Pokémon: Trainer Paul

After capturing Ursaring, Paul used potions and Oran Berries to heal all of his four Pokémon.

Initially, he planned to release the three Pokémon he had captured alongside Ursaring, but after some thought, he decided to keep them for the time being—not for long-term training, but simply as sparring partners.

Paul's training methods were notoriously rigorous. Pokémon battling each other was standard, but he also employed strategies like outnumbered matches to push their limits, depending on the situation.

Given that he currently had only a few Pokémon he intended to keep, it seemed reasonable to make use of others to strengthen his team.

Paul's training philosophy was straightforward, categorized into two types: "soft" and "hard" training.

Soft training focused on honing skills, learning new moves, or improving strength through less intensive methods. For example, Psychic-type Pokémon could enhance their mental power through meditation.

Hard training, on the other hand, involved high-intensity battles, enduring attacks from multiple opponents, or performing physically demanding tasks with specialized equipment.

Additionally, Pokémon could train inside their Poké Balls by practicing moves or strategizing ways to grow stronger. Paul encouraged any reasonable methods for improvement.

"Ursa~"

"Scy~"

"Kricket~"

"Bee-bee~"

"Bzzt~"

Five Pokémon of varying sizes and shapes stood before Paul. The most striking among them was the towering Ursaring, nearly three meters tall, which dwarfed the other four Pokémon combined.

Paul addressed the group with his characteristic stern demeanor.

"In battles, three things are critical: strength, experience, and strategy." he began.

"Strength encompasses your raw power, the moves you know, and your ability to control them. It determines your base chances of winning."

"Experience includes not only battle history but also familiarity with your own moves and an understanding of your opponent. It influences how effectively you can perform during a fight and sharpen your observational skills."

"Strategy, however, is what shifts the odds in your favor, tipping the scales toward victory—even against overwhelming odds."

Paul glanced at the group before continuing.

"We won't dwell on strategy or experience for now. Those will come with time. For now, the primary focus of your training will be to enhance your strength."

He approached Ursaring, looking up at the massive Pokémon with an unreadable expression.

"Do you think you're strong?" he asked flatly.

"Ursa?" Ursaring hesitated. It wanted to answer confidently, but memories of being defeated by the smaller Pokémon around it gave it pause.

"You're right—you are strong." Paul conceded. "Your speed, power, and defense are all leagues above Elekid. You can scare off an entire swarm of Beedrill with a single stomp."

Hearing this, Ursaring's chest puffed up with pride. It was, after all, the Totem of Eterna Forest!

"But," Paul added sharply, "if you're so strong, why couldn't you defeat these four in one-on-one battles? Was it my strategy? Or the fact that you were provoked?"

"Ursa..." Ursaring began, but Paul cut it off with a cold tone.

"No. It's because you're too weak."

The words hit Ursaring like a Thunder Punch.

"You have immense power, but you're not using it properly. If your movements were sharper, your attack speed faster, and your move pool broader, none of them would stand a chance—even if they attacked you all at once."

Paul's blunt critique struck a chord. Ursaring realized its loss was not due to bad luck but its own inadequacy.

"That's why your initial training will focus on developing all-around abilities. After that, you'll learn new moves to diversify your arsenal."

"Ursa!" Ursaring roared with renewed determination, eager to grow stronger.

"Good." Paul said with a rare hint of approval. He took several steps back, his face hardening once more.

"Beedrill, String Shot."

"Kricketune, Sing."

"Elekid, Brick Break."

"Scyther, Double Hit."

The other four Pokémon sprang into action without hesitation, following Paul's commands to the letter.

The sudden onslaught left Ursaring momentarily stunned. By the time it realized what was happening, sticky white threads from Beedrill's String Shot had already wrapped tightly around its body.

Before it could break free, Kricketune's melodic Sing began to echo, sapping its strength and leaving it sluggish.

Even with its power reduced, Ursaring managed to snap the threads binding it. But as soon as it regained its footing, Elekid appeared above it, delivering a devastating Brick Break directly to its head.

It was super effective!

The blow left Ursaring momentarily dazed. Before it could recover, Scyther darted in, leaving two clean gashes with Double Hit.

Enraged, Ursaring roared, but its wild swings couldn't land a single hit. The coordinated attacks from the four Pokémon continued relentlessly.

Eventually, Ursaring managed to land a powerful Hammer Arm on Elekid, sending it crashing to the ground.

However, Elekid simply brushed itself off and flew back into the fray using Magnet Rise.

It was then that Ursaring realized Kricketune's Sing had significantly weakened its strength.

"That's enough for Ursaring." Paul finally called out. "Switch to targeting Elekid. It can only use Magnet Rise and Thunder. Take it down under these restrictions."

Hearing this, Ursaring collapsed onto the ground, exhausted and battered. It no longer resembled the proud Totem of Eterna Forest, but a humbled student.

Paul approached, tossing a few Sitrus Berries into Ursaring's mouth.

"Anger is a powerful tool," he said. "In your rage, you can unlock greater strength. But only controlled strength can be truly yours.

In battle, you must let your mind guide your fury, making the best decisions to unleash its full potential."

Paul patted Ursaring's arm before walking away.

"Remember this: use your strongest traits to your advantage. If your opponent avoids a direct clash, find a way to force them into one. Then, crush them with your greatest strength."

"Ursa..." Ursaring chewed on the berries, its eyes glinting with newfound resolve.

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