Arc 2: Route 3, Route 2, Return to Lumiose Town (Written 2016)

"We're all gonna mass-train our pokemon so you two are prepared for your upcoming gym battles," Riley explained. "Buck, you need your pokemon to learn moves more suited for them. What moves do they already know?"

"Baltoy knows Confusion, Rapid Spin, Harden, Mud-Slap, Rock Tomb, Psybeam, and Ancient Power. Uhh… Shuckle knows Rollout, Sticky Web, Withdraw, Encore, Struggle Bug, Safeguard, Rest, Rock Throw, and Gastro Acid. Torkoal knows Flamethrower, Smog, Withdraw, Fire Spin, Rapid Spin, Smokescreen, Flame Wheel, Lava Plume, Body Slam, and Flame Burst." Buck listed.

"Uh-huh. August, I already know all your pokemon's moves. Can I borrow your pokemon statistics moves and whatever-else-is-in-the-title book?" Riley asked.

"Yeah. Its called an 'encyclopedia,'" August said. Riley took the book and skimmed the pages about Buck's pokemon.

"I have a general idea about those three's natural battle style," Riley said. "For Shuckle and that whole 'you can't beat an opponent without attacking' thing, there are offensive moves Shuckle can learn that aren't really affected by how bad Shuckle are at attacking. Bide is like Counter so my Riolu can help it with that and controlling Wrap and Constrict are similar to Vine Whip so August's Chespin can train with it. Chespin needs training anyway.

"Baltoy can learn a move called Cosmic Power which raises its defensive power. I told you yesterday about waiting until your opponent is tired and Cosmic Power is good for that. August, have one of your pokemon practice attacks on Baltoy when it's using Harden and eventually strengthen into Cosmic Power," Riley continued.

"Okay. Who should I let out?" August asked.

"Someone you want to use at the Cyllage City Gym," Riley answered. "Squirtle would be good but Baltoy would take too much damage from Water Gun and Houndour's got type advantage too. Try Litleo."

August released his starter and told him to practice Ember and Headbutt on Baltoy.

"For Torkoal, Iron Defense is a good move for taking hits and Torkoal can learn Curse. You know what that is?" Riley asked.

"Yeah, it improves offensive and defensive power," Buck said, "but it slows down the pokemon."

"Which is good for Torkoal because it makes Rapid Spin way stronger and speed stats don't really affect it," Riley explained.

"How'd you learn so much about training?" August asked impressed.

"Back in Sinnoh I had to train the cra- heck- out of my pokemon," Riley said.

"Which is why Croconaw is such a monster?"

"Uhh sure," Riley said. "You may want to train Charmander and Squirtle together."

"Good idea. What about you?" August asked as Buck ran off to help Torkoal.

"My pokemon are more than capable of training on their own," Riley said as he walked away to give his pokemon room to be released. He drew 12 pokeballs. "Absol, Durant, Eevee, Houndour. You guys are new. Excadrill help Durant with Steel moves and Breloom train with Eevee. Absol, work on expanding your move pool with Houndour. Larvesta, train with Luxray. You're close to evolving. Onix, help August train. There'll probably be an Onix at the Cyllage Gym. Hold back though. Croconaw, break Dragonair into how we train. Riolu, uhh, come with me."

"Where are you going?" August piped up as Onix snaked over to him.

"Last time we were in Lumiose I found a good training spot," Riley said. He took off with Riolu.

"That's weird," August mumbled.

Charmander huffed a smoke ring, shrugged and gestured to forget it. Houndour panted loudly as if he didn't care while Squirtle made a weird face.

"Meh. Whatever. Houndour, Squirtle, train against Onix. Charmander, you a lot more experienced. The Dark Pokemon are still on Route Four. How about we check to make sure they're not there anymore?" August suggested. "Battling there could get you stronger some too."

Charmander nodded and followed August through Lumiose and onto Route Four. The two walked on the path. Almost immediately, they saw a grey head.

"Oh hi Mightyena…" August recognized this pokemon. It was the one Litleo and Chespin had battled. August had one but he'd done it cheaply. Judging by the angry look, he was sure Mightyena wanted to redeem himself.

Mightyena slunk out of the bushes with his mouth peeled back in a growl. August stepped back while CHarmander braced himself and narrowed his eyes. Mightyena growled and spat a Hyper Beam right off the bat.

"Woah!" August leaned away from the attack. "Charmander, use Flamethrower!"

Charmander jumped upward and exhaled stream of flame from above. Mightyena jumped backward to dodge it. Charmander rose his tail flame and jetted forward. HIs tail coated with metal as he brought it down on Mightyena's skull.

Mightyena howled as Charmander pushed off and stood back in front of August. "Use Fire Fang!" Charmander's mouth became lined with more fire. He rushed to attack. Mightyena's mouth glowed black as he countered with Crunch. The Fire Fang claimed on Mightyena's ear as the Crunch squeezed Charmander's arm.

"Charmander, get away with Dragon Rage!" August ordered. A sphere formed in Charmander's mouth and pushed against Mightyena forcing him to release him. Charmander dropped to the ground and spat a Dragon Rage. Mightyena countered by forming his own Shadow Ball.

"This is gonna be hard," August stated. "Charmander, Hone Claws."

Mightyena shot forward with another Crunch. Charmander caught the attack with Metal Claw and used another Flamethrower. Mightyena reeled back and used Hyper Beam which Charmander dodged.

August recognized Mightyena's battle tactics. Riley had kind of explained it earlier. As the battle progressed, Mightyena poured on more attacks. All Charmander had to do was avoid or block them until Mightyena tired out.

Charmander kept up with Mightyena's constant attacks for a couple minutes before releasing an Inferno. Mightyena had no energy left to dodge and was taken out.

"Alright Charmander!" August cheered. Charmander smirked and played it off like it was nothing but August could tell he was proud of himself.

"Char!"

"What do you think we should do with Mightyena?" August asked. "Last time we kinda just left it and it found the Dark Gang but I don't think I can catch it and I don't really want to…"

"Charmander char." Charmander shrugged.

"It'll wake up eventually," August decided. "Come on. Let's see if we can find Drapion."