I'll Only Teach This Once

I'll Only Teach This Once

Steven Stone's family estate.

"Teacher Jing He. Wataru?" Steven Stone came out to greet them with a smile, noticing Wataru beside Jing He.

"So the Steven Stone you mentioned was him."

Clearly, Steven Stone and Wataru knew each other.

After all, one was the youngest investigator in the Kanto Region and a member of the Dragon Clan, while the other was the Young Master of the Devon Corporation. Both were fairly well-known online, so even if they had never met, it was only natural that they knew of each other.

However, Wataru was slightly older than Steven Stone, probably around Jing He's age.

Since they knew each other, things were much easier. Jing He did not need to make many introductions and simply explained the situation.

"Aerodactyl?"

Steven Stone immediately looked interested.

As a fan of Steel-type and Rock-type Pokémon, he naturally knew about Aerodactyl. It was just that this kind of Pokémon was not easy to find. Even if one could use fossils to extract genes and revive them, fossils themselves were not so easy to come by.

But that clearly was not the main point right now.

"Steven Stone, call out your Skarmory."

"Alright."

Steven Stone did not hesitate and threw a Poké Ball.

Whoosh—

A strong gust swept past, and Skarmory, clad in heavy silver armor, appeared before them.

Wataru's eyes lit up slightly when he saw Skarmory.

"What an impressive Skarmory! It's been trained exceptionally well too."

Jing He believed Wataru had plenty of authority to say that.

"Caw~~"

Skarmory landed beside Steven Stone and affectionately rubbed against him. Steven Stone smiled and responded in kind.

This was the advantage Steven Stone and Skarmory had. Their relationship was closer than Wataru's relationship with Aerodactyl.

Looks like you won't need to step in.

Jing He looked at Gastly.

"Koujie~~"

Understanding his look, Gastly let out a long breath.

That was close.

Jing He pulled Steven Stone aside and briefly explained what he needed him to do.

"So, Teacher Jing He, you mean you want my Skarmory to defeat Wataru's Aerodactyl?" Steven Stone repeated, as if confirming it.

"No." Jing He shook his head. "Not just defeat it. Ideally, crush it."

"Crush it?"

"Do you remember how Roxanne's Geodude got better some time ago? Something a little less severe than that will do."

Steven Stone quietly glanced toward Wataru and Aerodactyl.

Wait, did they offend Teacher Jing He? "But, Teacher Jing He..."

Steven Stone said helplessly, "I can try to defeat Wataru and his Aerodactyl, but 'crush' them is a bit too..."

He was confident he would not lose to anyone, but he also knew something of Wataru's strength. The gap between them was nowhere near large enough for him to "crush" Wataru.

Even if Aerodactyl's relationship with Wataru was not close enough yet, and their coordination was lacking.

"Did Skarmory learn all the moves I recommended?" Jing He asked.

"It learned them."

"Then use that strategy. There won't be a problem."

Steven Stone rubbed his temples.

"But I haven't practiced it."

The strategies he had used before were all focused on brute-force offense. Given his and his Pokémon's strength and characteristics, he did not need anything overly complicated when battling most Trainers his age.

He had never practiced it, and it was a strategy he was unfamiliar with. Honestly, he did not have much confidence.

Winning or losing was a minor matter. If he made Aerodactyl's condition worse, that would be troublesome.

"That's true."

Battle habits and strategies were developed gradually. They could not be changed overnight.

"Teacher, how about you do it?" Steven Stone asked tentatively.

"Koujie?! Σ(дlll)"

Gastly shook its head repeatedly.

"Then we can only settle for the next best thing. Send out your Metang." Jing He sighed.

Ideally, a Flying-type Pokémon would be used to stir Aerodactyl's passion for competing for aerial supremacy.

But Steven Stone was not confident.

After all, there really was an age gap between the two.

So they could only use Metang.

"Alright!"

Steven Stone and Metang stood on one side, Wataru and Aerodactyl on the other.

The two future Champions were facing off head-on. Jing He was quite looking forward to it.

Wasn't this like getting a preview of the Masters Eight Tournament? No, wasn't this more exciting than those incomprehensible battles in the Masters Eight Tournament?

Jing He and Gastly sat on a bench to the side to watch.

"Crunch, crunch."

Gastly was even holding a bucket of popcorn, looking ready to enjoy a grand show.

"Where did that come from?"

Jing He stared at the bucket of popcorn in astonishment.

"Koujie~~"

Gastly glanced at a Sunflora not far away that was covering its face as it fled, then snickered.

If I said it gave it to me willingly, would you believe me?

Jing He: "..."

That was Sunflora, not Cornflora. Whatever.

"Hmm, it tastes pretty good. It would be even better with more sugar next time."

He grabbed a handful and started eating too.

"Koujie?"

Who would win?

