Aoki narrowed his eyes, his gaze fixed intently upon the Volcanion standing before him. The air crackled with tension as he assessed the mythical Pokemon through his scanning system, the data streaming across his vision and confirming the creature's formidable yet curiously limited nature.
Pokemon: Volcanion (Light Purple)
Gender: Genderless
Level: 74
Attributes: Fire + Water
Characteristics: Water Absorb
Held Items: None
Egg Moves: None
Basic Moves: Steam Eruption, Flare Blitz, Take Down, Haze, Mist, Flame Charge, Scald, Stomp, Hydro Pump, Weather Ball, Heavy Slam, Water Pulse, Overheat
Learnt Moves: Superpower, Bulldoze, Heat Wave, Defog, Snore, Earth Power, Water Pulse, Hydro Pump
TM Moves: None
The level 74 status, while impressive for a typical Pokemon, seemed relatively low for a being classified as a Legendary. This scan solidified Aoki's growing suspicion: this Volcanion was not a Pokemon with divinity. It was akin to the relationship between Lugia and baby Lugia; a being with the potential for greatness but not yet possessing the full mantle of its legendary station. Although the origins of this particular Volcanion were unclear, this revelation brought Aoki a measure of relief, as it meant his objectives would face less resistance.
From the initial reports, Aoki had deduced that this Volcanion did not possess the crushing, overwhelming strength to dominate other Pokemon effortlessly, hinting that it was not a true, fully-realized Legendary. True Legendaries like Lugia could summon storms lasting forty days with a mere flap of their wings. The sacred fire of Ho-Oh could resurrect the departed and grant a form of immortality. The earth creator, Groudon, could scorch the world's oceans in its rage, just as its counterpart Kyogre could flood the entire planet. Celebi could travel through time, Manaphy commanded the seas, and Dialga and Palkia held dominion over time and space themselves. This Volcanion, by comparison, took pride in having once blown up a mountain—a feat not entirely beyond the capabilities of Aoki's own powerful Tyranitar. Volcanion displayed the traits and racial superiority of a Legendary, leading Aoki to conclude it was a pseudo-legendary entity, similar to a juvenile Lugia, rather than a true deity.
"Volcanion, the guardian deity of the Nebel Plateau?" Aoki remarked calmly, returning the Poke Ball in his hand to his waist. The situation no longer seemed to require the intervention of his Kommo-o. Pokemon like Volcanion possessed immense burst power but were often lacking in stamina for prolonged engagements. Its Fire and Water typing, reliant on its internal water reserves, was a key weakness; once its water supply was depleted, many of its key moves became unusable. The six blue spheres on the red ring on its back indicated its current water storage, which would turn red as the water was expended. This over-reliance on a finite resource was a critical flaw.
"Human, you know my name?" Volcanion responded, its voice booming with surprise. It had resided in this secluded place for an immeasurable time, and no human or Pokemon had ever spoken its name. Its long coexistence with Pokemon abandoned by humans had fostered a deep-seated prejudice, leading it to believe all humans were untrustworthy.
"Of course. Volcanion, the Pokemon capable of obliterating mountains. I am familiar with your reputation," Aoki replied with a slight smile.
Hearing this, Volcanion's expression shifted to one of even greater astonishment. How could this human know about the mountain it destroyed? It had only ever confided that story to one other Pokemon. An image of that Pokemon flashed in its mind, but it quickly dismissed the thought. It couldn't be her; she had never left this place nor had any contact with outsiders.
"Volcanion, may I see Magearna?" Aoki asked, his next words striking a nerve and touching upon Volcanion's most fiercely guarded secret.
A low, guttural growl emanated from Volcanion. The ring on its back separated with a sharp sound, the two halves transforming into massive cannon-like tubes that swung forward to aim directly at Aoki. Thick, white steam began to billow menacingly from the barrels as Volcanion gathered its power for an attack.
Tyranitar took a thunderous step forward, positioning itself squarely in front of Aoki, its own formidable presence a clear challenge to Volcanion. It stared down the Legendary Pokemon, unwavering and ready to retaliate instantly if the first move was made.
"How could you possibly know about Magearna?!" Volcanion roared, its voice filled with fury and protectiveness. The affairs of the Nebel Plateau and the local Goodra were irrelevant; Magearna was its only true friend, a companion who had never ventured beyond this sanctuary. How did this outsider know of her existence?
Magearna was Aoki's true objective. An artificial Pokemon created by the brilliant scientist Eliphas of the lost Kingdom of Azoth, it was a testament to scientific prowess that predated even Team Rocket's creation of Mewtwo. Crafted to be the guardian of Azoth, Magearna was initially welcomed and formed bonds with the royal family. However, when its true capabilities were discovered, it became an object of desire, sparking conflict that ultimately led to the kingdom's downfall. In a desperate act, its creator sent it away to the forgotten Nebel Plateau, where it met the similarly solitary Volcanion. The two became inseparable, with Volcanion assuming the role of Magearna's eternal guardian. To mention Magearna was to provoke Volcanion's most violent instincts; its rage was reserved for anything that threatened its only friend. The two massive tubes remained locked on Aoki, thick with pressurized steam, ready to unleash Volcanion's signature move, Steam Eruption, a devastating attack that would not be easily withstood.