"Wooo~"
Dewott had regained its composure, but Ninetales remained unbothered. With a blink waves of heart-shaped energy floated toward Dewott.
Attract!
In an instant, the resolve granted by Focus Energy and Sword Intent crumbled under the effects of Attract. Dewott immediately fell under Ninetales' charm, utterly captivated.
The surrounding Pokémon witnessing this scene, nearly wanted to drag Ninetales aside for a three-hundred-round battle—a proper critique of this femme fatale who was toying with their brother.
Paul, however, remained unusually calm. Observing Ninetales' towering 1.5-meter frame, he thought to himself—he might have just secured a land-based mount for the future.
If a 1-meter-high Ponyta and a 1.2-meter-high Bayleef could carry a rider, then a 1.5-meter-tall Ninetales should have no problem.
Moreover, since it had just evolved, there was still potential for further growth with proper training.
As he pondered, Paul took out his Pokédex, scanning Ninetales to check its stats.
Moves:
Sunny Day, Gravity, Flamethrower, Fire Blast, Agility, Mean Look, Solar Beam, Iron Tail, Hypnosis, Dream Eater, Calm Mind (Training-Only), Energy Ball (Training-Only), Will-O-Wisp, Nasty Plot, Attract.
With evolution, it had learned Nasty Plot and Attract, while also fully mastering Will-O-Wisp, which had previously been incomplete.
Impressive.
"Wake Dewott up." Paul commanded coldly, watching his Pokémon being toyed with.
"Wooo~"
Perhaps because it had evolved, Ninetales was no longer as fearful of Paul as before. It smirked and used Psychic, instantly dispelling Dewott's infatuation.
"Cha?"
After a brief moment of daze, Dewott suddenly realized it had been cuddling Ninetales' tails. Stunned for a second, it swiftly returned to its usual cold demeanor and distanced itself from her.
Attract… truly terrifying!
Paul pulled out Power Items and Training Equipment from his backpack, tossing them to each Pokémon.
"Put these on."
He then led them further into Iron Island.
"The minerals here are tough, and the local Pokémon are aggressive."
"Your goal is to defeat as many Pokémon as possible while using minimal moves—ideally, only close-combat techniques. Additionally, break through harder minerals without relying on moves like Flamethrower or Thunderbolt."
"When battling, avoid dodging. Face your opponents head-on and refine your physical endurance through direct confrontation."
"Begin your training. Skorupi, stay behind."
After laying down the training rules, Paul dismissed the Pokémon to search for their own battle and mineral-smashing opportunities.
"Wooo~"
Ninetales, now wearing its training gear, sighed upon hearing the restrictions.
By Paul's standards, it could only use Iron Tail for close combat.
Paul's philosophy was simple:
"A single mastered move can take you anywhere."
If it could fully utilize all nine of its tails, its melee combat skills would be on par with any Pokémon of equal strength.
With a sigh, Ninetales still obediently began its training.
"Kuu~"
Skorupi, now equipped with a Forced Training Device, scuttled over to Paul, awaiting further instructions.
"Come here..."
Paul retrieved a Scope Lens from his bag and placed it on Skorupi's head.
"With this, you'll be able to see your target's weak points more clearly."
"Combine it with the Acupoint Striking techniques you've been learning. When attacking, aim for pressure points and weaknesses to hone your critical-hit capabilities."
In reality, stat-boosting items were purely for training purposes, meaning they could be worn alongside other battle-enhancing gear. No trainer in an actual fight would use items that restricted movement.
"Kuu~"
As a Pokémon with Sniper as its Ability, Skorupi understood the importance of maximizing critical hits for greater damage output.
"Now, go train. When you have time, ask Dewott for advice on how to use Focus Energy."
While Skorupi and Drapion couldn't learn Focus Energy in the games, Paul theorized that, in reality, mastering pressure point strikes should make it relatively easy to grasp the move.
Since Reggie's Drapion had Keen Eye as its Ability, neither Paul nor Reggie had ever bothered trying to teach it Focus Energy—so it remained an open question whether Drapion could learn it at all.
But even if Skorupi couldn't learn it, it didn't matter.
If it perfected Acupoint Striking while using the Scope Lens to locate weaknesses, wouldn't every attack naturally be a critical hit?
"Kuu~"
Skorupi obediently scuttled off, embarking on its journey to become stronger.
Meanwhile, Electabuzz and Ursaring had already left long ago, engaging in intense physical combat with local Pokémon.
Dewott and Ninetales remained nearby, attacking the surrounding rocks—one testing its raw strength, the other familiarizing itself with its new body.
Gabite, initially planning to follow the others to challenge local Pokémon, changed its mind the moment Paul began preparing Dragon Fang Soup.
Drinking the soup wasn't the main goal—getting stronger was.
BOOM!
CRASH!
ROAR!
Across Iron Island's depths, the sounds of battle and training filled the air.
Electabuzz and Ursaring had already defeated several powerful Steel-type Pokémon, making a name for themselves.
"Buzzzz!"
Electabuzz roared triumphantly over a fallen Steel-type, declaring: "WHO ELSE WANTS SOME?!"
"Ursaaaaa!"
Ursaring, fired up by its partner's energy, stomped the ground, unleashing Earthquake and sending all nearby Pokémon staggering. With a dominant stance, it bellowed alongside Electabuzz.
"ROOOOAAARR!!"
Their deafening cries echoed through the island—causing the earth to shake.
From underground, an enormous Steelix emerged, its massive head towering over Electabuzz.
Nearby, a towering Aggron stepped out from behind the mountains, eager to test itself against the new challengers.
Electabuzz didn't hesitate. It charged straight at Steelix, locking itself in battle.
This was Iron Island—a place meant for forging strength through pain. There was no time for hesitation!
"Ursaaaaa!"
Aggron had been slightly annoyed at first, but upon closer inspection, it saw that Ursaring was even taller than itself by two full heads.
Still, height meant nothing.
Only fists decided strength!
And so, another ferocious clash erupted!
As time passed, Paul continued battling from the island's outskirts into its depths.
That day, standing atop a low mountain, he surveyed his Pokémon training fiercely among the Steel-types below.
Suddenly, a familiar voice called out.
"Huh? Paul, you came to Iron Island for special training too? How's it going?"
Turning his head, Paul saw Lucas standing at the foot of the hill, looking up at him.
"The results are mediocre at best… Are these your Pokémon?"
After a few quick leaps down to the ground, Paul examined Lucas' team—
Monferno, Magmortar, Rampardos, Scizor, Gliscor, and a Togetic.
"How is it? I've trained them well." Lucas said confidently with a grin.
"Not bad." Paul responded nonchalantly.
"Then I'll take that as a compliment, haha." Lucas chuckled before asking,
"By the way, have you seen Barry around? That guy asked me to meet him on Iron Island, but he's nowhere to be found. No idea where he ran off to."
"Haven't seen him."
Paul shook his head slightly. Knowing Barry, if he found out Paul was here, he'd be screaming for a battle right away.
"I see. Well, whatever, I'll just wait for him to contact me. It's been a while—want to have a battle?"
Lucas extended the challenge.
"A battle? I suppo—"
"ROAR!"
"Ahhh!"
"Whoa!"
"..."
Before Paul could finish his sentence, a chorus of deafening roars suddenly erupted around them.
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