Chapter 228: Companion
~Third POV~
[Hoenn Region, Meanwhile, Slateport City – Team Aqua HQ]
Meanwhile, in Team Aqua's hideout located in Slateport City, Matt, Shelly, and Amber stand at attention as their boss Archie congratulates them proudly, "Well done… Matt, Shelly, Amber… you have successfully stolen the Key Component for Sub-Marine Explorer 1. And as a reward… I shall promote you all to the rank of Aqua Admin."
All three said they're thankful and proud. Each lowered their head.
"Thank you very much."
"It's an honor, Archie."
"I humbly accept."
He promotes them to sub-leaders and gives them each a vest to mark their new position, proudly declaring, "From today on, you will wear these."
Each of them wore they're new Team Aqua Admin uniforms proudly. But Archie also warns that he hasn't forgiven them as he bluntly says, "However! This does not mean I have forgiven you… For your failure! Those four have seen your faces from my sources. They know it was Team Aqua drawing attention… I'm not telling you what to do, but… I'm sure you can figure it out. Am I right?"
He says he expects they know what to do about it, and they agree, "Yes, sir!!"
With each understanding, they need to get rid of the troublemakers. Archie gazed at his aquarium filled with Water Pokémon as he thought smugly, 'Even if they're champions or not, no one crosses Team Aqua. Soon, the world will be saved by the mighty Kyogre, expanding the ocean for the greater good!'
Archie chuckles coldly at the idea, gazing at his reflection. Awaiting the day when he'll expand the world's oceans, unaware of the consequences he'll bring to the world…
/////
[Hoenn Region, Next Day, Rustboro City]
The next day, Sapphire sits perched on a lamppost, whistling out at the ocean, "FWEEE!!"
To the side, Azure, with his Pikachu and Eevee, leaned against the lamppost, waiting for Sapphire to finish getting a call. In that time, he managed to get his Pokémon from Prof. Oak, traveling with him.
Azure currently has Metang, Corphish, Grovyle, Ralts, Slakoth, Vulpix, and Psyduck on his person. He smiled knowingly as his Ralts, Slakoth, and Corphish gained a few levels, staying a day under Prof. Oak's lab with his other Pokémon.
Not only that, he grinned, checking his Arc Phone that his team sent to Oak increased they're move pool and strength. But then they heard a voice calling out to Sapphire, "Sapphire – Wait! Hold it!"
Roxanne finally catches up to her and says in a tired tone, "Pant… pant… You rushed away so fast, we didn't finish talking about the badge and its significance, Sapphire."
However, Sapphire says bluntly, catching Roxanne off guard, "Gotta dash! Master and I are off to the next town!"
Roxanne's eyes darted towards Azure as he saluted casually, saying, "Yo!"
Roxanne blinked as she asked curiously, "You have a student?"
Azure shrugged his shoulders with Pikachu over his shoulder and Eevee on his head, yawning as he replied, "Yup! I was half in mind to deny her. But a clear walk in the woods, seeing the sea, can help the mind unwind."
Roxanne sighs but warns the duo of the next town in a concerned tone, "Fallbort Town and Mauville City are on the other side of the mountain – they're not very close."
However, Sapphire explained to Roxanne with a confident grin on her face, "Nah! We're goin' to Dewford Town!"
Roxanne stood there, confused as she explained to her an issue, "We don't have a regular ferry service. How do you plan to cross the water?"
*PFSSSH*
Azure answered this one as he said casually, "Riding a Pokémon. It's her father's Pokémon helping us out."
*SWOOOOSH*
The Pokémon they'll use to head to Dewford Town is Lorry, a Wailord that Sapphire borrowed from her father. Lorry appears and Sapphire leaps onto its back, greeting it happily, "Yeah!! Long time no see, Lorry!!"
*Tmp*
Azure jumped forward using his Running Shoes to land on the Lorry. He looked impressed how big it was as he muttered, "Dang, this guy is big… could probably lift more people to travel around."
*SPLASH*
Afterward, Lorry took the two as they swam away, and Roxanne tried to yell across the water the full explanation about Gym Badges and the Pokémon League. But unfortunately, they couldn't hear them anymore…
/////
[Hoenn Region, Later, Route 105 – Island Cave]
Climbing onto Lorry's broad back felt like boarding a living island. The Wailord, with a gentle rumble and a powerful flick of its massive tail, propelled them away from Rustboro, the city skyline shrinking behind them as they glided over the cerulean waves of the open sea.
