Pokémon Breeder's Story

Chapter 36: Guiding Steven, Reverse Gravity

Kenji didn't know in what form the training experience from Lairon and Skarmory would be transferred to Growlithe. Would it be like in the games, where it gained experience points out of thin air and leveled up, or would it directly receive the effects of the training, making Growlithe physically stronger?

This was a question that could only be answered after Steven's special training was over. If it was the former, then if he found a place where trainers gathered, like a gym or a contest hall, wouldn't that mean Growlithe could be power-leveled to 100 in just a few days, reaching max level directly? In that case, this "Exp. Share" he got from Steven was truly useful!

However, he couldn't just leech Steven's experience for free. As a Pokémon player and enthusiast, although Kenji wasn't an expert in battling, he still knew a thing or two. After a moment's thought, he stood to the side and spoke up.

"I was wondering if you've ever tried Reverse Gravity?"

Steven was slightly taken aback. "Reverse Gravity?"

Kenji nodded. The image of the Clefairy using Reverse Gravity to control their spaceship flashed in his mind. "What if you changed the direction of the force, to attract Pokémon upwards instead?"

Steven was very intelligent. As soon as Kenji said this, he immediately understood his meaning. A gleam of light flashed in Steven's eyes.

Reverse Gravity...

It was well-known that Gravity had a great effect on some Flying-type Pokémon and those with the Levitate ability, but that was about it. So, what if they changed the direction of Gravity, attracting Pokémon from the ground up into the air?

An image instantly formed in Steven's mind. Pokémon on the ground that couldn't fly would be pulled into the air by gravity. Their usual, familiar jumps and movements would be greatly affected. It would be like jumping on a planet with less gravity, where a single leap could send you flying over ten meters. For Pokémon that can't fly, it would probably be very disorienting, causing them to lose their balance and disrupting the rhythm of the battle.

A great idea!

Steven immediately had his Metang start practicing it.

Kenji stood to the side, watching this scene, and thought to himself, as expected of Steven, he gets it in a flash. He glanced at the shiny Metang, and in the next second, the Metang's data was fully displayed before his eyes.

[Pokémon: Metang (Shiny)]

[Gender: Genderless]

[Ability: Clear Body]

[Moves: Confusion, Tackle, Bullet Punch, Hone Claws, Zen Headbutt, Flash Cannon, Take Down, Psychic, Gravity, Gyro Ball, Endure, Iron Head, Metal Claw]

[Status: Healthy]

[Mood: 😊 Focused]

[Joy Value: 20]

[Friendship: 1]

[Description: I will get stronger for my master! —Metang.]

"As expected of Steven's Metang... it hasn't even evolved into Metagross yet and it already knows so many moves," Kenji marveled internally. And this Metang, in the future, would be a Pokémon whose strength surpassed that of a normal Champion, capable of trading a few blows with the gods of land and sea, Groudon and Kyogre.

In its training with Gravity, Metang displayed its outstanding talent. In just a short while, it was able to precisely change the direction of the gravity, achieving Reverse Gravity. Lairon and Skarmory were still within the range of the gravity field.

Steven looked at his Lairon and said, "Lairon, jump."

Although Lairon looked puzzled, it obediently did as it was told. It gave a light hop, but in the next second, it was astonished to find that this ordinary jump sent it several times higher than before, so high it was almost flying!

"I was right!"

Steven was quite excited. With this, he could catch his opponents by surprise in future battles!

But... there was something Steven couldn't quite figure out. Trainers generally wouldn't easily teach their unique move applications and battle tactics to outsiders. And yet this young man named Kenji, just by seeing him train, had offered up his own insight...

Steven called a halt to the training session and turned to look at Kenji. The boy stood on the grass with his Growlithe, arms crossed. His posture and expression didn't seem like those of a ten-year-old boy at all, but rather like a grown adult.

Why am I having such a thought? Steven secretly shook his head, then said seriously, "Thank you for your guidance."

"You're welcome." Kenji just smiled. This was a mutually beneficial exchange, wasn't it?

Steven became a little interested in the person before him. He had been traveling for so long, but he had never met anyone like this.

Kenji didn't stay in the backyard for too long. The breeding center still had to be open for business. He left Growlithe in the backyard and then returned to the main building alone, sitting behind the counter to prepare for business.

A few Clefairy ran into the lobby to play again. In the midst of their chasing and roughhousing, they accidentally knocked over a vase, causing it to fall to the floor and shatter into pieces. The Clefairy gathered around the vase, somewhat at a loss. "Clefairy..."

Bewear glanced over, then found a broom and began to carefully clean up the broken vase from the floor.

"Don't worry, Clefairy, it's just a vase. But please be more careful next time!" Kenji reassured them.

"Clefairy!" The Clefairy nodded repeatedly, promising they would definitely be careful!

With Bewear around, Kenji felt very at ease. It could handle most of the matters in the breeding center.

In a short while, Steven also returned to the lobby from the backyard. He sat on the sofa in front of the counter and ordered a drink. When the Waiter Clefairy brought the juice and placed it on the table, Steven spoke up as if making small talk.

"Kenji, are you a trainer?"

"A trainer?" Kenji smiled and shook his head. "No. I originally wanted to be a trainer, but my parents passed away early, leaving me only this breeding center. To be honest, this place only just recently reopened. I didn't have much of a goal at first, just wanted to earn some money to support myself and Bewear."

Steven was a smart person; he quickly understood the meaning behind these words. His parents had passed away early, which meant Kenji couldn't receive travel funds from his parents like other children. He had wanted to become a trainer, but because he had no money, he could only reopen this breeding center...

Thinking of this, countless complex emotions welled up in Steven's heart. Sympathy, pity, heartache... After all, he was only a ten-year-old child now, far from the mature, calm, and steady person he would be in the anime.

This made Steven unable to stop himself from saying, "If you want to become a trainer, I can help you."

"Hm?" Kenji was surprised. "How can you help me?" Is Steven going to just throw money at me?

Steven's expression was serious. "I've heard that President Stone of the Devon Corporation in Rustboro City sponsors children from poor families to become trainers every year. If you agree, I can help you apply for a travel fund from the Devon Corporation."

This would include expenses for food and lodging, Pokémon breeding fees, and so on.