Chapter 245: Lightning Pokémon [Bonus]
~Third POV~
[Hoenn Region, Later, Mauville City]
The sun of Mauville City casts a perpetual golden hour over the bustling electrical metropolis. It was a stark, vibrant contrast to the damp, echoing darkness of New Mauville they had just escaped.
The hum of the city was a symphony of technology and life, a constant thrum of energy that felt both exhilarating and overwhelming after the oppressive silence of the underground generator from New Mauville.
Azure took a deep, steadying breath, the scent of ozone and sweet malasadas filling his lungs. Beside him, his Pikachu, a constant, comforting weight on his shoulder, twitched its ears, taking in the sights with the same seasoned calm as its Trainer. On his other side, a fluffy-maned Eevee peeked out from the collar of his jacket, its large eyes wide with curiosity.
Sapphire's voice was a burst of pure energy as she exclaimed, her eyes darting from the neon-lit storefronts to the crowds of trainers moving through the central plaza, "Wow! This place is incredible!"
She was a sponge for new experiences, her spirit as untamed as the Hoenn wilds she adored. She exclaimed excitedly, "I can't wait to check out the Poké Mart! I bet they have all sorts of rare Poké Balls and potions!"
Ruby commented, a hand brushing an imaginary speck of dust from his perfectly styled Contest outfit, "The architecture is certainly… functional."
He adjusted his white beanie, his gaze analytical rather than awestruck as he continued saying excitedly, "But the true beauty lies in the Pokémon. I must see if the local Pokémon have a certain… panache. A city this electric must produce some truly dazzling specimens for the Contest circuit."
Azure smiled faintly. His companions were a study in contrasts, yet they balanced each other perfectly. Sapphire, the embodiment of raw battling potential and instinct; Ruby, the master of grace and cultivated beauty.
They were two sides of the same coin, and he was the edge that held them together on this journey, and at times, his personal entertainment/annoyance. He was their guide, but in many ways, he was also learning from their fresh perspectives.
Azure said calmly, his voice a calm anchor in the city's lively current, glancing at the hulking, jovial figure beside him, "Right. You two head to the Pokémon Center. Get your teams checked out and rest up. It's been a long day. Wattson and I have some business to attend to."
The Mauville City Gym Leader, Wattson, let out a booming laugh that turned several heads as he said jollily, "Wahahaha! Business indeed! A promise is a promise, my boy! You saved my hide and my precious electric pals from that energy-guzzling behemoth! The least I can do is introduce you to a new friend!"
Sapphire's eyes lit up as she asked excitedly about the news, "A new Pokémon? Awesome! What'd you get, Azure?"
Azure explained coolly, his gaze meeting Wattson's, "An offer for an Electrike. A partner to raise here in Hoenn."
Ruby raised a manicured eyebrow. He smiled, agreeing with his choice, pointing out the pros of having that kind of Pokémon in a Pokémon Contest, happily saying, "Electrike? A fine choice. Their evolved form, Manectric, possesses a certain wild, jagged elegance. With proper grooming, its mane could be simply stunning."
Sapphire just grinned, thinking of the battling pros, as she said excitedly, "A fast-striking Electric-type! That's perfect for your team!"
With a nod, Azure watched them head off towards the large, red-roofed building of the Pokémon Center. Once they were out of sight, he turned his full attention to the Gym Leader as he said casually, "Lead the way, Wattson."
The walk to the Gym was an education. Wattson, for all his boisterous laughter, was the heart of Mauville City. He pointed out the interlinking pathways, the rooftop gardens designed to give Flying-type Pokémon resting spots, and the charging stations integrated into park benches for trainers with electric companions.
Wattson spoke of the city not as a mayor, but as a proud father. He bellowed, patting a support column of the Gym, "Built this place from the ground up, you know! Wanted a city where people and Pokémon could live in perfect harmony with technology! Not ruled by it but enhanced by it! That generator… it was a perversion of that dream. Draining my Pokémon… it was like it was draining the city's very soul."
