Chapter 178: Targeted Special Training
A Torterra's proactive offense is clumsy. The key to its victory lies in waiting for an opportunity to counterattack. But this Toxicroak was not one to attack rashly. It would first inflict negative status conditions on its opponent. When the Torterra was disoriented or in poor condition, then it would attack, making it very difficult for the Torterra to find an opening to strike back.
This kind of strategy was useless against Will, partly because his level was high and partly because he had seen it all before. But a Torterra was different. Its level was lower than the Toxicroak's, and it was still young, making it more likely to be provoked. And most importantly, during the battle, Nastina would taunt and belittle Shigeru. Most Pokémon cannot tolerate their trainers being insulted. Torterra had most likely lost control of its emotions because of this and had fallen into her trap.
Of course, there was another possibility. Nastina's strategy against Will and her strategy against Shigeru might be different. Perhaps she knew very well that her Toxicroak's speed was no match for a Sceptile, so she had changed her tactics. This possibility was also very high.
"Toxicroak?!"
Nastina was completely dumbfounded when she saw her Toxicroak get one-shotted. She had expected an earth-shattering battle, but she had never imagined this.
"Cro..." the Toxicroak groaned on the ground.
"...Return."
Nastina's expression fell. She recalled her Pokémon. Since starting her journey, this was the first time she had ever lost so badly.
"Let's go, Meowscarada. We can head back now. That saved us a lot of time," Will said, looking at her.
"Meow," Meowscarada nodded, then pointed at Will's tail.
"I'll just grab some Pecha Berries on the way back," he said, unconcerned. His tail just felt a little hot; there was nothing else wrong. Antidote berries and herbs were quite common in the wild.
"Sceptile!" Just then, Nastina suddenly called out to him.
Will turned, his dead-fish eyes staring at her. But this time, the twin-tailed girl was not intimidated.
"One day, I will defeat you and capture you!"
"...Even if you beat me, I won't acknowledge you," Will sneered, turning his back on her without a second glance.
He led Meowscarada back the way they came. On the way, he grabbed a few plants that looked like weeds, chewed on them for a bit, and the poison immediately disappeared.
"Meow?"
"Their battle style is certainly... unique," Will muttered. He had never expected Nastina and her Toxicroak's style to be so... flexible. Just like a competitive player.
In double battles, a small number of players love to abuse the "Confusion" status, because a confused Pokémon's moves are random. It could hit the opponent, its teammate, or even itself. Some players love this kind of gambling.
This was a style that neither Will nor Meowscarada could replicate, because they didn't have the right moves. Although Nastina might not have used the same strategy against Shigeru, one thing was certain: her command style was very similar to a "player's." As long as she could win, she was fully capable of having her Toxicroak stand at a distance and slowly wear down the enemy with all sorts of annoying moves.
This was a strategy Will was very familiar with. After all, in his past two lives, it was how he had survived countless battles. There was no such thing as "moral" or "underhanded." A tactic that wins is a good tactic.
"Meow?"
"Hmm... since the Toxicroak won't attack proactively, Torterra will have to be the aggressor. We can't just let it chip away at Torterra's health," Will shrugged. In that case, they could only strengthen Torterra's ranged moves. "I think it only knows one physical move, Razor Leaf. When you get back, teach it Seed Bomb."
"Meow!" Meowscarada nodded.
Back at their training spot, Shigeru and Torterra were still working hard together, trying to master Rock Tomb.
"Meow?"
"Emmm, it would be great if it could learn both. Rock Tomb is also very important," Will frowned. He thought for a moment, then made a decision. "Let's prioritize Rock Tomb for now. If it can't learn Seed Bomb, it can use Razor Leaf as a substitute."
The reason for this decision was the Toxicroak's "Poison Touch" ability. To make that ability effective, Nastina would definitely have her Toxicroak try to get close and use contact moves. That's when Rock Tomb would be crucial.
"Meow," Meowscarada nodded.
Next, Will and Meowscarada stood on the side, quietly watching them train. Whenever the Torterra got a little discouraged, Shigeru would immediately encourage it, pulling out all sorts of small snacks to feed it. And every time the Torterra stumbled, Shigeru would do the same.
"Meow," Meowscarada watched from the side, a little touched.
"Yes, their bond is very strong. They'll definitely become a great team in the future," Will nodded.
Just having a Pokémon train on its own is not as effective as having a trainer by its side. A trainer might not be able to provide much practical help, but just by being there, they can give their Pokémon more motivation.
Like Ash's Grovyle. It could never learn Bullet Seed on its own. But when Ash and Pikachu joined in, spitting watermelon seeds at it, it learned in an instant.
The so-called "trainer" is one who trains their Pokémon to become stronger, or trains with their Pokémon. Just letting your Pokémon train on its own while you lie on the side and sleep... what's the point of having a trainer then? But many trainers can't even do that much. That's why there are so many mediocre ones.
Will and Meowscarada lay on the ground, watching the training, and before they knew it, they had fallen asleep, huddled together.
As evening approached, the sun turned a golden yellow. Shigeru and his Torterra had actually been practicing all day. Their perseverance was terrifying. It seemed they really wanted to beat Nastina.
"Hey~ Sceptile~ Meowscarada~"
"Torterra~"
Their voices woke Will and Meowscarada. They were nestled together, and the first thing they saw when they opened their eyes was each other.
"Meow~" Meowscarada naturally nuzzled her head against his chest.
"~So Meowscarada really likes Sceptile? You'd never guess from her usual cool demeanor."
"Torterra-ra!" Torterra nodded affirmatively.
"Meow?!" Meowscarada was shocked and jumped to her feet. The prideful cat did not want others to see her childish side. She was a sophisticated lady!
"Hah~ how's the practice going?" Will asked, sitting up and looking at Torterra.
"Torterra~" it grinned. Although it couldn't successfully use the move yet, it had gotten the feel for it. In two or three days, it should be able to do it.
"Oh? Your talent is quite good. Impressive," Will said, giving it a thumbs-up. He had expected it wouldn't take long for it to master this move. After all, it already knew Earthquake. And the way Will had developed to use Rock Tomb was basically just an extension of that.
"Let's go home, shall we? You two must have worked hard training with us. We have to treat you to a good meal!"
"Torterra!"
"Then let's go. This big cat is probably already thinking about dinner," Will said, patting Meowscarada's head with a grin.
"Meow!" she shook her head. She would not admit that her stomach was rumbling.
"I didn't say your stomach was rumbling," Will said, looking at her strangely.
"MEOW-MEOW!!"
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