Chapter 124: Hell-Style Special Training Begins
Early the next morning, Ash woke up at 7:00 as usual. After greeting Brock, who had also risen early, Ash left the Pokémon Center and headed toward the beach for morning exercises.
Misty joined Ash, as they had planned the night before. She also felt that her Pokémon needed intense training to break through their current limits.
"We're going to train all day, so make sure you pack something for lunch," Ash said as they stopped to buy breakfast on the way. They also brought food for their Pokémon and some medical supplies to handle any injuries that might occur during training.
"Let's keep it simple—sandwiches," Misty decided, buying a few takeout options that were easy to carry.
Once they arrived at the beach, they didn't start training immediately. Instead, they released all their Pokémon to let them eat breakfast first.
Misty couldn't help but notice something different about Ash's Charmeleon. "I feel like Charmeleon looks… unusual," she said, observing its larger size, fiery tail, and seemingly intense demeanor.
Ash glanced at Charmeleon and gave a vague reply. "It's probably because of evolution."
Misty accepted the explanation, assuming the changes were natural post-evolution.
A Remote Training Ground
After breakfast, Ash and Misty led their Pokémon to a more secluded area on the beach. The remote location ensured their training wouldn't disturb other visitors.
Ash stood before the Pokémon with Misty by his side, explaining the intense two-day training plan. "In the morning, we'll focus on strengthening moves. I'll assign specific tasks for each Pokémon to master the techniques they've already learned. In the afternoon, it'll be nonstop battles—dogfights—until you hit your limits!"
Ash's plan had two purposes:
1. Morning Training: To refine move proficiency, improve physical endurance, and ensure consistent execution of techniques.
2. Afternoon Battles: To develop combat instincts, enabling Pokémon to respond independently in crisis situations while maintaining composure under pressure.
The Pokémon listened intently, ready to take on the challenge.
Morning Training
Ash assigned tasks based on each Pokémon's strength. Pikachu and Charmeleon had the most demanding routines, while the others—Squirtle, Bulbasaur, Pidgeotto, and Beedrill—had slightly lighter tasks, though still rigorous enough to exhaust them by noon.
Misty followed the same training plan for her Pokémon. Both Staryu and Starmie had recently learned new moves and needed consistent practice to master them.
At first, the Pokémon found the training manageable, but as the exercises continued, their stamina began to drain rapidly. Unlike regular training sessions, Ash pushed them to continue even when their energy was nearly depleted.
"Jenny… Jenny…" Squirtle gasped, feeling it could no longer use any moves. It looked to Ash for relief, only to see him shake his head, signaling it to push further.
Squirtle gritted its teeth and summoned the last remnants of its strength to fire a Water Gun attack, refusing to give up. The other Pokémon—Bulbasaur, Pidgeotto, and Beedrill—followed suit, pushing themselves beyond their perceived limits.
The Results of Hard Work
Pikachu and Charmeleon handled the intense training better due to their inherited strength. As they grew more attuned to their respective inheritances, their physical endurance seemed to replenish itself, allowing them to continue without faltering.
By the end of the three-hour morning session, all the Pokémon were utterly exhausted. Even the most determined among them had thought about quitting at some point. However, seeing their companions persist gave them the strength to carry on.
At 11:00 AM, Ash and Misty finally called for a break. The Pokémon collapsed onto the ground, nearly unconscious. Only Pikachu and Charmeleon remained somewhat active.
Ash and Misty quickly replenished their Pokémon's energy, feeding them and using healing potions to restore their strength. Despite the grueling morning, the Pokémon could feel the benefits of their hard work. Those still at a normal level sensed they were close to advancing to the next stage.
Squirtle, in particular, felt on the verge of evolution but seemed to lack a final push to break through its genetic boundaries. Bulbasaur also felt the potential for evolution but hesitated, preferring its current form. After its experience at the Vermilion Gym, Bulbasaur believed it could become strong without changing its appearance.
Afternoon Battles
The afternoon session brought an intense eight-Pokémon melee, designed to sharpen combat instincts. The stronger Pokémon—Pikachu, Charmeleon, and Starmie—became the primary targets for the others.
The battle was chaotic and unrelenting. Starmie held its ground for a while but was eventually taken down by a coordinated attack from Beedrill and Pidgeotto. Meanwhile, Pikachu and Charmeleon continued to fight with unyielding determination, even fending off attacks from each other.
Watching Charmeleon's performance, Bulbasaur began to reconsider its stance on evolution. The strength Charmeleon displayed was undeniable, far surpassing its pre-evolution form. Could evolving truly bring such significant power?
What Bulbasaur didn't realize was that Charmeleon's strength wasn't solely due to evolution. It was also enhanced by the inheritance of the Sun God Pterosaur. This unique combination made Charmeleon nearly equal in power to Pikachu.
The Takeaway
By the end of the day, the Pokémon were exhausted but had made significant progress. The intense training had pushed them beyond their limits, preparing them for greater challenges ahead.
Ash and Misty were proud of their team's perseverance and determination. As the Pokémon rested, they felt a renewed sense of confidence in their abilities, knowing they were one step closer to reaching their true potential.
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