33 A Certain Canyon

"Stand still and try to make an {Aqua Jet} without moving, and then keep it in a circle," I explain to the Squirtle while making an image in the dirt using a stick. Unfortunately, this ended up confusing the poor turtle even more. Squirtle seeing the open space just nodded enthusiastically.

After getting into place, he looked back with determined eyes, he didn't want to disappoint.

"Squirtle squirt!" It responded puffing its chest up in confidence.

Positioning himself in open space, Squirtle conjured up an {Aqua Jet} around itself. The moving water coming up from the ground itself encapsulated Squirtle. Due to the turtle preventing the water from going upwards, it started to crash back down making a mini {Surf}.

*Splash!*

"Squirtle!" The Pokemon shouts shaking a little, clearly showing some struggle at keeping still.

But unsurprisingly, the metre-long tides didn't move in any direction besides outwards. With this failure comes experience which is what I'm going for. There was no way he would get it in one try.

"You've got the idea down, just keep it still!" I shout in encouragement.

Currently, we were stationed just a few hours away from a certain fossil sight to test something out. The move Squirtle was trying to imitate from the anime was {Counter Shield}. While not an official move it has been proven time and time again to be a champion-level attack to pull off.

With it being used in the master's eight in the anime by Ash and Leon.

Plus it's just handy to use and has multiple situations it would dominate.

'Imagine cornering a Pokemon then drowning it down with {Counter Shield}.'

It literally would have nowhere to dodge and would need to tank hits.

The argument of outspeeding is valid but as seen in the anime it can cover the whole battlefield with its use being instant. The first step is creating a barrier around yourself so it's a weaker {Protect} anyway.

However that only applies to {Aqua Jet} and when Ash's Chimchar used this move, it looked more like a multitude of fire rings constantly moving.

This tactic was used by Leon and Ash's Pokemon in masters eight showing that it can prove effective when needed.

Squirtle spent the rest of the morning trying out this "tactic". But to his dismay, the most it could do was keep the water in a circle around six metres away from itself. The surroundings have become swamp-like but thankfully we did this outside of Vermillion.

"Whoever visits here can have my sympathy," I murmur. 

Looking at the sheer amount of water Squirtle could use before lack of stamina got to him, a sweat drop goes down my face nervous for his next opponent.

One thing has made itself clear though and it was that the stamina training Squirtle had showed its effects and that I need to take this training step by step. He probably would outlast most, nearly all trainer's Pokemon starting out with me this Indigo Cup.

Currently, my Pokémon and I were situated in an awkward spot on the map.

We were in the middle between four routes which included routes 8, 6, 11 and 12.

It was getting closer to a destination I'd been thinking about since starting my journey.

Thinking back I could only smile knowing my luck.

My other Pokemon who were doing training by themselves all had different thoughts on Squirtle.

They were all training for stamina while using their moves on {Rock Tomb}.

Clefairy and Tyrogue were laughing their asses off together while Scyther and Treecko had neutral looks.

On the other hand, thought Lairon had glimmering eyes and was looking at the stunt in interest. 

It was hoping to learn some new moves and get into some action. 

While acting like some sort of sleeping beast. The armour Pokemon didn't even need to pay attention anymore to hold up hundreds of boulders.

With all the prior battle experience from the gym battles, he knew that patience was key. 

The devastation he would induce as an Aggron can only be delayed.

Lairon was getting restless and I knew this. The guy had completed and went beyond the mental strain training and "removed" its ranged weakness.

Problems like getting surprised or rushing a decision won't be an issue now. Lairon can keep itself composed with the stress its mind feels with the hundreds of boulders being held up as proof.

The last thing it needs is a push with its physical moves then evolving would be in the conversation. 

'But I can't let that happen yet.' I shake my head in thought. He needs to reach his full size before evolving to reduce the pain of initial physical training and make it easier for him to get used to his large body.

Lairon naturally growing with age and being healthy is what is important.

So he can just focus on his moves for now.

Speaking of this though, a little over a week ago I realised I'm starting to play favourites. While it's something I couldn't avoid due to my bias toward the Gen 1 starters and my personal favourite Aggron.

'My second favourite Pokemon is Aegislash, but that's a thought for another time. Wait doesn't that make my favourite type basically steel as Metagross is third?' 

I didn't realise how much it would affect training but now my mind was being sidetracked by all the new thoughts in my head.

"So I'll need to break the Counter Shield down into sections." 

Murmuring this I take out a notebook and write some notes down.

(~~Counter Sheild Training~~)

Squirtle:

-Staying on the ground

-Keep {Aqua Jet} from going too high

-Let the water go outwards in a circle

-Try to control the water and keep it in a set radius and eventually a bigger radius the size of a whole stadium

-Then after controlling, move it either clockwise or counterclockwise depending on what's comfortable but eventually be able to do both sides.

(~~~~)

'Squirtle will probably be stuck on step three for a few weeks at most. This does depend on how far I'm willing to let him control the water first.' I thought finishing up the notes.

While it could take till the end of the year to finish this training, it's not great to split up training for a Pokemon due to them forgetting moves easily. Things such as recency bias for stronger moves are even a thing for Pokemon.

