18 Chapter 17: Training and SS Anne
[General POV]
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Eli woke up as he got ready for the day; he had a lot to accomplish and not nearly enough time. As his Pokémon slowly woke up, Eli checked the online market for any items to buy for his Pokémon. Items they would need, as cash was no problem for now. As he scrolled downward, he found something that interested him: "Remains of a Champion rank Chandelure were at the SS-Rank for 50 million P." While the price may have been exaggerated, Eli felt that this was the perfect item to give Crocalor while evolving, as his evolution was part Ghost type. Corvisquire didn't need any items now as he was all but guaranteed to be Shallow Diamond upon evolution. Kirlia was in the same boat as he required a Top-Grade Dawn Stone to make any progress in his potential. Finally, there was Kubfu, who was also in a somewhat weird spot, being honest. The limit for any Pokémon before reaching its final evolution was Deep Gold, but because of that, Kubfu needed to master the Scroll of Waters too.
Eli realized that although he had the money, he couldn't help his Pokémon anymore without their evolutions. "I'll do just that then," Eli thought as he made his way into the wilderness. Training in the wilderness was an effective way to gain levels quickly, but it was filled with dangers and unknown factors. However, Eli wasn't deterred. "Alright, Corvisquire, we have 4 days till then. I expect you to evolve and get Protect up to Expert rank. After which, I'll buy you TMs that play into your defense as a Corviknight." The avian nodded with excitement, glinting his red eyes. "Kubfu, you can't get a higher potential before evolving, so give it your all to practice the third step. I'll ask Andre for some advice today." If it was in the past, Kubfu would have been downtrodden at the news, but he had grown a lot in the ways of water. He didn't feel any sadness, only determination, as he nodded, taking the news well. "Kirlia, you will be training all your TM moves, namely Psychic and Shadow Ball. As I saw in your fight with Surge, the moves tax you a lot being still at normal rank, but don't forget to train your utility moves too. And finally, Crocalor, you should focus on evolving ASAP. All the time we train, we will be focusing on letting you evolve, while in a few days, I will be getting you TMs." The crocodilian nodded with a smile as the 'nest' on his head grew brighter with excitement.
Clapping his hands, Eli led his Pokémon onward into the wilderness. "Alright, let's head in deeper. We want to see Pokémon at least level 37; you guys need a challenge." His team nodded as they went deeper into the off-road Route 6. They encountered Primeapes and Persians with the occasional wandering Ursaring. Eli had realized that many Pokémon not native to Kanto also lived here, probably due to migration. Other Pokémon wandering into Kanto, etc. He had his whole team fight a level 39 Kingler, the top of the beginner rank almost reaching Elite rank.
"Alright, Kirlia, distract it with Magical Leaf; Kubfu, set up; Corvisquire, use Tailwind before bombarding it with Air Slashes; Crocalor, Leer and Yawn, always have Protect ready just in case it targets you. Other than that, just debuff it and stay afar." Eli gave orders to all of his Pokémon who prepared the corresponding moves. Kingler did want to stop them but was too busy dodging Yawns from Crocalor lest it wanted to go to sleep. Even while dodging, it was hit by Magical Leaves, which were impossible to dodge, as well as some Air Slashes that Corvisquire landed with pinpoint precision. Kubfu had finally set up Bulk Ups to the max before he joined the fight, and Crocalor, ever vigilant, was always ready to Protect itself at a moment's notice. As the Kingler was slowly overwhelmed by the assault from all sides, it finally passed out. Suddenly, a female Kingler, probably its mate, arrived to protect her mate. As she spoke something, Kirlia translated, 'She is willing to trade her mate's life for the treasures they have amassed in their period of reign over the area.' Eli nodded as he urged the crab to lead the way. Being honest, he did not want to catch the Kingler, as Pokémon with higher levels are harder to cooperate with if they're bought. It's much easier to train Pokémon at lower levels.
As Eli reached nearer to the river, he saw the Kingler dig at a certain place, uncovering a whole treasury of pearls. Some were irregular in shape, some a perfect sphere, some white, and some yellow. Eli put all the yellow pearls into his cube, as well as some good-looking white pearls, before bidding farewell to the two crabs as he left like he had promised them. "I'll sell them at Celadon when I'm there; finances are not a problem right now," Eli thought as he went deeper into the forest, finding a hoard of Ekans and Arbok who was also at level 39. He felt Kirlia's anger flare upon seeing the hoard as he had to soothe his anger. 'Relax, Kirlia; these aren't the ones that cause you pain. Use your hatred to better yourself.' It did seem to work as Kirlia calmed down. After which, they engaged the hoard to train a bit. After they were done, Eli and Kirlia healed them, as he didn't want them to fall prey to some other one because of their hand in it.
