"Ding! [Congratulations, host. Successfully arrived at Sunyshore Gym. Sign-in initiated…]"
"Ding! [Sign-in successful. Rewards are being distributed…]"
· System space expanded to 25 meters in length, width, and height!
· 20 million Poké Coins added!
· Affection level +2 with all of the host's Pokémon!
· Trait Awakening Card x1!
As expected of the final Gym in the Sinnoh Region. Not only was the Poké Coin reward significantly boosted, but a special prize—an incredibly rare Trait Awakening Card—had appeared too.
Even though it was just one, the important thing was… the Trait Awakening Card was now officially listed in the system shop!
Just like the Trait Activation Card before it, this card was now available for purchase from the system store.
Trait Activation Card: Price – 50 million Poké Coins!
Trait Awakening Card: Price – 200 million Poké Coins!
…Excuse me, I'll show myself out.
Two hundred million?
Ash wasn't planning on buying anything from the system shop anytime soon—not until the mega evolution stones he was developing could bring in some serious money.
Still, it made sense. Abilities had a major impact on a Pokémon's strength—especially in the later stages. Hidden Abilities alone could determine match outcomes… and awakened Abilities? They were on another level.
Just look at Infernape. After awakening its Blaze Ability, it had basically doubled in power!
Ash snapped out of his thoughts and looked toward Volkner. With a slight nod, he spoke:
"Alright. Let's do it here—this is the Sunyshore Gym battlefield. Plus, Flint's still here."
Volkner nodded as well, and the robotic referee resumed its official duties.
"Commencing Gym Challenge Battle between challenger Ash and Sunyshore Gym Leader Volkner. Each side may use up to three Pokémon. The match ends when all Pokémon on one side are unable to battle. Only the challenger may substitute Pokémon during the match. Battle, begin!"
The rules were the same as always—standard Gym format.
Volkner held up his first Poké Ball. "Ash, you might just be the strongest challenger I've faced this year. To think you could defeat Flint's Infernape in a head-on match… You've earned my respect. I haven't felt this fired up in a long time—don't hold back!"
Ash gave a confident smile. "Of course. My first pick is… this guy!"
He actually sent out his Pokémon first!
"Metagross!"
A Level 46 Metagross!
Volkner's brows rose, but he nodded and tossed his own Poké Ball.
"Go—Jolteon!"
Jolteon. Just as expected.
But was it the same Jolteon from the original timeline? That remained to be seen.
"Ash, I won't go easy—Jolteon, use Charge Beam!"
"Jolteooon!"
Its spiky fur stood on end like a bristling hedgehog, sparks dancing through its coat. Jolteon unleashed a surge of electricity—Charge Beam!
"Metagross, Zen Headbutt!"
"Meta!"
Ash ordered a full-frontal assault! Metagross blasted straight through the Charge Beam and slammed into Jolteon with tremendous force!
"Double Kick!"
Jolteon's two front paws landed hard against Metagross's body—both sides had gotten in a solid hit.
The impact seemed to supercharge Jolteon's electric field.
"Charge Beam increased Jolteon's Special Attack—though that's a fairly common result from the move," Flint observed from the sidelines. As a member of the Elite Four, his eyes were sharp and experienced.
Volkner's confidence surged. "Jolteon, Thunder!"
CRACK!!!
The thunderous roar was like a bolt from the heavens—deafening.
"Metagross, use the Psychic Combo Formula!"
Ash gave his counter-command. Against a solo opponent, Metagross would now perform one of the key combo sequences Ash had trained for.
The first step? Lock-On.
Getting Metagross to learn this had taken a lot of effort, but it had paid off. As the red targeting ring locked onto Jolteon, the second phase kicked in—
Hypnosis-style Confusion!
Against multiple enemies, Metagross would use Psywave, but for a single target like Jolteon, it employed the more potent Hypnosis Confusion technique.
Jolteon was lifted off the ground and suspended in midair, writhing as if the very atmosphere around it became oppressive.
Then—
Psyshock!
The combo sequence meant the moment the first move landed, the second would hit automatically—Jolteon couldn't dodge in time. After three seconds of continuous psychic bombardment…
—It collapsed.
"Jolteon is unable to battle. Metagross wins!"
Experience share enabled.
Volkner calmly withdrew his Jolteon and took a deep breath. "That was some combo. The moment Lock-On hit, there was no escape—it was either endure or go blow-for-blow."
Ash returned Metagross and prepared for round two.
As usual, each of his Pokémon would only battle once per Gym match.
Volkner raised his second Poké Ball. "Next up—Electivire!"
Ash matched him. "Let's go—Grotle!"
"Gaaah!"
Electivire—Level 58. Near the peak of the pseudo-Elite Four tier.
"Electivire, use Fire Punch!"
Volkner's Electivire was trained in an unusual way. Its melee kit included Ice Punch, Thunder Punch, and Fire Punch—a rare and powerful combo.
Its ranged arsenal included Thunderbolt and Thunder—a truly versatile Pokémon.
"Grotle, Protect!"
A shimmering green shield enveloped Grotle—Fire Punch landed, but couldn't penetrate the defense.
"Now, Razor Leaf!"
"Fire Punch again!"
Electivire's flaming fists tore through the barrage of razor-sharp leaves and managed to land a solid hit on Grotle!
"Gaaah!"
Ash stared intently at Grotle.
It had been over Level 50 for a while now… and it still hadn't evolved?
He had caught Turtwig before Chimchar, and now Infernape had already reached its final evolution stage. So what was Grotle waiting for?
Hummmmmm!
As if it had heard Ash's inner thoughts, Grotle's body suddenly radiated a divine light!
It was evolving—into Torterra!
Torterra, the Continent Pokémon—an absolute powerhouse when used right. Its Overgrow-boosted offense and raw durability made it a nightmare for unprepared opponents.
The light intensified, drawing gasps from the crowd—
Grotle's long-awaited evolution had finally arrived.
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T/N:
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