Chapter 231: Gulie from Mawile
~Third POV~
[Hoenn Region, Later, Dewford Town – Granite Cave]
After getting their Pokémon healed from the Pokémon Center, the trio quickly goes to Granite Cave. Upon entering the cave, Ruby and Sapphire were arguing as she said, "Hey! Quit following me!"
Ruby replied bluntly with they're respective Pokémon following them, "I have something to do in this cave!"
Sapphire yelled back, baffled by Ruby's continuous persistence, "And what are you gonna do in this cave?!"
Ruby shouted back at Sapphire, fussing angrily, "That's none of your business."
Azure sighed helplessly as they discovered a fork in the area. Seeing this, Azure spoke happily with Grovyle and Corhish, out following behind, "Perfect timing! It appears that the road splits into two directions here."
Sapphire takes one of the paths as she said stubbornly, "I'm gonna take the path on the right! You're coming with me, right, Master?"
However, to her and Ruby's shock, he replied casually, following the boy, "Nah. I think this is a good part where we split off ways, Sapphire. I also need to do my training here, too, and search for any Pokémon I want to capture. If we both go, we'll probably compete over it. So, focus on your training!"
Sapphire frowned but nodded her head, not disagreeing with the idea, but left with a huff, "… Hmph!!"
With that, the two left as Azure asked curiously, having a friendly relationship with Ruby, about his purpose in Granite Cave, "Since we're alone, what's your true purpose coming here, Ruby? Coming to caves doesn't sound like you… Not unless you came to hunt for a Pokémon."
Ruby frowned lightly before he revealed a picture dictionary about Water Pokémon of the Hoenn Region, as he asked curiously, "… yeah. I wouldn't want my Pokémon dirty unless it was something worthwhile. But with your years of experience, I'm wondering if you know this Pokémon…."
Ruby reveals that he is there to find a Milotic, as shown in the book. Azure eyes the picture as he replied calmly, "The Tender Pokémon Milotic, huh? Aiming for such a rare and powerful Pokémon."
Ruby nodded his head as he began to explain his idea of having such a Pokémon on his team, passionately saying, "Yeah! I had no idea such a beautiful Pokémon existed! I have to catch one!! A Milotic would be perfect to win the Beauty Category of a Pokémon Contest. As of now… the first goal of my Journey is to get a hold of this Pokémon!! And so…"
*Pop*
Ruby did his pose as he brought out his Kiki, Nana, Rara, and Mumu already out as he explained happily, "We're going to do a thorough search of everywhere we go!! I have a hunch that this Water-Type Pokémon doesn't live in salty water like the sea… but in fresh water springs and such like this pool…"
Showing the pool in their sight of view, Ruby continued explaining as he says passionately, "Look into its cool depths… don't you get the feeling that it must be filled with cute and beautiful Pokémon?"
Azure, with his Pokémon, looked with a raised eyebrow. They simply shrugged as he asked Ruby, halting him, "Searching for a Wild Milotic is going to be hard, Ruby. If anything, going after a Feebas would've been much easier as they evolve into one."
*SNAP*
Ruby and his Pokémon froze in they're tracks hearing that. Ruby turned with widened eyes as he asked, stunned, "Wait…! You mean you know that much about Milotic! And know how to evolve them?! Can you please tell me!!"
Azure took the book from Ruby examining it intently as he explained casually, not minding his insistence as he said bluntly, "Sure… here. You'll need to capture this Pokémon to get it to evolve into a Milotic."
Ruby saw the picture showing Feebas as he froze, seeing that. He blinked slowly as he turned to Azure and back to the picture, as he shuddered, saying, "… wait… You mean that ugly fish… evolves into that?! But how…?!!"
Azure smiled, returning the book to Ruby as he explained calmly a few possibilities, getting his immediate attention, "Pretty simple but difficult to pull off. The first is that you need to max its Beauty stat to evolve Feebas into Milotic. Or… if you have a Prism Scale, just use that to evolve the Feebas into Milotic. Never underestimate the power of evolution."