This dynamic continued for a while as they encountered hoards of Pokémon. For some reason in Route 6, probably just out hunting, as every single one of them had been carnivores. Eli thought as dusk set in he checked the levels of his Pokémon.
Pokémon: Corvisquire
Lvl: 37
Type: Flying
Ability: Keen Eye
Gender: Male
Potential: Deep Gold
Moves: Peck, Leer, Power Trip, Hone Claws, Taunt [E], Fury Attack
(Innate Talent) Drill Peck [E] (Innate Talent) Tailwind [E]
(TM) Roost [E], (TM) U-Turn, (TM) Fly, (TM) Protect, (TM) Air Slash [E]
Pokémon: Kubfu
Lvl: 37
Type: Fighting
Ability: Inner Focus
Gender: Male
Potential: Deep Gold
Moves: Rock Smash, Leer, Endure, Focus Energy, Aerial Ace, Reversal [E]
(Innate Talent) Brick Break [E] (Innate Talent) Bulk Up [E]
(TM) Protect, (TM) U-Turn, (TM) Ice Punch, (TM) Fire Punch, (TM) Thunder Punch, (TM) Mega Kick [E], (TM) Mega Punch, (TM) Substitute, (TM) Low Sweep
Pokémon: Kirlia [Shiny]
Lvl: 38
Type: Psychic Fairy
Ability: Trace
Gender: Male
Potential: Shallow Diamond
Moves: Growl, Double Team, Disarming Voice, Confusion, Hypnosis, Teleport [E], Heal Pulse [E], Drain Kiss
(Perfect Talent) Dazzling Gleam [E] (Perfect Talent) Magical Leaf [E]
(TM) Protect, (TM) Light Screen, (TM) Reflect, (TM) Confuse Ray, (TM) Psychic, (TM) Shadow Ball
Pokémon: Crocalor
Lvl: 28
Type: Fire
Ability: Unaware (Hidden Ability)
Gender: Male
Potential: Deep Gold
Moves: Tackle, Leer, Ember, Round, Bite, Yawn, Snarl, Roar
(Innate Talent) Flamethrower [E] (Innate Talent) Slack Off [E]
(TM) Protect
Even after leveling for the whole day, his higher-level Pokémon had only risen by 4 levels, excluding Crocalor, who was at level 28. This felt like an awfully slow pace, but it might just be because they were nearing Elite rank. He expected the level-up speed to not be as slow after they crossed the bridge between beginner and elite rank, as it was a known fact that SS-Rank Pokémon leveled slower only after crossing champion rank. "We don't have a lot of time left; let's quickly get you evolved, Corvisquire," Eli urged as they made way to another strong Pokémon which Kirlia had sensed. The normally stone-cold bird looked excited with the notion, as its red eyes had a glint of excitement and anticipation. In the clearing, they saw a Pidgeot at level 38 who was perched upon a tree, seemingly resting for the night. "Alright, this should be enough to let you evolve; challenge that Pidgeot alone; everyone else, spectate the fight." His team nodded as Corvisquire stepped forward, making eye contact with Pidgeot with a caw, setting up Tailwind, challenging the opposing avian who spread its wings, taking flight with a massive flap of its wings. Corvisquire also took to the skies as he prepared a Drill Peck, aiming for the Pidgeot who was preparing Brave Bird for a head-on clash. Corvisquire, too deep in to dodge now, traded blows with the Pidgeot. As they crashed, both took considerable damage, but he really did underestimate Corvisquire's perseverance—the same one that took a point-blank Fire Blast to the face yet only had minor burns. 'It may have been a few weeks, but he has sure changed,' Eli thought with a smile. He was no longer that tiny bird anymore which he had caught on his first few days of being transmigrated to a new world.
Every hit he took and fire back even harder swelled even more pride into Eli as finally, with one last Drill Peck drilling the Pidgeot's chest as it was sent into the trees, Eli saw the second Pokémon he ever caught evolve. He quickly took out the Skarmory's Steel as Corvisquire absorbed it, his glow becoming even more luminescent as he grew up to 8 feet, a whole 1 foot more than the average Corviknight. After the glow died down, he saw his evolved avian, tall and proud. Most of his body was a lustrous black, but his lower beak and legs had a matte color. His feathers were now tempered with steel. His mantle, breast, belly, flanks, and scapular feathers were smooth and resembled plate armor. Corviknight's talons, head, and upper beak were similarly armored. He has a crest above his eyes that resembled a crown, and a ruff of feathers on His throat that resembled a beard. Corviknight's eyes had white pupils, red irises, and black sclerae.
