Landmine Bomb

In search of stronger Trainer battles, Hu Yang set his sights on Petalburg Gym.

Of course, his target was not the Gym Leader Norman, but the Apprentices in the Gym.

The rules here resembled the ones in games even more. Trainers challenging the Gym had to first pass several Apprentices' tests and prove their strength before earning the right to challenge the Gym Leader.

Perhaps it was because the Gym Leader could not handle so many challengers? Or perhaps he simply did not have the time?

Of course, every Gym was different. The condition for obtaining a Gym Badge was not necessarily defeating the Gym Leader; what mattered more was earning their recognition.

Something like that had happened when Ash had first set out on his journey.

After he stated his intention to challenge the Gym, someone immediately led him to a room that looked very much like a training hall.

Before long, he faced his first opponent: a boy in Gym attire with a red headband tied around his forehead.

He said, "I won't let you get a Gym Badge that easily!"

Hu Yang: "..." Silly kid, my target isn't the Gym Badge. It's you!

The other Gym Apprentices gathered to watch. One girl acted as the temporary referee. "The battle will be 1v1. Each side may use only one Pokémon!"

As soon as the whistle sounded, the red-headband boy threw out his Poké Ball. A Linoone with sleek, glossy fur appeared on the battlefield.

"Linoone, use Sand Attack!"

Hu Yang observed the changes on the field.

Sand Attack was a Ground-type move. In the games, it threw sand in the opponent's face to lower their accuracy.

But in reality, the move kicked up a hazy cloud of dust across the battlefield, blocking the opposing Pokémon's vision while Linoone could launch a Sucker Punch from within it.

"Is that so?" Hu Yang ordered, "Budew, use Stun Spore!"

"Bude!"

Pale yellow powder spread forward from Budew's bud, with some of it blending into the dust cloud, impossible to distinguish.

The red-headband boy, who had just been about to order Linoone to launch a Sucker Punch, hurriedly swallowed his words.

"Using Stun Spore as a protective barrier? That means Linoone can't launch a Sucker Punch. This Rookie Trainer is pretty clever."

The other Gym Apprentices watched the battle with great interest from the sidelines.

Just then, a young man in a red jacket emerged from the inner room.

The Gym Apprentices noticed him. "Mr. Norman..."

Before they could finish, Norman silenced them with a "Shh," then stood at the back and watched the battle.

Sand Attack was not a sustained move. Before long, the dust Linoone had kicked up settled to the ground, exposing the Linoone hiding within it.

Hu Yang: "Seed Bomb!"

"Bude!"

"Linoone, cover your nose and use Headbutt!" Seeing that the Stun Spore had not yet dispersed, the red-headband boy immediately changed strategies.

A large seed glowing faintly green flew from above Budew's head, while Linoone charged straight forward, just like its name suggested.

Seed Bomb and Headbutt met in midair. Before the Seed Bomb could explode, Headbutt knocked it flying, causing it to break apart in the air.

And Linoone's Headbutt did not stop.

"Bude!"

Budew cried out in pain, its tiny body stumbling back several steps.

"Stun Spore has been countered, and Seed Bomb was useless too." The Gym Apprentices at the side whispered loudly. "I remember Budew doesn't know many moves before evolving, right?"

"That's right, not many at all. This Rookie Trainer is going to lose."

Sure enough, compared to the Rookie Trainers outside, the Apprentices in the Gym were much stronger.

The sight of Seed Bomb being knocked away just now gave Hu Yang a new idea.

What if the timing of the explosion could be controlled?

A timed explosion might be difficult, but could he make it like a snap pop, exploding the moment it was struck?

However, now was clearly not the time to think about that, because the battle was not over yet.

"Budew, use that move!"

"Bude!"

A seed the size of a fist formed above Budew's head.

"Seed Bomb?" The red-headband boy ordered as well, "Linoone, use Headbutt again and finish the battle!"

The familiar scene played out once more.

Linoone knocked aside the Seed Bomb with Headbutt. The Seed Bomb was sent flying and exploded in midair.

Up to that very moment, everything remained exactly the same as before.

But the next second, a nearly invisible cloud of pale yellow powder, propelled by the explosion, spread rapidly in every direction.

"That is..."

"Stun Spore..."

"How is that possible? He fused Stun Spore into Seed Bomb—how did he do that?!"

Shock appeared on everyone's faces.

Gym Leader Norman also looked at the boy on the field in surprise.

After all, even Ace Trainers might not be able to use a Fusion Move successfully on their first try. Otherwise, they would have become commonplace in battle tournaments long ago.

The situation was instantly reversed.

Linoone was paralyzed, and waiting for it were two Seed Bombs launched at full power.

Amid the explosions, Linoone's eyes rolled back, and it lost its ability to battle.

"Linoone has lost its ability to battle. The Gym challenger wins!" The referee raised the flag on her right and asked, "Would you like to continue challenging?"

Hu Yang waved his hand. His purpose had already been achieved.

Besides, without relying on that move, Budew's current raw strength was still somewhat lacking.

As Hu Yang thought about leaving, Norman stood behind him, watching his retreating back with interest. Interesting little fellow.

Hu Yang returned to school and chose to devote himself to training. He found Pokémon battles truly captivating—the strategic contest between Trainers, the clash of moves between Pokémon.

Budew currently knew far too few moves.

Hu Yang began seriously considering the feasibility of a "Time Bomb" and a "Landmine Bomb."

He discussed the idea with Budew. Budew tried a few rounds in confusion, but none of them worked very well.

"If using it directly doesn't work, then what about controlling the Grass-type energy put into Seed Bomb?" Hu Yang pondered for a moment, then immediately took Budew to the riverbank to experiment.

He provided the theory and method, while Budew put them into practice according to its own condition.

They continued experimenting until Christmas Eve, when Budew finally used a new kind of "Landmine Bomb."

By increasing the Grass-type energy inside the bomb and reducing the thickness of the seed shell, the instant an enemy touched it, it would immediately trigger a violent explosion.

Compared to an ordinary Seed Bomb, this move's power had increased tremendously.

Yet there was still no progress whatsoever with the Time Bomb.

Hu Yang had some guesses as to why it was not feasible.

Perhaps once energy left a Pokémon's body, it was no longer under the Pokémon's control, making it impossible to trigger an explosion.

"This is a little difficult..." Hu Yang felt like a scholar obsessed with research these past few days. Every day, he hurried through class, then ran to the riverbank to experiment with Budew.