Inside Austin’s Head:

  So far in this world, it seems Pokémon learn their moves through their own smarts and their trainers helping. Po learned Rollout all on his own just by rolling around on his own. He just figured out how to harness Rock Energy while rolling and it made him able to use Rollout. Rapunzel is starting to be able to get Rock energy though it is taking several weeks of training. Po’s tongue has started to show flashes of green, but it almost seems to be missing something for it to become Power Whip. Could it be that they lack the physical strength to be able to properly complete the move? If they can’t use a Special Attack, does that mean it is physical and metal to be able to use? Or are all of their attacks mental and physical? Can they only learn moves close to their level like the games?

  This is going to give me a migraine. How do I sort all of this out? I only have three seasons to be ready for Pewter City. Now I have Jenny too, even though this relationship is new, I don’t want to let this go. I want her to be with me when we travel, and I want to experience this world with someone I actually like being around. Deep breaths, deep breaths, calm down. Don’t spiral. Don’t spiral. 4 in, 4 hold, 4 out, 4 hold, repeat.

  We can’t panic, we must stay focused. We don’t have time, people and Pokémon are depending on you. You have to keep going for their sakes.

  ______________________________________

  Outside Austin’s Head:

  Po and Rapunzel stopped running and looked over at Austin and could sense something was wrong. He was sitting there not saying anything, but was sweating and his eyes were bulging. Jenny hadn’t noticed as she was watching the other Pokémon running agility drills. Po and Rapunzel looked at each other and nodded. Po used Rollout and Rapunzel raised herself up using her vines and they sent themselves flying at Austin. He didn’t even have seconds to react as he was knocked over by the two flying Pokémon. Po wrapped Austin in a tight hug, while Rapunzel wrapped him up in her vines and squeezed.

  “What are you two doing to Austin?” Jenny finally reacted. “Austin are you okay?” Jenny asked looking concerned. “Yeah, better now actually. I think I was getting close to a panic attack there, but Po and Rapunzel shocked me out of it” I said looking down. “A panic attack?!?” Jenny asked sounding alarmed. “Sometimes I get too into my own head or responsibilities pile up and I get anxious and can’t control it” I admitted. “Hey, do you want to talk about it?” Jenny asked gently. “Yeah, but like I said on our date. What I tell you is going to shatter your reality and your perception of me I’m afraid. I don’t want to overwhelm you too soon” I told her putting my hand on her’s. “I’m probably being naive here, but I think I’m ready” Jenny responded. “Okay, after we finish training today, if you have time let’s grab a quick meal and I will tell you in private. I also want the Pokémon to hear this too” I said standing up finally. “Okay, sounds good to me” Jenny said standing up too.

  We trained with each Pokémon during the sparring sessions and even Queeny and Cha who are the two youngest were already learning and showing small improvements by the end. Right as our session was coming to a close, two young trainers walked up to the practice field. “Hey, are you guys almost done?” the taller of the two asked me. “Yeah, just wrapping up. Probably 3 or 4 minutes” I responded. “Hey, old guy, would you battle with me please?” asked the smaller of the two. “Huh? You want to battle me?” I asked confused. “Your Pokémon don’t look very strong and I have a new Pokémon I want to test” the smaller kid said. I only had Cha and Taco out at this point, so I guess they might look weak. “Hey, Johnny you are supposed to be nice to your elders. Even if it’s true, you shouldn’t say it out loud” said the taller kid. Okay these kids are pissing me off, but I have to be the adult here. “Hey, just to let you know, my Pokémon are strong actually. Are you sure you want to battle still?” I asked. “Yeah, let’s do it!” Johnny said in response. “Jenny, do you know how to officiate a battle?” I asked. “Sure, I have done it before for local trainers, and for trainees” she said walking out of the ring with Spitz and Queeny.

