In the wild, Ethan didn't have much time to think. As they went deeper into Rocky Mountain, Cubone's real challenges Were only just beginning.
Graveler—the evolved form of Geodude.
Its original fists hadn't disappeared; instead, it now had two extra arms and a pair of legs, its body growing larger and rounder.
Its standard weight had skyrocketed from Geodude's 20 kilograms to nearly 100 kilograms!
Staring at the Graveler smirking maliciously in front of them, Ethan and Cubone exchanged a glance.
Battle!
Cubone showed no fear, even itching to challenge this new opponent. Graveler roared angrily at the insult.
"Graaaah!"
The ground trembled as Graveler stomped down in fury. Crossing its arms around its body, it curled itself into a massive boulder.
With a flash of red light, Graveler hurled itself forward in a violent spin—
Defense Curl + Rollout!
The most classic combination—Defense Curl doubled the starting power of Rollout. Its force was no less than Cubone's bone attacks.
How to block that?!
"Cubone!"
Ethan shouted suddenly, locking eyes with his partner. In that instant, Trainer and Pokémon understood each other.
That move!
"Cu-bone!"
Cubone crouched low, white energy flaring around it, eyes fixed on the incoming Graveler.
Focus Energy!
A Move Cubone had naturally picked up while practicing Bonemerang.
In Focus Energy, Cubone's concentration sharpened to the extreme. The world seemed to fade away, leaving only the sight of Graveler's seemingly slowed, tumbling form barreling toward it.
Now!
Cubone hurled its bone without hesitation. The spinning club smashed into a nearby rock outcrop.
Chunks of stone exploded into the air. The largest boulder landed squarely in Graveler's rolling path.
Graveler tried to twist its body to avoid it—but before it could celebrate its maneuver, the returning Bonemerang's arc intersected its new path perfectly!
BANG!!!
The heavy crack rang out as the blow sent Graveler staggering off balance, knocked into the air and forced out of its rolling form.
At the same moment, Cubone sidestepped, caught its returning Thick Club cleanly, and stood ready.
"Again—Bonemerang!" Ethan commanded.
Without hesitation, Cubone threw its bone once more.
BANG! BANG!
Two solid strikes landed squarely. Graveler's craggy head was smashed inward, and it collapsed to the ground, unmoving.
Cubone wins!
A red-and-white Poké Ball arced through the air, striking Graveler and pulling it inside.
Cubone returned to Ethan's side, watching the wobbling Poké Ball with a stern, focused expression.
But the Graveler, already knocked out, had no strength to resist.
With a final ding, the capture succeeded.
Ethan picked up the Poké Ball, locking it, then turned to his slightly panting Cubone.
"You were amazing!"
Cubone folded its arms, giving a calm, almost smug nod—as if to say this was routine.
But the next instant, it glanced toward the Poké Ball.
Ethan chuckled knowingly. "Don't worry. I caught you a teacher. It knows two moves that'll be perfect for you."
Cubone tilted its head, eyes skeptical.
What, am I supposed to learn Rollout?
I'm not even round—I can't roll…
Perhaps this was Graveler's territory, because after the battle no other wild Pokémon appeared to disturb them.
Ethan took the opportunity to rest with Cubone, then released the newly caught Graveler.
It had woken up, though the crater in its head was still visible.
Graveler eyed Cubone with lingering defiance, but the throbbing pain on its skull quickly reminded it of reality.
It had been beaten fairly in a one-on-one battle—there was nothing left to protest.
Then, a hand reached into its vision, palm open. Several brownish Ground-type Pokéblocks lay there.
The rich aroma wafted up, making Graveler's eyes go wide, staring unblinking.
"Eat up. See if you like them."
Ethan's voice was calm and gentle—so unlike Graveler's usual world of roaring and bellowing that the Rock Pokémon found itself disoriented.
So voices can sound like that…
Carefully, Graveler picked up one Pokéblock and popped it into its mouth. The strong flavor and the rush of energy instantly won it over.
Even the large dent on its craggy head began to visibly heal.
"Grraaaah~"
Graveler's mood improved, and its eyes toward Ethan softened.
Seizing the moment, Ethan asked:
"Graveler, do you know how to use Smack Down and Stomping Tantrum?"
He offered two more Pokéblocks.
Graveler instinctively grabbed them, then remembered it was being asked a question.
Even with its thick skin, it couldn't help blushing slightly.
This isn't about the Pokéblocks! I just want to show off my strength…
After chewing the Pokéblocks, Graveler turned and pressed its two massive hands together. A sharp stone materialized between them.
It gripped the stone in one hand, aimed at a protruding boulder on the mountainside, and hurled it with tremendous force.
BAM!
The jagged rock smashed into the target, both shattering into rubble that clattered down the slope.
The move—Smack Down!
But it wasn't done yet. Graveler lumbered off a short distance, then stomped its massive foot into the ground.
THOOM!
Visible Ground-type shockwaves spread out from the impact, leaving cracks spider-webbing across the solid rock floor of Rock Mountain.
Ethan's eyes lit up. To leave marks on such dense stone—the power of that Stomping Tantrum was no joke.
Both Smack Down and Stomping Tantrum would be excellent moves for Cubone to learn.
Especially Smack Down, which was incredibly effective against Flying-type opponents.
Cubone had been watching intently, and its eyes now glimmered with unrestrained eagerness.
"You're incredible, Graveler!" Ethan praised warmly, then added:
"I'd like to ask you to train Cubone in these two moves. In return, you'll get as many Pokéblocks as you want during this time. Once Cubone learns them, I'll release you."
Graveler's rocky face brightened. As tasty as Pokéblocks were, it still preferred lazing in the sun atop the mountain, occasionally bullying Geodude for fun. That was real freedom.
"Grav!"
It nodded without hesitation.
Ethan grinned. Once Cubone mastered Smack Down and Stomping Tantrum, they'd no longer be limited to Rocky Mountain or stuck battling only Geodude. Their horizons would expand.
Capturing Graveler temporarily had boosted Cubone's confidence in battle, and now it was about to gain a teacher. Ethan's training session for the day was a complete success.
The capture was only temporary because Ethan didn't have enough money—he couldn't afford to raise too many Pokémon at once.
In his heart, though, he still held onto the dream of one day finding a Shiny Metagross.
Since the day was still young, and Rocky Mountain was the perfect training ground for Cubone, Ethan decided to let Graveler begin instructing right away. That gave him time to sit back and eat lunch.
And today, finally, it wasn't ramen.
It was—Squid Ink Seafood Mixed Noodles!
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