Survival Test

Maria had no time to respond to her first question so she just listened, this was a lesson after all. She knew that all that Ibrixses said was true she had to realize that there was no way to avoid her Pokemon getting hurt to think such a thing was unrealistic there was always a chance of injury in a battle, sometimes minor and sometimes severe. But she could not cry at every injury they got it was not good and clouded ones judgment one must go into a battle with a clear head otherwise you may as well pack your bags and head on home.

Maria thought about it. "Ummm well I learned that I should not have used Destiny Bond so early in my battle with Sneasel I sort of forgot it did not last the whole battle and no matter how hard I tried to end that battle before it wore off she always had a strategy to prevent me from making Sneasel faint...and she did heavy damage to Gastly so much so I had to return him."

Maria nods. "Yeah she did exactly that she raised its stats to waste and turn then used Faint attack for severe damage I had also tried to use Hypnosis but she had him use Double Team so there was a bunch of copies I tried using it on all the copies but she beat that to, so she had a counter strategy for everyone I used even when I thought I had the upper hand."

Maria smiles. "Yeah I was shocked to she is really gonna go places maybe even farther then me." Maria's stomach growled loudly causing the girl to blush deeply she rubbed her stomach Gastly floated over to her at the mention of food. XD "Yeah I am pretty hungry and I think those lessons will come in handy I may down the road try my hand at some of the Pokemon contests..and I am doing lots of stuff to boost Nao's happiness and I know she is not going to evolve into Umbreon if all I do is groom her or have her do battle."

Maria followed her Spinarak and Gastly at her heels she had let Nao out she was hungry to. "I know it takes a long time its not a instant thing." She would be silly to think it would just happen in a mere blink of an eye, such thoughts would be rather absurd to say the least.

"I know that I try and keep no secrets from Nao I sense when she is sad or upset and she also senses when I am sad or feel down. But I'll admit I need to work on my bond with Gastly and Spinarak as well I have been more focused on Nao, is that a bad thing?" She asked she knew if anyone could answer that question for her it was Ibrixses.

Maria frowned knowing that not paying as much attention to Gastly and Spinarak could lead to trouble in a gym battle. "I know that was not good its not that I neglect them I just count on Nao more heavily then the both of them..I feel pathetic now..looks like I have more to learn about teamwork..to it seems I have so many things to improve on some trainer I am." She said with a light sigh her Pokemon sensing her mounting distress got closer to her, Nao nuzzled her leg and Spinarak scuttled onto her head which was his usual rest spot and Gastly just made funny faces to cheer her up.

Maria was reassured by her words much to her Pokemon's great relief Nao especially she nuzzled her leg more affectionately and Spinarak just let out a happy. "Spin Spin Spinarak!" Which made it clear he was happy that Maria cheered up. Gastly licked her cheek as well smiling afterword. "Yeah your right I just started my adventure and I know in time I will be a better trainer I just gotta stick to it and never give up or back down!" She said passionately, she knew beating herself would not help matters any so she got rid of any negative thoughts that sprang up in her mind and locked them away as deep inside her as she could.

Maria nods. "Okay It is for the best since I have neglected training them since my battle with Kalyx but that was mostly because of journeying here without much rest, alright but glad it is not a real battle because I'd stand no chance." She said with a light giggle any trace of her worries or doubts were gone, she was back to her normal cheerful and positive self.

Gastly grinned he was looking forward to training he had not battled in ANY shape or form since battling Alex's Pucold that had long since evolved into a Iceaperd but that battle had brought out some of its latent abilities such as Sucker Punch.

Spinrak clicked his feelers he to was excited about training, but also a tad scared since he was much MUCH smaller then Cloyster and Weavile. He would get past it though he was not that scared just a tad intimidated. XD

Maria nodded. "I will not let my guard down I know this will not be easy whether it is a real battle or not a good trainer never lets her guard down ever." Maria did have the drive and determination to be a good trainer she just needed to be pointed in the right direction. She'd allow Ibrixses to mold her into a strong trainer and she hoped she'd be a good student to her.

Maria's stomach rumbled as she watched her put the vegetables and meat in the pot, she did not remember the last time she had eaten it had been at least three days ago but she of course kept her Pokemon well fed their health and well being were far above her own at least in her opinion. She ceased asking Ibrixses questions till she was finished preparing the food she did not want to be a burden or a pain she just had ALOT of questions for her.

Spinarak jumped off of Maria's head clicking his pincers, he was ready to prove to Maria he was not useless in a battle, he did not hate his trainer for neglecting him a bit in favor of Nao since she was Maria's starter after all.

Nao bounded beside Spinarak tail wagging in excitement she was ready and raring to go for the training that Ibrixses had in mind, She did not wish to have a repeat performance of earlier in the day when she nearly fell into the ice.

Maria nodded smiling brightly. "Ok! Nao and Spinarak I want you to do your best and Gastly you watch to!" She was well aware that Gastly would need to keep note of Nao and Spinarak's training when he had legs when and if sometime down the road he evolved into Gengar.

(lol, Gengar levitates too. It has feet but naturally it levitates so it still wouldn't matter.)

Okay then she quietly stepped into the dark room, "Cloyster, Ice Beam"

An ice beam came from below the water and froze her pool solid under a layer of ice.

Even without skates Ibrixses could balance and watch barefooted over the ice with precision or trace of slipping, "Let's see how these two fare after you of course. I want you, without your Pokemon to walk all the way over to me with as little slipping as possible."

(lol oh I forgot about that XD)

Maria nodded. "Okay." She then stepped onto the ice taking her time as she walked to Ibrixses she only slipped once but caught her balance before she fell onto the ice which spared her a lot of embarrassment as she got to Ibrixses she asked. "Ummm did I do good?" She hoped she did or she would be a bit upset.

Maria shook her head. "No not really tried it before but stopped doing it when I was like six because I was not good at it." She blinked. "So you want me to try it without shoes huh? okay I'll give it a shot." She said with a light smile as she removed her shoes and socks she shivered when her bare feet touched the ice, but she found it was much easier then it had been with her shoes on. She was very VERY grateful for the advice that Ibrixses was bestowing upon her coming all the way to Azhure Point was a very good idea.

Maria giggled. "Yeah it is with my shoes on I felt like I was going to fall on my bottom but without shoes I am more balanced." She said shrugging her shoulders as she sent out Weavile she saw how easily it moved on the ice she wondered if Nao and Spinarak would be able to do that after training she really hoped so she desperately needed to work on battling on the ice. She was going to make sure they got through this she knew that coming her was worthwhile despite how physically demanding it would be for not only herself, but also her Pokemon.