Melemele Island, Kiawe's family ranch.
Seeing Mudbray raise its hind hoof,
Pikachu hurriedly dodged.
"Whoa!"
A dull thud rang out, and Ash was sent flying backward by the powerful kick,
tracing a graceful arc through the air before landing on a soft haystack with a thump.
Everyone cried out, "Ash!"
But Ash truly lived up to his reputation as a Trainer with a Super New Trainer's physique.
He sprang up from the haystack with a kip-up and brushed the bits of hay off himself. Apart from a few muddy marks on his clothes, he looked completely unhurt.
Ash scratched his head with a sheepish grin.
"I'm fine, I'm fine! It sure is strong!"
Kiawe looked exasperated. "Only you would try to force Mudbray's hind hoof up like that."
Lillie added, "That makes Mudbray very unhappy, Ash."
"Got it!"
Ash immediately stood up straight and took his scolding.
Li Wei shook his head helplessly and walked over to explain, "Caring for Pokémon takes patience and skill. Especially when touching their sensitive areas, you have to help them relax first,
earn their trust, and be gentle. If you suddenly use force like that, they'll get scared and fight back."
"Got it, Teacher Li Wei!"
Ash accepted the advice very humbly.
Besides teaching them how to care for Pokémon,
during the grooming session,
Li Wei also taught them about these particular Pokémon.
"Mudbray is a Ground-type, so what types are strong against it?"
"Um..." Ash actually knew the answer, but while he was quick to act, he wasn't nearly as quick to put it into words.
"Water-, Grass-, and Ice-type Pokémon."
Lillie rattled them off with ease.
"Lillie, you can hold off on answering for now. Let the others answer first."
"All right, Teacher Li Wei."
After spending roughly three weeks together, Li