Character Development?, Yes

The enthusiasm was high at first, but quickly, reality hit hard. I had no idea where to even begin. Sure, Larvitar managed to master Rock Smash, but teaching him the more advanced techniques? That's a whole different story. Not to mention, without the funds to buy TMs, we were pretty much stuck. And yep, you guessed it—I'm dead broke.

Just as I was lamenting over my sorry state, Sophie popped up behind me like a stealthy ninja. "What are you sulking about?" she asked, startling me so much that I let out a yelp that would put a Skitty to shame. Immediately, I felt the embarrassment surge through me. Great, just great. Maybe daily doses of humiliation will cure this?

I coughed awkwardly and straightened myself. "Nothing, nothing at all," I managed to say, quickly shifting the conversation. "I was just wondering how to train Larvitar further. I don't have the funds to buy TMs, and I'm running out of ideas on how to teach him new moves."

Sophie rolled her eyes, a smirk tugging at her lips. "For someone like you to be stumped over something like this... I guess we can't help it, huh? Did it ever cross your mind that you might've received some sort of payment for that delivery mission to the gym leader? And if you're desperate for cash, why not head to the Pokémon Center and battle some trainers? Alain's been doing that all week, you know."

And just like that, she drifted back into the lab, leaving me standing there, blinking like a Slowpoke.

Stupid. Yep, I was an absolute idiot. I completely forgot that trainers can battle for prize money and experience. Alain's been at it for a whole week, and he didn't even bother to mention it to me?! He's definitely not leaving me in the dust, not if I have anything to say about it.

The streets of Lumiose City were bustling with the usual energy. Warm greetings echoed from vendors, and I returned each one with a nod. But my mind was racing. If I wanted to compete seriously, I'd need a solid team. Catching strong Pokémon was crucial, but how should I approach it?

There are generally two schools of thought. The Ash Method: Catch whatever comes your way and build up a bond over time. Then there's the Paul Method: Find the strongest Pokémon in the wild and catch them, ensuring a powerful lineup from the get-go. I've always been a fan of pseudo-legendaries, but there's a catch—most of them are Dragon-types. Out of the ten identified pseudo-legendaries, eight are part-Dragon, making my team an easy target for Ice and Fairy-types. And training them? It's a massive time sink.

Still, if someone like Sawyer managed to evolve a Bagon into a Salamence in record time during Ash's Gym Challenge, then maybe... just maybe, I can pull it off too. But for now, it's a distant concern. I'll worry about team-building later.

I arrived at the training grounds behind the Pokémon Center and spotted Alain mid-battle. His Charmander faced off against a Furfrou, and from the way things looked, Alain had the upper hand.

"Charmander, finish this with Scratch!" he commanded, and with a swift motion, his Charmander slashed through the Furfrou's defense, sending the Normal-type crumbling to the ground.

The opposing trainer sighed in defeat, handing over the prize money before dashing off to heal their Pokémon.

Huh, looks like Alain's got a serious head start on me. I need to catch up—fast.

Scanning the field, I noticed several other trainers eyeing each other, sizing up their competition. The atmosphere was thick with tension. I decided to break the ice and stepped into one of the marked battle squares.

They hesitated for a moment, silently debating who would take me on. Finally, a girl stepped forward. She had striking green eyes, pink hair, and a confident smile that radiated self-assurance. She was no pushover, that much was clear.

"Name's Irene. I'll be your opponent," she said, smirking.

"Call me Gojo," I replied with a friendly smile—easy-going, almost disarming. No need to let her see my competitive edge just yet.

One of the onlookers stepped forward as our impromptu referee. "This will be a one-on-one battle. Trainers, please choose your Pokémon."

With a flourish, Irene threw her Pokéball. In a flash of white light, a Clauncher materialized in front of her—a small but formidable Water-type with its massive pincer poised and glimmering. It clicked its claw menacingly, as if already savoring the thought of an easy victory.

I pulled out my own Pokéball and released Larvitar onto the field. The second he appeared, Irene's smirk widened into a grin.

"Of course," I muttered under my breath. She was thrilled. The type advantage was all hers.

"Let's see how long that confidence lasts," I murmured, more to myself than to her.

"Begin!" the referee called out, slicing his hand through the air.

"Clauncher, Aqua Jet!" Irene commanded, thrusting her hand forward.

Clauncher propelled itself forward in an instant, wrapped in a torrent of water. The pressure created a sharp, shimmering trail behind it as it rocketed toward Larvitar with blinding speed.

"Larvitar, intercept it—charge Rock Smash in both hands!" I shouted.

