Season 01

Episode 06

Hard Time

Pewter Gym was quite a place. Crystal and Heather had never been in a Gym before. The battle area was full of rocks spread about in almost random places. It had a degree of intimidation to it.

'Here is the arena of our Gym. You're welcome to use it for training.' Forrest gestured to the large room. 'However, if I get a challenger I will need you to step aside. Are you alright on that?'

'I don't have a problem. What about you Heather?' Crystal replied.

'None that I can think of.' Heather replied.

'Well then. I'll leave you to it.' Forrest waved as he left the arena.

'Well then, time to train.' Crystal let out all of her pokemon.

Heather also let out her Pokemon.

Crystal was sat on the floor with her back against one of the large rocks. 'Let me see. How shall we begin.' she looked from one Pokemon to the next. 'Mudbray, I actually think that you're too young to actually be carrying me. However, that doesn't mean that you cannot start learning. To begin with, we need to work on your strength, a little at a time. Heather, can I ask for your help for this?'

'Sure. What do you want me to do?' Heather walked over to Crystal.

'Would you think that you're about the same sort of weight as me?'

'I would say so.'

'Well then, can I ask you to work with Mudbray for now?' Crystal reached for Mudbray which walked over to her and placed his head in her hands. 'Mudbray, would you allow Heather to sit on your back please?'

'Bray.' Mudbray nodded.

'Are you thinking that I would be able to recover better if something happens?' Heather asked.

'Yes. That is the case.' she looked at Heather. 'Sorry if it seems like I am putting Mudbray's training on you, but I have another reason.'

'What would be the reason?'

'It's a bit of a story. Do you want to hear it?'

'Sure.'

'When Arcanine was a Growlithe he was full grown and just as short as Mudbray is now. When I sat on Growlithe's back, my feet were dragging on the floor. So we couldn't learn together how he can carry me. It was difficult, but we trained on improving his strength. Eventually mother arrived with a Fire Stone and placed it in front of Growlithe. Mother told Growlithe that if he touch the stone, he would evolve and be able to carry me. However, it was his choice. He looked at me and I told him that it was his choice. I will not force him. Well, you can see the end result.'

'That's a nice story.'

'Mudbray is still very young. I don't think he will grow much bigger than he is now. I don't think he will be able to carry me when he's full grown. Unless he evolves.' Crystal thought for a moment. 'Then again, I am not sure what Mudbray's evolved form is. Presuming it does have one. I'll have to ask Professor Oak.'

'So you would like me to help train Mudbray's strength just like you did with Growlithe?'

'Yes. Well, just to get things started anyway.'

Heather looked at Arcanine and then Mudbray before looking at Crystal again. 'I am willing to help, but it is your job to train Mudbray, not mine. He is your Pokemon.'

'I know. I know. But I think you're misunderstanding me. I have every intention of training him, but there are things that I am not physically able to do.' she patted her legs. 'When I trained Growlithe's strength, I had help from mother. I came up with a simple training method, but I was unable to apply it.'

'So you came up with the training, but your mother implemented it because you cannot.' Heather looked a little downtrodden. 'Sorry if I seemed angry. You just wanted me to help you, not replace you.'

'It is fine Heather.'

'So, what is the training method?'

Crystal smiled. 'It's simple really. In fact, it's something similar to what you're already doing with Ponyta.'

'What I'm doing with Ponyta?' she looked over at Ponyta. 'What do you mean?'

'Having Mudbray wear weighted saddle bags. However, not just to walk around, but to run around as if in battle and evading attacks. Basically, it trains strength and stamina along with stability. To actively move around without throwing what he's wearing.'

'I get it now. It builds strength and stamina to carry you far while learning the foundations to not throw you off when moving around various terrain. Simple but effective.' Heather clapped her hands. 'So that's why you asked for my help. You're unable to put the saddle bags on Mudbray. Well, not easily anyway.'

'Yes, that's it. Thanks for understanding.'

'So, what do you have planned for your other Pokemon?'

'Strength and agility training. Basically, just carrying rocks around. If they can do that, then it would be easier to pick me up without working together.'

'Simple, but effective.' Brock was listening to the whole conversation. 'Train in the areas that you need is the best way. Specialise or generalise. There are many ways. I take it that you're specialising with your needs. If you were training for Gym battles, you would generalise to balance out your team. But for you, you don't need all that much. Carrying you around and fetching items amongst other things.'

'Exactly.' Crystal pointed at Brock.

'You don't mind if I watch for a while?'

'No. Not at all.'

Heather rummaged through their belongings but didn't find anything of use. 'Let me think now.' Heather paced a little before frantically rubbing her head. 'Sorry Mudbray, but you'll have to settle with carrying me instead of saddlebags.'

'Bray.' Mudbray responded.

