following week, we continued with the simulated battles, rotating partners. Among them, the only one I haven't faced yet was Kenta. Everyone improved significantly this week, even James, who, after losing to me and the others, decided to put in more effort.
The biggest surprise was Luke, who, after losing to Kenta, managed to secure third place among the students. The ranking turned out as follows:
1. Kenta and Victor tied;
2. Luke;
3. Anna;
4. Hannah;
5. Luna;
6. Kinji;
7. James.
This week, I also continued with Sentret's training, using the training notes I got from the Cianwood Breeders' Association. With these instructions, I helped Sentret further strengthen his body, especially his tail, which was already strong from his habit of standing upright on it.
Additionally, I adjusted Sentret's diet, adding some Chople Berries, which I got from Ms. Hellen's farm, to help him channel Fighting-type energy and learn the move Power-Up Punch more quickly.
Thanks to the training, Sentret learned Power-Up Punch, giving us an advantage against Houndour. However, I also needed to prepare another tactic to face Luke's Slowpoke, something I discovered last week shortly after my battle with James. By accessing Ecruteak's database, I found information on the training method for the move Shadow Claw, and it seems Sentret has a real talent for it, as he managed to master it in just four days, training it alongside Power-Up Punch.
To do this, I needed some Kasib Berries, which were a bit difficult to obtain, but Grandpa bought them for me since, embarrassingly, I was out of money. With the berries, I was able to teach Sentret the move Shadow Claw a day before the battle with Luke. With all these battles, Sentret leveled up to Level 16.
Sentret: Scout Pokémon
Estimated Level: 16
Gender: Male
Ability: Run Away
Mastered Moves: Scratch, Defense Curl, Quick Attack, Charm, Ice Punch, Hone Claws, Shadow Claws, Power-Up Punch, Focus Energy (egg move), Tidy Up (egg move), Last Resort (egg move)
Even so, the battle was tough due to Slowpoke's psychic abilities, which were more developed than those of James's Hoothoot.
This week, my parents are coming to visit me at Grandpa's ranch. I spoke to them yesterday by computer at the Pokémon Center, and they'll arrive in two days.
On my way to school, I think about what I'll do after classes over the next few days. I'm considering exploring the forest to try and find the Sentret clan or perhaps going to the lake near the city to see if I can find any Pokémon.
Arriving at school, I see James battling a student from another class, whom I recognize as Syll, the son of the owner of our city's Poké Mart. Standing before him is a rare Pokémon, a Munchlax. Given that his family makes quite a bit of money from their Poké Mart business, it's understandable that they can afford to sustain Munchlax's appetite, even if he evolves into Snorlax.
Seeing the battle reach its climax, I decide to take out my camera to capture the moment. I watch as Munchlax attacks with an Ice Beam, quickly capturing the exact moment when the attack is about to hit Hoothoot.
Soon, the Ice Beam strikes Hoothoot, knocking it out. Satisfied with the photo I took, I start looking around the crowd for someone I know. I spot Anna, who was watching the battle, and approach her to ask what happened.
She tells me that Syll had claimed he was the strongest trainer in our school. James overheard this and didn't like how much Syll was bragging, so he said that there were three trainers in our class stronger than him. James then challenged Syll to a battle, saying he could defeat him himself. We already saw the result of that, but given Syll's vain personality, he'll probably challenge one of us to a battle at some point.
We head towards the classroom, discussing ways to make our Pokémon stronger. In Anna's case, I explain that it would be better to evolve her Budew since it's still in its baby stage and would become much stronger after evolving into Roselia. She tells me she's hesitant to evolve Budew because she's unsure if he's ready yet, so she got her parents to buy an Everstone for him.
We talk until we reach the classroom. When class begins, the teacher says:
"As soon as we finish the simulated battles, we'll explore the edge of the forest north of the city. It's a safe zone with almost no Pokémon that pose any danger since it's part of the official route and is mostly inhabited by low-level Pokémon."
"There, we'll explore, battle, and learn about the environment where the Pokémon around the city live. I want you to understand the nature around us, how to explore it, and what to do if you get lost and need to survive in it." The teacher then hands out a list of items we'll need and a permission form that must be signed by a guardian for us to participate.
After class, I spend some time studying in the library and working on a theoretical article on artificial intelligence that I plan to post on the researchers' site to attract Dr. Akihabara's attention, hoping for a chance to join his project. I've been working on it for a week now, and it's almost complete. In two more days, I should be able to post it.
"I hope this catches his attention," I murmur as I save the unfinished file on a USB drive.
Checking the time, I delete everything from the computer and head to the training field.
Upon arrival, the teacher announces that today I'll be battling Kenta, a match for the top position. Based on the information I gathered about his Houndour, I compiled the following profile:
Houndour
Potential: Green with Blue Traits
Gender: Male
Ability: Flash Fire
Estimated Level: 16
Known Moves: Ember, Leer, Howl, Smog, Roar, Bite, Fire Spin (taught), Sucker Punch (egg move), Thunder Fang (egg move).
With this profile, I was able to prepare for the battle. Already forming a strategy, I step onto the battlefield.
"So far, you two are the most promising in this class. Neither of you has lost a match. Now we'll decide who will remain undefeated. I have a reward for whoever can keep their undefeated streak," says the teacher, with a hint of mystery in his voice.
"So it's just the two of us in the end, huh? I expect nothing less than a good match from you. Got it, Kenta?" I say to him as we get ready for the battle.
"I also expect a good battle from you, Victor," Kenta replies with enthusiasm in his voice.
