Ding! [Congratulations, host! You have successfully arrived at Pastoria Gym. Beginning Sign-in…]
Ding! [Sign-in successful. Dispensing rewards…]
System Space expanded to 64 cubic meters!
5 million Poké Coins!
Bond level with all current Pokémon +1
Universal Elixirs ×6!
The system space expansion was expected.
But the Universal Elixir—that was a first.
Ash checked the system's description and grinned from ear to ear.
Universal Elixir:Cures all abnormal statuses and any non-lethal injuries!
An absolute treasure!
As for the Poké Coins… not bad, but hardly impressive. After all, Ash had already scammed the Galactic Team twice and walked away with a mountain of coins. Five million? Just a sprinkle in comparison.
He took a deep breath.
In front of him lay a large water battlefield—just like the one used in the Wallace Cup.
Several lilypad-like platforms floated atop the water's surface, acting as footing.
"Are you today's challenger, kid? The gym was closed yesterday, but you showed up right on opening today. Good! I like your timing!"
The booming voice came from a hulking man wearing a theatrical mask, laughing heartily.
"I'm Crasher Wake, the Gym Leader of Pastoria City!"
Dawn and Anabel were stunned by the sheer size of the man.
He looked like he stood at least 6'3" or 6'4". Built like a wrestler.
Ash immediately thought of Lt. Surge from Kanto…
"Yes, my name is Ash. It's an honor, Mr. Crasher Wake."
"Pika!"
Ash and Pikachu both eyed the gym leader confidently.
Soon, the official Gym referee stepped forward.
"The upcoming Gym Battle will be between the challenger Ash and the Gym Leader Crasher Wake!"
Both trainers stepped onto their respective platforms.
"Each side may use three Pokémon. The battle will end when all three of one side's Pokémon can no longer fight. Only the challenger may switch Pokémon mid-battle. Let the match begin!"
"First up—ROAR, Gyarados!"
Wake released a monstrous Gyarados with a deep, thunderous cry.
Since it was a Water/Flying type, this was the perfect time to bring out a rarely-used ally.
"Electabuzz, you're up!"
"Hey-nuh ho!"
Electabuzz stepped forward, fists crackling with electricity.
Ash had recently had it infused with a Magnet, a specialized Electric-type enhancement item that boosts the power of Electric-type moves by 10%. The boost to its electric power was tangible.
"Good call choosing an Electric-type," Crasher Wake nodded. "But don't think my Gyarados is that easy to deal with! Gyarados, use Dragon Rage!"
"ROAR!!"
Gyarados surged forward, mouth aglow with blazing energy, forming a dragon-shaped fireball.
But Ash was already ahead of him.
"Electabuzz—Thunderbolt!"
"HEY-NUH!!"
Lightning surged between Electabuzz's antennae and exploded forward in a blinding arc.
The Thunderbolt shattered the Dragon Rage fireball mid-air and blasted Gyarados directly!
"ROOOAARRR!!"
Crasher Wake flinched in shock.
"That power… incredible! Gyarados, use Bite!"
Despite being stunned, Gyarados lunged forward.
Electabuzz didn't dodge. Instead, it met the challenge head-on.
"Take it head-on—Thunder Punch!"
BOOM!!
Gyarados managed to clamp down with its massive jaws—but Electabuzz's electrified punch landed squarely on its forehead, detonating in a burst of lightning!
The giant serpent-like Pokémon reeled and collapsed back into the water, unconscious.
"Gyarados is unable to battle. Electabuzz wins!"
First round: clean sweep.
Crasher Wake's first two Pokémon weren't his true strength. The real threat was his Floatzel.
Still, Ash grinned. Time to make this count.
"Exchange: Tenfold Experience Multiplier Card—Use!"
Ding! [Exchange successful. 2,000,000 Poké Coins deducted. Tenfold Experience Multiplier activated. Electabuzz gains 86,500 EXP!]
Level up!
Because Electabuzz's level was still in its growth stage, the EXP boost was enormous.
Level 40!
Level 41!
Level 42!
Level 43!
Crasher Wake burst out laughing. "Ash, you've got style! That Electabuzz of yours—raw and wild—I like it! Now, for my second Pokémon!"
He recalled Gyarados and threw another Poké Ball into the air.
Out came a Quagsire.
"Silly as he is, that Gym Leader's got a screw or two loose," Dawn whispered, watching from the stands.
Anabel gently shook her head, silently reminding her to be more respectful.
Realizing her mistake, Dawn quickly stuck her tongue out in embarrassment—adorably flustered.
"Good work, Electabuzz. Come back. You've done enough for now."
Ash called back Electabuzz and tossed another Poké Ball.
"Go—Grotle!"
"Cha-woo!"
The bulky Grass-type landed firmly on the battlefield.
"Ah, I see!" Wake grinned. "You brought out a Grass-type to counter my Water/Ground Quagsire! Clever!"
Ash smiled calmly. "Grotle—use Energy Ball!"
"Cha-woo!"
A glowing green orb launched toward Quagsire.
But the Water-type twisted its body and dove into the pool.
"Fast reflexes… Grotle! Fire Leaf Storm into the water!"
The bushes on Grotle's back glowed emerald as a flurry of razor-sharp leaves shot out.
The entire center of the pool erupted as Leaf Storm tore into the water like a cyclone!
WHOOOOOSH!
The battlefield's water swirled into a massive vortex.
"Not bad!" Wake shouted. "Quagsire—Surf! Break through it!"
As expected of a Gym Leader—he knew exactly when to use the right move.
The Leaf Storm's whirlpool effect was instantly disrupted by Quagsire's Surf.
Waves surged and crashed across the pool as the battlefield was restored.
But Ash only smiled.
Sure, Surf stopped the Leaf Storm, but it also forced Quagsire to resurface…
And Ash was already a move ahead.
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T/N:
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