POV - JAKE

Jake ambled back from the Stout Slowpoke, moon hanging high in the night sky, a soft glow over the cobbled streets of Applinby. Quaint streetlamps flickered gently, lighting his path to the dojo, his temporary new world home. He walked slowly, lost in thought, the echoes of his footsteps mingling with the distant murmur of the town's fading nightlife. The cool night air was a welcome relief, helping clear his mind as he reflected on the battle he had just witnessed.

Jake had come to realise the importance of intensifying his Pokémon training. He had been committed before, of course, but there were distractions – so many distractions in this new, overwhelming reality he found himself in. The myriad of new sights, sounds, and the endless stream of knowledge flooding into his mind at nearly every moment left little room for rest. 'It's like my brain's in overdrive, trying to soak up everything this place throws at me," he thought.

Despite the distractions, Jake's aspiration remained unwavering – to reach the Spear Pillar, the Mount Olympus of the Pokémon world. The Champions Cup battle had sharpened his understanding of the path ahead. 'It's a means to a greater end,' Jake reflected, becoming Champion of Galar would not aid him, and it could not be his ultimate goal but rather be a vehicle to train his Pokémon, traverse this world, and acquire the power, fortune, and fame necessary to pursue his true aim.

He knew that to access the Hall of Origin, he would need to acquire the Azure Flute, the games were not at all clear on where this would be located and obtaining it would require building connections and a network of allies. 'It's not just about battles,' Jake mused. 'It's about the connections, the people who can help me find that flute.'

Jake was aware of an unusual stillness on his shoulder, a spot that had rarely known silence during his time on this world. Glancing over, he saw his passenger unusually subdued. "Trixie, you're pretty quiet tonight. Did the match wear you out?" he asked, half-joking. He sometimes wondered if she ever truly needed rest.

"Emol..." Trixie mumbled softly, lacking her usual spark. She looked at Jake, large eyes holding a glimmer of something.

Jake's smile faded. "Hey, what's wrong? You're not yourself tonight," he said, stopping to give her his full attention.

Trixie shifted uncomfortably, seeming to be lost for words for once. Perhaps a change of scenery would perk her up. "Come on Trix, let's head to the docks, I've not seen them up close," Jake suggested. The docks were a quaint sight, the air rich with the distinctive scent of salty sea, mingled with faint traces of fish and seaweed. As they strolled along the cool, solid concrete of the quay, they could see the faded blue and green fishing boats that bobbed gently in the water, securely moored to the pier. The usual daytime bustle was replaced by a calm stillness, with only the occasional distant creak of a boat or the soothing sound of water lapping against the quay.

Jake soon found a bench overlooking the sea, the vast expanse of water stretching out before them, the surface shimmering under the moonlight. A few Wingull could be seen in the distance, cries now silent as they nestled for the night on the rocky outcrops nearby.

Taking a seat, Jake turned towards Trixie. The usually spirited and mischievous Emolga appearing contemplative, a rare, subdued air about her.

"You've been quiet since the match, Trixie. Did something bother you?" Jake asked slowly.

Trixie's gaze lingered on the sea, bathed in moonlight. "Emol," she responded quietly, a tone of wistfulness in her voice that Jake hadn't heard before. It almost sounded like she was reflecting, 'They were so strong... too strong for me.'

"Yeah, those Pokémon at the championship are incredibly strong," Jake acknowledged, "But remember, they're competing at the highest level."

Trixie's eyes, now glistening with unshed tears, met his, a kind of vulnerability in them that Jake hadn't seen before. "Emol?" she whispered softly, almost like she was asking herself, 'Can I ever reach them?'

Jake pondered on what he could say. In the games, Emolga didn't rank high in terms of raw strength – they were often considered more of an early-game choice, effective for their unique type combination, but in the end more of a collector's item, charming but not contenders for a late-stage team.

