Perfecting Your Technique!
Now seated around the campfire, Ash, Blue, Alexa, May and Ross ate plates of Sweet Apple Curry. Alongside their trainers were Ash's and Alexa's Pokemon that they had used in their prior battle. Additionally feasting were Blue's Charizard, May's Blaziken, Shiny Zoroark and Altaria, Alex's Rillaboom and Toxtricity and Ross's Shiny Sandslash. Standing off to the side was Alexa's Ursaring and Alex's Urshifu. The two bear Pokemon locked eyes, each taking a bite out of their apple every 10 seconds of gazing at each other.
"What do you think is going on over there Alex?" The teen asked. "They're just staring at each other while eating apples."
"If i had to take a guess, I would say that they both have great respect for one another," Alex said.
"You could tell all that from the apples they're eating?" Ross questioned.
"Not quite. You see, Urshifu and I honed our fighting technique together on the Isle of Armor, just off the coast of Galar. When I got there, I was just beginning my training as an Aura Guardian with my own Lucario. Then my mentor Mustard gifted me a little Kubfu as an additional partner to help train my Aura."
"Haha, that's so cool! A little Karate Bear to train with!" Alexa said. "I thought the Lucario line were the only Pokemon who could manipulate Aura."
"My Urshifu trained in the art of the Rapid Strike Style. Like the flow of a river, Urshifu can dish out rapid strikes, all while maintaining a calm demeanor," The Professor from Galar said. "Whenever it meets an opponent that gives off a unique fighting Aura, it takes the time to study it, as it has a chance to learn from it. I would say that Urshifu admires your Ursaring's animalistic nature, and hard hitting style."
"I bet Ursaring really respects Urshifu's Aura too. Ursaring must really respect him, considering it's not trying to pick a fight."
"Ring," The bear Pokemon growled.
"Shi," Said the Legendary of the Isle of Armor in response to its distant cousin.
"So what kind of tips can you guys give me. To help me and my team improve?" Alexa said, wiping her face with a napkin. "What are we doing well, and what can we be doing better?"
"I can start us off. First of all, your Grovyle's speed is incredible! His criss-crossing Double Team was really able to confuse Tyranitar out there," Ash said. "It's crazy to think how quickly he evolved! But that is probably why its Leaf Blade didn't end up working out."
"Gro-vyle," The grass type said in somewhat of a disheartened tone.
"Don't worry buddy, we'll have plenty of time to master that move!" Alexa said.
'Alright! Before you know it, I'll be slicing clean through boulders!' Her Pokemon said.
"Who battled next?" May said, placing a hand on her chin. "Oh yeah! Your Electivire's control over the thunderstorm really played to your advantage. I could see that Salamence had a tough time flying through all that lightning!"
"Electi-Vire!" Alexa's ace-electric type said flexing its muscles from a seated position on the ground. With a large plate of curry in front of it, it shovelled a handful of food into its large mouth.
"Your only downfall was that you took a little time to gloat when you could've Protected yourself," May said, with a light chuckle.
"Electivire," Alexa's Pokemon said, rubbing the back of its head. While its strength was an amazing attribute, its ego was like an Achilles Heel at times.
"As a Contest Trainer, I know what it's like to get all caught up in the spotlight sometimes," May said. "But you have to wait 'til the end of the battle before you can really celebrate."
"Thanks for the advice, May!" Alexa said sharing a nod with her Electivire. "Next up is… Vigoroth!" The sloth Pokemon choked on its food after being put on the spot.
"Your Vigoroth sure is a wiley fella," Ash said.
"Yeah," Alexa said. "Team Rocket locked him up in their brig cause they couldn't control him. He told me in the battle that Frustration used to be one of its strongest moves."
'Used to be!?' Vigoroth said, spitting out some food. 'It still is!... I just don't know why it didn't hurt that shady Krookodile.'
"I think I might be able to offer an explanation for that," Alex said, chiming in. "You see, Frustration is a powerful move, but you have to dislike your trainer to have it be any use to you."
"Aww Vigoroth!" Alexa said, connecting the dots. "Does that mean you don't hate me?"
'Frustration?! No good to me anymore!' Vigoroth exclaimed.
"Well, I believe that there is a solution," Alex said to the sloth Pokemon. "I would recommend trying to learn the move Return. It's like Frustration, but it's more powerful the stronger the bond is with your trainer."
'I never thought of that,' The Vigoroth said, before shoveling a handful of Apple Curry into its mouth. 'I used to hate those Rocket Grunts so much, my Frustration sure took care of them. I really respect this kid, though, so it makes sense it would be weaker now that we're a team..'
"Thanks Vigoroth," Alexa said with a smile. "And that was very insightful of you."
'Pardon me, Sir Alex,' Alexa's Aegislash spoke up, hovering towards the group. 'What kind of pointers can you give me so I may improve my technique?'
"Actually, Aegislash," Ash chimed in. "You did extremely well in our battle. You have an excellent defensive style that gets enemies in close so you can strike them down. You made fighting a Salamence look easy!"
'Well… I do have a history of fighting dragons,' The Royal Sword Pokemon said.
"Yeah, you said that before," The Pokemon's trainer said. "What exactly do you mean by that?"
''Tis a tale for another day,' Aegislash said. 'If you ever take a journey through the Kalos Region, I ought to take you to the palace I used to reside in. Perhaps then we shall recount tales of my time as the Crowned Prince's Pokemon!... but alas… the Draconid Wars were a time that I remember quite well. It all began when I, a Honedge, was gifted to my Prince...'
"I thought he said he was gonna save this story for another day?" Ash said leaning in, whispering to Alex.
"Shhhh," The Professor said as his eyes widened, already getting lost in the story Aegislash was about to tell.