POV - JAKE
The first light of dawn broke over the horizon, casting a soft, golden hue across the sprawling courtyard of the Master Dojo. In the midst of this, the air was alive with the sounds and energy of rigorous training. Jake, surrounded by his fellow students, was in the thick of an intense morning session, contrasting the peaceful dawn.
Sweat beaded on Jake's forehead as he transitioned into another set of coordinated drills. His muscles ached with a now familiar burn; from the days he had spent training under Mustard's watchful eye. It was a far cry from the more abstract training methods he remembered from the games; here, every movement, every command was tangible and exacting.
Now clad in a mustard yellow Gi, Jake was in the middle of yet another rigorous kata, a series of fluid martial arts movements. Each motion precise, a blend of balance and strength that Mustard insisted was crucial for a Pokémon trainer. "A fit body means a fit mind, Jake," Mustard had said earlier. "Pokémon battles require quick wits, and that starts with the foundation of your body."
These words resonated with Jake as he executed a series of punches and kicks, body moving in sync with the rhythm of his breathing. He understood the logic; the physical discipline was not just for show. It honed reflexes, sharpened focus, and prepared him for the split-second decisions required in Pokémon battles.
As he moved through the martial arts sequence, Jake found it fascinating that he was learning to fight as well. The style was a blend of eastern martial arts that focused heavily on Karate. It reminded him of Bea, the Fighting-type Gym Leader from the Galar region, known as a Karate master. A thought crossed his mind – had Mustard trained her too? The idea seemed plausible, given Mustard's expertise and reputation.
As he completed his kata, Jake felt a sense of accomplishment. His previous experience playing team sports on Earth had given him a foundation, but this was different. This was more than physical fitness; it was integrating mind, body, and spirit – a holistic approach to being a Pokémon trainer that did not come across as necessary in the games.
During his physical routine, Jake's Pokémon were also engaging in their specialised training. Jake watched intently as Trixie soared gracefully through the air. Under his direction, she was not only enhancing her flying skills but also building stamina and agility, which were crucial for aerial battles.
"Trixie, let's focus on elevation changes!" Jake called out. Trixie responded with an enthusiastic emol, darting higher into the air before swooping low, skimming just above the ground.
Jake remembered their earlier work on a skimming technique, where Trixie flew close to the ground, utilising the terrain to her advantage. However, he was acutely aware that many gym battles would take place on flat terrain, which meant Trixie would be much more exposed in those environments, this had been made very clear in the earlier battle with Mienfoo. He knew they would have to adapt their strategy to suit different battle conditions.
Mustard, clad in his customary light green tracksuit, moved through the students with a keen eye and encouraging words. His approach to training was hands-on, blending traditional methods with innovative techniques. He paused beside Jake, observing Trixie's progress with a nod of approval.
"The key is synergy, lad," Mustard said, voice carrying over the sounds of training. "It's not just about the strength or skill of your Pokémon. It's about how well you understand each other, how you adapt and respond as a team.
"Thanks, Master. I'm trying to build her stamina and control, especially at higher elevations. But I'm concerned about the flat terrain of gym battles," Jake replied, eyes following Trixie's movements.
Mustard nodded. "That's a valid concern. In gym battles, you won't always have the advantage of varied terrain. You'll need to train Trixie to be just as effective in open, flat areas."
He continued, "Consider working on her acceleration and deceleration. Being able to quickly change speed can be just as disorienting to opponents as agile movements. Also, practice mid-air stops and sharp turns. They're vital for dodging attacks, especially when there's less cover."
Jake listened intently. "That makes sense. We'll work on those techniques. I want to make sure she's as prepared as she can be."
Jake's attention was drawn to a new figure joining their training session. It was Mustard's Mienshao, the Pokémon's presence exuded wisdom and discipline. The Mienshao moved with a fluid grace that spoke of years of experience and training.
Mustard had introduced the Mienshao to Jake a few days ago "This is my trusted companion," Mustard had said, a note of pride in his voice. "We've been through many challenges together."
The Mienshao's long, whip-like arms moved with an elegance and precision that was almost mesmerising. Its fur a pristine white, with purple tips that added a striking contrast.
Jake couldn't help but feel a sense of awe in the presence of this Pokémon. Its strength and agility evident in every move it made. The Mienshao assisted Mustard in demonstrating advanced training techniques, Jake realised the depth of skill and power it possessed.
"This Mienshao," Jake thought, "it is the most powerful Pokémon I've encountered so far."
