Pokemon: Trait Master

As Geodude collapsed, unable to continue battling, Brock silently recalled it back into its Poké Ball. 

He wasn't sure whether Ash had actually planned for Water Gun to create the sand rain, causing Geodude's Rollout to fail… 

If Ash had truly anticipated that outcome, then he wasn't just an ordinary Trainer. 

He was undoubtedly a Veteran Trainer! 

On the sidelines, Misty muttered to Serena in a low voice. 

"And he was talking about giving me a lesson today… Isn't this just winning with type advantage?" 

Before entering the Gym, Misty had pointed out that Ash should use type advantages to secure a win at Pewter Gym. 

Sure, Froakie was stronger than she expected… 

But in the end, he still won with type advantage! 

How was this any different from what she had suggested? 

And he had the nerve to say he was going to teach her something! 

Hmph! 

Serena, however, simply responded with an awkward smile and stayed quiet. 

Unlike Misty, she completely believed in Ash. 

Even though she had only traveled with him for a few days longer than Misty, 

the impression Ash had left on her since childhood, combined with the moments of reliability and coolness he had shown throughout their journey, 

had made Serena an absolute believer in Ash—without a doubt! 

So no matter how much Misty questioned it, 

she simply wouldn't accept it. 

If Ash said he was going to give Misty a lesson… then she was definitely getting a lesson! 

--- 

"Well done! That's a strong Pokémon you've got there!" 

"But what about this one?" 

"Go, Onix!!" 

"ROOOOARRR!!" 

A colossal, rock-covered serpent emerged onto the battlefield! 

Unlike Geodude, Onix was on a completely different level in terms of strength. 

A true Gym Trainer should be able to handle type disadvantages calmly! 

As for what happened earlier with Geodude getting one-shot? 

Ahem. That was just a sneak attack! 

Purely a sneak attack! 

If Ash hadn't ambushed him like that, 

Brock was certain he could've at least dealt some damage to Froakie, even if he lost. 

After all, quadruple type disadvantage wasn't something even a Gym Trainer could easily overcome. 

But with Onix… 

That was a different story! 

His Onix was leagues ahead of Geodude in terms of strength! 

Ash glanced at Onix's stats—Advanced Level. 

Definitely stronger than Geodude. 

But still manageable for Froakie. 

However… 

"Return, Froakie." 

Ash recalled his battle-ready Froakie and took out another Poké Ball. 

"I choose you—Pidgeotto!" 

"Piiidgeooo!" 

The Poké Ball soared in a graceful arc, 

and a strong, healthy-looking bird Pokémon burst out into the battlefield! 

Brock immediately froze for a second when he saw the Pokémon… 

And then his expression darkened. 

"…What do you mean by this?" 

"You're sending a Flying-type Pidgeotto to battle my Rock-type Onix?" 

"Are you mocking me?" 

Flying-types were weak against Rock-types. 

Rock-types were super effective against Flying-types. 

Unless Ash's Pidgeotto was three or four tiers stronger than Froakie, 

then compared to Froakie's quadruple Water-type advantage, 

sending in Pidgeotto was basically an insult! 

"Relax, relax. You'll understand in a second." 

Ash casually waved his hand. 

I know you're in a rush, but chill out first. 

Didn't I already say it? 

Type disadvantages? Not even a dog would play that game! 

Over the past few days, after catching Pidgeotto, Ash had put it through some rigorous training. 

Even though its level hadn't increased, 

it had learned a ton of new moves! 

Once again, Ash was reminded of just how ridiculously overpowered his Gold Trait—Diligent Bird was! 

Honestly, if it weren't for the rule that Legendary Moves were harder to learn, 

this Trait could've been considered Rainbow-tier! 

--- 

"Misty!" 

Ash suddenly called out, snapping Misty out of her confusion. 

"W-What?" 

"Didn't I tell you before? I'm giving you a lesson today." 

"In Pokémon battles, it's not just about type advantages." 

"Even if your opponent has the type advantage over you, 

if you have moves that counter their type, you can still win!" 

"Brock's Onix is a Rock-type, yes, but it's also a Ground-type." 

"That means Ground-type moves won't work on Pidgeotto at all!" 

"And Pidgeotto is much faster than Onix." 

"In other words… as long as Pidgeotto has a move that counters Onix, I have the advantage!" 

"Pidgeotto, use Water Gun!!" 

Misty: ??? 

Brock: ??? 

Serena: ??? 

Everyone in the room had question marks floating over their heads. 

Up in the sky, Pidgeotto opened its beak wide, 

and a jet of water burst out!! 

The water stream wasn't as powerful as Froakie's, 

but there was no doubt about it— 

It was Water Gun!! 

Onix, and even Brock himself, failed to react in time. 

A moment later—BAM! 

Onix got hit directly by the Water Gun, 

letting out an agonized roar! 

Brock finally snapped back to reality. 

"Onix, use Rock Slide!!" 

A Pidgeotto knowing Water Gun was absolutely insane— 

No, it was completely unheard of!! 

But now wasn't the time to be shocked. 

The most important thing right now was to turn the battle around! 

Meanwhile, Serena and Misty were completely dumbfounded. 

At this point, this wasn't about whether someone understood Pokémon battles or not. 

Even someone with basic Pokémon knowledge knew that— 

Pidgeotto absolutely should not be able to learn Water Gun!!! 

And yet… 

This impossible thing had just happened right in front of them! 

Misty, staring blankly as Pidgeotto swiftly dodged Onix's Rock Slide, stammered, 

"…D-Did I just see that correctly?" 

"D-Did Pidgeotto just… use Water Gun??" 

"Am I dreaming??" 

As she spoke, she pinched her own soft cheek, 

pulling hard enough to turn it bright red. 

A sharp sting spread through her face. 

Only then did Misty fully confirm— 

She wasn't dreaming. 

Pidgeotto… 

Had actually learned Water Gun!!!