Waking from his sleep in the early morning, Red finished a simple wash, bit into a piece of bread, and left the Pokémon Center alone, heading toward Vermilion City. Along the way, he happened upon a plain where many weak Trainers lingered, challenging one another in hopes of strengthening themselves.
"Air Slash."
At Red's command, Scyther defeated the opposing Rattata with a single strike, not even enough to serve as a warm-up. Passing through this place, Red had already achieved forty-five consecutive victories. The Trainers who came to challenge him all hoped to seize his winning streak, yet each was defeated by Scyther in a single move.
"What an incredible differently colored Scyther. With your strength, I think you might even have a chance to defeat A.J.!" Rattata's Trainer praised.
"..."
Red gave no reply, merely nodding silently. He had no desire to interact further with the Trainers here. Being weak was one thing, but lacking self-awareness was another. They believed that staying here would improve their strength, yet it was nothing more than ignorant arrogance.
In the original story, Ash frequently encountered these third-rate Trainers here, racking up wins and growing overconfident, only to be utterly defeated by the so-called "king of the kids" here—Beast Tamer A.J..
Still, they could not be entirely blamed. Most of the Trainers wandering here were not yet ten years old. Many parents, acting out of selfish motives, had captured Pokémon for their children and given them as birthday presents, indirectly resulting in their lack of strength.
"A Pokémon League unofficial Gym, 87 consecutive wins. What an arrogant fellow." Red sighed helplessly. If this weren't such a remote place, perhaps some League official seeking merit would have already arrested A.J. for his illegal actions.
Establishing a Gym without authorization was not permitted by the League, let alone boldly writing "Pokémon League Unofficial Gym" on a signboard. It was practically asking for trouble.
Following his travel route, Gary might also pass through here. Yet A.J.'s winning streak had not been broken, which meant that Gary had disdained battling these third-rate Trainers and ignored the boastful "Beast Tamer" A.J. altogether. Otherwise, he would have long been crushed into self-doubt by Gary's Wartortle.
In the end, that Sandshrew who claimed not to fear water simply had never battled a truly powerful Water-type Pokémon. Could training daily in a swimming pool compare to facing seasoned Water-types in real combat?
"So you're the strong Trainer who suddenly appeared around here? I've heard you have an outstanding green Scyther. Interested in having a Pokémon battle with me?"
A voice sounded from behind Red. Turning around, he saw A.J. standing there, his tone somewhat arrogant, proud of maintaining his winning streak.
"You're quite confident," Red said calmly.
"I'll give you some information first. The Pokémon I use is Sandshrew. You can use a Water-type to counter it, but my Sandshrew has been specially trained and no longer fears water!" A.J. declared proudly. Without waiting for a response, he pushed open the gate and walked inside. Red silently followed.
Moments later, the two stood on the battlefield and simultaneously threw their Poké Balls.
"Go, Sandshrew!"
"Go, Pidgeotto."
"It's actually a golden shiny Pidgeotto!" A.J. exclaimed in shock. His Sandshrew even stepped back from a single glare. Ever since evolving, Pidgeotto had grown increasingly like a fierce raptor—perhaps even Fearow, its natural rival, would be no match before it.
"Sandshrew, attack!" A.J. commanded, swinging the whip in his hand. The whip cracked against the ground. Hearing the signal, Sandshrew immediately launched into Rollout.
"Just petty tricks." Red spoke lightly. Rather than wasting time on such gimmicks, one should focus on improving real strength.
Red ordered Pidgeotto to use Steel Wing. Its wings glowed white, and with a single strike, it knocked the rolling Sandshrew flat onto the ground.
"How is that possible?!" A.J. gasped in disbelief, nearly dropping the whip. He had always relied on this tactic to defeat Flying-types trying to take the skies, yet before Red it seemed utterly childish.
"Gust!"
Pidgeotto flapped its wings, summoning a violent gale. Its size was nearly that of its evolution, Pidgeot, so the Gust it created was far stronger than that of an ordinary Pidgeotto. Accustomed to battling normal Pidgeotto, Sandshrew was nearly blown away, struggling desperately to remain in place, unwilling to disappoint its Trainer.