Starting with his foundation won't hurt him but help in the long run.

Even then there's a different level where you're mid-air while doing it, but that would need a move different to {Aqua Jet}

"Alright let's go!"

Packing everything up and letting them back in their Pokeballs beside a certain fairy. I take my bicycle out and let the small disaster jump into the basket, we now made our way towards one destination I've been eager to enter since coming to this world.

Grampa Canyon.

...

"Fairy fairy!" The little fairy shouts pointing at the horizon.

Looking over as the scenery started to change, the dirt road started to transition into gravel as the grass would be cut off in a few more minutes. In front where multiple rocky hills could be seen, there was a huge sign that showed the words.

[Grampa Canyon]

"It's Grampa Canyon, we will meet a few more friends here," I comment as I start to speed up my bicycle.

It didn't take more than a few minutes before we finally entered the place and we were completely surrounded by huge rocks that looked like hills on each side. The place was surprisingly quiet but in hindsight, the hype should have died down.

Taking a look around there were only a couple of people roaming around so the place wasn't desolate. 

'The rest of the people here probably mine here as a hobby as there aren't any ores here to my knowledge.' I infer glancing at some adults getting a little workout with mining.

It's time for the annoying part though.

Finding the same hole Ash was blown into or just dig straight down with Lairon.

In the anime, the hole that Team Rocket made to which they all fell was perfectly circular with more rubble covering it up. It honestly shouldn't be too hard as that type of crater wouldn't be something easy to miss.

But the problem is if it stayed that way from when it happened till now.

"It's time to search." I groan in complaint but with a hint of excitement.

…

Thankfully using some prior knowledge it took a few hours before the place was found. Team Rocket in the anime blew up a cave that ended up just making a huge hole, knowing this I just searched for a cave with unnatural-looking holes and huge chunks missing.

Taking four Pokeballs I send them out with Clefairy who was already with me.

*Phszzszst*

"Lairon!"

"Treecko..." 

"Ty ty!"

"Squirtle!"

Giving the two a nod and pointing towards the crater. Lairon started to move while Treecko was still a little hesitant.

"Lai Lai," Lairon says in a threatening tone. Treecko who heard the armour Pokemon reconsidered his choices, as he slowly got into position. He realised he wasn't the strongest of the pack anymore.

Smirking at this I start the little excavation.

"Clefairy use {Gravity} on the rocks and slowly make them head towards Tyrogue. Lairon funnel them to the side as well and let Treecko train {Pound} and {Pursuit}." I command making the three nod in silence.

Thankfully there weren't any quarrels after that as a few minutes passed.

*Crack!* *Crack!*

*Boooom!*

The noises of Treecko and Tyrogue smashing rocks were perpetual, almost unpleasant to the ear but it didn't take long for a promising noise to emerge.

*Crumble*

"Clefairy cle!" Clefairy shouts as the noticingly empty spot starts to cave in on itself causing a ripple effect.

Looking on in satisfaction with the rest of my Pokemon, a certain fairy wasn't paying too much attention. In the corner of my eye, I could barely spot the little ball of pink fluff getting closer to the edge.

As Clefairy tripped over a rock, I couldn't help my sigh in my head. Before she could fall Tyrogue thankfully caught the cheeky bugger.

'Squirtle should be fine, Ash and Team Rocket fell down here. Lairon will be right behind anyways.' I thought getting an idea. Walking up to the large indent in the ground, I signal for Squirtle and Lairon to get over here.

"Everyone, use some power-up moves." 

It was so annoying back on earth as I watched Ash run into a battle with time on his hands, this doesn't apply to gym battles but it could work for some trainer battles. When no one is looking use stuff like {Minimize} or {Focus Energy}.

To be fair it's "cheating" but it doesn't count if they never find out. Like there aren't flying swords staying on your Pokemon if you use {Swords Dance}, let your Pokemon power up as you run at Team Rocket for stealing your Pokemon damnit.

Or wild Pokemon at the minimum.

While it took a few minutes the wait was worth it.

"Squirtle jump down and use {Water Gun} to slow your fall down. Lairon grab some boulders and let us float down together."

With that command said we proceeded to make our way down.

*Crack!*

As some boulders broke off from the ground under Clefairy and me, I palm the fairy's back holding her with one hand.

"Fairy fairy!" She screamed in fright seeing that we were now floating above the crater.

"Oi relax, you have {Gravity} to save yourself, I should be the one screaming," I say noticeably uncomfortable.

Upon hearing this went instantly silent making me a little worried. Turning my hand around to check on her, she softly launches herself forward into my chest.

"Fairy… Hmph!"

Snuggling into my chest I start to pat her head making her growl in satisfaction.

'What a tsundere.'

(A/N: Hello it's been a while. Someone passed away from my life and I'm not really recovering like I thought I would. I'm not saying a thing for attention but to say I can't really make a writing schedule, one day there are three chapters, one week there is none. I'm starting to get back because my first reason for writing is that it takes mind off the real world so hopefully I can make more chapters.

Reading comments and debating was probably the best time I had distracting me.

In the long run I'd just say ignore this though as I would do the same.)