Chapter 693: Dragging Your Ass to See the Ocean
...
In some godforsaken, dusty patch of grass Natsu optimistically called a "park" on the pathetic outskirts of Eindoak.
Victini sat perched on a splintered, rotting wooden beam, his tiny legs swinging like a happy-go-lucky dumbass. In his minuscule paws, he clutched a magnificent, towering triple-scoop ice cream cone – the kind that probably costs an arm and a leg, the little glutton – and meticulously, carefully, he poked out his small, pink tongue to give it a delicate lick. What a princess.
Every single damn lick made him involuntarily narrow his eyes in sheer, unadulterated ecstasy, his whole damn body quivering like a Jellicent in a strong breeze. And those adorable, "V"-shaped ears on his head? They twitched non-stop, like tiny, happy antennae trying to pick up alien signals.
Clearly.
Victini, tasting ice cream for the very first time in his entire goddamn, thousand-year existence, had officially fallen madly, deeply, irrevocably in love with this cold, sweet, mind-blowing sensation. The little bastard was hooked.
Togekiss and Eevee each had their own glorious cones too, of course, because Natsu isn't a total monster, just a sarcastic one. They were happily devouring them, making satisfied little pig noises, probably planning which poor vendor to strong-arm next.
Natsu himself, the ungrateful prick, leaned against a rusty fence, staring out into the damn distance, looking utterly lost in thought, like a philosopher trying to figure out why his socks never match. Probably wondering if he could get a fourth scoop.
"Viicct?"
Victini, being the abnormally perceptive little shit he was, sensitively picked up on the faint ripple of agitation in Natsu's heart. The tiny legend flicked his tail, a blur of white, and floated over to the fence right beside Natsu, a look of genuine concern on his ridiculous, cute face.
Before he could even squeak out a single goddamn word, he first followed Natsu's gaze into the distance. What a mimic.
It was the bay, where the endless ocean, that vast, watery bitch, could be glimpsed, stretching out from Eindoak.
Faintly, the waves could be seen slamming against the jagged rocks on the shoreline, like a pissed-off Gyarados on a bad day. And under the blazing sun, short-lived, brilliant bursts of rainbows shimmered in the spray. It was a damn postcard, truly, if you ignored the garbage bobbing near the shore.
"Viicc…"
Seeing that colossal expanse of ocean, Victini's ice cream consumption slowed down considerably. The little gourmet suddenly looked utterly distracted. He stared at the distant sea with an expression of pure, unadulterated longing, like a perpetually horny male Beedrill looking at a flower.
The sea...
For Victini, in over a thousand goddamn years, it was the place he had heard the most about, whispered about in hushed tones, but also the most impossible place for his tiny, landlocked ass to reach. A cruel, cruel cosmic joke.
The sea is a place of unmatched vastness, (like your mom's ass.)
The sea is an extraordinary direction, (especially if you're trying to get lost.)
The sea is the perfect place to fucking relax, (if you enjoy being wet and salty.)
Bathing in the sea is truly exhilarating, (if you're not a land-dwelling idiot.)
That's what he had heard, anyway, from whispers on the wind, probably from some gossiping Chatot.
That it was the beginning of everything. Or maybe just a really big puddle.
"Wanna see it, little greedy?" Natsu noticed the desperate yearning in Victini's huge, innocent eyes. The poor sap.
He knew, of course, that Victini couldn't leave the area covered by the damn barrier, a barrier that the old king, that ancient, manipulative bastard, had crafted with enough magical mumbo-jumbo to make a Kadabra blush.
So, for over a thousand miserable years, Victini had been cooped up in this tiny little corner of Eindoak, like a damn prisoner in a glorified birdcage.
And because of his shy and overly cautious nature, the little wimp rarely showed his adorable face to humans or other Pokémon. What a hermit.
Over a thousand years...
Just uttering that unit of time alone was enough to make you imagine the sheer, soul-crushing loneliness Victini must have endured. It's enough to make a Snorlax cry into its berry jam.
And yet, he was always so damn cheerful. The little ray of sunshine.
Even when the old king finally kicked the bucket due to old age, the ungrateful old fart, Victini didn't complain a single goddamn bit about his own damn fate. What a saint.
Because of that, Victini even cried, truly wept like a baby, at the loss of his one and only, his best, goddamn friend. Probably snot and everything.
