Chapter 238: Battle… Ruby?!
~Third POV~
[Hoenn Region, 2 Days Later, Route 108]
The salt-laced wind of the Hoenn region carried the scent of distant land and the promise of boarding Sapphire's immense Wailord, Lorry, for the next leg of their journey, continuing to travel Route 108.
Lorry, an ocean-going behemoth of a Pokémon, was less a ride and more a mobile base. Its vast, flat back provided ample space for training, relaxation, and even a makeshift galley as they enjoyed the ride.
The journey, past the intricate rock formations of Route 107 and into the open expanse of Route 108, was a balm to Azure's soul. He spent his days observing the vastness of the sea, meditating, and meticulously planning his team's development.
Within their Poké Balls, his Hoenn-born partners patiently awaited their turn: the metallic sheen of Metang, the lithe posture of Grovyle, the elegant grace of Gardevoir, the fiery spirit of Vulpix, the serene power of Golduck, the fierce determination of Crawdaunt, the raw potential of Bagon, and the boundless energy of Vigoroth. Each was a piece of the intricate puzzle he was building for the Hoenn League.
Two days blurred into one on the open water. The sun rose and set spectacularly, painting the sky in fiery hues that mirrored the ambition burning within each trainer. In the morning, Lorry breached the surface near a secluded, rocky island, untouched by human development.
Its craggy peaks and lush, hidden valleys made it an ideal training ground. Azure disembarked first, his seasoned eyes already assessing the terrain.
He immediately set up a rigorous training regimen of Gravity Training. But unlike before, though, with the 2 days having passed, he had his Metang teach Gardevoir the move, along with a few others, having guidance to master them.
He, himself, would often spar with his own Pokémon under enhanced conditions, relying on his peak physical conditioning. Azure called out, his voice calm but firm, echoing across the island's natural amphitheater, "Alright, team! Let's get started. Sapphire, bring out Chic, Rono, Kirly, and Relly. We're focusing on core strength and explosive power today."
Sapphire eagerly released her Pokémon following Azure's command. Chic, the Combusken, immediately began mimicking Azure's warm-up stretches, its fiery crest bobbing.
Rono, a sturdy Lairon, emitted a low growl of anticipation, steam puffing from its nostrils. Kirly, the Gallade, floated gracefully, ready to concentrate its psychic energy. Relly, the ancient Relicanth, settled near a small pool, its eyes fixed on Azure, ready to push its incredible bulk against the water's resistance.
Azure demonstrated a series of movements – deep squats with heavy rocks, pushing against dense earth, even simple jumps amplified by the island's natural weight. He moved with a fluid power that belied his calm demeanor, his muscles rippling under his training session.
Sapphire and her Pokémon followed suit, though with varying degrees of success. Chic grunted through its push-ups, its feathered arms trembling. Rono scraped its claws against the rock, practicing its Iron Defense.
Kirly shimmered with psychic effort as it levitated boulders, its body quivering with strain as it tried to use Leaf Blade following Azure's Grovyle example. And Relly and Crawdaunt created powerful currents in its small pool, swimming tirelessly against the resistance under Golduck's supervision, teaching them the vital moves of Dive, Surf, Waterfall, and Whirlpool.
Azure moved among them, offering precise feedback, adjusting their stances, and encouraging them to find their inner strength. Ruby, however, watched from a distance, lounging under a palm tree, idly taking care of his Pokémon's needs.
He stroked Kiki, his Delcatty, who purred contentedly in his lap, and patted Rara, his Kirlia, who floated nearby, mimicking Ruby's relaxed posture. Ruby called out, a hint of disdain in his voice, "No offense, Azure, but all that grunting and sweating just isn't my style. A true Coordinator builds elegance, grace, and appeal, not brute force. My Pokémon are artists, not brawlers."
Azure merely smiled, pausing his training to wipe a bead of sweat from his brow as he replied casually, "There's strength in elegance, Ruby, just as raw power is elegant. Battle isn't just about hitting hard; it's about control, precision, and understanding your Pokémon's full potential. But, as always, the choice is yours."
He returned to guiding Relly's deep-dive resistance training, leaving Ruby to his contemplation. Later that evening, as the first stars began to pepper the twilight sky and a small campfire crackled, Ruby approached Azure, a rare look of earnestness replacing his usual nonchalance.
