Official Pokémon Trainer's Handbook
Training Techniques:
There is an infinite number of different ways to train Pokémon. This section will discuss common ideas in training methods. Most people train Pokémon to battle other Pokémon. Well In battle you naturally want your Pokémon to win. So giving your Pokémon every possible advantage helps a lot. Most beginning trainers completely neglect training and only focus on gaining battle experience. While experience is very important in Pokémon battles you need more than that to win. Common things to train your Pokémon in are physical strength, speed, stamina, and reflexes. It is possible to train in pain tolerance but it is a frowned up and most of the time illegal practice. Pokémon will be encouraged to train and battle harder when the trainer physically trains alongside them.
Training Pokémon in moves is also a strategy. Move stamina and power can be increased by experience, physical ability and through repetitive practice. By having your Pokémon practice its moves you might develop a new way to use it in battle when watching its affects in different situations.
Teaching a Pokémon a new move is fairly simple. If a Pokémon is capable of learning a new move it should instinctively know how to use it. But a good idea is to have a Pokémon familiarize itself with every move it knows so it can perform them to its fullest. It is easier for Pokémon to learn new moves instinctively when they know all their other moves, as they just follow the new instinct they haven't felt before. There are also TM's and HM's, having your Pokémon train these moves is a must before battle.
Each trainer will find and develop their own ways and methods for training their Pokémon. And almost no one ever shares these secrets so think hard before sharing training secrets.
End of Section
After returning from the camping trip Gary and Ash were deemed to be fine medically. Neither had a concussion, but Gary did have a nice big bruise. Oak told his pupils to be at the lab the next day at their regular time to resume training.
After splitting up Blue, Leaf and Ruby went to their houses to sleep in a bed for the first time in what seemed like forever to them. As Ash was walking home he heard a voice call out from behind him.
"Hey Ashy Boy, who do you think you are Head Butting me? It is time I showed you your place, let's battle right now one on one," Gary's snide tone easily got under Ash's skin.
"Oh yeah Gary? No problem, Pikachu I choose you!" Ash said while looking at the fire dancing in his partner's eyes.
"Squirtle get out here, I expect you to wipe the floor easily here," Gary said as he called his Squirtle out.
"Pikachu Thunder Shock!" Ash called out, taking the initiative. Squirtle was waiting for Gary's command. Every time he did something on his own Gary got mad at him. As a nice loyal Pokémon he did his best to please his trainer. But nothing had worked yet. He hoped to impress his trainer by winning this battle. So Squirtle waited for the command as he stared down the yellow energy heading his way. And he waited. And waited some more. But Gary never said anything as he was too busy keeping his nose pointed up in the air to show his ability to win without effort to Ash. Sadly for Gary and more so for Squirtle, Ash and Pikachu had been training hard. Pikachu's Thunder Shock slammed right into Squirtle and sent the poor turtle to his back, fried and smoking and blissfully into unconsciousness.
Gary could only gape at what he saw. He had planned to let Squirtle shake the hit off, then easily beat Ash no problem. His Pikachu was really weak after all right? His young mind couldn't comprehend what happened so he jumped to the most obvious conclusion.
"Ch-Cheater! You are a cheater Ash!" He yelled across the street. Gary ran over and grabbed his Squirtle then ran to find his grandfather to heal his Squirtle back to full health.
The next day
8:30 am
Ash had been rather mad that Gary called him a cheater. He had won fair and square, it was not his fault if Gary sucked at battling. But he decided to forget about it and for once not rub it in Gary's face. He had explained the encounter to his mother and she had recommended that he not insult Gary as Gary had probably had his belief on the world shattered from losing. Ash only sort of knew what his mother was trying to say but it sounded bad enough so he agreed to leave Gary alone.
He was now seated in the lab to begin today's training, along with him in the room were Blue, Ruby and Leaf. Ten minutes later Oak walked in.
"Sorry I'm late today everyone. I had an issue to clear up with Gary. He will not be joining us today but expect him to be back tomorrow with an attitude change." With that said everyone but Ash wondering why Gary would change his attitude but now Ash understood what his mother had meant yesterday.
"Since you have finished off my course of survival training, I will now be teaching you a complimentary skill of navigation at the end of each day. You will learn how to find your way through the wilderness should you ever become lost and travelling along the routes in the different regions will be a breeze once I am finished with you. This training will go on till I believe you are all capable enough to never be lost," Oak finished with a smile.
"Now I saw that you all, besides Ash, captured more Pokémon. So since Gary is absent today instead of jumping into navigation you will have an extended play time to get to know your new Pokémon better. Also the physical regiment you have done for the last three months will now be harder. I have weights for you to attach to all your Pokémon. They are only small two pound weights. As your Pokémon grow stronger the weight will increase." The kids felt bad for their Pokémon as they saw a sadistic gleam in Oak's eye.
And so the day continued. None of the new Pokémon received weights as they were new to the program and wouldn't get them for a while. While those that did strutted around showing off how much stronger than their new counterparts they were. That did not sit well with said counterparts and only increased their determination to train as hard as they could.
Ash could be seen working out the whole time with his Pokémon as they ran laps, lifted heavy objects, did sprints and they attempted to target the different muscle groups on the different bodies each of the three had. Ash had asked for weights of his own and Oak had anticipated the request and presented them to the boy. Oak recommended that those with weights leave them on all day to help train them.
