Chapter 64: Training pokemon and people

Chapter 64: Training pokemon and people

Missy was working with her Rhydon and her Growlithe as I emerged from the gym. Chansey was on my left and Janine flickered into place on my right. She jabbed at me but I stepped to the side out of habit.

She brightened up at my reaction. Excellent! You can also follow up by sweep

Her advice had to be dropped as Chansey reacted poorly to Janines sudden appearance by unleashing a Double Slap that Janine wasnt expecting. She rocked back onto her heels from the first hit only for the follow-up backhand from Chansey to knock her off her feet.

I put a hand on Chanseys side. Woah, easy there girl, I said while trying to hold in my laughter. I hadnt known that Chansey reacted so poorly to surprises.

Apparently, violence was her go-to option.

Janine bounced up to her feet into a fighting position and glared at Chansey. They both locked eyes and Chansey raised her tiny arms in preparation. I considered, for half a moment, just stepping back and letting them fight.

Then the responsible adult within me reared its head and I stepped between them.

Alright, alright, we should just calm down. Janine, the issue with your training method just made itself very clear I think, no? I held up a hand and she blinked before scowling.

That! That was just a lucky shot!? she said but I could tell even to her it was a weak excuse. Her gaze was locked behind me though.

I shook my head, then turned to Chansey who was still bobbing back and forth and shooting her tiny arms out with the occasional come get some at Janine.

Chansey, thats not helping.

Chansey! Chan! Chan! she said as she shot out punch after punch. Witness the debut of this chapter, unveiled through Ñôv€l--B1n.

Chansey, I said firmly.

Chansey settled down and sighed. I almost turned away only to stop as Chansey started to twitch into throwing her fist upwards while the other slapped it in an offensive gesture.

Chansey, do you want to help train Missys pokemon with Gravity or not?

Chansey dropped the aggressive stance and bowed politely to Janine only to skip past me and wave happily to Missy.

Morning Brock! Missy said as she noticed us. She glanced at Chansey and then at Janine. Uhm? Is everything alright?

Just Janine learning how people react differently and one method of teaching isnt a guarantee of success, I said, summarising without restarting that little spat. Missy watched me and I realised that my lips were twitching.

I coughed to reset my mood. Right! Lets talk about your training methods. I reviewed what youve been doing and noticed the gap with no gravity training. Thats going to be especially important for pokemon that youre looking to evolve such as your Growlithe and your Rhydon. Increasing their muscle mass prior to evolution can make things a lot easier than waiting.

Why is that? Missy asked with a tilt of her head.

I glanced at Janine and gestured for her to take over. I wanted to test her and see how she would answer the question and any subsequent questions.

Janine straightened up. Yes! Gravity training increases muscle density, bone mineral density and ligament strength! This allows for an earlier development for pokemon so when they undergo their evolution there is a greater mass for the multiplicative effect to come into play.

Missy blinked. Wait so my Rhydon has missed out because I evolved her already?! she said with a shriek. Next to her, her Rhydon gasped theatrically and put her hands over her shoulder and chest where the most prominent musculature of a Rhydon was.

I had to resist the urge to step in as Janine scowled. Dont be ridiculous! Your pokemon still has the chance to regain the mass she missed out on. She has a range of growth, it is just something you will have to work out and increase her nutrient intake. Her growth factor will resolve all of that! Janine crossed her arms and nodded.

Missy notably did not look relieved and in fact, looked more worried. But my Rhydon has been evolved for a year and a half now wouldnt that mean her growth factor has stopped?

Janine raised a finger before perking up. Her next evolution will restart her growth factor!

Missy considered that and slowly nodded. So how long will it come into effect for her?

It typically lasts a month after the evolution takes place so it is important that if you want certain physical characteristics such as size or unusual arm reach for your pokemon then you should have training that will facilitate this!

I decided to interject. There are supplements that help induce more growth but these are expensive. It will depend on if you actually want the size increase or if youre trying to stay quick and nimble! As a gym trainer, this will be covered by the Gym. It is recommended that you hold off evolution for at least a month with this training to get more from it. I then rolled my hand to show Janine I wanted her to continue.

Janine stepped forward once more. That concludes what you need to know!

I coughed, and Janine and Missy stared at me. I sighed. The risk factors and considerations for this type of training also need to be explained, Janine.

