Chapter 374: New Moves
"First, let's see what new moves it has learned!" Basalt pointed the Pokédex at Swampert.
Beep! The scan was successful.
Swampert
Type: Water / Ground
Ability: Damp (By releasing moisture, it prevents everyone from using explosive moves like Explosion.)
New Moves: Muddy Water, Earth Power, Earthquake, Ice Punch, Protect, Hammer Arm.
"Six new moves?" Basalt was thrilled.
Crucially, this evolution of Swampert not only yielded many new moves but also high-quality ones.
First, Muddy Water, a Water-type move where it sprays murky water, with a chance to lower the opponent's accuracy. Muddy Water was essentially an enhanced version of Surf, thanks to the added effect of lowering accuracy. This move was perfectly suited for Swampert, as its ability to mix water and soil was innate. Coupled with Swampert's eyes, which could see through murky water, it was a perfect match.
Earthquake and Earth Power were Swampert's Ground-type STAB moves, corresponding to Physical Attack and Special Attack, respectively. While Swampert's Physical Attack was superior, its Special Attack was also solid and could deliver considerable damage.
"It didn't learn Ice Beam; it learned Ice Punch first?" Basalt raised an eyebrow, slightly surprised. Before the evolution, Marshtomp's Icy Wind was already showing signs of breaking through, and Basalt thought Ice Beam was imminent, but he was wrong. However, considering Swampert's sheer strength, close-range combat was indeed more suitable than ranged attacks. With those muscles, it could even hold its own against Machamp.
The fifth move was Protect, a standard defensive move for Pro-level Pokémon.
The move that most excited Basalt was Hammer Arm. Hammer Arm, a Fighting-type move, deals damage with a powerful, heavy punch but lowers the user's speed. The move had great power, but the side effect was significant. However...
Bronzong's psychic power, already boosted by Celebi's essence, had improved dramatically. Its Speed Swap move had also undergone a transformation. Normally, Speed Swap could only exchange the speed of the user and the target. But after the upgrade, Bronzong could now swap the speed of any two targets.
Therefore, Basalt could have Swampert use Hammer Arm and then immediately have Bronzong swap its speed with another, slower Pokémon. This would negate the side effect, and if luck was on their side, even boost Swampert's speed. This was incredibly potent.
Marshtomp's evolution into Swampert was a massive boost in strength and moveset. But the question Basalt cared about most was still the Swamp Domain. No ordinary move can compare to the power of a fusion move.
"Swampert, try the Swamp Domain again!" Basalt's eyes narrowed with anticipation.
Swampert's eyes lit up. It had almost forgotten about that!
"Swamp-pert~"
Lifting its massive arms, Swampert's left arm glowed with water, and its right arm shone with earthen yellow light. When its arms slammed into the ground, the two different elemental energies erupted simultaneously.
RUMBLE!
The ground on the island instantly collapsed. The Ground-type energy caused the ground to vibrate and the soil to loosen and separate—the effect of Resonance. At the same time, the Water-type energy permeated the soil, promoting the dissolution and flow of the earth particles.
Before long, a swamp pool covering tens of square meters appeared. The mud inside was black and murky, but Swampert joyfully leaped in, rolling around. Swampert's skin was strange, like a lotus leaf; the messy mud couldn't stick to it.
"Swamp-pert~" Swampert looked at Milotic beside Sylvie and sincerely invited it to join the fun.
"Mi-luu~" Milotic politely refused, shaking its head.
"Swamp-pert~" Swampert looked disappointed.
"Ugh, my Swampert is too 'direct'! Who invites a girl into a swamp?" Basalt slapped his forehead, embarrassed. Milotic's charm was undeniable, even affecting the opposite-gendered Swampert.
"Basalt, congratulations!" Seeing the sudden awkwardness, Sylvie quickly offered her congratulations, changing the subject. She was also a little sad. Basalt was leaving again, and the separation would surely be long. She could foresee Basalt being fought over by major clubs, and once he joined one, he would be busy with the Pro League.
"Thank you. I owe you a lot, otherwise, Swampert's Swamp Domain wouldn't have succeeded so easily." Basalt sincerely thanked her. Without the Azure Lake's nourishment and the superior-grade Mystic Water, Swampert wouldn't have evolved so quickly. Basalt had initially estimated that it would take at least three months, maybe even half a year, for Swampert to evolve.
Waving goodbye to Sylvie, Basalt mounted Swampert and left the Azure Lake Secret Realm. After its evolution, Swampert's control over water had vastly improved, and creating an air helmet was easy.
When Basalt and Swampert appeared at the bottom of Azure Lake, they immediately caught the attention of the guarding Gyarados and Starmie.
"A-rooo!"
"Haa~"
Both Pokémon were shocked when they saw Swampert. The weak Marshtomp had evolved? But why had its strength increased so much in just one evolution? They both sensed danger from this formidable opponent.
"Swamp-pert~" Swampert met Gyarados's gaze without flinching. It was quite eager for a fight. Gyarados seemed like a good opponent.
"Don't cause trouble!" Basalt realized Swampert's intentions and quickly ordered it to behave, waving goodbye to Starmie and Gyarados.
"Swamp-pert~" Swampert pouted but used its arms and tail to stir the water. The water shot backward like a cannon, propelling Swampert forward with tremendous force.
Whoosh!
Despite the massive resistance underwater, Swampert's speed was astonishing. It shot toward the surface like an arrow, making Basalt feel like he was speeding without a helmet; his hair was plastered back.
BOOM!
A loud explosion erupted on the calm surface of Azure Lake. Swampert leaped high out of the water and then crashed back down, sending up a massive splash. A young couple who were about to kiss on the nearby grassy shore were startled, and the girl screamed.
"Sorry! Sorry! Please continue, continue..." Basalt clasped his hands in apology, then quickly released Bronzong and ascended rapidly, fleeing the scene.
"Next stop, Saffron City!" Basalt waved his hand, telling Bronzong to fly north.
Saffron City was only two hundred kilometers from Hangcheng City. At Bronzong's speed, they would arrive in less than an hour. Very reliable!
"Time to submit the exam application." Basalt pulled out his Pokédex and began the application process in mid-air.
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