Chapter 244: Electric Gym… Battle? (2)
~Third POV~
[Hoenn Region, Underground Phantom (New Mauville City)]
It took a moment for Sapphire to regain her bearings. She blinked, her head throbbing as she groaned, "Argh… ow. Hey."
Dust motes danced in the slivers of light filtering from the opening above. The air was cool and damp. She pushed herself up, wincing.
"Don…"
Nearby, a loud grunt indicated Donphan was also stirring, shaking its head. A moment later, a groan came from the Trick Master.
The Trick Master mumbled, rubbing his temples, "Ugh… my head…"
He saw the Donphan, which was now fully awake and glaring at him. He accused, pointing a finger, "You! You knocked me down here!"
Donphan bellowed, taking a charging stance as it cried out, "Don!"
The Trick Master taunted, pulling a Poké Ball from his cloak argued, "Oh, you want a piece of me, do you?"
Before the two could argue, Sapphire yelled, jumping between the two, halting them in their tracks, "Hey! Cut it out, both of you! We just fell into a giant hole! Maybe we should focus on that first?"
The Trick Master huffed but lowered his Poké Ball. He conceded, "Fine, fine."
*PULL*
He then pulled a lever in his robot wooden walker. With a soft whir, a series of hidden lights embedded in the robotic pants flickered to life, illuminating a breathtaking scene as he said happily, "I've finally made it to the underground city of New Mauville!! Lights on!!"
*KLTTR*
They stood in a vast, sprawling underground city. Not a ruin, but a functional, albeit quiet, metropolis.
Streets, houses, and even what looked like a central power generator twisted through the subterranean landscape, all carved from the living rock, yet integrated with advanced, almost futuristic technology.
The Trick Master declared triumphantly, his voice echoing as he turned, looking for Wattson, "New Mauville! I found it! Just as I suspected! We found it, Wattson, old friend! Look! We're here!"
But Wattson was nowhere to be seen. But Sapphire was fed up with waiting as she grabbed the Trick Master, ordering him some answers, "I think it's about time you explained everything to me before I start lookin' for the old coot. What's the deal with this underground city anyway?!"
The Trick Master sighed as he relented explained to Sapphire in a tired tone, "Very well… as I told you, the city of New Mauville… was said to be constructed by our ancestors. But we were never able to prove its existence – until now. Nobody knows why the city was built. But we have a hypothesis…"
Sapphire raised an eyebrow as she said questioningly, as Donphan looked at them wearily with a worried expression, "And what's that?"
The Trick Master pointed to the sky above as he began to explain calmly to her, "What did you see before we fell here? Children's rights…? Many children. Mauville City has a great number of young people… but since the city is so small, we've always had a shortage of playgrounds and whatnot. Our ancestors… might have had the same problem, and this seems to have been their solution! Both Watty and I love children. This is exactly why we were hoping to discover New Mauville City."
Sapphire listened, a new respect dawning in her eyes as she muttered, "So, you both love children? That explains Wattson's... unique Gym Leader approach. In that case…"
The Trick Master paused as he uttered, "In that case…?"
She paused, then looked at the Trick Master. She declared happily, "I'll help ya!! However, I can!! And that can substitute for my Gym Battle!!"
She then turned around as she yelled at the top of her lungs, her voice echoing through the underground city, "I can't accept the badge without doin' somethin'!! Is that okay with you, mister Wattson?! Answer me if you can hear me!!"
As the echoes could be heard, the two soon heard Wattson finally reply in an echoed voice, "Sure! Sounds great! Now, could you come down here? Right away…?!"
Sapphire, hearing his voice, dashed off, the Trick Master and the now calmer Donphan following as she said, "He's over there!!"
She rounded a bend, expecting to see Wattson, but instead found only his two Magnemite, lying motionless on the ground, their electrical fields completely drained. The Trick Master's eyes widened in concern, "Ah! It's Watty's Electrike and Magnemite!!"
Wattson's Electrike, however, stood protectively over them, albeit looking a little winded. Sapphire knelt, gently picking up the Magnemite, "Oh no! What happened?"
Electrike whimpered, then nudged her with its snout, indicating a path deeper into the underground. Sapphire said worriedly, her brow furrowed, "He wants us to follow him. Something's wrong."
Carrying the inert Magnemite, Sapphire, and the Trick Master, followed Electrike through the labyrinthine streets of New Mauville. Electrike led them to what appeared to be the city's central power station.
