its most powerful rolling charge became a clumsy and laughable joke on this water-soaked "rock core".

"Pikachu!" Pikachu already knew what to do, and Ash already knew what to do; he just said it aloud.

"Electric shock! Target—beneath its feet!"

"Pikachu!!!"

Pikachu understood perfectly, and even before Ash finished uttering the command, the electricity that had been gathering momentum roared out.

This time, it wasn't a condensed thunder spear.

Several golden lightning bolts, as thick as bowls and carrying a terrifying, tearing force, lashed fiercely at the waterlogged rocky hollow at the foot of the rumbling stone, like wildly dancing golden whips.

"Boom! Crash—!!!"

The electric light collided violently with the water flow, instantly vaporizing and exploding.

A blinding white light was accompanied by a deafening explosion.

Scalding steam mixed with shattered pebbles, like a barrage of scorching bullets, rained down on the nearby rumblestone.

"Long!!!"

The rumbler roared in pain, disoriented by the sudden, all-encompassing onslaught of scalding hot steam. Its rocky shell was instantly enveloped in scalding steam, and the hardened glow that had just stabilized on its surface flickered violently, almost dissipating.

Scalding hot water vapor isn't a problem; rock-type Pokémon generally have good temperature adaptability.

But the fatal flaw is that the water vapor mixed with dust conducts electricity.

Fine, golden electric snakes darted and leaped wildly in the steam, like maggots clinging to bones, relentlessly burrowing into the relatively vulnerable joints and crevices of the Graveler's shell through the gaps in the steam.

paralysis!

Burning pain!

The view is blocked!

The rumblestone was plunged into utter chaos and agony!

"Now!" Ash's voice was resolute, filled with the will to end it all!

"Electric acceleration—"

"End it!"

"Pica-!!!"

Pikachu's figure transformed into a streak of blazing golden lightning once more!

The target is directly aimed at—

The rocky core, struggling painfully amidst scalding steam and golden lightning, its lower body unstable and its opening wide exposed.

The golden light flashed away.

"Boom!!!"

A dull, heart-stopping bang.

The golden light pierced through the pervasive moisture and slammed into the very center of Rumblestone's round, thickly armored chest.

Time seemed to freeze for a moment.

The expression of the rumbler's painful roar remained frozen on its rocky face.

Its massive, heavy body was violently thrown off the ground and lifted into the air by the combined force of the condensed energy, which contained both kinetic and electrical energy.

In particular, it generates a magnetic field after being energized.

This will greatly reduce the reaction force Pikachu experiences.

However, the expected lightning damage will not be reduced.

immediately--

"Boom!!!"

As if struck head-on by a speeding dump truck, the massive body of the rumblestone flew backward and slammed hard into a rough rock pillar at the edge of the site!

"Crack!"

The hard rock pillar was smashed open, cracking into spiderweb-like patterns.

The rumblestone, like a discarded, heavy stone ball, slowly slid down the rock pillar and collapsed to the ground.

On the rocky carapace covering its entire body, a shocking charred crack spread out from the point of impact, with tiny golden arcs of electricity still leaping unwillingly within it.

Its eyes rolled back, and wisps of white smoke with a burnt smell billowed from its mouth and nose; it had completely lost consciousness.

Instant kill!

Another instant kill!

However, compared to the damage Onix suffered, the damage to Graveler was much less severe.

The damage from the Electric Acceleration attack is still not as strong as that from the Volt Attack.

The referee's flag finally fell, his voice trembling almost imperceptibly:

"Rumble... Rumblestone, unable to fight!"

"Gym Leader Brock, both of his Pokémon are unable to battle!"

"The winner is Ash from Pallet Town!"

Dead silence.

A deeper and more awe-inspiring silence enveloped the entire core site.

Only the murky water droplets dripping from the broken part of the dome, hitting the gravel, made a monotonous but clear "drip-drip" sound.

The smoke and water vapor slowly settled.

In the center of the arena, Pikachu was slightly out of breath, and the electric arcs jumping around its body gradually subsided.

It raised its little head, its bright black eyes looking at its trainer—we won!

Ash also looked at Pikachu.

Silence speaks louder than words—we won! Partner!

Ash stood still and slowly exhaled a breath of stale air.

He raised his hand and gently pressed down the brim of his hat, concealing the intense emotions surging in his eyes, revealing only the corners of his mouth with a sharp curve.

Don't laugh, you have to hold it in~

Xiao Zhi tried hard to purse his lips.

Passageway entrance.

Xiaoxia's hand was still covering her mouth, and her eyes were wide open.

Misty was once again amazed by Pikachu and Ash's performance.

Xiao Gang stood silently for a while.

He slowly walked to the collapsed rumblestone, squatted down, and ran his fingers along the charred cracks in the rock, feeling the lingering, chilling warmth.

Rock-type Pokémon are mostly composed of inorganic matter in their bodies, making them more resilient than Pokémon with organic matter.

At least you don't have to worry about things like burns.

As long as you're not killed on the spot, eat some rocks to replenish your strength and you'll be back.

Xiao Gang stood up, his gaze piercing through the dissipating smoke and mist, and fixed firmly on Xiao Zhi.

At first, he was expressionless, like a rock, with an icy face.

Then a somewhat complicated smile slowly appeared on his face.

That smile contained shock, scrutiny, approval, and expectation... just like a scale?

Xiao Gang thinks that all four players from Zhenxin Town are performing well this year.

As for Xiao Zhi in front of him, Xiao Gang would call him the strongest among the four.

Compared to Professor Oak's grandson who has a bunch of cute cheerleaders, this seems much more reliable...

=_= Xiao Gang thought: Why not give it to me?

He opened his palm, and a dusty gray rock badge lay quietly in his hand.

"Xiao Zhi..."

Xiao Gang's voice echoed in the silent space:

"This gray badge..."

"You deserve it."

Chapter 28 New Companions Join Us - Xiao Gang: Please Vote!

Gray badge?

When Ash's fingertip touched the cold rock surface of the gray badge, the pale blue system interface in the corner of his vision flickered silently.

[Achievement: First Gym Challenge - Completed]

[Reward: 1 Specialty Capsule]

[Effect: Can change the current ability of a Pokémon with two abilities to another.]

Specialty capsules?

Ash's thoughts were instantly pulled away—Togepi and Togekiss…Serene Grace and Vitality…The future Togepi egg…This thing, we have to keep it!

If it's vitality, change it to divine grace.

If it's a blessing from heaven, then there's no need to change it.

It would be even better if it had the hidden trait, Super Luck.

Why do you say?

Of course, because this isn't a game.

Adding luck is pretty good, right?