Upon arriving at Muscle Island, the group found the island covered in large rocks with an ordinary landscape, so they didn't want to stay long.
"According to the travel map, we just need to cross Muscle Island to the other side. There's a pier there with direct boats to Mossdeep City," Brock said after carefully reading a travel guidebook.
"Really? That's great! We're finally going to reach Mossdeep City. I can't wait to get my seventh gym badge," Ash said excitedly, clenching his fists.
"Alright, alright, let's hurry up and get going!" Max urged, seeing Ash's excitement.
As they ventured deeper into the island, they found fewer people around and came across a group of fitness enthusiasts intensely working out. These individuals were all very muscular.
There was a bespectacled man lifting a Geodude in each hand as weights, a fit woman doing sit-ups with a Blastoise holding her legs down, her body toned with no excess fat, and a muscular man doing squats with a Voltorb balanced on his head.
Seeing this scene, Rex was taken aback. At that moment, one of the Poké Balls on his waist began to glow red, and Machop suddenly appeared.
Due to Rex spending most of his time traveling recently, Machop could only train at night, which wasn't enough to satisfy its training desires. Stimulated by the sight, it couldn't hold back any longer and rushed out.
"Huh, Machop, what are you doing out here?" Rex asked in confusion.
Machop didn't respond but pointed at the people and Pokémon training ahead and then at itself, indicating it wanted to join in and lift weights.
"You guys must be new to the island?" A young man, seemingly the leader of the fitness enthusiasts, walked over. He had clearly noticed they had just arrived on Muscle Island and came over to introduce himself.
During their conversation, Rex learned that the young man was named Rocky, who often organized fitness activities for trainers on the island.
Rocky believed that to win Pokémon battles, one needed a strong body first. He trained hard every day and gradually attracted a group of like-minded trainers to join him in working out.
Upon learning that the boat to Mossdeep City wouldn't depart until the evening, they accepted Rocky's invitation to join their training group.
Rex thought it was a good idea since physical training couldn't hurt. In dangerous situations, they could rely on their own strength to escape rather than always depending on their Pokémon.
However, Rex also doubted that these trainers could reach the level of an Elite Four like Bruno, who could supposedly defeat an Onix bare-handed. That seemed beyond the capability of ordinary people.
"Since you're all joining in, I'll find some trainers for you to learn from so you can train more effectively!" Rocky, being very proactive, quickly arranged for each of them to have a mentor for training.
Rex was paired with a muscular trainer named Blake, who trained with a Machoke. This was also because Rex had a Machop with him.
Rex had noticed Blake earlier, as there weren't many who could spar with a Machoke. He couldn't tell how much Machoke was holding back, but from the intensity of their sparring, it was clear Blake was quite strong.
"I'll teach you a set of strengthening exercises. Learn as much as you can, and then let my Machoke train with your Machop," Blake said to Rex.
Rex had no objections. After some warm-up exercises, Blake began teaching him a set of strengthening moves.
Though called strengthening exercises, Rex found them much harder than yoga poses from his previous life. The whole set consisted of nine movements, each requiring significant flexibility, which was quite challenging.
Fortunately, Rex's body, enhanced and optimized by life energy, was exceptionally flexible, allowing him to complete the entire set of movements.
After practicing the full set, Rex's muscles trembled, reaching their limit. He could only continue training by using his abilities, but that would draw too much attention, which he wanted to avoid.
Blake was equally astonished that Rex could learn the entire set. Though he demonstrated the full set, he only expected Rex to learn a few simple movements.
Blake had learned the exercises from a famous martial artist in his youth, taking over half a month to master them. The martial artist claimed that mastering the exercises could lead to learning the Fighting-type move Bulk Up, which Machop knew to enhance its strength.
Blake himself didn't quite believe this, as he had only become stronger without learning anything special after years of training.
"Rex, you have amazing physical talent. Do you want to stay and train as a martial artist? I believe you could become an excellent one," Blake earnestly invited Rex.
Through their conversation, Rex learned that Blake was a martial arts enthusiast traveling around to train. He had stopped on Muscle Island for its conducive training environment.
However, Rex declined, as he didn't plan on becoming a martial artist. It wasn't his style. Nonetheless, he decided to continue practicing the strengthening exercises, despite the pain, as they were beneficial for his body.
Blake, though disappointed, didn't push further.
Unable to train any longer, Rex limped over to Machop's training area, where Machop was sparring intensely with Machoke.
Rex could see Machoke was holding back, helping Machop fight at its limit without being overwhelmed. Despite Machoke's concern over Machop's missing right hand, it was an excellent teacher.
Under this pressure, Machop's momentum grew until it reached a breakthrough, gathering all its strength in its fist and striking at Machoke.
"Superpower!" Rex quickly checked his Pokédex and saw that Machop had learned the Superpower move.
The force of Machop's Superpower sent Machoke flying, who only managed to avoid injury by adjusting its stance and pushing against a rock, which cracked under the impact.
Machop, having used Superpower, was now panting heavily, its strength temporarily drained.
"You and your Machop are something else. I look forward to your future!" Blake said, patting Rex on the shoulder before leaving with Machoke.
Rex and Machop exchanged satisfied smiles, having gained much from this experience.
"May, Max, Brock, what are you doing here?" Rex limped over to the group and asked.
"We've been training for a while and need a break. But what happened to you, Rex?" May asked, puzzled by his condition.
"Hehe, just some overtraining. By the way, where's Ash?" Rex changed the topic.
"Ash went with Rocky for a secret match. I wonder how it's going. I really want to see it!" Max's curiosity was piqued, feeling left out.
Soon, Ash and Rocky returned, but they didn't mention the match, frustrating Max.
"It's almost time. We should head to the pier," Brock said, checking the time.
Everyone agreed and continued their journey to the pier.
(End of Chapter)