Chapter 214: Route 101
~Third POV~
[Hoenn Region, Sunset – Nighttime, Route 101]
After battling Sapphire and recovering his Pokémon Treecko and Psyduck's strength, he finally began his journey in the Hoenn Region. Together, this diverse team set off from Littleroot Town, venturing onto Route 101.
The path was well-trodden by other trainers and travelers, but still felt wild and untamed, bordered by dense thickets of unfamiliar plants and soaring, ancient-looking trees. Azure took the time to truly admire the nature of Hoenn, its unique flora and fauna.
The air hummed with the gentle buzz of Volbeat and Illumise flitting through the undergrowth, and the delicate flutter of Beautifly winging their way through the sun-dappled clearings. Shroomish popped out from under large, dewy leaves, their mushroom caps swaying gently, while Wurmple crawled deliberately along branches, leaving trails of silk.
Occasionally, a Zigzagoon would dart across their path, its distinctive fur pattern a blur of brown and cream, or a tiny Seedot would fall from an overhead branch, bouncing harmlessly before scampering away. The sounds were different too – the distant caw of a Taillow, the rustle of a new kind of bush, the chirping of unseen insect Pokémon.
This was not the familiar chirping of Pidgey or the croak of Poliwag; this was a new symphony, a new landscape to absorb and appreciate. Azure pointed out various species to Treecko, who observed everything with an eager, almost academic interest, already absorbing the nuances of its new home region, its emerald eyes wide with wonder.
Pikachu and Eevee, seasoned travelers, also found new delights, chasing after curious Pokémon or investigating unusual, brightly colored berries. As the sun began its gradual descent, painting the sky in fiery oranges and deep purples, casting long, golden shadows across the route, Azure decided it was time to make camp for the night.
He found a clearing slightly off the main path, nestled beside a babbling brook whose gentle murmur added to the peaceful ambiance. The air was still warm from the day's sun, but a pleasant coolness was beginning to creep in as twilight settled.
With practiced ease, Azure unpacked his gear from his spatial backpack and [Sub-Space] his items. Pikachu assisted by gathering some dry twigs for the fire, while Eevee helped lay out the ground tarp with surprising dexterity.
Metang, with its immense strength, effortlessly cleared away larger rocks and debris from the designated campsite, its metallic body gleaming in the fading light. And Vulpix, with a controlled flick of its powerful, multi-tailed appendage, ignited a small, crackling fire that soon warmed the immediate vicinity and cast dancing shadows.
Psyduck, surprisingly focused for once, began to arrange the pots and pans for dinner. Dinner was a simple affair – a hearty Pokémon stew, simmering fragrantly over the fire, and some nutrient-rich trail rations for Azure.
As they ate, the last vestiges of daylight faded entirely, replaced by the soft, welcoming glow of the campfire and the emerging pinpricks of a million stars in the vast Hoenn sky. The sounds of the wilderness grew more pronounced, a complex symphony of unseen creatures chirping, hooting, and rustling in the distance.
Azure announced loudly, wiping his bowl clean with a satisfied sigh, "Sigh… Alright, team. Time for some evening training. We've got a lot to work on, and the quiet of the night is perfect for focus and concentration."
He began with Metang, whose sheer power and precise psychic abilities made it an ideal training partner for the team. He ordered, "Metang, we're going to work on core strength and agility for everyone. Use Gravity but modulate its intensity. We need consistent resistance, not complete immobility. Focus on an even field."
*Shiii*
Metang hummed in understanding, its four arms glowing faintly with psychic energy. A low, resonant hum pulsed from its metallic body, and a ripple of unseen energy spread outward, momentarily making the very air feel denser, heavier, like moving through thick syrup.
Pikachu, Eevee, and even the majestic Alpha Vulpix and the usually dazed Psyduck felt the subtle but undeniable pressure. Treecko, new to this type of training, initially stumbled, its lightweight body struggling against the sudden, invisible weight that pressed down on it.
