Early the next morning, sunlight slowly spread over the town, and the scent of grass filled the air.
Yong got up early and went to the clinic's backyard for a simple morning workout, a habit he had developed as a child.
In this world, humans had extraordinarily strong bodies. Those who trained to the very limits could even hold their own against Pokémon for a short time, like Master Bruno, the Kanto Region's Fighting-type Elite Four member, who could battle Onix bare-handed!
Of course, people from Pallet Town were in a league of their own!
In the yard, Steelix continued absorbing the Primordial Stone Milk mixed into its Pokémon food the night before, strengthening its body. Marshtomp and Aron were not yet strong enough to withstand that powerful energy, so one could only eat ordinary Pokémon food supplemented with Pokéblocks, while the other enjoyed rare ores sent from home.
At that moment, Marshtomp was strength training with a boulder more than three times its own size held overhead. Under Yong's guidance, Aron used Headbutt to strike rocks, getting an early start on training its Ability.
The Rock Head Ability prevented recoil damage from its own moves. As such, Head Smash, Giga Impact, and Heavy Slam would all become its main offensive options once it evolved into Aggron.
Fortunately, the little one had inherited its father's excellent genes. It had good potential and understanding, and learned quickly, much to Yong's satisfaction.
"Ding! Steelix completed training! Gained 1 Training Point. Move proficiency increased. Gained a small amount of experience!" "Ding! Marshtomp completed training! Gained 10 Training Points. Move proficiency increased. Gained a small amount of experience!" "Ding! Aron completed training! Gained 20 Training Points. Move proficiency increased significantly. Gained a small amount of experience!"
As system notifications kept sounding in his mind, Yong savored the joy of watching his partners grow stronger!
Their training was in full swing when Mr. Aihara passed by and spotted the boy and his three Pokémon. Curious, he came into the backyard.
"You're certainly working hard, Yong!"
"Ah, good morning, Mr. Aihara! This is just what a Trainer should do!"
"Good morning! That's an admirable attitude! Now, where's Chengjie?"
Not seeing Chengjie anywhere, Aihara asked.
"He went to the treatment room to visit Machop."
"Oh? Is he hoping to catch Machop?"
"Yes. Chengjie has decided to work toward becoming a Fighting-type Pokémon Master!"
Nodding as he watched the boy training, Aihara couldn't help remembering his own younger days.
"You certainly have plenty of enthusiasm. Keep up the good work!"
"Yes! I will!"
Yong answered with fighting spirit.
Just then, Chengjie ran excitedly into the backyard and called out happily.
"Miss Ayako is here! She found that Machop is recovering better than expected! It won't delay our departure for Mauville City!"
"Really? Miss Ayako is amazing!"
"Hmph, as if I needed you to tell me!"
As they spoke, Miss Ayako also entered the backyard and huffed at Yong. Clearly, the girl still hadn't forgotten being underestimated yesterday.
"Ahaha..."
Yong scratched his head awkwardly, at a loss for words, and everyone laughed.
Looking at the Pokémon training, Chengjie suddenly asked.
"Yong, want to have a Pokémon battle? We haven't fought each other yet, have we?"
Yong's eyes lit up. He nodded, looking at Chengjie with eagerness to battle.
"We certainly haven't! As a Trainer, I'd never turn down a battle! I accept your challenge!"
Steelix and the others also stopped training and looked at him with blazing eyes.
"Great! Then I won't hold back!"
Chengjie eagerly stepped into the yard and took out a Poké Ball.
"Then allow me to referee!"
Mr. Aihara and Miss Ayako exchanged smiles. He stepped onto the field and addressed Yong and Chengjie.
Seeing that neither objected, he announced solemnly.
"Yong versus Chengjie! Each Trainer will use one Pokémon. The first to become unable to battle loses, and the other wins!"
"I choose you, Hitmonlee!"
Chengjie threw his Poké Ball, and a humanoid Pokémon materialized in the white light!
Its body was brown, with some khaki-colored areas. Parts of its arms and legs were shaped like springs, highly elastic and able to extend and retract freely. It had no mouth, and its deep-set eyes had black borders and white pupils. A hard yellow structure sat on the inside of each foot.
It was Hitmonlee, known as the kicking demon! (Also called Hitmonlee.)