Jake had been slightly intimidated by Mienshao at first, the power of the aura it seemed to exude reminded Jake exactly how fragile he was. Yet, the Mienshao simply went around demonstrating various combat techniques, each executed with a masterful ease. This Pokémon was a mentor in its own right and seemed to very much enjoy the process of guiding the younger Pokémon in the dojo, much like its partner.
A few feet away, Jekyll was engaged in a more grounded exercise. Today under Mienshao's supervision, the Pokémon was practicing evasive manoeuvres, darting between obstacles with surprising agility. The training was meticulous, focusing on reaction times and strategic positioning, far more nuanced than Jake had anticipated.
Jake had found himself in a bit of a predicament with Jekyll a few days ago. They had been out in the courtyard, ready to begin training for the first time. Jake had turned to Jekyll who simply stood by his side, tone encouraging yet firm. "Alright, Jekyll, time to get to work."
"Mimi, Kyu?" Jekyll responded, as if to say, "Why should I, when I can just stay with you?" not budging an inch, gaze fixed on Jake with a stubbornness that was both endearing and frustrating.
Jake tried a bit more insistently. "Come on, Jekyll, we need to practice. You did great yesterday; let's build on that."
But Jekyll seemed to have other ideas, merely shuffling closer to Jake, looking up at him just tilting his head with a 'Kyu?" showing no interest in training. "I just wanna stay and look at you?" Jake could sense the Pokémon's saying, which while touching, was not particularly helpful.
Just then, Trixie, energetic as ever a half-eaten apple, which she had no doubt once again snatched from the pantry, clutched in her paws. "Emol, Emol!" she emoled cheerfully, ready and raring to go.
"How are you gonna fly when you eat so much, huh?"" He imagined Honey in the kitchen, tallying the missing fruits, a usual casualty of Trixie's endless appetite.
"Emol!" Trixie retorted, patting her belly with confidence, as if declaring, "I'll burn it off in no time."
Jake watched as Jekyll's attention shifted to Trixie. The slight hint of indignation in Jekyll's posture was unmistakable "Kyu!" Jekyll intoned, with a haughty air as if to say, "How dare you approach the master so casually?"
Seizing the moment, Jake said, "Looks like Trixie's all set. How about you, Jekyll? Ready to show her how it's done?"
Jekyll seemed to stiffen, as if caught in a trap, confused once again and not sure what to do. Jake smiled to himself; he really found this part of Jekyll's personality amusing.
Jake kneeled to Jekyll's level, gently placing a hand on his shoulder. "Hey, Jekyll," he said softly, making sure his tone was encouraging. "You see how eager Trixie is to get stronger? She's really putting her heart... and stomach into it. What do you say, buddy? Are you going to let her have all the fun, or are you going to show us what you can really do?"
Trixie interjected. "Emol, emol!" she chirped, which roughly translated to, "Your big sister will be the strongest!" Her eyes sparking mischievously.
Jekyll, upon hearing this, stiffened up with another indignant "Kyu!" Somehow seeming haughty. "Mimi, kyu!" Jekyll seemed to retort, which might have meant "I shall not be bested by the likes of you!"
Jake couldn't help but laugh. "Well, who knew? Trixie, you're the best motivator Jekyll could ask for," he said.
Back in the present, Jake had considered how best to train Mimikyu and Jake felt his mind wandering back yet again, to the countless conversations he had with his friend Josh, the self-proclaimed Mimikyu aficionado. Josh, with his encyclopaedic knowledge of Pokémon and an almost peculiar obsession with Mimikyu, he would often rave endlessly about his strategies with pedantic enthusiasm.
"See, Jake, the real genius of Mimikyu," Josh began, pushing up his glasses with a finger, "lies in its ability to catch opponents totally off guard. Take Thunderbolt or Psychic, for instance. No one expects a Mimikyu to pull off moves like those!"
Jake remembered how he would often nod along, sometimes more focused on the sheer volume of Pokémon stuff crowding Josh's room than the detailed strategies being outlined.
"And don't get me started on the speed," Josh continued, voice rising with excitement. "Mimikyu can often move before the disguise is even broken. It's like, bam! Surprise attack, and your opponent's still reeling from the shock of it!"
Jake had always found Josh's passion both amusing and, at times, mildly exasperating. Josh really would delve into the minutiae of every Mimikyu move and strategy, it could be kind of overwhelming.
"You really need to leverage that element of surprise, Jake. That's the key! Mimikyu isn't just cute; it's cunning, it's fast, it's—"
"Yeah, I get it, Josh. Mimikyu's awesome," Jake would interject, trying to move to a less intense topic. But Josh's enthusiasm was a runaway train.
