I walked toward the fallen Rhyhorn leader—the massive beast still breathing heavily from the intense battle. His rocky plates were cracked, dust still clinging to the ridges where Pidgeotto's Steel Wing had struck.
I knelt beside him and placed my hand gently on his armored hide.
A soft green glow seeped from my palm.
Evergreen Power.
It flowed more smoothly than yesterday… stronger… richer. The more I used it, the more it responded—like a muscle learning how to flex properly.
Rhyhorn grunted, eyes sharpening as the cracks healed and his breathing steadied.
When he finally stood fully, towering over me again, I met his gaze.
"Be my partner from now on."
He let out a deep, resonant rumble—a sound of acknowledgment.
I turned toward the rest of the herd.
There were five baby Rhyhorn—smaller, rounder, still shaped like stone bowling balls with legs—huddled near their parents.
I walked closer and raised my voice so all could hear.
"I don't want to separate you from your children. But my team only has eleven people—including me. So for the rest of you, I'll find suitable partners… or meaningful work. Either way, you won't be abandoned."
The herd shifted uneasily, listening.
"So," I continued, "I'll allow one parent to accompany each child. Choose freely."
Almost immediately, four adult Rhyhorn—two males and two females—stepped toward their young ones, placing themselves protectively beside their cubs.
The fifth baby Rhyhorn didn't move. Instead, she looked toward the leader—her eyes big, hopeful.
I glanced at the leader. "Is she your daughter?"
He nodded once.
I smiled. "Okay. Come here."
The little Rhyhorn squeaked happily and trotted over, bumping affectionately into her father's armored leg.
That left twelve adult Rhyhorn remaining.
I addressed them once more.
"Does anyone here know how to use Tilling?"
Four Rhyhorn stepped forward.
I glanced at them carefully.
Of those four:
—three were the parents who had already moved to the child group—one more stood alone among the remaining adults
"I want you," I said to the lone worker, "to join the parent group."
It obeyed, moving over without complaint.
That left eleven Rhyhorn.
I looked through the remaining group, checking levels, movement, and instinct. Finally, I pointed at one:
"You. Move to the other group as well."
This one was slightly lower level, but clearly talented in Ground-type control—ideal for future work training.
He grunted and joined the others.
Now, exactly ten Rhyhorn remained.
One for each member of my exploration team—excluding me, since I had the leader.
I turned back toward the four officers standing behind me—Mama, Arjun, Captain Sethi, and Ritu—who were watching the herd with shining eyes.
I motioned toward the Rhyhorn.
"Go on," I said, smiling.
"See which one suits you."
Once everyone had chosen their Rhyhorn, I addressed the remaining herd.
"You all stay here. We'll be back by evening."
The adult Rhyhorn stomped the ground once in acknowledgment.
I climbed onto the Rhyhorn leader's back. The rocky armor was rough, but the wide plates made for a surprisingly stable seat.
"Let's move."
The team mounted their own Rhyhorn—some confidently, others wobbling like first-time cyclists.
Mama almost fell off twice.
Ritu held the reins like she was clinging to life.
Captain Sethi sat like a stoic war general.
Arjun… looked absolutely terrified and thrilled simultaneously.
We began our ascent.
The narrow mountain road twisted sharply, steep cliffs on one side and deep drop-offs on the other. But the Rhyhorn handled the path like pros—steady, powerful, sure-footed.
For two hours we climbed.
The scenery shifted from dense forest to rocky slopes.
Finally, we reached a wide plateau—flat, open, and buzzing with activity.
And Pokémon.
Lots of Pokémon.
"Whoa…" Arjun whispered.
Geodude floated lazily near boulders, occasionally smashing rocks with their fists.
Machop squads punched stone blocks repeatedly, training technique and rhythm.
Machoke—bigger, stronger, muscles carved like living granite—stood overseeing the drills, correcting stances, demonstrating form.
The drone captured everything.
I pointed toward a cluster of floating, rocky spheres with arms.
"Those are Geodude. Rock/Ground type. They look like floating stones but don't underestimate them—strong physical defense, immune to electricity, and surprisingly fast when rolling. They're territorial but disciplined."
A Geodude glared at a Machop trying to lift it, then swatted him with a stone palm.
Chat:
[HE JUST SMACKED THE CHILD 💀]
[GEODUDE SAID "RESPECT YOUR ELDERS"]
[THEY FLOAT?? THIS WHOLE WORLD IS MAD]
I turned toward the small gray humanoids with oversized arms repeatedly punching boulders.
"Those are Machop. Pure Fighting type. Despite their size, their muscle fibers are extremely dense. They train nonstop. Very loyal, very hardworking, excellent for rescue teams or frontline units."
One Machop executed a perfect triple punch combo and shattered a knee-high rock.
Chat:
[LITTLE GYM BRO]
[SMALL BUT DEADLY]
[THIS IS ME AFTER 3 DAYS AT THE GYM]
Then, my eyes went to the larger, more intimidating figures supervising them.
Tall.
Ripped.
Four-fingered fists like sledgehammers.
"Those are Machoke. The evolved form of Machop."
A Machoke lifted a boulder bigger than itself, adjusted the weight casually, and set it down without effort.
"Machoke are professional-level fighters. They can shatter steel beams with a punch. They're disciplined but proud. They respect strength—and proper technique."
Chat immediately exploded:
[ROCK GYM TRAINING GROUNDS???]