Azure listened, his expression thoughtful. He understood. His connection to his Pokémon was the core of his being, the source of his strength.
The idea of that bond being forcibly siphoned away was chilling. The Mauville Gym wasn't what he expected. The front was a series of electric puzzles and trainer platforms, but Wattson led him through a side door into a vast, sunlit annex.
It was less a training facility and more a sanctuary. Voltorb and Electrode rolled lazily across padded floors, Magnemite and Magneton floated in gentle magnetic fields near the ceiling, and a pair of Plusle and Minun chased each other around a miniature playground, sparking with cheerful energy.
The air was clean, filled with the gentle hum of happy, healthy Electric-types. Wattson explained, his voice softening with affection, "This is the nursery. Where we raise the young ones born here at the Gym. We make sure they're strong, healthy, and well-socialized before they go to good trainers."
He led Azure through the main room to a large glass door that opened onto a spacious, fenced-in yard. Green grass, a small wading pool, and several climbing structures dotted the area.
And everywhere, there were flashes of green and yellow fur. It was a yard full of the Lightning Pokémon Electrike.
Dozens of them. They yipped and played, nipping at each other's tails, chasing stray sparks that fizzled from their manes, and tumbling over one another in a chaotic, joyful mess.
The air crackled with their youthful energy. Wattson said excitedly, gesturing expansively, "Take your pick, son. Any one of these little dynamos would be lucky to have a Champion as their trainer. They've all got good bloodlines, full of spark and vinegar!"
Azure offered a grateful nod but held up a hand as he explained, "Thank you, Wattson. But if it's all right with you, I'd like to choose for myself. My way."
Wattson stroked his great white mustache, intrigued as he said curiously, "Your own way? Be my guest!"
*Clang*
He opened the gate, and Azure stepped inside. The playful cacophony quieted instantly at his appearance.
Every Electrike in the yard stopped, their heads snapping up, their canine-like ears perked. They stared at him, a sea of bright, inquisitive eyes.
They could feel it—the immense, controlled power that radiated from him, the quiet confidence of a Trainer who had stood at the pinnacle of the Pokémon world not once, but twice. His Pikachu and Eevee remained with him, silent observers, their presence adding to the aura of seasoned strength.
Azure closed his eyes. He didn't look for the biggest, the fastest, or the one with the brightest sparks. He wasn't choosing a Pokémon based on physical metrics.
*Shiii*
He was searching for a kindred spirit with whom they could work as one. He reached inward, activating his Viridian Force, glowing faintly with viridian green light as he gave off a calming aura to the nearby Electrikes, sensing it.
The world of sound and sight faded to a gentle murmur. In its place, a new spectrum of perception opened. He felt the collective energy of the Electrike pack as a warm, crackling blanket of simple thoughts and feelings.
'Play!'
'Chase!'
'Tummy-rub?'
'Food-time?'
'Zzzt-fun!'
These were the desires of happy, well-cared-for young Pokémon. They were pure, simple, and content. Any one of them would make a fine partner.
But that wasn't what he was looking for. He focused his intent, broadcasting it not as a command, but as a gentle, open question.
It flowed from him like a calm river, washing over the pack. The feeling emanated from him as he said to them via the Viridian Force, 'I'm looking for a friend. A partner. I offer not just battles and victory, but a journey across the world. I offer challenges that will push you to your limits and beyond. I am looking for one who yearns for this.'
The response from the pack was a wave of confusion. The simple, happy thoughts faltered. His request was too abstract, too grand.
The concepts of the 'world,' of 'meaning,' were alien to them. Their world was this yard, and its meaning was play and food and naps in the artificial sun.
A few of them, intrigued by the feeling of power he projected, took a hesitant step forward, their thoughts a simple echo of 'Strong!' 'Be strong!'
