Grey's POV
Heracross was a fine addition to the team. Not only did I like his personality, but he also brought a typing that could answer a lot of threats my current team struggled with. Sure, Psychic-types were still dangerous for him, but unlike most Fighting-types, Heracross could actually hit back with powerful Bug-type attacks. And honestly... I already felt sorry for any Dark-type Pokémon unlucky enough to stand in his way.
To be frank, I had always planned on catching a Fighting-type someday. Heracross just wasn't the specific Pokémon I had in mind. Then again, life had a funny way of throwing happy coincidences at you. I had long stopped caring about catching specific species. What mattered more to me was the Pokémon itself—its temperament, its drive, the way it fought. A determined Pokémon with the right attitude would always be worth more than one with perfect pedigree.
Another thing I had noticed during the battle was that Heracross most likely possessed the Guts ability. I would still have Nurse Joy confirm it later, but it made too much sense. Even after being burned, he had shown no signs of weakening offensively. If anything, his attacks had become even more ferocious. The only reason he couldn't continue was because the burn had scorched parts of his natural armor, making it difficult for him to move his body properly.
The thought honestly excited me.
A Pokémon with Guts had incredible potential if trained correctly. Pair that with Fraxure, and my team would have two absolute wallbreakers capable of punching holes through even defensive opponents.
After treating both Heracross and Charmeleon with some Potions, I decided it was time to head back to Pewter. I could have ventured deeper into Viridian Forest toward the Beedrill territories or explored some of the denser sections, but that would've been a stupid decision with one newly caught and injured Pokémon on the team. Getting everyone properly healed at a Pokémon Center took priority.
Thankfully, finding my way back wasn't difficult.
Persian and Exeggutor resumed their roles as the search duo. Earlier in the day, Persian and I had intentionally left small markers along our path whenever the terrain allowed it. Combined with Persian's sharp nose and Exeggutor occasionally asking nearby Pokémon for directions through telepathy, retracing our route proved much easier than I had expected.
Night had almost completely fallen when we ran into our only real problem.
A group of Spinarak dropped from the trees, their webs cutting off our path while a much larger Ariados descended behind them.
So this was how their species managed to survive in Viridian Forest.
Unlike most Bug-types here, they were nocturnal. They spent the day hidden away before coming out at night to ambush unsuspecting travelers.
Unfortunately for them...
They had picked the wrong target.
"Exeggutor. Cloyster."
That was all the command my two Pokémon needed.
Exeggutor unleashed a wide burst of Psychic that sent several Spinarak crashing into nearby trees before they could even launch their webs. At the same time, Cloyster fired a volley of Icicle Spears, the spinning projectiles tearing through the formation and forcing the rest to scatter.
The Ariados attempted to rally its group, only for another wave of Psychic to nearly pin it against a tree.
Realizing we weren't easy prey, the Ariados immediately demonstrated what was perhaps its species' greatest survival technique.
It turned around...
...and ran.
The remaining Spinarak followed their leader without a second thought, disappearing into the darkness almost as quickly as they had appeared.
"...Smart choice," I muttered before recalling my Pokémon.
The rest of the journey passed without incident.
It was close to three in the morning by the time the lights of Pewter City finally came into view. I let out a relieved sigh and headed straight for the Pokémon Center.
The Nurse Joy on duty took one look at my dirt-covered clothes and tired face before giving me a sympathetic smile.
"You look like you've had quite the day. Would you like some coffee before checking in?"
I shook my head with a tired laugh.
"As tempting as that sounds, I think sleep would do me more good."
She giggled softly before accepting my Poké Balls.
"I'll make sure everyone is fully treated by morning."
As she began processing them, I couldn't help but ask, "You're different from the Nurse Joy I met a few days ago, aren't you?"
"That's right," she replied with a nod. "We rotate shifts. I'm on the night schedule."
Huh.
I guess even Nurse Joys had to pull night duty.
After thanking her, I dragged myself back to my room, collapsed onto the bed, and within moments, exhaustion claimed me completely.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Grey's POV
I woke up around nine in the morning. By my standards that was pretty late, but considering we had only returned to Pewter deep into the night, I couldn't really complain.
I was still feeling a little sleepy, so instead of rushing around I stood near the window and let the morning sunlight fall on me. The warmth slowly chased away the remaining drowsiness. The sun had a strange way of forcing the body awake, almost reminding it that the day had already begun.
I did a few stretches and my usual exercises inside the room before taking a bath and getting ready. Feeling much more refreshed, I headed downstairs to Nurse Joy to collect my Pokémon.
This was a different Nurse Joy from last night. She checked the records, confirmed that my team had been left overnight for treatment, and handed back everyone's Poké Balls with a smile.
Before leaving, I asked her if she could tell me more about Heracross.
She quickly checked the medical scan.
"As expected, your Heracross has the Guts ability."
Nice. I had guessed correctly.
She then handed me its move list.