"That's it, Sandshrew!" A.J. encouraged, swinging his whip again. This time, Sandshrew used Dig, burrowing underground to avoid the Gust.
"It has to come out eventually. Pidgeotto, pay attention to the changes in the field. Listen carefully for the sounds beneath."
Pidgeotto nodded, closed its eyes, and listened intently. Suddenly, it snapped its eyes open, spun toward a direction, and with a swift Aerial Ace, struck the Sandshrew the moment it surfaced, knocking it down once more.
"Sandshrew, hang in there! Don't forget our promise! We're going to achieve one hundred consecutive wins here before setting out on our journey. We'll earn League badges together and participate in the Indigo Plateau Conference we've always dreamed of!" A.J. cried, though his voice sounded forced. Deep down, he knew the gap between himself and Red.
"Using a whip against the ground instead of proper commands? Jumping into a pool to overcome fear of water? Dreaming of setting out only after one hundred wins? All you're doing is moving yourself." Red's words were merciless.
"Come back, Pidgeotto."
Red recalled the still-eager Pidgeotto, then threw another Poké Ball. A fierce crimson Gyarados appeared on the battlefield. Following Red's command, it used a slightly restrained Water Gun. A stream of water struck the struggling Sandshrew. Hit by the attack, Sandshrew let out a painful cry.
"I surrender! Please stop hurting my Sandshrew!" A.J. shouted through tears. Only now did he realize how laughable his stubborn persistence had been. Just a lightly restrained Water Gun from crimson Gyarados had frightened Sandshrew this much.
"A wise choice."
Red recalled Gyarados, then tossed a healing spray from his backpack, urging A.J. to treat Sandshrew quickly. Without hesitation, A.J. wiped away his tears and carefully tended to Sandshrew. During the treatment, Sandshrew gazed at him guiltily and licked away his tears, letting out a soft apologetic cry.
"This isn't your fault, Sandshrew," A.J. said, shaking his head.
"Leave this place. Train harder so Sandshrew can evolve. Challenge official League Gyms. That's how you'll truly improve. Staying here will only make you weaker," Red said calmly.
"Thank you for your guidance. Sandshrew and I will grow stronger together. At the Indigo Plateau Conference, I'll challenge you again!" A.J. declared solemnly. He would face Red there with a brand-new self, as gratitude for the lesson.
Abandoning his foolish obsession with one hundred consecutive wins, A.J. and Sandshrew's mindset visibly relaxed. At that moment, Sandshrew's body suddenly erupted in white light. Its form changed, and a well-developed Sandslash appeared before A.J.. Overcome with excitement, A.J. embraced the newly evolved Sandslash, tears of joy streaming down his face.
All along, Sandshrew had already met the conditions to evolve. It had deliberately suppressed its evolution to fulfill their shared dream. Now that they no longer clung to the hundred-win obsession, it finally evolved into Sandslash of its own will.
"Aren't you going to show me around?" Red teased, glancing toward the residence behind A.J..
Brimming with joy, A.J. led Red to tour his training grounds. To train his Pokémon, he had placed many pieces of fitness equipment there, with dumbbells making up the majority.
Though self-taught, A.J. had done research into Pokémon feed. He spared no expense in purchasing specialized feed suitable for his Pokémon's training, indirectly promoting their growth in strength.
"Your idea of a Pokémon Enhancer is quite good," Red praised rare praise, causing A.J. to proudly begin explaining its functions. Red nodded, took several photos with his Pokédex, and planned to commission Professor Oak to have six similar Pokémon Enhancers custom-made.
A.J.'s Pokémon Enhancer was only suitable for smaller Pokémon; now even Sandslash could no longer wear it. There was no need for Red to ask to purchase one. His six Pokémon were all rather special and would require custom fabrication.
Moreover, the material A.J. used was too crude, barely serving to restrict limb strength. Red could simply have Professor Oak commission experts to create a far more effective enhanced version.
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Pls Drop some Power Stones
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