On the way to Dewford, Max and May convince Ash to take a slight break, allowing them to enjoy the cool water and swim in it. Mr Briney the sailor changed course and docked temporarily at a crescent-shaped island. Max and May are in the water immediately but soon after they are pulled out of it when they are surrounded by some kind of wild Pokemon.
"Sharpedo, the Brutal Pokemon. Sharpedo can swim at speeds of up to 75 mph by jetting seawater out of its backside. This Pokémon's drawback is its inability to swim long distances."
"I think we're in their territory," Mr Briney says, sending out his Pokemon to help May and Max.
"Wingull, the Seagull Pokemon. Wingull rides updrafts rising from the sea by extending its long and narrow wings to glide. This Pokémon's long beak is useful for catching prey."
Ash sent his Taillow out and both Pokemon flew May and Max back on the boat.
Mr Briney tries to drive his boat away, but the Sharpedo start ramming against it. Ash sends out his Blastoise, While May (angry that her swimsuit was ruined) sends out her Marill and Max sends out his Shroomish. Hydro Pump, Water Gun and Bullet Seed push the Sharpeda back, giving Mr Briney the chance to drive his boat away. But the Sharpedo followed, led by one that was the fastest. Ash decided there that he'd capture the leader. Ash had Blastoice use Ice Beam on the Sharpedo, freezing them all on the spot. He threw a Pokeball that barely hit the leader and captured it easily. Ash had to swim back on Blastoise to retrieve the Pokeball since none of the others wanted to go back.
With their break ruined, the trio and Mr Briney head to Dewford Town. The moment they get close to Dewford Beach, Ash and Co notice a man with a large Pokemon battling other trainers. Ash quickly got his Pokedex out.
"Hariyama, the Arm Thrust Pokemon. Hariyama's thick body may appear fat, but it is actually a hunk of solid muscle. If this Pokémon bears down and tightens all its muscles, its body becomes as hard as a rock."
Ash watched the trainer and his Hariyama effortlessly win match after match against fighting-type Pokemon, before the Pokemon slammed its palm on the water, sending a shockwave that tore a wave in half.
"That's Brawly," Mr Briney said. "He's the guy you're going to battle."
Ash stared at the Pokemon for a while before concluding that he needed to train his Pokemon a little more before challenging the Gym."
With a decision made, Ash, May and Max decide to head for Granite Cave, where according to Nurse Joy of Dewford Town, strong Pokemon could be found. Brawly's Gym was a fighting type (another bit of information given by Nurse Joy) so Ash intended to train his Pokemon there and get them ready for the Gym.
They arrive at the Granite Cave entrance and hesitate for a second (mostly to stop May from panicking) before they all enter the cave together. It was after being inside for a while and almost getting lost that some round and hard fell on Max's head. The duo of Ash and May turn in unison to find Max passed out while the thing nudges Max gently. Ash pulled his Pokedex out.
"Aron, the Iron Armor Pokemon. This Pokémon has a body of steel. To make its body, Aron feeds on iron ore that it digs from mountains. Occasionally, it causes major trouble by eating bridges and rails."
Max woke to rub his head in pain when he noticed the Aron beside him. It looked apologetic.
"It's alright" Max smiled at it, patting it on the head.
The three continue their trek inside, Ash wanting to see if he could find a strong Pokemon to challenge.
May stops, gripping Ash's sleeve and pointing to something to the side. Ash turns and sees a giant mouth. Immediately he brings out his Pokedex.
"Mawile, the Deceiver Pokemon. Mawile's huge jaws are actually steel horns that have been transformed. Its docile-looking face serves to lull its foe into letting down its guard. When the foe least expects it, Mawile chomps it with its gaping jaws."
Just as the Pokedex finished speaking, the rest of the Mawile stepped out and May was instantly taken by its cuteness.
