Gusty Garde- I mean, Forest

After that enjoyable, albeit short, lunch together, Korrina bid me goodbye as she went on to search for her next challenger. Her Lucario tailed behind her, but it took the time to give me one last scathing glare. I don't think I hurt it? They read the aura of people, or more generally, their life energy.

I don't know about anybody else, but I think I'm pretty alive.

There is a rumor/legend out there of Lucario being capable of sensing when a human or pokémon is close to death. Usually, in these rumors, it will either seclude themselves in an act of denial over the inevitability of death, or they won't leave the entity alone at all.

Flip of a coin, really. But they're only rumors. All I currently have to think about is training my pokémon. It's really occurred to me, by the manner of beatdown I received, that I suck as an actual trainer. Personally, this is an insult to my integrity as I promised to make Primrose strong. How can I make a fish strong if I'm not strong myself?

Plus, since Korrina's running around the forest, I can put most of the Octillery Arms away, conserving battery, and think as I walk. Or better yet…

Fighting is weak to Flying, Fairy, and Psychic. Lucario specifically is weak to Ground, Fighting, and Fire. I have…none of those at my disposal, so I'll have to use the…arguably weak Flying type I do have.

"Cecilia, come on out. You too, Alexandra" I mumble, watching as the bee buzzes around my head with hidden interest. Alexandra simply perches herself on my shoulder. "I won't sugar coat this. We're in a pretty bad spot. Robin, albeit a Dragon-type, wasn't able to do much to her Lucario, so we'll use the classics. We're going into a gym with pretty much two pokémon that have any type advantage. Hazel won't be able to tank us this time, so we're going to need you both to…get stronger, essentially."

Cecilia nods with a…resolute expression. Combee normally aren't that expressive except for happiness and neutrality. Seeing her make the effort of changing her face, well, it gives me some hope.

If memory serves me right, the only Flying-type move she can learn before evolution is…Gust, which she already has. So, we need to train Gust to be more…gusty than ever.

Alexandra is…essentially a newborn. I think she can use Tackle and Absorb right out the gate, but that's it. She eventually learns Gust, Air Cutter, Wing Attack, Air Slash, and Roost. That's a good number of moves, but it would be foolish the think that we can get her to those levels in this short of time.

…Oh Arceus, this is the end, isn't it?

I keep walking forward in contemplative silence, then it dawns on me. It's…a frankly terrible idea, but I've got nothing else up my sleeve. I release a second arm, as the first holds the ever-present egg. I really do wonder what could be inside. At the same time, another voice in my head entertains the thought that the pokémon inside has died.

The arm reaches over a grabs a hefty stone from the side of the road, gripping it with enough force to crack it slightly. I lift the stone in front of the two pokémon. "Cecilia, I want you to use Gust with as much force as possible. However, you can only use it three times before a mandatory five-to-ten-minute break. Your objective is to blow the stone out of the arm or break it—whichever comes first."

I turn my attention to the pokémon on my shoulder. "Alexandra, your objective is the same, except you have to learn Gust first. Ask Combee for help, or mimic her, I don't care. You just need to learn the move. I'm going to be watching both of you, so be aware if I chip in from time to time."

They both nod. Good. I never understood pokémon biology past what was required for assisting every so often in the lab. Call it a missed opportunity if you must.

The pokémon begin their objective with astounding fervor. Cecilia flies back and up, charging up a gust of wind. I didn't think that she was able to fly backwards, or maybe she's gliding back because of the force of the charged move?

Alexandra is…hastily flapping her wings to little avail. With such wasteful methodology like that, she's tuckered out in no time and rests back on my shoulder. It's… Okay. I shake my shoulder to grab her attention. "Hey, watch Cecilia. See how she…builds up her attack then moves with one swift motion? She's remaining airborne without her wings moving. Try to emulate that."

I know it's not a lot, or good advice, but what can I do? I'm not a pokémon. I'd have to be some kind of blockhead to think that brute forcing a solution is the best option here. Much like how Ground-types always ground electricity, there's just some forces of nature that need not be meddled with.

On the other hand, when has science ever stopped to think about consequences? Ditto was made in a freaking laboratory accident! Now, you can find one in pretty much every region.

Hmm, probably shouldn't go too far down the mad scientist route yet. I should worry about Cecilia's health. She looks like she might tear off a wing if she pushes herself more. "Hey guys, new rule: push yourself as hard as you can without injuring yourself. I care for you and don't want to see you in a hospital bed due to recklessness. Okay?"

They both nod and continue their training. Cecilia is still just Gusting about, and Alexandra almost has it…I think. She has the glide back part down…at least.

This whole quote-unquote "training method" continues for another thirty-ish minutes. Cecilia becomes, honestly, tired despite the mandatory breaks. Now, she's not even aiming at the rock anymore, and the Gusts are flying into the woodlands.

As I contemplate putting her back in her pokéball, one Gust rips through a bush, revealing a startled and homeless Rattata.

It's screeching and everything. Well, not the move Screech, but like the hissing because a predator or something just huffed and puffed and blew your house down.

"Alexandra, tackle it, so we can move on with our day." She does, and unceremoniously sends the rat bastard flying. Man, it's that weak? Alexandra's a newborn, and this Rattata doesn't look newborn…kind of?

It does look like it's on its last limb.

Before I can give the kill command (metaphorically speaking), it hisses at us and dives into the underbrush.

What a strange encounter.