Ash's Pokémon Travel Has Big Problems

Rika believes that Ash will definitely be able to participate in the Indigo League.

The moment the badge touched his palm, a semi-transparent system interface quietly appeared out of the corner of Ash's eye:

[Rainbow Gym/Rainbow Badge]

[Effect: Slightly increases the trainer's Grass-type affinity (energy perception/resistance) and slightly enhances base stats.]

An indescribable sense of freshness quietly seeped into my body, as if I could feel the vitality of the grass beneath my feet more clearly, and the fatigue from days of travel seemed to lessen a bit.

Ash clutched the badge tightly: "Thank you, Ms. Rika! I will definitely work even harder!"

Discussions arose from the audience.

"We won! That Misdreavus's control is amazing!"

A girl wearing a wide-brimmed sun hat and accompanied by a spirited Pogaman—Seiko from Twin Town—speaks with excitement.

"Using the storm created by the opponent to amplify one's own fire and form a vortex of flames... using the opponent's strength against them... this is not something an ordinary dream demon can do!"

Beside her stood a composed young man with his arms crossed.

Souji from Veiled City nodded slightly.

Lucario beside him had sharp eyes.

"The tactics are very clear."

"Flying and Fire types are indeed very suitable for challenging Grass-type gyms."

"In particular, Flying-type characters can gain air superiority, and coincidentally, the Rainbow Gym's area is also quite large."

"They must have done a thorough investigation before coming."

"That Misdreavus isn't a fire-type, but it's quite skilled with fire-type moves... Its ability to manipulate fire is abnormally strong."

His analysis was incisive.

Ash's tactics are easy to understand.

In fact, this is indeed the case.

The Grass-type in the Rainbow Gym... is really the easiest type to counter, at least until Rika uses her main character.

Just like Lt. Surge's Raichu.

Because of issues in the early stages of training, it's not yet time to address the shortcomings.

Most of the challenges before the 7/8 badges in the gym have obvious weaknesses that can be exploited.

What? You're saying there are no weaknesses?

Are you deliberately trying to prevent the newcomers from passing the test?

funny.

Dojo challenges are used to train newcomers.

You're using a Hexagonal Warrior Pokémon to trap a newbie... How can a newbie, who's just started their journey, possibly force their way into a gym with their training level?

A newcomer's Pokémon can't possibly be stronger than a Gym Leader's.

...ps—The Sword God of Shili Slope is not a newcomer.

the other side.

A teenager wearing a T-shirt and jacket, Cross, curled his lip.

The werewolf with sideburns at his feet also yawned.

"The type advantage is too obvious. My Charmander wouldn't have fared any better."

"However... if magical flames can create a fire vortex... just how powerful is this dream monster?"

His tone carried a hint of defiance, but he also acknowledged Ash's strength.

A win is a win, and a loss is a loss.

He just felt that this Dreamweaver's training level was a bit too high.

It hasn't evolved into a Mismagius yet?

Hearing the faint whispers, Rika smiled and extended an invitation to Ash: "By the way, Ash, and everyone else, would you be interested in visiting the gym's greenhouse?"

"There are some rare herbaceous Pokémon that are hard to find elsewhere."

After personally assessing Xiaozhi's level.

Lijia felt that it was appropriate to further strengthen the relationship between the two parties.

Ok.

Rika felt that since they were originally from the same faction, there was no need to be so distant, and she could invite Ash to visit Celadon City for a while.

Professor Oak is the leader of the Rainbow University faction.

Rika is a visiting professor at Rainbow University, a rising star in the academic world, and can also be considered a student of Professor Oak.

Even a large part of the academic community consists of students and disciples of Oki Yukijo.

laugh.

The clamor on the battlefield gradually subsided.

The audience, still discussing the battle with great interest, gradually left the venue.

Rika extended an invitation to Ash and his friends:

"Xiao Zhi, Xiao Gang, Xiao Xia."

"Would you like to come with me to see the dojo's greenhouse?"

"There are some rare herbaceous Pokémon that are rarely seen in the outside world."

"Of course I'm interested!" Ash replied immediately.

He is full of curiosity about all kinds of Pokémon.

Xiaoxia and Xiaogang nodded happily, as being able to visit the core training area of ​​the Rainbow Gym up close was undoubtedly a rare opportunity.

Rika handed the Poké Balls of Bellossom, Victreebel, and Tangela to her waiting assistant, instructing them to take them to the Pokémon Center for a thorough examination and restoration.

She then personally led the three through several quiet corridors, heading deeper into the dojo.

Some areas of the dojo are open to the public, while others are not.

The roadside is lush with greenery, and the air is filled with the fresh scent of earth and flowers, which is very pleasant.

As they walked, the conversation naturally turned to their previous encounter.

“Speaking of which, I must thank Miss Lijia again for her generosity,” Xiao Gang said sincerely. “I’ve mistakenly wandered into Paraster’s residential area and caused you trouble.”

Lijia covered her mouth and chuckled upon hearing this, a hint of understanding and amusement flashing in her calm eyes: "Hehe, that cowardly fellow probably didn't tell you everything, did he?"

