Pokemon: Trait Master

My name is Misty, the youngest of the Cerulean Gym and currently its strongest Trainer. 

I specialize in Water-type Pokémon and am determined to become the greatest Water-type Pokémon Master in the world! 

But… 

Can someone please explain to me why a Pidgeotto just used Water Gun?! 

It's not that Pokémon of different types can't learn Water-type moves… 

But Pidgeotto should be completely incapable of learning Water-type moves!! 

For someone who has studied a specific field in-depth, 

seeing something impossible within that field is an utterly mind-blowing experience. 

And right now, Misty, having extensive knowledge of Water-type Pokémon, 

fully understood just how outrageous it was for Pidgeotto to know Water Gun! 

This was like… 

A Goldeen suddenly learning how to fly!! 

Alright, fine! So this is the "lesson" you wanted to give me, huh?! 

Do you think I can even learn something from this?! 

---

Ash commanded Pidgeotto to agilely dodge Onix's Rock Slide and then counterattack with another Water Gun! 

However, this time, Brock reacted quickly and had Onix use Harden to evade. 

Even so, against a Pidgeotto that could use Water Gun, 

even a higher-leveled Onix was at a severe disadvantage! 

Pidgeotto was already extremely agile, 

and Water Gun was a ranged attack. 

If Onix couldn't restrict Pidgeotto's movement, it was only a matter of time before it lost! 

"Onix, use Sandstorm!" 

At Brock's command, Onix roared, 

and in an instant, the entire battlefield was engulfed in an endless sandstorm! 

The swirling sand blurred the vision of both the Pokémon and Trainers, 

making it almost impossible to see clearly! 

Brock crossed his arms with a confident smirk. 

"I don't know why your Pidgeotto knows Water Gun, but… 

don't underestimate a Gym Leader!" 

"A Pokémon battle isn't just about a Pokémon's strength, 

it's also about a Trainer's strategy!" 

"So tell me, Ash—how are you going to deal with this situation?" 

---

The Sandstorm not only obstructed Pidgeotto's vision but also restricted its movement significantly. 

Moreover, Pidgeotto would continuously take damage in the sandstorm! 

Meanwhile, Onix, with the Sandstorm boosting its Special Defense, 

could now resist Water Gun more effectively. 

Not to mention, in this environment, 

Onix was completely at home, moving around effortlessly! 

With just one move, Brock had turned the tables! 

"Not good… Even though Ash's Pidgeotto knowing Water Gun is shocking, 

in this situation, even that won't be enough to turn the tide!" 

"A Trainer who knows how to manipulate weather effects against a rookie Trainer… 

This is an absolute skill gap!" 

On the sidelines, Misty and Serena both looked worried. 

As a Gym Trainer herself, Misty was convinced that Ash's Pidgeotto was now trapped. 

"Ash will definitely come up with a solution!" Serena declared firmly. 

"Uh… I know we're rooting for Ash, but we can't be blindly optimistic!" Misty retorted. 

After traveling together for a short time, Misty had come to understand Ash and Serena a little. 

She knew that both of them were still rookie Trainers, 

whereas she had been raised in a Gym environment her entire life and had already traveled for a while. 

So, from her experience, Misty was sure that Serena didn't actually understand what was happening. 

Ash was clearly in a dire situation! 

Misty was certain that Serena didn't understand Pokémon battles. 

But Serena, on the other hand, was just as certain that Misty didn't understand Ash! 

Serena believed that, for Ash… 

This wasn't even close to being a dire situation! 

It wasn't just faith in Ash. 

It was because, at that very moment… 

Ash was smiling. 

That's right. 

Despite the "dire" situation, Ash still had a confident smile on his face! 

Because of the Sandstorm, Brock couldn't see this. 

Otherwise, he wouldn't be so relaxed right now. 

Instead, he would be on high alert! 

Thinking he had the upper hand, Brock gave his next command. 

"Onix, end this battle! Use Rock Slide!" 

With Sandstorm obscuring Pidgeotto's vision and limiting its movement, 

this Rock Slide was almost guaranteed to hit! 

But in that instant— 

A faint blue glow flickered in Ash's eyes. 

An invisible force enveloped Pidgeotto. 

And the next second— 

Without needing Ash to give any instructions— 

Pidgeotto gracefully dodged all six boulders from Onix's Rock Slide! 

Aura Fusion! 

"W-What?! That's impossible!" 

Just a second ago, Brock was full of confidence. 

Now, he was completely stunned! 

How did Pidgeotto dodge an attack in this situation?! 

This doesn't make any sense! 

"What a shame." 

"If only Pidgeotto knew Rain Dance, then I could have shown you something even more interesting." 

"…But that doesn't matter." 

"This battle is already over." 

"Pidgeotto, use Water Gun!" 

Brock barely had time to process what Ash had just said. 

And then— 

A Water Gun even thicker than before blasted straight through the Sandstorm! 

With lightning speed, the powerful jet of water pierced through Onix! 

Even with Sandstorm boosting its Special Defense, 

even with all its resistances, 

Onix stood no chance against a Water Gun enhanced by Aura Fusion! 

In the blink of an eye— 

Onix collapsed. 

Battle Over. 

---

As Onix lost consciousness, 

the Sandstorm faded away, 

and the blue glow disappeared from Ash's eyes. 

Meanwhile, Brock stood there, completely bewildered. 

What just happened?! 

Wasn't I winning just a second ago?! 

How did my Onix suddenly lose?! 

Did this guy just… turn on cheats?! 

Misty, standing on the side, had her jaw dropped in complete shock. 

What the heck just happened?! 

Wasn't Ash trapped?! 

How did Pidgeotto dodge attacks on its own inside a Sandstorm?! 

How did Pidgeotto's Water Gun land a perfect hit despite the visibility being zero?! 

And why did Onix, with boosted defenses, get instantly knocked out by a move it should have survived?! 

Ten thousand questions flooded Misty's mind, 

making her feel like a cat scratching at a wall— 

Restless, frustrated, and absolutely dying to know the answers!