Work Up to boost both attacking stats, and Stun Spore to control the field?
"Onix, Dig! Then use Harden to strengthen yourself!"
Having thoroughly mastered Dig, Onix quickly burrowed underground, evading the Stun Spore. Silvery-gray light swept across its body as it began boosting its defense.
Seeing Onix disappear, Breloom panicked slightly, but quickly regained its composure.
Green energy flashed across its body as well, making it seem a little taller. Then it pushed off with its legs, using its powerful jumping ability to leap into a tree.
First, Growth to boost its Attack and Special Attack, then a high vantage point to observe the field and neatly avoid the disadvantage posed by Dig.
Well, well. Two stat-boosting moves in a row, and its battle instincts weren't bad either!
Yong inwardly grumbled about the sneaky opponent, but continued issuing commands.
"Since you're up there, stay up there!"
Pointing at the battlefield, the boy called out loudly.
"Turn the field into quicksand! Onix, Sand Tomb!"
Sand Tomb was a highly versatile Ground-type move. Not only could it alter the terrain and create quicksand, it could also produce sandstorm conditions that continuously damaged the opponent. Offering both control and offense, it was particularly effective against close-range fighters like Breloom.
The earth began to tremble. Under the influence of Ground-type energy, the soil dried out and gradually turned to sand, forming a patch of quicksand that spiraled inward toward a sinking center. A faint, sandy wind rose into the air, scattering all the Stun Spore. Seeing the quicksand spread toward the Shroomish group, Breloom hurriedly jumped down from the tree and placed itself in front of them.
"Breloom!"
With a loud cry, white energy shone around its hands. Its force tore through the air as it rapidly punched the ground. The relentless, fierce gusts from its punches stirred the surrounding air, creating currents that actually held back the blowing sand!
Its heavy punches carved a trench into the ground. The spreading quicksand flowed into it, but judging by its speed, filling the trench would be easy.
Even so, Yong was amazed by Breloom's response.
Incredible! Its signature move, Mach Punch, really lived up to its name. It was fast enough to affect the airflow, and so powerful, too!
"Stop, Onix!"
After ordering Onix to stop controlling the quicksand and restore the ground, Yong looked at the Breloom that had protected the Shroomish group and spoke.
"I don't mean to hurt the Shroomish. Onix only learned this move recently and hasn't mastered it yet. In that case, let's fight head-on, Breloom!"
"Breloom! Breloom!"
Breloom nodded, soothed the frightened Shroomish, and returned to the battlefield. Fighting-type energy coated its hands.
"Breloom!"
"Good! Come out, Onix! Use Slam!"
Boom!
With a thunderous crash, Onix burst out of the ground, its enormous tail smashing toward Breloom with tremendous force!
Refusing to back down, its opponent didn't dodge either. It swung its fist and met the attack with Mach Punch! Wreathed in white force and Fighting-type energy, its punch struck first despite being launched later, hammering hard into Onix's tail!
Bang!!!
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Fierce gusts scattered wildly. Breloom successfully blocked the attack while landing successive blows on Onix's tail.
The damage from the Fighting-type move still hurt Onix, but fortunately, its specially trained tail and Harden-boosted defense allowed it to withstand the blows.
"Don't back down! Hit back with Iron Tail!"
"Roar!"
In pain, Onix angrily twisted its body. Silvery-gray energy coated its tail, gleaming with a metallic sheen! With unstoppable momentum, it brought its tail crashing down again!
Bang!
The colliding energies sent dust flying, creating violent fluctuations that suddenly erupted!
"Breloom!"
Breloom cried out as it was sent flying backward, crashing into a tree.
A mastery-level Iron Tail against a beginner-proficiency Mach Punch-the enormous gap wasn't something type matchups could erase. With both being physical moves and both Pokémon at the same level, their command of their moves was the main factor that set them apart!
"Great job, Onix!"
"Roar!"
Onix was pleased with its attack as well.
In the distance, the Shroomish gathered around Breloom as it struggled to stand, bouncing anxiously.
"Breloom..."
Breloom waved them quiet and indicated that it was fine. Then it returned to face Onix, panting heavily. Swinging its fists once more, it charged toward Onix with Mach Punch!
What a warrior! Protecting its group brought out every last ounce of its strength!
"Onix, Iron Tail!"
The scene repeated itself: the enormous tail clashed with a fist! Steel-type and Fighting-type moves erupted against each other! The determination to win despite a type disadvantage met the fighting spirit of a protector!
"Breloom!"
"Roar!"
An unending barrage of Mach Punches against an Iron Tail backed by tremendous strength!
In the end, Breloom was driven back once again, dropping to its knees and panting heavily. Onix's enormous body offered not only formidable physical defense, but abundant stamina as well!
"Breloom, do you still want to continue?"
Won over by its fighting spirit, Yong couldn't bear to watch and said,
"I'm only passing through. We don't need to fight to the death!"
Breloom shook its head and stubbornly rose to its feet.
"Breloom!"
It spread its arms, green light shining across its body. Then a stream of green energy surged out of Onix and flowed into it!
Its condition visibly improved as it recovered some of its stamina!