"Viiic…"
"Let's go, you little bastard." Natsu grinned, a mischievous glint in his eye, and scooped Victini into his arms like a fluffy, oversized stress ball.
"Viiic?!" Suddenly embraced, Victini instinctively squirmed, a tiny, struggling ball of V-shaped energy. 'Hey! Personal space, you pervert?!'
But it was only for a moment. As he squirmed and looked up at Natsu, he saw Natsu's face, a mask of pure, unwavering determination. The man was practically radiating stubbornness.
It seemed he wasn't just talking shit this time, was he?
"Togekiss, Eevee." Natsu called out, his voice sharp and clear, like a drill sergeant.
"Eevvv!" Eevee bounded onto his shoulder in two quick steps, her tail wagging like a goddamn helicopter blade. Togekiss flapped her graceful wings to his side, looking ready to airlift a small car.
Such a short distance didn't require the help of any other Pokémon. This was a direct flight, damn it, no detours through your grandma's backyard.
Natsu laid a hand on Togekiss, and his psychic power enveloped her, reducing her burden as much as humanly possible. He wasn't going to let his beloved partner strain herself more than she had to.
After a few powerful flaps of her glorious wings...
They closed in on the bay.
Victini could even hear the distinct, roaring sound of the waves, a faint, salty aroma of the sea tickling his sensitive little nose. He probably thought it smelled like a giant, rotten fish.
So the sea is truly salty... The profound thought, or lack thereof, flashed through Victini's tiny brain. A shocking revelation for a creature thousands of years old.
However, before they even got close enough to taste the damn brine, he first caught sight of the massive, ugly stone pillar standing starkly in the middle of the damn forest. The giant middle finger of a monument.
"Viic! Viic!"
Victini looked a little distressed, his tiny face contorted in worry, probably thinking of giant, angry rocks.
Natsu also knew about the barrier's restriction on Victini, and said to Togekiss, "Togekiss, take us down, you magnificent bitch. Gently, now."
Even though Togekiss had no idea what the hell was going on, she dutifully landed not far from the stone pillar, in the dense, snow-covered forest. The good girl.
Because of the thick fucking vegetation, Natsu couldn't even see the bay's outline as clearly as he could from above. He could only faintly hear bits and pieces of the crashing waves, like muffled farts.
"Is this the damn thing?" Natsu muttered, walking toward the stone pillar, a grim look on his face.
Beautiful, strange patterns were carved into its surface, probably by some ancient stonemason with too much time on his hands. And some parts were even covered in ugly moss, like a bad skin rash.
To the oblivious, dimwitted residents of Eindoak, it was just another ancient relic, like the "Sword of the Earth" castle, probably good for tourist photos and nothing else.
But for Victini, it was the biggest goddamn shackle, the cruelest prison, the ultimate cockblock.
Legend had it, Victini possessed infinite energy. What a boast. To fully harness Victini's power, the king, that ancient, manipulative bastard, had to create a barrier to gather all of Victini's energy and prevent it from dissipating, all to power the "Sword of the Vale." The selfish prick.
In other words, it wouldn't bother ordinary people or Pokémon in the slightest, but it was incredibly, infuriatingly sensitive to Victini's power. Like a damn allergy.
As soon as he got close, Victini would be blocked by the damn barrier, unable to move a single inch. Stuck like a fly in amber.
Natsu embraced Victini and refused to let him go, like a proud father with his favorite child. He strode forward toward the bay, a man on a suicidal mission.
"Viiic…"
Victini squeezed his little eyes shut with his tiny hands, turning his back to the barrier, burying his head in Natsu's arm, bracing for the inevitable, hoping for a quick death.
However.
The familiar, crushing feeling of being blocked never came. The little idiot was baffled.
"Viic?" He couldn't help but turn his head, peeking at Natsu, a tiny, confused expression on his face.
He saw a shimmering, pink energy barrier blocking their way, like a giant, glowing condom. The reason they hadn't touched it was because Natsu had his palm open, and his palm was also radiating psychic energy, which bent the barrier into a warped, struggling arc, as if it were screaming in pain.
"Viiicc?!"
Victini stared at Natsu in utter shock, his tiny jaw practically on the floor, but then he saw Natsu frowning, his face tense, a vein practically popping in his forehead. The man was clearly struggling.
Meanwhile, Natsu's steps grew slower and slower, as if his strength could only pull the damn barrier this far. Like dragging a dead Snorlax through mud.