Words could not express Eli's joy as he looked upon his enormous raven who smiled back at his trainer. "Congratulations, Corviknight; you have earned it." Eli smiled as he patted his raven's wings, scanning his status.
Pokémon: Corviknight
Lvl: 38
Type: Steel Flying
Ability: Pressure
Gender: Male
Potential: Shallow Diamond
Moves: Peck, Leer, Power Trip, Hone Claws, Taunt [E], Fury Attack, Drill Peck [E]
(Perfect Talent) Iron Defense (Perfect Talent) Tailwind [E]
(TM) Roost [E], (TM) U-Turn, (TM) Fly, (TM) Protect, (TM) Air Slash [E]
He officially had 2 Shallow Diamond Pokémon now. Drill Peck had been replaced by Iron Defense, which was now his Perfect Talent move, playing right into his impressive defense stat. His Pokémon also congratulated the Corviknight before Kirlia teleported them back to Vermilion City. "Ok, guys, rest up here. I'll go buy some of you TMs which I feel like you guys need for now. For the 3 days, we'll be training move mastery and leveling you all to the top of the beginner rank if possible," Eli informed his team before he left to buy TMs at the Poké Mart.
Eli thought long and hard about what to get his team before getting the TMs. He didn't get any for Kubfu and Kirlia as they had enough on their plate. For Corviknight, he got Body Press and Iron Head to play into the defense and Steel type of his Evolution. For Crocalor, he got him Will-O-Wisp, Substitute, and finally Fire Blast to play into him being a bulky sweeper and have a stronger STAB in Fire Blast. There weren't many moves to give Crocalor, and Corviknight had enough on his plate with the 2 moves plus Iron Defense.
As he returned back to his room, Eli taught the moves to his Pokémon before calling it a day. He planned to make the most out of these 3 days before leaving for the SS Anne.
{4 days later}
Eli was out in the chilly morning with his Kubfu by his side as they slowly took in the scenery of the rising sun. Today was the day they would board the SS Anne; he had trained his team rigorously in the past 3 days leading up to today.
Pokémon: Corviknight
Lvl: 38
Type: Steel Flying
Ability: Pressure
Gender: Male
Potential: Shallow Diamond
Moves: Peck, Leer, Power Trip, Hone Claws, Taunt [E], Fury Attack,Drill Peck [E]
(Perfect Talent) Iron Defense [E] (Perfect Talent) Tailwind [E]
(TM) Roost [E], (TM) U-Turn, (TM) Fly, (TM) Protect, (TM) Air Slash [E], (TM) Body Press, (TM) Iron Head
Pokémon: Kubfu
Lvl: 38
Type: Fighting
Ability: Inner Focus
Gender: Male
Potential: Deep Gold
Moves: Rock Smash, Leer, Endure, Focus Energy, Aerial Ace, Reversal [E]
(Innate Talent) Brick Break [E] (Innate Talent) Bulk Up [E]
(TM) Protect, (TM) U-Turn, (TM) Ice Punch [E], (TM) Fire Punch, (TM) Thunder Punch, (TM) Mega Kick [E], (TM) Mega Punch, (TM) Substitute [E], (TM) Low Sweep
Pokémon: Kirlia [Shiny]
Lvl: 38
Type: Psychic Fairy
Ability: Trace
Gender: Male
Potential: Shallow Diamond
Moves: Growl, Double Team, Disarming Voice, Confusion, Hypnosis, Teleport [E], Heal Pulse [E], Drain Kiss
(Perfect Talent) Dazzling Gleam [E] (Perfect Talent) Magical Leaf [E]
(TM) Protect, (TM) Light Screen [E] , (TM) Reflect [E], (TM) Confuse Ray, (TM) Psychic [E], (TM) Shadow Ball [E]
Pokémon: Crocalor
Lvl: 33
Type: Fire
Ability: Unaware (Hidden Ability)
Gender: Male
Potential: Deep Gold
Moves: Tackle, Leer, Ember, Round, Bite, Yawn,Snarl, Roar
(Innate Talent) Flamethrower [E] (Innate Talent) Slack Off [E]
(TM) Protect, (TM) Will-O-Wisp, (TM) Substitute, (TM) Fire Blast
Corviknight, with his new Shallow Diamond potential, had managed to get Iron Defense up to expert rank and now was working on getting Body Press and Iron Head to expert rank too. Kirlia had gotten the most moves to expert rank, a whopping 4 moves: Light Screen, Reflect, Psychic, and Shadow Ball. And now would be working on Confuse Ray and Protect. While Crocalor hadn't gotten any moves to expert rank, he had leveled up to level 33, three levels away from evolution.