Azure helped Treecko up as he encouraged his team, his voice calm and steady, "Good, Metang. Pikachu, Eevee, Treecko! We're going to practice evasion and speed bursts. Move around, try to jump, and dodge. Feel the resistance and learn to compensate. Vulpix, Psyduck, you too. Every movement is an effort. Learn to push through it, to adapt."
Pikachu, used to rigorous training and always eager to please, immediately began zipping and darting around the clearing, its small body trembling with the immense effort, but its determination clear in its focused eyes. It would dash, then leap, its powerful leg muscles straining, landing with a soft, controlled thud.
Eevee, always adaptable and quick-witted, tried different gaits, learning to shift its weight strategically to counteract the increased gravity, its nimble leaps now requiring immense, focused power. Treecko, after a few clumsy attempts where it nearly toppled over, began to watch Pikachu and Eevee closely, slowly mimicking their movements, its natural agility fighting valiantly against the invisible force that tried to pin it down.
It was a struggle, clearly, but Azure saw the fire in its eyes – the fierce drive to improve and keep up with its more experienced teammates. Vulpix, usually so effortlessly graceful, found its elegant strides heavy and labored, but it moved with a focused intensity, its magnificent tails swishing deliberately as it pushed its powerful legs through the dense, resistant air.
Even Psyduck, though still looking a bit puzzled by the sudden density, waddled with unusual vigor, its waddles becoming strained, determined marches as it tried to keep up. Azure nodded at their hard work.
Azure called out, observing their efforts with a keen and appreciative eye in a happy voice, "Excellent work, everyone! Metang, maintain that field. Let's move on to individual sessions now."
He first turned to Psyduck, who seemed to be struggling the most with the internal pressure of the psychic field. Azure motioned for it first as he said, "Psyduck, come here."
Psyduck waddled over, its head already starting to throb from the combined exertion and the ambient psychic field. He patted its head as he said knowingly, "I know it's tough, buddy, but this is exactly what we need. We're going to meditate, focus that immense power, make it truly your own, instead of letting it control you."
Azure sat cross-legged on the cool ground, inviting Psyduck to do the same across from him. He began to instruct his Duck Pokémon closely, "Close your eyes, Psyduck. Feel the gravity, feel the strain in your mind. Now, let it be a guide, a point of focus. Don't fight the headache; acknowledge it. Channel that energy inward, not outward in uncontrolled bursts. Focus on a single point in your mind. Imagine a calm, still pool of water. No ripples, no waves, just absolute stillness."
Psyduck, surprisingly, complied. Its large eyes were squeezed shut, its orange bill quivering slightly. A faint, almost imperceptible blue aura began to shimmer around it, fluctuating like a weak, unstable signal.
The gravity field shimmered around it, too, making its concentration even harder, adding layers of mental strain. Azure gently placed a reassuring hand on Psyduck's head, pouring his calm, steady, reassuring energy into the Pokémon.
He guided it with soft, encouraging words, speaking in a low, soothing voice, periodically reminding it to breathe deeply, to relax its hunched shoulders, to let the power flow, not explode. Slowly, painstakingly, the blue aura around Psyduck grew steadier, more contained, less prone to flickering.
The quivering lessened. It wasn't perfect, far from it, but it was undeniable progress. The headaches, usually precursors to uncontrolled psychic outbursts, began to subside, replaced by a focused, internal hum of contained power.
Next, Azure turned to the magnificent Alpha Vulpix. He began, his voice filled with reverence, "Vulpix, your power is magnificent, truly, but it needs fine-tuning, precision. We're going to work on control, not just raw heat, but precise, intricate flames that obey your every command."
He pointed to a small, damp patch of earth nearby, barely a foot across. Azure instructed Vulpix confidently, "I want you to singe this precise spot, barely, without touching the surrounding leaves or blades of grass. A whisper of flame, not a roaring inferno."
Vulpix, its intelligent eyes gleaming with understanding, nodded its regal head. It took a deep, deliberate breath, its chest expanding visibly. Its glorious tails flared, radiating immense heat that caused the air to shimmer around them.
*Ssss*
Azure could feel the ambient temperature rise several degrees. Vulpix tried, but its first attempt was a burst of raw, untamed orange flame that scorched a much larger circle, singeing several surrounding leaves and burning a small patch of grass to ash.
