Chapter 10: Intense Training
Vex hadn't slept more than a half hour despite telling Caitlin that he had been sleeping for a whole hour or two. It wasn't that he tried to stay awake on purpose but rather he just couldn't seem to get some shuteye, tossing and turning on the ground for what felt like hours before finally deciding to just call it quits on sleep and try doing something else.
Possibly the main reason he couldn't sleep was due to the rather brutal day he had already had and the immense amount of information he received against his consent, leading him to be too mentally unstable to sleep. Another possible reason was that he had spent so much of the previous day unconscious that his body didn't really require much sleep at the moment.
Vex trained with his pokemon until the sun came up, setting up a sort of training regime for both himself and his new pokemon partners after finding a rather sizeable clearing a good distance away from camp. He had them shoot at a tree while he wrote down the results in a hand held notebook he had borrowed from Brock. He would calculate the average attacks they could do in one go while also writing down the average timespan per attack. He figured getting a detailed analysis of the pokemon moveset would help him immensely going forward. After getting a good run down of their moves, he figured he would switch to strengthening the moves as well as doing a trial run in battle.
While he was still unsure how battles actually worked, he had been given more than enough information from Arceus while in the mindscape to form a general idea. It was just putting it into practice that would be rather difficult.
In the midst of the self made training, Brock ended up joining him and helping him out by offering advice during and in between workouts. It wasn't until Caitlin joined them for a brief moment before leaving, talking about how she wanted him and Brock to head back to camp, that he eventually stopped training altogether, slumping down on the grass in an exhausted heap. He had been almost out of stamina anyways and the spot where he had been hit by Squirtle's [Water Gun] actually really hurt.
"So I guess your done for the time being?" Brock asked, making his way forward, his squinted brown eyes focused on Vex. "You've been working pretty hard."
Vex smiled as he reached over and gave both Pikachu and Squirtle a pat on the head. The two pokemon smiled back at him despite clearly being just as exhausted as he was. "For now, I just wanna go over my list and crunch some numbers. With this, I know the duration and current restraints on the current moves so I can use this to vastly improve my training capabilities. For the next test, I want to check the exact power of each attack. I'll save it for later though."
Brock nodded as he shouldered his overly large backpack. "I'll meet you back at the camp. I'll make us some breakfast."
"You can cook?"
"Ha. Who do you think did the cooking back home?" Brock waved as he walked off, his bag making clinking noises from everything he was carrying inside. "Trust me. You wont be disappointed."
Vex smiled as Brock disappeared into the forest, his mix match hues remaining on him until he was no longer visible. "Hope you finish fast dude. I'm freakin starving."
Lifting up the notebook, Vex turned his attention to the numbers he had collected during the extensive training session. Every piece of learned information about both pokemon was written down neatly and organized in terms of importance.
For Pikachu, his known moves were [Iron Tail], [Thundershock], and [Quick Attack]. The amount of time he could use each move per every half hour was 28 for [Iron Tail], 34 for [Thundershock], and 45 for [Quick Attack].
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Pikachu--
Known Movesets --
Iron Tail- 28 attacks per half hour
Thundershock- 34 per half hour
Quick Attack- 45 per half hour
Time Duration per attack-
Iron Tail- 12 Seconds per activation
Thundershock- 3 seconds per activation
Quick Attack- 5 seconds per activation
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Squirtle's moves were a lot easier to write down as he only had two known moves. Studying his stats took a lot less work and effort which just went to show just how much work needed to be done.
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Squirtle--
Known Movesets--
Tackle (per successful hit)- 45 attacks per half hour
Water Gun- 83 per half hour
Time Duration per attack-
Tackle- No set requirement (literally just slamming into opponent)
Water Gun- 23 seconds per activation
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"Pikachu is clearly much stronger than Squirtle is but if one can utilize this basic information, it could lead to actually dealing some significant damage." Vex flipped the book close as he pushed himself off the floor. "Of course thats if Squirtle wasn't already at a type disadvantage."
He had learned a lot of the basics in addition to advice and hints from Arceus when he had spent roughly ten hours in the mindscape. Though getting the basics had been had his own idea, it had derived from some choice words the pokemon god has spoken to him like "basic training" and "strengthening the basics".
