As it turned out, Ash's judgment was spot on.
Although Pikachu was still lacking in overall conditioning, its tail was naturally one of its most vital biological tools. It took only two days to master Iron Tail. Of course, "mastery" here meant simply being able to execute the move; using it with total fluid control would still require the tempering of real combat.
But what truly satisfied Ash was Charizard's progress. Still wearing the Macho Brace, the Fire Type had completely adapted to the heavy, rigid constraints of the device.
"Again!"
Ash's fists shimmered with blue light. Rather than retreating before Charizard's incoming claws, he lunged forward to meet the strike head-on.
At that exact moment, Charizard's claws underwent a sudden transformation.
"Hm?"
Ash's Aura sensed the shift instantly. He threw himself into a desperate dodge.
Greenish dragon energy began to swirl and coalesce around Charizard's claws, erupting into a sharp, dazzling emerald radiance.
Slash!
The Dragon Claw possessed a terrifying sharpness that could seemingly cleave through gold or jade. Missing Ash, the strike buried itself deep into the rocky cliff wall behind him.
"Stop!"
Ash quickly called a halt to the session. If those claws had actually connected, he would have been severely injured even with the protection of his Aura.
Brock and Misty came running over.
"Ash, what was that?" Brock asked, breathless.
Ash looked at Charizard, who seemed just as bewildered by the sudden surge of power. "Charizard, I think you just learned Dragon Claw. That's a pure Dragon Type move!"
"Dragon Claw! That's incredible!" Misty's eyes sparkled with excitement. It was truly a stunning technique.
"Charizard, take some time to get used to the feel of that energy. We're done with special training for now!" Ash said as he stepped forward to unbuckle the Macho Brace.
"Roar!"
As the suppressing weight vanished, Charizard let out a triumphant cry. It unleashed a Flamethrower toward the sky in celebration, sending a pillar of fire over five meters high. Shaking its limbs, Charizard felt more powerful than ever before.
"Hey, what's this?"
Brock suddenly exclaimed, stooping to pick up a beautiful, glittering fragment of stone from the debris.
"It looks just like the necklace Rochelle was wearing. Could it be...?" Misty's eyes filled with pleasant surprise.
Ash took the stone from Brock. "Looks like luck is on our side. Charizard's new Dragon Claw must have dug up a small piece of Agate while it was lodged in the cliff!"
"That's wonderful! Charizard found it itself," Misty cheered, then paused. "Wait, is it just me, or does Charizard look taller?"
Charizard had indeed grown a bit more imposing; the Macho Brace's effects were clearly working. Not only that, but Ash checked the bond level it had reached 175/255. This training camp had been a resounding success.
Once Charizard grew comfortable with the Dragon Claw energy, the group packed their gear. Carrying the Agate fragment, they went to find Rochelle.
"Miss Rochelle, it is the call of destiny that brings us together again!"
Rochelle had spent the last few days on the other side of the valley, training a young Donphan to sniff out Agate. The moment Brock saw her, he vanished from Ash's side, reappearing instantly in front of her. Then, Misty vanished just as quickly to drag him away by the ear.
"Ash, are you leaving already?" Rochelle asked, seeing their packed bags.
"That's right, Rochelle. We actually found this could you tell us if it's Agate?" Ash handed her the fragment.
It was indeed Agate, and of exceptional quality. Rochelle was stunned. When they explained how Charizard had literally stumbled upon it during training, she could only marvel at their luck.
Since Rochelle had previously promised to process any find for free, Ash didn't stand on ceremony. There was just enough stone for two pendants. Ash gave one to Misty and kept the other for his mother, Delia.
"Then, we'll be taking our leave!"
After bidding Rochelle farewell and passing through Phanpy Valley, Ash and his friends got lost once again. Though Ash had his Aura Power to navigate, this place was clearly haunted.
Truly haunted.
"Ash, do something! I don't want to camp out in a forest like this!"
Dusk was falling. While they were used to sleeping in the wild, this forest felt oppressive and eerie. Misty couldn't stand the thought of what might crawl out from the shadows. Without even realizing it, she had begun to rely entirely on Ash.
As soon as she finished speaking, a cold, mocking laughter drifted through the wind.
"Ah!!" Misty instinctively grabbed Ash's arm. This was exactly what she feared most.
To make matters worse, grotesque, ghostly faces began to manifest on the trunks of the surrounding trees.
"Pikachu, that direction use Thunderbolt!"
A flash of blue light erupted. Ash issued the command toward the exact coordinates where he felt a strange Aura signature.
"Gwahahaha!"
Sure enough, the electricity struck a tree trunk that appeared empty, but a cry of pain rang out. However, the cry was quickly followed by more chilling laughter.
"Hmph. Pikachu, over there this time!" Ash pointed in a new direction. Direct hit again.
"It's Gengar, Haunter, and Gastly!" This time, Ash caught sight of the flickering shadows. They were all Ghost Type Pokémon.
"Misty, don't be scared. These are just illusions created by the Ghost Types," Ash said softly, comforting her.
"Ash, can you stop them?"
"I can find their Aura, but I can't break the illusions myself. If only we had a Pokémon that knew Foresight..." Ash sighed with a wry smile.
"Ash, it seems you've grown quite a bit." A voice called out from the depths of the forest.
It was a voice Ash knew all too well. "Gary? Is that you?"
The figure stepped into the light. It was indeed Gary Oak, Ash's eternal rival. "I didn't expect to run into you here."
At Gary's feet stood a small owl Pokémon, perched on a single leg. "Hoothoot?"
Clearly, Gary was using Hoothoot's Foresight to navigate the illusions of this forest. "To get out of the Forest of Illusion, you need a Hoothoot to lead the way," Gary explained.
Ash nodded. "Then let's head out together, Gary. Once we're clear of the forest, let's have a 1-on-1 battle tomorrow!"
"You're on!"
*Bond Levels:*
Pikachu: 195/255
Charizard: 175/255
Snorlax: 135/255
Heracross: 100/250
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