My free time suddenly got freed up so I decided to get a chapter out! Hope you enjoy it!

It was at the time of sunset when I had finished setting up camp. I started following the trail of route 211 on route to Celestic Town. The tournament there will begin in 3 days, but if I continue my pace for traveling, I'll end up getting there a day early. Anyway, I expect a lot of strong trainers so it would be prudent to continue training. "Stand by for training, Monferno, Electabuzz, Torterra, Croagunk, Ninjask and Lairon!"

All of them materialized into battle ready positions. Looks like they'll be ready for some intense training.

"Alright team. There's a tournament we'll be entering in 3 days. I expect you all to be prepared to train hard." Various Pokémon names were cried out in approval. Perfect. It's time to get to work! "Monferno and Electabuzz, you two will be sparing with each other. Keep the attacks mild and mostly to physical attacks. I want your maneuverability on the battlefield to improve. Both of you try your best."

"Mon/ Buzz." Monferno and Electabuzz move over to a clearing to get their sparing started. For some reason, it seems like they're maintaining their rivalry. They are close in terms of strength. Electabuzz started stronger, but Monferno is catching up fast. I wonder who will perform better in the spars. Pushing that aside, I turned to the rest of them.

"Croagunk and Ninjask, you two are still the newbies of the team, so what's best for you all is to further diversify your move set. Croagunk, I want you to try and learn Earthquake. Since it's a very difficult move for you to learn, I'm going to have Lairon help you with it." Giving that order to Croagunk, I nod to Lairon who nods back and walks off with Croagunk to teach him someplace away from camp. Earthquake is a move that definitely requires space to use. "Ninjask, your move set is limited, but there are some moves that'll make your life easier. X-Scissor is one of them. It's one you're going to have to learn on your own. It requires you to cross your arms and put your bug-type into the attack. It's a vague description I know, but it's all the advice I got. Your Fury Cutter requires the same energy, so maybe put your fury cutter energy while crossing your arms. Putting that aside, I want you to learn giga drain as well. Torterra can help you there."

Torterra agrees with a "Tor."

"Torterra is a good teacher so just pay attention and you'll do fine. I haven't battled with you before, so I don't know your specialties, but what I do know is that your speed will be your strong suit. Capitalize on that while improving your weaknesses."

Some buzzing with a "Nin" thrown in there was my signal to move on. Torterra called out to Ninjask to follow as they went their own way to train. Looking at their retreating figure, it kinda makes me chuckle. A big tank-like Pokémon walking away with a speedy bug who is trying to follow without getting ahead of the slower, but more powerful Pokémon.

Not wanting to distract myself by such an inconsequential humorous instance, I instead set my eyes on the nearby spar that was going on.

Monferno and Electabuzz were going head to head. It's pretty obvious who was the stronger one. Electabuzz punched Monferno in the gut with a Thunder Punch. Electabuzz has had experience using his fists with moves like Brick Break. Monferno only started to use his hands with the addition of Fire Punch. But what Monferno lacks in power, I think while Monferno dodges a Thunder Punch, he makes up with speed. Monferno is able to deliver a barrage of fire punches while Electabuzz struggles to hit Monferno back.

Monferno is clever, very clever in fact. He has good battle sense and can think of ways of overcoming obstacles. Truly a star Pokémon, but Electabuzz… Monferno goes for another punch only to get grabbed by Electabuzz, he has a real drive to be the best. Even while sticking to my old standard of battling, he performed well. Electabuzz delivered a thunder punch directly to the head while the other hand held Monferno in place. He's the new ace. I wonder if Monferno will be able to keep up. They seemed to both want to keep fighting, but I want to adjust some of the conditions.

"You two, pause your battle for a second." They both look at me with confused eyes. "I want you two to try something. Train yourself at your element. Fire for Monferno and electricity for Electabuzz. You two have the battle instinct and skill to make use of this technique and I'll be teaching it to a few others I have in mind. I want you two to manipulate your respective element and try to spread it to the field. If you're in your element, you have that much more of an advantage. Gym leaders take this concept with their field. I want you two to make it so any battle you participate in, any time I call out for your assistance, you are able to use this technique. Are you two willing to attempt this technique?"

"Mon/Buzz!" Both affirmed their resolve.

"I'm glad you two are willing to try this." Electabuzz looked to be contemplating something. "Is something eating at you about this, Electabuzz?"

Electabuzz thought for a second and then responded with an "Buzz. Electa-buzz."

Somehow, I knew what he was mentioning. "No, Torterra does not know this actually. It might help a little bit, but this technique of spreading your element out only works for elements that are more keyed toward damage. Types like Grass or Ghost can't really do anything to the field to help themselves. Typings like Ice, fire, electricity, or even water work best with it. Although with water, electricity counters that harder. Getting back on topic, You two are the first ones to attempt this technique. I know you two will make me proud."

"Buzz!"

"Great, I will be checking on the others. Work on changing the field in your favor while I'm gone. If you two want to attempt it while sparring, go for it. Just don't go overboard. Monferno, I'm looking at you. We're in a forest. Be careful."

"Mon!" Monferno gives a thumbs up. He might be mischievous, but he is very responsible.