"There are so many different ways to improve in this world. I'll need to do it all if I wanna make an impact." Vex glanced over at Pikachu and Squirtle with a smile. "Come on, Pikachu, Squirtle. Let's go back."
Pikachu scampered up and onto Vex's shoulder while Squirtle ran to catch up to them, keeping pace surprisingly easily. Vex wondered if it was possible to increase a pokemon's speed stat, assuming everything was like a game and could be referred to as a "stat". If he could increase two main stats, a good thing for him would be strength and speed as it would allow his pokemon to dodge quicker and attack faster then the opponent while also dealing out loads of damage.
Of course, he would worry about it all later when the real training began. As of this moment he only needed to worry about what Caitlin had planned because no doubt whatever training she came up with would be far better in helping him grow then him doing things on his own. He was almost certain that her regime would be much tougher and more complicated then his own, actually exciting him to no end.
It took Vex a solid five minutes to reach the camp, having stopped occasionally to stretch his sore muscles and let Squirtle rest a bit. Not only was the young man and his partners extremely hungry, but they were also fatigued to the point of collapse, needing a long nap in order to recharge.
When the white haired youth entered the campsite, it had gotten a lot more lively then when he had left it.
Serena, who had initially been asleep, was now wide awake, her pokemon, a fox-like creature with yellow, orange, and white fur, wandering around the area with its nose buried into the grass as it picked up and snacked on random twigs and sticks. The young lady was sitting on top of her sleeping bag, brush in hand as she carefully combed out every piece of grass that had gotten tangled in her hair while she slept. It was probably Vex's imagination, but she looked much better today then she had yesterday, much more calm and relaxed then before. He couldn't put a finger on it since her looks hadn't changed, it was more like he 'felt' a difference. Ever so briefly, like a flash of lightning, colors surrounded Serena tightly like a thin sheet before disappearing.
Rubbing his eyes, Vex stared at Serena intensely for a few seconds longer then necessary as he waited for the color to return, and feeling disappointed when it didn't. He had no idea what the color had been but he knew he had seen it before, around when he first met Pikachu and heard the pokemon talk in his head. It also appeared when he first met Miss Crop Top, or Misty as she called herself. It was starting to worry him about what the color was and if it meant he was close to some sort of epileptic seizure of sorts.
"Hey Vex, morning," Serena said kindly, snapping the young man back to reality. Her dark grey eyes focusing on him, ignoring the fact that up until that point, he had been staring at her like an idiot. "Did you sleep well?"
"Yeah, Im just fine," Vex said as he recovered his composure. He no doubt looked like a mess, shirtless and covered in dirt with scratched lining his body. Even with that though and his weird gaze, she had looked at him with kindness and sincerity. She was amazingly kind and it kinda freaked Vex out a little. "Just got back from some light training. It was fun."
"Well, if that training was fun then lets get started discussing what we're gonna do to get you into fighting shape." Caitlin interjected, causing both Serena and Vex to look over at her.
The young blonde was sitting beside Brock, of whom was busy cooking up some fish, though where he even got the fish Vex didnt know. The smell wafting from the cooking meat made its way up Vex's nose, causing him to drool and his stomach to rebel against him, emitting a deep rumble. He had already been hungry before, but now he felt as if he hadn't eaten in weeks as he made his way over to the fire.
"As Team Rocket likes to move undercover and can be hiding amongst anyone, we'll be staying here in this clearing for the next three weeks." Caitlin glanced at Brock, Serena, and Vex in turn, her eyes lingering over Vex longer then the others. "In that time, we need you to get a handle on the basics of both fighting and the laws and geography of this world. This includes customs and anything you'll need to know in order to make a living."
"Why three weeks?" Vex asked curiously. "Why not a month? Its only a week apart."
"Its because of the Bayrock Festival right?" Serena asked, petting Fennekin as she walked up to Serena. "You want him to participate in the Bayrock tournament?"
"The Bayrock festival might actually be the perfect place for him to get general feel for battle," Brock chimed in as he handed one of fish-on-sticks to Caitlin. "Since only newbie trainers of age 14 to 15 can enter, it'll be a great learning environment."
