Pokemon: Cerulean Gym

Staryu

Type: Water

Species: Star Shape Pokémon

Height: 0.6m

Ability: Analytic

Moves learned: Tackle, Harden, Water gun, Minimize, Rapid Spin

"Brilliant" I couldn't help but praise myself. I now have a training plan for Staryu.

"Staryu, come here," I called my Staryu, who was playing with other Pokemon in the pool. I have been trying to think about how to train Staryu. I knew Staryu was a versatile Pokemon, but how to train it was a headache I had left for the future me (the current me).

I could do muscle training, running, or other physical training with other Pokemon, but Staryu is different. So, I looked at the moves it knows and will learn in future. Then, I came up with a brilliant idea which could become a signature move for the Staryu line from our gym.

"Perform the move harden," Staryu nodded. Its body shined and became hard. Staryu's soft body hardened in an instant.

"Can you perform harden again?" I asked Staryu.

"Hya" It replied and used harden again.

"Continue to harden to your limit," Staryu replied with Hya and used harden again three times before stopping. I noticed that each successive Harden took more time than the previous one.

"Can you move Staryu?" Staryu tried to move but it couldn't. When it did move, the harden failed but Staryu's body seemed more tough than usual. I touched Staryu to see if that was the case.

"It has become harder." So, these types of moves may not be as magical as in the game but they still retain some of their characteristics. There is one exception in reality though. Active hardening can boost defence beyond 100% under certain conditions, making it especially useful for blocking normal-type physical moves.

"Staryu minimize and continue to minimize to your limit."

"Hya" Staryu minimized until it was as big as a kitten. This was pretty good. I was worried that Staryu might become too small as it would make my strategy useless against large Pokemon. Still, Staryu needs to learn how to control its size so it can adapt to different opponents during Pokémon battles. This can be practised a little each day until Staryu masters it.

"Staryu perform Rapid Spin and use it to move around." Staryu replied with "Hya" and used a Rapid spin becoming a blur and circling the pool.

"Stop" Now was the difficult part. In the anime, Pokemon are shown to be able to use multiple moves at the same time. Ash's Pokemon are masters in it. I don't know whether my Staryu will be able to use three moves at the same time. I guess you will not know until you try.

"Staryu, I have come up with a combination capable of doing massive damage. To perform it you will have to use multiple moves simultaneously."

"Hya" Staryu nodded saying it would try.

"First you have to use rapid spin followed by hardening then minimize when you are close to the opponent doing so will increase your rotation even more dealing damage to the opponent. After learning this, we can combine this with a water-type move to create a water blade inflicting even more damage on the opponent." I have other ideas too but they are difficult for current Staryu.

At first, I thought of increasing the proficiency of Staryu's moves. The first move Staryu knows is tackle which is almost useless for it later as it can learn other useful normal type moves later. Then there was Harden, a move that doesn't need much mastery but is useful in the beginning stage and helpful later. The water gun is more important. Then my eyes fell on Rapid Spin.

I know Rapid Spin can be very helpful. I was thinking of using it as a dodging move, combining it with Agility at the start of the battle to boost Staryu's speed. Then I suddenly remembered Harden and thought of using a Rapid Spin and Harden combination. After seeing Minimize, I immediately realized the true potential of Rapid Spin.

According to the law of conservation of angular momentum, when a body with constant mass decreases in volume, its angular velocity increases. In this case, Staryu's rotation would increase by 36 times. The faster rotation boosts attack power, but its true potential will only be revealed when combined with water-type moves.

Since all the required moves are Normal-type the easiest to learn and control, I decided to train Staryu those moves first. With Staryu's incredible speed, it will become unstoppable. I know Staryu has a low attack stat, but this is the foundation for using Water Cutter later. Mastering Normal-type energy will also help Staryu learn other useful moves, like Camouflage, Protect, and Recover.

"Hya" Staryu looked excited. I released Starmie, who I had brought along to help train Staryu, and explained my move combination to both of them. Then, I let them practice together. They were both struggling to master it. Once Rapid Spin starts, Harden shouldn't interrupt it, because Rapid Spin functions like a spinning wheel. Just like a spinning wheel, Rapid Spin only stops either due to friction like how they are stopped in anime or when the Pokémon chooses to stop.

The Normal-type energy helps counter friction and keeps them spinning. When Staryu and Starmie use Harden alongside Rapid Spin, their Normal-type energy becomes unbalanced. As a result, they either stop midway or fail to Harden properly. While it's possible to perform the move without Harden, doing so reduces power and might cause damage to Staryu. That's why I want them to use Harden when performing this technique.