"Then let's see who's going to come out victorious!" I respond, with determination in my voice. This is what Sentret and I have been training for—to win and feel the thrill of battle and the taste of victory.
We take our positions on the field and wait for the teacher's signal. At the signal, we issue our commands simultaneously.
"Hone Claws!" (Victor)
"Taunt!" (Kenta)
"Sentret!"
"Roooar!"
Sentret begins to power up as a dark aura emanates from Houndour, who lets out a roar, causing this aura to envelop Sentret too. Sentret's eyes turn red, and he becomes enraged, wanting to attack Houndour. Surprised by Kenta's move, I realize that Taunt is an extremely useful move at all levels of strength. Quickly, I adapt to the situation, but Kenta doesn't give me a moment to breathe.
"Houndour, attack with Ember!"
At Kenta's command, Houndour quickly launches small fireballs toward Sentret. Trusting in our bond, I tell him to dodge.
"Sentret, listen to me, dodge with Quick Attack!"
Hearing my voice, Sentret's eyes remain red, but he regains clarity. Then, focusing his energy, he narrowly dodges Houndour's attack.
"Go, Victor!" (Anna)
"Go, Kenta!" (James)
I hear Anna and James cheering from the sidelines. Clearing my thoughts, I refocus on the battle in front of me as Sentret continues dodging attacks, still in the Quick Attack state.
But this can't continue for long. Looking at Kenta, I smile and say:
"You're good, Kenta, but I'm going to win."
"Come on, Victor. Without Sentret powering up, we'll withstand anything you throw at us," Kenta responds with a hint of confidence in his voice, sure that he's already won.
"There's more than one way to power up, Kenta. Sentret, it's time to go on the offensive. Let's go for close combat! Get in close and use Power-Up Punch." I command Sentret, who's still dodging the embers from Houndour.
Hearing my command, Sentret quickly closes in on Houndour, striking him multiple times with fighter-type energy charged into his paws. After landing the blows, a stronger aura emanates from Sentret, showing that he has powered up.
"What?" Kenta exclaims, surprised to see his taunt strategy become ineffective.
But as one of the top students in class, he quickly adapts and orders Houndour to back up and use Smog. A small area in front of Houndour fills with poisonous gas, forcing Sentret to dodge to avoid being poisoned.
This creates a brief pause in the battle. Noticing that both Sentret and Houndour are reaching their limits, I realize that the match could be decided with the next move. As the poisonous haze rapidly dissipates, Kenta and I decide to end this now.
"Sentret, use Power-Up Punch with all your strength!"
"Houndour, finish it with Bite!"
The two Pokémon clash, creating a stalemate. Houndour, his mouth enveloped in dark energy, bites Sentret's paw, which is covered in fighting-type energy. The two lock eyes, pushing against each other with all their might.
Watching the standoff on the field, both the teacher and students focus their eyes on the battle, waiting to see who will come out victorious.
Seeing an opportunity, I decide to use a secret weapon that Sentret and I developed by accident.
"Sentret, now's our chance! Use your tail!"
At the sound of this, Kenta, the teacher, and the students are stunned, watching as fighting-type energy gathers in Sentret's tail.
"What!? Is that even possible?" (Kenta)
"How did he manage that?" (Teacher)
"You've got this, Sentret!" (Anna)
"No!" (James)
"Incredible!" (Other students)
"So cool!" (Other students)
With the energy concentrated in his tail, Sentret lifts it and lands a powerful punch on Houndour's face. The blow, a Power-Up Punch, is so strong that Houndour releases Sentret's paw and is sent crashing to the ground.
Since Sentrets often balance on their tails, they are generally quite muscular and strong. During our previous training, while trying to strengthen Sentret's tail to learn Iron Tail, he couldn't learn the move, but he did manage to channel fighting-type energy into his tail by accident.
This reminded me of the Pokémon manga, where Giovanni's Nidoking could use the second strike of Double Kick with its tail. With that in mind, we created variations of moves using Sentret's tail, leading to the surprising scene the others just witnessed.
The professor observes the situation on the field, looking at Sentret, who is exhausted but proud, standing before Houndour, who lies unconscious on the ground.
"Houndour has lost his ability to battle. Sentret is the winner."
Hearing this, I run toward Sentret and hug him, filled with happiness. I praise him greatly for winning this battle; it was his determination that kept him steady against Houndour.
Soon, we're surrounded by other students, who start congratulating us. After helping the professor heal Houndour, Kenta also comes over to congratulate me.
"You battled really well; it was an amazing match, congratulations. I was confident that I could win by disrupting your strategy and stopping you from using Charm. But it seems I was wrong," Kenta says, accepting defeat with a smile.
Clap, clap, clap
The professor claps to get our attention, but my eyes go straight to what he's taking out of his backpack: a Pokémon egg. An all-brown egg with cream-colored spots.
As he approaches, he hands me the egg and says, "I found this little one while exploring deep in the forest. I considered selling it, but since you two showed such talent, I decided to treat it as an investment and give it to the best student. Congratulations, Victor; it's yours now."
"Thank you, professor. I'll take good care of it," I say gratefully as I take the egg in my arms. Soon, Sentret, everyone around us, and I are curiously watching the egg.
"Would you like me to tell you which Pokémon this egg belongs to, or do you prefer it to be a surprise?" the professor asks with a playful tone.
"I'd rather it be a surprise, but I already have a guess," I reply with affec
tion as I look at the egg.
Turning to Sentret, who's on my shoulder, I say with a playful smile, "Congratulations, you're now an older brother."