The Kalos Conspiracy

Chapter 9 - A New Recruit ?

Chapter 9

After completing their group exercise, Jude and Tierno split up to return to their individual training. For this, Jude and his Pokémon headed for the lush expanse of greenery adjoining Santalune City. The thick forest embraced the trio in a verdant cocoon. The air hummed with the sounds of unseen creatures, and dappled sunlight filtered through the dense canopy, painting intricate patterns of shade on the ground. Jude's keen eyes surveyed the surroundings, looking for anything that might be useful for his next workout. Viola's Pokémon weren't just fast, some of them also had psychic powers strong enough to paralyze their opponents and smash them like tiny bundles of straw.

Poor Bunnelby had paid the painful cost, and Jude now needed to protect Frogadier and Fletchling from the same fate. The haunting memory of Trevor's defeat urged him to prepare his Pokémon for the matches that lay ahead. "Okay guys, to escape Vivillon's telekinetic grip, you'll have to level up your physical strength." The blue frog croaked in agreement, ready for the challenge, while the red bird chirped with enthusiasm. The trio ventured deeper into the woods, where clusters of trees stood tall and proud, framed by creeping vines. Jude's mind buzzed with an idea as his gaze fell on the smallest tree in the bunch. Here, in the heart of nature, hard practice would take root.

"Frogadier, we'll require some sturdy logs. Use Cut," Jude asked, aiming his index finger at his target. The amphibian Pokémon crouched low, a nimble silhouette amidst the emerald leaves. Then, with a swift motion, he leaped forward, summoning a glimmering blue sword in his webbed hand. With a combination of quick and sharp flicks, he whirred his blade, slicing through the wood with effortless precision. The severed pieces fell to the grassy floor, awaiting their role in the upcoming training.

"Well done. Now Fletchling, go get us some vines." Obediently, the energetic bird Pokémon soared through the treetops, deftly collecting creepers in its beak and talons. With vines in tow, Fletchling returned, delivering them to Jude and Frogadier. "Good job Fletch, we've had enough. Here's the plan : we're gonna use these chunks of trunk as weights to reinforce ourselves. Rather like a muscle-building drill."

Jude began to tie the heavy timbers to his limbs with the creepers. Two for each of his arms, two for each of his legs, and a larger one on his back. Frogadier instantly copied his trainer by attaching wooden pieces to his body. It wasn't the first time the duo did such a deed, but never before had they carried so much bulk. Jude had obviously decided to step up a gear, considering Viola's potency.

"On my mark... Go." The trainer and the azure Pokémon jumped with perfect synchronism and clung to the branch of a probably hundred-year-old tree, judging by its width and height.

The forest air buzzed with the exertion as they performed pull-ups. Muscles strained against gravity, but determination and habit eclipsed fatigue. Jude gritted his teeth, feeling the strain, but as a role model for his Pokémon he was duty bound to push himself to the hilt.

"Feel the burn, team !" Jude encouraged, his eyes reflecting a blend of mentorship and shared effort. "Remember, Viola won't hold back." Frogadier's steely focus mirrored Jude's, the duo honing both stamina and force.

While they did their pulling, Fletchling practiced flying as fast as possible while lifting a hefty log wedged between its hooked claws. Hours passed as the indefatigable trio tackled various types of intensive exercise. The forest had embraced the trio in its verdant arms, witnessing their rigorous training as the day waned into the soft hues of twilight. Timbers still tethered to them, Jude and Forgadier continued their ninja-inspired training. Hopping from branch to branch, executing acrobatic somersaults, and twirling with grace, they forged their bodies and honed their agility. Fletchling too, carrying its weighted burden, soared like a red arrow through the foliage.