"Exactly! And don't even get me started on the lore behind Mimikyu. Did you know—"
Jake let out a small chuckle, thoughts returning to the present moment. Those long, humorous talks with Josh had really opened his eyes to the special abilities of Mimikyu. Never had he thought he'd find himself actually training one, yet here he was with Jekyll.
The key was leveraging its speed and the art of surprise. But Jake was aware of their limitations in their current setting. While they were in a fighting dojo, access to moves like Thunderbolt or Psychic, which Josh so often raved about, was unlikely. Mustard, despite being a celebrated move tutor, didn't specialise in those particular moves. But that didn't dampen Jake's resolve. He was ready to make the most of what they could learn here, focusing on the strengths and strategies that were within their reach.
Mustard, observing Jekyll, approached Jake. "So, you're thinking of shaping Jekyll into a bit of an unpredictable fighter, huh?" he asked, a spark of interest in his tone.
Jake nodded affirmatively. "Jekyll's naturally inclined for the unexpected. I'm thinking of expanding beyond typical ghost-type moves."
"I've been considering Drain Punch. It fits well with the environment here," Jake added, watching Jekyll intently.
Mustard rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "Drain Punch, you say? That's an astute choice. Combining attack with healing – it suits Jekyll's style. Let's try it out."
Mustard brought in his Mienshao to demonstrate the move. "Mienshao here will show us the technique, Jekyll can try copying them," Mustard suggested, his tone indicating he was keen to see how this would unfold.
"Shao!" Mienshao called out, stepping forward with readiness that merged elegance and strength. In a fluid motion, it coiled and then uncoiled rapidly, lunging to strike a training dummy with its whip-like arm, which blurred upon impact. The controlled, forceful punch caused the dummy to shudder, while a faint glow around Mienshao's arm indicated the energy-draining aspect of Drain Punch, though of course, nothing actually drained from the training dummy.
Jake watched as Jekyll observed Mienshao closely. Using Mimic, Jekyll began replicating the move. Underneath its disguise, Jekyll's real claw struck out at rapid pace, mimicking Mienshao's movements.
Jake watched Jekyll manoeuvre through the training exercises and noted a certain clumsiness in the way he moved. "It's all about balance," he thought. "Jekyll's agility seems compromised while maintaining its Pikachu disguise. We'll need to focus on improving that." Jake realised that their portrayed speed from the games was more about the swiftness of their attacks, and not necessarily bodily agility.
"Shao, Shao!" Mienshao chimed in, demonstrating swerving its body, and how this could be used for moves to miss at the last moment, which could be followed by a brutal counter.
"Let's focus on that then," Mustard said. "Jekyll, watch how Mienshao moves. Try to replicate not just the attack but also how it evades."
Jekyll, attentive, began attempting to mirror both the attack and the evasion techniques. The Pokémon's efforts to maintain its disguise while adapting to the new movements were both impressive and but somewhat comical. It was clear that this training was pushing Jekyll's abilities in new directions.
As he watched Trixie and Jekyll diligently move about the courtyard, he thought to himself "This is what real Pokémon training is about." It wasn't just the Pokémon themselves getting stronger; it was also him, as a trainer, learning the art and science behind effective training. Jake could see progress in Trixie and Jekyll, but more importantly, he felt a growing confidence in his own abilities to guide them, and other Pokemon he would come across in future.
Around them, the dojo was alive with the sounds of training. Jake's gaze shifted to Siobhan, her vibrant orange hair neatly tied back, with her Bulbasaur. The sight of the Bulbasaur immediately brought back the rush of nostalgia for Jake. It had been his chosen starter in Pokémon Red. Seeing a real Bulbasaur was still a surreal experience for him.
Stout and sturdy, a wide, friendly face. Patterned green skin, and the distinct bulb on its back which seemed to pulsate gently. The first time Jake had met it, he couldn't hide his delight. "Wow, a real Bulbasaur," he had exclaimed with excitement. The Pokémon had regarded him with curious, gentle eyes, emitting a soft "Bulba" in greeting.
Jab and Bab were engaged in a light-hearted sparring match, laughter infusing the intense training session. Jake observed Jab's Squirtle, oddly sporting sunglasses, much like its anime counterpart, and Bab's who strangely had a playful Mienfoo, the Pokemon seemed to mirror their trainers' laid-back attitudes. The Pokémon seemed more focused on enjoying themselves than serious training, often joining their trainers in crafting pranks, especially aimed at Ciara and Siobhan. "I guess Pokémon really do reflect the natures of their trainers," he thought, amused.