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  “This will be a friendly Pokémon battle with 3 Pokémon for each trainer. No substitutions and battle ends when the opponent is unable to battle, or their trainer forfeits. Are we clear?” Jenny called out. “Yes” “Yeah” we called back. “Let the match begin” Jenny called out. “Let’s go Po!” I called out throwing his ball up. “Let’s go Ratty” called out Johnny. Out came a Raticate who looked decently healthy, and it was chomping its teeth trying to look tough. Po stood there lulling his tongue in and out of his mouth. “What is that pink blob? Is it even a Pokémon?” Johnny called out. “I guess you’ll see” I responded. “Po, Bowling Ball of Justice!” I called out. Po immediately jumped and used Defense Curl making himself into a rock hard bowing ball. As he came back to the ground, he started to spin. In the last week or so of training, he had definitely gotten faster. His Rollout went from sounding like a freight train to a high powered saw blade. Po took off across the arena, and before Johnny could say anything, Po sent Ratty flying with a boom. Ratty hit the floor 3 times like a skipping stone on a still lake. Safe to say, Ratty wasn’t getting up. “Raticate isn’t able to continue, Lickilicky is the winner!” Jenny said raising her hand for our victory. “Po, all that training has definitely paid off!” I said giving him a hug. “Take a break, it’s Rapunzel’s turn” I told Po. “I’ll admit that was good, but don’t think you won already” Johnny called out.

  “Go Flaps!” Johnny called out sending out a Pidgeotto. “Go Rapunzel!” I called out throwing her Pokéball up high. “The battle between Pidgeotto and Tangela begins now!” Jenny called out. “Go Flaps! Use Wing Attack!” Johnny called out. “Anti-Flying” I called out. Rapunzel immediately unleashed vines in all directions looking like a tumbleweed. As Flaps got closer, two vines hit him. One hit from the front, and the other from the rear. They wrapped Flaps in a tight Bind attack. Rapunzel then threw Flaps back at Johnny. Flaps couldn’t get his wings going in time and hit the floor quickly. Before Flaps could raise his head, Rapunzel unloaded on him with about 6 Vine Whips knocking him out instantly. “Pidgeotto is unable to battle, the winner is Tangela!” Jenny called out. “How could this happen?!? Flying always beats Grass Pokémon!” Johnny whined.

  “Are you sure you want to keep going?” I asked Johnny. “Yeah, my new Pokémon should be able to win easily!” Johnny called back. “Go Knuckles!” Johnny called out. A young looking Mankey appeared in the arena. “Go Cha” I called out while throwing his Pokéball up. “Ha, your Pidgey hasn’t even evolved yet!” Johnny called out. “Not yet, but he is still pretty strong” I replied. “The battle between Mankey and Pidgey begins now!” called out Jenny. “Go Knuckles, use Karate Chop!” Johnny commanded. “Cha, Blind & Batter!” I called out. Knuckles ran towards Cha, but Cha flew low and grabbed sand and used two Sand Attacks in quick succession. Mankey was rubbing its eyes trying to clear its vision, but Cha struck like lightning with a Quick Attack into Wing Attack. Knuckles went flying into the air, and as he was coming down Cha hit him into the ground with another brutal Wing Attack. “Mankey is unable to battle, Pidgey is the Winner!” Jenny said not even waiting to see if Mankey could get up.

  “Hurry and get your Pokémon to the Pokémon Center quickly!” Jenny called out to Johnny. He returned Knuckles and immediately ran to the Pokémon Center without saying another word. His friend didn’t say anything and ran after him. “Austin, I thought you just became a trainer a few weeks ago?” Jenny asked. “Yeah, that’s right” I said nodding. “That’s impossible… what you just did… that wasn’t even a battle! You just beat him like he was a brand new trainer!” Jenny said looking shocked. “He didn’t have any very strong Pokémon, and he didn’t seem to move very quickly so we were able to run our combos without having to worry about him interrupting” I responded while scratching Cha’s head. “Your secret is getting more and more tempting to talk about” Jenny said looking down. “All right, let’s grab dinner and we can talk” I said. “Nobody is at the station like usual, so why don’t we eat and talk there?” Jenny asked. “Okay, let’s hit it!” I said taking her hand.