As for actually breaking through the barrier's limitations, with Natsu's current psychic power, that was still a pipe dream, far from achievable. He was a long way from being a Psychic god.
Natsu secretly took a deep breath, his lungs burning. He probably tasted dust and regret.
Even though the king had kicked the bucket over a thousand years ago, and this barrier had stood for over a millennium, the lingering energy was still something Natsu couldn't possibly fight head-on. Not yet, anyway. The old bastard's ghost was still kicking.
What you had to understand is that the entire barrier had many fucking sides, like a goddamn dodecahedron of pain. And he was only grappling with one minuscule portion of it. At most, he could only push it back a few dozen steps. Pathetic.
The gap was simply too goddamn glaring. Like comparing a Magikarp to a fucking Arceus.
It was unimaginable how powerful the psychic strength of the old king of the "People of the Vale" must have been. Probably enough to move mountains and charm every damn woman in the kingdom.
Of course, this barrier wasn't just the old king's power; it also had the assistance of hundreds, perhaps even thousands, of psychic-powered Pokémon. What do you call a Psychic-type's favorite song? "Mind Games" by John Lennon! Ha! Still got it, you bastards!
But still, being able to withstand the collective power of so many psychic-type Pokémon was enough to prove its overwhelming might. It was a damn fortress.
Natsu stopped dead in his tracks. This was his limit. The absolute freaking limit. He was sweating like a Mamoswine in a sauna.
"Viic, Viic…"
'Enough, already enough.'
Victini, being the empathetic little genius he was, reached out and grabbed Natsu's arm, softly calling to him. 'You're gonna pop a vein, you idiot!'
"We can still do this, you little shit." Natsu's temper flared. He was getting pissed, his stubbornness reaching critical mass.
A damn barrier from over a thousand years ago still had this much goddamn power?! It was an insult to his very being!
Red light flared.
Three Pokémon materialized behind him in a burst of energy, probably wondering what new hell Natsu was dragging them into: Alakazam, Oranguru, and Hatterene.
"Alakazam," Natsu commanded, his voice sharp and clear, like a whip.
Alakazam instantly understood Natsu's intention and immediately stepped forward, placing his hand on Natsu's shoulder. The ultimate psychic battery.
Immediately.
Alakazam's powerful psychic strength surged, merging with Natsu's own, a river of raw power. And Alakazam, being the loyal bastard he was, took the initiative to hand over dominance to Natsu. What a team player.
A power far, far beyond his own psychic strength surged from Natsu's body, making him feel like a god, a damn psychic demigod.
This time.
Natsu stepped forward again, holding Victini in one arm like a precious cargo, and pushing out his palm with the other, walking step by agonizing step toward the bay. He was a man possessed.
But.
The further they went, the greater the resistance pressed against Natsu. It was like pushing a damn Wailord uphill. After walking a short distance, his steps slowed down again, becoming a grueling crawl. Every muscle screamed.
Here, the sound of the crashing waves became incredibly clear, a roaring symphony of salty water and broken dreams. And the faint, briny scent of seawater had already been caught by Victini's sensitive little nose. He probably wanted to gag.
This was supposed to be his closest distance to the damn sea. The closest he'd ever been in a thousand years. The poor, deprived bastard.
"Viiic…"
Victini blinked his eyes, his huge, round orbs filled with an uncontrollable yearning. He was practically vibrating with excitement.
But he also knew that Natsu and Alakazam had reached their damn limit. He opened his mouth, about to tell Natsu to stop, to not be such a dumbass.
But before he could speak a single damn word.
He saw Natsu lower his head and smile to himself in his arms, a strained, determined grin. "It's close, little V. Don't give up, you little warrior. We're almost there, you magnificent bastard!"
Victini was stunned. His tiny brain short-circuited.
Clearly, he's already utterly exhausted, the poor sap.
Clearly, his forehead is already covered in sweat, like a melted ice cream cone.
Clearly, he doesn't need to help me this far, the idiotic hero.
Before he could voice his goddamn doubts.
Natsu said to the others behind him, "Oranguru, Hatterene. Get in here, you two!"
The two Pokémon understood. Those smart bastards.
Oranguru fanned his fan, a gesture of support, looking like a philosophical Sensei. And Hatterene wiggled the antenna on her head, sending out her own psychic energy, probably thinking Natsu was a brute.
Two vastly different psychic powers were poured into the spoon held by Alakazam.