"Steven Stone," Jing He answered without hesitation.

How long had Wataru had that Aerodactyl? On top of that, it was completely suppressed in terms of type advantage. There was no contest.

"Koujie~~"

Oh.

"Oh? You have no idea, this arrangement of mine kills three birds with one stone." Jing He said irritably.

Huh? Wataru's Aerodactyl needed stimulation to establish a new goal.

Steven Stone's Metang lacked confidence, and this was the perfect chance to build it further.

That was only two things, though?

"And Steven Stone."

Jing He said slowly, "Steven Stone also needs an evenly matched opponent, or even one slightly stronger than himself. That can ignite his passion for Pokémon."

It was too difficult to find an opponent for Steven Stone among people his age, while Wataru, who was two years older, was just right!

It also counted as acting according to Stone Mokuren's request.

"Koujie~~"

Gastly suddenly understood. Black mist formed into a hand and gave Jing He a thumbs-up.

Brilliant! As they spoke, Steven Stone and Wataru's battle had already begun.

"Aerodactyl, Dragon Dance!"

Just as Jing He had expected, Wataru chose to first boost Aerodactyl's various abilities. Aerodactyl's type disadvantage was simply too obvious.

Following Jing He's instructions, Wataru had to command Aerodactyl with everything he had. Otherwise, the effects of this "treatment" would be greatly reduced.

"Metang, close in with Bullet Punch, then use Metal Claw!"

But Steven Stone's battle experience was not lacking either. From the very beginning, the advantage of his coordination with Metang was apparent.

Using Bullet Punch's priority advantage, the normally heavy Metang seized the initiative.

Its massive sharp claws swept forward, dealing considerable damage to Aerodactyl.

"Roar!!"

Aerodactyl's eyes gradually reddened.

"Aerodactyl!" Wataru called out when he saw this. "Stay calm!"

Using Dragon Dance to boost itself would inevitably mean giving up the initiative. He had expected that long ago, but as long as the boost was completed, he could slowly regain the advantage.

"Fire Fang!"

Boom!!

Flames rose and curled around its fangs.

Steven Stone smiled confidently. "Metang, Ice Punch!"

Ice and fire collided. Metang took a Fire Fang head-on, while simultaneously smashing its frost-covered fist fiercely into Aerodactyl's wing.

With Metang in close range, Aerodactyl lost nearly half of its speed advantage.

Moreover, luck seemed to be on Steven Stone's side this time.

Frost spread across Aerodactyl's wing.

Press the advantage!

"Again, Metal Claw!"

Wataru frowned and said in a low voice, "Bite! Then Fire Fang!"

To the side.

"Koujie, koujie~~"

Gastly was fired up from watching.

This sort of close-quarters clash, where every blow landed solidly, was actually quite fun.

But Jing He slowly furrowed his brow.

The advantage was indeed Steven Stone's, and he had successfully seized it to gradually widen the gap, but this was not enough.

A few minutes later.

Boom!!

Metang's Thunder Punch smashed Aerodactyl out of the sky, sending it crashing heavily to the ground.

That strike—

Settled the battle! "Ku!!"

Metang shouted excitedly.

Wataru immediately ran toward Aerodactyl, which had fallen to the ground.

Aerodactyl had lost its ability to battle, but it woke up after only a few seconds. Its eyes were bloodshot, and it showed signs of losing control again.

There was unwillingness in its eyes, though it was not very obvious.

Clearly, Metang had stirred its fighting spirit, but not enough for it to regard Metang as its goal.

Steven Stone and Wataru both saw all of this.

As expected, it still has to be Skarmory?

Or should we do it again?

Jing He looked at Skarmory nearby.

It looked quite fired up and eager to try.

"Teacher Jing He, it looks like that still wasn't enough." Steven Stone walked over.

"I saw." Jing He nodded.

He fell into thought, failing to notice the exchange of looks between Steven Stone and Gastly.

Since he had accepted Wataru's request and taken Aerodactyl as a "patient," he had to find a way to cure it as thoroughly as possible.

He could not let his reputation suffer.

"How about... Teacher, you give it a try?" Steven Stone said.

"Koujie?"

Gastly froze.

Are you really fixated on this ghost?

"No, I mean, Teacher, you command Skarmory."

Steven Stone waved his hands in explanation. "And I believe Skarmory would be willing to listen to you too."

"Koujie?"

Gastly looked at Jing He suspiciously.

Can you do it?

Jing He's mouth twitched as he slowly stood up.

"It definitely needs to be treated, but first I'll try to understand Skarmory's condition."

Steven Stone looked delighted and exchanged a subtle glance with Gastly.

Gastly quietly floated up three fingers.

Three boxes of Energy Cubes, as promised.

An hour later.

"All right."

Jing He returned with Skarmory.

"Steven Stone, I'll only teach this once."