Time flowed by quickly, and a week had passed since Ash and the others had arrived.
The Elite Four had, of course, not attacked during this time, so Ash's group hadn't left, which left Ace feeling a little helpless.
"Crobat, solidify."
The venom on Crobat's wings rapidly solidified, quickly forming a layer of poison crystals.
"Crack."
Ace squeezed the crystal with his hand, and it shattered instantly. At the same time, his fingers began to feel numb, which showed just how potent Crobat's venom was.
"The hardness is still not enough."
Ace shook his head. The crystals shattered with a single squeeze, offering almost no defense. It was nowhere near the level of durability Ace required.
Crobat nodded and redoubled its efforts.
"Lapras, have you sorted out your Ice Form? Let me see."
"Gengar, don't be lazy. Your move speed is too slow. Make it faster."
"Gible, keep going. Your stamina has to keep up. Run another five kilometers and see what your limit is!"
"..."
After checking on his Pokémon's training, Ace felt a temporary sense of relief and walked to the side to start his own workout, following the regimen he'd "interrogated" Bruno for.
It seems that brute Bruno wasn't messing with me. Following his workout plan is definitely more effective than training on my own, Ace thought to himself. He then beckoned to a Machamp nearby, which was Gary's and served as Ace's sparring partner.
Machamp looked at Ace, then immediately charged forward, delivering a hand chop towards him.
Ace retreated, planted his left foot for support, and launched a powerful high-kick with his right leg.
Machamp easily blocked the kick with its left hand, while its other left hand quickly reached out and grabbed Ace's right leg.
Feeling his right leg restricted, Ace twisted his body, using the inertia and Machamp's grip as a pivot point to kick at Machamp's head with his left leg.
Machamp blocked it with one hand, and just like that, Ace was lifted off the ground like a pulled onion.
"I have to ask, are you practicing fighting with a Pokémon? Are you trying to take on Pokémon in a one-on-one fight?"
Green walked out of the cabin, yawning and combing her hair. Seeing Ace, she couldn't help but complain, "Aren't you just asking to get beaten up?"
"As a Trainer, how can I not have a strong body?"
Machamp righted Ace and gently placed him on the ground.
While it looked easy for Machamp to handle Ace, only Machamp itself knew that Ace's two kicks were so powerful they had left its hands feeling slightly numb. With his physical strength enhanced 32 times, Ace's physical fitness was already on par with an average Pokémon. If he continued to improve, Ace might have a chance to personally spar with some weaker Fighting-type Pokémon. Of course, he wouldn't dare challenge the stronger ones; he still couldn't take a single hit from them.
"You really are dedicated. No wonder your strength has grown so much."
Green glanced at Ace's well-built physique, her cheeks flushing slightly before returning to normal. "When are you guys leaving?"
Ace picked up a clean towel to wipe his sweat and said with a hint of helplessness, "The Elite Four haven't come to bother me for a while. Maybe they don't care anymore. You guys have been staying at my place for so long, and my food supplies are almost gone."
"You'll have to ask Professor Oak about that."
Green shrugged, helpless herself.
Compared to Ash and Gary, who were freeloading at Ace's house, Green had wanted to leave a long time ago. After all, she still had to pursue the trail of that large bird.
Hearing "Professor Oak," Ace got a headache. Professor Oak had recovered over the past week and was now constantly calling to check on things. Unaware that Ace had already dealt with the Elite Four, the lack of activity made Professor Oak even more worried about a bigger crisis coming. He told Ash and the others to stay with Ace as long as possible to prepare for an attack that could happen at any time.
Ace could only grit his teeth and swallow his frustration. It was his fault for taking care of the Elite Four. If he had left just one of them, he might have found a way to get Ash and the others to leave, instead of being harassed by them every day like this.
"Sigh, I need to go buy groceries."
With his cupboards bare, Ace was ready to go to the nearest town to buy and stock up on some ingredients.
Upon hearing Ace's words, Green's eyes lit up.
Groceries? That's just an excuse for a shopping trip!
So, as a girl, Green was excited and wanted to join Ace. Ace didn't refuse, as he could use her to help carry things.
Soon, after their morning training was complete, Ace brought his Aerodactyl and Crobat, as well as his Chansey and Blastoise to carry things, while Green brought her Jigglypuff. They flew to the nearest city with Ace leading the way.
As for Ash and Gary, they were naturally left behind to watch the house.
...
In Fuchsia City, along the busiest commercial street.
"Can I get half a side of pork, and a quarter of beef..."
"Fifty pounds of flour and fifty pounds of rice..."
"These vegetables aren't very fresh. How about a discount? Two Pokémon dollars a pound at most... I'll just take some green onions, ginger, and garlic..."
Soon, Chansey and Blastoise were piled high with bags and packages. Green looked on in astonishment and said, "There are so many things. How are we going to carry it all back?"
"Aerodactyl and Crobat can fly with some of it. Your Jigglypuff can probably take a little too, right?"
"...It can take a little, but it will affect its flying speed if it's too heavy."
"That's fine. Now, let's go buy some seasonings."
Ace nodded and walked to the next shop.
"This is not the kind of shopping I had in mind..."
Green was on the verge of tears, but she had no choice but to follow Ace, watching as the number of bags on their two Pokémon grew larger and larger.
Passing a clothing store, Green glanced at the clothes inside, a hint of envy flashing in her eyes before quickly hiding it deep within.
"That's about enough. You can go shop around now. I'll go take care of these groceries." Ace looked at the bags on Chansey and Blastoise and nodded, telling Green.
"It's about time!" Green was instantly relieved and excitedly went to browse her favorite stores.
Ace, on the other hand, began to pack some of the items into his utility belt.
After everything was tidied up, Ace finally looked at the clothing store from before. Ace had noticed this clothing store because there was a set of clothes that looked very similar to what Green would wear in the future. Green was very poor, or rather, she had to support Silver; it would be a miracle if she wasn't poor with one person earning and two people spending. That's why Green's clothes were basically a black dress, and the reason for that was simple: it was cheap.
"Whatever, it's not expensive anyway."
Ace thought for a second, sighed, and walked into the clothing store to buy that set of clothes.
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