*BZZZPOP*
*BZZZPOP*
There, humming dangerously, was a massive, antiquated power generator, crackling with uncontrolled energy. And stuck to its metallic casing, sparking from contact with the rogue machine, was Wattson, strained, his voice raspy, yelling, "Sapphire! Trick Master! Get back! This thing's gone haywire! It's already sucked the electricity right out of my Voltorb and Electrode – they're completely drained!"
*KRCKL*
*KRCKL*
Indeed, two more inert Electric-types lay near his feet. As if sensing their presence, the generator pulsed, then unleashed a blinding bolt of raw electricity, arcing directly towards them.
Sapphire shouted, shoving the Trick Master out of the way, "Look out!
*SMASH*
The bolt sizzled past, melting a section of the wall behind them. The Trick Master commented, regaining his footing, "Magnificent, and terrifying! It's unleashing its full potential! Electrike would be no match for that!"
With that, the trio began to run away from the generator. But the generator was quick. It shot off a peculiar, shimmering wave that washed over the area.
*SHIII*
Immediately, they were jerking erratically, struggling to stand straight as The Trick Master stumbled muttering in shock, "What in the...? My balance is off... it's like I'm walking through molasses..."
He looked down at his malfunctioning gear. They were being affected as he realized, "Aha! A magnetic field! That's it! It's emitting a powerful magnetic field that interferes with all mechanical processes, causing them to malfunction!"
Sapphire's eyes widened, and she looked at the Donphan, which had started to sway, its movements becoming strangely sluggish. She exclaimed in shock, pulling out her Pokédex, "Donphan!"
[Donphan, the Armor Pokémon. Donphan's favorite attack is curling its body into a ball, then charging at its foe while rolling at high speeds. Once it starts rolling, this Pokémon can't stop very easily.]
Sapphire cried, the realization hitting her as she explained, "That's it! When it rolled earlier, it wasn't angry because of the badge! It was sensing the change in the magnetic field from this thing, and it was trying to help us! It just didn't know how to express it!"
The Trick Master grunted, struggling against an invisible force as he muttered out loud, "Too late, young one. We're all caught in the generator's magnetic field now! It's incredibly difficult to stand!"
They all felt it now, a subtle but powerful pull, making their muscles protest and their bodies waver. Hope began to dwindle…
… Till a pair of voices echoed out with fierce commands, "Mumu! EARTHQUAKE! Pikachu! VOLT TACKLE! Rara/Gardevoir! PSYCHIC!"
*RMBL*
Upon hearing those voices, the situation turned. First came the rumbling of the generator as the Generator lost balance from back from the powerful earthquake attack…
*KABOOOM*
… Then followed next was a golden blur of electricity piercing through the Generator instantly without resistance. From the force of both attacks made Wattson and his Pokémon had to get out from the force of the attacks, falling into the air…
*SHIII*
… only to be lifted with blue psychic light as Wattson's eyes widened, looking at the source in a hearty laugh, "Hahaha! We'll be Wingull and fly! The cavalry has arrived!"
*Tmp*
Stepping into the light revealed Azure with his Eevee over his shoulder and Gardevoir to his right. Ruby with Mumu the Marshstomp by his inner left and Rara the Kirlia walking on his outer left, with both Psychic Type horns glowing, activating Psychic.
Arriving on time, the Generator stopped as Sapphire exclaimed in joy, greeting the two as Pikachu scampered to Azure's shoulder, "Oh, thank god! Glad to see ya, Master and… Ruby! You came to help!"
*THUD*
Ruby shyly smiled back, waving at them as the Generator stopped functioning and fell. Ruby responded sternly to her, "The heck was that supposed to mean! Just because you fell down the hole doesn't mean I'll help you out, idiot!"
Sapphire blushed at that but then yelled back, offended by his comment, "Hey! I'm not an idiot! You're the idiot, ya jerk!"
Ruby rolled his eyes, recalling his Pokémon seeing the danger pass. Azure did the same, gazing at the New Mauville City, said calmly, "Now, now, you two, calm down and take a Calm Mind... heh. Calm Mind. But anyway, Sapphire, at least you're fine, that's what matters. And you too, Mr. Wattson."
Wattson recalled his Pokémon as he thanked the two, handing them the Dynamo Badge in a thankful tone, "Why, thank you both for saving my ass! Here, take these Dynamo badges as thanks!"