That ancient spoon, passed down through generations, carried the psychic power of Alakazam and countless psychic-type Pokémon from ancient times. It was like a damn relic of power.
This time.
Once again, it displayed its true, awe-inspiring function. The spoon was literally glowing.
"Kazaam!"
Foreign power surged in, and even though it was all psychic power, Alakazam couldn't help but groan, a deep, rumbling sound. He was basically a living conduit for a cosmic power surge.
Just these two Pokémon alone made him feel an overwhelming pressure, like a damn mountain pressing down on him.
How much pressure did the Alakazam of the past endure when receiving the injection of hundreds of psychic-type Pokémon? Alakazam thought to himself, a new respect dawning on him. Those guys were hardcore, man.
While admiring those ancient Alakazam, it also stirred his own damn competitive nature. He wasn't going to be outdone by some dead guys.
Actually, Natsu had tried this method a long time ago.
When he learned from Caitlin how to increase psychic power, this wasn't some reckless, spur-of-the-moment attempt. He wasn't that much of an idiot.
It was just that previous attempts weren't this damn thorough. He hadn't pushed himself to the breaking point.
It wasn't just Alakazam feeling the crushing pressure; Natsu was feeling it too. Every single cell in his body screamed in protest.
However, the external pressure didn't break Alakazam and Natsu. On the contrary, that pressure stimulated their psychic power to fight back, digging up a continuous, unending stream of psychic power from deep within their bodies. They were like a goddamn wellspring of raw energy.
They kept pushing forward. One agonizing step at a time.
Drip-drip-
A single bead of sweat slid from the tip of Natsu's nose, a tiny, glistening tear of effort, landing squarely on Victini's head. The little guy probably thought it was raining.
Victini stared blankly at Natsu, his eyes wide with a newfound understanding.
Determination!
That pressure wasn't just increasing their psychic power; it was testing Natsu's goddamn willpower, his very soul. Like a drill sergeant screaming in his ear.
Natsu hadn't forgotten how he obtained his psychic power.
It was through the recognition and grace of the "God of Willpower," Azelf. The ultimate spiritual fairy godparent.
Willpower was the source of his psychic power, and the damn foundation of his psychic power. Without it, he was just a regular dumbass.
As long as his will didn't shatter, as long as he didn't give up, he could theoretically obtain a continuous, unending stream of psychic power. He was a human infinite energy source.
"Viiic!"
Feeling Natsu's unwavering determination and Alakazam's heroic effort, Victini's eyes finally changed. They burned with a fierce, unwavering light.
'We can do it! We can definitely see the ocean today! No matter what, you magnificent bastards!'
Infected by Natsu and Alakazam's sheer grit, the little furball was on fire.
The "V" ears on his head flared, igniting like twin flames, burning bright as a damn campfire.
Victini's "Victory Star" power, his true, goddamn power, swept over Natsu and Alakazam, giving them a surge of unbelievable, unholy strength. It was like a shot of pure adrenaline.
Suddenly.
Natsu and Alakazam both felt the crushing pressure lighten considerably, as if a whole new damn wellspring of power had been tapped from unknown corners of their very beings. It was like magic, but better.
Natsu looked at Victini, who had a serious, determined expression on his face, like a tiny general leading a very weird army.
"Viic!"
Victini nodded at Natsu with a grave, determined face. He wasn't playing around anymore. The little guy meant business.
Feeling Victini's newfound attitude, Natsu grinned, a wide, genuine, victorious smirk. He was proud of the little furball.
In the original story.
Victini could help Scraggy who was newly born and belonged to "Little Dumb" Ash defeat Carlista's shiny Hydreigon with a single goddamn Iron Head. So how the hell could they fail now? This was a piece of cake compared to that!
Since Victini had shown his stance, Natsu and the others certainly couldn't let this innocent little guy down. Not now, not ever. They'd look like total assholes.
"Alakazam, Mega!" Natsu commanded, his voice deep and booming, like a god.
"Kazaaam!"
The Key Stone in his pocket reacted instantly with the Alakazite on Alakazam's body, a symphony of power, a blinding flash of light.
When the Mega Evolution energy beam disappeared, Alakazam's appearance had transformed, looking even more formidable, even more badass. He was a goddamn psychic warrior.
Faintly, a "V"-shaped mark of fire could be seen flickering on Natsu's forehead and on Mega Alakazam's head, a symbol of their unbreakable bond and Victini's holy blessing.
A continuous, surging flow of power exploded wildly, making the air crackle with pure energy.