"Trixie, it's true that some Pokémon will have natural advantages in terms of raw power," Jake admitted gently, meeting her eyes. "But you have your agility, cleverness, and spirit, which are just as important. Remember, battles aren't won by strength alone."

Trixie looked down, ears drooping against her small head. "Emol, emol," she said softly, 'But I'm not like them.'

Gathering his thoughts, Jake spoke quietly. "You know, Trixie, there's a story about a trainer from another land. His Pokémon was a Pikachu, not the strongest type out there, just like you."

Trixie glanced up; curiosity piqued.

"This trainer, just a kid really, started his journey like any other, with a dream and a Pokémon by his side. His Pikachu wasn't the strongest, not by a long shot. But together, they had something special. He didn't rush; he took his time, understanding each of his Pokémon, growing with them. He faced each gym leader one by one, learning and adapting."

Trixie listened, her ears perking up. "He faced all kinds of challenges – fierce opponents, treacherous terrains, and even villains who sought to use Pokémon for their own gain. But this kid, with his Pikachu, stood against them all. It was their courage, their unbreakable bond that saw them through. And in the end, he faced dragons, the mightiest of opponents. His Pikachu, small as it was, stood bravely by his side, and together they triumphed. That kid became a champion, not just because of his Pikachu's power, but because of their shared determination and trust."

She seemed to think about what she had just heard "Emol?" Her voice uncertain, as if she was asking, 'Could I really do that?'

Jake recalled Ash's philosophy – the belief that any Pokémon could achieve greatness. Jake subscribed to this idea, though he was also aware that there were natural limits to the power a Pokémon could reach. It would not be easy, but he knew that for Trixie to stand shoulder to shoulder with the naturally mightier Pokémon, they'd have to break new ground in their approach.

"Not right away," he admitted honestly. "I don't know exactly what that trainer did to achieve all that with a Pikachu, but Trix, remember how you used to fear flying? What did we do? We took it step by step, your confidence growing by the day."

Trixie looked at him, eyes still shining.

Jake paused a moment, looking out onto the ocean, thinking, before asking quietly, "What do you want, Trixie?"

After a moment of hesitation, Trixie replied softly, "Emolga emol," conveying her desire to be with him, to be part of his journey, saying, 'But more than anything, I don't want to let you down.'

Jake's expression softened, "Trixie, remember how we met? I was injured, lost... alone. You saved me... I think I knew right then, the moment I saw you, that you were going to be my partner in this crazy world." Jake looked her in the eyes sincerely. "You could never let me down. Traveling the world with you? It's the best unexpected journey I could've stumbled into."

He continued, now more encouraging, "Believe in me, trust in yourself. You've got this incredible potential inside you, I've seen it."

Slowly, Trixie seemed to regain her spirited self. Jake picked her up, bringing her into a warm hug. "We'll do this together," he said softly, "and we won't be alone. Jekyll, Arthrox, and now Iggy, they'll be with us too. They need your help, Trixie. You'll be the cool sister they never knew they needed. You can be a guiding light for them, and for me, now and into the future."

Trixie lit up, invigorated by Jake's words. She snuggled into his hug, before playfully drawing back, mischievous grin reappearing. "Emol!" she chirped, tone bubbling, as if to say, 'Just say the word, and I'm on it!'

Jake chuckled; spirits buoyed by her enthusiasm. "You've got this, Trix," he said with a smile. "you're going to soar higher than a Pikachu could ever dream of."

And so, the next morning, under the soft glow of the rising sun, Jake gathered his Pokémon team in the shade of the towering dojo wall, in a quiet corner of the courtyard for a huddle.

"Emol, Emol!" Trixie chirped energetically, flitting around Iggy, who watched her with wide, curious eyes. "We've got to stick together and listen to me... and Jake, of course! Just follow our lead, Iggy, and you won't need to worry about anything else."

Iggy responded with a "Cynda, Quil!" bouncing eagerly. "Wow! So amazing!"