He fidgeted with the ribbon case, something he rarely did. He asked nervously, "Azure… I know you have a Prism Scale."
Azure looked up from sharpening a berry-gathering knife, his eyes keen. He carefully placed the knife down as he replied calmly, "Indeed, it was a gift from a Steven Stone, a friend of mine. Why do you ask, Ruby?"
Ruby hesitated, his usual bravado faltering. His eyes gleamed with a fanaticism Azure rarely saw in the Coordinator. As he explained passionately, "Milotic… It's considered the most beautiful Pokémon in the world. Imagine its appeal in a Contest! Its beauty, its grace… it would guarantee me every Master Rank ribbon in Hoenn! But finding a Feebas is hard enough, let alone a Prism Scale."
Azure leaned back, considering. He calmly responded, gazing at Ruby's expression, "A Milotic would indeed be a magnificent Partner for Contests, Ruby. Its beauty is legendary, its poise unmatched. But a Prism Scale is not something I give away lightly. It holds sentimental value, and I had intended to use it myself, should I ever encounter a deserving Feebas."
Ruby's face fell. He turned to walk away, disappointment etched on his features as he muttered, "Oh. Right. Of course."
Seeing him about to leave Azure, slyly grinned as his voice stopped him, "However… I am willing to part with it, on one condition."
Ruby spun around, hope rekindling in his eyes as he said, "Anything! Name it!"
Azure's lips curved into a slight smile. He bluntly said, causing Sapphire to chuckle at the sight of the request, "A Pokémon battle. A Double Battle, to be precise. You must defeat me, using two of your Pokémon against two of mine. If you manage to win, the Prism Scale is yours."
Ruby's jaw dropped in disbelief, Sapphire snickering in the background. The words were a bitter pill, a challenge to everything he stood for.
Pokémon Battles were messy, unappealing, and uncouth. It lacked the artistry of a Contest his so used to.
But the image of a majestic Milotic, showered in ribbons, flashed in his mind. He repeated, disbelief warring with desire, "A battle? Against you? The Indigo League Champion? How's that exactly fair!"
Azure nodded his head, seeing Ruby's point, as he casually replied, "No worries, I won't be using my Pikachu and Eevee. Wouldn't be a fair match, I'll use my Hoenn Pokémon I got from this region."
Ruby frowned lightly, hearing this, as the past few days had been training his Pokémon while he hadn't once. Azure eyes twinkling as he continued, "If you truly wish for that, Milotic, Ruby, then you must prove you are willing to face any challenge for your dreams, even one that pushes you outside your comfort zone. This isn't just about winning, Ruby; it's about demonstrating your resolve and the bond you share with your Pokémon, even in a context you dislike."
A flicker of determination, surprising in its intensity, crossed Ruby's face. He glanced at Kiki and Rara, who looked up at him with expectant eyes, seemingly sensing his internal conflict standing by his side.
Contests might be his passion, but he cared deeply for his Pokémon, and perhaps, on some level, wanted to prove their worth beyond the show stage. Ruby declared, straightening his pose, a hint of his usual flamboyant pride returning, "Fine… You've got yourself a deal, Azure. But don't expect it to be easy. My Pokémon may be artists, but even artists can pack a punch!"
With that settled after finishing they're lunch, the island became their arena. Sapphire, keenly interested, set up a boundary with some stray ropes, while Chic and Rono rooted for their trainer and Azure's team.
Azure stood calm and collected, his Poké Balls ready. Ruby, on the other hand, looked surprisingly focused. Azure grinned as he thought, 'Finally… I've got to see Ruby get serious. Even after these past few days, he won't be motivated till he puts his mind to it.'
He had shed his usual flamboyant accessories, his expression serious, a rare sight. Ruby announced, taking a deep breath, "Alright, Azure… First, let's see if your companions can handle a little artistic flair! Go, Kiki! Rara!"
*Pop*
With twin flashes of light, Ruby's Delcatty, Kiki, and Kirlia, Rara, appeared. Kiki, a picture of grace, stretched languidly before settling into a poised battle stance, her beautiful fur gleaming. Rara, equally elegant, floated beside her, its eyes fixed on Azure, a small smile on its lips.
Azure acknowledged them with a nod. He hurled two Poke Balls as he declared, "A fine choice, Ruby. Very well then. Bagon! Gardevoir! Show them your strength!"