Today, they would absolutely, definitively, irrevocably let this little guy, who had been lonely for thousands of damn years, see the ocean, just once. They owed him that much, the poor, deprived bastard.
There was nothing, absolutely nothing, that could stop them. Not even a thousand-year-old barrier made by a dead king.
The power of this damn barrier truly far exceeded Natsu's expectations. It was like hitting a brick wall made of pure, condensed magic. No wonder Victini, with his Mythical Pokémon power, couldn't even leave the barrier by half a step in over a thousand years. What a cruel, cruel fate for a tiny god.
But.
Soon!
The orange glow of the sun slowly, gloriously, began to appear before their eyes. It was like seeing heaven itself.
Whoosh-
The crisp, roaring sound of ocean waves seemed to ring in their very ears, a siren song of freedom, a promise of endless salty goodness.
Soon!
Everyone held their breath, not wanting to spoil this momentous occasion, not wanting to disturb this sacred moment. Not a single fart was allowed.
Natsu's unwavering willpower, Victini's desperate hope, Alakazam's sheer power—they were all the goddamn reasons they pushed forward. A collective force of pure stubbornness.
One more step.
Taking this last, crucial step, from lifting his foot to planting it on the ground, took Natsu almost a full minute of agonizing effort. He was moving slower than a paralyzed Slowbro.
But this step was incredibly, monumentally significant. It was worth every drop of sweat and every screaming muscle.
Even though they couldn't physically step out of the forest. They were still in the damn trees.
Yet, they could now clearly see the ocean bay not far from them. It was right there, glistening, a boundless blue.
The relentless waves crashing against the shore, a powerful, rhythmic symphony of destruction and rebirth.
The surface of the sea, a breathtaking canvas, reflected in vibrant orange-red hues under the setting sun. It was like a painting, only real.
The endless, boundless sea. A dream come true for the little V-shaped god.
"Viiic…."
Staring at the ocean beyond the bay, Victini was lost in thought, utterly mesmerized, probably thinking of giant, delicious fish.
'So... this is what the sea is truly like?'
Sure enough, the sea was unimaginably vast and utterly endless. Like a bottomless pit of water.
Victini's eyes sparkling with a crystal-like light, gazing at the ocean with pure, unadulterated awe. But then, as he felt another drop of sweat trickle down, he snapped back to reality. The moment of wonder was broken by Natsu's suffering.
Natsu was drenched in sweat, his face flushed an angry red, his teeth gritted, enduring the immense strain, but he didn't say a single damn word of complaint. The stoic bastard.
"Viiic! Viiiic!"
'Let's go back! I'm satisfied, you big softy! You're gonna die if you keep this up, you idiot!'
"Alright," Natsu replied, his voice heavy but laced with relief, secretly letting out a long, shuddering sigh of pure exhaustion.
Alakazam's psychic power enveloped them, and they instantly used "Teleport" to flash back to the stone pillar, appearing there in a blink. Poof! Like magic.
After returning, everyone collapsed to the ground, utterly exhausted, gasping for breath like fish out of water. They looked like they'd just run a marathon while carrying a truck.
"Viic!"
Victini flew out of Natsu's embrace, quickly wiping the sweat from his forehead with his tiny hands, looking concerned for his human companion. 'You survived, you crazy man!'
"I'm fine, you little worrywart." Natsu smiled weakly, waving his hand with difficulty. He probably felt like he'd been hit by a damn Hyper Beam.
Putting everything else aside.
Caitlin said that pouring psychic power could truly increase psychic strength, and by god, she was right. That crazy bitch knew her stuff. However, it's a bit different from what Natsu had imagined. More painful.
Also, Oranguru and Hatterene didn't directly inject psychic power into Alakazam, but rather stimulated his existing power. What a clever trick!
He could clearly feel that his psychic power and Alakazam's psychic power had both been boosted to a certain extent. They were leveling up!
Although this increase wasn't overtly obvious for Alakazam, the change was quite significant for Natsu. He felt stronger, like he could punch a hole through a wall.
His psychic power, which had been stagnant for a long time without much progress, had finally made a damn breakthrough after this grueling effort. It was like unlocking a new superpower.
The struggle against the old King's barrier, the internal injection of power, and the ultimate test of his willpower had enabled him to make some real goddamn progress. He was evolving!
Of course.