Jake chuckled softly, 'Seems like she's already enjoying being the big sister, huh'

"Emolga, Emol!" Trixie replied cheerfully, as if to say. "That's right, I sure am! Remember, I call the shots around here and you should do fine!" And there she goes and ruins it, Jake sighed.

"Mik, Mikyu!" Jekyll cried indignantly, the ears of his costume flopping with the shaking of his 'head'. Probably saying something like. "Preposterous! I bow to no one!"

Iggy, eyes alight with admiration, scampered excitedly towards Jekyll, flaring up. "Cyndaquil!" conveying, "Wow! So cool!"

Jekyll, taken aback by Iggy's sudden approach, edged backward, keen to avoid the enthusiastic flames and attention. 'K-kyu...' he uttered hesitantly, self-assured tone, as if saying, 'Well, naturally, one cannot help but acknowledge my certain... charm.' Jekyll awkwardly hopped back into his Pikaguise, trying to shake off his surprise and regain composure. It seemed he had formed the mistaken impression that Iggy's fascination stemmed from his acting skills. Jake shook his head, 'Jekyll, I dub you the master of misunderstanding.'

Before Jake could observe further, a faint, rhythmic vibration, barely perceptible, teased at the edges of his hearing, a subtle, almost enigmatic sound, unfamiliar to his ears. Simultaneously, Iggy's ears perked up, nose twitching as she caught onto something in the air. With a surge of curiosity, the Cyndaquil scampered off, path veering away from Mimikyu and towards the source of this intriguing sound.

Jake's gaze shifted to Arthrox, who seemed unusually still yet emanated a sense of quiet contentment. A slight vibration underfoot, barely noticeable unless one was paying close attention. Jake couldn't suppress a small grin. 'Clever,' he thought, 'Seems like Jekyll might have found an ally,' Jake mused.

Then, sensing the right moment to shift the group's focus, he clapped his hands lightly, drawing all eyes to him. "Alright, let's get serious," he began. "We've got a big couple of weeks ahead of us. Mustard's second trial is coming up, and we need to be more prepared than ever."

Jake had realised that much of his understanding of his Pokémon's abilities had been gleaned through a blend of trial and error, spontaneous but lucky decisions in the heat of battle, and, frankly, a fair bit of winging it. He still hadn't come across anyone with a Pokedex. None of the students seemed to carry one, nor did they even mention its existence. It struck him that perhaps Pokedex weren't as common here as portrayed in the more recent games, or maybe they didn't serve the same purpose.

Without a Pokedex, his insights would have to come from careful observation and intuition. He gazed thoughtfully at each of his Pokémon: Trixie, Jekyll, Arthrox, and Iggy, each waiting expectantly for their turn. "Alright, let's start with a simple call-out," Jake said. "I want to get a sense of every move you know."

As he started calling out various moves he remembered from each Pokémon's potential move pool, he observed their reactions. Some moves were met with enthusiastic recognition, others with curious tilts of heads or blank stares.

Jake quickly realised that the learning mechanics he was familiar with didn't quite translate into this reality. The concept of levels seemed irrelevant here, and the way moves were learned or retained was different, more nuanced. Mustard had explained to him, "Experience shapes a Pokémon, Jake. They grow and adapt based on what they face, much like how we learn in life."

In this world, Pokémon moves were much like muscles, developing and evolving with repeated use. They didn't simply forget moves as they might in the game; rather, they honed these abilities, specialising their skills through practice and application. For example, Trixie, from birth and in the wild, would instinctively know how to use moves like Nuzzle and Tail Whip. However, as she grew and frequently used her abilities, these moves would evolve into something more potent like Thundershock, or become a specialised move like Thunder Wave, depending on her experiences. Furthermore, different Pokémon held natural inclinations towards certain moves. Taking Trixie's case again, her species' inherent behaviours might make her more adept at learning moves like Quick Attack or Double Team, which she would then continue to refine and adapt into stronger versions as she matured.

Jake resorted to a more traditional method, jotting down observations in a trusty paper notepad. He recorded each Pokémon's abilities, still using the game's level system as a rough gauge, though he acknowledged its imprecision.

