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he knowes pokemon more than i know _Chapter_1040_en
Chapter 144
Chapter 1030: Drought! Sunny Day!
2024-05-15 Author: Samsung Charmander (Author Name)
"Oh, right."
Seeing Flannery and her grandpa looking rather stiff, Ash's eyes suddenly lit up.
"Um, I just captured a Torkoal, and Nurse Joy said there seems to be something wrong with it. Do you have any idea what it could be?"
With a flip of his hand, Ash sent out the Torkoal he had just captured.
Previously, Ash had even tried using his usually infallible Pokédex to check, but it hadn't given him any clues.
Of course, he didn't plan on sending the Torkoal out for this Fire-type battle. Although it had been cleared to leave the Pokémon Center, it was still too soon for it to battle.
"Huh? This Torkoal?"
Flannery's grandpa, a former Fire-type Elite Four member named Mr. Moore, suddenly narrowed his eyes. It seemed he recognized the Torkoal.
After all, the sunken imprint of Groudon's head on the shell on its back was too obvious.
"Young man, isn't this the Torkoal that was being bullied by Team Magma? How did it end up in your hands?"
Mr. Moore couldn't help but step forward and pat its head as he asked.
"Wuuu?"
The Torkoal seemed to recognize him too. It was Mr. Moore who had helped it drive off the other Team Magma Grunts last time. Tears were already welling up in its eyes.
"Oh, it seems it was always being bullied by the wild Pokémon there, so I decided to bring it along on my journey."
Ash stepped forward and patted its shell.
"So what exactly is the problem that causes them to bully it?"
Nurse Joy's riddle had left Ash antsy with curiosity the entire way here.
Those wild Pokémon had been quite vicious. It seemed they were ostracizing Torkoal for a specific reason, not just because of the Groudon mark.
But from another perspective, it also showed that these volcanic Pokémon didn't seem to respect Groudon, the god of the volcano, at all.
Mr. Moore, however, moved his hand to hover above the Torkoal's shell.
From the hollows in its shell, a continuous wave of heat radiated outward.
It was a warmth just like sunlight.
"Because this Torkoal possesses the ability to bring about a drought."
Mr. Moore answered in a heavy tone.
"A drought?"
Not only was Ash confused, but even Flannery, who was standing nearby, couldn't help but lean in closer.
Her ace was also a Torkoal, but Flannery had never heard of any connection between Drought and Torkoal.
"Drought is actually a term from ancient times. It was used to describe the God of the Land, Groudon. Whenever it appeared, it would inevitably bring scorching sunlight."
In ancient times, the people of the Hoenn Region were divided in their beliefs. To some, Groudon was not a benevolent figure.
Seeing that Ash was about to say something, Mr. Moore simply continued to explain, "Of course, Drought now has a new name... the Drought Ability. It automatically creates Sunny Day upon entering a battle."
Before Ash could speak, Flannery suddenly retorted, "That's impossible, Grandpa! Torkoal's abilities are only White Smoke and Shell Armor. How could it possibly have the so-called Drought Ability? The Drought Ability is the signature ability of the God of the Land, Groudon. How could it appear on a common Pokémon like Torkoal?"
"This world is vast, Flannery. You are still too young..." Mr. Moore said, his voice full of emotion.
It seemed he was talking about Drought, but also about her career as a Gym Leader.
"Because I once saw an instance of the Drought Ability on a Vulpix."
When I first discovered this Torkoal's extraordinary nature, I had thought of capturing it. But when I returned to Mt. Chimney, I could never find a trace of it again and had to give up.
After speaking, he turned his head to look at Ash.
"Although this is just an ordinary ability... to many, Drought is an ominous symbol, especially for those volcanic Pokémon."
Fire-type Pokémon from other places might love it.
"But the volcanic magma is already so hot, and now you're telling me a sun is moving in next door? Who could possibly stand that?"
"So you have the Drought Ability? You're a really incredible one!"
Ash's eyes, however, lit up. To be able to set up Sunny Day just by entering the field—this was an incredible ability.
Even without battling, it would be a significant boost for either his Combusken or his Grovyle.
"Wuuu~HWAAAA!!!"
Finally understanding the peculiarity of its own body, the Torkoal burst into tears again, its cries echoing as tears streamed down its face.
"Beep. Updated. Torkoal's Ability is: Drought."
Ash's Pokédex opportunely made its presence known.
Just as Ash was about to taunt the Pokédex for its rare moment of uselessness, it seemed to predict his intention.
"Beep. Data error. The error is with this world."
It prompted again.
This moment of helplessness wasn't really the Pokédex's fault.
After all, this was the Hoenn Region, so the Pokédex naturally explained things according to the Generation III data.