Oh! Yes! Stay within your limitations, and when your pokemon is tired, you should stop! she said.

I facepalmed. That explanation is missing a lot of details, I said lightly. In the future, it is best to explain all the details. For instance, why is gravity training not used extensively?

It causes bulk up in pokemon? Janine said.

I nodded. Indeed. Some pokemon you will want to stay small and nimble. Also some pokemon, such as bug pokemon, wont react well to having their wings suddenly weigh a lot more. There are benefits to getting them used to gravity training, but this is more so that they can handle the strain if they encounter it. Sustained gravity training will also negatively impact their ability to dodge. It is better for Pokemon that you want to hit with physical attacks or be able to handle heavier hits.

Like Flamethrower! said Missy.

No, Janine and I said over the top of each other. Missy reeled back.

Janine glanced at me and checked to see if I wanted her to say anything, but I decided to take over. Right, so I havent gone into this yet but Flamethrower has a physical component certainly, but it mostly uses energy. So Flamethrower is not an example of what you could improve from Gravity training. Gravity training is best for improving a pokemons vitality, or its physical stats. So in this case attack and defence or how hard it can punch or how hard it can take a punch.

What about speed? Missy said.

I held up a finger. Speed has had I rethought that. Well honestly, the whole classification system has been something that researchers get into fights over. I said scratching my head.

There hasnt yet been something more applicable ,so yeah Ill put a pin in that whole conversation. But with regard to your question? Speed, as people use it for stats with pokemon, refers to both agility aka the ability to change directions and control acceleration and what is known as straight-line movement or velocity. There is a marked difference between these. This is also where people can get into a lot of trouble with gravity training. Its also where all the warnings about gravity training mostly come from. Missy nodded, looked intently at me to show she was listening.

I circled my hand about. Now! Forgive me for dropping this on you but if you want to look it up, it is in the Gym network files that are for trainers to use.

Missy nodded slowly and Janine tilted her head. I pointed to her. Sorry, forgot to grant you access to it. Ask Alexa later alright?

I then paused as I regathered where Id left off. Right! So when we stand, gravity is naturally pulling us down. Our joints come under normal body weight pressure. What happens when we start moving, even at a slow walk, is that the amount of force a joint is under increases in multiples, which can then be compounded with gravity.

Huh? Missy said.

Janine nodded. The amount of pressure placed on joints, ligaments and muscles increase when we move.

I pointed at her and nodded. Correct! Now when we move faster this pressure increases until it can easily reach over two times the normal pressure when factoring in our body weight at a quick walk.

I pointed to Rhydon. So, if we think about a pokemon like Rhydon running, there is a rather large force being placed on her joints, and when we add in Gravity? The risk of injury increases.

Missy glanced at Chansey. So shes here for that? Healing any injuries?

And to increase her Gravity control. For today you are only going to be moving around slowly. You should never rush straight into the higher levels of agility drills with your pokemon as that will result in torn muscles and ligaments. We want muscle hypertrophy to occur. Dont worry though, those levels will come but give your pokemon time and proper care. You just need to get over an initial hurdle that makes Gravity training dangerous.

Missy nodded seriously as her pokemon eyed off Chansey excitedly. Chansey, for her part, merely smirked, knowing how much this training was going to suck.

What about special attack and special defence?

I wavered my hand. We'll touch on that another day, I said, not wanting to get into the whole aura education that such a conversation would require today. Just pay as much attention as you can to how your pokemon uses their energy reserves. The more they attack and the more powerful the attacks are, which is a good indicator of their reserves, and also that their special attack stat is increasing.

Missy nodded. I quickly glanced down at my watch, relaxing as this talk had only taken ten minutes. I still had time before the days challenges started. I exhaled some of the tension that had built up and clapped Janine on the shoulder. Right, youre with me today. Janine perked up as Missy began to order her pokemon to endure the Gravity as Chansey laid it upon them.

I gestured to the cave system at the back and led Janine into the darkness. So you wanted to see how I trained my aura you said earlier, I said, referencing a talk we had had over the weekend.

Indeed, Janine said seriously while furtively glancing backwards. Are you sure we can leave Missy and her pokemon with that Brute?

I shot a glance back to find Chansey shooting Janine a glare. Chansey is probably the best for this. She understands how far she can push and is extremely professional.

Her tendencies aside?