Larvitar's eyes narrowed with focus, both fists glowing with a bright orange aura. He planted his feet firmly, bracing himself as Clauncher closed in. The two clashed with a thunderous impact—the jet stream of water against Larvitar's glowing fists sent shockwaves rippling through the battlefield.

For a moment, it looked like a stalemate. Larvitar growled, teeth clenched, his small frame holding against the powerful Aqua Jet. But Clauncher's sheer momentum proved overwhelming. With a final surge, it broke through, sending Larvitar skidding backward, tumbling across the dirt before coming to a stop.

He staggered back to his feet, shaking off the impact. Bruised but still standing.

Irene raised an eyebrow. "Not bad… but it's far from over. Water Gun, Clauncher!"

Clauncher aimed its massive claw and unleashed a high-pressure stream of water straight at Larvitar.

"Larvitar, Rock Smash the ground!" I called out.

Larvitar's glowing fist slammed down, shattering the earth in front of him. A barrier of dirt and rubble erupted between him and the incoming Water Gun, deflecting the attack and sending a misty spray of water into the air.

"Now, Rock Throw!"

Without missing a beat, Larvitar summoned a cluster of jagged rocks around him, each one hovering in the air like a makeshift shield before launching them toward Clauncher.

"Aqua Jet, dodge and close the gap!" Irene countered.

The Water-type vanished in a blur of blue, weaving through the oncoming projectiles with a serpentine grace. Each rock missed by a hair's breadth, shattering into pieces as Clauncher darted closer and closer.

"Bite, Larvitar!" I shouted, desperation edging my voice.

But Clauncher was too fast. It barreled into Larvitar with a jet-propelled impact, slamming into him hard enough to send him sprawling. Larvitar rolled across the ground, gasping for breath as he struggled back to his feet, bruised and battered.

"Get up, Larvitar!" I urged, heart pounding. He shook himself, eyes blazing with resolve. He wasn't giving up, not yet.

"Water Pulse!" Irene ordered sharply.

Clauncher reared back, forming a swirling sphere of water between its claws. The orb pulsed with power before launching forward, a twisting mass of compressed water aimed right at Larvitar.

"Larvitar, Rock Throw!" I shouted.

But instead of the usual barrage of small stones, Larvitar let out a fierce cry that reverberated across the battlefield. The air around him shimmered, and six massive boulders, much larger than before, materialized above his head. With a powerful roar, he launched them one by one, each stone hurtling towards the oncoming Water Pulse like a cascade of meteors.

The Water Pulse collided with the first few boulders, smashing them into pieces with explosive force. But Larvitar didn't stop. The relentless barrage continued as boulder after boulder barreled forward. The third stone slowed the Water Pulse down, and by the time the fourth one struck, the watery sphere cracked, splintering apart into a spray of droplets.

The remaining two boulders surged forward unimpeded, slamming into Clauncher before it could react. The Water-type staggered back, the impact forcing it to brace itself. But there was something else—a flash of hesitation in its eyes as it struggled to recover.

"That's it!" I realized, adrenaline pumping. Larvitar had just learned Rock Slide!

Clauncher let out a sharp, pained cry and flinched, its movements stuttering as it tried to regain its balance. I clenched my fists, heart racing. With Rock Slide in our arsenal, we had a chance to turn the tide of this battle.

"Alright, Larvitar!" I called out, a grin spreading across my face. "Keep up the pressure! Hit it again with Rock Slide!"

Larvitar growled, his gaze locked onto the wobbling Clauncher. More boulders appeared, forming a ring around him before he hurled them forward with renewed intensity.

The massive stones crashed down, shaking the battlefield as Clauncher scrambled to dodge. It managed to avoid a few, but the rocks were coming in too fast, too heavy. A direct hit sent Clauncher reeling, its strength wavering.

"Not bad, but I'm not out yet!" Irene's voice rang out, sharper than before. "Hone Claws, Clauncher!"

A dark aura enveloped Clauncher's claws as it clicked them menacingly, its attack power surging.

"Let's end this with another Aqua Jet!" Irene commanded, her excitement palpable as she sought to finish the match in one swift blow.

But I wasn't about to let that happen. "Larvitar, counter with Rock Slide!" I shouted, my heart racing.

As Clauncher surged forward, propelled by the powerful jet of water, it plowed through the rocky projectiles I had summoned. The sheer force of the Aqua Jet tore through the stones, but I watched in awe as Larvitar stood firm, resolute. Instead of being knocked back, he braced himself, absorbing the attack like a living shield.