May sends out her Torchic and orders him to use, a new move Torchic learned while training with Ash (after learning about contests May had asked Ash to help her with her battling). The Mawile was enveloped in flames but it quickly broke the fire tornado by swinging the giant horns on its head. Mawile glowed slightly before stones floated up and shot towards Torchic. Torchic dodged them, firing another Fire Spin at the Mawile. Mawile was trapped in another fire tornado, but before it could break out, May threw a Pokeball. The flames vanished and the ball shook twice before pausing longer than normal before it shook twice to confirm her capture.
With a new Pokemon added to May's team, the three continue their journey further into the cave, eventually finding themselves in a secluded inlet, where a Pokemon was sleeping until it heard the group approach. Ash pulled his Pokedex out again.
"Loudred, the Big Voice Pokemon. Loudred's bellowing can completely decimate a wood-frame house. It uses its voice to punish its foes. This Pokémon's round ears serve as loudspeakers."
Loudred did not look too happy at being woken up, letting out a scream that made the whole cave shake. Ash saw the power in the Pokemon and wanted to capture it. Ash sent out his newly caught Sharpeda. The Pokemon jumped into the water around the place Loudred stood on and looked around. He spotted Ash, narrowed his eyes and jumped at him. Ash flailed with Sharpedo on him before calling the Pokemon back.
Loudred laughed out loud, rolling on the ground.
A little embarrassed Ash sent out his Treecko.
Treecko charged with Quick Attack, hitting Loudred hard enough to send it skidding back. Loudred sobered up then howled and sent sound waves at Treecko. Treecko reeled from the move but managed to hold on. Treecko attacked with Quick Attack again, before switching to Pound to slam Loudred forward into the stone ground. He quickly rushes away using Quick Attack before Loudred gets up, slamming into it when the Pokemon angrily stands to attack. Loudred howls, raising a leg and slamming it into the ground before charging. Treecko jumped over it, turned and slammed his tail on Loudred's back. Loudred fell face first and Ashthrew a Pokeball. The Pokeball sucked the Pokemon in, shook thrice then was sent to Professor Oak's Laboratory.
Ash hadn't gotten much training done inside the cave. It was as if the Pokemon were avoiding the group.
Just as the trio stepped out, something bumped into Max from behind. Max fell ball on the sand and looked up when a Pokemon jumped on him. It was the Aron from before. The Pokemon was smiling at him.
"Hey?" Max asked, a little confused.
Aron let out a small cry, looking expectantly at Max.
"I think it wants you to capture it" May suggested and the Aron nodded.
Ecstatic and excited, Max pulled out a Pokeball from his bag and bonked Aron on the head with it. The Pokeball shook thrice before it clicked to confirm a capture.
Not too far from the entrance to the Granite Cave, Ash and the group run into a very peculiar sight. There was a camp set up there, but it was all a mess. A person rushed by them, chased by a Pokemon. Ash pulled out his Pokedex.
"Corphish, the Ruffian Pokemon, the pre-evolved form of Crawdaunt. Corphish catches prey with its sharp claws. It has no likes or dislikes when it comes to food - it will eat anything. This Pokémon has no trouble living in filthy water."
"Please help me!" the person, a boy, rushes towards them and hides behind Ash and the group. Ash quickly sends out his Cacnea.
The Corphish used Bubblebeamand Cacnea used Pin Missile to counter it. Corphish went for Crabhammer and Cacnea countered with Needle Arm. Up close Cancea quickly switched to Pin Missile, blasting Corphish back. The cactus Pokemon charged with Needle Arm and slammed her fist into the Corphish, knocking it out. Ash threw a Pokeball and after three shakes and a click, the Corphish was captured and then sent to Professor Oak's Lab.
Ash turned them to address the boy.
"You okay?" May asked.
"Yes," the boy said panting, taking something out from his pocket and sucking it. It helped ease his breathing. "Thank you for helping me. I'm Wally, a Pokemon trainer" the boy introduced himself with a weak smile.