The most important thing was fulfilling Victini's wish, even if he didn't make it all the way to the damn beach, so it couldn't be said to be fully fulfilled, but at least he had gained Victini's unwavering support. The little god was on his side now.
If he were some lame transmigrator with a magic golden finger, he'd definitely hear "Ding! Victini's help +100!" echoing in his mind right now. He probably wanted a real-life pop-up notification.
Natsu couldn't help but let out a wry, self-deprecating smile at the thought. What a dumb fantasy.
However, truthfully, Victini's power was truly incredible. If it hadn't been for his help, he and Alakazam might not have been able to take that final, crucial step. The little guy was a real game-changer.
Huuuft—
Natsu let out a deep sigh of relief, and instantly felt much better. He turned his head toward Mega Alakazam, who was still floating majestically in the air on the other side, looking like a zen master. "Did you feel that, you magnificent bastard?"
"Kazam."
Mega Alakazam nodded, his gaze fixed on the "Sword of the Vale" standing proudly on the peak in the distance. He probably wanted to blow it up.
Natsu brushed the dust off his body, feeling surprisingly invigorated. He probably smelled like sweat and determination.
"Then it's true, you magnificent bastard. The core of that barrier is indeed there. If we smash that thing to smithereens, Little V can finally leave this place and go wherever the hell he wants." Freedom for the little guy!
He glanced at the setting sun, a fiery ball of orange sinking below the horizon.
"It's almost time for the festival to end, let's go."
...
...
...
"Natsu, you're a bit late, aren't you, you slowpoke?"
Lance, who was leaning against the edge of the town square, looking bored as hell, couldn't help but remark when he saw Natsu strolling slowly toward them. The nerve of him, being late to the party.
Bruno had already arrived ages ago, stuffing his face with a pile of "Rage Candy Bars," looking like a very happy, very hungry Snorlax.
"How many did you manage to collect, you lazy bum?"
"Not many, Natsu, you judgmental prick."
Lance said, "Not many," but then he pulled out a huge damn handful of pendants, at least fifty or sixty of them. The lying bastard! He probably robbed every child in sight.
Natsu's eye twitched, but then he saw the massive rope that Bruno had pulled out, overflowing with pendants, probably enough to choke a Wailord, and he understood why Lance said 'not many.'
He couldn't help but give them a slow, sarcastic thumbs-up. "Bravo, you greedy sons of bitches."
You guys have probably mastered the core of the "fish pond game," namely catching all the fish, big and small, at once, like a damn net-trawler.
Let's have a moment of silent, respectful mourning for the young trainers who were supposed to be enjoying a happy, innocent battle.
Poor, poor kids. They never stood a chance against these ruthless bastards. They probably cried themselves to sleep.
"How about you, you slacker?" Lance asked, a mischievous glint in his eye.
"Forget about it, you damn shark. How many people are left now? How many do we need to collect to get into the top three, you smug prick?" Natsu slung his arm around Lance's shoulder, trying to pry information out of him. He needed to know the score.
Initially, he thought having more than twenty in his hand was pretty damn good, but when he saw the numbers Lance and Bruno had accumulated, he couldn't help but question his entire damn life. He was a pathetic amateur.
"No matter how many people are left, let's just battle, Natsu! I challenge you, you magnificent bastard!" Bruno clapped his hands together, and in a blink of an eye, the entire goddamn pile of "Rage Candy Bars" he had was gone. Vanished into his bottomless pit of a stomach.
"Now that I'm fully stuffed, it's time for the main event of the day," Bruno added with a satisfied grunt, flexing a muscle. He probably thought his farts were the main event.
He, like most of the trainers participating in the celebration, was more interested in enjoying a damn good fight than achieving any ranking or prize.
For him, external shit was secondary; a strong Pokémon physique was what he cherished most, the true holy grail. The man was obsessed with muscles.
"Wait, Bruno," Lance tried to stop him, but he was too slow. Bruno was a force of nature when hungry, or just when he wanted to punch something.
"The celebration rules don't allow you to refuse a challenge, you big dumbass. Even if you don't want to fight, you have to follow the rules," Bruno said with a triumphant grin.
Bruno knew Lance also wanted to fight Natsu, so he pulled his goddamn move first. Why? Because what if Lance beat Natsu? Then he wouldn't get a damn chance! The sneaky bastard.
As for fighting Lance?
He didn't need to wait for that. As long as he challenged Lance, he was rarely refused. It was like an open invitation to a beating.