Starting with Trixie, he estimated her to be somewhere between level fifteen and twenty-five. Shock Wave, he noted, was her most formidable move, but she had also picked up Acrobatics quite quickly after mastering flight. 'That makes sense,' Jake reasoned in his notes, 'Emolga are known for their agility, which likely aided her rapid mastery.' However, what really caught his attention was her electric prowess. He theorised that her early fear of heights might have inadvertently led her to focus more on developing her electric skills than a typical Emolga, but more investigation would be needed.

Considering her strengths, Jake thought that Electro Ball could be an excellent next step in her training. Jake had some inspiration on what could be effective for Trixie. He remembered reading about dive bombers from the Second World War back in his world. 'What if Trixie could perform a similar role?'' he pondered, envisioning her as a swift, agile aviator, capable of striking from the skies and swiftly changing direction.

He imagined Trixie plummeting at high speed, skimming close to her opponents, allowing her to hit with high impact and targeted electric attacks at effective range. Her ability to quickly shift momentum would be key to this approach, enabling her to dodge physical attacks while remaining close enough to prevent opponents from using energy attacks effectively.

"Air Slash," he realised, "that's the move we start with. It's perfect for building up the speed she needs." He saw her using this move to gain momentum, the ideal setup for launching an Electro Ball at the velocity of a dive bomber, before going in for the finish. 'That's going to be a game-changer against most Pokémon types,' he thought. 'We used an obstacle course to help her get over her fear of heights, and it worked wonders. She seems to learn best with play, so we will set up something similar for her.' He saw no reason not to try and added the concept to his notes.

Trixie stared up listening to Jake ramble to himself, eyes wide."Emol, emol!" She nodded eagerly, he couldn't help but smile wryly, knowing she probably didn't grasp the entire concept but seemed impressed by the sound of it. "You'll get it soon enough, Trix," he said.

Next, he turned his attention to Jekyll. Estimating his level to be between twenty-five and thirty, Jake found Jekyll's move set intriguingly atypical for a Mimikyu. Curse was an egg move for a Mimikyu, and Misty Terrain was not in the regular move pool. Mimikyu were enigmatic creatures, and Jekyll's past—how long he had lived and what experiences had shaped him—remained shrouded in mystery. Astonish, Shadow Sneak, Double Team, Wood Hammer and the newly learned Drain Punch were also in his arsenal. Jekyll knew Copycat, but Mimic was a more advanced version of the move and stood out as perhaps his most valuable and versatile skill that could both aid his learning as well as be an unexpected asset for battle.

The one glaring omission was a significant offensive Fairy move. 'Play Rough is the signature Mimikyu move,' Jake thought, 'but I have no idea how I would go about teaching it.' If Pokemon moves were learned by experience, then maybe Jekyll would literally have to learn to 'Play Rough'. Unfortunately, Jake's Mimikyu had not shown much natural inclination for play so far, and any hands-on practice with this move would likely not end well for him.

Jake put a hand to his chin, gaze resting thoughtfully on Jekyll as he mulled over this thought. 'Mimikyu are deeply emotional creatures,' he thought to himself, scribbling in his notepad. He recalled the tangible emotions he felt when making contact with Jekyll's true form, a whirl of feelings almost palpable in their intensity.

"Maybe Jekyll's moves are expressions of his emotions," Jake pondered, the pen dancing across the paper. He thought about the moves like Charm or Baby-Doll Eyes. 'They could be born from Jekyll's longing for love and acceptance,' he noted. Then there was Curse or Shadow Claw, moves that might stem from Jekyll's fear and resentment towards those who might see through his disguise.

His thoughts circled back to Play Rough. 'Could it be a fusion of these emotions?' he wondered. 'A mischievous yet aggressive move, blending his deep need for acceptance with his defensive instincts.' Jake watched Jekyll closely, observing the Mimikyu's every move and mannerism. "To teach Play Rough," he mused, "we might need to tap into both sides of Jekyll's nature, the loving and the fearful."