It looked profoundly disappointed. Azure said gently, kneeling beside it, patting Vulpix's head, "It's alright, Vulpix. This is a learning process, like tempering a blade. Focus on the core of the flame, not its outward spread. Imagine the heat condensing, becoming a needle of pure energy, not a broad wave of destruction. Think of a single, intensely hot coal, radiating immense heat, but only to a precise point, like a laser."
Vulpix tried again. This time, its six tails flared less dramatically, a testament to its immediate self-control of its natural ability.
*Ssss*
A thin stream of orange fire, like a concentrated beam, shot out. It missed the desired spot slightly, hitting a dry leaf a few inches away, crisping it instantly to a brittle brown.
Azure nodded, seeing Vulpix focus its fire abilities, thought, 'Better, but still not perfect… yet... but we'll get there.'
Azure spent dedicated time with Vulpix, guiding its focus, encouraging it to visualize the flame's precise path, to breathe and release its energy with absolute, nuanced control. He even had Metang briefly increase the gravity on Vulpix, forcing it to concentrate even harder on its physical stance and stability while simultaneously focusing its ethereal fire.
By the end of its demanding session, Vulpix was able to produce a thin, precise line of heat, almost imperceptibly singeing the correct spot on the damp earth, leaving the surrounding foliage untouched.
It was a remarkable feat, given the Alpha Pokémon's inherent, overwhelming power, and Vulpix looked immensely proud of its hard-won achievement, its chest puffing out slightly, chirping proudly.
Finally, Azure turned his full attention to Treecko, who had been watching the other training sessions with rapt, almost bewildered attention, absorbing every detail. He said with a warm, encouraging smile, "Alright, Treecko. It's your turn now. We're going to start on Energy Ball training. It's a fundamental Grass-type move, incredibly versatile, and crucial for your arsenal as you grow."
Treecko chirped eagerly, bouncing on the balls of its feet, its natural agility hampered by the continuous gravity field, making its jumps surprisingly low and effortful. Azure instructed, gesturing to the lush Hoenn flora that surrounded their camp, "First, feel the energy around you. Connect with the life force of the plants, the earth. Draw that vibrant energy into your body. Then, focus that energy, condense it into a compact sphere in front of you. Think of a tiny, brilliant, green sun forming right in your hands."
Treecko closed its eyes, its brow furrowed in intense concentration. Its small, reptilian hands glowed a faint, ethereal green, but the energy dissipated almost immediately, vanishing like mist poofing out of existence.
*Pooof*
It frowned, a clear sign of frustration. It chirped, stomping a tiny foot, "Tree-! (Son of…!!)"
Patting Treecko's head, Azure reassured gently, encouraging his Wood Gecko Pokémon softly, said, "It's okay. It takes time, a lot of practice. It's like gathering water into a cup, but the cup is inside you; it's your spirit. Try again. Breathe. Imagine the green energy flowing from the plants, through your feet, up into your chest, and then out through your hands, a vibrant current."
Treecko tried again, its movements more deliberate and focused this time. A slightly larger green shimmer appeared between its hands, holding its shape for a fraction of a second longer before vanishing once more.
*Pooof*
Azure had Metang subtly lessen the gravity on Treecko, allowing it to focus more on the internal life energy manipulation rather than fighting the constant physical strain, giving it a bit of a break.
Azure praised Treecko, his voice full of encouragement as he said happily, "That's it! You're getting closer every time! Now, try to make it stable. Imagine it solidifying, becoming tangible, like a small, perfectly formed green stone. Hold it."
He guided Treecko through repeated attempts, offering praise for every small improvement, no matter how fleeting. Treecko's hands would glow with increasing intensity, a small, unstable orb would form, wobble precariously, and then burst into ephemeral green motes of light.
*Pooof*
Its frustration was palpable at times, its tiny body trembling, but Azure's patience was boundless, his belief unwavering. He even demonstrated, using his own hands, the concept of gathering and compressing, even though he couldn't manipulate energy himself, showing the motion and concentration required.