His small frame glowed with determination as a dark energy enveloped his fist. With a mighty roar, Larvitar unleashed a counterattack, punching back with all his strength. The two forces collided in a breathtaking explosion of energy, sending a shockwave that rippled through the battlefield. A cloud of dust and smoke erupted around them, obscuring the view.

As the dust began to settle, the tension in the air was electric. I squinted, waiting for the outcome. When the smoke finally cleared, my heart soared. Clauncher lay sprawled on the ground, swirls dancing in its eyes, clearly knocked out cold.

"Clauncher is unable to battle! Larvitar and Gojo win!" the referee announced, his voice cutting through the silence.

I couldn't help but flash a victorious grin. We had done it!

Irene blinked, taken aback, but then she laughed softly, shaking her head in disbelief. "Well, I didn't expect that."

I gave her a casual shrug, flashing the same friendly smile as before. "Guess we're not so easy to beat after all."

She smirked, eyes still glinting with excitement. "I'll remember that for next time."

Larvitar let out a triumphant cry beside me, and I patted his head, grinning down at him. "You did great, buddy."

Our first battle may have started at a disadvantage, but we turned it around. And as I looked at Larvitar's fierce expression, I couldn't help but feel a thrill of anticipation. This was only the beginning.

It had been two days since that exhilarating battle against Irene, and in the meantime, I had faced off against seven to ten more trainers. My earnings were impressive, totaling around six thousand Pokédollars. However, I lost two thousand in the process, leaving me with a still respectable four thousand. Right now, I found myself in the lab's sanctuary, eager to test out some new theories.

The last move Larvitar used in our match against Irene's Clauncher was Payback. Yes, he had learned Payback! But that wasn't the primary focus of my experiment today. I wanted to delve deeper into his Rock Throw and Rock Slide techniques. Too often, I'd noticed that rock-type moves, while powerful, were notoriously inaccurate. In many high-stakes matches, moves like Stone Edge could be easily dodged if the opponent was quick enough.

So, I pondered: What if Larvitar could control the rocks after throwing them? I envisioned a move akin to Swift, where the projectiles would follow the user, making them nearly impossible to evade. If Larvitar could manipulate the trajectory and speed of the rocks post-launch, I might just have a game-changing technique on my hands.

With my theories in mind, I turned to Larvitar, who was eagerly waiting by my side. "So, Larvitar, can you form the rocks like you do for Rock Throw? But this time, don't fire them just yet," I requested, excitement bubbling within me.

He nodded, his determination evident as he conjured four rocks, each about the same size as his small body, levitating them effortlessly around him.

He glanced back at me, awaiting my next command. The potential for this training session filled me with anticipation. I surveyed our surroundings: a sturdy boulder a few meters to our right, a tall tree directly ahead, a couple of bushes to our left, and a large stone resting on the bank of the pond behind him.

"Alright, Larvitar. I want you to throw each rock at the respective targets: the boulder to your right, the tree in front, the bushes to your left, and the stone behind you. And make sure only one rock hits each target at the same time!" I instructed, my voice steady and clear.

Larvitar focused intently, his eyes narrowing as he concentrated. He threw the rocks, each moving with a grace that belied their weight. To my delight, two rocks struck the boulder while the other two collided with the tree, creating a satisfying thud.

A huge smirk crept across my face. "I can work with this!" I exclaimed, already envisioning the possibilities.

It had been two weeks since I started battling at the Pokémon Center, and in that time, Larvitar had gained a wealth of experience. My little experiment with Rock Throw had exceeded my expectations. In the first week, he learned to throw rocks in four different directions, and during the second week, I trained him to control the rocks, allowing them to levitate around the targets and change their trajectories at will.

Now, after yet another week, he had reached an incredible milestone—he could control the rocks as if they were extensions of his own body, moving them like his hands and feet. It was a remarkable progress that filled me with pride.

As I watched my friend Alain engage in a battle against a trainer using a Frogadier, I couldn't help but feel excited. But Alain was on the back foot.

"Frogadier, use another Water Pulse!" the trainer commanded, and the frog-like Pokémon fired a swirling sphere of water toward Charmander.

"Charmander, slash it!" Alain shouted, determination lacing his voice. The fire-type Pokémon lunged forward, slashing through the water sphere. The resulting explosion sent ripples across the battlefield, causing a shockwave that knocked Charmander back, leaving him momentarily dazed.

"Charmander, are you okay?" Alain yelled, worry etched across his face.

In response, Charmander looked up, determination igniting in his eyes. Suddenly, he was enveloped in a radiant veil of white light. The glow intensified, and as it receded, the small fire-type Pokémon had evolved—no longer was he the charming little Charmander but had transformed into a magnificent Charmeleon.