She paused, then explained:

"The area where you encountered it is actually part of the 'Pokémon Adaptation Zone' established by Rainbow University."

"Some Pokémon migrated from other regions or were brought here by trainers and later stayed for various reasons."

"This is an important project for our field research on Pokémon ecology."

Strictly speaking, this is also Lijia's research project.

"Pokémon from other regions?" Misty blinked, a puzzled look on her face. "Don't different Pokémon have their own best-suited living environments? Won't they be unsuitable if we move them here? And... why do we need to do this kind of research in the first place?"

Xiao Gang picked up the conversation and explained, "Xiaoxia, with the establishment of the Pokémon League and the increasing frequency of exchanges between regions, it has become more and more common for trainers to travel across regions with their Pokémon."

“Inevitably, some unexpected situations may occur, such as trainers giving up on the adventure midway or being unable to continue raising the Pokémon, resulting in non-native Pokémon being abandoned in unfamiliar environments.”

"If these Pokémon were to reproduce naturally in the local area, they could potentially have an unknown impact on the existing ecological balance."

He looked at Lijia, seeking confirmation:

"So, the core of this kind of 'adaptation zone' research is a cutting-edge topic in Pokémon ecology, aiming to observe and assess the chain reactions that this cross-regional species movement may bring, so that the League can formulate response strategies in advance, right, Ms. Rika?"

Strictly speaking, Xiao Gang can also be considered a member of the academic community.

laugh.

Pokémon studies is a very broad discipline, with sub-disciplines such as Pokémon ecology, Pokémon sociology, Pokémon materials science, Pokémon combat science, Pokémon breeding science, and so on.

Lijia nodded approvingly: "Mr. Xiaogang explained it very clearly."

“Just as Xiaozhi pointed out astutely as he did just now.” She turned her gaze to Xiaozhi.

“That area can indeed be regarded as an ‘ecological experimental field’.”

"Through controlled introduction and observation, we simulate scenarios that may appear on a large scale in the future, and study how Pokémon with different attributes and habits integrate into the new environment, and what kind of interaction they will have with local species, whether it is competition, symbiosis, or other relationships."

She sighed softly, her tone becoming more serious:

"The circulation of Pokémon across different regions is an unstoppable trend in the future, and the League must plan ahead."

"Moreover, in addition to the normal movement of trainers, there are organizations like Team Rocket and poaching groups that illegally capture and sell rare Pokémon from other regions for profit, further exacerbating the possibility of this chaos."

"Our research is also aimed at better addressing these future scenarios."

This kind of thing is predictable and bound to happen.

For something that is bound to happen, we must prepare in advance.

Conversation room.

The four of them had arrived in front of a huge glass door.

Lijia reached out and pushed it away, and a richer, warmer, and more moist mixed floral fragrance wafted towards her.

Suddenly, a huge greenhouse flower garden appeared before me. Sunlight streamed through the glass dome, and all sorts of exotic flowers and plants competed for beauty. Many grass-type Pokémon of various shapes and sizes lived and played leisurely in it.

“This is the ‘heart’ of the Rainbow Gym,” Rika said, opening her arms and smiling as she showed the three young guests this vibrant place.

"Welcome to my flower garden."

Chapter 106 The Dream Demon Girl Taking a Bath

After accompanying Lijia on a tour of the greenhouse flower garden, which can be described as a treasure trove of botany, it was already close to dusk.

Rika warmly invited the three of them to stay in the dojo's guest rooms.

The Rainbow Gym is quite large and also has accommodations specifically for visitors.

Compared to the Pokémon Center, the Gym's rooms are more spacious and comfortable, with a faint, reassuring scent of sandalwood and other plants.

Ultimately, Pokémon Centers are public facilities serving the general public, unlike gyms which are private residences.

Ok.

Rainbow Gym is not a League property, but rather Rika's private property.

Xiao Zhi and his two companions each have their own room.

The room was big and nice.

"That's great!" Xiaoxia almost immediately pounced on the soft bed, letting out a satisfied sigh.

"The decorations are really nice~" Xiao Gang said with great interest as he studied the Zen-like flower arrangements and incense in the room.

Ash put down his backpack and his gaze fell on the two Poké Balls.

One is a Pidgey whose feathers are slightly messy and need cleaning.

The other one is a little dream monster that was covered in dust and dirt from the battle and desperately needs grooming.

Since it wasn't an injury or anything, it wasn't handed over to the dojo's treatment team.

"I need to give you both a proper bath first."

Ash muttered to himself, picked up the Poké Ball, and headed towards the private bathroom attached to the guest room.

The bathroom was spacious, clean, and tidy, filled with a fresh herbal scent that matched the overall style of the dojo.

Xiao Zhi filled the bathtub with warm water, adjusting the temperature to be just right—neither too hot nor too cold.

The sound of rushing water filled the air, and steam gradually filled the room, casting a hazy white veil over the bathroom.

"Come out, Pidgey, Misdreavus."

A flash of light, and Pidgeotto and Misdreavus appeared in the bathroom.