Chapter 30: The Combo Move! Swords Dance + Agility!
One thing was for sure: Magikarp's determination was rock-solid.
It executed Kenji's training plan with total, unwavering commitment. It didn't need any supervision; the fish just trained itself to the point of exhaustion, swimming against the current and climbing the waterfall over and over. It was a completely self-driven, almost masochistic, routine. Kenji, watching from the sidelines, was honestly worried it might train itself into an injury.
A week passed. Kenji's life fell into a simple, monotonous routine: wake up, go to the gym, train, and go home. He wasn't playing favorites, either; both his Pokémon were on the same diet, a mix of mid-grade and high-grade Pokéblocks. Mid-grade was the staple, with the high-grade ones mixed in occasionally as a treat.
...
"Go, Beedrill! One more time! Agility and Swords Dance, simultaneously!" Kenji called out.
From its place in the private training hall, Beedrill gave a slight nod. It began to move, zipping left and right. As it moved, it twisted its body in a bizarre, intricate pattern, its stingers flashing. Trying to execute both moves at once made it look like it was performing some strange, ritualistic dance.
As Beedrill's movements grew faster, the dance-like motions remaining steady, a sharp light flashed in Kenji's eyes.
But just as it reached the climax, Beedrill's fluid actions suddenly faltered. The dance stopped, and the building aura of power around it dissipated.
Kenji's brow furrowed. Still no good.
Looking dejected, Beedrill flew back over to him.
"It's okay," Kenji said, rubbing its head consolingly. "You're already doing great."
Beedrill (3-Star)
Gender: Male
Level: 18
Type: Bug / Poison
Base Stats: 515
Abilities: Swarm, Huge Power
Moves: Twineedle, Swords Dance, Agility, Quick Attack, Focus Energy, Aerial Ace, Fury Cutter, Venoshock...
Held Item: Last Whisper
Potential: [ULTIMATE]
In just one week, Beedrill's level had jumped from 15 to 18. That was like gaining a level every two days. Its growth rate wasn't just terrifying; it was downright unnatural.
Not only that, but it had successfully learned both Agility and Aerial Ace. Its move set was now incredibly impressive.
With both Swords Dance and Agility mastered, Kenji had immediately started trying to get Beedrill to combine them—to use Agility's speed while executing the Swords Dance to boost its attack. This was a combo Kenji had once seen used by a Weavile belonging to one of the regional Elite Four members.
It was a beautiful idea, but reality was harsh.
Even with [ULTIMATE] potential, his Beedrill had been practicing for two solid days and still hadn't succeeded.
(Of course, if that Elite Four member knew Kenji was getting frustrated after just two days, he'd probably cough up blood. It had taken his own Weavile two and a half years to master that same combo.)
Still, since there was a precedent, Kenji was confident his Beedrill would get it. It was just a matter of time.
As for Magikarp, its week of intense training had also paid off. It had successfully gained a level, bringing it from 18 to 19. It was just one level away from the level 20 evolution requirement. Kenji figured another week of training should be enough.
After comforting his Beedrill, the Pokémon flew off on its own to practice the combo some more. Kenji, with nothing to do, pulled up his system menu. It had gone completely silent ever since issuing the S-Rank mission. After getting a taste of a Prismatic Hex Core like "Level Up!", he was desperate for another, but the system wasn't cooperating.
His gaze drifted to the "3-Star" designation on Beedrill's status. He began to think about his next steps. It was almost time to go back into the wild and gather the materials for its 4-Star fusion.
But it was common knowledge that wild Beedrill were vicious, carnivorous, and traveled in massive swarms. The number of trainers who had died from swarm attacks was not insignificant. A single Beedrill was manageable. Ten? A hundred?
That was why Kenji hadn't been in a rush. He glanced over at the aquatic training field. Perhaps I'll wait until Magikarp evolves.
...
Another week flew by. The days blended together in a familiar routine of training.
At the end of the week, Beedrill finally mastered the Agility + Swords Dance combo. Its level had also shot up again, surpassing Magikarp's and reaching level 22.
As for Magikarp, fed on a steady diet of high-grade Pokéblocks and pushed through a brutal training regimen, it had finally, finally broken through the level 20 barrier.
Standing by the pool, Kenji stroked his chin, watching his Magikarp swim against the high-powered current. He now faced the final, most difficult hurdle.
He had to find a way to trigger its last evolutionary requirement: a moment of extreme, uncontrollable rage.
I mean... I could always just kick it, like James did in the anime...
He immediately dismissed the thought. With this Magikarp's stubborn, defiant personality, one kick would shatter the small boat of friendship they had just started to build.