'Now then, Charmander, Squirtle. Find a rock each. Not small light ones, but heavy ones that you can still lift up. You need to carry it around. Try moving from one side of the arena to the other and move around the big rocks. If you need to rest, rest up and try again. Just don't hurt yourself.'

'I have a better idea.' Brock chimed in. He pulled out one of his Pokeballs and let out his Pokemon. The Pokemon that came out was Geodude. 'Geodude is not that heavy, but it isn't light either. Perhaps Charmander and Squirtle can take it in turns carrying Geodude around.'

'That's a nice idea Brock.' Crystal replied. 'I didn't think that you had such a pokemon. Sorry.'

'Don't worry about it. Geodude, go to Charmander and Squirtle. Let them carry you around.'

'Now then Bulbasaur. We need to train up your Vine Whip.' Crystal stroked her head. 'What you need to do is to pick me up and sit me sideways on Arcanine. This will be difficult for you as the further you reach with your vines, the harder it will be. So for now, we will start up close OK.'

'OK Mudbray, let's begin.' Heather patted Mudbray on the head. 'I'm gonna sit on your back. All you have to do is stand up without throwing me off.' Heather sat in his back.

Crystal raised her arms a little. 'Now then Bulbasaur, wrap your vines around my chest. Make sure you have a firm grip so that I don't slip or too tight of a grip as to hurt me. Do you understand?'

'Bulba.' Bulbasaur replied with a nod.

Bulbasaur reached out and wrapped her vines around Crystal.

'Ah, that's too tight. Loosen your grip a little. Yes, that's it. Remember this feeling. Now try and lift me.'

To one-side Charmander was lifting Geodude and walking around. Squirtle was following him.

Bulbasaur slowly lifted Crystal but quickly started to struggle and almost dropped her.

'Don't worry Bulbasaur, you'll get the hang of it. You're still young, so you have time to grow into this.' Crystal smiled. She looked over and saw Heather sat sideways on Mudbray. 'Be careful Mudbray. Don't try and stand too quickly.'

'Bray.' Mudbray braced his front legs and started pushing himself up.

For a young Pokemon, Mudbray was certainly strong and easily lifted Heather, but the motion was unsteady and Heather struggled to keep balance. Once Mudbray was fully standing, it was clear that Crystal would not be able to ride him yet. Heather's feet were still touching the ground.

'You were unsteady Mudbray, but don't worry. You'll get better in time.' Crystal spoke up.

'Why not let Mudbray watch you sat on Arcanine?' Brock chimed in.

'Hey, that's a good idea.' Crystal looked surprised but happy. 'Now why didn't I think of that?'

'I'm sure you would have thought about it in time.'

'Well then Mudbray, I am going to climb onto Arcanine. Watch carefully how he stands up so you know what to aim for.'

Crystal spun herself so that she was sideways to Arcanine and pulled her legs into a folded position next to her. She reached over Arcanine's back, gripped his fur and pulled herself up onto his back. Then twisting her body, she laid her body lengthways along his back with both legs still hanging down before twisting her body into a side-saddle position.

'That is how I climb onto Arcanine. Do you all understand?' everyone, Heather, Brock and all of the Pokemon alike watched her.

'It's quite impressive with how you can do it.' Brock spoke up.

'Thanks.' Crystal looked at Mudbray. 'Now then. Watch carefully at how Arcanine stands up and how I balance myself. We will do this several times to show you.' she looked round at everyone. 'OK Arcanine, please stand.'

Arcanine moved his front paws into position and pushed himself up. It was a smooth motion, with some rocking caused by the front standing before the rear, but only slightly.

'As you can see, I leaned into Arcanine to prevent being thrown off, and he stood. When he lays back down, his front goes first, which means I have to lean towards his back. Watch.' she pat Arcanine and he lays back down in the manner that she said. 'Now then. We will do this three more times. Watch each part of us in turn. From Arcanine's legs, to my movement.'

Mudbray watched then without blinking. Charmander and Squirtle returned to carrying Geodude. Crystal patted Arcanine who in turn stood up. They repeated the standing and laying motions several times.

Once Arcanine was laid again, Crystal slid off Arcanine with a slump and moved herself into a sitting position again. 'Now then Mudbray, turn sideways and lay on your belly as if you're ready for me to sit on your back.'

'Bray.' Mudbray did so.

'Now then, from what you saw from Arcanine, stand up while picturing me on your back.'

Mudbray stood up, quick and sharp.

'That looked rather bad.' Crystal commented. Mudbray looked sad. 'Don't worry Mudbray, we will work together on this.' just then, her stomach growled. 'Well, that's the dinner bell. How about we stop the training and go for dinner?'

'Sounds good to me.' Heather spoke up.

All of the Pokemon cheered.