Yong didn't interrupt its Mega Drain. Instead, he looked at Onix, which had lost a great deal of stamina and was clearly uncomfortable, before turning a serious gaze toward the warrior opposite him.
"You feel it too, don't you, Onix? Its conviction and fighting spirit!"
"Roar!"
Ignoring its dwindling stamina, Onix let the draining continue and endured the damage from the Grass-type move. It, too, acknowledged its opponent's fighting spirit, even though it didn't know why they were fighting this way!
"Breloom!"
Once again, Breloom charged.
"Show it respect! Iron Tail at full power!"
"Roar!"
Silvery-white energy surged relentlessly! This time, the enormous tail whistled through the air, crashing down at incredible speed!
Bang!!!
That same figure was sent flying backward again! It slammed into a tree trunk, and the tree toppled with a crash!
This time, however, it didn't get back up. It lay unconscious on the ground.
Ding! Battle ended. Onix won. Earned 10 Training Points and a large amount of experience! Ding! Dig and Harden proficiency increased! Iron Tail has reached the mastery-level proficiency cap and cannot improve further! Ding! Onix leveled up to Lv26!
Phew... it's over. What a stubborn fellow!
"Thanks for your hard work, Onix! Come back and rest!"
Recalling Onix, Yong ignored the Shroomish's hostile gazes and the Breloom appearing in the treetops. He walked straight to the Breloom leader, took a Potion from his backpack, and carefully applied it to its body.
"Breloom..."
The slight pain made it cry out, and the hostility in the surrounding Pokémon's eyes eased a little.
"I don't know why you fought so desperately, but I still want you to know that I'm really just passing through. I have no other intentions. I hope you recover well."
Leaving the rest to its companions, Yong walked into their territory under the watchful eyes of the Shroomish and Breloom, continuing toward Rustboro City.
Just then, what lay before him caught his attention.
At the center of the wetland stood a huge, long-dead, rotting tree.
Only half its trunk remained, and its interior had been hollowed out. A large opening had also been carved near the ground. Inside, tangled, withered branches and decaying leaves had been piled into an enormous nest.
Cream-colored Pokémon Eggs covered in green spots rested within it. Around the opening, numerous Shroomish stood with their backs against the rotten stump, watching him nervously. The Breloom guarding the wetland's perimeter also adopted fighting stances, as though facing a formidable enemy!
So that was it! Was this why it fought?
Yong understood at once. It had been protecting these unborn baby Pokémon, the next generation of its group! The continuation of its species!
Hah!
He gave a bitter, self-mocking smile. They'd taken me for a villain...
Looking back at the Breloom leader, supported by its companions, Yong met its gaze. In its eyes, he saw the determination born of protecting the children-even the determination to fight to the death!
Love truly was the greatest power, and a parent's love was the most selfless love of all!
Giving the Breloom leader a small smile, he walked straight to a spot near the nest, took a large amount of Pokémon food from his backpack, and gently set it on the ground. Stroking a little Shroomish's head, he spoke as though addressing them, yet also as though talking to himself.
"Humans and Pokémon are all part of this world. We live together and grow together. We're friends and partners."
"Humans have certainly done plenty of bad things, but please believe that most people are still kind and willing to live peacefully with Pokémon. Today, you've shown me once again how great and beautiful the power of love really is! Thank you!"
Seeing Shroomish's eyes narrow contentedly and the Breloom relax their guard, Yong stood up with a gentle smile.
Pokémon really were the kindest, most innocent creatures!
He waved, lingering no longer.
"Goodbye! We'll meet again. I hope next time, we can be friends!"
They watched the human gradually walk away and disappear into the woods. The Shroomish bounced back to their little home, while the Breloom leader smiled and nodded to its companions.
"Breloom?"
"Breloom..."
After leaving the Shroomish territory, Yong began setting up camp for the night in an open patch of grass.
Nearby, Onix lay quietly resting, its body covered in Potion. Mudkip carried the Berries it had gathered and placed them on the dining table one by one.
"Thank you, Mudkip!"
"Mudkip!"
"Mudkip, do you miss your mom and dad?"
"Mudkip? Mudkip!"
Tilting its head, Mudkip thought for a moment, then nodded.
"I see. Of course you do. They're the most wonderful people in the world!"
"Mudkip!"
"Don't worry. When we return to Petalburg City, I'll take you back to see your family!"
Stroking Mudkip's little head, Yong promised,
"The same goes for you, Onix. We'll all go home together then. Be sure to thank them properly!"
"Roar!"
He thought of his parents from his previous life and this one. One pair had been an ordinary, middle-aged retired couple; the other were successful professionals with a modest amount of wealth. Different times and worlds, but both had saved the best for him, enduring countless hardships to raise him to adulthood! Tears welled in his eyes.
"Goodbye, Mom and Dad!"
This was his farewell to his previous life.
"Thank you, Mom and Dad!"
This was his gratitude for his current life.
"Time to make dinner! What should we eat today? How about fruit curry?"
"Mudkip! Mudkip!"
"Roar!"
"Okay, okay! It'll be ready soon!"
Looking at the two Pokémon, he thought, Onix, Mudkip, you're my family too.