Pokémon: Trainer Paul

In a dream, within the Pokémon League's breeding and conservation area, an Oshawott was born among its kind.

This Oshawott was different from the others.

While other Oshawott played and basked in the sun, it quietly picked up its scalchop and practiced sword techniques. Over time, it mastered the use of its Razor Shell with increasing skill.

As time passed, none of the other Oshawott in the group could rival it, and it eventually evolved into a Dewott.

However, the good times didn't last. One day, all the Oshawott of its generation were taken by League officials to various Unova research labs as a starter Pokémon for rookie trainers.

At the lab, it met Tepig and Snivy who were also starters.

Tepig was strong, honest, and reliable. Snivy was proud, stubborn, and independent. Within days, the diligent and reserved Dewott had challenged its two companions to battles, Razor Shell ready.

Tepig was decent but lacked skill. Snivy was proud but had surprising strength and even knew Attract. Many times, Dewott found itself unexpectedly floored by Snivy's charm during their matches.

These days didn't last long. As time passed, the three Pokémon began to look forward to meeting their future trainers.

Unlike Tepig, who was indifferent about which trainer would choose it, Snivy made its stance clear:

Snivy: "From the teaching of my elders and the bloodline I carry, I will never let a trainer choose me. I will be the one to choose my trainer!"

Dewott: "What if you're picked by someone you dislike or an unworthy trainer?"

Snivy: "I'll abandon them immediately!"

Though Dewott was stronger than Snivy, in that moment, it saw a radiance in Snivy—a light brighter than the sun, moon, or stars.

Finally, the rookie trainers arrived.

Tepig was chosen by a cold dark-haired boy. Snivy was picked by a dainty girl. As for Dewott, it was taken by a frail-looking boy named Winter.

This choice didn't please Dewott.

It wanted to be chosen by Tepig's trainer, not a seemingly indecisive boy like Winter.

But the trainer wasn't interested in Dewott, so it was left with no choice but to accept being chosen by Winter.

Reluctantly, Dewott decided it would take charge and train Winter to become a strong and resolute trainer.

Unlike other Pokémon, Dewott trained tirelessly to grow stronger, whether in its Poké Ball or outside.

As time went on, it helped Winter capture other Pokémon and fought many battles.

Surprisingly, despite its relentless effort, Dewott often lost regardless of the opponent's strength due to Winter's poor commands.

It tried teaching Winter how to train and strategized, but reality proved that some traits are hard to change.

Not every frail boy could become like Wally, who defied his weak body and destiny to grow strong.

Winter couldn't fight well, train well, or care for his Pokémon properly. No matter how much they traveled, he showed no improvement.

Dewott felt increasingly exhausted and resentful.

During their journey, it reunited with its two companions from the lab, but their circumstances were vastly different.

Tepig, once lively and active, was in poor condition due to harsh training and abuse. Yet, Dewott found itself envying Tepig's situation.

Snivy, on the other hand was thriving. It had abandoned its weak tearful trainer and lived freely in the wild, surviving effortlessly with its skills and charm.

When Winter tried to battle Snivy, mistaking it for a wild Pokémon, Dewott refused to fight.

Instead, it silently hoped that Snivy would remain free and untouched by Winter's ineptitude.

Predictably, Winter's other Pokémon failed to defeat Snivy. Snivy defeated them effortlessly with Vine Whip and Leaf Blade, without even needing to use Attract.

Snivy even stole food from Winter's bag before leaving.

Dewott didn't intervene. It had no desire to stop Snivy or bring it into their miserable journey.

In the end, Dewott had to carry Winter and the fainted team back to Striaton City after they were left weak and hungry.

Over time, Dewott grew distant from its trainer and teammates, focusing solely on its own training.

Its innate talent and determination made it increasingly powerful, yet its battles under Winter's command remained disastrous.

"Water Gun," "Razor Shell," "Aqua Jet," "Fury Cutter"—Winter cycled through moves without strategy, switching only when one failed. How could they win like that?

Despite learning many new moves on its own, Winter didn't even know what moves Dewott had mastered.

The dream's fragmented scenes flashed rapidly, eventually replaying their last three battles.

Against a blond-haired boy, Dewott knew it would lose under Winter's direction. Yet it rejoiced in its final surprise attack that secured a win.

Against a purple-haired boy, it followed Winter's orders and lost miserably despite its strength.

But when defeated by a weak Kabuto instead of a strong Electabuzz or determined Turtwig, Dewott couldn't accept it.

Challenging the purple-haired boy again, Dewott ignored Winter's commands.

It fought Turtwig with all its strength. Though it lost, it felt liberated, relishing the joy of an unrestrained battle.

The dream ended, and Dewott woke up in a dark mood.

"Dewott, you're awake!"

Winter's worried expression brought a faint warmth to Dewott's heart.

No matter how inept Winter was, he still cared for it.

That occasional care had kept Dewott from abandoning him like Snivy had its trainer.

"Cha-cha!"

Though weak, Dewott responded with a crisp cry.

Winter relaxed, smiling at Dewott's softened expression.

But Dewott's expression suddenly darkened with panic.

"Dewott, what's wrong?"

Dewott didn't answer, frantically searching for something.

After several seconds, it froze, lying back on the bed with hollow eyes.

Its cherished scalchops were gone.

To Dewott, the scalchops were irreplaceable. Though they could regrow, but the process was long and arduous, leaving Dewott significantly weaker in the meantime.

"Dewott, say something! Don't ignore me!" Winter pleaded, eyes red with worry.

Dewott turned away, unwilling to face him.

If the scalchops had been lost in battle, Dewott wouldn't have minded. But this wasn't the first time Winter had failed to retrieve them after a loss.

Everything felt hopeless.

Sometimes, maturity and despair arrive in an instant—an instant built on countless disappointments.

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