Ash's Story (Part 5: Modern Sinnoh)

Chapter 37: Cobble Weight

I woke in Reggie's house before sunrise because Grotle was not beside the porch anymore.

At first, I thought Tox had moved him for another check. Then Staravia tapped the window with one wing, and Dawn's Piplup called from the hallway with enough alarm to wake everyone who had not already heard.

"What's wrong?" I asked, grabbing my jacket as Pikachu jumped onto my shoulder.

Staravia pointed toward the yard, where several of our Pokémon were missing. Grotle was gone, and so were Rhydon, Monferno, and a few others who must have followed him when he slipped away.

We rushed outside and found them near the training field. Paul's Torterra stood in the moonlight, massive and silent, as if the yard itself had grown a shell and trees.

Rhydon charged with Hammer Arm, but Torterra did not dodge. It took the blow with a heavy thud, feet planted, eyes calm.

Lillie stared. "Torterra could have moved. It chose not to."

Gladion crossed his arms. "Why take the hit when you can avoid it?"

Rhydon struck again. Torterra absorbed the attack, waited until Rhydon's weight shifted too far forward, then rose on its hind legs and slammed down. The ground shook, pinning Rhydon long enough for roots to burst from the field.

Frenzy Plant stopped just before it struck.

Daniel watched with careful awe. "It is not passive. Torterra is waiting for the precise moment when the opponent gives away balance."

Tox nodded once. "Heavyweight fighting. Absorb, stabilize, counter. It is hard on the body, but it fits a defensive frame."

Grotle stood nearby, eyes wide. His new body looked less like a burden while he watched Torterra use weight like a choice.

I stepped forward slowly. "Torterra, you are teaching Grotle how to battle now, aren't you?"

Torterra lowered its head in a slow, deliberate nod.

Grotle looked at me, ashamed and hopeful at once.

Grotle's meaning came low and uncertain. "I cannot run like before. Maybe standing is not failure."

"Standing can be your strength," I said. "We will learn it together."

Torterra gave one last rumbling cry, then turned toward Reggie's ranch area. Grotle watched it leave with the focus of someone who had finally seen the shape of his next step.

Rhydon rubbed the place where Torterra had pinned him and snorted, not angry but impressed. Monferno walked around Grotle, then lightly tapped Grotle's side with one fist. Grotle braced instead of stumbling, and his eyes widened when the hit pushed him less than he expected.

Probopass drifted closer and planted itself in the dirt. It did nothing dramatic. It simply stayed there, letting Grotle see that weight could control space without chasing anything.

Lillie touched my sleeve. "This is what Reggie meant. Grotle does not need to become faster first. He needs to become steady first."

I looked at Grotle's shell, then at the small shrubs on his back swaying in the night air. "Then tomorrow, we train from the ground up."

Grotle gave a tired nod, but this time the tiredness did not look like shame. It looked like work waiting for morning.

Morning brought Veilstone Gym, Lucas, and the smell of dust from the fighting courts inside.

Lucas was standing near the Gym entrance when we arrived, trying to look like he had not just come from the Game Corner. Dawn saw him first and folded her arms.