"No, when you use Tackle, your wings should be the primary point of impact. Your wings are your most powerful offensive weapons, and right now you need to temper them properly," Steven said, standing to the side and pointing out Skarmory's technique flaws.
"Don't be afraid. Your feathers will molt and regenerate after a while, and your goal now is to make them even harder and stronger."
After Skarmory's feathers fell out, the new ones that grew in would be harder than the previous set, so properly tempered wings would become even more formidable in the future.
"Alright, take a break. Next up is Wing Attack training," Steven said, clapping his hands together to signal Skarmory to stop.
"Skaar?" Skarmory paused and turned its head to look at Metang, who continued training without pause.
It seemed reluctant to stop.
"Metang has already undergone extensive training, which is why its intensity is so much higher than yours," Steven explained with a gentle smile, stroking Skarmory's scratched steel feathers.
"You still need to work within your limits for now."
"Skaar..." Skarmory nodded and began resting.
Next came practicing wing strikes against rocks, allowing Skarmory to discover the optimal technique for exerting force. Learning Wing Attack first would lay the groundwork for eventually mastering Steel Wing.
Skarmory's primary offensive weapons were its wings, followed by its sharp beak.
Steven had chosen a training location not far from Rusturf Tunnel since there were plenty of rocks available for practice.
"Metang, don't overdo the training. I'll be counting on you later," Steven said, turning to address Metang, who was still training, after Skarmory had gradually found the proper striking technique.
"Meta?" Metang stopped and looked at Steven with a quizzical expression.
"Of course—we need to find the true alpha here," Steven said, crossing his arms and smiling as he gazed toward the forest behind him.
This area was designated as Route 116. For convenience, the forest between Route 116 and Rusturf Tunnel was also called Route 116 Forest, though when Rusturf Tunnel excavation began, it was renamed Rusturf Forest.
After all, since he'd come all this way, how could he not challenge the alpha of Rusturf Forest?
"I just hope that Pokémon isn't like Loudred—being a leader without actually having alpha-level strength."
The difference between a leader and an overlord was significant. A leader was the strongest and most dominant member of a particular group. An overlord, however, was the strongest and most dominant individual across an entire territory.
Even if you were the strongest group leader in an area, you weren't necessarily that region's overlord.
Most Pokémon overlords would drive out other species. If only one type of Pokémon (including its evolutionary line) inhabited an area, there would generally be a powerful overlord Pokémon there.
Overlord-level Pokémon typically possessed strength comparable to the highest-ranked Gym Leaders in a region.
The qualification to become a Gym Leader required possessing at least three alpha-level Pokémon. When a Gym Leader retired, their successor received a time limit. If they failed to meet the standard within the specified period, their authorization to operate a Gym would be revoked.
This roughly illustrated the difference between alpha-level and overlord-level Pokémon.
Knowing that traveling on foot would take considerable time and that he would inevitably spend several days or even weeks in the wilderness, Steven had learned to cook long ago.
After a morning of training, Steven recalled both Pokémon. He prepared premium Pokéblocks for Skarmory. Although expensive, the cost was negligible for Steven.
"Here, Metang!" Steven tossed several Magnets from his bag.
The Magnets were caught by Metang's magnetic field mid-air and attached themselves to its body.
"Meta~" Metang's eyes curved into crescent shapes, looking quite pleased.
Metang and Beldum didn't consume food through mouths but instead replenished themselves using the magnetic energy contained in minerals.
Furthermore, they particularly enjoyed magnetic minerals.
Steven quickly finished his lunch and, after a brief rest period, decided to venture deeper into Rusturf Forest to locate the strongest alpha.
Skarmory returned to its Poké Ball to rest, while Metang followed behind Steven, serving as his guardian.
As he progressed deeper, Steven also spotted several Pokémon species.
They were Zigzagoon, Nincada, and Taillow.
This allowed him to roughly deduce that the alphas in this forest were most likely their evolved forms: Linoone, Ninjask, and Swellow.
"The deeper I go, the more Taillow I encounter, so I can pretty much confirm that what I'm looking for is the leader of the Taillow flock."
Due to Metang's presence, the Taillow didn't rashly attack Steven. Most chose to observe his movements from tree branches, while a smaller number flew away entirely.
"SWEEELLOW!!!"
A loud cry echoed through the forest and reached Steven's ears.
"Seems like the one I'm looking for has found me," Steven stopped walking, placed his left hand on his hip, and looked up at the sky.
Soon, a large bird leading a flock of Taillow arrived above Steven's position.
It was Swellow, Taillow's evolved form!
Swellow resembled Taillow but was significantly larger and appeared more mature. Its plumage was primarily dark blue, with crimson markings on its throat, tail tip, and forehead, complemented by a white belly. Its two tail feathers stood straight upward. Its talons were red, and its beak was yellow.
"Hmm..." Steven suddenly frowned, studying the Swellow circling overhead intently.
This Swellow's strength left him somewhat perplexed.
Not because its power was overwhelming. Rather, based on its aura, this Swellow seemed to possess Elite-tier strength, yet it was slightly stronger than typical Elite-tier Pokémon without quite reaching alpha level.
In a sense, it couldn't even be called a half-step alpha.
"However, its strength is quite respectable," Steven said, then smiled. If it were like that Loudred, having Metang knock it out with one punch wouldn't be entertaining at all.
"Come out, Skarmory."
With a flash, Skarmory emerged and immediately noticed the Swellow circling above.
Its instincts told it that this bird's strength was several times greater than its own!
"You can observe this battle from the sidelines," Steven said, gently stroking Skarmory's armored body.
"SWELLOW!" Swellow descended from the air, flapping its wings powerfully and meeting Steven's gaze directly.
"I'd like to have a battle with you. Would you be willing?" Steven asked with a confident smile, taking a step forward.
Swellow's expression showed uncertainty, its gaze shifting between Skarmory and Metang.
"Don't misunderstand—I'm proposing a fair one-on-one battle," Steven clarified, reading Swellow's concern. He gestured with his hand, and Metang floated forward to position itself before Steven.
"SWELLOW!!" Swellow released a long, resolute cry toward the sky, and the surrounding Taillow all retreated a certain distance.
It appeared Swellow had accepted the challenge.
"Very courageous. I respect that!" Steven grinned, and simultaneously raised his right hand, calling out firmly:
"Metang, Bullet Punch!"