Ruby had gotten weights as well but opposed to the four Ash got, one for each limb, Ruby only got one for each leg. She did the running with her Pokémon as usual but didn't work alongside them in anything else. But her Pokémon didn't mind, they appreciated that she at least did some exercise with them.
Leaf attempted to work alongside her Pokémon but just like in the previous three months she was easily discouraged when it became hard and stopped to cheer her Pokémon along. She passed on weights for herself.
Blue hadn't taken the weights but he decided to join in with running alongside his Pokémon. From the brief survival trip he realized being in good shape was important and if he ever needed to run from something he wanted to be able to.
Battle strategy was a bit more advanced that day but nothing crazy. So far Oak had drilled the basics into their heads. Like type effectiveness and terrain advantages.
Move training was more chaotic that day as with the increased numbers of Pokémon there was a lot more going on. A lot of the Pokémon only knew basic physical attacks like Tackle, Scratch, Bite, Peck and things like Growl, Tail Whip, and String Shot. Ash's Pokémon were further along than that.
Pikachu knew:
Tackle
Bite
Tail Whip
Thunder Shock
Spark
Head Butt
Nuzzle
Snivy knew:
Head Butt
Tackle
Vine Whip
Leer
Growth
Wrap
Razor Leaf
Currently Ash was sure his Pokémon were well trained in Tackle and Head Butt. And in Pikachu's case he had Tail Whip and Thunder Shock down as well. While Snivy had Vine Whip and Leer well practiced. Ash had his Pokémon train with one move exclusively till they were able to do it in their sleep. He wanted his Pokémon to have full mastery over their moves. And with Pikachu by expending all the electricity the mouse had it within itself each day. Pikachu was building up his electricity reserves. Snivy was able to strengthen his vines by lifting heavier and heavier objects. Once these two had mastered a move well enough in Ash's opinion he had them practice them on one another to practice their aim and dodging. Hitting a moving target was much harder than a stationary one.
These mock battles were only between Ash's Pokémon. Ash didn't switch it up with the others. And the others still didn't have their Pokémon practicing to dodge. The others took their time showing their new Pokémon what this time period was used for and learning what moves their new Pokémon knew. While their starter just continued practicing moves on the surround rocks and trees.
The move session of the day came to an end, and after a filling dinner everyone had the rest of the day to mingle and relax. Ruby, Leaf, and Blue all went to separate parts of the clearing behind Oak's lab and chatted and tried to make their new Pokémon feel welcome and at ease. Ash and his two went right into a game of hide and seek.
Gary had spent all day thinking hard about his discussion with his Grandfather. Oak had told him how Gary's training method showed his laziness and that Ash had been training hard with his Pokémon. The difference in skill was obvious during their short battle. Oak also explained to Gary how no Pokémon was weak and any of them could be made into a very capable battler, it came down to the bond between Pokémon and trainer though. And by the way Gary had treated his Squirtle, their bond would be tenuous at best until Gary made a real effort on his part.
So with his Grandfather's permission, Gary had wandered out into the forest around Pallet Town. Over the course of the day, Gary had encountered several Rattatas and a flock of Pidgey. At mid-day Gary realized he hadn't spoken to Squirtle since the battle yesterday. Squirtle appeared and looked around quickly to figure out where he was. Squirtle thought his worst nightmare was coming true.
'Oh no! Gary is going to release me into the wild. I failed him yesterday and he wants nothing to do with such a weak pathetic Pokémon like me,' Thought a sad little turtle. But to Squirtle's surprise Gary did something he had never done.
Down on his knees Gary looked at Squirtle and beckoned him over. "Squirtle..." Gary said in a sad quiet tone. "Squirtle I am sorry. I've failed you as a trainer and if you want to be released so one day a better trainer can find you and make you the Pokémon you want to be, then I'll understand." Gary then made eye contact with his Pokémon.
"But Squirtle, I promise you. If you stay with me things will change... I will change. I've been a bad trainer and I want to make it up to you. We have not neglected our past training time, but I've made poor use of it with you for sure." With that Gary paused and waited for a response.
Squirtle looked at Gary confused for a moment. Where was the cocky trainer he knew? And who is this whiny brat. One reason Squirtle had liked Gary so much was because of Gary's large ego and confidence. It had inspired Squirtle and made him feel appreciated. So Squirtle did what he thought was best. He shot a jet of water and hit Gary in the face. He then ran over to the sputtering boy. Squirtle waited till Gary looked at him and then held out his paw. Gary looked at Squirtle in wonder. When his Pokémon had sprayed him, he thought it was to try and cover an escape. But now here he was paw extended. So Gary reached out and grabbed a hold, with a quick shake their partnership was reborn.
"Squirt squirt squirtle!" The turtle exclaimed.
"Squirtle, you and I are gonna to go places. But first do you want to go and capture a new training buddy? I figure you must be getting kinda lonely as my only Pokémon. And everyone else has at least two." Squirtle nodded an affirmative and right as they both were about to prepare to find a new friend, the large bushes near them started rustling loudly. A dark shadow jumped out of the bushes and barked at the duo. With a grin at what he saw Gary stood up.
"Alright Squirtle time to battle!"