"Natsu, how about it, you coward?" Bruno stared at Natsu, a challenging gleam in his eye.
"Okay," Natsu nodded, agreeing with surprising ease. He had a trick up his sleeve.
"Great!"
Lance stared blankly at Natsu, who had agreed so quickly. He looked utterly bewildered, like a confused Psyduck.
'You're not that Natsu, are you? The one who debates everything like a damn lawyer? Why did you agree so quickly, you sneaky son of a bitch?'
Natsu shook his head inwardly. He gave Lance a chance, but unfortunately, he didn't understand the subtle hint. The poor, naive fool.
With Victini's presence, how the hell could he lose? It was practically rigged! Like a casino with a broken slot machine.
Although cheating was shameful...
Ahem. Who cares, when victory is on the line?
Soon.
Both men stood still, facing each other, and instantly the space in the town square cleared, as if by magic.
A referee, who appeared out of nowhere like a goddamn ninja, promptly materialized. He probably smelled the blood in the water.
And Natsu, along with Bruno, who had garnered countless victories, had already earned a reputation, so it wasn't long before a massive crowd gathered, eager for the spectacle. They probably needed a good show after all that boring pendant collecting.
Natsu VS Bruno! This was gonna be a good one, a bloody slugfest!
"Chaaa!"
Togekiss flew gracefully in front of Natsu, looking ready to kick some ass.
And Bruno's chosen Pokémon remained his trusty Machamp.
After a full day of battling, Machamp's condition was still pristine, her four mighty hands clenched, emitting satisfying "crunch crunch" sounds, without the slightest damn sign of trepidation. She was a beast, a pure, unadulterated muscle machine.
"Togekiss, a Flying-type?" Bruno eyed Togekiss, his expression gradually becoming serious. 'Oh, a bird. Time to smash.'
Although he didn't know how strong Natsu truly was, however, after being praised so highly by Lance, he didn't dare to underestimate him even a little bit. He wasn't a fool, just obsessed with muscles.
"Viiic?"
Victini, who was still sitting invisibly on Natsu's shoulder, blinked his eyes, observing the scene, probably placing bets.
The world he saw was different from other beings. He saw auras and power levels, like a damn Tenseigan.
On Natsu, he saw an aura of victory, like a faint, shimmering halo, barely there but present. Although it wasn't extremely bright, it was solid and incredibly tough, like a diamond made of pure stubbornness.
And on Bruno, he saw a fiery ball, like a blazing sun, burning fiercely, emitting a dazzling, overwhelming light. The man was a walking inferno of testosterone.
Two vastly different glories of victory. Like comparing a gentle breeze to a raging fire.
As Victini was observing, the referee's flag dropped, signaling the start of the damn battle. Let the carnage begin!
Bruno and Natsu both focused their minds at the same time, their eyes locked, ready for the dance of death.
"Machamp, Bulk Up!"
"Chaaammp!"
Machamp flexed her monstrous muscles, striking a pose like a goddamn bodybuilder, with a continuous surge of power flowing from her bulging physique. She was basically showing off for the crowd.
"Togekiss, Air Slash!"
Unlike Bruno's immediate defensive strategy, Natsu chose to attack directly, no time for bullshit, just pure aggression.
"Dodge!"
However, to Natsu's genuine surprise, Machamp ended her "Bulk Up" far faster than he had anticipated. The sneaky bastard!
Before "Air Slash" could even connect, Machamp rolled backward, dodging the attack in a low, almost acrobatic crouch. She looked like a fat ninja.
And this allowed Bruno to gain an immediate advantage, the cunning bastard.
And Natsu didn't expect that Machamp's body, packed with muscle knots, could possess such goddamn flexibility. It was like watching a dancing bear on steroids.
Lance, who was standing beside them, shook his head subtly as he witnessed this scene. He knew Bruno's dirty tricks.
Bruno's particular quirk was his lightning-fast "Bulk Up" movement, a unique training method he'd perfected. Natsu had never fought Bruno before, so it was only natural that he wouldn't know. The poor, ignorant bastard.
But if Bruno was already using this move, it meant he was dead serious. He wasn't holding back, not for a damn second.
"Scary Face!"
"Champ!"
Bruno's command was roared, and instantly Machamp reacted, a terrifyingly swift execution.
A horrifying, pitch-black, savage ghostly face shot out, rushing straight toward Togekiss. It looked like a nightmare.