A flicker of concern crossed his mind. He couldn't shake off the thought that by leveraging Jekyll's emotions, and the very nature of battles, with the potential of Jekyll's disguise being compromised, might inflict emotional, if not physical, pain on him. 'Is it right to exploit his feelings this way?' he wondered, his brows furrowing slightly.

The last thing Jake wanted was to cause Jekyll any harm. His aim was to aid him, not add to his burdens. Perhaps there was a silver lining in this approach. Training might offer Jekyll a pathway to better understand and manage his own emotions. Through self-awareness and acceptance of both his playful and protective sides, Jekyll could find a more stable, contented existence. 'Maybe,' Jake thought with a hopeful note in his mind, 'this could lead to a happier life for Jekyll, in whatever way a ghost can be said to live.'

He nodded to himself, affirming his plan. "The key to progress with Jekyll lies in tuning into his emotions. We start there." A brief pause followed as another thought crossed his mind. "Bringing Ciara in could really help unlock this," he mused. "Though, knowing her, she might not be thrilled about playing therapist to a Mimikyu."

Anyway, that was for later. Right now, it was Arthrox's turn. Jake's recollection of Venipede's moveset was hazy. In the games, he had never caught or extensively used one. The Scolipede line were somewhat obscure, often slipping under the radar of many fans. But Jake remembered a day, back in school, when his friend Josh, the irrepresible Poke-geek, had excitedly delved into an unwanted impromptu lecture about them.

Jake remembered Josh's intense lecture about Venipede, his glasses nearly falling off in his excitement. "Jake, listen, Venipede's are fierce," Josh had insisted, hands cutting through the air. "They're aggressive, man. Their venom can knock down a bird Pokémon twice their size. It's not just their moves; it's their attitude, you know?"

Jake recalled nodding, half-listening as he packed his backpack for the next class, while Josh's words flowed like an unstoppable torrent. "And dude, they can even learn Steamroller! It's a Bug-type move that's perfect for squashing Psychic-types! And when they evolve into Scolipede, oh man, they become total powerhouses!"

True, in battles, Arthrox's aggression had been obvious, yet there was a stoic, almost calculating side to him, a divergence from the Pokedex description. Arthrox's straightforward, no-nonsense approach was refreshing, a nice balance to his other Pokémon. 'Maybe a bit too stiff, but with Trixie, that might be just what we need, I wonder how this might change with evolution?'

Even now, as Jake looked at Arthrox, he smiled at the memory. Josh's enthusiasm had always been infectious, if a bit overwhelming at times. 'Well, Josh, let's see if your ramblings about Venipede were on point.'

He'd already seen Defence Curl, Poison Sting, Rollout, Toxic and Poison Tail before, but beginning from the top;

"Alright, let's see, or hear I should say, Screech." The moment Arthrox let out a high-pitched, ear-splitting sound, Jake winced, his hand flying to his ears. Trixie, Jekyll, and even some trainers in the dojo shot them annoyed looks. "Okay, okay, that's enough," Jake laughed, quickly ticking off Screech.

Moving on, Jake called out "Alright Arthrox, let's try Protect!" But instead of the expected green shield, Arthrox just stared blankly at Jake, small body deflating.

Jake couldn't help but smile at the sight. He knelt down beside the Venipede, gently petting his segmented back. "Hey, no worries, buddy," he reassured, "This is all about finding out what we don't know yet. You've got plenty of time to learn."

"Veni" Arthrox perked up slightly, the gentle vibrations from his feelers conveying a sense of understanding and gratitude. Jake was learning to read these subtle cues, though he still found it challenging to interpret Arthrox's limited expressions. But he was getting better, noticing slight vibrations of his body and the way Arthrox's feelers moved when he felt stronger emotions.

Jake continued with his list. "Okay, how about Pursuit?" he called out next.

