Chapter 25: Victory and Evolution

The arrogant Onix initiated the attack first, quickly conjuring three boulders beside it and hurling them fiercely towards Grookey.

Grookey remained extremely calm, relying on its previous berry training experience to easily calculate the trajectory of the rocks. With nimble agility, it dodged the attack effortlessly.

"Well done, Grookey. Start with Grassy Terrain."

Hearing Summer's command, Grookey placed one hand on the ground. The life energy it gathered in its hand spread across the ground, instantly turning the surrounding grass into a lush carpet.

Seeing its Rock Tomb attack ineffective, Onix changed its strategy. It struck the ground with its tail, attempting to knock Grookey down with shockwaves.

"Earthquake? But it won't work!" The TM in Summer's hand dissipated, and new knowledge surged into Grookey's head.

At the same time, Onix found its Earthquake weakened almost to the point of ineffectiveness by the time it reached Grookey's feet. Grookey only briefly lost its balance.

Unable to comprehend why its Earthquake failed, Onix's stone head couldn't come up with a reason. Frustrated, it decided to switch tactics.

Gathering its strength, Onix prepared to crush Grookey with its massive body. It felt full of vitality, confident that the small creature in front of it wouldn't last long.

"Now, Grookey, use Grass Knot!"

"Roar!"

Grookey pounded the ground with its stick as Onix charged towards it with terrifying force, completely disregarding the grass sprouting from the ground.

"Crush! Crush!" Onix roared loudly. Suddenly, it found its field of vision tilting to one side. What's happening? Why am I losing my balance?

Immediately after, Onix's head collided violently with the ground, causing stars to dance before its eyes, nearly losing consciousness.

"Your proud body has become the hammer that crushes you. Finish it off, Grookey, with Grassy Glide." Summer wasn't giving Onix any chance to retaliate.

With blurred vision, a green monkey dashed towards it at astonishing speed. Onix tried to resist, attempting to prop itself up, but its opponent was too fast.

A verdant kick landed heavily on Onix's head, and a deep green aura enveloped its entire body. Onix felt all its strength being drained away, losing its ability to fight.

Summer wasn't surprised by Grookey's victory. It was the result of its hard training, and it had just learned Grass Knot, a move that dealt more damage to heavier opponents. Onix happened to be one of the heaviest Pokémon.

Although Grassy Glide was a special move, under the quadruple restraint, Grookey could still deliver a devastating blow to Onix.

"A beautiful victory, Grookey." As expected, Summer praised Grookey.

"Roar~!"

Grookey stood triumphantly on Onix's head, raising its sticks high and roaring loudly.

Suddenly, a strong light burst from Grookey's body.

"This is... the light of evolution." Summer's eyes reflected the light as he muttered.

The wooden stick in its hand split in two, and Grookey's body stretched. Its arms became elongated, and when the light faded, its arm fur turned deep brown, while its body fur changed from light green to yellow-green.

Grookey evolved into Thwackey. It gripped the sticks in its hands, looking somewhat bewildered. Its heightened perspective, sturdier body, and the ever-rising urge to perform—this was evolution.

"You've evolved, Grookey. No, now I should call you Thwackey. Congratulations."

Summer's words unleashed Thwackey's passion. It now wanted to perform spontaneously, twirling its sticks in the air before catching them steadily. Onix's head became its improvised drum for an impromptu performance.

"Dong dong~ Dong dong~"

With sticks in both hands, Thwackey's drumming intensified. What was once a serene beat became fervent, alternating between intense and melodious. It was like the beating heart of life, exuding vitality, like the tranquil depths of a forest—this was its life concerto.

After releasing its passionate performance, Thwackey planted its two sticks on its head and shook its way towards Summer.

In fact, Onix hadn't completely lost consciousness, but Thwackey's impromptu performance made its head buzz, completely dispelling any thoughts of resistance.

At this moment, Summer noticed that the small drum on Thwackey's neck seemed a bit small for it now. He suggested:

"Thwackey, when we get back, I'll make you a bigger drum."

Unexpectedly, Thwackey immediately grabbed the small drum tightly, looking reluctant to part with it.

"Don't want to change?" 

Thwackey shook its head rhythmically, clearly wanting a more fitting drum, but...

"I see. I understand." Summer showed a gentle expression. "Don't worry, Thwackey, I won't throw away this drum. Well, let's consider it a decoration for the cabin."

Upon hearing Summer's explanation, Thwackey released the drum, nodding earnestly in response.

"Well, let's continue forward."

Summer was ready to continue the exploration, but Thwackey seemed hesitant.

"It's okay, come on up, Thwackey. My physique is quite sturdy." Summer extended his arm.

Caught off guard, Thwackey stood still for a moment. Slowly removing the sticks from its head, it played a vigorous tune, then resolutely moved forward. Evolution represented growth; it couldn't always rely on Summer for comfort.

"I see. I got it. Then I'll rely on you to lead the way, Thwackey."

"Boom~!"

With Thwackey in front and Summer behind, just as they were about to move forward, they suddenly saw a young man wearing a straw hat walking towards them through the mist.

His dark complexion seemed weathered, with a disheveled beard that paid no heed to others' gazes. He wore a gray vest, and beneath a light-colored short sleeve, his muscular physique was evident.

"I heard a lot of commotion, so I came over. I didn't expect you to have resolved it already." The young man's voice was slightly hoarse.

"Um, thanks for your concern?" Summer attempted to respond.

"Huh? I only came because the commotion was so loud, scaring away all the fish." His voice carried a hint of dissatisfaction. "It's rare to fish in the fog, and it's been disturbed like this. But it looks like you've encountered danger, so I don't have much to say."

He's just a fisherman, Summer concluded inwardly. He must know where this is; I should ask him for information.

"Sorry for disturbing your fishing. My name is Summer. Is there anything special about fishing in the fog?"

"No, nothing special. It's even harder to fish, but there are almost no people fishing in the fog. I get to have the entire lake to myself."

"The lake? What lake?" Summer asked. 

"Outsides naturally wouldn't know. The Whiscash Lake in the wilderness area is a top-notch fishing spot." The young man's words carried an inexplicable sense of superiority.

Wilderness area, so this is still Galar. But where is Whiscash Lake? I've never heard of it before.

"Why the puzzled look? Hmph, follow me, and I'll show you. Whiscash Lake is a sacred place for fishing, even in foggy weather!" The young man turned around, gesturing for Summer to follow him, adding:

"Oh, by the way, my name is Nate. I'm the man who's going to become the Fishing King in the future!"

(End of this chapter)