And Machamp immediately stepped forward, following closely behind that chilling specter. She was like a shadow of pure muscle.
As long as "Scary Face" hit Togekiss and drastically reduced her speed, then Machamp, who was hot on its heels and closing the distance, would tell Togekiss just how goddamn terrifying he truly was. She'd get a beating she wouldn't forget.
It was crystal clear.
Bruno, with his rich battle experience, had his own unique tactics and experience in dealing with Flying-type Pokémon that were inherently disadvantaged against Fighting-types. He was a master of his craft, the cunning old dog.
Watching Machamp charge forward, with dust flying up with every powerful stride and the very ground shaking beneath him, the spectators couldn't help but feel a pang of worry for the cute, adorable Togekiss. They probably thought she was doomed.
Only Lance remained calm. Serene as a damn lake on a windless day.
If Natsu was that easy to beat, he wouldn't be the close friend he always admired, the one he secretly looked up to. He was a walking legend, after all.
Bruno's combination indeed surprised Natsu, a nasty little trick. He almost got him.
However...
Natsu's eyes blazed with psychic power, connected telepathically with Togekiss, and he didn't dare to relax his guard even a tiny bit. Not for a second. He was always on high alert.
Togekiss's body blurred into a streak of white light, and the extreme speed brought by "Extreme Speed" not only allowed her to cleanly evade the torment of "Scary Face," but also once again widened the distance from Machamp. She was simply too damn fast, a blur of white death.
The three feather crests on her head glowed brightly, and "Tri Attack" was launched, a powerful, multi-colored assault. It looked like a damn light show.
"Chaamp!"
Machamp, who was forced to turn to defend, could only choose to face it head-on. No other damn choice. The poor brute.
But it was truly, truly unfortunate for him.
Togekiss's "Serene Grace" Ability activated, a blessing from the heavens, or maybe just dumb luck.
Machamp immediately fell into a "Paralyzed" condition, her powerful body seizing up like a broken robot.
But Bruno, surprisingly, just grinned. A wide, defiant, almost maniacal grin. He had a trick up his sleeve, the sneaky bastard.
"Machamp, Bullet Punch!"
Machamp was enveloped by a fine, surging electrical current, and with one powerful step, he closed in on Togekiss at an incredibly rapid speed. She was a living lightning bolt.
The "Guts" Ability! That's what it was! Natsu cursed under his breath.
Natsu frowned as he witnessed this sight. That was a nasty surprise, a real curveball.
Buzz-
Togekiss had to use "Extreme Speed" again to reverse the distance, getting the hell out of there before she got pummeled.
After "Bulk Up" had buffed her, and Machamp's fists, which had triggered her "Guts" Ability, even with the advantage of her Flying typing, she didn't dare to receive a direct hit easily. It would be devastating, a one-hit KO for sure.
"Use Bullet Punch to the ground!" Bruno waved his hand, finally unleashing his unique, brutal move to deal with Flying-type Pokémon. He was a damn genius of destruction.
Boom!!
The ground instantly exploded, sending Machamp skyrocketing from the earth toward Togekiss, a living projectile of pure muscle and rage.
Natsu's eyes flickered slightly. He was impressed, despite himself.
"Chaa!"
Togekiss cried out softly, her body instantly filled with roaring Flying-type energy! She was ready to unleash hell, a feathered demon.
Bruno had special training for Machamp's "Bulk Up" move, and Natsu, oh Natsu, he also had a secret weapon for Togekiss.
The "Power Herb" was instantly consumed, dissolving into her very being. A delicious power-up.
And...
"Brave Bird" erupted instantly, a self-destructive, powerful attack, a suicidal dive for glory.
BOOM!!!!
A deafening sound exploded from the collision in the air, like two meteorites colliding, and a massive burst of airwaves swept out, and the surrounding crowd was shaken back several steps from the sheer force of the impact. They probably lost their hats.
Machamp staggered backward onto the ground, looking dazed.
Togekiss shook her head slightly, clearing the cobwebs, and two "Air Slash" attacks were launched again, quick as lightning.
Bang bang!!
Right on the mark, directly hitting Machamp, dead center.
Causing her to fall into a "Flinch" condition, her body unable to move. The poor, paralyzed brute.
'The battle isnover,' Lance thought in his smug little head as he watched this.
...
(End of this goddamn chapter, you magnificent bastard!)
I will add a chapter or interlude every 5 reviews or 100 power stones from you, bitches!