NOVEL NEXT WORLD Chapter 29: Training
Ethan woke up early the next morning, the cool morning air filling his lungs as he stretched.
The events of the past few days had left him feeling a mix of excitement and exhaustion, but now, he was determined to turn that energy into productive training for his team.
After the chaos with the Bulbasaurs and Ivysaurs, he knew that strengthening his Pokémon was essential.
Today, he was focused. Ethan was determined to give each of his Pokémon the attention they deserved, from Scyther to his baby Pokémon, Dratini and Cleffa. He could already feel the growing bond with his team—each one had its own unique potential, and it was his job to help them unlock it.
He started by checking on his Pokémon, making sure they were all comfortable and well-rested. Dratini and Cleffa were still nestled up in their respective cozy spots, the warmth from the fire still lingering in the cool air. Ethan smiled at the sight of them—his baby Pokémon, still so small but full of promise.
"Good morning, you two," he whispered softly as he approached. Dratini blinked its large eyes at him, letting out a little happy sound as it wiggled in place. Cleffa yawned and stretched, its tiny arms reaching to the sky before plopping back down with a content sigh.
Ethan knew that with their young age, they didn't need intense training yet. For now, it was all about feeding them well, giving them the nourishment they needed to grow stronger. He prepared some Pokémon food for the little ones, carefully placing their meals in bowls.
Dratini immediately began to nibble on its food, its small mouth moving quickly with each bite. Cleffa was a little more playful, batting at its food before finally settling down to eat. Ethan chuckled, happy to see them eating with such enthusiasm.
"Eat up, you two," he said, his voice gentle. "You've got a lot of growing to do."
After making sure Dratini and Cleffa were well-fed, Ethan turned to his other Pokémon. Scyther and Sylveon were both waiting for him near the clearing where they had trained the day before. He had decided today would be about strengthening his Pokémon's abilities, particularly Spearow and Magicarp, who hadn't gotten as much attention recently.
"Spearow, you ready to get started?" Ethan called out as he grabbed the Pokéball containing the bird Pokémon. The moment Spearow was released, it stretched its wings, letting out a cheerful cry. It was still small compared to many of the wild Spearows Ethan had seen, but it had certainly grown stronger, becoming more agile and confident in its flight.
"Spearow, today's all about speed. I want you to fly through the trees and show me how quick you can move," Ethan said, his voice filled with determination. He knew that Spearow's speed and maneuverability could be a key asset in battles, so training these aspects was vital.
Spearow nodded in understanding, its wings flapping once before it took off with a sudden burst of speed. Ethan watched intently as the Pokémon darted through the trees, its body weaving effortlessly between the branches. It was clear that Spearow had matured, its movements more controlled and precise than before. The training was already paying off.
"That's it, Spearow!" Ethan called out. "Keep it up!"
As Spearow continued its training, Ethan turned his attention to his other Pokémon. Magicarp was still resting on the ground, occasionally flopping its tail weakly. Despite the Pokémon's lack of combat abilities, Ethan hadn't given up on it. He knew that with enough training and patience, Magicarp could evolve into something much stronger.
"Alright, Magicarp," Ethan said, walking over to the Water-type. "I know you've got more in you. Let's work on your strength."
Magicarp responded with an enthusiastic splash of water, its way of showing excitement. Ethan smiled, patting the Pokémon gently on the head. He knew that training Magicarp was going to take time—there were no shortcuts when it came to this little fish. He started with simple exercises, encouraging Magicarp to practice swimming in a nearby creek and jump from the water in short bursts. The movement would help it build muscle, and it was a good place to start.
"Splash, Magicarp!" Ethan encouraged, watching as the Pokémon flopped energetically. It was slow at first, but each attempt was a little stronger than the last.
"Sylveon, I could use your help too," Ethan said, turning to his Fairy-type. Sylveon's bright ribbons glowed with energy as it responded happily, trotting over to Ethan's side. The ribbons wrapped around his arms in a familiar gesture of affection.
"Sylveon, let's help Magicarp with its jumps," Ethan said. "You can show it how to use its tail to get more air."
Sylveon's ribbons shimmered as it motioned for Magicarp to follow. With some guidance from Sylveon, Magicarp started to jump higher and more gracefully, each leap bringing it closer to mastering the technique. Ethan watched with pride—his team was growing stronger, one Pokémon at a time.
"Great job, Magicarp!" Ethan cheered. "You're doing great!"
Finally, it was time for Scyther's training. Ethan called his Pokémon over, and Scyther landed gracefully beside him, its wings beating the air softly as it came to a stop. Ethan could tell that Scyther had grown stronger with each battle, but now it was time to refine its skills even further.
"Scyther, today I want to focus on your agility and your reaction time," Ethan said, his tone serious. "You're fast, but we need to make sure you can respond even quicker in battle."
Scyther's wings twitched in excitement, and it immediately took up a battle stance, its eyes sharp and alert. Ethan positioned himself several yards away and tossed a small ball into the air. The goal was simple—Scyther had to intercept the ball before it hit the ground.
"Quick Attack, Scyther!" Ethan shouted.
In an instant, Scyther shot forward, its wings buzzing with such intensity that it was almost a blur. The Pokémon's sharp reflexes allowed it to catch the ball mid-air, just before it could fall to the ground. Ethan grinned in satisfaction.
"Perfect!" he cheered. "Let's keep that momentum going!"
Scyther continued to perform the exercise, moving faster with each throw. Ethan was impressed by how quickly the Pokémon was improving. Its speed and precision were already impressive, and now it was becoming even more reliable in battle.
The rest of the morning flew by as Ethan worked with his Pokémon, focusing on each one's individual strengths. By the time the sun reached its peak, Ethan was feeling satisfied with the progress they'd made. Spearow's agility had improved, Magicarp was showing more strength, and Scyther's reaction time was sharper than ever.
As the afternoon drew near, Ethan knew it was time to take a break. He gathered his Pokémon around the campfire and began preparing their meals.
"Great work, everyone," he said, his voice filled with pride. He handed out treats to each of his Pokémon, making sure to give a special one to Dratini and Cleffa, who were still babies in need of extra care. The little ones chirped happily as they nibbled on their snacks, content and full.
As they all rested, Ethan couldn't help but feel a deep sense of satisfaction. His Pokémon had come a long way, and he knew that with continued training, they would only grow stronger.
"This is just the beginning," Ethan whispered to himself, watching his team rest peacefully. "We've got a long journey ahead, and I'm ready for whatever comes next."
As the day wound down, Ethan felt a renewed sense of purpose. His Pokémon were more than just his team—they were his partners, and together, they would face every challenge that came their way.