"Typhlosion, put this on!"
Ash exchanged for another Macho Brace and gave it to Typhlosion. For the past week, he had been focusing heavily on Typhlosion's training. Perhaps because of Charizard, Ash was particularly invested in his Fire-type Pokémon. His second Bond Evolution had also been a Fire-type, Houndoom. Therefore, he held great expectations for Typhlosion, and he believed it wouldn't let him down.
The Macho Brace had become standard equipment for Ash's Bond Evolved Pokémon. Except for Pikachu and Meganium, who traveled with him, every Pokémon sent back to the lab wore one. With their Bond Values maxed out, they shared a heart with Ash and understood the benefits of the device. Though the training was grueling, they embraced it willingly.
Slowking, who was responsible for the training in the backyard of Professor Oak's lab, wore the brace day and night to lead by example. Slowking was naturally slow, so having its speed halved again didn't really matter, but the benefits were massive.
"Lapru!"
Suddenly, Lapras, who had been watching its seniors train in the water, let out a surprised cry, catching Ash's attention. Since Lapras was born, Ash made it a point to stop whenever they encountered water so it could play and the other Pokémon could train. They had done this at the herb garden, and they were doing it again now.
"Wartor!"
Wartortle also seemed to discover something. It dove into the water but leaped back out a moment later with a look of utter shock.
"Wartortle, what's wrong?"
Ash looked at the water and saw ripples forming. The ripples grew larger until a single horn poked out from beneath the surface.
"Ash, what is that?" Molly asked, sitting on Lapras's back as she watched the horn.
Ash shook his head, a blue light flashing in his eyes as he used his Aura to see the creature's true identity. He was instantly delighted.
"I'm catching that one for sure!"
It was a Rhydon. Recently, the Pokémon research community had updated the Pokédex; it was now officially called Rhydon rather than its older, more literal name. The name suited it well, given the drill-like horn on its head. Rhydon was the evolved form of Rhyhorn, looking like a dinosaur covered in grey, rock-like hide.
According to Professor Oak's Pokédex entries, Rhydon's skin was like armor, allowing it to survive even in 200-degree lava. Its horn could spin like a drill, easily pulverizing raw diamonds. It was a formidable Pokémon. Furthermore, in the Kanto region, people weren't yet aware that Rhydon had another evolution: Rhyperior, a massive Pokémon evolved by having Rhydon carry a special protector.
The most interesting part was that even though Rhydon was a Ground and Rock-type, it could learn Water-type moves like Rain Dance, Hydro Pump, Surf, and Whirlpool. This particular Rhydon must have learned Surf to be staying in the water. Ash was naturally captivated by such a unique specimen.
He excitedly prepared to send Wartortle in. Misty, hearing this, didn't believe it for a second. "A Rock-type Rhydon staying in the water? That's impossible!"
"But there really is one!"
A voice suddenly called out from the side. A beautiful young woman with a green ponytail approached them, carrying a Marill in her arms.
Brock instantly lunged toward her. "What a beautiful person! I'm Brock. May I ask your name, miss?"
"My name is Pietra, and this is Mari!" Pietra introduced herself.
Brock was over the moon. "What a lovely name! To show my sincerity, would you care to join us for some milk tea with my special homemade jam?"
Brock was on his best behavior today, but Misty still grabbed him by the ear and dragged him away. "Alright, that's enough. Don't interrupt the conversation!"
Ash spoke up. "Pietra, it sounds like you're looking for that Rhydon in the water too?"
Pietra nodded and led the group to a tunnel under construction. Several Dugtrio, Graveler, and Sandslash were working there. This tunnel was Pietra's project.
"To get to the city, you have to cross this mountain. My grandmother is getting older and has trouble walking, so I wanted to dig a tunnel so she could reach the city easily!"
It was a touching act of filial piety. This tunnel wouldn't just help her grandmother; it was a project that benefited everyone. Ash felt they should support her. However, she seemed to be facing a problem.
"The tunnel is almost finished, but we've hit a massive slab of bedrock, and groundwater is starting to seep through."
As Pietra finished speaking, a few drops of water fell onto Sandslash and Graveler. They immediately stopped working and ran out, clearly uncomfortable. This halted all progress.
"So you're looking for that water-dwelling Rhydon, hoping it can help?"
Ash nodded. "I'll catch that Rhydon, and then I'll help you finish this tunnel."
No sooner said than done. Ash led the group back to the lakeside. "Ash, how are we going to find the Rhydon?" Molly asked, striking an adorable thinking pose.
"I found some footprints where it was seen. I'll show you!" Pietra was more than happy to help as long as the tunnel got finished.
Following the massive footprints, Ash and the others arrived at an orchard. The berries there were likely Rhydon's favorite food.
"It's right here!"
A blue light flashed around Ash as he turned to look at the bushes. Sure enough, the giant creature was walking toward them.
"Wartortle, I choose you!" Ash called out his Pokémon. "Rhydon, let's have a battle for your capture!"
Rhydon looked at Ash and Wartortle, nodded, and then turned and ran.
"After it!"
Ash chased after it with Wartortle, only to see the massive beast leap into the lake.
"Choosing the water as your battlefield? Wartortle, go!"
The water was Wartortle's stage. It showed no fear and jumped in after it. Ash activated his Aura Power to monitor the underwater battle.
Rhydon confronted Wartortle beneath the surface and struck first. Its horn began to spin wildly, creating a massive underwater vortex!
Ash's eyes brightened. "This big guy even knows Whirlpool? Where did it learn that?"
"Wartortle, use Rapid Spin!"
Ash decided to meet rotation with rotationa head-on clash to subdue the beast. Wartortle tucked its head and limbs into its shell and spun furiously. It created a smaller vortex that collided with Rhydon's Whirlpool. The two rotations were in opposite directions, cancelling each other out!
"Wartortle, use Water Pulse to force it up!"
The Water Pulse erupted, sending a massive wave upward. Rhydon immediately used Surf, standing atop the crest of the wave! But this played right into Ash's handsit had come out of the water!
"Wartortle, now! Use Hydro Pump to knock it down!"
After evolving, Wartortle no longer needed to spin its shell to use Hydro Pump. It was already an expert with Water-type moves. It unleashed a powerful blast of water directly from its mouth, striking Rhydon and knocking it off the wave.
Water-type moves were still super effective against Rhydon. Even if it knew Water-type skills, its primary types remained Rock and Ground.
"Now!"
Ash found the opening and hurled a Poké Ball!
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