The boat trip from Olivine City to Cianwood City took only a morning. Because the boat was fast, Ash didn't release Lapras to swim alongside them. Upon arriving in Cianwood City, their first priority was the Cianwood Pharmacy to pick up the Secret Medicine for Ampharos.
"Here is the medicine you requested!" The pharmacy owner personally handed the Secret Medicine to Janina. Janina had to hurry to catch the next boat back to Olivine City. If she made it on time, she could be back by evening, ensuring Ampharos recovered as soon as possible.
"I guess we part ways here!" Misty smiled. Traveling was a process of constant encounters, departures, and reunions.
"We'll be back after we get the badge at the Cianwood Gym," Ash promised.
"Battling was so much fun! Janina, let's battle again sometime, okay?" Molly giggled, holding Janina's hand.
"Sure! Molly, I won't lose to you next time!" Janina felt a little embarrassed about losing to such a young girl, but she looked at Ash and said, "I'll be going now. Good luck, Ash!"
After seeing Janina off, Ash and his friends set out to find the Cianwood Gym. Suddenly, they heard heavy huffing and puffing from the beach. Curious, they turned to see a buff middle-aged man sparring with a Machoke!
Ash had sparred with Pokémon before, but only when they wore a Macho Brace to limit their movement and restricted their special attacks. To fight a Fighting-type Pokémon bare-handed like this... how strong must this man's body be? The man threw a flying kick, which Machoke easily dodged. As they separated, he said, "Your technique has improved a lot, Machoke!"
Ash nodded in approval. Training a Fighting-type Pokémon was different from others. This was why Ash had left his Scizor at the Ninja Academy; while he could train its stamina and speed, he couldn't teach it professional techniques.
Ninja combat skills were a perfect fit for Scizor. Machoke was the same; it could build muscle on its own, but combat techniques required guidance. Without them, a Machoke was just a hulking mass of raw strength.
That was the importance of a Trainer. Judging by his ability to teach such skills, this man was likely a martial artist. By the same logic, this was probably why the previous Ash had left his Primeape with Anthony.
Ash had looked into it recently and found that Anthony had retired and become a coach for the P-1 Grand Prix, allowing him to spend more time with his family. Unfortunately, Ash couldn't reach him immediately and had to ask Professor Oak for help. He expected news soon.
While Ash was lost in thought, the man suddenly ordered Machoke to use Submission on him! This was a powerful, finishing move of the Fighting-type. Machoke ruthlessly performed a handstand, locking the man's neck with its legs while grabbing his feet with its powerful hands. They rolled into a tangled ball!
Finally, the man's strength gave out, and he was flung away by the Machoke. "Dangerous!" Brock cried out. Even on sand, an impact like that would cause serious injury.
A blue light flashed in Ash's eyes, and he used Confusion to catch the man before he hit the ground.
"Is this Confusion?" The man was perceptive, instantly recognizing the blue glow as a Psychic move. Ash set him down, and the group rushed over.
To their surprise, the man actually started crying. Even Machoke had tears in its eyes. "I'm moved... I'm so moved I can't stop crying!"
Molly walked over. "Mister, even though my brother saved you, you don't have to be that moved."
Unexpectedly, the man turned to Machoke. "Incredible! That Submission was simply beautiful, Machoke!"
The sight of two muscular men hugging and weeping was a bit much for the eyes. Ash's group watched with beads of sweat on their brows. The man then turned to Ash. "Young man, were you the one who saved me? I didn't expect to meet another youth who can use Confusion!"
"Thank you so much for saving me. Seeing that you have Pokémon, you're a Trainer, right? What's your name?" He finally remembered to say thanks.
"I'm Ash from Pallet Town. These are Misty, Brock, and Molly. And these are Pikachu and Meganium," Ash introduced everyone.
"So, you're here for the Cianwood Gym?" The man's eyes sparkled as if he could see through everything.
Ash nodded. "That's right!"
The man suddenly slapped Ash on the shoulder. "Then run ten laps along this beach! Show me your spirit! Fight!"
Seeing the man and Machoke clearly intending to run with him, Ash was a bit taken aback. "I really have to run?"
"You really have to run!" the man said firmly. "If you want to challenge the Cianwood Gym, then get moving!"
Well, if that's how it was... "Pikachu, let's race!" Ash smiled. "Wear this!"
"Pika!" Pikachu was reluctant, but it still put on the Macho Brace. It didn't get many chances to wear it, but it had used it before.
"Good luck, big brother!" Molly cheered, leaning against Misty as she watched Ash and Pikachu take off. The beach wasn't very large, and one lap was nothing to Ash. Interestingly, the man joined them.
During the first lap, he managed to keep pace with Machoke and Ash, mostly because Ash was waiting for Pikachu to adjust to the Macho Brace. Gradually, Pikachu adapted and its speed picked up.
"Watch your left!" Ash called out softly as he overtook the man from behind.
"Damn, how is this kid so fast?!" Hearing the man's exclamation, Brock, Misty, and Molly couldn't help but laugh.
When the man passed them again, Brock called out, "Mister, Ash's physique is basically that of a human Pokémona mix of Psychic and Fighting-types! You really shouldn't try to race him."
"Watch your left!" This was Ash's fifth lap, and he was now two laps ahead of the man.
"Don't get cocky, kid! I'm just letting you have this!" Even the man didn't believe his own words.
"Watch your left!" On the sixth lap, Ash was three laps ahead. He was actually having a lot of fun.
"How can this kid run so much? Why is he getting even faster?!" The man was starting to regret this. Why hadn't they just walked back to the Gym? He had assumed that boys with Psychic powers lacked physical conditioning.
Now, he was just embarrassing himself. "Watch your left!"
By the tenth lap, Ash was a full six laps ahead. He didn't stop, intending to keep going until the man finished his ten laps.
"You! You can stop now! Stop! Machoke, you keep running. I... I just got injured, I'm stopping!" Using injury as an excuse, the man quickly gave up. This kid was a monster! Stopping in his tracks, the man collapsed onto the sand, breathless and weak.
🚨 Note: Consider supporting this story on Patreon.com/kleinmoretti to access 100+ advance chapters and 2 new chapters daily! (Full story bundles also available without a subscription).