"Can you repeat the plans again for me?" Andrew asked in a familiar excited tone that was barely restrained. "Come, on? Please!~"
Vanessa felt mildly amused by his enthusiasm, she had been feeling the same way if she was honest with herself, she didn't bothered looking at him directly, not when right in front of her, just meters way really, stood the imposing trees of Viridian Forest, "Well, of course... the plan is to spend a week inside and train for the Pewter Gym. Try not to disturb the local Pokémon there too much. And hopefully we'll get some much needed progress done with."
"I can't believe we're actually going off route!" The boy said.
"Not by much, we can't afford getting too far away and risk getting lost or get in the wrong side of some powerful territorial Pokémon, I said that already," The girl huffed as she made her point known yet again. "I did some research about this place last night, mostly reports online from trainers that crossed the forest recently and checked the Rangers' website. There was some skirmishes with a colony of Beedrills, they become very territorial - more than they already are- the local Kakunas and Weedles are undergoing an annual season preparing for evolution. Therefore, they are very very dangerous to get around. Luckily, I got the mapping of the spots we should avoid."
Andrew shivered at the thought and shook his head, "I am not a fan of those at all! My grandfather told me that back when he was young he got stinged by a Beedrill and that was the worse pain he ever felt!" He paused and added with amused expression on his face, "Not that he ever regretted it, that's why he got to meet my grandma, she was a nurse in the hospital. He told this story like... a thousand times!"
Vanessa chuckled at the story, felt fitting for a Lockwood, she had only met them briefly, but they were something else. "Grams talks about Grandpa too... sometimes. He passed away a long time ago, so I didn't get to meet him. He was good man. Grams loves him still, she said he was the one that pursued her for months," She then shook her head fondly, "Enough of this, we should get them out and get in."
"Right right," The boy hurriedly said as he took out a Poké Ball, "Let's go, Dune!"
"Sandshew! Sand!" Dune cried proudly, flexing his arms and making his trainer laugh.
Vanessa rolled her eyes with affection as she picked a Poké Ball herself, "I choose you!"
"Meow~~" Cleo said as she materialized, she didn't looked excited. "Meowth! Meow~~"
The girl smiled at the expected reaction Cleo was giving her. If she didn't saw it herself, she would never believed this cat was found near a dumpster with all that attitude, "We've talked about this... Shade is on time-out. Your training starts today, Lady Paws. No more slacking off. I will have to take way deserts if you insist on being difficult, you know? Nurse Joy was very clear about you're diet and all those sweets with no training might turn you into a Purugly!"
"Meowth!" The cat cried out in indignation. "Meowwth! Meow!"
"What's she saying?" The boy asked curiously and confused. "What's a Purugly?"
"She is mad I touched the subjects of her treats..." Vanessa explained wicking at him in a conspiratorial look. "Purugly is a cat pokémon from Sinnoh. They are very... round...no, huh- plump? large? spherical? Chubby? I'll show you one later tonight. I have pictures from when a friend of the family brought hers over for a dinner and I took a picture of it."
Cleo hissed at her description and resigned herself to her fate. She would never become a Purugly!
Andrew fought the urge to laugh at the little cat, and turned to look at Vanessa with a new glint of respect. He was impressed.
Soon enough they were in Viridian Forest.
Viridian Forest was a famous and everybody in Kanto and Johto knew about it. The Forest itself was so huge that both regions had part of it in their territory. Vanessa, ever the cautious trainer, read about this place. Every now and then, someone stupid enough go off-route and venture deep and sprawling forest is said to be a natural maze as many people get lost inside, never to be seen or heard from again. The trees in the forest are so thick that little light gets in, and because of this the forest is full of Bug and Flying-type Pokémon, the route itself was perfectly safe, in fact, it was popular among Bug Catchers, Bird Keepers and other Trainers.
Hours later, they finally found a small clearing to set up camp.
"Meow~" Cleo commented impassively, almost nonchalantly.
"Sandshrew!" Dune was more enthusiastic.
"Are you sure about this?" Andrew asked worried. "I get what you would want to train Cleo, but Dune too? I wouldn't want to impose or bother or-!"
"It's fine, I promise!" Vanessa said, cutting him off before he could come up with more reasons not to have her do this, "We'll start working on a new move. The same move for both of them. It's gonna be good for Cleo to have some competition and really good for Dune in the long run. You can start training Terra, your Nidoran. It'll be good to bond with her too."
Andrew wasn't very keen on it, not because he didn't trust her, but because he would hate to feel like a freeloader trainer. Still, she raised good points,. He sighed in resignation, "... Metal Claw, huh?"
Vanessa nodded her head without taking her eyes off of her little charges, the nonchalant and the excited, she then explained, "Back in the Academy I was the only one who got the mentorship for the advanced Move Tutor class. It's why I managed to teach Shade those Ice-Type moves. Don't worry I've done this before..." She then paused and hesitated before asking, "... friends help each other, right?"
Andrew looked stunned by her question and smiled, finally relaxed, "Sure... thanks, Vanessa."
"Sandshewww!" Dune exclaimed in annoyance.
"Alright, I'm gonna leave now! I won't bother your training anymore!" Andrew chuckled at his starter, he turned to Vanessa one last time and said, "Good luck!"
The sun was just cresting over the tall canopy of the trees at their small clearing, when Vanessa fixed her hair in a high ponytail and took a serious and calculating posture. It was time to get serious. She looked out over the small, improvised training field with determination. The two Pokémon that she was responsible for, Dune and Cleo, stood in front of her, both with eyes locked on her as they finished their stretching.