Vex watched as everyone nodded their heads, coming to a general agreement without even asking what he himself thought. Granted, they knew much more then he did, but he still wanted to be included in the conversation. It also ticked him off that no one was bothering to explain what the Bayrock festival was even though he now knew that they knew he wasn't from this world.
"Ummm, is anyone gonna explain to me what the hell is Bayrock Festival?" Vex asked, his tone filled with irritation. "Whats a Bayrock Tournament? Hell, whats even a Bayrock??"
Caitlin smiled as she took a small bite of her fish, completely ignoring the fact that it was still fresh off the fire. "Long ago, pokemon trainers ran rampant without any organization or leadership, any true goal or motives. The battled anywhere and everywhere to see who was better. This was before the Gym and Gym Leader systems were put into place."
"Seeking the need for stability, various government leaders met up together and began thinking of ways to not only utilize trainers for selfish purposes but also keep them pitted against one another. Thus, the concept of Gym Leaders, badges, and the Elite Four was born, a system that worked almost too perfectly. Aspiring trainers wanted to be strong and would seek out strength through merit in battle to try and work their way to the top, beating gym leaders and gathering badges to ultimately defeat the Elite Four and become champion. Companies that manufactured Pokeballs, potions, and everything battle related made a killing while those on top maintained their wealth and status with little to no hiccups."
Caitlin shrugged as she passed a fish over to Serena who had moved over to join them. "The place that the system was established was right here in Kanto, in this very city, Viridian City. Every year, to celebrate the very construct of and semblance of the Elite Four system, the Bayrock Festival is held here. It serves as a reminder as a turning point in history. This Festival marks the 124th year since the Elite Four founding."
"So the Bayrock Festival is a big deal then?" Vex asked, beginning to understand most of what was being said. It was basically a government sponsored event to showcase what was probably their greatest success. "Okay. So whats a Bayrock then?"
"A Bayrock is a type of stone that is said to never break, a gemstone harder than even diamond. The festival was named after it in hopes that the prosperity of the elite would live on forever." This time it was Brock who answered as he handed Vex a fish. The white haired youth accepted it gratefully, biting into it without a moment of hesitation. "Many things are held during the festival such as rides, games, food stalls, and many other attractions. All around Viridian City in roughly three weeks for now and for a week after will be nothing but partying."
"Of course, there'll also be a chance that key members of Team Rocket will try something from the shadows." Caitlin said, causing Vex to spit out a piece of fish.
"Team Rocket will be there?" Vex asked, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand as Pikachu jumped off his shoulder. "What gives you that assumption?"
Caitlin didn't answer right away as she nibbled at her fish, leaving everyone in complete silence for a full minute before finally speaking up. "The Bayrock festival is by far the most world renowned event and one of the most popular. Every year, strong trainers, both young and old, gather here to take part in the various games and rides as well as to scope out the younger generation. Hell, even Elite Four members from other regions and Gym Leaders come here, sometimes even champions join the mix. With a smorgasbord of trainers from around the world cropped together in one place, how could an organization as hardcore as Team Rocket miss this opportunity to either cause trouble or gather intel."
With Caitlin putting it like that, Vex was now just as certain that they would reveal themselves one way or another. If it was true that many elite trainers would show up, there wasn't any doubt spies working for the secret criminal group would seize the opportunity to slip in and gather data on everyone present. As his initial goal was to demolish Team Rocket, he was all for this Bayrock festival and whatever it entailed.
"Okay then, lets get started on training." Vex said, taking a huge bite of fish. He spit out a few bones and swallowed the rest. "We got no time to waste."
"Wait a minute Vex," Serena interrupted. "You should rest a bit. You just finished training a while ago. You shouldn't strain yourself."
Vex opened his mouth to disagree but he was cut off by Brock, who stood up from his seat, backpack at the ready. "Serena is right Vex. You should rest up for now. I'll go and get the materials you'll need to study from so just sit tight. What do we need Caitlin?"
The longe haired woman said an abundance of words belonging to various books, maps, and other such things. What was perhaps the most amazing to Vex was that Brock merely nodded instead of writing any of it down, eventually disappearing into the forest without once asking Caitlin to repeat herself. Brock truly was reliable and mature, albeit a tad strange to Vex.
