Ash did not use the system to check what Pokémon was inside the Egg.
After all, it was the sense of mystery that made it exciting.
When the group set out, they missed the ferry because May wanted to eat noodles, and a magazine had printed the information incorrectly.
May bravely took responsibility and eventually, through her efforts, found an old sailor with a boat—Mr.
Briney and his Wingull, Peeko.
Thus, everyone boarded Mr.
Briney’s boat, the Peeko, and continued toward Dewford Island.
On the way to Dewford Island, they were attacked by a group of Sharpedo and ended up on an uninhabited island.
There, they encountered Team Rocket, who had come to “help,” and Ash’s group eventually made peace with the Sharpedo.
“Pikachu, use Thunderbolt and send them on their way!”
“Pika—chu~!”
“What a horrible feeling!”
“Wobbuffet!
(≧▽≦)~”
Ε(´ω`)_/:☆ You should be thanking me.
Otherwise, those Sharpedo would have torn you apart.
After two days, Ash and the others finally arrived in Dewford Town on Dewford Island.
After saying goodbye to the group, Mr.
Briney decided that their encounter had inspired him to sail to Slateport City and set off once again.
Ash and the others spent the night at the Pokémon Center.
————The next day————
“All right, Pikachu!
Let’s win the Knuckle Badge in one go!
Let’s move out!”
“Pika-pika~!”
Holding the Pokémon Egg, with Pikachu at his side, Ash ran toward the Dewford Gym.
“Hey—wait for us, Ash!” Brock, May, and Max chased after him.
When they reached the Dewford Gym, it had a distinctly seaside atmosphere.
Above its golden archway were several large words:
FIGHTING TIDAL WAVE!
“The Gym sign has the word ‘Fighting’ written so boldly.
They must be very confident in their fighting techniques,” Max guessed.
“That’s right.
Maybe the Gym Leader is like Chuck of the Cianwood Gym—a muscular Fighting-type expert!” Brock reasoned.
Indeed, when ordinary people heard the word “martial artist,” the first image that usually came to mind was a heavily muscled man.
But Dewford Gym was different—its leader was a handsome young man.
At that moment, a blue-haired young man carrying a surfboard walked out of the Gym.
“You are…?
Is there something I can do for you?” he asked curiously.
“Hello.
I’m Ash from Pallet Town, and I’m here for a Gym challenge.” Ash stepped forward, still holding the Pokémon Egg.
“Nice to meet you.
I’m Brawly, the Gym Leader of the Dewford Gym.” Brawly smiled, then gave an apologetic grin.
“I’m really sorry, but until yesterday, the sea was all whoosh-whoosh, drip-drip, splash-splash, and boom-boom with waves!
Today, though, the sea is absolutely beautiful.
So come back tomorrow!”
With that, Brawly left.
“No choice.
If the Gym Leader won’t hold a battle, we’ll have to come back tomorrow.
How about we spend the day relaxing at the beach?” Ash suggested.
“Agreed!” ×3
The four soon arrived at the beach, where many people were surfing.
“It’s the ocean!
Let’s go swimming!” May said and immediately started taking off her clothes.
“No, May!
You can’t change clothes in a place like this!
No!” Σ(°△°|||) Max hurriedly tried to stop her.
“It’s fine.
I’m already wearing my swimsuit underneath.
How does it look?
Doesn’t it suit me?” May explained while continuing.
(￢_￢) You planned this from the beginning, didn’t you?!
“Those…
those lovely young ladies riding the waves so beautifully!
Please, come join this humble gentleman for a romantic surf!” Brock had already lost control and tried to rush over.
The others silently moved away from him, making it clear that they did not know him.
“Hey, look!
The Gym Leader from earlier is here too!” May pointed.
Everyone looked over and saw Brawly surfing alongside a Hariyama.
[Hariyama]
[Ability: Thick Fat (Damage from Fire- and Ice-type moves is halved.)]
[Strength: Late Gym level]
“The Pokémon beside him should be a Hariyama,” Brock said.
“But…
does Hariyama like surfing?” (・_・?) May asked in confusion.
“This should be another kind of training.
It can also build the bond between a Trainer and their Pokémon,” Ash explained.
“I see.
As expected of a Gym Leader!” Max nodded.
“Since we’re here, let’s split up and have fun!” Ash announced grandly.
“Yay!
Come on, Max, let’s go swimming!” May grabbed Max.
“Wait, May!
I haven’t changed into my swimsuit yet!”
Later, Ash, Brock, and Max changed into swimwear at the Pokémon Center, while Ash left the Pokémon Egg with Nurse Joy for safekeeping.
“Come on out, everyone!
Enjoy yourselves today!”
All of Ash’s Pokémon came out and headed off to play in the water.
Only Bayleef stayed close to Ash, unwilling to leave his side.
“Then me too!
Come on out, Torchic and Wurmple!”
“You too, Forretress and Lotad!”
“Sorry, Bayleef.
Pikachu and I are going surfing, and it isn’t really suitable for you.
Here—take this as compensation.” Ash gave Bayleef a Basic Rare Candy.
After Ash coaxed her for a while, Bayleef finally agreed and ate the candy.
“Bay?”
Her aura suddenly rose, and she broke through to the early Gym level.
Every major level was difficult to overcome; otherwise, Bayleef would not have been stuck for so long.
Even Pikachu had yet to break through to the Elite Four level!
Ash rented a surfboard and a smaller one for Pikachu, and the two began surfing.
“Come on, Pikachu!”
“Pika-pika~!”
While surfing, they ran into Brawly and confirmed their Gym battle for the following day.
“Pikachu, what did you think of surfing?” Ash asked after they returned to shore.
“Pika~!” Pikachu nodded happily.
“Excellent!”
Ash could tell from Pikachu’s expression that it had already mastered the basics.
He silently said, “System, exchange for a Surf TM.
User: Pikachu.”
[Ding~ Use successful.]
Afterward, Ash met up with the others for lunch, then went to the practice field.
“Come on out, Primeape!”
“Chaah~!”
“What is Ash doing?” May asked curiously.
“No idea.
Probably some kind of training,” Brock said, looking at Pikachu and Primeape.
“Pikachu, use Surf!” Ash shouted.
“What?
Pikachu can use Surf?!” Max was stunned.
“It seems possible.
I’ve heard that only particularly gifted Pikachu can learn it.
As expected of Pikachu!
Now it has a way to deal with Ground types too.” Brock understood that Ash wanted to test Surf’s power.
“Chaah~!”
Primeape was sent flying.
“Excellent!
Pikachu, you’re amazing!
And good work, Primeape!”
“Pika~!”
“Chaah~!”
The group spent another cheerful afternoon at the beach.
During that happy day, Eevee unexpectedly broke through to the mid-Elite level.
Ash was speechless.
Other Pokémon could be stuck for a long time, but Eevee seemed to have no bottlenecks at all and had already caught up.
The next day, everyone returned to the Dewford Gym.
“Ash, welcome to my Gym.
I’ll give it everything I’ve got,” Brawly said.
To be continued…