Chapter 25 Mine Bombs!

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In his pursuit of tougher trainer battles, Hu Yang set his sights on the prestigious Petalburg Gym. However, his intention was not to challenge the Gym Leader, Norman, but rather to face off against the Gym's skilled apprentices.

This Gym had a unique approach to challenges, one that mirrored the systems found in the Pokémon games. Trainers seeking to earn the coveted Gym Badge had to pass a series of tests and prove their worth against the Gym's apprentices. It was quite different from the typical Gym battles where trainers aimed to defeat the Gym Leader. Perhaps this method was a result of the sheer volume of challengers Gym Leader Norman faced, or it could simply be because Norman himself had limited time to engage in battles.

Every Gym had its own set of rules and criteria for obtaining a Gym Badge, and it didn't always involve defeating the Gym Leader. More often than not, it was about gaining the Gym Leader's approval. This system brought to mind the experiences of Ash Ketchum when he embarked on his journey.

Once Hu Yang expressed his intention to challenge the Gym, he was directed to a training ground that resembled those in the Pokémon games. Here, he encountered his first opponent, a teenage Gym apprentice sporting a red headband. This young trainer declared boldly, "I won't let you earn a Gym Badge that easily!"

Hu Yang couldn't help but chuckle to himself, realizing that his goal wasn't to acquire a Gym Badge but to face this spirited apprentice.

As the battle commenced, other Gym apprentices gathered to watch, and a young girl assumed the role of a temporary referee, making the battle official. The rules were straightforward: it was a one-on-one battle, and each trainer could only use one Pokémon.

The duel began as the referee's whistle pierced the air. The red headband-wearing trainer threw his Poké Ball onto the field, releasing a sleek and nimble Linoone. He commanded the first move, "Linoone, use Sand Attack!"

Hu Yang carefully observed the battle. In the Pokémon games, Sand Attack was known to reduce an opponent's accuracy by creating a Sandstorm. However, in this real-life battle, it caused a cloud of dust to envelop the field, obscuring the vision of both Hu Yang's Budew and Linoone. This dust cloud provided Linoone with the perfect cover to launch a surprise Sucker Punch.

However, Hu Yang had anticipated this strategy. He commanded Budew to use Stun Spore, and immediately, pale yellow spores drifted from Budew's flower buds, mingling with the dusty haze. The red headband trainer had been preparing to order Linoone to use Sucker Punch, but this unexpected move halted his command.

The Gym apprentices watching the battle were intrigued. They whispered to one another, acknowledging Hu Yang's clever tactic. At that moment, a man in a red jacket stepped onto the scene. He was unmistakably Gym Leader Norman, but he signaled for the other Gym apprentices to hush and watch the battle unfold.

The Sand Attack had begun to settle as the dust cloud dispersed, revealing Linoone within. Hu Yang seized the opportunity and instructed Budew to use Seed Bomb. The tiny Budew responded swiftly, launching a shimmering green seed toward its opponent.

Linoone, in keeping with its name, surged forward, aiming to counter with Headbutt. The Seed Bomb and Headbutt met in mid-air, and the Seed Bomb was disarmed, disintegrating before it could explode. It seemed that all was as it should be, with Linoone poised to land a successful Headbutt.

Yet, in the blink of an eye, something remarkable occurred. A faint, nearly imperceptible yellow powder seemed to react to the explosion's force, scattering in all directions at an astonishing speed. The watching crowd gasped in astonishment.

The truth dawned on them. Hu Yang had incorporated Stun Spore into the Seed Bomb. This fusion of moves was something that even elite trainers struggled to achieve in battles. This unexpected twist had reversed the situation entirely.

Linoone was now paralyzed, and as two Seed Bombs closed in on it, its fate was sealed. Linoone's eyes rolled back as the first explosion incapacitated it, and the second one left it unconscious.

The referee announced the outcome: "Linoone is unable to continue. The Gym challenger wins!" She then turned to Hu Yang, inquiring, "Would you like to proceed with the Gym challenge?"

Hu Yang waved his hand, having accomplished his goal. However, he knew that there was much more to achieve and uncover. Budew's potential was far from being fully realized, and Hu Yang couldn't help but contemplate the feasibility of developing new moves. His mind swirled with ideas, particularly focused on the concept of a time bomb or a landmine-like attack.

He engaged in discussions with Budew, attempting various strategies, though success remained elusive. It became apparent that the direct approach was not effective. Hu Yang then contemplated whether he could exert control over the Grass-type energy input into the Seed Bomb. To put this theory to the test, he took Budew to the river for practical experiments.

Over time, he refined his theories and techniques while Budew diligently practiced according to its abilities. After countless trials and on Christmas Eve, Budew successfully executed what Hu Yang had termed the "mine bomb." By increasing the Grass-type energy within the bomb and reducing the seed's thickness, it would explode upon contact with an opponent, greatly amplifying its power.

As for the idea of a timed bomb, Hu Yang continued to face challenges. It appeared that the energy required to trigger the explosion was somehow beyond the Pokémon's control.

Hu Yang was wholly immersed in his research, dedicating himself to the pursuit of new and groundbreaking techniques. He couldn't wait to conclude his daily classes so he could rush to the river and conduct experiments with Budew, pushing the boundaries of their training.

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If you want to read 5 chapters ahead go to

patreon.com/Blaze987