Charmeleon's dark red scales glimmered in the sunlight, contrasting beautifully with its cream underside. Its oceanic eyes gleamed with newfound power, and the horn-like protrusion on the back of its head gave it an air of fierce elegance. Its long, powerful tail blazed with flames that burned as bright as the sun.

"Charmeleon, let's go!" Alain urged, pride swelling within him.

Without waiting for further commands, Charmeleon unleashed a torrent of scorching flames toward Frogadier. The attack connected with a ferocious impact, engulfing the opponent in a whirlwind of fire. The match ended with a decisive strike as Frogadier was one-shotted, collapsing onto the battlefield.

The referee raised a hand, announcing Alain's victory. Cheers erupted from the onlookers, and Alain rushed toward his newly evolved partner, enveloping Charmeleon in a heartfelt embrace. The two celebrated together, their bond stronger than ever. Who was I to stop them? Their joy radiated like the flames on Charmeleon's tail, brightening the day as they reveled in their triumph.

"So, how does it feel now that your starter has evolved?" I asked as we sat down for lunch, digging into some seriously delicious cheeseburgers. I couldn't help but savor every bite.

"Honestly, it feels great. I'm one step closer to becoming stronger. And one step closer to not relying on other people," Alain replied, his eyes shining with determination.

I raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "What do you mean, 'one step closer to not relying on other people'?"

He took a moment, chewing thoughtfully before continuing. "Do you remember the Absol that attacked us?" he asked. I nodded, still feeling the chill from that encounter as I bit into my burger. "I felt utterly helpless back then. I was paralyzed by fear, and it nearly led to your demise. Gojo, in the time we've spent together, you've become an important part of my life. The idea of losing you shook me to my core. I want to grow stronger so I can protect the ones I hold dear," he said earnestly, a hint of shyness in his voice. Though I'll never say it out loud, I see you as an older brother figure.

Who knew I was important to him? I can't help but think back to Alain's dark moments in the anime, all motivated by his need to protect those he cared about. Honestly, it touched me—emotionally, not physically, Mind you.

"Ooh! Look at little Alain, all grown up and not wanting to rely on anyone! I'm so sad," I said, dripping with mock sadness. pretending to wipe away a tear of mock sorrow.

You should have seen Alain—his cheeks were practically on fire as he stuffed his mouth with burger, trying to deny it. The sight was priceless.

I couldn't help but burst into laughter, and his Charmeleon, feeling the vibe, let out a fiery cough. igniting our lab coats. "Ah! Fire! Fire!" I shouted, leaping to my feet as Alain's eyes widened in shock.

"Not the lab coats!" he yelled, leaping around in a panic, trying to pat out the flames.

We ended up running around like complete idiots, fanning the flames out and stumbling over each other in the process. The chaos only fueled our laughter, and in that moment, the bond between us felt unbreakable, forged through trials, victories, and a shared sense of camaraderie.

We would be leaving the lab in just three days, and I wanted to prepare as thoroughly as possible to ensure that nothing like last time happened again. So here I was, back in the sanctuary with Larvitar, ready to put in some serious training.

Now that Larvitar had gained control over his rocks, it was time to experiment with that ability. One of my ideas was to use those rocks as a defensive wall. You know what I mean? I wanted to form a barrier that could protect him from long-range attacks and special moves.

"Alright, Larvitar, let's see how far you've come," I said, my enthusiasm ringing clear. "Today, we're going to work on using your rocks defensively. I want you to create a wall that can withstand attacks."

Larvitar tilted his head, curiosity lighting up his eyes. With a determined nod, he concentrated, summoning six sturdy rocks, each one levitating gracefully around him. The moment they were ready, he arranged them into a tight formation, creating a protective barrier a few meters ahead.

"Perfect!" I exclaimed, genuinely impressed by his skill. "Now, let's test that wall's strength. We need something to hit it. How about…" I scanned the area and spotted a wild Pidgey perched on a nearby branch. "That'll do. Pidgey, come here! Use Tackle on Larvitar's wall!"

The Pidgey fluttered down, its small wings flapping furiously as it lunged at the wall. "Larvitar, hold steady!" I shouted, my heart racing with anticipation.

The moment the Pidgey collided with the barrier, a loud thud echoed through the sanctuary. The wall shook, dust swirling around us, but to my delight, it held firm. Larvitar stood behind it, his eyes wide with excitement.

"Excellent job, Larvitar!" I cheered, a rush of pride swelling within me. It was a small victory, but every step forward mattered. "Now, let's see if we can improve it even more. Can you rearrange the rocks into a thicker formation?"

