~ Cerulean City, Pokemon Center ~
Morning light broke over Cerulean City like spilled honey, washing the rooftops and canals in shades of amber. The air was cool and still, carrying the distant scent of seawater. William's eyes opened just as the first Wingull cries echoed from the bay.
He sat up in the small Pokémon Center dorm, rubbing his eyes. Eevee was curled up beside him, her tail flicking gently with each breath. Across the room, Electabuzz leaned against the wall, already awake, arms folded, gaze fixed out the window.
"You never sleep long, huh?" William murmured.
"Buzz." Electabuzz shrugged, as if rest was something only others needed.
William smiled faintly. "Good. We've got work to do."
Outside, the morning streets were empty except for a few fishermen setting out their nets. William crossed the bridge leading north, the rising sun glinting across the water's surface like broken glass. Eevee perched on his shoulder again, Ralts floating lazily beside him in a faint psychic bubble, still half-asleep.
They reached the Cerulean Cape which is a quiet stretch of shoreline where the waves whispered against the rocks. Perfect for training.
William took a deep breath. "Alright, team. Let's push it further today."
He released Sharpedo or Jaw into the surf. The Pokémon growled, eyes gleaming as the sea foam curled around his jagged fins.
"Let's start with speed drills," William ordered. "Ralts, keep a psychic lock on Jaw. Eevee, focus on evasion. Electabuzz — power control. No electricity. I want precision strikes."
The team spread out across the shore, each finding their rhythm.
Jaw surged through the waves like a torpedo, splitting the water with every burst of power. William timed each movement with a small handheld device, frowning as he noted the intervals. "Faster on the second turn," he called. "Don't lose momentum on the back current!"
Ralts' eyes glowed faintly, her aura pulsing as she followed Jaw's movements, refining her psychic tracking. It was gentle but disciplined work which improving her focus and control.
Eevee leapt from rock to rock, each one slick with spray. Her paws moved so quickly that droplets hung in the air behind her. When William tossed a pebble toward her mid-jump, she twisted in the air, dodging effortlessly and landing in a crouch.
"Good reflex," he said, smiling. "But remember to always prepare for follow-up attacks and never gives them a chance."
"Vee!" Eevee barked back, determined.
Electabuzz stood further inland, fists up, striking into the air. Each punch sent bursts of wind rippling forward with a restrained power, perfectly measured. His focus wasn't on strength today, but balance. For someone like Shocker, who lived off raw force, this kind of discipline was new.
William watched him for a moment, then called out, "Try using your momentum and let your shoulder carry the weight, not your arm. Flow, don't force."
Electabuzz paused, grunted, then adjusted. The next strike whistled through the air smoother, more precise. William nodded, pleased.
The hours rolled by like waves, training blending into rhythm.
Between drills, William crouched by the shore, sketching quick diagrams in his notebook with movement arcs, energy control paths, environmental notes. "Vermilion's next," he muttered to himself. "Electric specialists. But we'll need versatility with ground adaptation, split-type coverage…"
Eevee jumped onto his shoulder again, tail brushing against his cheek. "Vee?"
He chuckled softly. "Yeah, we'll be ready. But it's not just about power. We need trust and combo moves which will make no room for counter attack."
Behind him, Ralts' aura flickered brighter, responding to his voice. Her psychic sense connected faintly with Eevee's energy creating a small bond forming through daily teamwork. Even Jaw surfaced from the waves, growling softly, eyes following William as if acknowledging his leadership.
William stood and whistled sharply. "Alright team, this is going to be the final exercise. Two rounds. Partner battles."
Ralts stepped forward beside Eevee, her small hands glowing faintly. Across from them, Electabuzz cracked his knuckles and Jaw churned the shallows, ready for a mock battle.
The first clash came fast with Eevee dashed forward, kicking off a rock, while Ralts fired a wave of psychic energy that distorted the air. Electabuzz parried it with a twist of his arm, his sheer aura scattering the attack like mist. Jaw countered from below, water bursting upward to disrupt Eevee's footing.
But William's voice cut through the noise, calm and precise: "Eevee, counter off the wave and use the momentum!"
Eevee landed lightly on the surge, twisting into a spin and firing a quick Sand Attack to blind Jaw for a split second. Ralts followed with a pinpoint Confusion that staggered Electabuzz just enough for Eevee to dart through his legs.
Electabuzz growled, amused now. "Buzz!"
The ground trembled slightly as he slammed a fist into the wet sand, sending a shockwave, not electric, but kinetic. The ripple forced Ralts to teleport out, reappearing near William's side.
"Good. Control, not destruction," William praised. "You're getting it."
The battle ended not with a knockout, but with laughter. Eevee bounced happily in the surf, soaked but glowing with energy. Ralts floated beside her, giggling softly. Electabuzz gave a satisfied nod, and even Jaw splashed water in approval.
William smiled with tired, proud, and content expression.
"Alright, that's enough. You all did amazing."
As the team gathered around him, he crouched again, resting a hand on Eevee's head. "We've come far. But there's still more to do. Vermilion, Team Rocket, everything beyond. This world's bigger than I thought."
Eevee pressed closer, eyes full of trust.
William looked out over the horizon. The sun was high now, glittering over the waves which is bright, alive, endless. His reflection stared back from the water's surface, faint but steady.
He exhaled. "No turning back now."
The team stood with him. A strange family bound by strength, loyalty, and quiet dreams.
After that William walked along the meadow path beyond the city limits, the sound of his boots brushing through tall grass. Eevee perched on his shoulder, her tail swaying with each step, while Ralts trailed behind, arms clasped shyly in front of its body. The sun is going down shimmering the dirt road, and the faint chirping of Pidgey and Spearow filled the distance.
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