Pikachu and Eevee cheered Treecko on from the sidelines, offering encouraging chirps and nuzzles, sensing Treecko's struggle and wanting to help. After what felt like an hour of intense concentration and repeated failures, Treecko took a deep, shaky breath. It closed its eyes again, focusing intently, drawing on every ounce of its nascent will.
Its hands began to glow, and this time, the green light was stronger, more vibrant, and remarkably steady. Slowly, painstakingly, a small, perfectly formed, emerald-green orb began to materialize between its palms.
It wobbled slightly, it pulsed with contained power, but it held. It wasn't large, not yet powerful, but it was distinct, visibly manifest, a miniature sphere of raw life force energy just waiting to be used.
Treecko gasped, its eyes snapping open, wide with astonishment and profound triumph, a joyous chirp escaping its throat, "Tree! (I did it!)"
Azure exclaimed, his voice filled with genuine pride and happiness, "You did it, Treecko! That's an Energy Ball! Now, send it forward, gently, just a little push."
*Pew*
With a shaky, yet triumphant push, Treecko launched the small orb. It flew a mere ten feet through the air, softly hitting a patch of grass near the edge of the clearing and dissolving harmlessly, leaving no trace.
*Poof*
It was a small victory, yes, but a profoundly significant one. The first step on a long, exciting journey. Azure smiled warmly, watching his exhausted but immensely satisfied team.
Pikachu and Eevee were nudging Treecko, congratulating it with happy chirps. Psyduck looked calmer than usual, a subtle, contained hum of power emanating from it, its vacant stare momentarily replaced by a look of quiet inner focus.
Vulpix sat regal and composed, its nine tails slightly fanned, its intelligent eyes reflecting the campfire with a new depth of control and mastery. Metang, still maintaining the modified Gravity field, seemed to emanate a quiet satisfaction at the successful training session.
Having felt the training session for the night was done, Azure said happily, his voice soft but firm, "Alright, team. That's enough for tonight. You all worked incredibly hard, and I'm very proud of each of you. Metang, you can release the Gravity now."
*THUD*
The sudden lightness was almost jarring after hours of resistance, and the Pokémon stretched, feeling their tired muscles relax and lengthen. They gathered around the comforting warmth of the fire, tired but deeply content.
Azure replenished the fire, watching the flames dance and crackle, sending sparks soaring towards the starlit sky. Letting his Pokémon take a full rest, he pulled up his Arc Phone, checking everyone's progress, 'Good. Seems like the training is working wonders, and Treecko learned the move Energy Ball and Detect. Nice.'
Azure felt satisfied with today's training session. His gaze lingered on his shadow as he pondered to himself curiously, 'Still with Marshadow in my shadow, I should have it teach Treecko how to apply the Agile and Strong Style soon. With its mastery of copying moves, it should give pointers for Treecko on how to perform them.'
Knowing his next training plan would be Azure checked his contacts. He smiled lightly, deciding to call Steven on his Arc Phone.
*RING*
After a few seconds, the call was made through as Steven looked a bit surprised, seeing Azure, as he said, surprised, "Azure…! Didn't expect a call from you at night, old friend. What's the call about?"
Azure smiled lightly, having a friendly relationship with Steven, as well as sent him to Kalos to understand Mega Evolution from Gurkinn. Azure could see a Key Stone Pin on Steven's chest breast pocket.
Azure grinned, seeing that Steven knew Mega Evolution. He replied casually, surprising Steven, "I called to tell you I'm in Hoenn right now, starting my new journey with a new team challenging Gym Leaders for the Hoenn League Pokémon Tournament."
This news surprised Steven from the other end. Then Steven slyly grinned as he requested in a serious tone, "… is that so, Azure? Look, I'll be frank. I require some help, and you happen to have the right requirements for it and the skill."
Hearing the seriousness in Steven's voice, Azure calmly grinned, but Steven could see the seriousness glint in his eyes as he replied, "Is that so, Steven? Well then… start talking, you have my full attention."
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A/N: Reach the goal of 100 PS to get a Bonus Chapter! Also, a quick update on the MC's Rotation!