I say my goodbyes and then I shift over closer and closer to the spot in the forest of route 211 where I find myself shaking because the ground is doing the same. Practicing for Earthquake is tough not only because the move is very powerful, but because of the need for space. I'm glad I walked far away from Eterna City. Otherwise, I would've had to deal with the locals. Shivering from the thought, I make my way to Croagunk and Lairon. Holding myself back, I watch what progress Croagunk has made. Croagunk, with Lairon watching closely, attempts to Earthquake. A few cracks form, but it doesn't look like anything major is coming of it. Lairon looked a little confused by this predicament.

Deciding to interject myself into the situation, I commented, "Nice work for a first attempt. Given more practice and a bit more coaching from Lairon about how to stomp the ground with what energy, you'll have it in time for the tournament. The key is to channel the ground typing like of your mud ball into your feet instead of your hands. This concept is definitely a simplification of what you do, but it can serve as a good baseline of what to do. Lairon, I hope you aren't slacking." I say that in a questioning tone, causing Lairon to act a little indignant. In response.

"Lair- ON!"

"Ok, ok. Sheesh. I was just teasing a bit. If you're going to be using Earthquake a lot, I hope you can improve your own to be stronger and faster."

"Lair."

"See ya metal head. Croagunk, you're doing great."

"Croa-gunk." Croagunk just looked amused by that whole exchange.

I move on to the final training duo, Torterra and Ninjask. There's really not much to Giga Drain. It's a nice move for healing and with Ninjask's speed he could probably use it with little consequences.

Coming up in front of the duo, both notice me immediately. Directing my gaze at Torterra I give him a "Well?" look. Torterra motions over to Ninjask who responds by initiating Giga Drain on Torterra. It's not very effective on Torterra, but the result is clear.

"Ninjask, great work. Your Giga Drain will be a great addition to your move set. You can begin training your X-Scissor. Practice your Giga Drain still, but your focus should be on X-Scissor. Torterra, I'll be expecting you to be his practice partner still. Your job will be to put some pressure on Ninjask to not get hit. Don't actually hit him though. That'll put Ninjask out of training for a while. Just add some pressure. This can help your speed and accuracy a bit. Ninjask is a speedy thing after all. Take about 3 sessions of sparring and that'll be the time to come back to camp, alright?"

"Nin-jask/Tor."

So, I made my way back to camp to prepare a late dinner. The sun had long been down, but dinner shouldn't be skipped entirely. Preparing some bowls of Pokémon food, freshly bought from Eterna City, I set them aside for the incoming tired Pokémon of mine. Preparing my own food, I just reached for a few Oran berries I bought earlier. I only stocked up on a limited amount of proper food to eat while on the road, so I should conserve them for when I actually want a big meal.

Waiting around, I come to see the first duo of Croagunk and Lairon, walking on back. Both seem tired, but in high spirits. Croagunk's eternal grin seems more genuine and Lairon overall looks excited. I'm glad. I give both a bowl of food to eat. The next duo to come is Torterra and Ninjask. Both are more contemplative. I ask Torterra about it. Torterra motions that it's nothing. Hmm, maybe they'll surprise me. Both are given a bowl full of Pokémon food. The last duo is Monferno and Electabuzz. Both look absolutely exhausted. It looks like they spared a lot in the end.

Burn marks around Electabuzz and sparks flying around Monferno. It looks like they've been trying the field technique. Now that I think about it, I should probably name the technique. Hmm, maybe later it'll come to me. I hope it'll stack up to Ash's counter shield. I'll need more techniques and more power if I'm going to stack up against the league. Grabbing a bowl for the last two, I sit against a tree, thinking about the future that will come.

(-)

It's a new morning which means more time to train and travel. Taking advantage of the slow morning, I prepare for breakfast by preparing some eggs. I have some standard cooking kit which consists of a compact stove and some pots and pans. It comes at the cost of taking up most of my bag's space, leaving me with little room for lots of variety in clothing, but I deal with it. Usually it's a hassle to take out and prepare, but this morning is a little too slow to take off traveling.

Hmm, now that I think about it, where do these eggs come from? They look different from any Pokémon egg that exist (considering Pokémon eggs are much, much bigger). It truly boggles the mind. Maybe some spawn of an Exeggcute. Either that or a Chansy can produce food somehow from its eggs. Anyway, it looks like my eggs are ready. I'll release the others for their breakfast.

Putting up the cooker, I prepare bowls filled with Pokémon food for the team. This brand of Pokémon food is standard for battling, although it can be very expensive on top of all the restocking. It's worth it though. My Pokémon have always stayed healthy, that's for sure. Releasing the team, breakfast is served for them. I eat my own meal around up against the tree out of the pan. Suddenly, I felt a thud to my right. Electabuzz had set himself down next to me with his bowl. A thud to my left and it looks like Monferno has done the same. Pretty soon, all the Pokémon have gathered around me for their breakfast.

It warms my heart that they care for me. Even with all the training we do, we're a family. A team. Our goals coalesce into one path. The Sinnoh League. A path that many trainers share with me. My goals, however, and the things I will do to achieve these goals are different. Training is not just a hobby. My journey is not just a hobby. It's my way of life and my path to supreme victory.

This journey of ours is definitely no pleasure trip. Adventuring to become truly great when there is so much against you takes a toll on your mind. Doubts of "can it truly happen" and "what will it cost" plague my mind every day since I've regained my memories. Before I regained them… it was plaguing my mind only rarely. These moments of togetherness and community will come again, but I wonder… what kind of person will I be when I experience it again.