Ciara, in contrast to the rest of the dojo, trained in solitude. Her presence was marked by an air of aloofness, standing apart from the other trainers. Jake couldn't help but notice her – tanned skin glistening with the effort of training, dark hair pulled back into a tight ponytail. She moved with a sharp precision that spoke volumes about her dedication. Every motion of her and her Kubfu was calculated and deliberate, reflecting a serious commitment to their training.
Despite having a Kubfu, a Pokémon revered as legendary in the games, Ciara didn't draw the awe one might expect on the Isle of Armor. Jake pondered this, realising that perhaps, on this island, a Kubfu wasn't as rare a sight as elsewhere. "Maybe they're just more common here," he thought.
In the time Jake had been at the dojo, he had learned little about Ciara. She was a mystery, often silent during meals, quickly finishing before slipping away to train more. Her interactions were limited, quietly speaking mostly to Siobhan and occasionally to Master Mustard. To everyone else, she was silent, her cold demeanour forming a barrier that few seemed able to cross.
Jake observed her training from a distance, noting the intensity in her amber eyes and the disciplined way she and her Kubfu moved in sync. "She's serious about her training, that much is clear," Jake thought.
The afternoon training session drew to a close and Master Mustard clapped his hands together loudly, signalling the students to gather in the courtyard. With Mienshao at his side and Honey accompanying him.
The students, along with their Pokémon, formed a semi-circle around Mustard and Honey, arms behind their backs in a disciplined fashion. Jake stood among them, a sense of anticipation building.
"I'm pleased with the progress everyone has made," Mustard began, though his eyes did linger with a doubtful expression on Jab and Bab, who were trying to appear more attentive than usual. His voice carried across the courtyard. "But as the Galar Pokémon League approaches in a couple of months, it's time to elevate your training. You're ready for the trials."
His gaze then shifted to Jake. "Jake, you haven't been here long, but you've done well. These trials will be a test, but you've proven yourself a capable lad," he said with an encouraging nod.
Mustard stepped aside, allowing Honey to take centre stage. The afternoon sun seemed to frame her. "The first trial," she began slowly, voice clear and engaging, "will be an ingredient hunt. Your objective is to gather Max Mushrooms, which are vital ingredients for a special concoction of mine."
Honey continued. "You'll find these mushrooms in the Forest of Focus, within the Wild Area." At the mention of the Forest of Focus, Jake rolled his eyes, a wry smile forming on his lips. It was almost ironic; he had traversed this very forest to arrive at Applinby.
"The Max Mushrooms you're looking for are quite distinctive," Honey explained. "They have a vibrant, glowing appearance, with colours that can range from deep blues to purples. You'll often find them growing in clusters, attached to the sides of trees or nestled in the more humid and shaded parts of the forest."
Jake couldn't suppress a smirk, amused by the real-life representation of what he'd only experienced in the games.
Mustard stepped forward again "This trial is not just about a hunt for ingredients. It's an opportunity to learn essential survival skills that every trainer needs to know. You'll learn how to navigate through the wilderness, set up camp outdoors, and how to interact safely and effectively with wild Pokémon. These aren't just lessons for the trial; they're skills that will serve you well on any journey you undertake."
He paused, taking a breath. "You will be leaving just before dawn tomorrow morning, so I suggest you all get a good night's rest and prepare your Pokémon. The better rested and prepared you are, the more successful you'll be in the trial."
Mustard's gaze then shifted to Honey, his expression softening with a smile. "And remember, Honey here is quite the connoisseur when it comes to Max Mushrooms. She'll be judging the quality of what you bring back, so do your best to impress."
He concluded his address with a final note on the importance of teamwork. "You will all head out together, but once you reach the Wild Area, you're free to choose whether to stick together or venture out on your own. This trial is as much about individual growth and independence as it is about learning to work together as a team."
Jake let out a soft groan, the prospect of a bright and early start reminding him vaguely of past school wilderness expeditions. "Great, up with the sun, back into the wild," he thought with amusement and mild resignation.
Despite the early start, a wave of excitement washed over him. He was in a world where Pokémon were real, every new day brought adventures that once existed only in his dreams, and now he was actually participating in a trial that was part of a Pokémon journey.
Jake's eyes then fell on Trixie and Jekyll, his companions, his loyal friends. As the day's light began to wane, giving way to the evening, Jake knew that with Trixie and Jekyll by his side, he was ready to face whatever the wild had in store for them. He smiled, looking forward to the dawn of a new adventure, thinking, "Let's show them what we're made of."