Everything that had happened was unrelated to Ben. At that moment, he had just exited Route 101 and arrived in Oldale Town. As he walked, he carefully avoided the areas where Bug-type Pokémon tended to gather. Fortunately, he made it through unscathed this time. Judging by the absence of chaos, it seemed that the bug riot had indeed been resolved.
Upon reaching the Pokémon Centre, he approached Ms. Joy and handed her his Pokédex.
"Nurse Joy, I'd like to register for the Ever Grande Conference," he said.
"Of course," she replied, quickly processing his registration on the computer. "Ben Young, you're confirmed to participate in the Ever Grande Conference. Are you sure about this?"
"Yes, Nurse Joy!" he affirmed with enthusiasm.
"Great! Your registration is all set. Best of luck at the League meeting!" she encouraged, returning the Pokédex to him. "Aim for a high ranking!"
"I will, thank you!" Ben said, waving goodbye as he left the Pokémon Centre, heading straight towards Route 103 on the northern side of town.
Unlike the grass and shrubs that lined Route 101, Route 103 was situated by the sea, directly across from Slateport City. The coastal area was mostly wetlands and swamps, creating an ideal habitat for Water-type Pokémon like the Mudkip. It wasn't surprising to find rare water Pokémon here.
News travels fast, and within just two days, trainers along the coast and in the wetlands were eagerly trying to capture Mudkips. Many of them were rookies or even intermediate trainers. For those just starting out, catching a Mudkip with great potential was an excellent opportunity, especially if their teams weren't fully formed yet.
Ben wasn't in a rush to seek out the Mudkip; he knew that this kind of thing couldn't be forced. Instead, he decided to focus on training his Onix according to his plan. Being near the sea would allow them to work on its water resistance. He found a spot at the base of a hill, sheltered by the mountains and facing the ocean, and nodded in satisfaction.
"Come out, Onix!" he called, releasing the Pokémon from its ball. "It's time for special training. Are you ready?"
"Onix!" The Onix nodded, now calmer after its previous battle with the powerful Big Needle Bee. Perhaps it had recognized its own weaknesses, and was determined to improve.
"Great! This special training will focus on enhancing your skill proficiency and water resistance. I want you to really push yourself."
Onix showed his eagerness to work hard.
"But remember, we'll take it step by step. For starters, we'll continue to strengthen your hardness. During this training period, there's no need to return to your Poké Ball; these boulders will be your home. Absorb the rocks around you; it's part of your training."
"Onix~" The Onix seemed excited. True to its nature, it enjoyed eating rocks and dirt.
"For the first step of our special training, we need to improve your Iron Tail skill. Not only will this enhance your attack coverage, but it can also serve as a defensive manoeuvre. Just like in your fight against that Lombre if you master it, you'll be able to defend yourself much better!"
Listening intently to Ben's words, the Onix nodded in understanding.
"Also, familiarize yourself with steel energy to prepare for your evolution into a Steelix. Start by practicing with your tail; hit some rocks to see how strong you are, and refine your Iron Tail technique. Later, go to the rocky outcropping to absorb some rocks and strengthen yourself."
Ben looked thoughtfully at the crack on the Onix's head. "We need to push ourselves harder. To become stronger, we must overcome our fear of water, so let's approach the sea."
"Onix!" The Onix gazed steadily at the ocean, trying to calm itself as it expressed its determination with a cry.
"Now, why don't you check out your new home? I'll set up the tent." Patting the Onix affectionately, Ben smiled and headed towards the open space while the Pokémon began its first wild camping adventure.
Setting up the tent was quite a challenge, especially for a first-timer. Afterward, Ben took out the food he had prepared, made lunch, and placed the Pokémon food and Pokéblocks in a bowl. He poured MooMoo milk, the favourite drink of many Pokémon, into another bowl and called out, "It's time to eat, Onix!"
With a rumbling sound, the Onix emerged from the shelter of the rocks and made its way to the food, devouring it happily. Although it could sustain itself by eating rocks and minerals, the Pokéblocks and MooMoo milk were essential for enhancing its nutrition and abilities. The combination provided the perfect balance for its development.
Watching the Onix enjoy its meal, Ben joined in, eating his own food. He noticed plumes of cooking smoke rising from nearby camps, indicating that he wasn't the only one enjoying a meal.