Looking at the training Staryu I don't know what to do. I thought I would be helping Staryu practise but now because of this trick, they will be on their own for a few weeks. There is Starmie to teach Staryu new moves after they master this. I would be teaching Staryu after it learns the moves Starmie knows. Till then I would be doing nothing and watch them train.

Staryu doesn't need much physical training, so maybe I should consider catching another Pokémon. Staryu's training won't conflict with others because their style is quite unique. They just need to practice the moves they know and learn new ones. With their high Special Attack, Staryu will naturally grow stronger through increased energy use and battles. However, I need to find a way to boost their defence as well.

I just noticed that Staryu can use Reflect, Light Screen, and Protect. If Staryu sets up all three at the start of a battle, then uses Rain Dance and Surf to create favourable terrain and boost speed with Agility, it could easily decimate the entire opposing team with its wide range of moves.

Sigh, I shouldn't daydream now. I should catch another Pokemon since Staryu is practising with Starmie for now. Then, which one should I choose? I can train Poliwag, Magikarp, Goldeen, Tentacool and Krabby now. They can be found around Cerulean city. There might also be Psyduck and Slowpoke somewhere near Cerulean City, but I don't want to focus on them right now. There could also be Shellder washed up on the shore, but I haven't caught one yet, since there are enough in the gym.

While Staryu and Starmie were practising, I was thinking about which Pokémon to catch next. I reviewed the stats and moves of the available water types, but for some reason, none of them felt right to catch right now. I want to focus on raising Gyarados first, so it can later teach Horsea. After catching Magikarp, I can still train another Pokémon, since Magikarp won't be very useful until it evolves. I decided not to catch Psyduck because its move set is too similar to Staryu's. So, I can easily train it later.

Krabby has a strong attack, but its low Special Defense and poor mobility are its drawbacks. Maybe the excellent move sets of Staryu and Gyarados have clouded my judgment, making me hesitant to catch other Pokémon. I just couldn't decide which one to choose. I even considered choosing one of them at random, but quickly dismissed the idea. I'm choosing a partner, not just playing a game. As I was thinking, I asked myself, Why am I hesitating? Is it because I feel these Pokémon aren't good enough?

Of course not. They may have weaknesses, but each of them has strengths too. The real issue was strength. I want to become stronger in a short amount of time. I'm worried that if I don't grow powerful quickly and attract the attention of Team Rocket, they might steal my Pokémon or even the ones in the gym. They might even kill me. After all, this isn't a kids' show. Team Rocket are real criminals.

Unlike other villains who have a few screw loose and claim to want to make the world "a better place," Team Rocket's goal is simple: world domination. That's why I'm genuinely afraid of them. I've been holding myself back constantly, trying not to attract their attention.

I've made many plans for the gym, but I've avoided implementing them because I'm not strong enough yet. My sisters may not be the best gym leaders, but we don't have any financial problems. Due to their laziness and irresponsibility, the funds provided by the Pokémon League haven't been used and have been accumulating over the years. Their show is still popular, unlike in the anime, where people grew bored of seeing the same performance repeatedly.

They also land roles in movies and are genuine stars. While they may not be the most popular or established actors, they've started earning money, especially Daisy, who's now 17. They're very beautiful and could become real movie stars if they change their behaviour. I may not have the power or authority to make changes in the gym, but my sisters will listen to me because, they love and care about me a lot, even if they act indifferent or tease Misty. It's not that they dislike Misty, they love her too, just in their strange way.

*****

Sigh, While looking at the screen, I seem to be lost in thoughts.

"Every time I look at these data I get a headache. They increase my confusion and it is super effective." I closed the virtual screen and looked at the Staryu and Starmie practising. I couldn't decide which Pokemon to catch. It didn't feel like confusion anymore, it was more of a reflection of my state of mind. I should think differently. Maybe that will help me. Let's see, I closed my eyes. Inner Peace,

"The Pokemons represent the path; long or short, curved or straight, difficult or easy. The reasons not to catch them are my worries and the Pokemon I finally decided, my future. I may get confused about choosing Pokemon but my future is fixed." I softly muttered with my eyes closed.

"Sometimes trying to be poetic does help." I couldn't help but smile. I just got an idea of which Pokemon I will choose. This also made me take a step forward in my path to becoming the best gym leader.