New story!
Please support by adding to your collection!
Thank you 🙂 ——————– Everything that had happened had nothing to do with Leo.
At this moment, he had just walked out of Route 101 and arrived at Oldale Town.
Along the way, he carefully avoided the gathering spots of Bug-type Pokémon.
Fortunately, he passed through safely this time.
It seemed the bug riots had indeed been resolved.
Returning to the Pokémon Center, Leo handed his Pokédex to Nurse Joy and said with a smile, “Nurse Joy, I would like to register for the Ever Grande Conference.” “Alright.” Taking the Pokédex, Nurse Joy quickly registered him on the computer and said gently, “Leo Flint, confirming registration for the Ever Grande Conference.
Are you sure?” “Yes, Nurse Joy!” “Okay, registration is complete.
Do your best at the League Conference~” Handing the Pokédex back to Leo, Nurse Joy encouraged him, “Aim for a high ranking!” “I will, thank you!” Bidding farewell to Nurse Joy and leaving the Pokémon Center, Leo was in a good mood as he headed north toward Route 103.
Unlike the grass and shrubs of Route 101, Route 103 was located by the sea, facing Mauville City across the water.
Because of this, the coastal side was mostly wetlands and swamps, which was one of the most ideal habitats for Mudkip.
So, finding a rare starter Pokémon here was quite normal.
News traveled fast…
In just two days, the coast and wetlands were filled with trainers looking to catch a Mudkip.
Among them were even Beginner or Intermediate trainers; after all, its final evolution, Swampert, was completely qualified to be a trainer’s main force!
Catching a Mudkip with massive potential while one’s team wasn’t finalized or before all 6 party slots were filled was a great idea.
Leo wasn’t in a rush to search for Mudkip tracks.
This kind of thing couldn’t be forced.
He decided to stick to his plan and train Onix here.
Being close to the sea, they could also train its water resistance.
Arriving at the foot of a hill with its back to the slope and facing the sea, Leo nodded in satisfaction.
“Come out, Onix!” Taking out a Poké Ball, he released Onix.
Leo looked at it and said, “Next up is special training.
Onix, are you ready?” “Roar!” Onix nodded.
Having experienced the battle with the Leader-level Beedrill, Onix had become much steadier.
Perhaps realizing its own shortcomings, it was filled with determination.
“Good.
This time, the special training will target your move proficiency and your own water resistance.
You need to work hard!” Onix nodded, signaling him to bring it on!
“But don’t rush, we’ll take it step by step.
First, we need to continue strengthening your hardness.
So during this training period, you won’t need to return to your Poké Ball.
This hill is your home now.
Absorb the power of the rocks well; rapid growth is also part of the special training!” “Roar~” Onix let out a happy, low rumble.
Sure enough, do Rock- and Ground-type Pokémon just love eating dirt?
“The first step of the special training: to bring out your excellent physical defense and hardness, you need to master the move Iron Tail more proficiently!
Not only does it increase your attack coverage, but it can also be used for defense.
Just like in the battle against Lombre—if your proficiency had been high enough, you definitely would have been able to block that attack!” Onix listened carefully to Leo’s words and nodded to show that it understood.
“Furthermore, you can familiarize yourself with Steel-type energy in advance to prepare for evolving into Steelix!
So, train your tail first.
Start by smashing rocks, but don’t use any moves yet.
Find the limit of your own physical strength!
In the final stage, use Iron Tail to check the results.
At night, go into the hill and absorb hard rocks to strengthen yourself!” Looking earnestly at the crack on Onix’s head, Leo said deeply, “Onix, we have to work hard.
To become stronger, we must try our best to overcome your fear of water.
So, try to slowly approach the sea!” “Roar!” Turning its head to look at the ocean not far away, Onix tried hard to calm itself down and let out a cry to prove its determination.
“Then, go take a look at your new home first.
I need to set up my tent too!” Patting Onix’s body, Leo smiled and walked toward the clearing, leaving Onix to use Dig and burrow into the hill, beginning his first wilderness camping experience.
It took a lot of effort to finally pitch the tent.
The first time was indeed very difficult.
Taking out the pre-bought food, he started preparing lunch.
He placed Pokémon food and Pokéblocks into a basin prepared for Onix and poured in a bottle of Moomoo Milk!
This was one of Pokémon’s favorite drinks!
Leo shouted toward the hill, “Time to eat, Onix!” Accompanied by a rumbling sound, Onix emerged from the hill.
Coming over to the food, it ate with immense satisfaction.
Although swallowing rocks and minerals could meet its growth needs, Pokéblocks and Moomoo Milk were indispensable for improving a Pokémon’s nutrition and abilities.
Combining the two was the best way to raise it.
Watching Onix eat, Leo also started on his own food.
Faintly, he could still see quite a few wisps of cooking smoke rising nearby.
Seems like there are quite a few campers…
…
“Iron Tail!” A layer of pale white energy rapidly coated Onix’s tail as it fiercely slammed into a massive hard stone!