"Iron Tail!"
Suddenly, a layer of white energy enveloped the Onix's tail as it slammed into a large, Hard Stone. This rock, previously unearthed from a mountain, was meant to boost the power of rock-type moves. It had taken the Onix ten days of effort to break a similar rock on its own, but with the strengthened Steel Tail, it shattered the Hard Stone into pieces.
[Ding! Training successful, +1 training points, and a small amount of experience gained!]
[Ding! Training completed, +1 training points, skill breakthrough achieved! Reward: +5 training points and a small amount of experience!]
"Let's keep going, Onix!"
"Onix!"
After a short while, Ben said, "These Hard Stones are yours. Once you've absorbed them, it'll be time to train in the water."
"Onix~" The Onix absorbed the stone fragments and slowly slithered towards the sea, inching closer to the waves. As the surf rolled in, the Onix lay still on the beach, while Ben sat cross-legged on its back, meditating alongside it, attuned to the power of nature and the ocean.
"Ding! Training completed, +1 training points, and a small amount of experience gained!"
"Excellent job, Onix! Now it's time for us to battle in the wetlands!"
"Onixxx!"
"Onix, deliver the finishing blow with your attack!"
[Ding! Battle concluded! The Onix wins, earning +2 training points and a small amount of experience!]
"Come on! System, don't be stingy with the training points!"
[Ding! Opponent too weak!"]
Time flowed by, and soon over half a month had passed.
Through rigorous training and battles with Pokémon in the wetlands and rookie trainers, the Onix had grown significantly. It now measured 7.5 meters in length and weighed 190 kg. Its black-gray rocky body bore a striking black sheen, and the X-shaped scar on its head gave it a particularly fierce appearance.
The training points accumulated from training and battles had all been invested in the Steel Tail skill. Initially, Ben thought that 100 was the maximum proficiency, but he discovered that it was merely the entry point! Once proficiency reached 100, the Onix entered a new stage of skill mastery and learned new techniques a delightful surprise.
Onix: Lv25 When it digs underground, it causes tremors and can move at a speed of 50 mph.
Gender: Male
Types: Rock + Ground
Personality: Adamant
Abilities: Rock Head- is immune to recoil damage from its own moves and is unaffected by status conditions.
Friendship: 255
Skills: Slam (160/1000), Screech (434/1000), Bind (112/1000), Dig (1650/10000), Return (290/1000), Harden (835/1000), Tackle (200/1000), Sand Tomb (100/1000 ), Rock Throw (400/1000).
Inherited Skills: Rock Slide (100/1000), Iron Tail (9999/10000), Stone Edge (100/1000).
Skill Machines: None.
Training Points: 0.
After expending all the training points, Ben reviewed the Onix's data and noted remarkable changes. Not only had skill proficiency improved, but the Steel Tail had also reached maximum proficiency. Further improvements would likely require evolving into a Steelix. With diligent training and battles, the Pokémon reached level 25, barely meeting the standards for an intermediate trainer, though without having gained any gym badges, he still only counted as a novice trainer even if that trainer had reached level 25.
As Ben contemplated the limitations of the Onix's skills and attributes, he considered purchasing a defensive skill machine once their special training concluded a vital tactic for their growth.
Amidst all the training, Ben kept an eye out for the Mudkip. Despite numerous trainers searching for it, no one had managed to find its whereabouts. Rumours circulated about footprints discovered here and there, but they turned out to be just tricks.
Though, in the stillness of the night, a small figure scoured various camps, searching for something to eat. When it reached Ben's campsite, it eagerly devoured the Pokémon food that had been intentionally left outside the tent. The little creature quickly grew fond of this tasty treat.
It returned again, and again each time with an air of curiosity. Over the course of more than two weeks, it visited five or six times. Except for its first appearance, each night it watched with wide, surprised eyes through the gap in the tent, waiting until it felt safe enough to eat before slipping away into the darkness.
On the final night of this special training session, Ben decided to give his Onix some much-needed rest. After carefully returning it to its Luxury Ball, he 'accidentally' left a Pokéblock in a spot not far from the tent, near a hill, and then settled back inside.
As the night wore on and the lights dimmed, silence enveloped the camp. Suddenly, the tent quivered, but calm quickly returned. The night was peaceful once again.