And in the Generation III Pokédex, Torkoal simply didn't have the Drought Ability.
It wasn't until Generation VII, all the way in the Alola Region, that Torkoal gained the Drought Ability.
However, Ash just raised an eyebrow and said, "I wish my strength was as tough as your talk."
Pokédex: "..."
"Well then, for this Gym Battle, you just watch from the sidelines, Torkoal!"
Ash temporarily placed Torkoal over with Brock and Blue, and finally stood opposite Flannery on the battlefield once more.
Mr. Moore also put on a serious expression, stood in the referee's position, and announced in a deep voice, "The battle rules for the Lavaridge Gym are 3v3..."
The rest of the introduction was similar to other Gyms and is omitted.
"Come on out, Numel!"
With a flip of her hand, Flannery was the first to send out a yellow, squinty-eyed camel, which looked lazy and listless.
Ash had encountered this Pokémon before on Mt. Chimney. It was a Fire- and Ground-type volcanic Pokémon.
Flannery clenched her fists, secretly encouraging herself, "Come on! If I don't get swept today, it's a win...!"
"A 3v3, huh... Then I choose you!"
And Ash also made up his mind, sending out a Pokémon in response.
"Heh heh~!"
A red-shelled lobster waving two large pincers appeared—it was, of course, the Water-type Corphish.
A clean sweep... that seemed like something for super rookies like Yuki and May to pull off. These two were no rookies.
It wasn't that Flannery was too weak; her opponent was just too strong.
"In that case, I'll complete a clean sweep today as well! A more seasoned Flannery should be able to get the most perfect start to her career as a Gym Leader!"
Ash secretly made up his mind. However, his Corphish wasn't an ace like Kingler. To achieve a clean sweep, he couldn't afford a single mistake.
"Numel, use Flame Burst!"
The battle had just begun, and Flannery launched the first attack.
*Puchi!*
Numel opened its mouth and spat a fireball at Corphish. The flame then exploded in mid-air, scattering into countless fiery trails.
*Sizzle!*
The balls of flame burned on the ground, trapping Corphish within a ring of fire.
A Fire-type move wouldn't be very effective, so this move was meant to immobilize Corphish first. Next, she would use Magnitude...
"Corphish, use Crabhammer!"
At that moment, Ash suddenly gave a command.
"Heh heh!"
Corphish understood. It immediately waved its large pincers and charged forward, kicking up clouds of dust, completely ignoring the surrounding flames.
(end of chapter)
2024-05-15 Author: Samsung Charmander (Author Name)
"Oh, right."
Seeing Flannery and her grandpa looking rather stiff, Ash's eyes suddenly lit up.
"Um, I just captured a Torkoal, and Nurse Joy said there seems to be something wrong with it. Do you have any idea what it could be?"
With a flip of his hand, Ash sent out the Torkoal he had just captured.
Previously, Ash had even tried using his usually infallible Pokédex to check, but it hadn't given him any clues.
Of course, he didn't plan on sending the Torkoal out for this Fire-type battle. Although it had been cleared to leave the Pokémon Center, it was still too soon for it to battle.
"Huh? This Torkoal?"
Flannery's grandpa, a former Fire-type Elite Four member named Mr. Moore, suddenly narrowed his eyes. It seemed he recognized the Torkoal.
After all, the sunken imprint of Groudon's head on the shell on its back was too obvious.
"Young man, isn't this the Torkoal that was being bullied by Team Magma? How did it end up in your hands?"
Mr. Moore couldn't help but step forward and pat its head as he asked.
"Wuuu?"
The Torkoal seemed to recognize him too. It was Mr. Moore who had helped it drive off the other Team Magma Grunts last time. Tears were already welling up in its eyes.
"Oh, it seems it was always being bullied by the wild Pokémon there, so I decided to bring it along on my journey."
Ash stepped forward and patted its shell.
"So what exactly is the problem that causes them to bully it?"
Nurse Joy's riddle had left Ash antsy with curiosity the entire way here.
Those wild Pokémon had been quite vicious. It seemed they were ostracizing Torkoal for a specific reason, not just because of the Groudon mark.
But from another perspective, it also showed that these volcanic Pokémon didn't seem to respect Groudon, the god of the volcano, at all.
Mr. Moore, however, moved his hand to hover above the Torkoal's shell.
From the hollows in its shell, a continuous wave of heat radiated outward.
It was a warmth just like sunlight.
"Because this Torkoal possesses the ability to bring about a drought."
Mr. Moore answered in a heavy tone.
"A drought?"
Not only was Ash confused, but even Flannery, who was standing nearby, couldn't help but lean in closer.
Her ace was also a Torkoal, but Flannery had never heard of any connection between Drought and Torkoal.