"Okay, now that that's taken care of, there's one other thing we need to go over before we move on any further." Caitlin reached into the pocket of her dress and pulled out a circular disk about the size of Vex's palm. The surface shifted and changed, a brilliant blue color that reminded the young man of clear blue lake. "You should know what this is right?"
Vex was momentarily stunned into silence. He hadn't expected to run into another Plate so soon, especially after just having gotten his hands of the Fighting Plate. There was no mistaking the feeling of power emanating off the disk as well as the ever shifting colors. This was the real deal.
Reaching into his pocket, Vex pulled out the Fighting Plate and held it up next to Caitlin's blue circular plate. "Its the disks that Team Rocket are after, the Plates Of Arceus, right?"
Caitlin nodded as she took hers back and slid it back into her pocket, allowing Vex to do the same. "For now, I'll hang onto mine. Once you're strong enough, I'll give it to you to hold for me. That aside, I think it's time for you to learn how to use your psychic powers. It'll help you tremendously along the road."
Vex's mind blanked for a second as it registered what Caitlin was saying. Eventually the words finally clicked, causing him to laugh a little. She had just said something he found totally ridiculous and totally unrealistic which he almost wanted to roll his eyes at.
"I'm sorry, I think you're talking to someone else. I dont have psychic abilities. I cant use use the force to move objects."
"Use the what?" Caitlin was now equally confused before opting to ignore what Vex had said. "Never mind. You DO have psychic abilities. Maybe not specifically telekinesis like mine but some other form of power. I'll guide you and teach you how to utilize it to become an even better trainer. With my help, I can make you into a trainer worthy of helping Arceus."
Thinking back, there had been a number of cases where Vex felt was weird that he hadn't been able to explain. When he heard Pikachu talk in his head back when he had thought everything was a dream and when he had "felt" that Serena was doing much better today then before. Perhaps the most unexplainable thing was the periodic thin flash of color around people whenever he was around others. Up until this point he had just ignored it, but now he began to question if this was what Caitlin meant by psychic abilities.
(("Psychic powers? Me? Thats still really hard to believe. Then again, I've had weirder stuff happen to me so simply trying would be fine.")) As Vex came to a conclusion in his head, a determined expression spread across his face as he nodded. "Okay, fine. I'll play along for now. What do I need to do?"
"Well first things first." Caitlin smiled as she double tapped one of her pokeballs, enlarging it. "You're gonna have to battle me. Then we can truly get started. Time IS ticking after all!!"
He hesitated for a second. He had just gotten done with his self training him and his pokemon and now he was about to send them into battle. As someone who genuinely cared about the well being of animals as well as people close to him, he wasn't to keen on the idea of battling just yet. He was fine with more training as he could always let Pikachu and Squirtle rest if the need arose, but battling right now seemed like it would actually hurt his new pokemon friends rather then actually help.
(("It doesn't matter. Let's do it!!"))
Looking up, Vex glanced around before his gaze landed on Pikachu, of whom was staring at him intensely, electricity sparking from his bright red cheeks.
(("Lets push forward together. Count on me and I'll have your back, just like I know you'll have mine."))
Vex was speechless for a second before smiling. Kneeling down, he held out his fist towards Pikachu, flashing his pearly whites. "Let get stronger man. I trust you."
Pikachu nodded, reaching up bump his tiny hand against Vex's, his eyes full of determination.
"Alright, we're ready. Serena, toss me my beanie." Vex rose to his feet, his knees cracking slightly. He knew that both he, Pikachu and Squirtle weren't in the best condition, but Pikachu was all for a battle so he was he to refuse. "I agree to your challenge. What are the rules?"
Caitlin pushed the button on the pokeball in her hand, opening it up and summoning out Gothitelle. It wasn't his first time seeing this pokemon as he had seen her earlier when Caitlin had came to get him, but it still looked rather intimidating and made him question whether or not he could actually defeat something like this.
"The rules are simple. All you have to do is land one hit on Gothitelle and you win." Caitlin smiled as she held up one finger. "Of course, I'm not just gonna let you get the hit. Gothitelle will be dodging and occasionally attacking to keep things interesting. Normally there would be a battle area to show where to keep your pokemon so it doesn't go out of bounds but for now, consider this whole clearing your battleground. You may start whenever you like."
And just like that, Vex's intense training began.
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