"Pokémon: Hitmonlee, Lv. 20, the Kicking Pokémon. It can extend and retract its legs at will, allowing it to kick down opponents from a great distance. Gender: male (Hitmonlee are exclusively male) Type: Fighting Nature: Hasty Ability: Limber. Its supple body prevents paralysis. Moves: Tackle (proficient), Focus Energy (beginner), Feint (beginner), Brick Break (beginner), Low Sweep (proficient), Double Kick (proficient), Low Kick (beginner), Endure (proficient), Payback (beginner) Egg Move: High Jump Kick (beginner) TMs: none"
Hitmonlee
"Excellent! A suitable opponent! Today, I choose you, Aron!"
Yong studied Hitmonlee's information, then called to Aron.
"Ar! Ar!"
Filled with fighting spirit, the little one entered the field and stared intently at its opponent.
"This is your first battle, Aron! Don't worry. I'll help you!"
"Ar! Ar!"
Looking at the two Pokémon poised for battle, Mr. Aihara raised his right hand and swept it sharply downward.
"Now! Hitmonlee versus Aron! Begin!"
"Aron, huh? Hitmonlee! Focus Energy!"
"Hya!"
Hitmonlee drew a sharp breath, and his gaze grew keener.
"Aron, our turn! Harden!"
They're improving accuracy and attacks on weak points, while we're raising defense. Yes, perfectly reasonable in theory!
"Hey! Hitmonlee! Keep going! Focus Energy!"
"Aron! Harden!"
"Focus Energy!"
"Harden!"
"If you two won't battle properly, get out!"
Miss Ayako could no longer stand watching and issued a cold warning from the sidelines.
"Ahem!"
"Ahem!"
Both Trainers hurriedly got serious. This was the legendary woman, after all. Neither dared provoke her!
"Hitmonlee! Double Kick!"
"Aron, take it head-on!"
Seeing the two finally start fighting, Miss Ayako gave a soft huff, prompting a helpless smile from Mr. Aihara beside her.
On the field, Hitmonlee leaped forward at tremendous speed. From far away, one leg rapidly stretched out and kicked Aron hard. His other leg followed immediately, landing another hit!
"Now! Grab him with Metal Claw!"
"Ar!"
Aron's naturally powerful defense allowed it to endure the attack. Its front claws shone white as it reached for Hitmonlee's leg! But his springlike legs retracted rapidly, and Metal Claw missed!
"Too slow!"
Chengjie shook his head.
"Jump over there and use Brick Break!"
Hitmonlee leaped high, gathering Fighting-type energy in his right hand. With gravity adding to his momentum, he chopped down hard from above!
Yong's gaze sharpened. Aron couldn't take Brick Break head-on! He gave an immediate command.
"Aron! Protect!"
In an instant, light enveloped the little one.
"Hehe, this battle is mine!"
The corners of Chengjie's mouth lifted as he looked at Yong.
"Hitmonlee! Feint! Then follow up with Brick Break!"
This guy... Yong watched Hitmonlee. Two moves at once? And...
Feint could strike opponents using moves such as Protect or Detect, removing their protective effects.
It was the bane of protective moves!
Yong could only watch helplessly as Feint broke through Protect, followed by a chopping blow that knocked Aron unconscious. He walked over with a helpless sigh and checked Aron's injuries.
"Leave this to me, rookie!"
Miss Ayako stepped forward and shooed Yong away, deliberately emphasizing "rookie," then treated Aron by stimulating its pressure points.
Yong spread his hands helplessly. There was nothing he could do. He didn't dare cross her.
Mr. Aihara also announced the result.
"Hitmonlee wins!"
"Ding! Aron lost the battle. Gained a small amount of experience! Move proficiency increased slightly!"
"Hehe!"
Chengjie walked over to Yong, looking rather smug. He said nothing, merely swaggering back and forth. Yong wasn't about to indulge him. He shot him a sidelong glance and smiled coldly.
"How about a practice match with Steelix?"
"ROAR!"
Steelix obligingly let out a loud roar nearby.
"Uh..."
Chengjie shivered all over. After glancing at Steelix watching from the sidelines, he hurriedly tried to appease Yong.
"Oh, no need. Friendship first, friendship first. Hehe..."
Yong turned away irritably and ignored him, waiting for Aron to recover.
The little one had lost its very first battle. It would need plenty of comforting.