Gringey City isn't very large. After Ash used his Aura Power to locate the power plant, Gardevoir teleported the two of them to the scene in just a couple of blinks.
Upon arriving at the power plant, Ash learned from the staff there that a group of Grimer had clogged the drainage, preventing the generator from working.
Not only that, but these Grimer had even started to invade the power plant.
Since it was a problem caused by Pokémon, it was still within Ash's ability to solve.
Ash asked the staff to leave the gates open, as he would handle all the Grimer. However, when truly facing the Grimer, Gardevoir hid behind Ash for the very first time.
Because those Grimer… were just too smelly!
Filthy and foul-smelling, Gardevoir didn't even want to use telekinesis to deal with them. If she accidentally touched one, she'd probably have a psychological shadow for the rest of the month!
Girls, even Pokémon, love cleanliness, so coming across a Grimer, it's natural not to want to battle.
Gardevoir even felt that just battling Grimer would make her reek!
So for the first time, Gardevoir chose to hide behind Ash when facing a battle.
This left Ash stunned, only to subsequently understand the whole story through Gardevoir's telephonic communication.
Though slightly amused, Ash respected Gardevoir's choice and released Wartortle and Bulbasaur.
Despite the large number of Grimer, they were fairly weak, none at the Advanced Level, so Wartortle and Bulbasaur could handle them with relative ease.
With the teamwork of the two Pokémon, the Grimer were all driven out of the power plant, but no matter how many Bulbasaur and Wartortle defeated, the power plant did not resume operation, indicating there were still many Grimer clogging the drainage.
Ash furrowed his brow, using Aura Power to detect the exact number of Grimer present. The result shocked him; there were over a hundred Grimer just inside the power plant.
Accounting for those blocking the drainage, there were likely about two hundred in total!
With such numbers, despite his Pokémon's level advantage, it was uncertain how long it would take to defeat them all.
However, among the multitude of Grimer, Ash discovered one with exceptionally strong Aura—perhaps the leader. By defeating it and having it order the others to leave, the problem might be resolved.
So Ash left Bulbasaur and Wartortle behind to hold off the Grimer, while he and Gardevoir teleported to the leader.
Upon seeing the Grimer with the particularly strong Aura, Ash quickly realized why it differed from the others: it had evolved and was no longer a Grimer but a Muk!
If he handled this Muk, the rest of the Grimer would likely be no trouble.
Ash glanced at Gardevoir, and she shook her head rapidly, still unwilling to fight!
"Heh, usually you and Charizard fight over battles. It's rare to see you not want to fight at all."
"Gardevoir~" Battling this kind of opponent would be a psychological shadow.
"Alright, then it's decided, Charizard!" Since Gardevoir was not interested in fighting, Ash didn't hesitate and directly sent out Charizard.
This Muk was at the Advanced Junior Level, a potential practice target for Riolu. But given the urgency of the power plant and the Pokémon Center, there was no time for that.
We need a quick resolution.
Facing the Elite Advanced Level Charizard, the battle was hardly suspenseful; one Flamethrower concluded the fight.
Ash considered, then threw a Pokeball. Although Muk was particularly smelly, and difficult for Gardevoir to accept, it wasn't a problem for him.
Capturing Muk was to have it guide the other Grimer out of the power plant, returning them to their original habitat. Since the power plant worked normally before, it showed Grimer had a place of residence.
Additionally, this Muk had decent Ability Value potential, and in battles, its stench could unexpectedly handle tricky opponents; its offensive odor was its greatest weapon.
The stronger the stench of a Muk, the more extraordinary it is. If one can accept its smell, it is quite useful as a Pokémon.
Conveniently, Ash was quite tolerant of such Pokémon, as long as their nature wasn't bad.
After capturing Muk, Ash released it, restoring it with the Power of Viridian and locking it with the Pokedex, preventing it from being transported away for now.
Then, under Gardevoir's slightly disdainful gaze, he returned to the power plant.
Ash released the somewhat recovered Muk and had it guide the Grimer away.
The process went quite smoothly; soon the power plant returned to normal. Ash then unlocked Muk's lock and sent it back to Oak's Research Institute.
Amidst the gratitude of the staff, Ash used Gardevoir's teleport to return to the Pokémon Center.
Unsurprisingly, the Pokémon Center had returned to normal, and those previously speaking cynically were nowhere in the center's lobby.