Chapter - 25 : More training
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After enjoying a hearty dinner with his family, Zack made his way upstairs to his room. Downstairs, Yamask happily played with Joey and Chansey, forming a bond with his newfound friends.
Lying on his bed, Zack couldn't help but dwell on their recent battle against the powerful Zangoose. It had become evident that Yamask's ghost-type moves were ineffective against the normal-type Pokémon, resulting in their defeat. Determined to find a solution, Zack's mind raced with strategies and possibilities.
Suddenly, a brilliant idea struck him like a lightning bolt. "What if Yamask learns Hidden Power?" he pondered aloud. Hidden Power had the potential to be a valuable asset, as each Pokémon's Hidden Power type was unique. In Yamask's case, its Hidden Power was of the fighting type.
Zack pondered, "How should I go about teaching Yamask the Hidden Power move?" He turned to the internet for guidance and stumbled upon a video tutorial featuring an experienced Pokémon trainer instructing the technique. A brilliant idea sparked in Zack's mind, "Why not show this video to Yamask tomorrow? Perhaps it can learn from it."
He knew that Pokémon with higher qualifications generally exhibited greater aptitude, making them well-suited for such endeavors. Filled with confidence, Zack believed it wouldn't take long for Yamask to master Hidden Power. Satisfied with his plan, he powered off his phone and drifted into a peaceful slumber, eagerly anticipating the training session on the following day.
Zack and Yamask ventured to the backyard the next day, where Zack opened his phone and presented the video to Yamask. He asked eagerly, "Can you comprehend the technique this trainer is teaching?" Yamask shook its head, indicating that it didn't know how to grasp the move yet. Zack reassured Yamask, saying, "Don't worry, Yamask. Take your time and let me know when you're ready."
As the afternoon progressed, Yamask continued to focus and try to comprehend the Hidden Power move. Zack anxiously waited on the sideline, realizing that if this method didn't work, he would have to come up with an alternative strategy to counter normal-type Pokémon.
While lost in thought, Zack suddenly heard Yamask's voice. "Did you understand the move?" asked Zack, to which Yamask nodded in affirmation. Excited by the progress, Zack decided to let Yamask practice the new move on the dummy.
For the next 5-6 turns, they encountered some initial failures. However, with each subsequent turn, they began to master the Hidden Power move more effectively. Finally, after a few attempts, they successfully executed the move. Zack let out a sigh of relief, pleased with Yamask's progress
"Okay, Yamask, let's go to the Pokémon Ground and put your new move to the test," said Zack enthusiastically. They made their way to the Pokémon Ground, where they engaged in several battles against other trainers. To their delight, they emerged victorious in every battle, even against trainers with Pokémon of the normal type. With their newly learned Hidden Power move, they effortlessly secured victory, showcasing Yamask's improved skills.
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"Alright, Yamask, this will be our final battle for today," said Zack with determination. However, when they saw their opponent, the Zangoose trainer, Zack's expression turned serious. Despite Yamask reaching level 5, Zangoose had also grown stronger and reached level 8. Zack knew that this would be a challenging fight for them.
The battle with the Zangoose commenced, and the opposing trainer wasted no time giving commands. "Zangoose, use Leer, then follow up with Thief!" They were determined to end the battle quickly, just as they had done in their previous encounter.
Yamask trembled with fear as Zangoose unleashed Leer, causing its defense to lower. The intimidating Zangoose closed in, ready to strike. However, amidst the fear, Yamask suddenly heard Zack's commanding voice piercing through the tension, "Yamask, snap out of it and use Will-o-Wisp!"
Yamask gathered its courage and released a burst of ghostly flames, causing a burn to afflict Zangoose. The sudden turn of events caught Zangoose and its trainer off guard. Sensing an opportunity, Zack swiftly ordered Yamask to utilize its newly learned Hidden Power.
Yamask unleashed the mysterious power, striking Zangoose with a force that left it weakened and vulnerable. Despite the severe burn, Zangoose retaliated with a powerful Thief attack, draining most of Yamask's HP. However, undeterred, Yamask summoned its Hidden Power once more, delivering a decisive blow that brought Zangoose to its knees.
The battle concluded, leaving both Zangoose and its trainer astonished by the unexpected turn of events. Zack and Yamask emerged victorious, their training and strategic moves paying off in the face of adversity.
After the intense battle, Zack and Yamask made their way back home. Zack couldn't help but feel a sense of accomplishment and excitement for the progress they had made. With the victory fresh in their minds, they retired for the day, eagerly anticipating the start of school the next morning.
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Note :
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1. In this world, there are no TMs to teach moves directly, and move teaching centers are costly and depend on the individual Pokémon's learning capabilities. Zack took a gamble on Yamask due to its super elite qualification, hoping it would learn Hidden Power naturally over time. The more days they spend training, the higher the cost may be if they eventually decide to seek professional move teaching services.
2. The decision to have Yamask learn Hidden Power in the story was a deliberate one. While it is true that Hidden Power was removed as a move option for Pokémon starting from Generation 8, I felt that it would serve the narrative well. The alternatives of Psychic or Dark Pulse, while viable choices, would have required more time and effort for Yamask to learn.
In crafting the story, I wanted to highlight Yamask's journey of growth and the challenges it faced. By choosing Hidden Power, a move that Yamask could learn until Generation 7, it allowed for an exciting development in the plot. It added an element of suspense and uncertainty, as Zack and Yamask worked together to master the move.