[BRO THEY LOOK LIKE BODYBUILDERS]
[MACHOKE BUILT LIKE MY BAD DECISIONS]
[GEODUDE IS JUST FLOATING THERE LIKE A BALLOON WITH HANDS]
I spoke quietly so the Machoke wouldn't feel disrespected.
"This is a fighting-type training plateau. Machop and Machoke use these mountains to strengthen their bodies. Their punches can smash boulders."
Chat:
[OF COURSE INDIA GETS THE MINING AREA + GYM AREA LOL]
[MACHOP DOING LABOUR WORK, SOMEONE PAY THEM]
I turned to Arjun.
"Arjun. You have a partner now—your Rhyhorn. You can finally battle properly."
He stiffened.
"M-Me?"
"Yes. Go choose your partner."
"What—right now?"
"Yes," I said seriously. "You need a second Pokémon for future missions. Fighting-types are disciplined and loyal. If you win their respect, they'll follow you."
Arjun swallowed.
Then nodded.
His Rhyhorn snorted behind him, nudging his back as if saying go.
Chat was already teasing him:
[GO ARJUN DON'T BE A CHICKEN]
[THIS IS YOUR ANIME PROTAG MOMENT]
He walked toward the group of Machoke.
Not Machop.
Not the smaller ones.
The Machoke.
He had guts, I'll give him that.
He stopped before one—muscular, towering, arms crossed. The Machoke's power radiated like heat from a furnace.
Arjun bowed slightly, awkward but earnest.
"H-Hello. Would you… like to be my partner?"
The Machoke blinked.
Looked at Arjun.
Then at his Rhyhorn.
Then at Arjun again.
Chat:
[NO WAY HE JUST ASKED LIKE THAT LMAOOOO]
[THIS IS SO AWKWARD IM CRINGING IN 4K]
[MACHOKE BE LIKE: YOU?]
But the Machoke didn't reject him.
Instead, it pointed toward the center of the plateau.
A battle circle.
The universal Pokémon language:
Prove yourself.
Arjun's eyes widened with excitement. "Yes! Yes! I accept!"
He ran toward the circle, nearly tripping twice.
Chat was losing it:
[MY MAN IS ABOUT TO BE HUMBLED]
[PRAYING FOR ARJUN'S SPINE RN]
[MACHOKE AT LEAST CHOSE THE GENTLE WAY TO REJECT]
We entered the circle.
Machoke stood tall, fists clenched.
Arjun patted his Rhyhorn.
I scanned the opponent.
Machoke — Level 32
Rhyhorn — Level 28
I stepped back.
"Arjun," I said, "command clearly. Don't panic."
"I got this," Arjun said, trying and failing to hide his trembling.
The battle began.
"Mud-Slap!" Arjun shouted.
Good opener.
Rhyhorn charged and kicked up dirt into Machoke's face.
Machoke grunted, wiping its eyes.
Then flexed.
Its muscles glowed.
"Focus Energy…" I muttered. "It's raising its critical hit rate."
Chat:
[WHY IS IT BUFFING UP LIKE A FINAL BOSS]
[ARJUN RUN]
"Use Horn Attack!" Arjun yelled with confidence.
Rhyhorn lunged.
Machoke sidestepped effortlessly.
Then—THUD!
A palm strike slammed into Rhyhorn's side.
Not even a full punch.
Just a test.
Rhyhorn staggered.
"Arjun," I warned, "don't spam attacks. Watch its feet. Fighting-types show their next move through stance."
"Right—uh—Rhyhorn, use Stomp!"
Rhyhorn stomped the ground, cracking the stone.
Machoke jumped lightly—almost graceful for its size—and landed behind Rhyhorn.
Then:
BAM!
A straight punch to the flank.
Rhyhorn snarled in pain.
Chat:
[MACHOKE SAID: THIS IS WARM-UP]
[OUR RHYHORN BABY CANNOT KEEP UP]
[ARJUN PLEASE LOOK AT THE ENEMY]
Arjun panicked.
"Charge him again!"
"Arjun—NO—"
Too late.
Rhyhorn charged blindly.
Machoke planted its feet.
Muscles bulged—
—and it caught Rhyhorn's horn.
With one hand.
The entire plateau went silent.
Chat:
[ONE HAND????]
[MACHOKE SAID PHYSICS IS OPTIONAL]
[RHINO TANK STOPPED BY ARM DAY]
Machoke twisted its body and flipped Rhyhorn onto the ground.
Dust exploded everywhere.
Arjun fell off, landing on his backside.
"M-Move! Move!! Get up!" he shouted desperately.
Rhyhorn groaned, struggling.
Machoke approached.
Calm.
Measured.
Disciplined.
It raised a fist.
And struck down—not brutally, but firmly—right beside Rhyhorn's head.
A finishing blow symbolically, not directly.
A message:
The fight is over.
Rhyhorn collapsed fully.
Machoke stepped back respectfully.
Arjun stared, stunned.
Chat:
[ARJUN GOT BODYSLAMMED SO HARD I FELT IT]
[NO SHAME MY GUY YOU DID GOOD]
[MACHOKE WASN'T EVEN MAD, JUST TEACHING]
[PRAISE TO THIS GYM TRAINER MACHOKE]
I walked forward and helped Arjun stand.
"You did well," I said. "But you gave commands too fast. You didn't watch his stance. Fighting-types are precise. Learn from this."
Arjun nodded weakly. "R-Right… Sorry, Rhyhorn."
He knelt beside his Pokémon, stroking its head.
Machoke quietly stepped forward.
Arjun tensed—