Gladion decided to backtrack and train himself and his team in Mt. Moon and the surrounding forests.

Fresh from their TM shopping expedition, his Pokémon were eager to test their new moves against the unpredictable wilderness.

Zeus practiced Rain Dance first. He was quite shocked to know that he could learn a water type move. And Gladion was pretty sure that his opponents would be just as shocked if not more.

'The move could be used to empower other water type Pokemon like Hydros and Mystique. It would also help increase the strength of Zeus electric type move. Something I am shocked at my own genius.' Gladion thought giddily. No one would expect that a Elekid could learn Rain Dance. But Gladion knew it thanks to his game knowledge.

Nyx worked on her newly acquired Fake Tears. The move was rather strange as more than actually crying, she would dramatically produce crocodile tears that somehow made wild Pokémon feel inexplicably sorry for her - and consequently less likely to attack. A passing Rattata looked genuinely concerned, tilting its head in confusion and even patting her with his paw.

Mystique was trying to get a gasp on dragon type energy to use Dragon tail which she could naturally learn but to no luck. Though Gladion believed that it was better to learn the moves by herself rather than buying her a 5 million TM for it.

Arsenal practiced Thunder Punch, his small fists crackling with unexpected electrical energy. Wild Pidgey learned quickly to give him a wide berth.

Zeus cheered him on for this and gave him a look that said 'Now you know why this is so fun!'

The peaceful training session was abruptly interrupted by a troop of angry Mankey.

The first Mankey appeared like a furious furball of rage, its beady eyes locked onto the training group. Then another. And another. Soon, an entire troop of Mankey materialized in front of Gladion and his team. They roared at Gladion and his Pokemon.

"Oh no," Gladion muttered, "This is about to get-"

Before he could finish his sentence, Guy the stepped forward, a gleam of something between excitement and absolute lunacy in his eyes.

[CHALLENGE ACCEPTED!] Guy gave a roar of his own, loud enough to make nearby Pidgey take flight in panic.

Gladion's jaw dropped. "Wait, what are you-"

Nyx though realised what was going to happen as she was already in full WWE announcer mode. [LADIES AND GENTLEMEN,] she bellowed, flexing dramatically, [WELCOME TO THE ULTIMATE FIGHTING CHAMPIONSHIP: POKEMON EDITION!]

Gladion could only stare, a mixture of horror, disbelief, curiosity and reluctant admiration spreading across his face.

His Machoke and Eeeve were treating this serious wilderness encounter like a professional wrestling match.

"Is this really happening?" Gladion whispered to Collosus who looked equally stunned.

Collosus responded with a deadpan look. [I'm equally horrified and impressed.]

Zeus was bouncing with excitement.

[THIS IS AWESOME!] he shouted, sending small electrical sparks everywhere.

The first Mankey charged. Guy, channeling every wrestling move he'd been taught by Gladion, dropped into a perfect spear position.

Gladion face-palmed. "Please tell me this isn't happening," he groaned.

The Mankey flew through the air, courtesy of Guy's perfectly executed spear.

[VINTAGE SPEAR!] Nyx screamed, complete with an imaginary microphone.

"Are you kidding me?" Gladion muttered. "We're in the middle of a potential dangerous encounter, and my Machoke thinks he's The Rock?"

Mystique always the most sophisticated of the group, rolled her eyes. [Darling,] she said in her most posh voice, [some battles are won through technique. Some through brute force. And apparently, some through professional wrestling.]

Another Mankey attempted a sneak attack. Guy caught him mid-leap by the neck, executing an RKO that would make Randy Orton proud.

[OUTTA NOWHERE!] Nyx bellowed, striking a pose that was equal parts muscle and melodrama.

Gladion's eye started twitching. "This is NOT how professional trainers handle wild Pokémon encounters. Why did I even tell you guys about WWE?" he said, though there was a hint of reluctant amusement in his voice.

Zeus was keeping score. [That's Machoke: 2, Mankey: 0!] he proclaimed, sending little electrical celebratory sparks into the air.

A particularly aggressive Mankey tried rushing from behind. Guy turned, grabbed it, and delivered a chokeslam that seemed to shake the entire forest floor.

[CHOKESLAM TO HEEELLL! ] Nyx shouted

Gladion could no longer contain himself. He burst out laughing. The absurdity of watching a Machoke perform professional wrestling moves on a group of wild Mankey was too much.

"I'm pretty sure this is NOT in any training manual," he said between laughs, wiping a tear from his eye.

Both Mystique and Collosus joined Guy in subduing the group of Mankeys since there were too many of them but too weak individually.

The last Mankey fell, and Guy struck his final pose.

[AND THAT'S WHY THEY CALL ME THE ULTIMATE YOUTHFUL WARRIOR!] he proclaimed, flexing so dramatically that his muscles seemed to have muscles of their own.

Silence descended on the forest. Then, slowly, a round of applause began - from the Pokémon. Zeus was cheering. Nyx was clapping sarcastically. Even Mystique seemed mildly impressed.

Gladion could only shake his head, a mix of exasperation and genuine affection washing over him. "Only you, Guy," he muttered. "Only you could turn a wild Pokémon encounter into a wrestling championship."

Just when Gladion thought the chaos had settled, something extraordinary happened.

Among the defeated Mankeys, one Mankey stood up. While others were unconscious, this Mankey remained standing, and more importantly - it was channeling an unusual energy which Gladion recognised courtesy of his sister Gwen who played with that energy everyday.

The Mankey moved with a much faster speed and rushed at Guy to hit with a much higher strength. Guy though caught Mankey's fist with his palm before knocking him out with a fire punch right at his face.

'That was Curse. If I am not wrong, curse is a unique move that works differently for Ghost-type Pokémon than other Pokémon. Ghost type Pokemon use their health to put a curse on other Pokemon while attack and defense is raised for a non ghost Pokemon if they use curse.' Gladion thought before a smile broke out his face.

'But it doesn't matter. I have just hit the jackpot.' Gladion said as he looked at that particular Mankey.

Curse, a move typically associated with Ghost-type Pokémon, was used by this Mankey. This wasn't just any Mankey. This was a potential Annihilape in the making - a evolutionary possibility that most trainers in this world hadn't even discovered yet.

"I'm catching you," Gladion declared, recognizing the significance of this particular Mankey. He wanted an Annhilape in his team down the line but he did not think that he would luck out on such a good specimen.

A Poké Ball flew from Gladion to the defeated Mankey. A moment of suspense. And then - a successful capture.

"Welcome to the team," Gladion muttered, looking at the Poké Ball that now contained the unique Mankey.

His other Pokémon gathered around, curious about the newest addition. But Gladion shooed them away to continue their training since he now had to make an important decision.

-----------Author Notes------

Thankyou Firebug70, Adam and David White for supporting me!

Y'all can read 12 extra chapters on my pat*reon.

https://pat reon.com/mrmime24

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