Next was 'Greater Telekinesis.' This move had numerous uses and applicability. However, at the moment, Axel wanted it to be enhanced. If this move were to be mastered, Alakazam could increase its stats during battles. This would be the key to leveling it up to 40.
###
Coming to Steelix, even though Steelix had joined the team, it was still in the process of becoming Axel's partner. So, he simply instructed it to train for a week while he figured something out for it.
###
Moving on to Beedrill, there wasn't much to say about it. Resolve had already reached stage III, but Axel believed that 'Minimize' and 'Calm Mind' alone wouldn't be enough to reach stage IV. Therefore, he decided to teach it another move called 'Laser Focus.' This move would help Beedrill concentrate more and guarantee a critical hit in the next turn if fully mastered. It would aid Beedrill in reaching stage IV. Additionally, Axel wanted Beedrill to sharpen its drills using bug-type energy, which would benefit its moves like 'X-Scissor' and 'Fury Cutter.'
###
Axel had focused heavily on poison-type moves for Nidorino. He realized that if poison didn't work, Nidorino didn't have good moves to deal with opponents. To address this, he wanted Nidorino to learn a new ground-type move. Once it evolved into Nidoking, having a ground-type move would be ideal.
###
Gyarados was currently in the process of reaching the elemental rank. It had recently ranked up and was training very hard, thanks to Axel's talent. Axel examined its stats after a long time.
---
Pokemon's name: Gyarados (Age: 1.5 years)
Nickname: N/A
Rank: Rare
Ability: Intimidate (65%)
Hidden Ability: Moxie (55%)
Potential: Brown
Health: 2000/2000 Attack: A+
Agility: B++ Defense: A
Sp. Atk: B+ Sp. Def: B++
Moves: Splash (U) (Max Level: 18), Tackle (C) (Max Level: 20), Hyper Beam (G) (Level 39), Hydro Pump (G) (Level 39), Outrage (G) (Level 34), Dragon Dance (G) (Level 32), Rain Dance (G) (Level 39), Twister (G) (Level 37), Hurricane (G) (Level 39), Thunder (G) (Level 32), Stone Edge (G) (Level 38), Stealth Rock (G) (Level 39), Crunch (G) (Level 35), Thrash (G) (Level 39), Sky Walk (C) (Level 28)
Core: None
Hidden Power: Rock (6%)
---
Gyarados had done a good job. Now it was time for it to learn a new move. Axel had once heard that water pressure was the most potent pressure in the world and could destroy almost anything. Although he had initially thought of it in the back of his mind, now he wanted to test this theory.
He wanted Gyarados to shoot out a miniature version of 'Hydro Pump,' with the water beam being sharp and thin. With increased pressure and high speed, it could become a deadly attack.
###
Absol and Tauros had recently ranked up to rare rank, mainly due to Axel's talent. Being the youngest members of the team, they were spoiled by Axel's Pokémon. Gogoat took on the motherly role, while Shedinja played the fatherly role. Other Pokémon also played with them regularly.
However, this resulted in them lacking passion for training and growing stronger. Despite their high potential and talent, they didn't want to put in the effort. The other Pokémon in Axel's team were significantly stronger than them, and even Gyarados could easily defeat them with a simple attack. They didn't have any competition. Axel had long contemplated changing their mindset.
He first examined Tauros' stats.
---
Pokemon's name: Tauros (Age: 8 months)
Nickname: None
Rank: Rare
Ability: Intimidate (51%)
Hidden Ability: Sheer Force (42%)
Potential: Black (Monstrous)
Health: 2000/2000 Attack: F++
Agility: F+ Defense: F
Sp. Atk: F Sp. Def: F
Moves: Horn Attack (G) (Level 37), Thrash (G) (Level 38), Endure (C) (Level 29), Swords Dance (G) (Level 32), Double Team (E) (Level 40), Earthquake (C) (Level 29), Wild Charge (G) (Level 32), Electric Terrain (C) (Level 27), Raging Bull (U) (Level 19), Hyper Beam (U) (Level 10), Close Combat (Level 9)
Hidden Power: Electric (6%)
---
When they were in Oak's laboratory, they trained like maniacs. Axel had transferred them to Oak because they were too weak to support him in dealing with the tide. Thinking they were weak, they trained hard to catch up.
However, once the tide settled, both of them started to skip their training. Shedinja trained even at night, while they didn't bother training during the day. If they trained like Pidgeotto, they would have already reached the elemental rank.
Axel wanted Tauros to focus first on 'Close Combat,' 'Raging Bull,' and 'Hyper Beam.' He told Tauros to practice only these moves for the week. If Axel wasn't satisfied with its training, he would give it a punishment. He was being very harsh, and poor Tauros had never seen Axel so angry. It was heartbroken. Nidorino tried to console it, but Axel was strict and told Nidorino to leave it alone for a while.
Then, Axel turned his attention to Absol. Absol was already trembling in fear, knowing that it hadn't trained properly like Tauros. Axel examined its stats.
---
Pokemon's name: Absol (Age: 1 year)
Nickname: None
Rank: Rare
Ability: Super Luck (51%)
Hidden Ability: Justified (39%)
Potential: Black (Monstrous)
Health: 1600/1600 Attack: F
Agility: F++ Defense: F
Sp. Atk: F++ Sp. Def: F
Moves: Dark Pulse (G) (Level 39), Magic Coat (G) (Level 37), Night Slash (G) (Level 32), Stone Edge (G) (Level 32), Quick Attack (U) (Level 13), Me First (G) (Level 31), Payback (G) (Level 37), Hone Claws (G) (Level 34), Assurance (G) (Level 38), Feint Attack (G) (Level 34), Stealth Rock (C) (Level 22), Rock Polish (C) (Level 28)
Hidden Power: Rock (6%)
----
Absol was in a similar condition to Tauros. Unlike Tauros, Axel believed it should learn a new move since it had already reached the rare rank.