Tackle, Pin Missile, Bulk Up, Brick Break, Megahorn, Arm Thrust and Fury Attack.
Honestly, that was an excellent starting movepool. Brick Break and Megahorn alone made Heracross incredibly dangerous, while Bulk Up gave it a reliable setup move. It definitely had plenty of potential.
After thanking Nurse Joy, I grabbed a simple breakfast of eggs before making a quick stop at the PokéMart. Since Heracross had only joined yesterday, I bought some regular Bug-type Pokémon food to last for a couple of days.
Once that was done, I headed toward Route 3 and found a quiet spot beneath a tree before calling Bill.
He answered almost immediately.
"I caught a Heracross yesterday," I told him.
Bill smiled. "That's a great addition."
"I'll need custom Pokéfood for Bug and Fighting types now."
"No problem. I'll get it prepared."
"Just deduct the cost from the monthly amount you'll be sending."
He nodded. "Done. It should reach you in about two days."
That settled, I ended the call and released everyone for today's training.
Since Heracross was officially part of the team now, I introduced him properly, even though everyone had already watched yesterday's battle.
Charmander well, now Charmeleon welcomed him first. Persian looked interested, mostly because she had already realized Heracross was another Pokémon that loved close combat. Cloyster simply gave him an approving nod, while Exeggutor greeted him through telepathy. Fraxure walked up, extending one arm.
Heracross bumped his fist against Fraxure's with a grin.
Good. They were getting along already.
I gathered everyone before explaining the plan.
"I've changed my mind."
Originally, I hadn't planned on using Heracross so soon, but after yesterday's fight I knew he was already around the level needed to compete against a fifth badge Pokémon. Since I was taking on the Pewter Gym in Challenge Mode, the gym trainers would probably field stronger Pokémon than normal anyway.
That meant Heracross would participate in the trainer battles before my match against Flint.
For the actual gym battle, I was currently leaning toward using Persian, Cloyster, Heracross and Charmeleon, though that could still change depending on how everyone progressed during the week.
For today's training, Heracross would be paired with Fraxure.
The goal wasn't simply to spar.
If Heracross could pass on some of his experience with Brick Break, it would be a huge help for Fraxure. Likewise, if Fraxure could teach Heracross some of the close-range techniques he'd developed, especially his improved Rock Smash, both of them would benefit.
Watching those two exchange techniques would probably be worthwhile.
Charmeleon continued training with Exeggutor, but this time I increased the intensity.
"Don't hold back anymore," I told Exeggutor.
The coconut Pokémon nodded.
I wanted Charmeleon to learn how to fight smarter rather than simply overpower opponents with stronger Flamethrowers. At the same time, I instructed Charmeleon to rely on Metal Claw much more often. Against Flint's Rock-types, that move would probably become one of her biggest weapons.
Meanwhile, Cloyster and Persian returned to working on Water Pulse.
Cloyster was making impressive progress toward mastering the move.
Persian, on the other hand, still struggled with controlling the rotation of the attack, though she was improving little by little. She also had to continue practicing Iron Tail and Dig.
This time I modified her exercise.
Instead of simply dodging Cloyster's Icicle Spears with her ridiculous agility—which she could apparently do with embarrassing ease now—I told Cloyster to continuously pressure her while Persian had only two options.
Either use Dig to evade...
...or smash the incoming Icicle Spears apart using Iron Tail.
Running around like some anime swordsman wasn't allowed anymore.
Honestly, watching Persian effortlessly weave through Cloyster's attacks before had reminded me of Shisui Uchiha. Fraxure had suffered through this exact exercise for weeks, while Persian practically treated it like a warm-up.
The rest of the morning passed peacefully as everyone focused on training.
A few trainers walking along Route 3 glanced toward us before quickly deciding against challenging. Seeing a giant Cloyster, an Exeggutor, and a recently evolved Fraxure standing together apparently convinced them that finding another opponent would be healthier.
I certainly wasn't complaining.
By lunchtime, everyone had made decent progress. I handed out their respective Pokéfood, while Heracross received the regular Bug-type food I'd bought earlier.
He happily dug into it before looking at me expectantly.
"Don't worry," I laughed. "Your custom food arrives in two days."
Heracross immediately nodded, looking far more motivated than before.
Satisfied with the morning's work, I set up my tent beneath the shade of a large tree.
The team settled down around me, each finding a comfortable spot to relax after training.
With the afternoon still young, I decided a short nap wouldn't hurt before beginning the evening session.
PS: Continue with the powerstones and collections thats my motivation to post more daily .
Author's Note: I will keep interlude Ash and silver/Green ready and based on response will decide which other one to post this week or next week. By the way chapter 100 is upon us maybe in this month anything special if you guys want to celebrate it then do tell in comments. I dont want to do a poll for another pokemon as we just had tyranitar and that only will take some time to get added to the group. Maybe a poll of which among the 100 chapters was the best written or something can be done or something in that lines , do comment.