On the morning of the second day after arriving in Sandgem Town, Ash and the others had already bid farewell to Professor Rowan and arrived at the Forest north of Sandgem Town.
This is a forest of considerable size.
Although the roads inside are clear and it is difficult to get lost, it would still take several days to leave the forest and reach the next city if walking.
Also, during this time, wild camping is of course inevitable.
"Starly, Quick Attack!"
"mu!"
In an open space in the Forest, Ash is training Starly and Aipom, with him directing Starly in a battle against the autonomously fighting Aipom.
The training method is simple, but also effective.
I mean, Starly is used to living in the wild, and relies mostly on its own experience and ideas in battle.
While there are many merits to this, Ash, as its trainer, still needs to correct its shortcomings.
"oki~!"
Watching Starly charging towards it, Aipom turned its back and started giggling.
Starly's actions seemed to be within its expectations.
Facing away from the diving Starly, Aipom's figure swayed slightly, and Double Team was instantly used.
Clearly, Aipom is now using the tactics Ash instructed it to use before.
Aipom originally thought it was very clever to be able to learn and apply things, but it forgot that its opponent this time is not just Starly, but Starly under Ash's command.
"Ascend rapidly!"
Ash ignored the Double Team, and at this point, the situation seemed the same as when Aipom fought Starly before, but with Aipom unleashing Swift, Ash's commands finally changed.
"Maintain this state and use Aerial Ace directly!"
"Mu!"
This time, Starly was no longer as stiff as it was the first time.
Instead, relying on the flapping of its wings and its proficiency in the Aerial Ace skill, it made another sharp turn in mid-air in an almost impossible manner.
Although Swift has a certain function of pursuing opponents, for targets like Starly that complete
several changes in direction within a few seconds, the tracking function of Swift seems somewhat inadequate.
The sharply descending Starly pulled a silver-white arc of light, hitting Aipom directly and taking its body several meters away.
"Oki~!"
Aipom, knocked to the ground, struggled to get up, and the emotion flashing in its eyes seemed somewhat unconvinced, wanting to continue fighting, but Ash stepped forward to stop it.
"That's it for today's training."
"Mu~"
"Oki..."
Although reluctant, Aipom listened to Ash's words.
On the other side, Starly was in a good mood, of course, it had defeated the Aipom that had previously defeated it under Ash's command.
Its strong-willed nature made it naturally happy.
Looking at the sullen Aipom, Ash didn't comfort it, but directly pointed out its shortcomings.
"Although Pokémon battles are completed together by the Trainer and the Pokémon, the Pokémon still need to have their own characteristics and ideas on this basis.
I know you want to show me what you have learned, but you still need to see the situation clearly and make flexible adjustments before using it."
"Oki~"
Aipom responded weakly, not knowing if it had heard.
Seeing this, Ash just smiled and shrugged his shoulders, then turned his gaze to Starly on the other side.
"Starly's performance was good.
Although we haven't been working together for very long, you can complete my commands very well... Your body seems to be more Limber than the average Starly.
You must continue to take advantage of your strengths in the future."
"Mu!"
Starly raised its wings and responded energetically.
Ash, seeing the two with such different moods, didn't say much and returned them to their Poké Balls.
This kind of day-in, day-out training may be boring and tedious, but it is essential to stand at the pinnacle of Pokémon Trainers.
Only those who can reflect on themselves after each day's training can go all the way.
Ash deeply understands this.
"Is it over already?"
Brock, who was cooking in the background, asked when he saw Ash had already returned Aipom and Starly.
"Yeah, although I'm still a little worried, there's still plenty of time in the future to make up for it."
Brock looked at Ash in silence for a moment.
"What's wrong?" Ash asked curiously.
"No... I just think... you're much more mature and stable now than you were in the Hoenn region, even though not much time has passed.
Did something happen?"
"Not really anything.
" Ash's expression didn't change, but he clenched his fist with a determined tone and said, "I just don't want to experience the feeling of failure again.
Sinnoh League... I will definitely achieve the ultimate victory! I will never fall before the finals again!"
Brock: "..."
Looking at Ash's stalwart appearance, Brock felt a bit emotional for a moment.
He had been by Ash's side since the Kanto region.
Although there were times when he left, and the time he left happened to be when Ash first won, he felt a bit regretful.
Later, in the Johto and Hoenn Pokémon League, Ash also showed his growth, but when facing talented players from all over, Ash's growth was clearly not enough compared to their strength.
But now, after witnessing Ash's maturity and stability after arriving in the Sinnoh region, Brock had a strange premonition.
He felt that maybein this Sinnoh League... Ash could really achieve victory.
"Well, I'll wait and see."
Brock patted Ash on the shoulder, and said with a look in his eyes that seemed to hide a hint of blessing.
"Lunch is almost ready, since you're free now, could you go help me call Dawn? She seems to be in the forest on the other side, saying something about seeing you training so she wants to train too... Although she keesaying it's fine, I'm still a little worried."
"Indeed."
Ash nodded in agreement, then agreed and walked towards the direction Brock pointed, taking Pikachu with him.