"So Lt. Surge said that this path will take us to a cave good for training." Ash said, looking at the downhill path.
"Didn't we have to pass by Saffron to get here though, wouldn't it make more sense to just go there?" Cassie pointed out.
"You saw how Oddish did in our last battles, even if I only get him some training, it will make it so Pikachu doesn't have to do all the work now." Ash said.
"Okay then, if you feel that's what's best." Cassie said.
After a bit of downhill traveling they came across a group of hikers.
"Hey ho travelers!" One of the hikers said, waving to the group.
"You're going the wrong way." The other said.
"What do you mean I'm going the wrong way?" Ash asked.
"Nothing major, it's just that you should be careful going further down, there's some steeper slopes behind us." The first hiker said.
"Wait, could we have a training match?" Ash asked, thinking about his earlier thoughts.
"Sounds good to me." The first said. "I'll go a few rounds with you."
"Let's go Oddish!" Ash said.
"Come on out, Onix!" The Hiker called.
"Oddish use Absorb!"
"Onix use Bide!"
Oddish absorbed the energy from Onix, as the rock snake began storing the recoil energy.
"Oddish use Sleep Powder!"
Oddish sent out a flurry of spores at Onix, only for the rock snake to send it's tail crashing down on the grass type.
"Oddish!" Ash called out.
"Odd?" Oddish said, wiggling out from between a few of Onix's rocks mostly unscathed.
"I can't believe it, the little guy is so small he avoided the attack entirely." The hiker said surprised.
"Oddish, use Absorb again!" Ash called out.
"Onix use Rock Throw!"
Onix dragged its tail around the ground, launching rocks into the air towards Oddish. Oddish rushed between the falling rocks towards Onix, skidding to a stop in front of the rock type as it began draining his opponents energy.
"Onix use Tackle!"
"Oddish use Absorb!"
Oddish took another large drain of Onix's energy, causing the rock snake to fall to the ground in defeat.
"Impressive, but we're not out yet." The hiker said. "Onix come back. Diglett come out!"
The small ground type sped forward, loosening the ground beneath it.
"Oddish use Absorb!"
"Diglett use Scratch!"
Oddish struggled to keep up with the Diglett's movements as it circled around, swiping at him.
"Oddish use Sleep Powder!"
"Diglett use Dig!"
Diglett ducked underground as powder fell from Oddish's leaves.
"Ash you need something quicker than that!" Cassie exclaimed.
"Diglett pop on up!"
Diglett launched upwards, sending Oddish into the air.
"Oddish use Absorb!"
Oddish swayed it's leaves, but instead of it being a recovering drain, it was a poisonous lob of energy, splattering Oddish and the surrounding ground.
"What was that?" Ash said, pulling out his Pokédex. "Acid? Huh."
"Oddish Odd!" Oddish exclaimed happily.
"Diglett use Fury Swipes!"
"Oddish use Acid!"
Oddish unleashed another splash of the poisonous energy, sending Diglett off course.
"Now use Absorb!"
"Diglett use Scratch!"
Oddish rushed forward, draining the remaining energy from Diglett as the ground type slumped over in defeat.
"Well, this has been fun for me, but I'm all out for now." The first hiker said.
"You might be, but I'm not." The second hiker said. "If you're still up for it kiddo."
"Oddish?" Ash asked the grass type.
Oddish energetically jumped up with a smile. "Oddish!"
"Well then, come on out Graveler!" The hiker said.
"Oddish use Absorb!"
"Graveler use Rollout!"
Graveler spun towards Oddish, the grass type leaping up and onto the rolling rock type. Oddish kept on top of the Graveler while it kept moving around the rocky area.
"Oddish use Sleep Powder!"
While running on the rock, spores fell onto the Graveler, his rolling slowly coming to a stop as he fell asleep.
"Oddish use Absorb!"
"Graveler use Self Destruct!"
An inward energy began forming inside of Graveler, before the energy suddenly shot out, launching Graveler into the distance.
"Oddish!" Ash exclaimed, running to the grass types side.
"Odd…". Oddish groaned.
"You're still good to keep going?" The hiker asked.
"If you're not up for it, we can stop." Ash said to Oddish.
"Odd." Oddish said standing up.
"Okay then, come on out Rhyhorn."
"Oddish start with an Absorb!"
"Rhyhorn use Stomp!"
Oddish rolled out of the way of Rhyhorn's foot before absorbing some of its energy. When Oddish finished rolling back out from beneath Rhyhorn, he seemed to be more refreshed.
"Oddish use Absorb again!"
"Ryhorn use Take Down!"
Oddish leapt forward, stepping off of Rhyhorn's horn draining energy as it passed over.
"Rhyhorn use Stomp!"
"Oddish use Absorb!"
Now back at full energy, Oddish was able to stop Rhyhorn on its hind legs, the stone Pokemon falling back in defeat.
"That little guy has some stronger potential than you may have realized." The second hiker said.
"He is getting better, especially after battling you two, thanks for the help." Ash thanked.
"Good luck on the rest of the trip down, be careful of your things, the downward path gets rough up ahead." The first hiker warned.
"Thanks for the heads up, I'll keep it in mind." Ash said.
Character of the day: Ash's Oddish
Oddish is a fair bit smaller than a normal Oddish, but is learning to use that to his advantage in battle.