Larvitar closed his eyes, focusing intently. I watched in awe as the rocks shifted and transformed, stacking themselves into a more fortified wall. It was as if they had a mind of their own, responding perfectly to his command.

"You're really getting the hang of this!" I said, my excitement bubbling over. "Let's put it to the ultimate test. Use Rock Throw on your own wall!"

With determination, Larvitar summoned rocks once more, sending them flying at his newly formed barrier. The impact was loud and powerful, sending a shockwave through the ground, but the wall remained unyielding.

"Fantastic! You're amazing, Larvitar!" I couldn't help but grin at him. "This is going to be so useful in our upcoming battles."

But I wasn't done yet. "Now let's try something new. I want you to use that wall as a shield while you attack. Can you manage that?"

Larvitar nodded, his eyes laser-focused. He summoned more rocks, arranging them as a defense while keeping some ready for an offensive strike. It was a remarkable display of control and skill.

"Now, let's see how you handle this. Use Rock Throw while keeping your wall intact!" I commanded, adrenaline coursing through my veins.

He launched the rocks forward, sending them soaring towards a nearby tree. As the projectiles flew, the wall held strong behind him, demonstrating a perfect blend of offense and defense. The sound of rocks smashing into the tree echoed in the sanctuary, and I could hardly contain my excitement.

Was that it? Was it really that easy? Could my Pokémon be a genius just like me?

HA!

Now, what should I do next?

Well, calling myself rich would be an understatement. With over fifteen thousand Pokédollars in my pocket, I felt like royalty. Excited by my newfound wealth, I decided to visit the nearest department store to buy a few TMs for Larvitar.

As I stepped into the store, I was immediately struck by its enormous size. I navigated my way to the section dedicated to TMs, eagerly scanning the shelves for any rock or ground-type moves that Larvitar couldn't learn through evolution. To my delight, I stumbled upon two perfect options that fit snugly within my budget: Dig and Stealth Rock.

I grabbed the TMs and headed to the counter. However, the cashier's next words made my stomach drop. To teach my Pokémon these moves, I needed to purchase a TM machine, which would set me back an additional three thousand Pokédollars. When I finally stepped out of the shop, my savings had dwindled to a mere two thousand Pokédollars.

Returning to the lab, I eagerly set up the TM machine, placing Larvitar's Poké Ball inside and sliding the CD into the slot. After clicking the 'OK' button, the Poké Ball emitted a soft glow, confirming the transfer of knowledge. I repeated the process with the second TM, anticipation bubbling within me.

Once that was complete, I made my way back to the sanctuary and released Larvitar.

"Do you feel any different yet?" I inquired. He simply shrugged in response. Fair enough—sometimes it takes a moment to adjust.

"Let's put your new skills to the test! Larvitar, use Dig!" I commanded. With a spirited cry, he burrowed into the ground. Moments later, he resurfaced, sporting a cocky grin and giving me an enthusiastic thumbs-up. A thumbs-up? How he managed that without fingers was beyond me.

"Nice job! Now, let's try Stealth Rock." He closed his eyes and pointed both small hands toward the ground. In a dazzling display, six rocks materialized around the clearing, floating just above the surface, poised to ensnare any unsuspecting intruders. The Stealth Rocks were in place, but the real question remained: would they actually work?

I got my answer when Charmeleon casually strolled into the clearing.

DI can't believe how quickly those three days flew by; the past two months had undoubtedly prepared me for the challenges ahead in my journey.

Now, we stood once more at the entrance of the lab, ready to embark on another adventure—this time for a considerable duration. Professor Sycamore and Sophia were there to bid us farewell, and let's not forget Snorunt, who seemed just as eager as we were.

"So this time, at least try not to get yourselves into trouble, you idiots!" Sophie scolded playfully, adopting the role of an older sister. Alain and I exchanged amused glances, grinning as we nodded in agreement.

The professor approached me, holding out a card. A card? I raised an eyebrow in curiosity.

"Well, here's your trainer's license. Your probation has finished, and the higher-ups have given you the green light. Congratulations, Gojo!" Professor Sycamore announced, his trademark 'marvelous' smile stretching across his face.

I accepted the card with a grateful smile of my own. "Thank you, Professor. I honestly don't know what I would have done without you." His smile only widened at my words, warmth radiating from him.

With one last glance exchanged between me and Alain, we stepped out into the vibrant streets of Lumiose, ready for our adventure.

The sky was a brilliant blue, and the sun shone down as brightly as ever. Nothing would hold us back this time.

We shared a look of determination, then fist-bumped each other, laughter bubbling up as we envisioned the exciting experiences awaiting us. (No gay shit ok? it's just two friends on an adventure.)