Out of gratitude to Ash, Anthony gave him a treasured item, which looked like a black, binding band.
"...Don't underestimate this small item. In fact, I acquired it from a hermit Fighting Master. It greatly aids in physical training. While it makes normal actions require three to four times the effort, it can enhance your Pokemon's training efficiency by at least fifty percent!"
"A fifty percent increase?!" Ash felt a tremor of excitement as he looked at the small item in his hand.
The perfume he received from 'Rich Ash' only boosted physical training by about twenty-five percent, but this device could enhance it by fifty percent, or more!
What kind of item is this? Can such a miraculous item really exist in the world?
"That's right. Even my Hitmonchan can't fully utilize this item's capabilities, so it's wasted with me. I'll give it to you, Ash."
"No... I can't, this is too precious..."
"Don't refuse. You pulled me out of my obsessions, allowing me to see my family around me. I have nothing else to repay you with, so just take this." Anthony waved his hand and pushed the training device back to Ash.
With Anthony's persuasion, Ash finally accepted the training device. The saying 'good deeds are rewarded' became a reality at this moment.
Ash bid farewell to Anthony, then found a corner to join a chat group and describe the training device Anthony gave him. He soon got an answer.
This thing is called the Macho Brace. Its effect isn't just a fifty percent increase, as Anthony said, but a one hundred percent increase!
That's right, a one hundred percent increase!
However, this Macho Brace's hundred percent increase targets ability values, not levels. Although levels also get a slight boost, it mostly benefits ability value training.
For Pokemon with high ability value ceilings, this device is indeed a godsend because it becomes increasingly difficult to improve ability values later on.
If moving from B-level to A-level requires four to five days of training, then moving from A-level to S-level would take ten days.
So many Pokemon level up without pushing their ability values to the limit, and as levels rise, it becomes harder to increase ability values. If they can't maximize ability values before leveling up, they'll have to put in much more effort later on!
This essentially creates a vicious cycle.
Although Ash has the Eye of Insight to determine when his Pokemon reach their maximum ability values before leveling them up, sometimes level progression is unavoidable.
Pokemon like Bulbasaur, Wartortle, and Pidgeot all leveled up before their ability values hit the ceiling; it can't be helped.
Compared to others, he already has a great advantage. But with the Macho Brace, Ash could confidently ensure his Pokemon reach their peak ability values before leveling them up.
Unfortunately, there's only one Macho Brace, so Ash can only rotate it among his Pokemon.
...
Time passed swiftly, and two days later, Ash and his friends arrived at a city called Gringey City. This city was the last stopover point; not long out of this city, they'll reach Fuchsia City.
Although it's called a city, it's more desolate than a small town. They arrived at night, yet there wasn't even a street lamp, leaving the place shrouded in darkness.
Misty checked on Gringey City's situation. It was once a bustling city but became heavily polluted due to overdevelopment and numerous factories, making it uninhabitable.
Most people have left, leaving only a bunch of factories and a few people to watch over them.
However, for Ash and his friends, such issues weren't too concerning because they were only there for one night before moving on.
But the spooky atmosphere and the pervasive stench made it unbearable, prompting them to rush to the Pokemon Center. There, they found Miss Joy, who arranged a room for them.
Due to Gringey City's unique nature, there were still rooms available even at this late hour.
After washing up, the three were ready to go straight to bed, even Ash didn't feel like training in such an environment.
Going outside meant facing an overwhelming stench, who could stand that?
However, just as they lay down, the Pokemon Center's alarm went off. Ash rushed out in his pajamas only to learn that the Pokemon Center experienced a power outage.
As for the cause... Joy only knew there was an issue at the power plant, but the specifics were unclear.
If the Pokemon Center remained powerless, it would cause significant problems for the Pokemon recuperating there. That's why Miss Joy sounded the alarm, calling on the resting Trainers to help check it out.
Besides Ash, other Trainers had come over, but many had hesitant expressions upon hearing they'd need to go to the power plant.
It was already past one in the morning. They not only had to forgo sleep but also endure the stench outside to get to the power plant—what a torment!
"A facility this large, doesn't it have a backup power source?!" someone couldn't help but question.
As a facility whose power outage would endanger recuperating Pokemon, how could it not have a backup power supply? Was the Pokemon Center really such an unprofessional place?
Although Ash also found it strange, now wasn't the time to dwell on that. "Miss Joy, is there any equipment here that Electric Type Pokemon can use to provide power?"
"There is, but to power a Pokemon Center this large, it requires a significant amount of electricity. One or two Electric Type Pokemon aren't enough, and if it's for an entire night, even a large number would find it overwhelming."
"It's fine, my Pikachu can do it." Ash said, placing Pikachu down from his shoulder, and whispered to him, "Pikachu, I'm leaving this to you. Start generating electricity to keep everyone operational. I'll be back soon."
"Pika Pika!" Pikachu nodded, patting his small chest to assure him it's in good hands.
"Pikachu? How much electricity can that Pokemon generate?"
"Exactly, it probably can't even power the Pokemon Center for ten seconds."
"Forget it; instead of letting Pikachu show off, it'd be better to fix the power at the plant sooner."
"..."
Hearing their dismissive remarks, Misty stood up in anger and rebuked them: "What are you all saying?! Ash is willing to let Pikachu power the whole Pokemon Center, and instead of expressing gratitude, you're throwing insults!"
"Don't you have any Pokemon lying here? Even if you don't, when faced with Pokemon in danger, shouldn't your first response be concern for them? Why waste time with idle remarks!"
"If you're so capable, go to the power plant yourselves, instead of making a Trainer who's only begun two months ago do this!"
Misty wanted to continue, but Ash patted her shoulder. When she turned to him, he shook his head, indicating for her to stop.
Right now, the priority was to restore power at the plant. At first, Ash might've been even angrier than Misty with these people for dismissing his Pikachu.
But now, both his strength and maturity had grown significantly. Although he felt angry, he knew what the most urgent task was.
"Pikachu, I'm counting on you for the Pokemon Center." Ash said as he released Gardevoir, and using Aura Power to pinpoint the power plant's location, he and Gardevoir vanished from sight.