Arthrox crouched low moving forward slowly, as if stalking a prey, before springing forward with a sudden burst of speed, aimed to intercept an imaginary foe attempting to flee. Jake's eyes lit up, and he quickly jotted down a note. "Pursuit, that's great! A Pokémon with a Dark-type move could be really handy." He pondered for a moment, "I wonder if their predatory nature in the wild makes this move more intuitive for them?"

Next on his list was Bite. "Alright, Arthrox, show me Bite!" Jake said. However, Arthrox simply stared back at him, not moving an inch. Jake raised an eyebrow. "How about Bug Bite?"

This time, with a sudden quickness, Arthrox brutally clamped his fangs onto the dummy, grip firm, almost calculated to inflict maximum damage. Jake scratched his head in confusion. "What's the difference?" he muttered to himself, watching as Arthrox disengaged and returned to his starting position

He glanced over at Mustard, who had been observing quietly. "Master Mustard, any idea why he knows Bug Bite but not Bite?"

Mustard shrugged with a grin, "There are many mysteries in the world of Pokémon, Jake. Some we may never figure out."

Jake sighed at the disappointing answer, noting down, 'Mystery: Bug Bite, yes; Bite, no.'

He continued the session, calling out various moves, but Arthrox only responded blankly to each, but then. "Toxic Spikes" Jake commanded. The Venipede started rolling around the dummy, releasing sharp, purple-tinted spikes, forming a hazardous ring.

"In the games, Toxic Spikes is an egg move, not something Venipede would learn just by levelling up," he thought. If Arthrox were to be described in game terms, perhaps he could be considered as having a 'Careful' nature. This was probably an oversimplification, yet it made him wonder how if the personality of a Pokémon might naturally steer their learning of certain moves. Another one for the notebook.

He grinned, "I bet my teachers would fall over if they saw me now—turns out all I needed was Pokémon to crack open a book."

Jake was about to close his notebook when he caught Arthrox's expectant gaze. The Venipede sat there, feelers vibrating subtly, seemingly anticipating something. Jake smirked at the sight, knowing what he wanted.

Leaning in, Jake spoke slowly, voice lowering. "Deeeefense..." he teased, watching as Arthrox's excitement visibly grew. His feelers wiggling faster, body vibrating with barely contained energy.

Then, with a dramatic pause, Jake finished, "...Curl!"

Instantly, Arthrox responded with an enthusiastic "Veni!" Coiled into himself, with such precision and grace it was almost artful. The smooth, shiny carapace gleamed in the morning sun as Arthrox formed into a near-perfect sphere.

Jake laughed softly, ticking his notepad with a flourish, looking fondly at the compact Venipede ball before him. "Ten out of ten, Arthrox," he said with a grin.

Jake closed his notebook with a satisfied snap, Jake estimated Arthrox to be around level sixteen to twenty-one. "Not far from evolving into Whirlipede," he mused, level twenty-two was the benchmark from the games.

As Arthrox already possessed most of his naturally occurring moves, preparing for evolution was the next step. Jake identified three key areas to focus on: shell hardening, strength, and speed. For shell hardening, Arthrox would go through burrowing and rolling exercises to prepare for the tougher shell of a Whirlipede. Strength training would also be vital for handling the heavier armour. Lastly, speed and agility were essential. Despite Whirlipede's general static nature, they were more manoeuvrable than other Bug Pokémon in their cocoon stage. Jake pondered integrating Arthrox into the agility course he had in mind for Trixie, training them together, with Arthrox on the ground level. 'This could work well,' he mused, liking the idea.

As Jake shifted his focus towards Iggy, eager to begin their session, he caught the purple glint of Arthrox's Toxic Spikes out of the corner of his eye. "Oh, right," he sighed with a hint of regret, noticing the sharp, purple-tinted hazards still littering the ground. He straightened up, approaching the area cautiously. "This never came up in the games," he muttered to himself. With a careful gesture, he enlisted Arthrox's help, who dutifully rolled over the spikes, collecting them with his sturdy body.