But it lacked the depth, the burning 'why' that Azure was searching for. He almost sighed, thinking perhaps his request was too specific.
Then, he felt it. From the edge of the yard, near the far fence where the grass was a little longer, came a different signal.
It wasn't a bold proclamation but a faint, sharp spark of emotion, tightly coiled and fiercely guarded. It was a feeling of deep, aching want.
Azure opened his eyes, his gaze locking onto the source. A single Electrike stood apart from the others. It was slightly smaller than the rest, its green fur a little scruffier, its hind legs tensed as if ready to bolt.
It wasn't watching him with simple curiosity; it was watching him with a desperate, burning intensity. He took a slow step forward.
The other Electrike, sensing his focus had shifted, parted to let him pass. As he drew closer, he extended his senses again, focusing solely on this one small Pokémon.
The feelings that came back were no longer simple. They were a torrent of complex, raw emotions. He felt a sharp sting of inadequacy, of being overlooked.
He saw flashes of imagery from the Electrike's mind: the other, larger pups wrestling and always winning; the feeling of being last to the food bowl; the frustration of its sparks fizzling out when it tried to roar with lightning like the older Manectric it sometimes saw through the fence.
But beneath the frustration, there was something else. A powerful, unyielding dream and desire to grow stronger. Azure felt the Electrike's yearning not as a simple desire, but as a vivid mental portrait.
It dreamt of running, running so fast the world became a blur of color. It dreamt of leaping over canyons with lightning crackling between its paws. It dreamt of standing on a mountaintop, its mane brilliant like a storm cloud, unleashing a roar of thunder that shook the very heavens.
It didn't just want to be strong; it wanted to become the storm. It wanted to prove that its small size meant nothing compared to the size of its spirit.
It wanted to see the world not just as a place to exist, but as a challenge to be conquered. Azure projected gently, his feelings a mix of respect and recognition, 'You… You feel you have been left behind.'
The Electrike flinched, its mental walls rising. The spark of defiance was sharp as it cried out, "Barrr! (I am NOT weak!)"
Azure replied, his mental voice calm and reassuring, 'I know.'
He stopped about ten feet away, sinking to one knee to make himself less intimidating. He projected his memories, his feelings, using his Viridian Force as if he could read a Pokémon's memories. It was a two-way street for them to see his.
He showed the Electrike a flash of his first battle with Pikachu, the sting of their first major loss, and the quiet determination they shared afterward, training under the stars. He showed the feeling of Eevee evolving and devolving through its various forms, not for power, but for the versatility to overcome any obstacle.
He showed it the roar of the crowd in the Indigo Plateau stadium, the weight of the Champion's trophy, and the quiet moment afterward, sitting with his partners, knowing the journey was the real reward.
Electrike looked at Azure in awe as he communicated casually, 'Strength is not a destination. It is the road we walk together. I cannot promise you that you will be the strongest. But I can promise that I will walk with you, and we will search for the limits of your power, together, and you will have your chance to become the storm you dream of being.'
The small Electrike's tense posture slowly relaxed. Its guarded emotions softened, replaced by a wave of hesitant hope.
It looked from Azure to the Pikachu on his shoulder, who gave a small, encouraging cry, "Pika! (Come on! Join us!)"
It looked at the Eevee, who chirped softly, "Bui! (Yeah! Join us!)"
It saw not a master and his tools, but a family. A team.
Slowly, deliberately, the scruffy Electrike took a step forward. Then another. It closed the distance between them and stopped just before his knee.
It stared into his eyes for a long moment, searching. Then, it leaned forward and nudged its wet nose against Azure's outstretched hand.
*Zap*
A jolt of static, warm and full of promise, passed between them. It was an agreement. A pact between them.
Azure smiled, a genuine, warm expression that reached his eyes. He gently stroked the Electrike's head, right between its ears. The Pokémon leaned into the touch, letting out a soft, contented whimper, "Barrr!"