Bang!
This was a very hard-textured rock that Onix had dug out from the hill.
When processed and carried, it could boost the power of Rock-type moves.
It could also be absorbed to increase its own mass.
From initially relying solely on its own strength to crush rocks, to shattering hard stones, Onix took ten days.
When using a move, the hard stones couldn’t hold up at all, instantly shattering under the strike of Iron Tail and scattering all over the ground!
[Ding!
Training completed.
Obtained 1 Training Point.
Obtained a small amount of experience.] [Ding!
Training completed.
Obtained 1 Training Point.
Skill breakthrough!
Bonus: 5 Training Points.
Obtained a small amount of experience!] “Keep going, Onix!” “Roar!” Not long after…
“These hard stones are yours.
Absorb them, and then it’s time for wading training!” “Roar~” Absorbing all the broken hard stone pieces into its body, Onix crawled toward the seaside.
It slowly immersed its body in the waves.
Although it was only a shallow layer, for a water-fearing Rock-type, this was a massive step forward!
As the waves crashed against Onix over and over, continuously washing over it, Onix lay quietly coiled on the shoal.
Leo accompanied it, sitting cross-legged on Onix’s body, meditating together, feeling the power of nature and the power of the ocean.
[Ding!
Training completed.
Obtained 1 Training Point.
Obtained a small amount of experience!] …
“Very good, Onix, it’s time for real combat training!!” “Roar!” Not far away, there were still plenty of trainers.
“Onix, give it the final blow!
Use Tackle!” Bang!
…
[Ding!
Battle concluded!
Onix wins.
Obtained 2 Training Points.
Obtained a small amount of experience!] …
Time passed just like this, and soon, over half a month had gone by.
Through prolonged training, battling wetland Pokémon and rookie trainers, Onix’s strength had improved significantly!
Even more noticeably, after a period of growth, its body had reached 7.5 meters in length and weighed 190 kg!
Its entire body, composed of dark gray rocks, even exuded a heavy metallic feel!
Paired with that straight-line scar on its head, it looked exceptionally domineering.
The Training Points obtained from training, along with those acquired from previous battles, were all dumped into Iron Tail!
Spending 100 points could raise a move’s proficiency to the Proficient level!
But raising it again from the Proficient level would cost 1000 points!
Onix’s level had increased rapidly during this time, and it had even learned new moves, which was an unexpected delight.
[Pokémon: Onix Lv.25, Rock Snake Pokémon.
When it digs through soil and rock underground, it causes tremors that shake the ground.
It moves at a speed of 80 km/h underground.
Gender: Male Type: Rock / Ground Nature: Adamant Ability: Rock Head (Protects the Pokémon from recoil damage.
Unaffected by moves or abilities that negate its own Ability) Moves: Tackle (Proficient), Screech (Proficient), Bind (Proficient), Dig (Mastered), Return (Proficient), Harden (Proficient), Slam (Proficient), Sand Tomb (Proficient), Rock Throw (Proficient), Rock Slide (Proficient) Egg Moves: Dragon Tail (Beginner), Iron Tail (Mastered), Head Smash (Proficient) TM Moves: None] After using up all his Training Points, Onix’s data had undergone a massive change.
Not only had all its move proficiencies been raised to Proficient, but Iron Tail had also reached the Mastered level through point allocation!
However, it could no longer be upgraded further.
It seemed this breakthrough would only be possible once Onix evolved into Steelix.
Through training and continuous battles, its level had risen to Lv.25, barely reaching the standard level of an Intermediate trainer.
However, since it hadn’t yet been tested in a Gym battle, he was still considered a Rookie Trainer—albeit a Rookie Trainer with a Level 25 Pokémon.
Considering Onix’s move and type shortcomings, Leo thought about buying a few TM disks after the special training ended to make up for its lack of attack coverage and weaknesses.
While busy training, Leo hadn’t forgotten to search for traces of Mudkip.
But even with numerous trainers looking, no one had actually found its tracks.
From time to time, rumors would spread that footprints were found here, or a nest was found there.
They were all just farces.
However, in the dead of night, a small figure would always sneak around the numerous campsites looking for food.
That is, until it arrived at Leo’s camp and ate the Pokémon food deliberately left outside the tent…
The little fellow gradually became addicted to the deliciousness of this food…
A second time!
A third time…
Over the course of half a month, the little guy came 5 or 6 times!
Other than the first time, every time it came, a pair of pleasantly surprised eyes would secretly watch it through a gap in the tent, watching it finish eating until it left.
It was another night.
As the final night of this special training, Leo specifically let Onix get a good rest, recalling it into its Poké Ball.
He then “accidentally” left a portion of Pokémon food far from the tent, closer to the hill, before returning inside.
Before long, the lights went out, and the surroundings quieted down.
Abruptly, the tent suddenly shook slightly, then returned to stillness.
The night was perfectly silent.