21 Chapter 21: Training and Hunting
Author's Note: Gonna release an Auxiliary Chapter when I post Chapter 22 that will list the Pokemon Xander and Cynthia have as well as their names, moves, and abilities.
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A loud boom was heard as Gabby's glowing green claws clashed with the massive head of an Onix. Cynthia and Xander were sitting on the side with Lucario and Fenris on standby. The duo had been in the Grand Underground for almost a week since they departed with Dahlia, taking the time to train their Pokemon.
Xander and Cynthia had been trying to get their Pokemon to use other move types but they had come up short. So Cynthia had the idea to focus on fighting other Pokemon that used the Types they wanted to teach their Pokemon.
Thinking her idea was brilliant, the duo began to search for Pokemon that fit what they were looking for.
For Cynthia, this wasn't too hard since there were plenty of Rock Types for Cynthia to chase after and Xander could use Larvesta to train Fenris, Ninetales was unable to find any Psychic Types to fight. Because she was falling behind when trying to use additional Types, Xander focused on increasing the number of Ice and Fairy moves she knew.
'Ugh. Psychic Pokemon are the most annoying to find. Dragon Types will cause a bunch of destruction while Fairy Types will attract others. Hell, even Ghost Pokemon makes an area seem haunted. Psychic Pokemon are the most annoying since they will use their abilities to make everything seem normal,' Xander complained mentally at how hard it was to find a Psychic Pokemon.
While he was thinking about how hard it was to find Psychic Pokemon, Gabby finished her battle with Onix, knocking it out with a [Bulldoze]. The tough Pokemon returned to Cynthia's side and placed her head under Cynthia's hand, begging for head pats.
"You did good, Gabby," Cynthia sincerely complimented the Pokemon while stroking its head. She then turned to Xander and asked, "You wanna take a break for lunch?"
"Good with me," Xander didn't mind taking a break. Between walking toward Sunyshore City, training his Pokemon, and searching for Psychic Pokemon, he had been wearing himself out. Taking a few more breaks was something he would never turn down.
The group moved away from the area and began to set up camp. Xander went to look for some fruit with Ninetales, hoping that they would come across a Psychic Pokemon. Unfortunately, they were unable to see anything.
When they returned, Xander had several fruits that he passed out to the Pokemon, leaving a few for himself and Cynthia.
"Any luck?" Cynthia asked with a smirk
"Shut up!" Xander kicked Cynthia's leg playfully, feeling annoyed that he hadn't found a single Psychic Pokemon.
"These things are all about fate. Your luck just seems to be a little bad," Cynthia consoled Xander, earning a smirk from him
"Wow. Quoting Dahlia much?" Xander teased
Cynthia blushed when she heard him before attempting to kick his leg to try to ease her embarrassment.
"Shut up!" Cynthia unconsciously repeated the same words and actions Xander did to her when she had teased him
"Hehe," Xander dodged and laughed at Cynthia's blushing face, feeling relieved when he teased her. Even though he was mentally much older, he felt relaxed around Cynthia since she was much more mature than others her age. It was only during times like this that he remembered she was still a kid.
"How's your Aura training coming along?" Xander asked, trying to change the subject when he saw Cynthia glaring at him
"Tsk. Coward," Cynthia dissed him before answering his question. "I'm still learning how to control it but it seems to be going well. From what I can tell, it's kinda like... maybe soundwaves. But like I can hear and see... something? It's hard to explain."
Xander nodded even though he couldn't understand what she was saying in the slightest. 'I guess it's just something you have to feel,' Xander thought to himself while kicking a stone in front of him
After being getting advice from Dahlia, Xander remembered that humans could use Aura too. He suggested that they both try to get Lucario to unlock their Aura but when the Pokemon tried, it only worked on Cynthia. Xander felt annoyed that Cynthia's 'Champion Aura' was acting up again but he didn't take it to heart. Even in the main story, besides Ash, who was the protagonist, he only remembered one other person who could use Aura and that was Riley. Even then, Riley was still technically in training, even as an adult.
Thinking up to there, Xander didn't think too much about his lack of talent in using Aura.
"Don't think about it too much. Just train with Lucario and I'm sure you'll eventually get used to it," Xander commented offhandedly. He really couldn't think of what else he could say for advice so he just wanted to ease her worries, if she had any. Cynthia wasn't really one to doubt herself.
"Of course," Cynthia said with all the confidence in the world. "I'm going to be the Champion of Sinnoh. This little training is nothing to me."
Xander laughed, not sure why he was even worried. Ever since he had known Cynthia, she had never doubted herself.
"Yeah, yeah, Future Champion. Learn how to use your Aura first before you say anything," Xander brushed her off while walking over to his Pokemon who had finished eating.
"Come on, Mothra. Time to get in some more training," Xander picked up his Larvesta and pulled him away, ready to continue training him. He had decided to name his other Pokemon after figuring it was unfair to only name Fenris.
Xander was giving extra attention to Mothra since Fenris was still in the middle of going through his evolution and Tamamo had yet to find a Psychic Pokemon. Thus, the little bug who was falling behind Xander's original two Pokemon got all of Xander's extra energy.
Mothra tried to escape from Xander's grasp but glares from Fenris and Tamamo made it give up. He knew better than to resist when its two seniors were watching since they didn't mind punishing the smaller Pokemon in place of Xander.
So with no other choice, Mothra began his flight training, practicing moving mid-air using its flames to make sudden movements in different directions.