Her tendencies mean she understands the breaking point a lot better. When shes working theres no issues from her. Trust me! I said with a grin.

Janine hummed before nodding. Very well. And, yes I wanted to discuss Aura development as it is something I She stopped at the cave entrance and kicked at a rock. Have not yet developed.

Oh? I said surprised at the admission. Are Are your fathers training methods not working for you?

My fathers training methods are wonderful! Janine said with a snap of her teeth like an ursaring that had just been poked.

I waved a hand, turning to face her front on. I didnt say they were bad, merely that they havent worked for you is all.

Janine worked her jaw and nodded tightly. Tis true I have not responded to them. I I was hoping that your method might have some clues into helping me unlock my poison.

Hmmmm alright then.

Janine bowed. My thanks For your guidance and discretion. She fidgetted. I have read all of the books that my father has supplied and found that I still have not been able to manifest or control my own energies.

Janine faded from sight, using the darkness of the cave to hide. It is most shameful, she said from somewhere off to the side in a whisper.

I channeled dark energy to my eyes and she became Well not easy to spot. But certainly possible to see. She glared at me when she noticed I was watching her move from rock to rock as quietly as possible.

She huffed and returned to walking at my side. I feel like using your dark aura is cheating

I shook my head. I think it is using what is natural to me. Also, its probably best if you dont wander off down here. I gestured for her to hurry along. While I still had time, I didnt have as much as I normally would have.

Before she could ask why, a bolt of lightning lit up a cave nearby, revealing Sanchez sitting among a crowd of much smaller geodudes. The larger pokemon had his hands splayed out to the side and was catching bolts of electricity that were being shot at him from the five electric-rock geodude variants that the Gym now owned.

I see, said Janine carefully.

Yeah, Sanchezs area would knock you out. But hell bundle you up to the gym pronto if it happens. No, the big threat down here is from loose rocks and turning your ankle honestly.

Thats the worst thing that can happen? Janine said incredulously.

I grimaced. Ah no. If you get caught out of place by Don hell rip you apart. Hes very territorial.

Doesnt the researcher Bianca? Come in here all the time?

Yes, and shes been introduced a number of times and knows exactly how touchy he can be. She is a trained professional. Shes not someone slinking around thats new.

Case and point as soon as I walked past the grotto that housed the ancient pokemon, Don shrieked a challenge. Go back to sleep! I called out to him, tossing a few pokeblock snacks into the cave as I did so.

I rolled my eyes as he continued to growl and make a loud showing of how fierce he was. I heard the other ancient pokemon join him in enjoying the snacks as well.

When we reached the deepest cave I paused. You sure youre going to be alright in the dark?

Then I inhaled and shook myself. Alright, go time!

The days matches actually ended up going much quicker than Id planned. Which I felt worked perfectly for me. Rarely would I get so much free time at the end of my day to catch up on the various bits and pieces of being the Gym Leader. Not now that the circuit was underway anyways. I doubted the last two Gym Challengers for today had been expecting quite as hard a match-up as they did when Rocko and Jackon beat them but that sometimes happened when we had gauntlet runs.

Daniel had been annoyed that Id tapped him to lead Janine around the city. With nothing to do Id closed off the main arena and let everyone relax after they saw to their pokemon. People could still reserve the battle courts for matches, but I wasnt going to see any more challenges.

Then Id departed for my house where Id sat at the kitchen counter with a wad of paperwork. Munchlax sat across from me with a bowl of cereal Id made up for him. Eevee was sitting curled up in my lap as I finished up the paperwork

Brock I need your signatures on these, Alexa said as she handed me a few hiring forms. I looked them over, recalling the people that had made it through the last round of hiring. Some of them had been ecstatic about a temp job with us. I signed the forms and handed them back along with a few others.

Alexa? I said as a thought occurred to me.

Yes, Brock?

How many people have put down for the Elite challenge right now?

She frowned and tapped on her handheld computer. None, she said after a while. She tapped a few more times. Usually you dont see any takers for that until after the third month.

I hummed. Put a sign over the Elite challenge out front. Say that were holding off on accepting that challenge until lets say four months into the circuit? Then people that are international trainers will have a chance with their stronger pokemon if theyre confident. I'll keep the attention otherwise on single, double, gauntlet and Ace trainer fights for now.

Alexa shifted. It might streamline things if we had the gauntlet challengers start on the battle courts as well and then be escorted in.

