Chapter 213: Cianwood Gym

After obtaining the medicine in Cianwood City, Ash’s group temporarily said goodbye to Janina, who was in a hurry to get back to Olivine City. 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝒆𝒘𝙚𝓫𝙣𝙤𝒗𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

After seeing her off on the boat, Ash’s group saw a middle-aged man sparring with a Machoke near the pier.

Ash recognized the man; this guy was Chuck, the Gym Leader of the Cianwood Gym.

"Your technique has improved, Machoke," Chuck exclaimed in admiration.

"Good, now let’s switch! You attack, and I’ll defend!"

Hearing this, the Machoke didn’t hesitate to step forward, throwing a few punches followed by a Jump Kick. Chuck was quite capable; despite his large belly, he was able to easily dodge Machoke’s short combo.

However, after a few moves, he was struck in the chest.

Yet, he didn’t cry out in pain; instead, he seemed to have developed Stockholm syndrome, feeling moved by himself.

"Is that uncle okay in the head? How could he be silly enough to spar with a Machoke?" Misty found Chuck’s behavior very baffling.

"That man is Mr. Chuck, the Gym Leader of the Cianwood Gym. He specializes in Fighting-type Pokémon. This kind of training isn’t actually as good for a Machoke as playing in a gravity room, but Mr. Chuck’s spirit is still worth admiring," Ash said.

It was indeed admirable, but not something to be encouraged. After all, not everyone possessed a special physique, and a Machoke’s own strength was not insignificant; if it couldn’t hold back its power, someone could really end up in trouble.

At this moment, Chuck, having finished his daily training, walked up to Ash and asked, "Young man, judging by what you said, you’re a Trainer here to challenge the Gym, right?"

"Yes, but Mr. Chuck, does your Gym have a transfer machine? I’d like to switch out my Fighting-type Pokémon before our battle," Ash replied.

It wasn’t that he didn’t have any Fighting-types on him, but Gallade also possessed the Psychic type, giving it a type advantage. Sending it out would be a bit unfair, so it was better to let Heracross and Lucario handle it.

It would be a perfect opportunity to try challenging a Gym Leader’s main lineup.

"Oh, so you’re quite skilled with Fighting types, too? Our Gym does have a transfer machine."

"That’s good. But Mr. Chuck, I have one small request: could I trouble you to use your main lineup of Pokémon?"

"Main lineup?" Chuck was stunned for a moment, then asked, "Young man, are you for real?"

Ash nodded, his attitude firm. "Of course."

Chuck hesitated for a moment and said, "Alright. Whether you win or not, I’ll present you with a badge after the Gym challenge."

Before long, Ash’s group, led by Chuck, arrived at the Cianwood Gym.

Upon their return, Chuck’s disciples came out to greet them.

Ash carefully looked around the environment, and then he saw the gravity room built in the corner of the courtyard.

Welcomed warmly by Chuck’s wife, Ash’s group had a fantastic lunch.

After lunch, having contacted Professor Oaks Laboratory by phone, Ash transferred Gallade, Houndour, Scyther, and others back.

Scyther had potential that hadn’t been fully tapped, so Ash sent it back, asking Tracy’s old Scyther to provide some guidance.

Finally, he received the Poké Balls for Heracross and Lucario.

After such a long time of training on its own, Lucario’s strength had firmly entered the Elite level; after Mega Evolution, it could even compete with high-level Elite Pokémon.

Seeing that Ash possessed a Shiny Lucario and had raised it to the Elite level, Chuck finally understood that Ash truly had the confidence to challenge his main lineup.

Fortunately, he didn’t care much about winning or losing, otherwise he would surely regret it. However, he also felt sad for the other competitors preparing to vie for the Champion title at the Johto Silver Conference.

According to previous years’ customs, possessing a well-coordinated Gym-level lineup was basically enough to secure the championship. But after seeing Ash’s Pokémon, he didn’t know how many people would have their hearts broken in this year’s tournament.

"The Gym battle between Cianwood City Gym Leader Chuck and Ash from Pallet Town, with a badge as the wager, now begins!"

"Each side will use two Pokémon. The match ends when both Pokémon of one side are unable to battle..." the referee announced.

As soon as the referee finished speaking, Chuck sent out his Pokémon: "Ash, my first Pokémon is Poliwrath! You’d better be careful!"

[Pokémon: Poliwrath]

[Type: Water + Fighting]

[Gender: Male]

[Level: Elite Beginner]

[Ability: Damp]

[Potential: Quasi-Elite]

[Moves: Rock Slide, Belly Drum, Bulk Up, Hypnosis, Blast Punch, Psychic, Hydro Pump, Focus Punch, Waterfall,...]

Glancing at Poliwrath’s information, Ash couldn’t help but admire Chuck’s ability. This was the second time he had seen someone train a Pokémon to break through its potential limits; the last one was Koga of the Fuchsia Gym.

"Mr. Chuck, my Pokémon entering the field is this one. Come on out, Heracross!"

"Heracross, eh? It’s still a bit lacking, but it’s been raised quite well."

"Heracross is one I caught during my travels in the Johto region. In terms of level, it certainly can’t compare to Mr. Chuck’s Poliwrath, but I believe in it."

Ash was indeed confident; if it really couldn’t win, he could still have it Mega Evolve.

In fact, Heracross’s level was not low at all; it was almost breaking through to the high Quasi-Elite level.

"Poliwrath, use Bulk Up!"

At Chuck’s command, Poliwrath used all its strength to tense its muscles, beginning to stack buffs on itself.

Stacking buffs? Who couldn’t do that? Ash didn’t want to be outdone: "Heracross, take flight and use Swords Dance."

"Poliwrath, show some spirit! Jump up and use Blast Punch to knock Heracross down!"

"Heracross, use Counter!"

Watching Poliwrath leap up and charge toward it, Heracross braced itself, its horn set with a determined gaze as it met the attack head-on. After taking the hit, it erupted with astonishing power, using its horn to send Poliwrath flying into the sky.

This collision caused damage to both sides, but neither reached the point of being unable to battle.

"That Poliwrath’s arm strength and jumping ability are truly astonishing. It’s no wonder he’s a Gym Leader who specializes in Fighting types," Brock praised.

Misty also spoke up to praise Ash’s side: "Ash’s Heracross isn’t bad either. It hasn’t been long since it left, and it can already withstand such a powerful attack."

"Heracross, use Megahorn."

"Poliwrath, use Double Slap."

Heracross used its horn to strike repeatedly at Poliwrath, while Poliwrath, dodging left and right, didn’t forget to use its palms to slap at the bug horn.

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