Pokémon: Trainer Paul

What move could Electabuzz have learned that shocked Paul so much?

Could it be the game-exclusive Fire Punch or the genetically inherited Focus Punch?

Or perhaps the ultimate moves Hyper Beam and Giga Impact?

Or even something as unexpected as Attract?

No—none of the above.

Instead, it was a powerful yet commonly known Psychic-type move—Psychic!

In the games, it is actually very simple for Electabuzz to learn this move, and a corresponding move learning device is enough, but in reality...

Conservatively speaking, 99% of Electabuzz wouldn't be able to learn this move.

If you asked over 90% of trainers whether Electabuzz could use Psychic-type moves or learn Psychic, they would answer with a resounding no.

When it comes to training Electabuzz, people focus on power, speed, and electricity. No one ever consider developing a fearsome, aggressive Electabuzz along a bizarre Psychic path.

So, when Electabuzz suddenly demonstrated Psychic, it genuinely caught Paul off guard.

Of course, learning the move was one thing—but Paul didn't believe for a second that it would be more powerful in battle than Thunder Punch or Thunderbolt.

"Why did you bother learning this move?"

Figuring out how it learned wasn't important. Paul was far more interested in why it had put in the effort.

"Buzz~"

Electabuzz answered Paul with action rather than words.

First, it fired a small jolt of electricity at a distant rock—but missed. Then, using Psychic, it manipulated the rock, allowing the second bolt of electricity to hit its target.

After that demonstration, Electabuzz fired another bolt of electricity, this time deliberately off-target. But by using Psychic, it adjusted the trajectory mid-air, making the attack land.

"You're using Psychic to control the direction of your attacks, increasing accuracy?"

Controlling an opponent was out of the question. Given Electabuzz's limited Psychic energy, Paul had no expectations in that regard.

However, the idea of controlling its own electrical attacks was… genius.

"Not bad at all."

Paul understood the logic and even gave a rare word of praise. But then he added:

"Then why not combine this with Swift or Shock Wave? Try applying the principles of auto-targeting to Thunder and turn it into a homing attack."

"Buzz?!"

Electabuzz froze.

So, you're telling me… I spent all this time training just to learn Psychic, and I could have achieved the same effect by modifying Swift or Shock Wave instead?!

For a moment, Electabuzz felt utterly defeated. It had been so proud of its brilliant idea, only for its trainer to immediately suggest an even simpler method.

"Still, learning Psychic isn't a waste." Paul reassured. "Simply knowing Swift or Shock Wave wouldn't necessarily achieve the same result."

In reality, there were no purely melee-based always-hit moves. The ones that existed were all ranged attacks, and they typically relied on psychic control, mental tracking, or sheer speed.

Without some degree of psychic manipulation, slapping an "always hit" effect onto just any move wouldn't work.

Otherwise, any skilled trainer with a Pokémon that knew Swift or Magical Leaf could make all their long-range moves hit without fail.

That being said, Shock Wave was a bit special. In reality, it could only be considered a semi-accurate move—since its true nature was simply faster, more controlled electrical attack, the locking effect wasn't as strong.

"Alright. First, we'll refine Dragon Dance. Then, we'll work on improving your accuracy. I'll have some other Pokémon assist in your training."

"Buzz~"

Electabuzz blinked, suddenly feeling guilty about taking up time that could be used for another Pokémon's rest.

Maybe… it should just train on its own instead?

"That makes sense…"

Paul nodded thoughtfully. He had just reduced their training load—adding a collaborative session on top of that seemed contradictory.

"Buzz-buzz~"

Electabuzz quickly agreed. But before it could celebrate—

"Then I'll have Bibarel, Toxicroak, Staraptor, and Swalot help you two train."

"…?"

Electabuzz stared at him, dumbfounded.

Are you serious right now?

"Begin training!" Paul commanded.

"Buzz!"

"Sha!"

On cue, Electabuzz and Gible responded obediently and got to work.

A Few Days Later – Training Facility Courtyard

At the edge of the woods, Paul, dressed in his Breeder attire, sat atop Grotle's shell, holding a large pair of pruning shears.

With each precise snip, unnecessary branches fell away, shaping the small tree growing on Grotle's back into a healthier, more refined form.

Snip, snip…

The sound of cutting branches filled the air.

"Vulpix, watering can."

Once finished, Paul called out, tossing the shears aside.

Vulpix, using Psychic, caught them mid-air while simultaneously levitating a watering can over to Paul.

He carefully sprinkled water over the trimmed tree, making its foliage appear even more lush and vibrant.

Afterward, he took out a special brush and gently ran it across Grotle's shell, cleaning off any lingering dust.

"Grrr~"

Enjoying the pampering, Grotle let out a relaxed sigh.

"Next up—Vulpix, your turn."

Paul patted Grotle's head before shifting his attention to the fox Pokémon. Seeing that Vulpix was currently lounging around, he decided it was its turn for grooming.

"Vuuul~"

Delighted, Vulpix leaped into Paul's arms.

Sitting down, Paul began brushing its fur, carefully trimming any excess before moving on to a soothing massage.

"Vul~"

Having previously enjoyed massages from Roserade and Drapion, Vulpix found Paul's technique incredibly relaxing. It soon drifted into sleep.

Once finished, Paul gently placed the slumbering Vulpix onto Grotle's back to let it bask in the sunlight.

Casting a glance at Electabuzz and Gible—currently enduring an intense sparring session with four elite-level Pokémon—Paul then turned his gaze toward Ursaring.

"Use Slack Off to fully relax your body and lie down."

Paul instructed, patting the massive bear.

Ursaring couldn't learn healing moves like Recover, and its Guts Ability made Rest somewhat ineffective. So instead, Paul had it focus on Slack Off, a move that promoted physical recovery.

In the games, Ursaring couldn't learn Slack Off. But in reality, plenty of Pokémon that technically "couldn't" use Teleport had still managed to master it.

So why shouldn't Ursaring be able to take a quick nap?

It hadn't fully learned the move yet, but mimicking its effects for relaxation was still possible.

"Ursaa~"

Yawning in response, Ursaring flopped onto the ground.

Paul didn't groom it like the others. Instead, he focused on massaging its limbs and head, easing tension in its muscles.

As Paul and his Pokémon enjoyed a peaceful moment together, Electabuzz and Gible, in the distance, were fighting for their lives.

Four top-tier Pokémon surrounded them. They stood no chance.

"Buzz~"

Electabuzz gasped for breath.

"Give me five minutes to rest, then I'll take you all on for 300 rounds!"

In response, the four Pokémon simply exchanged glances—before launching Air Slash, Seed Machine Gun, Water Gun, and Poison Sting all at once.

It wasn't powerful, but it hurt.

Electabuzz had no choice but to keep moving.

Meanwhile—

"Sha! Sha! Sha!"

After relentless beatings, Gible finally snapped. Its eyes turned crimson, and its body surged with red energy.

Outrage!

Through a simple training session, Gible actually learned how to use Outrage.

"Shaaa!"

Gible lunged at Toxicroak with primal fury, its fangs glowing crimson—and bit it down with all its strength!

Toxicroak's expression remained unchanged, and its hand with purple light fell on Gible first, causing it to fall directly from the air.

Gible, loses its ability to fight. But the training never stopped.

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