The first reason was the sheer difficulty of ranking up to pseudo-champion rank and champion rank. Forget about the master rank, a normal trainer would take years and years to reach from king rank to pseudo-champion rank.
This was also the reason why there were very few pseudo-champions and champion ranks in the whole wide world.
Axel knew that he was expecting a lot from his Pokemons but he would not be disappointed if they didn't reach his standard. He knew that it was hard to reach there.
He went outside, as he had to talk to his Pokemons.
"Marcus, Charles, come out."
"ROOOOARRRR"
Charizard gave a big roar when it came out of the ball.
"Quiet down. People are sleeping now.", said Axel.
"Now, I know you guys have been training in other places. I just wanted to ask if any of you wanted to go there and continue your training.
Marcus, I know that your training is not complete. So will you go to Gengar to train? And what about you Charles?", asked Axel.
Axel had expected them to say that they wanted to go there to train further but their replies surprised Axel. Both of them didn't want to go there for the time being.
He first looked at Charles and asked, "Can you tell me the reason? You know that I cannot provide you the training grounds like that in Charicific Valley. So, you will progress further if you go there."
"Father, I know that I could get stronger more faster there but I just don't want to do it. That is the place just for pure competition and rivalry. At first, I wanted to compete with all of them and be the best but now I know that such things would take time.
I am only 2 and a half years old. I have a lot of time to reach master rank and also god rank. I will go there when I reach pseudo-champion rank to challenge the hierarchy but I don't want to go now. I also want to protect you cause let's face it, without me and boss you are very defenseless."
This reply really shocked him. First, Charizard had started to grow mature. It was thinking of life than its power. This was a huge development in its character. He was also touched that it cared about him.
However, it was also right. Without Charizard and Shedinja, Axel was defenseless. They were the only tier 2 king-rank Pokemons and they were the strongest. Axel would have died if not for Charizard in that tide battle. Once again, he felt that he needed to grow stronger.
"What about you Marcus? I know for sure that you have not completed all your training.", asked Axel.
"Axel, I am your knight and it is my duty to protect. When I went there to train, I realized that I had made a horrible mistake of leaving you alone.", said Shedinja.
Sheidnja was also saying that Axel was not very strong to protect himself. He could understand that.
"But you have to leave for your training in the future. When do you plan to do that?", asked Axel.
"When I feel that other team members (Pokemons of Axel) are strong enough to protect you. Right now, I don't think, anyone could do a better job than me.", said Shedinja.
"Hmm… it is your decision and I am partly happy that both of you chose to stay. I am also planning a unique training plan for both of you. We will discuss that tomorrow. Let's sleep for tonight.", said Axel.
###
Axel realized that when a Pokemon reaches tier 2 of King rank, it becomes very hard to upgrade themselves. Their moves were leveling up just fine. However, after level 60, it became harder to level up.
Their body stats also became very hard to upgrade. Axel didn't know why that was happening. He also didn't have any source for answers. He could ask Angela about it but he decided to ask Oak or Red before. They were his teachers.
Oak just said that he needed to learn that from himself making him disappointed. He had been trying to contact Red but Red had not been replying to him. The last time he heard him was when Red was going to go on a mission given by Oak.
Finally, Axel had gotten a text reply from Red today. The text said that Red would call him tomorrow morning at 6 a.m. and he could only talk for 10 minutes.
Thinking about all of these, he fell asleep.
###
Next day,
Axel woke up at 5 a.m. and took his shower. He also went down to get his breakfast. He called out all of his Pokemons and they also had their breakfast.
Finally, it was 6 a.m. and he called Red.
"Hey Axel, how are you?", asked Red.
"Where have you been for such a long time?", asked Axel.
"The mission is a secret and I only have 10 minutes. So, ask your questions?"
"Ok, Marcus and Charizard have reached tier 2 of king rank."
"WOhhh.. That is awesome. It takes a lot of time to reach there.", commented Red.
"Thanks but now I am facing a problem. Actually 2 problems. First, their body stats are hardly increasing and it has become very difficult to upgrade and level up their moves past level 60. Do you have any suggestions?", asked Axel.
"I have many. I know what you are going through. Your Pokemons are now in king rank. It would become very hard to progress from here. That is why there are very few pseudo-champion ranks and champion ranks Pokemon in this world.
Axel, you have not seen the full power of a champion-rank Pokemon. So, you don't know the vast difference between a king-rank Pokemons and a champion-rank Pokemon. The difference is too huge.