Ruby, bewildered, looked at the badge with a raised eyebrow. Azure simply shrugged his shoulders as he thought, 'Well… I suppose not every Gym I have to battle for a badge. I'll consider this my Ash Badge win.'
[Item: Dynamo Badge
Rarity Item: A+
Type: Key Item
Description: A Gym Badge, commonly referred to as simply a badge, is an item that serves as proof of a Pokémon Trainer's victory in a battle against a Gym Leader at a Pokémon Gym. With this badge, Electric-Type Moves are increased by 12.5%, and controlling Pokémon is easier for the Trainer to command.]
After checking with [Observe] to see if it was legitimate, he grinned. But then an idea hit him as Azure asked sheepishly to Wattson, "Say, Wattson, you're a Gym Leader that breeds electric-type Pokémon, right? You wouldn't happen to have an Electrike you wouldn't mind me having for saving you?"
Wattson, hearing that, pondered lightly before ultimately nodding as he said happily, "Hmm… if it were anyone else, I would've said no. But! You did save me from that generator, so consider it done when we reach Mauville City! My Gym has a breeding house for those cute pups!"
Azure smiled at the news. But then Sapphire called out to everyone, pointing at the Generator in a curious tone, "Hey, guys! There's something inscribed here!"
This brought everyone's attention as they saw the description. They all read carefully the text along with a photo of a man.
====
My dear unknown descendants of the future. This gadget is my invention! If you ever find this place (which, if you're reading this, you must have!), feel free to push the red button and play to your heart's content! Harharhar!
Sincerely, Mister Trick, Genius.
====
Everyone was shocked by the news as they pressed the red button on the generator. Surprisingly enough, it was still active as it released jolts of electricity in the area, startling everyone.
*TNKTNK*
*RMBL*
With a soft whir, the generator flickered back to life, but instead of erratic sparks and dangerous surges, it emitted a gentle, pulsing flow of electricity that illuminated the city in soft, welcoming light.
Pathways lit up, and hidden mechanisms whirred into action, revealing intricate systems of moving platforms, fountains, and even holographic Pokémon that danced and played. Everyone grinned, seeing this revolutionary work, awed by the metropolis of New Mauville City come to life.
Sapphire watched the city come to life, a soft smile on her face. She admitted to Wattson, who was laughing heartily, "You know. You were right all along, Wattson. It wasn't about winning or losing for those kids. It was about the joy of the battle, and the joy of having a place to be themselves."
She looked down at the Dynamo Badge, which Wattson had picked up and handed back to her. This time, she didn't slap it away.
She pinned the Dynamo Badge to her bag, a quiet sense of accomplishment settling over her as she said proudly, "The problem, the lack of land for children to play, it's finally been solved. And I… I actually feel like I earned this one."
Donphan, who had stuck close to Sapphire since their underground adventure, nudged her hand gently. Sapphire chuckled, scratching its armored hide as she said happily, "You were wonderful, Donphan. You were trying to help, weren't you?"
Donphan looked at Sapphire before it had resolved glint in its eyes. It nudged forward, giving a proud cry, "Dooon!"
Sapphire looked a bit confused seeing Donphan's gesture. But Azure, he'd seen it many times before as he translated for Donphan happily, "Sapphire Donphan here wants to join your team. I've seen that look before, and trust me, you won't regret having a loyal partner on a journey like him."
Her eyes widened, hearing that as she gazed at the Armor Pokémon. Seeing Donphan's determined gaze, she knew in that moment that Donphan was meant to be her partner as they're eyes met.
She grinned, grasping an empty Poké Ball from her belt as she knelt down to it, "Welcome to the team, Phado!"
Donphan tapped its nose on the Poké Ball, eagerly following Sapphire's lead. It was then sucked inside, and no resistance came as it clicked, signaling its complete capture.
*BON*
Sapphire grinned happily as she cheered up, jumping into the air, striking a pose as she exclaimed excitedly, "Hooray! I caught a Donphan!"
With New Mauville buzzing with laughter and electricity, and a new partner by her side, it was time to move on. Wattson, his face beaming, slapped Sapphire on the back as he said proudly, "A delightful adventure, young Sapphire! You'll be a force to be reckoned with! But please come to my Mauville City, it's the least I can do!"
The group nodded in agreement, feeling the exhaustion. Despite exiting New Mauville City, the trio grinned, knowing it wouldn't be the last time they would visit the place again.
/////
A/N: Reach the goal of 100 PS to get a Bonus Chapter!