From the gate, Wattson watched, his jaw slightly agape. He murmured in surprise, a wide grin spreading across his face, "Well, I'll be… Wahahaha! You didn't just pick one, boy! It feels like you two were callin' to each other across the whole region! That little one's always been a bit of a loner, full of more fire than a Charizard! Never thought he'd take to anyone I'd seen before."
Azure picked up his new partner. The Electrike was light in his arms but felt substantial, brimming with untapped potential.
He stood and walked back towards the gate; the small Pokémon nestled securely in his hold. Azure said quietly, looking down at the creature who was already starting to doze against his chest, exhausted by the emotional encounter, "Every Pokémon has a dream, Wattson. Sometimes, they just need a trainer who is willing to listen."
*Thud*
Wattson clapped him on the back, a hearty, resounding thud as he said happily, "You're a good kid, Azure. More than a Champion. You're a true friend to Pokémon. Here."
He handed Azure Electrike's Poké Ball. Azure accepted it as he thanked Wattson, "Thank you. And you, Electrike? Welcome to the team, little fella."
Azure didn't immediately recall his new partner. He wanted the Electrike to get used to his presence, to the feel of the world outside the nursery fence.
But before he left, he paused considering something, getting Wattson's attention as he said calmly, "Oh, right… I almost forgot. There was something you and I needed to discuss, something very important, Wattson."
Wattson raised an eyebrow, seeing a shift in his expression as he asked curiously, "That so? What's so important that you needed to discuss with me?"
Azure began to share his story about the criminal organization of Team Magma and Aqua, alerting the Gym Leader as he shared the news with him. Wattson's eyes narrowed as he nodded in understanding, "I see… this is quite serious news. I've heard the news about what happened in Slateport City… I'll warn the Gym Leaders of the news if even Steven asks you for help. We can't be lacking."
Azure smiled, seeing that Wattson, despite his upbeat self, was taking the matter seriously if Champion Steven was doing this under cover. He thanked the Gym Leader kindly as he took his leave, "Thank you very much for listening, Gym Leader Wattson. I just hope the Hoenn Region isn't going to be in this much trouble."
Wattson nodded as he grinned, leading Azure out of the Gym as he had business to do. As they walked back out into the vibrant, humming streets of Mauville City, the setting sun cast long shadows from the west.
The lights began to shine brighter, bathing the city in a cascade of neon color. The Electrike in his arms stirred, blinking its eyes open.
It looked up at the glowing signs, the soaring walkways, and the endless, star-dusted sky visible through the dome's transparent ceiling. A tiny, excited spark fizzled from its cheek. Its world, once confined to a grassy yard, had just become infinitely larger.
And beside it, it had a partner who had promised to show it everything. Azure smiled as they walked to the Pokémon Center. He checked his new partner's abilities using his Arc Phone seing its bio and status.
[Electrike, the Lightning Pokémon. Using the electric charge found in its fur, Electrike stimulates its leg muscles and runs faster than the human eye can follow. It uses friction from the atmosphere to generate electricity.
Because of this, its body gives off showers of sparks in seasons with arid air or before a storm. Using metal brushes to groom the Electrike will cause the metal to conduct the electrical charge in the fur and subsequently shock the handler. It lives in grasslands and savannas.]
|Name: Electrike (Lightning Pokémon)
|Type: Electric
|Level: 20
|Gender: Male
|Held Item: [Magnet]
|Ability: Lightning Rod
|Nature: Serious
|Moves: Thunder Wave, Leer, Howl, Quick Attack, Tackle, Bite, Spark, Thunder Fang, Shock Wave, Electro Ball (IM), Discharge (EM) (6 Moves left to learn)
Azure briefly smiled as he thought about raising Electrike happily, 'Level 20, huh. Just 6 more levels till he evolves and knows the moves Electro Ball and Discharge. Good, that means I can leave his training to Pikachu's hands.'
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A/N: Reach the goal of 150 PS to get a Bonus Chapter!