The dojo courtyard now safely cleared, buzzed with early morning activity. Jake's eyes briefly scanned the area. Trixie was zipping around, occasionally peering over the shoulders of other trainers to see what they were up to. Jekyll remained loveably fixated on Jake as ever his 'head' tilting watching his trainer's every move. Arthrox, having finished his task, settled next to Jekyll, seeming content. Jake observed this, musing that Arthrox seemed to really have developed have a fondness for Jekyll.

Across the courtyard, Mustard was engaging with various trainers, offering advice and encouragement. The mix of students included those from Jake's class as well as faces he recognised from the recent reward ceremony. In another quiet corner, Siobhan was concentrating on bonding with her recently acquired Fomantis and Chikorita. Jab and Bab were notably absent, likely still enjoying their morning rest.

Jake's attention shifted as Ciara approached. She leaned against the wall in her mustard yellow Gi, dark brown hair in its usual ponytail. She nodded quietly, and Jake flashed a small smile in return before turning back to Iggy.

"Alright, Iggy," Jake began, pulling out his notepad. "Let's see what you've got up your sleeve." Iggy's let out an enthusiastic "Cynda, Cynda!" full of eagerness.

"Let's start with Leer," Jake said, eyeing his notepad. Iggy's eyes glinted, narrowing her already narrow eyes in an admittedly adorable rather than menacing way. "Good job, Iggy!" Jake chuckled, ticking off the move.

"Next, Tackle!" Without hesitation, Iggy charged forward, demonstrating a solid impact on the unfortunate dummy. Jake nodded in approval and made another tick.

"Now, try Smokescreen." Iggy puffed up, releasing a dense, white smoke that rapidly filled the surrounding area. Jake coughed, waving his hand in front of his face, trying to clear the air. His vision blurred, and he found himself disoriented amidst the smoke.

Suddenly, Jekyll emerged from the smog with a soft "Kyu," tugging gently at Jake's Gi. Jake smiled in gratitude, following the Mimikyu's lead out of the smokescreen. Emerging into clearer air, he saw Ciara still leaning against the wall, an amused eyebrow raised and a smirk on her face.

Jake felt his cheeks warm slightly. "Caught in the haze, huh?" he joked, rubbing the back of his neck.

He glanced back to see Iggy weaving through the dissipating smoke, little form darting about with confusion. "Iggy, over here!" he called. The Cyndaquil quickly scampered to his side, seeming relieved. "Cynda, Quil?" as if to say, "Where the heck were you?"

Jake just sighed, "We might need to work on that one..."

Jake looked at Iggy, ready for the next move. "Alright, let's see Ember." Iggy took a deep breath and shot a small but precise flame towards the dummy. The flame hit its target, leaving a small scorch mark. "Nice one, Iggy!" Jake exclaimed, marking Ember off his list.

Next, he called out a series of moves: Quick Attack, Flame Wheel, Swift. Each time, Iggy responded with a blank stare. Jake frowned slightly, noting this down.

Jake, curious, called out, "How about Howl?" Iggy responded unexpectedly, her small frame expanding slightly as she let out a surprisingly deep, resonant howl that echoed around the courtyard. The sound seemed to invigorate her, her flames flickering more intensely for a moment. 'Interesting, another egg move,' Jake thought, 'that's an unusual one for a Cyndaquil."

But then, he paused, watching Iggy's small frame heave slightly. Her energy seemed to ebb as quickly as it had surged. He knelt beside her, offering a pat. "You're doing great, but we've got to build up your endurance, little one. Using flame attacks takes a lot out of you, and we can't have you tiring out too quickly."

