Chapter 101: Olivine City, Battle with Jasmine
A few days later, Ryan and his companions crossed the desert and finally arrived in Olivine City.
They went to the Pokémon Center to restore their Pokémon, and Rosa successfully caught the water-resistant Rhyhorn. Ryan and his companions had observed the Rhyhorn over the past few days, and while Water-type attacks were effective against it, they only dealt slightly more than double the damage.
Considering that Rhyhorn is a Ground and Rock-type, it should be four times weak to Water. But now Water-type attacks only dealt slightly more than double the damage, demonstrating its unusual resistance to Water.
This Rhyhorn was Ryan's goal to learn from. Strong resistance meant more endurance, allowing for longer battles. If it weren't for Tyranitar's stubborn resistance, Ryan would have tried to teach it to swim. After all, it had already mastered Surf, so what would it mean if it couldn't actually swim?
Tyranitar: "Are you insane?!"
After restoring their Pokémon, Ryan and his companions rushed to the Olivine Gym and found Jasmine, but she refused to battle.
"I'm sorry, Amphy seems a little unwell for some reason. I'm worried about him, so I can't battle at full strength," Jasmine said apologetically.
"Amphy?" Rosa asked curiously.
"Amphy is an Ampharos. He's the beacon of the Olivine Lighthouse," Jasmine explained.
Ryan suddenly realized something and said, "Can you take us there? I have a special medicine you can give Amphy to try."
"Yes. Well, there's nothing else we can do now, so let's give it a try. If it doesn't work, we'll have to ask the pharmacy in Cianwood City to prepare a special remedy," Jasmine nodded in agreement.
The group then arrived at the Olivine Lighthouse and saw Amphy the Ampharos, who indeed looked quite ill. The lighthouse keeper said, "I don't know what's wrong with Ampharos today. He seems very listless. Jasmine and I gave him a massage, but he didn't seem to recover."
Ryan nodded and took out a bottle of special medicine from his backpack. After finding an Energy Restoration pill, he also fed Ampharos a few Poffins that Ruby had made. After a while, Ampharos was fully revived.
"Thank you so much," Jasmine said happily. "Now that Amphy has recovered, let's go back. I accept your challenge!"
Ryan smiled and nodded, and they returned to the Olivine Gym.
Jasmine stood in the arena and said, "I'm Jasmine, the Olivine Gym Leader, and I specialize in Steel-type Pokémon. I use two Pokémon, so that's no problem, right?"
"No problem," Ryan said.
"Then, go ahead. Steelix!" Jasmine sent out her Steelix.
"Go, Lucario," Ryan also sent out his Lucario. "Lucario, Bulk Up."
Since he was going to attack first, he decided to improve his stats. Lucario clenched his fists and assumed a power-up stance, increasing his Attack and Defense. Seeing this, Jasmine called out, "Steelix, Sandstorm!"
Steelix instantly whipped up a massive sandstorm, dealing damage to Lucario. Receiving Ryan's signal, Lucario thrust out with both paws, launching a powerful Aura Sphere into Steelix's head, knocking it to the ground. Steelix lay on the ground for a long moment before recovering.
"Are you okay, Steelix?" Jasmine said. "Such a powerful attack! Let's go all out, too. Steelix, Gyro Ball!"
"Use Dig to avoid it," Ryan said.
Steelix spun around, shooting straight at Lucario like a projectile. Lucario quickly used Dig to avoid the Gyro Ball, but at Jasmine's signal, Steelix stopped spinning and slammed its tail against the ground. The violent vibration sent Lucario flying out of the ground, leaving him seriously injured.
"Steelix, finish it! Double-Edge!" Jasmine said.
Steelix suddenly charged at Lucario, who slapped the ground and leaped into the air. A vast array of energy vines emerged from beneath Steelix, binding its tail with Grass Knot!
As Steelix slammed to the ground, Lucario landed on top of it, took a deep breath, and struck with all his might using Close Combat.
"Steelix!" Jasmine shouted.
But Steelix had lost its fighting ability and collapsed, unable to respond. Lucario excitedly raised his paws, and a brilliant white light emanated from him. When the light faded, Lucario had evolved into... wait, Lucario was already fully evolved. The white light was just him powering up from the victory.
Jasmine recalled Steelix and said, "Ryan, your Pokémon training is indeed excellent. Can you defeat the next one? Go ahead, Metagross!"
A gigantic Metagross landed with a thud, its cold eyes fixed on Lucario. Ryan narrowed his eyes and said, "Keep fighting, Lucario. Get close to Metagross."
Lucario nodded and charged straight at Metagross. Jasmine said, "Metagross, Psychic!"
Metagross's eyes glowed blue, and an invisible wave of energy shot towards Lucario. But Lucario instantly pulled out a Metal Claw attack and struck directly at Metagross. The attack connected, dealing significant damage. With his increased speed from Bulk Up, Lucario narrowly avoided the Psychic attack's full force, but upon landing, Lucario's health was nearly depleted.
"One final Bullet Punch to finish it!" Jasmine said.
"Come back, Lucario! Go, Greninja!" Ryan called out, quickly switching Pokémon. Greninja entered the battle and used Baton Pass, receiving the increased Attack and Defense from Lucario's Bulk Up. But then, Greninja was also sent flying by Bullet Punch.
"Dark Pulse," Ryan said, forming hand seals.
Greninja's Battle Bond ability instantly activated, transforming it into Ash-Greninja. A large Water Shuriken appeared behind its back. Greninja threw the shuriken, which struck Metagross's center, sending it flying.
"Metagross! Magnet Rise, then Shadow Ball!" Jasmine shouted.
Metagross instantly steadied itself in mid-air using Magnet Rise and launched a Shadow Ball at Ash-Greninja, but Greninja had already unleashed its own Dark Pulse, which collided directly with the Shadow Ball. The two attacks met, creating a powerful explosion that dissipated both moves.
"Agility! Then Meteor Mash!" Jasmine declared.
Metagross used Agility to boost its speed, but Ash-Greninja unleashed a massive smokescreen with Smokescreen, reducing visibility on the battlefield. Then, using Double Team, Ash-Greninja dodged Metagross's Meteor Mash and, with blinding speed, struck Metagross back to the ground with Water Pulse.
"Metagross, Scary Face!" Jasmine shouted.
Metagross's face suddenly revealed a terrifying expression, but Ash-Greninja had already disappeared into the arena using the hole left by Lucario's Dig.
"Oh no! That's the hole left by Lucario's digging. Metagross, Earthquake!" Jasmine cried.
But it was too late. Ash-Greninja burst out from the ground and struck Metagross with a powerful uppercut. Then, a Hydro Pump sent Metagross flying, rendering it unable to battle.
Ryan released his Battle Bond transformation and exhaled deeply. Battle Bond mode was truly exhausting!
Jasmine reluctantly recalled Metagross and said, "Congratulations, Ryan! This is the Mineral Badge, proof of your victory over the Olivine Gym."
She then handed the badge to Ryan. Ryan thanked her and accepted it.
He had obtained the Mineral Badge, meaning he only needed three more of the eight Johto Gym Badges!
(End of Chapter)
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