As he made his way to the harbor, there he saw it—the SS Anne in all its glory. A gigantic luxury cruise liner waiting for departure. "Stare too long, and you might drill a hole into it." He heard a familiar voice to his left. As both him and Kubfu looked to their left, they saw Adrian with his Zoroark.
Eli smiled as he spoke to Adrian, "Hello, mister no shiny Pokémon." Adrian's smug face immediately turned sour as he replied, "Don't go there, lucky bastard." Adrian sulked before Eli patted him on the back and consoled him, "It's fine. You have a Zoroark; you should be happy. They're very rare." Hearing this, Zoroark had a grin as he stood proud and tall while Adrian laughed, seeing the antics of his Pokémon. "Don't stroke his ego; he's already a handful," Adrian said as he patted his Zoroark's head, who huffed in disagreement. "So, you got any Pokémon except for Charmeleon and Zoroark?" Eli asked as they made their way to the dock, to which Adrian smirked, trying to act mysterious as he said, "You're going to participate in the tournament, are you not? Let that be a surprise." Eli rolled his eyes before they were met by a Sailor who checked them for their tickets. "Alright, you both are in Room #125. We will be sailing to Cinnabar Island and back in 4 days' time." The sailor scanned their tickets before shooing them off into the ship.
Inside the luxurious cruiser, they were greeted by a swarm of people—some rich, some trainers like them, and of course, the one and only Lieutenant Surge. "Hey, runts. So, how'd you like the ship till now?" Giving his iconic smirk, he asked as Eli and Adrian shrugged, "Just got on board. What are you doing here? Shouldn't you be in the gym?" Eli asked as Surge grinned, "Let one of my trainers have my Electivire with orders to zap everything into oblivion till I return." Eli raised his eyebrow, questioning if that was even legal, as it was Surge's turn to shrug, "My gym, my rules. Besides, the league asked me to come to the tournament as a guest." Eli questioned if that was how it even worked before shrugging; it wasn't his gym, so why should he bother. "Alright, runts. I gotta go. The tournament begins in the afternoon. Don't be late." As Surge's hulking figure left, Eli and Adrian made their way to Room #125. It was a medium-sized room with 2 beds. Settling down, they started talking about their adventures after the Rookie Tournament. Eli showed off his Crocalor, the only new Pokémon he had gotten since he had last met Adrian, while Adrian remained adamant on it being a surprise. "You do know that this is in the Rookie Tournament Format, right? Only 2 Pokémon after the top 16 is over, so even if you want it to be a surprise, I have a feeling you will only use the same Pokémon you used in the Rookie Tournament." Eli explained to Adrian, who had a blank face. "...sh*t, you have a talent for ruining everything with your logic, you know? Whatever, I have a Seadra and Trevenant. There, happy?" Adrian huffed in annoyance as Eli chuckled. "Adrian Firewood with Trevenant, now that's irony." As Adrian reminisced, "Yeah, I was asked to check out the disturbance in the nearby forest when I ran into a Phantump. He's really protective of our forest." As Eli was about to continue the conversation more, he checked the time, and it was almost time for the tournament to begin. "Let's continue our conversation after the tournament," Eli urged Adrian to make way to the battle area portion of the cruise ship.
The cruise ship had everything expected of a luxury cruise. As they made their way past the various areas of the cruise, they made their way to the battle arena, where they saw Lt. Surge and a woman with a mic beside him as she spoke. A pleasant voice was heard over the speakers, "Hello there, trainers. I am Camila, and I will be your host for this tournament upon the Luxury Cruise SS Anne with our esteemed guest Lt. Surge." Her announcement was met with a round of cheers as Surge gave off his iconic arrogant smirk. After the cheers died down, she began by displaying all the participants on the screen. "If you will look over to the screen for a moment, this screen will randomly decide your opponents for the first elimination rounds. As there are an uneven amount of participants, some lucky participants will be getting a bye. I wish all of you participants good luck!" As she finished speaking, the participants were randomly decided, with Adrian having the final match of the first elimination rounds against some rich kid while Eli had gotten a bye, which made Adrian curse Eli's luck as always.
Eli sat down as he got ready to scope out the competition, quietly observing the matches. 'Nobody is stopping me from winning this tournament,' Eli thought as he observed his competition.