The journey was pleasantly serene, the gentle rocking of the ocean a soothing rhythm. Sapphire, however, couldn't sit still for long. She began, her voice barely containing her excitement, "Master! Can we... can we train? I want to see how you do it! Chic and Rono are ready!"
Azure surveyed the endless expanse of water. Checking his Arc Phone using the Map App, he replied casually, "Patience, Sapphire. The ocean offers numerous opportunities, but training requires a stable foundation. We'll find an islet or a sandbar along Route 105. There are plenty of them."
True to his word, after a few hours of travel, Lorry gently nosed up to a small, uninhabited island, little more than a stretch of pristine white sand dotted with a few hardy palm trees. It was far from any established routes, a perfect, secluded training ground.
Azure checked his Arc Phone Map App eyes widened a bit, surprised. He thought cautiously, reading the info correctly, 'Wait… this is the Island Cave. The place where Regice resides… no, first I'll train Sapphire before making any decisions.'
Azure stated, dismounting Lorry with practiced ease as he explained, "This will do. Alright, Sapphire. Let's see your partners. And then, I'll show you a glimpse of what lies beyond conventional training."
Sapphire eagerly released Chic, her Torchic, and Rono, her Aron. Chic, a bundle of feathery fire, bounced excitedly for training. Rono, solid and stoic, stood by her side, its metallic hide gleaming in the sun.
They looked at Azure with a mixture of curiosity and awe, recognizing the immense power he exuded, even at rest. Azure unclipped his Poké Balls from his belt as he yelled, "Alright, everyone, out!"
*Pop*
Eight flashes of light erupted, materializing Metang, Grovyle, Ralts, Vulpix, Psyduck, Corphish, and Slakoth. Each Pokémon looked around, then at Azure, awaiting instructions with determination.
Sapphire, Chic, and Rono watched, wide-eyed. But her eyes wandered to another Ralts sniffing as she thought confused, 'Hold on… isn't that Ruby's Ralts? What's it doing here with him?'
Sapphire contemplated this but waited to hear Azure's words first. Azure began, his voice calm but authoritative, "Alright, team! Let's start with some gravity training. And you, Rara, you can help us keep watch for now since your Trainer wouldn't like it if you got involved and accidentally evolved you."
Rara nodded as she took Pikachu and Eevee's side, calmly watching the group. He turned to Sapphire as she froze, hearing Rara's name.
He casually explained as she listened intently to his words, he provided to her, "This is a fundamental part of my regimen. It teaches endurance, precise control, and how to harness one's internal energy. Metang, I need you to create a controlled, localized gravitational field over this area. Enough to feel the strain, but not to cause injury."
*Shiii*
Metang's eyes glowed with a faint blue aura. The air around them grew subtly heavier, pressing down with an invisible force.
*THUD*
Sapphire gasped, feeling a sudden, inexplicable weight on her limbs. Chic stumbled, and Rono's metallic body seemed to sink slightly into the rock.
Sapphire strained, trying to lift her arm, "This is incredible!"
Azure nodded as he explained calmly to her, "It works on psychic energy, manipulating the very fabric of space around us… Now then."
Azure soon shifted his attention to his Pokémon as he gave each of them instructions as they listened intently to what he said, "Now, Metang, Vulpix, Psyduck, Corphish, you'll perform a series of power exercises. Vulpix, intricate evasion drills under this increased pressure while attempting to master Inferno and Fire Blast. Psyduck, focus your Psychic, try to counteract the gravity with your psychic force. Corphish, a hundred rapid-fire Bubble Beam volleys."
The Pokémon immediately went to work. Vulpix became a blur of motion, leaping and twisting, its movements fluid despite the invisible resistance.
Psyduck closed its eyes, a faint, pulsing aura surrounding it as it attempted to push back against the gravity. Corphish opened its pincers wide, unleashing a torrent of bubbles that popped with surprising force against the heavy air.
Each grunt of effort, each strained movement, spoke of intense exertion. Then he turned his attention to Slakoth as he said, "Slakoth, your turn. I want you to make three laps around this island, maintaining a steady pace. No slacking off. Succeed and you get to slack off all you want for the day."
