The delay in hatching time isn't a big problem; it gives me a chance to sort out a training plan and send the Pokémon to the Yamabuki Research Institute for advanced training.
Kebi has a few too many Pokémon, so he plans to reduce them to six or fewer and rotate their training regularly.
Now, deciding who to send back is a huge challenge.
The first one confirmed is Chimchar; he now carries lava stone with him and doesn't lack cultivation resources, and the Pokémon food at the Yamabuki Research Institute can meet all his basic needs.
For the next period, Kebi will be traveling around, collecting Gym Badges.
Chimchar needs a quiet and long-term training environment.
Returning to the Yamabuki Research Institute is just right.
Next is Nosepass; although the detector said that developing the Magnet Pull ability would allow Nosepass to evolve smoothly, Kebi still plans to seek multi-party verification.
Dr. Shanli is an expert in Pokémon evolution, so seeking his verification is definitely fine, and if he could send Dr. Shanli a paper...
The Doctor would at least raise the treatment level for the Pokémon Kebi sends back.
"Miss Joy, can I take the Elekid Egg with me? Or does it have to stay in the breeding room for monitoring?"
Miss Joy carefully re-examined the test results. "You can take it, but it's best to have the local Pokémon Center check the status of the Egg every time you arrive in a new town."
"The Egg hatching process initiated in Mauville City is valid across the entire Hoenn region's Pokémon Centers, with no additional inspection fees."
"Alright, thank you, Miss Joy."
Kebi shrugged at Xiao Sheng. "Xiao Sheng, it seems you won't be able to see Elekid hatch, but I invite you to watch my battle challenging the Zǐjǐn Gym."
"Are you coming?"
Wherever there's a battle, there's Xiao Sheng; as an avid battle enthusiast, Xiao Sheng can't participate himself, so he can only enjoy watching.
"I'm going!"
Xiao Yao, who had caught Carbink, was going to take Carbink to rehearse for her next Gorgeous Competition performance, so she wouldn't be watching the battle.
Brock took Ash to find a skill teaching master to learn Sunny Day and to purchase supplies.
Xiao Sheng was mercilessly abandoned and followed Kebi to the Zǐjǐn Gym.
Upon arriving at the entrance, Xiao Sheng suddenly remembered the fear of being dominated by the Zǐjǐn Gym's mechanisms last time.
Swallowing, Xiao Sheng weakly pointed at the door and asked:
"Can we enter in a different way?"
"Xiao Sheng, the most interesting part of the Zǐjǐn Gym is this mechanism. As a man, you're not scared, are you?"
Xiao Sheng immediately puffed out his chest. "Who... who's scared!"
"Then let's go."
Pressing the call bell on the main door, the call was quickly answered.
"Who is this?"
"I am Kebi, here to challenge."
Looking at the cherry-blossom-colored hair on the screen, Watt suddenly realized.
"You're the Kebi that the teacher mentioned! Come in quickly."
After the call ended, the main door dropped down, and handrails extended from both sides.
After Kebi and Xiao Sheng stepped on, the door-panel rollercoaster immediately started.
Xiao Sheng gripped the handrails, his face a little pale. "Why do I feel like the rollercoaster's speed has increased again!"
Don't tell me, the Zǐjǐn Gym's rollercoaster is quite fun.
Anyway, Kebi enjoyed it very much.
Challenging a Gym and getting a free ride on an exciting and thrilling rollercoaster—what a great deal!
The rollercoaster didn't encounter Raikou, and Kebi and Xiao Sheng successfully entered the Zǐjǐn Gym, meeting Tie Xuan's assistant, Watt.
"Teacher is currently accepting a challenge, Kebi, you might need to wait a bit. I heard you went to Steel Valley for training, your results must be excellent, right?"
Kebi nodded and said, "I caught an excellent Nosepass, and also discovered two very good Pokémon. If Elekid wasn't about to hatch, I definitely would have caught them before coming back."
Kebi took out a yellow gem and handed it to Watt.
"A small gift, not much, but Mr. Tie Xuan has given me a lot of Helping Hand. As his disciple, please accept this gift."
Watt was a bit confused; who gives such a valuable gift upon first meeting?
"Huh?"
Tie Xuan, who had finished his battle, walked over, picked up the gem from Kebi's hand, examined it for a moment, and then put it into Watt's hand.
"Keep smiling, and the Mega Volt will come! This is to make you smile more. Look, such a good quality Electric attribute gem, it came right to us, perfect for your Ampharos."
Watt hesitantly held the gem. "Is this appropriate?"
Tie Xuan glared at Watt. "What's inappropriate about it? This kid took my Elekid Egg. You're my apprentice, so what's wrong with him giving you a gem?"
Kebi nodded repeatedly. "Yes, if you really feel uncomfortable, Watt, I actually have a small favor to ask of you."
Watt immediately perked up; this Electric attribute gem would be a great help to Ampharos, and in a critical moment, he could release the gem's energy all at once, multiplying the power of Electric attribute skills.
He indeed didn't want to give up the gem.
"What do you need my help with? Just say it! I'll definitely help."
"It's just that the Pokémon I caught and plan to catch in Steel Valley might live there for a long time, but I need to give them a physical check-up once a week."
"I can't stay in Mauville City forever, so I need a trustworthy friend to help me transfer the Pokémon to me."
"Watt, I might have to trouble you."
Watt nodded forcefully. "Leave it to me, this is just a small matter, nothing compared to the Electric attribute gem."
Tie Xuan shook his head with a smile; his apprentice had been sold out and was even counting money for the seller.
"Let's go, it's time for your Gym battle. Let me see how much your Pokémon have improved since the Electricity Cup."
Xiao Sheng poked his head out. "Electricity Cup?"
Upon learning that Mauville City had hosted a grand competition that he had missed watching, Xiao Sheng couldn't help but feel a little regretful.
Hearing that Kebi was the Champion and had defeated Metagross with Tyranitar, Xiao Sheng's jaw dropped in surprise.
He hadn't expected Kebi to not only be a good cook but also so powerful in Pokémon battles, and handsome too.
Compared to Ash... it was a complete victory!
"Tyranitar battling Metagross, I really want to see a battle like that."
Kebi reached out and ruffled Xiao Sheng's hair, smiling as he said, "There will be a chance."
When I challenge Steven, I will definitely invite you to watch the battle.
Upon reaching the battle arena, Tie Xuan smiled and took out a Poké Ball.
"Although you are a challenger here to earn your first Gym Badge, I know your skill level, so the lineup I've prepared for you is not the same as for a typical first-badge challenger."
"This battle will be a two-on-two format. I hope you don't disappoint me."
Kebi took out Piplup's Poké Ball, flames of fighting spirit burning in his eyes.
"Bring it on! After seven days of training in Steel Valley, everyone has already been reborn!"
Nosepass might become the biggest contributor to the Steel Valley special training.
All the Electric skills he knew, he made Piplup and Chimchar experience them fully, a hundred times, a hundred times!
As the Gym Leader, Tie Xuan released his Pokémon first.
Electrode!
Seeing that Kebi released Piplup, Tie Xuan's mouth curved into a smile.
"Challenging an Electric Gym with a Water attribute Piplup, Kebi, you're very brave."
Are you kidding? I'm super brave, okay!!
Kebi clapped his hands. "Piplup, let Mr. Tie Xuan see our training results!"
"Piplup!"
Just a mere Electrode, watch me take you down within ten moves!