"All right, guys," She said, crouching to to their level and staring back them. "Today's focus is on learning Metal Claw. I'm not gonna lie, It's not going to be easy. It's a steel-type move, and neither of you are steel-types, but with enough focus, we can get it. I believe in you, so trust me on this one, ok?"
Dune tilted its head, curious, while Cleo gave a skeptical flick of her tail, but didn't turn away.
It's a beginning, the girl thought.
"We'll start by both of you using Scratch. It's a move both of you know and what we will you use as a base to build on. Start!" Vanessa explained and grinned brightly seeing the two pokémon gather the normal-type energy on their claws with ease, looking at her for more guidance. "See those trees over there? I want you to start using Scratch on them. You're be more into slashing than smashing."
"Shrewww!!" Dune nodded and almost pounced at the tree.
Cleo looked at her in doubt, but sighed and obeyed. All for treats no doubt.
"Get used to the feeling of the Normal-Type energy first," The girl guided them with sharp eyes, "Normal-type energy is very very different from Steel-type. I want you to feel how it flows trough you... how it coats and strengthen your claws as they slash against the tree barks... good good. You are doing very good."
"You two should be wondering why is so important for you to learn this move instead of any other now," She started, earning furtive glances, of the two busy pokémon, " For Dune, it's all about speed when you're underground. The Ground-Type energy comes easy for you when you use Dig, right? However, it's limited by the harder rocks you'll find sometimes. It's not easy to mould and shape Rock-Type Energy... it's something most Rock-Types learn as they grow. At first their moves are hard to master - no pun intended. Metal Claw is a move that will allow you to break through obstacles in less time. It means speed and precious time in decisive battles. Supporting your trainer in his dream of becoming and Elite Four level trainer won't be easy... but I believe in your potential and Andrew does too. I know it."
"Shanshrew! Sand" Dune said in determination as he focused on his slashed. "Sand!"
"Now for you Cleo, it's even more important," Vanessa's tone turned even more serious, "Normal-types like you have the advantage of being versatile, immunity against ghost type moves, but you're natural defence against physical attacks is not good. You're path to win your matches is your speed, precision and effectiveness. This Steel-Type move will give you be able to make you hit hard any Ice-Type, Fairy-type and Rock-types - the next gym is the Rock-Type Gym and your first official match. Besides, I bet you'll look awesome when you land it right."
Cleo, for all the effort she had to keep a poker face, she almost 'purred' at the last line. He slashes also became more precise.
Minutes later, with the both of them panting.
"Alright, quick pause," Vanessa pulled her PokéNav and chose the video she had prepared. The video showed a famous match of Steven Stone, one of the promising trainers of Hoenn, displaying his Skarmory using Metal Claw against another trainer's Kirlia... The steel-like energy forming the metallic bird's claws gleamed in the morning light.
"See that silvery glow?" She asked the duo, as she pointed at the screen. "Next phase of your training is to figure that out. How to reach for the Steel-Type energy, you know what it looks like now. That's the key—we're going to work on channelling energy into your claws until we can get that reaction. Keep in mind that the steel-type is... heavier... harder... sharper... tougher than the Normal-type you two use when you're using Scratch. Understood?"
Both of the pokémon exchanged looks and nodded to her.
By the end of the first day of training, none of them had any significant progress. And they were both exhausted. Cleo ate like a Purugly and went to sleep,, she didn't talk much. Dune was more chatty when he was reunited with his trainer and his teammate, Terra, the Nidoran.
At early morning, after hearty meal, the tree of them where back at the training regime.
Vanessa started with basics—getting Dune and Cleo to focus on the feel of their claws, same as the day before. They kept up with the practice of simple slashing movements against bark-covered logs, emphasizing form and focus.
"Dune, tighter arcs, use your legs for balance. Cleo, you got to extend your wrist more—you're slashing too flat- you need more power in those hits. Keep looking for the type energy. Remember, harder, tougher, sharper!"
Both Pokémon grunted with effort, claws slicing into wood. No metallic glimmer yet, but their hits are getting stronger, and sharper slowly.
Vanessa wasn't discouraged.
Next, she introduced small metal plates she got back in Viridian. "Enough trees, guys. Here! Try scratching these instead. You're aiming for friction this time! Let your bodies remember the sensation of metal-on-metal!"
After hours of repetition, Dune finally managed a flicker, just a momentary shimmer along its claw. Cleo, on the other hand, hissed with frustration, slicing straight through the plate without the desired glow and a troubled expression.
By the afternoon of the third day of training, Dune could summon a dull silver aura around its claws, but it faded quickly. Cleo was still struggling with focus.
Vanessa had to intervene.
"Ok, you two need to calm down a little. You're both getting better, but you need more patience. Let's try a different approach," Vanessa said, looking at two expectant gazes. "Cleo, remember how you're progress was coming along steadily before? I need you to remember, focus, effectiveness and most important precision. Same mindset. Now imagine your claws are becoming metal—not just slashing with them, but through them. If you learn this move before we reach Pewter City, I promise I'll give you a gift."
Cleo narrowed its eyes, inhaled deeply and sighed, and then... she struck again.
This time, the claw gleamed. Just for a heartbeat—but it was enough.
Cleo froze on her spot, looking in disbelief at her trainer.
"Yes!" Vanessa jumped up, fist in the air. "I knew you two could get it! You both almost have it! I am so proud, everyone!"
Dune... blushed at the praise.
Cleo on the other hand, was still in a shocked state... glancing between her claws and her trainer. She smiled, for just one second- before she recovered and put on her nonchalant persona back. Her tail though... her tail was wagging happily, betraying her expression.
Vanessa was so proud of them, she couldn't wait to share this with Shade and Andrew. Tell them about their progress.
Soon... very soon, she thought.
Soon they would master Metal Claw!
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