Slakoth, to Sapphire's surprise, didn't argue. With a groan of effort, the normally lethargic Pokémon began to lumber forward, its movements slow but incredibly powerful, each step shaking the ground.
Despite its laziness, it had a determined glint in its eye as it thought, 'I get to laze off all day for 3 laps? Done.'
Sapphire watched, mesmerized. She muttered, stunned, "I thought Slakoth was supposed to be lazy!"
Azure nearby, hearing this, nodded his head as he replied casually, "They are, by nature. Which is why this training is so vital for them. I can't do anything about their laziness, so I opted for this method of training him through motivation. Little exercise and experience. The Gravity Training also helps Slakoth out, too."
Sapphire stared at the lagging Slakoth doing laps as she muttered, "How exactly? Isn't it known as the Slacker Pokémon?"
Azure replied, his voice calm and focused, answering her question, "Most trainers focus on offensive power, defensive resilience, or speed. All are vital, but without absolute mastery over one's own body, without understanding the forces that constantly act upon us, true potential remains untapped."
He gestured to Metang, who was now slowly, deliberately hovering a few feet off the ground, a light tremor passing through its metallic form as it maintained its position against the force of gravity. Then, to Corphish as it launched its Bubble Beam move, struggling to launch each volley in quick succession, increasing its limbs' strength.
Azure began to explain with a smug grin, with his arms crossed, to Sapphire, "Think of it this way: gravity is the most constant, unyielding opponent we face. Every step, every jump, every movement must overcome its pull. By intentionally increasing that resistance, we force the body to adapt, to strengthen, to become more efficient."
Azure then began to demonstrate. He didn't just stand there; he performed a series of slow, controlled movements. His core was impossibly stable, his breathing deep and even. He moved through a complex series of stretches, then shifted into what looked like a graceful, almost dance-like martial art.
Each movement was deliberate, every muscle engaged, every fiber of his being focused on overcoming the subtle resistance of his weight. He moved with an economical grace that belied the effort.
Azure explained calmly, his voice unwavering even as he held a challenging pose, "It's not about brute strength. It's about nerve-muscle coordination, about understanding your center of gravity, about perfecting balance. The Pokémon and the trainer feel lighter, faster, and more agile than ever before."
Ending his practiced demonstration, he continued to further explain casually, "Their base stats don't change, but their effective power, speed, and endurance are magnified because their bodies have been trained to operate at a higher baseline. They learn to move optimally, to conserve energy, to hit harder with less effort, and to sustain performance for longer. High-risk battles need to have spare energy at hand."
He then had his Pokémon perform simple exercises. Metang practiced its levitation, focusing on maintaining perfect stillness in the air.
Grovyle, weighted down, performed agility drills, its movements slower but incredibly precise, each jump and dodge a testament to its struggle against the artificial resistance. Even Psyduck, looking more bewildered than usual, was made to hold a plank position, its webbed feet digging into the sand.
Vulpix practiced short, explosive bursts of speed, each dash feeling like a much longer sprint. Corphish was steadily increasing its succession volley of Bubble Beam at a steady pace.
Chic and Rono watched, their eyes wide with understanding. They saw not just the weights of gravity, but the discipline, the unwavering focus, the sheer will behind Azure and his Pokémon's every movement.
They saw what it took to become a champion – not just battles, but endless, meticulous preparation. Then, Azure turned to his Grovyle and Ralts as he said softly to them, "Ralts, you will mediate, expanding your empathic and psychic senses. Try to feel the subtle vibrations of the ocean, the currents, the life beneath the waves. Grow your awareness. Grovyle, it's time for Grass Pledge."
Grovyle nodded, its sharp eyes fixed on Azure expectedly. It seemed to pulse with a quiet determination.
Sapphire watched carefully as Azure began to explain, his voice calm and precise to his Pokémon, "Grass Pledge is not just about conjuring a burst of energy, Grovyle. You need to channel your inner Grass Type Energy, similar to Magical Leaf. Form it into a wall of leaves into a tornado."
Grovyle closed its eyes, its chest rising and falling slowly. Green energy began to shimmer around its body, coalescing into a small, unstable orb in its hands...
*Poof*
… It was a familiar light, but it lacked the vibrant density of a fully realized Grass Pledge. The orb flickered, then dissipated. Grovyle let out a frustrated growl.