"Drought is actually a term from ancient times. It was used to describe the God of the Land, Groudon. Whenever it appeared, it would inevitably bring scorching sunlight."
In ancient times, the people of the Hoenn Region were divided in their beliefs. To some, Groudon was not a benevolent figure.
Seeing that Ash was about to say something, Mr. Moore simply continued to explain, "Of course, Drought now has a new name... the Drought Ability. It automatically creates Sunny Day upon entering a battle."
Before Ash could speak, Flannery suddenly retorted, "That's impossible, Grandpa! Torkoal's abilities are only White Smoke and Shell Armor. How could it possibly have the so-called Drought Ability? The Drought Ability is the signature ability of the God of the Land, Groudon. How could it appear on a common Pokémon like Torkoal?"
"This world is vast, Flannery. You are still too young..." Mr. Moore said, his voice full of emotion.
It seemed he was talking about Drought, but also about her career as a Gym Leader.
"Because I once saw an instance of the Drought Ability on a Vulpix."
When I first discovered this Torkoal's extraordinary nature, I had thought of capturing it. But when I returned to Mt. Chimney, I could never find a trace of it again and had to give up.
After speaking, he turned his head to look at Ash.
"Although this is just an ordinary ability... to many, Drought is an ominous symbol, especially for those volcanic Pokémon."
Fire-type Pokémon from other places might love it.
"But the volcanic magma is already so hot, and now you're telling me a sun is moving in next door? Who could possibly stand that?"
"So you have the Drought Ability? You're a really incredible one!"
Ash's eyes, however, lit up. To be able to set up Sunny Day just by entering the field—this was an incredible ability.
Even without battling, it would be a significant boost for either his Combusken or his Grovyle.
"Wuuu~HWAAAA!!!"
Finally understanding the peculiarity of its own body, the Torkoal burst into tears again, its cries echoing as tears streamed down its face.
"Beep. Updated. Torkoal's Ability is: Drought."
Ash's Pokédex opportunely made its presence known.
Just as Ash was about to taunt the Pokédex for its rare moment of uselessness, it seemed to predict his intention.
"Beep. Data error. The error is with this world."
It prompted again.
This moment of helplessness wasn't really the Pokédex's fault.
After all, this was the Hoenn Region, so the Pokédex naturally explained things according to the Generation III data.
And in the Generation III Pokédex, Torkoal simply didn't have the Drought Ability.
It wasn't until Generation VII, all the way in the Alola Region, that Torkoal gained the Drought Ability.
However, Ash just raised an eyebrow and said, "I wish my strength was as tough as your talk."
Pokédex: "..."
"Well then, for this Gym Battle, you just watch from the sidelines, Torkoal!"
Ash temporarily placed Torkoal over with Brock and Blue, and finally stood opposite Flannery on the battlefield once more.
Mr. Moore also put on a serious expression, stood in the referee's position, and announced in a deep voice, "The battle rules for the Lavaridge Gym are 3v3..."
The rest of the introduction was similar to other Gyms and is omitted.
"Come on out, Numel!"
With a flip of her hand, Flannery was the first to send out a yellow, squinty-eyed camel, which looked lazy and listless.
Ash had encountered this Pokémon before on Mt. Chimney. It was a Fire- and Ground-type volcanic Pokémon.
Flannery clenched her fists, secretly encouraging herself, "Come on! If I don't get swept today, it's a win...!"
"A 3v3, huh... Then I choose you!"
And Ash also made up his mind, sending out a Pokémon in response.
"Heh heh~!"
A red-shelled lobster waving two large pincers appeared—it was, of course, the Water-type Corphish.
A clean sweep... that seemed like something for super rookies like Yuki and May to pull off. These two were no rookies.
It wasn't that Flannery was too weak; her opponent was just too strong.
"In that case, I'll complete a clean sweep today as well! A more seasoned Flannery should be able to get the most perfect start to her career as a Gym Leader!"
Ash secretly made up his mind. However, his Corphish wasn't an ace like Kingler. To achieve a clean sweep, he couldn't afford a single mistake.
"Numel, use Flame Burst!"
The battle had just begun, and Flannery launched the first attack.
*Puchi!*
Numel opened its mouth and spat a fireball at Corphish. The flame then exploded in mid-air, scattering into countless fiery trails.
*Sizzle!*
The balls of flame burned on the ground, trapping Corphish within a ring of fire.
A Fire-type move wouldn't be very effective, so this move was meant to immobilize Corphish first. Next, she would use Magnitude...
"Corphish, use Crabhammer!"
At that moment, Ash suddenly gave a command.
"Heh heh!"
Corphish understood. It immediately waved its large pincers and charged forward, kicking up clouds of dust, completely ignoring the surrounding flames.
(end of chapter)