Ruby contemplated hearing the information, processing his words deeply. He shifted to Rara as it shook its head, making Ruby think critically, 'Rara just confirmed he wasn't lying… then to have a Milotic I have to raise its Beauty Stat to the max… or somehow get a Prism Scale…'
Ruby smirked at the idea of finding a new way of obtaining a Milotic. He thought confidently, 'Despite it being ugly looking at first… once it evolves, it can become a top-tier beauty to have! And besides, when Nana evolves, she'll look even cooler than before! I'll just have to bite the bullet till I can find a Feebas and evolve it…'
Ruby shivered at the idea of owning an ugly Pokémon like Feebas, but if he could evolve it, then it would be worth it in his eyes. But then something caught their attention…
*FWP*
The flapping sounds of Golbat and Zubat passed by them. And at the same time, a group of Geodudes and Gravelers ran past them.
Azure's eyes narrowed as he thought cautiously, 'They ran away frightened…'
Once the Pokémon groups fled, Ruby took notice of a horde of wild Mawile, which he finds to be cute as he says happily viewing they're cuteness, "Oh… phew. That's better. This spot has cute Pokémon too – "
*SHINNG*
Before Ruby could react, Azure grabbed him by the back of his shirt as he ordered, "Now! Agile Style Leaf Blade and Metal Claw!"
*CLANG*
Despite their innocent appearance, the Mawile began attacking, but Azure was quick to react as his Grovyle and Corphish reacted, combating the one attacking Ruby. They managed to deflect Mawile's Bite attack.
*SNAP*
One of them traps Nana in one of their jaws. Ruby's eyes snapped, seeing this as he glared, thinking, 'I've just got reunited with Rara! No way I'm allowing someone or something to take my Pokémon away from me again!'
Azure slyly smiled as Ruby reunited with Rara, making him bond more deeply with his Pokémon. But when he saw Nana get taken away, something in him snapped as his eyes sharpened, ignoring the world around him.
He issued a command effectively with an angry tone, "Damn it… Rara! Magical Leaf! Kiki! Copycat Magical Leaf! Mumu! Water Gun!"
*SHIII*
*SHINNG*
*SPLASH*
All his Pokémon followed as they managed to push back the Mawile. Azure followed along as he commanded calmly, "Grovyle! Agility to grab Nana! Corphish! Strong Style Bubble Beam to back him up!"
*Zooom*
Grovyle zoomed through the horde of wild Mawile, jumping over they're heads. It hopped each one's head, grabbing Nana as they tried to snap Grovyle into its horn mouths…
*SPLASH*
… But Corphish shot a volley of Bubble Beam, intercepting their focus. Having maintained their ground against the horde of wild Mawile…
*Rstl*
Before they can attack again, Ruby is saved by a man, leaving Azure alone to deal with the Mawile group as he asked, concerned, "Are you all right?"
Ruby's eyes widened as his Pokémon got near the man, as he said, stunned, "Yeah, I'm fine – wait, you forgot about – "
But the man calmed down as he said calmly, gazing at Azure, dealing with the horde of wild Mawile, "No, I didn't. He can take care of himself just fine, it seems."
*Pop*
A few Poke Balls were hurled out from Azure's side, bringing out Psyduck, Vulpix, Metang, Kirlia, and Vigoroth as he began issuing commands, "Time to grind everyone! Psyduck! Water Pulse! Vulpix! Flamethrower! Kirlia! Magical Leaf! Vigoroth! Mega Punch! Metang! Confusion! Don't let up, everyone take them down!"
*PEW*
The battle between Azure's group and the wild horde of Mawile escalated as the man chuckles, seeing Azure get to work calmly, introducing himself, "It seems to me my friend is already on his job, dealing with the Mawile. The Deceiver Pokémon have quite a timid demeanor, but attack suddenly with their gaping jaws, which are actually horns. I apologize, it seems I didn't introduce myself. I'm Steven Stone and – "
*Shing*
Before he could finish saying his word, suddenly, Nana began to glow, alarming Ruby as he asked, concerned, "Nana!! What's happening?!"
*WOMWOM*
At the same time, Kiki does the same glowing as it touches the Moon Stone located in Steven's pocket. Steven explained calmly, "It looks like two of your Pokémon are starting to evolve. Now, we need to remain on guard and focus on how we're going to deal with this vicious pack of Mawile or – "
But Steven was interrupted as he called out fiercely, "Pikachu! Hit'em with a Strong Style… THUNDERBOLT!"