I considered that before shaking my head. No, I want people challenging for the badge to have an experience here. Changing courts might cheapen that. Alexa hummed as though she thought otherwise but nodded to show she understood my reasoning. I drummed the table. Should I cancel the Ace challenges as well?

Alexa promptly deposited a page that detailed how much the Gym made for reserving Brock the arena along with television rights for matches. I also pocketed part of this as a separate entity. I tapped the figure. Ah, yeah best not drop the Ace challenges if we want to handle the increase in costs well be facing then, I said.

Alexa made an agreeing noise before she departed.

With her gone, I could focus on other things. Like making some very pointed inquiries at the League. I drew out a notepad to jot down some thoughts.

While Giovanni had been right about my showing and advertising drawing more people in, there was a limit to how many trainers I could face and someone had to have been ignoring things at the League for it to get this bad. Someone wasnt doing their job and I felt like I needed to make my point clear. This after all was another problem for the gym that could have been handled better.

So, Id probably need to go to Lance and give him the heads up that I wasnt happy to have so many challengers. I might even have to lay out the ramifications of this many trainers being let through. I just needed to jot down my thoughts.

Alright, so what sort of I started to say to myself.

Gym Leader Brock! I challenge you! cried out a voice through the window.

Eevee startled out of her nap and ran off with a cry. I glanced up and saw a trainer standing with his pokeball extended towards me. I also noted he was standing in the middle of the flower garden.

Get off my petunias! I shouted at him as I wound the curtain down.

What? Oh! Sorry! Hey! You cant just hide behind your curtain I saw you!

No, you didnt! Im just a recorded hologram! I shouted back.

There was a moment of silence. Then the trainer said, Really? Thats kinda coo Wait a second! You saw me in your flowerbed!

I clicked my tongue. I should have known hed be one of those pesky not a complete idiot sorts. Then again, he was, after all, standing in my garden shouting challenges.

Read the signs kid! I dont accept challenges like this, go around the front! I was already turning to the Graveler that served as the nanny. I jerked my thumb towards the kid. She bobbed her whole body once and marched out.

Your signs wont stop me! Ahaha! So you accept my there was a moment of scuffling and an aborted shout. A few minutes later Graveler walked back in, dusting her hands off. I shot her a thankful look. Munchlax merely handed her his empty cereal bowl before toddling off. The cheeky pokemon patted me on the side as he did so. He certainly had it good living under my roof. Six meals a day by my count and his choice of places to sleep when he wanted to.

I grumbled as I made another mark on the tally for trainers that had challenged me so far at home. That had been the tenth I was only two weeks into the circuit

I looked down at the points that I would be able to raise in argument with Lance. The need to give my pokemon rest was a serious concern and the increased strain on infrastructure were good, solid dependable points. They sadly had no zing to them.

I needed points with punch. I shot a message off to Rachel and she mentioned the two Id already come up with.

Got anything the League would be interested in? Also, don't you have a Lawyer for this? she messaged back.

I paused at that. She was right! On both counts. I sent a message to Lawrence and he shot me a picture of a slowpoke. I grumbled some more before he sent me a message that hed start looking into the issue straight away. I flicked through my address book on my transceiver and called the first number that might have some potential for something the League would be interested in. Hey Bianca, got any fertilised eggs from Don yet? I said to the in-house breeding specialist.

Yes actually! Good timing! I was going to talk to you when you had a chance, as there has been a clutch laid! she said.

I grinned through the screen. Enough to send one to Professor Elm and Professor Oak as per our agreement?

Oh yes! Don has been most vigorous with my team of Ditto! Bianca said happily.

I nodded, not really wanting that imagery, but having it now despite my best attempts to push it away. ... Right. Got another left over? I happen to know someone else interested in buying an egg.

Bianca turned to the side. Three, four, five Yeah I think with six of them now youll have a good start on a breeding population that we can expand on slowly one of those to a seller should be no issue. Are you going to be putting any restrictions on your sale to others?

I blinked at that. Not expecting to be asked that by Bianca. I considered it before shaking my head. No, Ill allow them to breed as they want. Ill just make sure they know and charge them extra for it. Alright?

Bianca nodded. Thats perfectly fine with me! Id prefer there being more options in breeding partners out there in fact!

Any other eggs?

Not as many no. I have a Kabuto egg and an Omantye egg but no one so far has been as wonderful as Don with his ardour.