*Pop*
From their Poké Balls, a young, determined Bagon roared, its head as hard as stone, eager for battle. Beside it, Gardevoir materialized, its serene demeanor a stark contrast to Bagon's raw vigor, its green hair flowing as it prepared its psychic and fairy powers.
Sapphire, acting as their referee, called out, her voice echoing the excitement in the air, "Battle start!"
Ruby wasted no time, shouting his first command with surprising confidence, "Kiki, start with Bagon! Rara, use Hypnosis on Gardevoir!"
Kiki, with a playful wink, blew a stream of pink hearts towards Bagon. Ruby, ever the showman, clearly intended to incapacitate Azure's elegant Psychic-type.
Simultaneously, Rara's eyes glowed, sending an iridescent wave of energy towards Gardevoir. Azure, however, was prepared as he countered, "Gardevoir, use Gravity! Bagon, use Twister!"
*Shiii*
Gardevoir's hands glowed, and a shimmering, ethereal psychic energy erupted from its body, blanketing the ground around Azure's Pokémon. Then it pushed forward as the powerful effects of Gravity.
*THUD*
The Attract was then crushed down as Gardevoir's eyes glowed. Bagon breathed out a powerful tornado using Twister, blocking the Hypnosis waves.
*Wooosh*
Kiki and Rara were then pushed down by the sudden force of gravity, but powered through for Ruby's sake. Azure then seized the chance, "Gardevoir support Bagon! Bagon Agile Style Headbutt!"
*Wooosh*
Bagon then charged Kiki, its head glowing with normal-type energy. Ruby commanded, adapting quickly, "Kiki, Double Team!"
Kiki shimmered, creating multiple illusory copies of herself. Bagon's Headbutt ripped through one, then another, but couldn't connect with the real Delcatty, which nimbly danced away, its Contest training in evasion serving it well.
Ruby pressed his advantage, knowing Bagon's Dragon typing would be weak to Fairy-type moves, "Rara, use Draining Kiss on Bagon!"
Rara floated swiftly towards Bagon, its lips puckered, a pink aura gathering around them. But Azure calmly countered his voice, unwavering, a testament to his experience, "Gardevoir, use Psychic to hold Rara! Bagon, Strong Style Dragon Breath on Kiki!"
*Shiii*
Gardevoir extended a hand, and an invisible force materialized, seizing Rara mid-air, holding the Kirlia immobile despite its struggles. Meanwhile, Bagon, frustrated by Kiki's evasions, let out a concentrated burst of shimmering blue energy.
*BOOM*
The Dragon Breath was wider than Headbutt, forcing Kiki to finally take a direct hit. The Delcatty cried out, stumbling backward, singed but not out.
Ruby's eyes hardened, trying to analyze the situation as his body recalls from its time training with Norman. Following his instincts, Ruby urged, his focus intense, "Kiki, use Disarming Voice! Rara, Future Sight on Bagon!"
*SCHEEEE*
Kiki, still reeling, let out a high-pitched, piercing shriek. The sound wave, a Fairy-type move, struck Gardevoir, which made the elegant Pokémon flinch, its Psychic hold on Rara waver momentarily.
*Shiii*
Using Teleport Rara, freed itself as its eyes darted at Bagon. Immediately, Rara began to gather psychic energy, forming a swirling orb above its head – a Future Sight attack, set to strike Bagon later.
Azure barked orders seriously, sensing the impending danger from Rara's delayed attack, "Gardevoir, Strong Style Psybeam on Kiki! Bagon, Agile Style Headbutt on Rara before it fully charges Future Sight!"
*PEW*
Gardevoir, recovering swiftly, focused its powerful psychic-type energy into a shimmering, destructive orb. It launched the orb into a beam using Psybeam at Kiki, who was still trying to recover from the Dragon Breath.
*BOOOM*
The attack struck true, engulfing the Delcatty in a brilliant, explosive burst of light. Kiki cried out, propelled backward, landing with a thump.
*Thump*
Its eyes swirled, clearly unable to continue, knocked out by the attack. Sapphire declared, her eyes wide with the intensity of the fight, "Kiki is unable to battle!"
Ruby's face tightened, a flicker of genuine shock in his eyes. He had lost his first Pokémon. But then, a steely resolve settled. He still had Rara. And Rara's Future Sight was still on its way.
Ruby commanded, his voice now laced with urgency, discarding all pretense of elegance for raw power, "Rara, Psychic! Full power!"