Iggy nuzzled his hand, her flames dimming to a gentle glow. Jake could estimate that Iggy was probably between level five and ten. For Iggy the foundational skill she needed to master was controlling her flame. It was crucial for Iggy to learn to not instinctively flare up in response to surprise or stress. An equally important aspect of her training was building endurance; using fire was a strenuous task that drained her energy quickly. Jake would have to focus on endurance training, which, to his dismay, probably meant a lot of running. He also incorporated strength exercises into her routine, all designed to increase her resilience and capacity for sustained fire use. Training Iggy to manage her flame without draining her energy was crucial not just for battles but for her well-being and their bond. The spontaneous bursts of flame were a barrier, an involuntary defence mechanism that made close interactions a cautious affair.

These sessions were not just about immediate control; Jake was looking at the bigger picture. He knew that the efforts invested now, while Iggy was still a Cyndaquil, would pay dividends as she evolved. The stronger and more controlled she became in her current form, the more formidable she would be upon evolving. Jake was determined to ensure that when the time came for her to evolve into Quilava and eventually Typhlosion, she would have a robust foundation to build upon.

Jake sat down with his notepad, his gaze shifting between the eager eyes of Iggy and the blank pages before him. "Alright, Iggy, let's break this down," he said. "First up, we've got the trusty obstacle course, I love those. We'll simulate different terrains, build your stamina." Iggy's eyes sparkled with curiosity, head tilting slightly, not quite grasping the concept but she seemed excited. "Don't worry, we'll take it slow, and I'll run beside you until I can't keep up." Jake reassured her with a smile.

"Then we focus on precision," Jake said, sketching small torches on his notepad. "We'll set up a bunch of targets for you to light. They'll be moving around, some high, some low, all to help you get better at aiming and controlling your flames." Hearing this, Iggy whooshed with excitement, a bright burst of fire shot from her back, illuminating everything around them.

Jake instinctively leaned back, narrowly avoiding the unexpected burst of heat. "Stunning enthusiasm, Iggy," he said with a dry chuckle, patting the air with his hand. "But let's not test the fire resistance of my face today, okay?"

"The third part gets more intense," Jake continued, his pen tracing the outline of a relay course. "Here, you'll combine your stamina with flame control, sprinting and striking targets along a challenging path." He can again use the same course set up for Trixie and Arthrox.

"The grand finale?" Jake's eyes twinkled with excitement. "A race against Trixie and Arthrox. It's the ultimate combination of everything you've learned – endurance, flame control, precision, and speed."

Ciara chimed in, "Need a hand setting up that obstacle course? Valianta, Maridon and I could use a bit of a challenge too. Mind if we join in?"

Jake stood up his smile broadening at her offer. "The more, the merrier," he replied. "It'll stir up some healthy competition and make it more fun for everyone."

Before Jake could turn to his Pokemon, Ciara abruptly approached him, thrusting a small object into his hand, revealing a small disc encased in a sleek box. Jake looked at it, puzzled, until Ciara rolled her eyes. "This settles our duel, remember?" she said.

Jake examined the item more closely. A Technical Machine, more commonly known as a TM. The disc was housed in a transparent case, surface gleaming with a modern sheen. A prominent number twenty-five was etched onto it.

"What move does it contain?" Jake asked, his curiosity piqued.

Ciara shrugged nonchalantly. "It's Protect. Won it from a rather cocky trainer a few months back, but Kaida already knew the move."

Jake raised an eyebrow, intrigued. He noticed user instructions printed on the device, with arrows pointing down at the bottom, clearly indicating the disc was to be inserted into the back of a Pokéball. Just below the instructions, a bright, bold label caught his eye, proclaiming in large letters 'For Single Use Only.'

"Protect, huh?" he mused thoughtfully. "Hmm, I will have to figure out who to give this to. Thanks, Ciara." He pocketed the disc with a nod of appreciation.

Turning towards his team, Jake's eyes sparkled. "Alright, everyone, our training plan is set. We've got a challenging couple of weeks ahead of us, but with this," he said, patting his notebook in his pocket, "combined with your dedication and hard work, we're not just training for the next battle. We're training for something far greater." He paused; a knowing smile slowly playing across his face. "This is the start our legend."