I nodded again. Alright cool. Ill swing around to talk with the client this afternoon, so can you put the Aerodactyl egg in an incubator for me?

Can do! Bianca said as she signed off.

I hummed, considering the next number. It would probably be overkill, but I hadnt heard anything from the man recently and it might be nice to have another arrow in my quiver.

Afternoon Crowley! I said as the dark haired man answered my call.

Brock! Yes, good morning!

I tilted my head and glanced at the clock. Crowley blinked blearily at me. I had an idea to ask him what day he thought it was, but decided against it.

Crowley nodded again. I am pleased to hear from you Im sorry to say weve stalled out on making the leap from plants to animals in resurrecting ancient pokemon I The man licked his lips.

I might need to ask for another extension of funds? he said, cringing away from me like he expected this to be an issue.

I stared at the video in thought. It had been an idle thought with some loose money when I started funding them. I knew in the games, that after you lose Cinnabar as an option, Pewter Museum had become the site to resurrect pokemon, but perhaps I was throwing money down the drain.

On the screen, Crowley fidgeted. Oh well, I wasnt hurting for money and I could back myself a bit longer. I was about to open my mouth to say I had no issues with that before a pink flower pokemon inched its way along a shelf behind Crowleys shoulders. It turned and inspected Crowley, its dark eyes shining out of its hidden face as its fronds waggled about.

Lileep! it chanted as it tickled the back of Crowleys head.

I pointed at it. Crowley. Who's that pokemon?

Crowley glanced back to see what I was talking about. Oh! This is one of the plants we resurrected. We've gotten very good at resurrecting plants but were still not to the animal phase quite yet. He glanced back and some atrophied social instinct he had must have twitched as he tilted his head. Are you Interested in them?

I sighed. Crowley, consider your funding requirements a thing of the past. I, and at least one other trainer I know, would love those in our roster.

Consider them yours! he said.

I nodded before tilting my head. How many did you resurrect?

Fifty! said Crowley happily. I had to make sure the process was viable and repeatable! Sadly we ran out of genetic samples before we proved what the success rate truly is. Its an untested hundred percent so far! Crowley, rather than looking pleased, shook his head sadly.

How many tests are you thinking you need to conduct? I said before I could stop myself.

Oh?! Well Brock, as a Gym Leader and not a scientist, Im sure it must come as a shock, but proper research standards dictate at least a few thousand! He then panned his screen around to show his lab with a number of Lileep inching around it with an intern shooing one off some paperwork.

I pinched the bridge of my nose. Ill be over to pick them up, along with depositing some money to you soon.

Excellent! said the man in a totally normal and not at all maniacal way. He hung up quickly.

I sighed. Why why is this my life? I said to the air. I shrugged, it could be way worse actually.

I called Lawrence and he spat what looked like coffee over himself when I announced Crowleys failure to him. Ill be right over there in a few minutes! he said before hanging up.

I stood to walk outside and ride Zephyr over. Then I stopped as I considered something. I opened my transceiver and dialled Sabrina. Sabrina appeared next to me instead of answering.

Yes Brock? She considered me. You have a look of exasperation on your face.

I pointed at her. Correct, I said. Sabrina nodded and walked forward to pat me on the head.

It was nice and I relaxed into being pat.

Then the doorbell began to ring obnoxiously.

Gym Leader Brock! I, Vandal Vicenzo challenge you Graveler stormed to the front door only to open it to reveal no trainer. I frowned. Had I been rang and dashed? Then I remembered Sabrina.

What did you do with him?

Deposited them in the pond in the middle of Pewter city, Sabrina said neutrally.

I felt such a surge of emotion I almost blurted out how great she was. Instead, I hugged her. She returned to patting my head.

It was nice.

Hey, I was surprised the other day. She tilted her head and I grinned. The stationary store moved, I said.

Sabrinas shoulders twitched.

I went to the bank and saw a woman with a stain on her blouse, should I teller?

Sabrina giggled and I enjoyed the sound before telling her how things were. Then, because I liked her smile more than her serious face, I told her another joke.

Theres a really annoying guy going around. He thinks that just cause hes the only chimney sweep in town he can raise his prices through the roof.

I continued to tell some jokes for a few minutes. With all my farfetchd in a row, it was time to go poke a sleeping Dragon master.