*Shiii*
Rara unleashed a focused Psychic beam at Gardevoir, the force of it pushing the graceful Pokémon back. Azure, seeing the raw emotion in Ruby's command, marveled at the shift in the Coordinator as he thought happily, 'This wasn't just a bet for him anymore; it was about proving something.'
While he was happy seeing this serious Ruby, he felt saddened as Azure thought coldly, 'He might've had the chance if he had trained with us prior. But as of now? He never stood a chance…'
Preparing to end the battle, Azure calmly ordered, "Gardevoir, Dazzling Gleam! Bagon, prepare for Future Sight and use Dragon Rush defensively!"
*Shiii*
Gardevoir shimmered with light, releasing a blinding wave of Fairy energy that washed over Rara. It landed, and Rara cried out, visibly weakened, but still standing, fueled by Ruby's desperate will.
Then, just as the Dazzling Gleam faded, the swirling orb of energy from Rara's Future Sight materialized above Bagon with the intention of unleashing an attack. It descended with incredible speed and power…
*BOOOM*
Bagon, having used Dragon Rush to brace itself, took the full force of the Psychic attack. It roared in pain, staggering back, but its sturdy build and sheer determination kept it from flinching.
It was hurt, but still in the fight, its determination mirroring its Trainer's. Ruby, seeing the damage to Bagon, pressed his advantage, desperation creeping into his voice, "Now, Rara, use Swift! Finish them off!"
*PEW*
Rara, despite its wounds, summoned its remaining energy, conjuring a volley of shining stars that shot towards Azure's Pokémon. But Azure was prepared.
Azure's voice was a sharp clap, decisive and unwavering, "Gardevoir, Strong Style Psychic, to intercept Swift! Bagon, Flamethrower on Rara!"
*Shiii*
Gardevoir, battered but resolute, erected a Psychic barrier that absorbed some of the incoming stars, protecting Bagon further. Bagon, seeing its opening, roared, gathering a magnificent ball of fire in its mouth…
*SSSSS*
It fired the Flamethrower at Rara. The attack, a powerful Fire-type move, slammed into the Kirlia with devastating force. Rara, already weakened, couldn't withstand it.
*Thud*
It let out a pained cry, collapsing to the ground, unconscious, "Krrra!!"
Sapphire announced, a mixture of awe and disappointment in her voice, but mostly awe at the performance, "Rara is unable to battle! Master wins!"
Silence fell over the small clearing, broken only by the gentle lapping of the waves against the shore. Ruby stood frozen, staring at his defeated Pokémon.
He slowly walked over to Kiki and Rara, gently returning them to their Poké Balls. His shoulders slumped, but when he turned back to Azure, there was no anger, only a complex swirl of emotions.
Ruby asked, his voice barely a whisper, still processing the raw power he'd faced, "You… you weren't holding back, were you?"
Azure approached, his Pokémon returning to his side, Bagon nuzzling his leg with a rumbling purr. He gave his Gardevoir a head pat, making her blush as he explained to Ruby calmly, "I never do, Ruby. Not when someone is serious about a challenge. But if you still want my Prism Scale, I'm always up for a battle whenever possible. Challenge me however many times you want."
Azure turned his back as he returned to Sapphire and his Pokémon, beginning to practice they're training again. Ruby stared at Azure's back, a complex swirl of emotions – frustration at the loss, immense admiration for Azure's skill, and a seed of newfound purpose…
He had lost, but he had fought with a passion he rarely displayed. His fingers trembled slightly, and the smooth surface of his Poke Ball felt cool against his skin. He looked at Kiki and Rara's Poké Balls, a new understanding dawning in his eyes.
The bet with Sapphire might have brought him here, but this battle with Azure had opened his eyes to a different kind of beauty – the beauty of a Pokémon's spirit, honed by challenge and determination. He gritted his teeth in frustration…
But then a flash of his memories recalled in his mind hearing Norman's words before he left him for 5 years, 'Ruby, keep practicing. And not half-heartedly. You must give it your all to master these skills, but… I won't be able to teach you anything anymore. You must be strong on your own. You'll have to attain your goal alone… and that will require a lot of inner strength.'
Ruby shook his head as he began to take care of his Kiki and Rara. But after that battle with Azure, he was shaken mentally after the match, contemplating to himself…
/////
A/N: Reach the goal of 200 PS to get a Bonus Chapter!