After leaving the town that hosted the P1 Grand Prix, Ash and his companions arrived in Gringey City, a place famous for its industry.
A thin veil of soot and dust blanketed the sky above the city, and a faint, lingering odor permeated the air.
Ash suddenly remembered wasn't this the place where Muk was captured in the original story?
Shortly after entering the city, the Pikachu on Ash's shoulder suddenly became listless. The electric sacs on his cheeks began to leak tiny, uncontrollable sparks, and he looked to be in significant pain.
"Pikachu! What's wrong?" Ash cried out anxiously, pulling the Pokémon into a protective hug before immediately racing toward the local Pokémon Center.
The Pokémon Center in Gringey City felt unusually cold and deserted. The Nurse Joy who received them had a lazy, indifferent air about her, worlds apart from the kind Nurse Joys they had encountered before.
"Nurse Joy, please, take a look at my Pikachu!" Ash pleaded.
Nurse Joy performed a slow, leisurely check-up and let out a yawn. "Oh, it's just an Electric Mouse flu. It's no big deal. He'll be fine after a night's rest."
Ash was deeply dissatisfied with her dismissive attitude. He was about to argue when, suddenly, the lights in the entire Pokémon Center flickered and died with a sharp snap. Everything plunged into darkness, and even the medical equipment ceased to function.
"What happened? A blackout?" Misty exclaimed.
Only then did Nurse Joy look a bit flustered. "Oh no! This has been happening a lot lately, but this time even the backup power is..."
Looking at the Pikachu in his arms, who seemed to be in even more pain because his treatment was interrupted, Ash felt his heart burning with worry.
"We can't just wait here! Something must have gone wrong at the power plant. I'm going to go check it out!" Ash resolutely handed Pikachu over to Misty and Brock to look after and rushed out of the Pokémon Center, sprinting toward the power plant on the edge of the city.
Uneasy, Misty and Brock followed closely behind him.
The Gringey City power plant was massive, but at this moment, it was deathly silent. The interior was dim, with only the faint glow of emergency lights casting long shadows.
The three of them moved cautiously deeper into the plant. Pipes crisscrossed around them, and the absence of the usual mechanical roar made the atmosphere exceptionally eerie.
"I feel like... something is following us..." Misty whispered, nervously gripping Brock's arm.
Ash had also sensed a slight movement. His Aura Power had picked up a life reaction emitting faint electromagnetic waves.
Suddenly, a metallic object drifted out from the shadows, giving everyone a start!
"Whoa! What is that?"
"Magn!"
It turned out to be a Magnemite. It seemed very interested in them or rather, in the faint current radiating from the Pikachu in Misty's arms and continued to follow them at a short distance.
"It's just a Magnemite. You scared me to death," Brock sighed in relief.
"But why is it following us? And why is it so interested in Pikachu?" Misty asked, puzzled.
Ash explained, "Magnemite are genderless Pokémon composed of inorganic matter. They are naturally attracted to electricity, though their way of showing 'interest' can be hard for people to understand."
As Ash was explaining, a sticky, squelching sound suddenly echoed from all sides.
Immediately following the sound, a massive swarm of purple, sludge-like Pokémon Grimer surged out from various pipes and corners!
They had occupied the generator sets and clogged the critical components. They were the true culprits behind the blackout!
"So the blackout was caused by these Grimer!" Ash realized.
The Grimer spotted the intruders and launched an attack, attempting to drive them away using Sludge and Body Slam.
"Pikachu, use Thundershock!" Ash shouted urgently, taking the weakened Pikachu back from Misty.
Pikachu forced himself to muster his strength and released a bolt of electricity. However, because he was sick and in poor condition, the power of the Thundershock was greatly diminished. It had little effect on the Grimer, only managing to push back the closest ones without dispersing the massive horde.
As more and more Grimer swarmed toward them and the situation turned critical, the Magnemite from earlier suddenly let out a sharp, piercing cry.
As if answering a call, more Magnemite flew in from all directions of the plant, accompanied by several of their evolved forms, Magneton! They gathered together, their bodies erupting with intense flashes of electricity!
Zzzzt!
Powerful electromagnetic waves spread out like an invisible tide, covering the entire group of Grimer! Though the damage wasn't high, the accompanying paralysis effect made the Grimer's movements extremely sluggish and painful. Defeated, they slunk back into the dark corners.
Among them, one exceptionally large Muk the leader gave Ash a deep look before retreating. Ash seized the opportunity, threw a Poké Ball, and successfully captured it.
[Ding! Host has captured Muk (Leader). Reward: 150 World Origin Points.]
[Current World Origin Points: 13,600.]
The power supply was quickly restored, and all of Gringey City lit up once again. Ash immediately transferred Muk to Professor Oak its smell was simply too pungent; even the Poké Ball didn't seem capable of completely sealing it away.
Upon returning to the Pokémon Center with the power back on, Pikachu received timely treatment. His Electric Mouse flu was quickly cured, and he returned to his lively, energetic self.
Just as they were preparing to leave Gringey City, a Magneton stepped forward and floated in front of Ash. This Magneton's body shimmered with a different, much more brilliant metallic luster than the others it was a Shiny Magneton! It seemed to have developed a deep interest in and respect for the healthy, fully charged Pikachu, as well as the trainer who could command him and possessed a unique Aura.
Ash looked at the Shiny Magneton that had proactively followed them and smiled. He pulled out a Poké Ball. "It looks like you want to travel with us? Welcome to the team!"
The Poké Ball tapped it lightly, and the Shiny Magneton was smoothly captured.
[Ding! Host has captured Magneton (Shiny). Reward: 400 World Origin Points.]
[Current World Origin Points: 14,000.]
Having resolved the crisis in Gringey City and gained a new partner, Ash's group bid farewell to the industrial city and continued their journey toward Fuchsia City.
With a Shiny Magneton added to the roster, the team had grown even stronger.
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