Azure prompted, unflustered as he calmly said, using his Viridian Force, "Again. Remember, it's not about forcing it. It's about harmony. Feel the pulse. Connect. And try again…"
Grovyle tried again, and again, the green energy sputtered out before it could form a cohesive attack. Beads of sweat began to form on its brow. Its determination was fierce, but the subtle nuances of Grass Pledge eluded it.
Sapphire watched, fascinated. She'd seen Pokémon learn moves before, but never with such a deep, almost spiritual, focus. Azure explained, kneeling beside his partner, "It's about the pledge itself, Grovyle. Imagine the roots of the mightiest tree, drawing strength from the soil and water, reaching for the sun. Feel that life pulsating through you."
*Shiii*
Grovyle took a deep, shuddering breath. This time, as the green energy began to gather, it was different. More consistent, more vibrant. The air around it felt charged with a primal, earthy power.
Azure smiled as he muttered, allowing Grovyle to master Grass Pledge calmly, "Good. Keep that focus on the Grass Pledge, and you'll know the move naturally."
Sapphire was speechless. She couldn't help but mutter awed, "Whoa… so that's how you teach the move Grass Pledge? Awesome!"
Chic and Rono chirped and clanged, equally amazed. Azure chuckled as he said, lightly stretching his arms, "Yeah. But it does take some time for the move to stick, thus I suggest remembering this intense focus Grovyle is doing. Besides…"
Metang lowered the gravity field, and the sudden lightness felt almost disorienting. But Azure continued explaining calmly, "… That's how you push beyond limits, Sapphire. It's not just about hitting harder or moving faster. It's about understanding the very essence of your partner, and helping them unlock their full potential, their true nature."
He looked at Chic and Rono. He casually explained, gazing at them, "Your Torchic has the potential for incredible fiery power. Your Aron, for unyielding defense, but also for the perseverance to carve its path."
He turned to Sapphire, his gaze piercing but kind. He chuckled lightly as he said calmly, "You must understand that true strength comes from within, from the bond between trainer and Pokémon, and the relentless pursuit of self-improvement, for both of you. It's a journey, not a destination."
Sapphire nodded slowly, her usual boisterous energy momentarily subdued by the profound display she had witnessed. Her eyes held a new depth, a nascent understanding as she muttered, "I… I get it, Master. It's not just about winning. It's about… growing."
Sapphire didn't immediately do anything, but she watched Azure as he guided his Pokémon through more exercises. She began to experiment with Chic, guiding it through slow, deliberate movements, focusing on its center of gravity, on maintaining balance even as she subtly shifted its weight.
Rono, ever the sturdy one, began to practice its Iron Defense, not just hardening its skin, but focusing on a deeper, internal resistance, as if pushing against an invisible force. The sun began to dip towards the horizon, painting the sky in fiery hues of orange and purple.
Azure called his team back, praising their efforts in a happy tone, "That's enough for today. Remember, consistency is key."
As they re-boarded on Lorry, Sapphire was quieter than usual, her mind buzzing with the day's revelations. She wasn't just seeing a champion; she was witnessing a master as she thought in awe, 'Master wasn't just strong; he was profound. His methods were not just physical; they were spiritual, mental, and deeply connected to the essence of Pokémon existence.'
She said softly, her voice softer than he'd heard it all day, "Thank you, Master… I... I think I just learned more in one afternoon than I have in months."
Azure nodded, a faint smile playing on his lips as he replied casually, "We have a long journey ahead, Sapphire. This was just the beginning."
Lorry glided smoothly through the twilight waters. The salty breeze felt different now, imbued with the promising scent of hard work and the thrilling prospect of untapped potential.
Sapphire, looking out at the endless ocean, knew her path to conquering the Gym Leaders had just taken an extraordinary and unexpected turn, guided by the quiet wisdom of a Pokémon Master in the making…
While Sapphire daydreamed excitedly, she hadn't noticed Azure's gaze linger on the cave deep inside the Island Cave. He pondered dismissively, 'Too weak. We're too weak to face the Iceberg Pokémon currently… but I'll have Ralts have a psychic marker here to return to having the chance to capture Regice.'
Azure grinned, an idea forming in his head of capturing the Regis. But for now, he helplessly shook his head, focusing on his team growth for the time being…
/////
A/N: Reach the goal of 200 PS to get a Bonus Chapter!