After training for five straight days, it was on the sixth day of intensive training that Sandshrew, under the guidance of veteran Ethan Black, finally mastered the Rollout move for spinning.
However, the course it took after rolling was still very unpredictable, so its "driving" skills still needed work.
To solve the problem of turning, Ethan Black researched many driving techniques on the internet and, after adapting them to Sandshrew's case, modified the training. Finally, after a week, he managed to get Sandshrew to learn to spin with controlled direction.
Thus, after nearly two weeks, Sandshrew had finally mastered Rollout. However, a new problem arose before them: how could Sandshrew locate the enemy's position while rolling?
Although thanks to Ethan Black's instructions, Sandshrew could already change direction, in the middle of a battle it couldn't rely entirely on its trainer's commands.
Moreover, many Pokémon were too fast for Ethan Black to follow them with just his eyes. By the time he gave the order, the opponent would have already changed position.
If Sandshrew couldn't locate the enemy, its attack was limited to a single initial charge with speed. In subsequent attacks, unless the rival stood still, Sandshrew would have no way to reach it.
"The only thing I can think of right now... would be to keep the enemy in the air through a series of continuous impacts?" Ethan Black scratched his head, frustrated.
Control the enemy until it couldn't do anything?
The simplest and most viable option he could think of was for Sandshrew to sense ground vibrations to locate the opponent. But training that would be even harder than teaching Rollout.
Ethan Black estimated that Sandshrew would have to achieve mastery in Ground-type energy, like understanding the move Earth Power, to accomplish it.
"If only Sandshrew could learn Psychic-type moves!"
Ethan Black sighed. In terms of move variety, Sandshrew had many limitations: its moves were almost entirely reduced to Normal, Ground, Rock, and Steel types, and most were short-range. Long-distance attacks were a big problem.
"Wait a second..."
"Even though Sandshrew can't use Psychic-type moves, it's very skilled with sand! What if it could infuse sand with Ground-type energy to sense the enemy?"
Ethan Black's eyes lit up. He already planned to train Sand Attack, so it was a good time to move forward with that.
Even if he didn't succeed with his theory of imbuing Ground energy into sand, at least he could have Sandshrew train the move like Red's Sandshrew in the games.
Also, there was something else that caught his attention: what was his Sandshrew's Ability?
Sand Veil or Sand Rush?
Ethan Black still had expectations about that.
But before digging deeper, there was something he wanted to resolve with Eric Lawson. At the same time, Sandshrew needed to win in order to reaffirm its confidence.
Although it had only learned Rollout at a basic level, it was more than enough to face common opponents.
When Ethan Black found Eric Lawson, the latter was very proud with his Poké Ball in hand.
After two weeks of effort, he had finally tamed the wild Sandshrew. Now, he could truly feel like a real trainer.
"Oh! But if it isn't Ethan."
Seeing him, Eric Lawson greeted him in a mocking tone.
"At last I've found you!" Ethan Black narrowed his eyes.
"Huh? You were looking for me?" Eric Lawson smiled maliciously.
"Enough talk! I want a Pokémon battle!" said Ethan Black with a sharp gaze.
Hearing the challenge, Eric Lawson showed an enthusiastic expression. Leading a battle and winning with his Pokémon... it was every trainer's dream.
"Perfect! I accept your challenge!"
"I'll show you the difference between the strong and the useless!"
Without a second thought, Eric Lawson accepted, and both of them left the town looking for suitable terrain to carry out the first Pokémon battle of their lives.
Under Ethan Black's guidance, they arrived at the quarry. They were surrounded by rock walls, so they could watch from a hill while their Pokémon fought in the valley.
This helped avoid the battle damaging the surroundings and, above all, protected the trainers, since in battle situations changed quickly, and a direct attack could leave a human gravely injured... or even kill them.
"The rule will be one on one."
"When one of the Pokémon can't continue, the battle ends."
"Any problem?"
Ethan Black held his Poké Ball and looked at Eric Lawson on the other side.
"Then... let the battle begin!"
Both released their Sandshrew.
This time, Eric Lawson's Sandshrew remained calm on the field, in a battle stance. It was clear it had been completely tamed.
In contrast, Ethan Black's Sandshrew still looked somewhat nervous, with its little fists clenched.
"Sandshrew... only by defeating the enemy will you be able to keep moving forward," Ethan Black thought to himself, seriously. Some battles could only be won with one's own courage. No one else could help him.
(End of Chapter)