*BOOOM*
Steven stopped speaking as Azure sent his Pikachu, seeing that the wild horde of Mawile was beginning to overtake his Hoenn team. Having had enough, he sent his Pikachu to deal a powerful Thunderbolt, electrocuting all the Mawile horde in the group one one-shotting them on the spot.
*Thud*
The horde of wild Mawile fainted on the spot as Steven blinked, chuckling lightly, "Or… just wait for him to use his Pikachu. I suppose this works."
Seeing the defeated Wild Mawile Azure sighed helplessly, seeing they're state as he muttered under his breath, "Sigh… no doubt these gals would not see me as a partner of Mega Evolution. Talk about bad luck here…"
Turning around, he saw Steven and Ruby come out from they're spot. Seeing Steven Azure smiled slyly as he finger saluted to his friend, "Why, if it isn't Steven Stone! Took me a while to find you, old chum!"
Ruby took the chance to photograph his Pokémon evolution to their next stage, meanwhile listening to their conversation as Steven says calmly, "A pleasure meeting you again, as well, Azure. I take it everything in Hoenn has been enjoyable?"
Azure chuckled but then sighed out loud, grabbing the letter from his father as he explained himself in a serious tone, "Yeah. But I wish we'd met under the best of circumstances, old friend, but… you'll need this letter from your father and what happened a few days back."
Steven's eyes widened slightly in surprise as he muttered, "! A letter from… my father?! Can you please explain what happened…?!"
Understanding Steven's shock, Azure explained what happened in Petalburg Town and his brief encounter with Team Aqua and Magma during his travels in Hoenn. Steven's eyes narrowed as he muttered coldly, "I see…"
Taking the moment to breathe, exhaling the bad news he received, he opened the letter. His eyes widened before slowly calming himself down as he thought fondly, 'Hm… a type of braille… just like the stone plate! In ancient letters that the enemy can't read! This message fills in the missing section of the stone plate! My father did analyze it successfully just in time! I see!'
Steven smiled as he held the letter close to his person. He turned to see Azure as he said calmly, thanking him greatly, "Thanks again, Azure. It seems to me I truly owe you one for saving my father. I was planning to hand these to you when we met again. I knew how hard it was for you to find this Pokémon, and you'll need these items. Please take this as my token of thanks."
Steven reaches into his pocket, giving Azure the gifts he prepared for him. Along with them, a Poké Ball containing Bagon as he checked the items he obtained, smiling thankfully.
[Item: Prism Scale
Rarity Item: -
Type: Held Item
Description: A mysterious scale that causes a certain Pokémon, Feebas, to evolve. It shines in rainbow colors.]
[Item: Ability Capsule x5
Rarity Item: -
Type: Item
Description: A capsule that allows a Pokémon with two Abilities to switch between these Abilities when it is used.]
[Item: Ability Patch x5
Rarity Item: -
Type: Item
Description: A patch that can be used to change the regular Ability of a Pokémon to a rarer Ability.]
Azure's eyes widened seeing the gift as he thanked Steven happily, "No way! A Prism Scale, Ability Patch/Capsule, and Bagon! Thanks, man!"
Steven chuckled, waving him off, but Azure checked the Poké Ball given to him with a pleased grin. He smiled as he pressed the button on the Poké Ball and released the Pokémon inside.
*Pop*
Ruby's expression froze seeing the Pokémon that came out in a flash of white light revealed a small, pale blue figure with a tough, silver-gray skull covering its head. His heart froze as it cried out cutely, "Bagon!"
Ruby froze as the Bagon looked up at Azure with wide, curious eyes. Without any hesitation, it ran up to him, hugging his leg and rubbing against it affectionately.
Azure chuckled, leaning down as he placed his hand over Bagon, softly said, "No worries, buddy, you're my Pokémon now. And I promise to help you soar to the sky!"
Bagon's eyes perked at this. It gratefully followed Azure with Steven finally responding, crossing his arms together, "I'm glad to see you're forming a close bond with Bagon. I'm happy you enjoy my gift."
