Removing the waterproof wax from Onix's body was a far more tedious task than applying it. Since it was a Rock-type Pokémon, water couldn't be used; instead, it had to be painstakingly ground away bit by bit with sand. Onix was clearly in a state of extreme discomfort throughout the process.
It was essential for Janina to experience this, as only through such a process could she truly reflect on her choices.
This young girl, Janina, had practically forced Jasmine to take her on as an apprentice because of her deep admiration for the Gym Leader. To avoid disappointing Jasmine, she had tried to be clever and "fix" Onix's weaknesses herself.
"I'm sorry! I really didn't know that was against the rules!" she apologized, seemingly realizing the weight of her mistake.
Ash smiled as he picked Molly up from where she was clinging to Onix. "It's alright, Janina! Realizing you were wrong is a step forward in itself. Slowly, you'll come to understand where a Trainer's true responsibility lies."
Brock, as Onix's original Trainer, spoke up as well. "There's no need to force a change to its weaknesses. Instead, you should focus on channeling Onix's natural strength!"
"But I don't know how to do that!" Janina pleaded for guidance.
"As long as you listen with your heart to what Onix is trying to say, you'll surely understand," Ash advised.
"Miss Jasmine said something similar!" Janina found the words familiar, yet she still lacked the practical application.
"In that case, how about a battle?" Ash suggested.
For a Pokémon Trainer, battling was the most direct form of communication. As a man who aimed to be a Pokémon Master, Ash naturally championed the concept of a duel. Exchange points were precious now, and Ash was reluctant to spend them, but he could tell just by looking that the compatibility between this Onix and Janina was high, and their Bond was quite decent.
The combatants were Onix and Jigglypuff! Indeed, the duel was to be between Janina and Molly.
"Molly, this is your first real battle!" Ash encouraged her.
"Mm-hmm! Molly will do her best!" Molly nodded vigorously, full of confidence in herself and Jigglypuff.
"Practice match, begin!" Brock announced as the referee. As a senior Onix user, he could offer advice, while Ash stood by to support Molly.
"Jigglypuff, use Disarming Voice!" Molly commanded.
Jigglypuff pulled out its marker, which it used as a microphone, but this time its song wasn't a lullaby. The enchanting sound was impossible to guard against, hitting Onix and Janina before they could even react. Onix, who was a literal blockhead, felt its mind grow heavy, and it nearly toppled over.
Janina looked at Molly in surprise. "I didn't expect Molly to be so good!"
Still, she refused to give up. "Onix, use Tackle!"
Though it was a simple Tackle, the sheer momentum of Onix's massive frame made it incredibly powerful. However, Janina had overlooked exactly what kind of Pokémon she was facing.
"Jigglypuff, float up and dodge!"
Jigglypuff, the Balloon Pokémon, sucked in a breath and held it, puffing itself up until it was light as air. The gust generated by Onix's massive charge simply blew it out of the way. It couldn't hit!
"How is this possible?" Janina seemed to reach an understanding. Molly was effectively utilizing Jigglypuff's natural traits! So, what were Onix's traits? Hard! Strong! And its serpentine body!
"Keep it up, Jigglypuff! Use Gyro Ball!" Molly shouted.
As a Steel-type move, Gyro Ball would be super effective against a rock snake! Molly was clearly well-versed in the Type Advantage chart.
"Onix, dodge it! Then use Iron Tail!"
Janina had finally grasped Onix's strengths. The great rock snake twisted its body, smoothly evading the Gyro Ball. As a student of a Steel-type Gym, Janina had naturally taught Onix the move Iron Tail.
It was Steel against Steel. Jigglypuff's Gyro Ball was sent flying, and it wobbled back to Molly's side, feeling dizzied.
"It's not over yet! Jigglypuff, use Sing!"
This was its signature move. Meganium immediately panicked and unleashed a Safeguard, shielding everyone presentexcept for Janina and Onix! In the haze before falling asleep, Janina clearly heard Molly command Jigglypuff to use Wake-Up Slap, knocking Onix out of the fight.
The battle concluded, and Ash and the others woke Janina up, though Onix remained in a deep slumber nearby.
"Janina, you did well. You should understand things a bit better now, right?" Ash asked. Seeing her nod, he continued, "Do you know where Miss Jasmine is? It seems she's run into some trouble, and perhaps we can help."
"Yes!" Janina nodded repeatedly. "Miss Jasmine is at the Glitter Lighthouse at the pier!"
The Glitter Lighthouse was located on the eastern shore of Olivine City, a lighthouse with a long and storied history. Upon arriving, they found the place empty, leaving them no choice but to climb to the top. There, they found a listless Ampharos.
"Ash, you've arrived?" Miss Jasmine said, stepping out from a nearby staircase.
As it turned out, Olivine City had relied on the light from an Ampharos's tail as a beacon since long before the city had electricity. Even now, with a modern electric lighthouse built next to it, the Glitter Lighthouse remained a symbol of safety,
representing the well-being of those at sea. Recently, however, Ampharos's breathing had become labored, and the light from its tail had dimmed. Despite Jasmine's dedicated care, it wasn't getting better.
"Is there no other way?" Brock asked, looking at the Pokémon with concern.
"Actually, I've asked the Cianwood Pharmacy to prepare one of their secret formulas," Jasmine explained. "I just received a call saying the medicine is ready."
Ash looked at the Ampharos and pondered for a moment. "Let's help it recover some energy first. I choose you, Raikou!"
"It's actually a Raikou!" Jasmine gasped. Ash's group was well-acquainted with such exclamations by now.
"Raikou, give this Ampharos a little jump-start!"
Seeing Ampharos perk up, Jasmine felt a bit more at ease. However, Ash shook his head. "Miss Jasmine, this only treats the symptoms, not the cause. We still need to get that Secret Medicine from Cianwood City. Why don't we go? Curing Ampharos sooner means we can get to the Gym challenge faster."
"Is that really alright?" Jasmine didn't want to impose on Ash and his friends, whom she had only just met.
Misty's attention was elsewhere. "Cianwood City is on the other side of the sea, right?"
"Ah, the cool sea breeze is calling to me!" Brock swooned. "For Miss Jasmine, I would cross mountains of blades and seas of fire" Misty promptly grabbed him by the ear and dragged him away.
"In that case, the boat is about to leave!" Jasmine hurried them along, as the scheduled ferry to Cianwood City was nearing departure.
At the base of the tower, they ran into Janina. Onix, standing beside her, was now clean of the wax.
"Miss Jasmine!"
"Janina?" Jasmine saw her apprentice looking a bit hesitant and smiled. "Can I ask a favor of you?" Turning to Ash, Jasmine added, "I would feel terrible if you had to make a round trip just for this. Ash, there is a Gym in Cianwood City as well. Why don't you challenge the Cianwood Gym first? I'll have to trouble you to look after Janina along the way."
Ash nodded immediately; it was a perfect arrangement that killed two birds with one stone.
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