It had been a few days since the end of the Millenium Festival, and Mauville City was finally in sight for our heroes. For now it seems, they've decided to take a rest from walking, and instead are setting up camp for the night.
"Alright, looks like we'll make it to Mauville by tomorrow afternoon at this rate." Ash said, closing his Pokenav. "So let's try and camp lite for tonight."
"Here you are." Brendan said, handing Ash a cup of instant noodles. Ever since finding out both couldn't cook if their lives depended on it, this had become their meal of choice as it required very little to make.
"Any contests coming up?" Brendan asked.
"Not in Mauville." Ash said. "So let's focus on your gym battle, what's your plan?"
"Well, I was actually hoping you and Pikachu could help me train after we eat. I heard that the gym leader here uses a team of powerful electric type Pokemon." Brendan commented.
"Sounds like fun." Ash said. "We know a thing or two about electric types, right buddy." Ash joked.
"Pi?" Pikachu said in confusion.
After dinner
"Alright Ash, don't hold back." Brendan said. "We need you to give it your all."
"Hold back a little." Ash whispered to Pikachu.
"Pi." Pikachu said, understanding.
"Alright, Mudkip come on out!" Brendan said.
"Wait Mudkip!" Ash said in shock.
"Yeah, he knows Mud Slap." Brendan said, acting as if he had figured out all of life's problems.
"He's a water type!" Ash exclaimed.
"I have faith in this plan." Brendan said.
"What plan?" Ash argued.
"Just train with me okay!" Brendan plead.
"Okay, Pikachu use Quick Attack!"
"Mudkip use Mud Slap!"
Pikachu was to fast, zipping right past Mudkip as the mud fell to the ground, not having hit anything.
"Mudkip use Water Gun to make the area muddy!" Brendan shouted.
"Pikachu use Agility!"
Pikachu began picking up speed, using the increased power to mostly ignore the slippery ground.
"Mudkip use Mud Slap!"
"Pikachu use Quick Attack!"
Pikachu spun out, spinning into Mudkip, sending the water types into the air, and mud shooting everywhere.
"Pikachu!"
"Mudkip!"
Both Pokemon reemerged, covered in mud, but otherwise unharmed.
"Mudkip use Water Gun!"
"Pikachu use Quick Attack and dive right through it!"
Pikachu sped forward, throwing itself into the water gun, removing the mud from its fur.
"Come on attack us!" Brendan shouted.
"Fine, you want electricity. Pikachu use Thunder!"
"Mud." Mudkip said, terrified as the electricity began building up.
"Mudkip use Mud Slap to counter it!"
Mudkip shot a handful of mud at the electricity raining down on him, only for it to get evaporated instantly. A wave of mud splashed outwards, covering the two trainers and Pikachu once more in the mud.
"Mudkip!" Brendan shouted.
"You asked for our all." Ash said, rushing to help find the water type.
"Marsh." A voice said, as a figure pulled itself out of the mud.
"Ashton, did you say something?" Brendan asked.
"No, at least not that part." Ash commented.
"Tomp!" The figure now stood up, launching the mud off of itself with a spin.
"Did Mudkip evolve!?" Brendan said in shock, pulling out his Pokédex.
'Marshtomp, the Mud Fish Pokemon. A Water and Ground Type, and the evolved form of Mudkip. Its toughened hind legs enable it to stand upright. Because it weakens if its skin dries out, it replenishes fluids by playing in the mud.' The Pokédex informed.
"A ground type huh?" Brendan said, looking at the rest of Marshtomp's information. "Now this I can work with."
"Well, shall we finish this?" Ash asked.
"You think you stand a chance against a ground type?" Brendan asked.
"Pikachu's taken on bigger." Ash commented.
"The fake Groudon doesn't count." Brendan argued.
"Never said it did." Ash said with a smirk. "Pikachu use Quick Attack!"
"Marshtomp use Mud Shot!"
Pikachu blended in with the mud, keeping him even harder to track as he slammed into Marshtomp.
"Marshtomp use Water Gun!"
"Pikachu use Quick Attack to dodge it!"
Pikachu began to run, as a jet stream of water hit the mud once more, making it soft and slippery, causing Pikachu to go crashing.
Later on that night, after washing up Pikachu, and as their clothes were drying.
"Hey Ashton, mind if I ask you something?" Brendan asked.
"Training." Ash said, thinking he knew what the question was. Pikachu had managed to defeat Marshtomp with only Quick Attack and Agility, which had thrown Brendan for a loop.
"No, why are you on a journey?" Brendan asked, looking up at the stars. "I mean, you are competing in contests, but you clearly know advanced battle strategies."
"My dream is to be a Pokemon Master." Ash admitted. "Even before I started my journey, I knew that's what I wanted to be."
"And you think contests will get you there?" Brendan asked.
"I don't see why not." Ash replied. "How about you, I mean I get your dad is Professor Birch, but surely he didn't force you to go on a journey."
"About as far from the truth as you can get." Brendan chuckled. "He wanted me to become a research assistant to him in his field work."
"Really, I thought you would've loved that, Mr. Science." Ash joked.
"Well, I'm doing my own style of research." Brendan admitted. "I learn a lot from every battle, and even watching how you easily interact with Pokemon."
"Me." Ash said, deep in thought.
"I've seen the trust you and Pikachu have, I'd love to have that with Marshtomp." Brendan admitted.
"Hey, if it isn't there, it'll get there." Ash said. "Pikachu and I didn't even like each other at first." Ash said fondly. "Only one other person knows this, but I had to catch my second Pokemon by myself." Ash said with a laugh. "Pikachu wouldn't even help me with that."
"See, you have such strange skills. You caught a Pokemon without battling it." Brendan said.
"Multiple times." Ash said proudly.
"I know my dad wanted me to work with him, but I think I'm getting far more valuable research this way." Brendan said. "You know, I never thanked you."
"Thanked me, for what?" Ash asked.
"Agreeing to train me." Brendan said. "I was so lost before you started helping me out, and I finally feel like I'm getting the hang of this. I don't know how you managed."
"I didn't start off on my own either, at least not for long. I had friends with me that helped me grow." Ash commented.
"You don't talk a lot about your previous journeys. Why is that?" Brendan asked.
"It's a long story." Ash said, shutting himself off.
"Okay." Brendan said, realizing he had overstepped. "If you ever want to talk about it, I'm here though."
"Yeah, thanks." Ash said, before falling asleep.
Brendan's Current Team and their moves
Marshtomp: Tackle - Mud Slap - Water Gun - Mud Shot
Nuzleaf: Bide - Fake Out - Bullet Seed - Nature Power
Taillow: Peck - Focus Energy - Quick Attack - Wing Attack
Aron: Tackle - Iron Defense - Rock Tomb