Bagon looked up with its head in confusion as Azure fed it a Poke Block, casually saying happily, "No worries. I promise to make you fly if you follow my command! We'll make you an awesome Pokémon yet!"
Bagon nodded, fully confident and trusting of Azure. Azure took the chance to see Bagon's status and info.
[Bagon the Rock Head Pokémon. Bagon lives in rough terrain with cliffs and rocks. It is spurred by a powerful desire to one day fly, and it becomes violently envious when it sees bird Pokémon in flight. Bagon leaps from high cliffs every day in doomed attempts to fly, and it vents its frustration by bashing its head into surrounding rocks.
Because of this behavior, its head has grown hard as steel, and its muscles are well-developed, especially in its neck, making it strong enough to destroy a boulder in one strike. It is a solitary Pokémon that prefers not to form groups. It is thought that Bagon's dream of flight stems from genetic information, and its behavior stimulates its cells in turn to prepare it for Evolution.]
|Name: Bagon (Rock Head Pokémon)
|Type: Dragon
|Level: 20
|Gender: Female
|Held Item: None
|Ability: Sheer Force (Hidden Ability)
|Nature: Naïve
|Moves: Leer, Scary Face, Ember, Bite, Dragon Breath, Headbutt, Rage, Dragon Dance (IM), Dragon Rush (EM) (8 Moves left to learn)
He grinned happily, recalling his Pokémon, except for Grovyle and Corphish, still out. But then Azure gave Steven a gift as he said cheekily, "Since you're sharing gifts, I have something for you. It might come in handy in the future. Sacred Ash to restore anything that works on people and Pokémon. Use it wisely, friend."
Steven's eyes widened, seeing that he was handed such a rare item. Azure grinned as he said seriously, "No way you're getting away from me before our battle, Steven. Besides that, the two evil groups you mentioned have a name: Beware of Team Aqua and Magma. I've already encountered both."
Hearing his words, Steven looked genuinely surprised but chuckled lightly, hearing his words as he thought, 'He'd already encountered them. Team Aqua and Magma. Good to know who we were fighting against at least.'
Steven smiled lightly, having a life insurance policy in hand. With that, Steven spoke calmly, taking his chance to leave, but stopped in front of Ruby, "With this letter, I have something urgent I must do. But first, I need allies who will help me defeat the two great evils that lurk in Hoenn!! You boy! What's your name? How old are you…?"
Ruby, flabbergasted, replied in a confused voice, "Ruby. Eleven."
Steven lightly frowns as he sighs helplessly, as he begins to turn to leave, muttering out loud, "Ruby. Only 11, eh? If you were older, I'd ask you to join me."
Ruby rubbed his head as he sheepishly hid his skills. But Steven stops him as he said calmly, then gazes at Azure, "Do you really think I didn't notice your skill…? But I suppose I can't ask much or reason why Ruby… but Azure, think you can lend a hand in these trying times?"
Azure gave him a thumbs up as he replied proudly with a smug grin, "Why ask the obvious? Do you always need a reason to help someone?"
Steven grins lightly, hearing the news as he turns, leaving a dismissive wave to him in a thankful tone, "If that's the case, I'll take my leave then. I hope everything goes well in your Gym Challenges. I'll be waiting for you when the time comes…"
Soon, Steven left the area as Ruby wondered curiously, looking between the champions as he thought cautiously, 'Two great evils that lurk in Hoenn… I wonder what they meant by that… and why would it need 2 Champion-level Trainers to battle them…'
Ruby pondered this before he dismissed the idea as Azure said calmly, interrupting his train of thought, "Since we have some time, Ruby, how about we search for that Feebas or Milotic around Granite Cave lakes here. I'll handle the Wild Pokémon so you won't battle and assist in your search."
Ruby smiled, hearing that, as he disliked battling. He nodded in agreement, saying passionately, "Great! The more the merrier in finding that beauty! Onward we go to find the Feebas or Milotic!"
With that, Azure helped Ruby search to see any Feebas or Milotic in the area. He knew there wasn't any in Granite Cave, but he didn't know for certain either, but it did bring Pokémon for his team to battle against to gain experience.
/////
A/N: Reach the goal of 100 PS to get a Bonus Chapter!