223. First Gym in the Hoenn Region

The Pokémon Trainer School is indeed a good place for some people. Although the levels of these Trainer students were not that high, the only redeeming factor is that the Pokémon here are all carefully trained by the Pokémon Breeders that the school hired, so the levels are decent for him.

Ash stayed there for a whole day, and each student on an average faught his Pokémon's ten times. The battles were exhausting, but Ash became more and more excited as he watched the accumulated Exchange Points continue to grow and grow.

Ash didn't stop until Dratini and Pikachu were both exhausted from the constant battles. At this time, his exchange points have accumulated to nearly 3,000. After winning at the Rustboro City Gym, the points will definitely exceed 3,000, so that Ash can finally exchange for another of those Z Crystal.

Now the only Z Crystal that Ash wants to exchange for the expensive Dragon-type Z. He has also chosen the target for his next exchange, which is Waterium-Z. After all, Ash now has the many different powerful Water-type Pokémon's.

Another biggest gain is that Pikachu has finally mastered his Volt Tackle attack in actual combat. Even under normal conditions, his combat power has been greatly increased.

Name: Ash-Pikachu

Attribute: Electric

Ability: Static (The body has static electricity running across it, which can sometimes paralyzes the opponent when it comes into contact)

Lightning Rod (Attracts Electric-type moves to itself, and will not be damaged, but will instead increase its Special Attack)

Item: Light Ball

Skills: Quick Attack, Agility, Thunderbolt, Iron Tail, Volt Tackle…

Bond Skill: Electric Terrain

Z-Move: Gigavolt Havoc

Max had also gained a lot from the Beginners Class. He made some new friends of the same age as him here, such as Kenny, who was afraid to come into contact with Pokémon. Danny, who was not interested in becoming a Pokémon Trainer but was forcibly sent to class by his family. The little girl with the her Pidgey, Anita, and some more.

He also tried his first practical battle with Tommy, imitating Ash and commanding his Poliwag in a hard battle, and finally relied on Water-type to restrain the Fire-type Magby, and finally won the battle.

He should be praised for just able to copy Ash's ability line this, even if it's only a little.

May went to the Contest Class to attend the class. Although she gained a lot from this, but when she learned that she still had to take the exam, she sneaked out of the class like she wasn't ever there to begin with.

Anyway, after another good night's rest, it was finally time for Ash to officially challenge his first Gym in the Hoenn Region!

"May, we finally have a chance to challenge the Gym, are you ready for it?" Max became concerned about his sister's condition because he didn't know if May will challenge the Gyms or not.

However, May smiled and said, "I decided to not participate in the Gym Challenge. I'll just skip it. This is not for me. I'll do something else."

Seeing this, Ash and Brock looked at each other and smiled, "It seems like you have officially decided on your future plans."

"That's right! I want to be a Pokémon Coordinator!" May answered cheerfully and decisively, obviously already making up her mind.

"But sister, since you finally became a real Pokémon Trainer, how can you not compete in the Gym Challenge?" Max didn't understand this at all. Competing in the Gym Battles and becoming a coordination trainer are actually not that contradictory.

However, May looked at Max and said seriously, "To be honest, I always hoped to travel to various places with my Pokémon's. If I become a Pokémon Trainer, wouldn't it be natural to travel? That's why I think being a Trainer. Not for the battles but for the experience!"

May looked at Ash with a look of gratitude and something else, "When I first started traveling, I wasn't very close to my Starter Pokémon, but now I love my little Torchic very much!"

"I listened to Ash's suggestion and enjoyed the trip first over other things. We visited a Pokémon Contest before. I thought this is it for me. It's cute, beautiful and powerful. It's a style that everyone likes very much. It would be great if I could become it myself."

Being able to say these words, Ash and Brock were both willing to trust that the decision May had made was the correct one for her. Her eyes were glowing, and her whole personality was a little different and she became more positive.

Now she couldn't wait to stand on the Contest Stage and perform to her heart's content.

"In that case, me and Brock support you." Ash said with a smile, "Everyone has their own relationship with different Pokémon's. May, you are going to be an amazing Pokémon Coordinator someday. I believe in you!"

"Thank you for your encouragement, Ash!" May finally has the goal of striving for her future, not only for herself but also for Ash who was willing to support her, "Max, you have to cheer for me too when the time comes."

"Of course I will!"

They finally came to the Rustboro City Gym as they had previously planned. As a Rock-type Pokémon Gym, the appearance here is much more better looking than the one Ash saw back in the Pewter City Gym, which the Gym Leader was Brock back then.

In comparison to this, the Pewter City Gym is not even worth mentioning.

Brock: I don't get paid enough for this…

The battle venue is also very impressive, and it looks even more professional than the Rock venue of the Indigo Plateau Conference and the Silver Conference.

Ash, I feel very honored that the Rustboro City Gym can be the starting point for your journey in the Hoenn Region." Roxanne has been waiting for this moment for a long time, "Then let's get out battle started!"

"Yes, please give me more advice!"

During the game, a video camera was used to record the entire battle process for Roxanne to use as teaching materials in her future classes. Of course she first asked Ash for his permission, and Ash did not seem to mind this minor thing at all.

Speaking of which, Roxanne is indeed an outstanding woman. She was chosen as the Rustboro City Gym Leader because she was the strongest graduate from the Pokémon Trainer School.

She also knows how to be grateful to her old ways. While being a good Gym Leader, she also takes into account the responsibilities of her a teacher.

The staff of this Gym are also students of the Pokémon Trainer School. While serving as her assistants, they also accumulate experience as a Trainer for their future endeavor.

"Starting now, the official Gym Battle between Gym Leader Roxanne of the Rustboro City Gum and the challenger, Ash Ketchum from Pallet Town! The rules are using two Pokémon each, one vs one!"

According to the rules of the Pokémon League, Roxanne, the Gym Leader, will take out her Pokémon first, "Come on out, Geodude!"

Roxanne is very compatible with Rock-type Pokémon's, especially Pokémon with the more docile ones.

"It's up to you, Taillow! Lets take flight!" The two Pokémon Ash wanted to use for this battle were obviously his Treecko and Taillow, whom he had captured in the Hoenn Region.

"Ah?" Max exclaimed from the side.

"What's wrong, Max?" May obviously still doesn't understand what Max was thinking.

"It's very disadvantageous to use Taillow against her Geodude. Rock-type attacks are very effective against Flying-type Pokémon's, and Ash's Taillow knows mostly about Physical Attacks. Geodude's are also known for their high defense." Max explained to May like he was the older sibling.

"Max, what you said is indeed true; however Pokémon battles can't be determined based on just theory alone. Ash us the perfect example of this." Brock is very confident in Ash's victory today that he had done the impossible, he resisted his urge to swoon over Roxanne's beauty.

"Take flight, Taillow, then use Quick Attack!"