Since the difference between the ranks would now be too huge, the training should also be very intense. I just want to say that your training is not very hard and intense. You have not realized that king-rank Pokemons are very different from pseudo-king-rank Pokemons.
They could not take intense training and survive in harsh environments. You don't need to hold back on your training now."
"Ok, so intense training. Any other help points?"
"The second point is your knowledge about the pseudo-champion rank Pokemons. Your knowledge of pseudo-champion rank Pokemon is very limited and you need to have a good knowledge about them. The only thing I can tell you is that when a Pokemon ranks up from lower ranks all the way up to god rank, then they need to do 3 things.
First, they need to get stronger, secondly, they need to get out of their weakness and disadvantages. Like, there may be a shortcoming in its moves or its body stats or its battle strategy. And finally, they needed to be more complete.
When you think that you are stuck, think of these 3 points and start to work. Also, you should get a book on pseudo-champion rank Pokemon and start to research it.
I cannot tell you all of it on the phone as it would take a long time."
You know when you know all the things but you cannot piece it together, so you feel that you don't know anything? And when someone talks about it in front of you, all of these things come to place?
The same thing was happening to Axel when Red started to talk. Axel knew about all these things but since his mind was preoccupied with so many other things, he just could not concentrate on it. He was very lucky to have Red as his teacher.
"So, do you have any other questions?"
"Yes, when are you going to come and train me again?", asked Axel.
"I have no idea. You know how these mission go. It might take around 4-5 months to complete."
"Red, since I am in the Johto region, I cannot use the training grounds that are in my home. My Alakazam is also not powerful enough to use teleport on such a long distance.
Do you have any solution for it? I mean, can you send your Alakzam to me for it?", asked Axel.
"Axel, I also don't have any solution for you at the moment. I can only tell you to train your Alakazam for long-distance teleportation but I also know that it would take a lot of time to accomplish.
And no, I am not going to give you my Alakazam for it. I need it right here right now. I can help you when I return sometime but for now, you have to train your Alakazam to do it.
I believe that with your talent and the system, it would take around a few months for it to achieve it. It is already a king-rank Pokemon, so it would not be hard."
They then talked about personal things. Red said that he was missing his son and his family. Axel could understand that. If Alakazam was capable of long-distance teleportation, then he would have gone to meet Ash. However, he was also busy with his work.
He was going to meet Angela and then go to visit that training ground. Angela was supposed to come to his hotel and he was waiting for her.
###
"How far is this place? We have been walking for half an hour.", said Axel.
"We are almost there. There, do you see the big gate out there? That is the place.", said Angela pointing out the building.
Finally, they reached the place.
The name of the place was 'Gyro Body Building'.
"What a weird name.", said Axel. This was the place for the training ground. Why was it called bodybuilding? He didn't know but he trusted Angela.
The guards opened the gates and they were led to one of the many buildings in the area. Angela told the receptionist that they had come here to meet someone called Gyro.
The receptionist told them to wait for some time and then guided them to a room.
"Angela!!! How have you been? You look beautiful as always.", came a voice as Axel turned around to see who it really was.
The guy was at least 6 feet and he was very muscular. He looked like Arnold Schwarzenegger with long hair to his shoulders. He looked like a man in his 30s. The man also looked very intimidating and powerful.
"Hello Gyro. Long time no see", said Angela and both of them shook hands."
"How long has it been? 3 years?", asked Gyro and they started to talk.
It looked like Gyro and Angela were very good friends during their young days. They were both powerful trainers who wanted to be the Pokemon master and had challenged lots of gyms together.
Then Angela went to handle Venu's family while Gyro went to establish his own business of training grounds.
"So Gyro, this is Axel Blaze. I think you must have heard of him.", said Angela.
"Of course, I have heard of him. He is very famous right now."
"You should also know that he is a part of my family now and since he is starting his journey in the Johto region, he wants to have a good training ground to train his Pokemons.
I want you to give him a good discount to use your training grounds."
"For how much time, would you be using my training grounds?", asked Gyro to Axel.
"I have king-rank Pokemons and they are in need of training grounds every time. I don't know how much time I would need it but I would need it till I get all the badges of the Johto region.
However, I will also be moving all over the Johto region to get the badges. So, I don't know how I can do this since I would not be here in Violet City for all the time."
"Haha, if that is the thing why you are worried, then you don't have to worry at all.", said Gyro with a smile.