Chapter 246: Not so Fetching Feebas
~Third POV~
[Hoenn Region, Next Day, Mauville City – Pokémon Center]
The aroma of freshly brewed coffee and sweet Pecha Berry pancakes drifted through the common room of the Mauville City Pokémon Center. Sunlight, already bright and eager, streamed through the large windows, illuminating dust motes dancing in the air and casting a warm glow on the three travelers gathered around a sturdy wooden table.
Azure, his eyes calm and thoughtful, sipped his coffee. Beside him, his two most loyal companions, Pikachu and Eevee, shared a small bowl of Pokémon food, occasionally nudging each other playfully. He exuded an aura of quiet competence, his seasoned trainer's coat a testament to countless battles and journeys.
His grand adventure, through the vibrant Hoenn region, was made glad to share the road with company. To his right sat Sapphire, her short hair a practical mess, already mentally reviewing her battle strategies for the upcoming Gym Matches.
She devoured her pancakes with the focused intensity of someone preparing for a marathon, her own starter Pokémon, a spirited Chic, eating the pancakes as well. Sapphire was Azure's companion and student, a promising young trainer eager to carve her own path.
Across from them, Ruby, the Coordinator, was a stark contrast. His fashionable attire, impeccable, and a natural flair for the dramatic made him stand out. He delicately picked at his pancakes, his attention mostly fixed on a Rotom Phone screen floating nearby, cycling through local news channels.
Ruby, a traveling companion who admired Pokémon beauty above all else, was always on the lookout for his next star. His own Pokémon, a graceful Kirlia, hummed softly from its seat on the back of its chair, preening its downy wings.
Suddenly, Ruby gasped, setting down his fork with a clatter as he exclaimed, "A Feebas! On Route 118!"
Sapphire barely looked up. She mumbled, her mouth full, disinterestedly, "A Feebas? Aren't those... really plain?"
Ruby's eyes sparkled with a fervent passion. He gestured wildly with his fork, nearly impaling a passing Magnemite as he passionately declared, "Plain, Sapphire, is a matter of perspective! Ugly, some might say! But beneath that unassuming exterior lies the potential for unparalleled beauty! A Milotic! Imagine! A Milotic on my team – it would be the crowning jewel, the undisputed queen of any Contest stage!"
Azure chuckled softly as he chimed in lightly, adding to the conversation, "They are quite rare, Ruby. And famously difficult to find."
Ruby beamed, already picturing the elegant Water-type Pokémon as he explained, "Which only makes the challenge more enticing! This is it! This is my goal for today! My pursuit of perfection begins on Route 118!"
Sapphire rolled her eyes good-naturedly. She pushed her empty plate aside, already retrieving a Poké Ball from her belt as she said bluntly, "Well, good luck with that. I've got more pressing matters, like getting my Pokémon ready for the next Gym. No time for fishing for… well, plain fish. I'm heading to the training grounds outside the city."
Azure watched her go, a knowing smile playing on his lips. His own schedule for the day had been somewhat flexible.
He had planned to conduct individual training with his diverse team, allowing Metang to practice its Steel-type moves and Electrike to refine its speed. But Ruby's sudden enthusiasm presented a different kind of opportunity.
Ruby, noticing Azure's thoughtful silence, turned to him with an earnest, almost pleading expression. Ruby clasped his hands as he said shamelessly, "Azure, my friend, my mentor in many things, you are an unrivaled champion! And you possess an array of magnificent Water-type Pokémon! Golduck! Crawdaunt! Their aquatic prowess would be invaluable in this quest! Would you... Would you consider lending your expertise? Your aid would guarantee success, I just know it!"
Azure considered. His mind quickly cataloged his available Pokémon: Pikachu and Eevee were always by his side.
Then there were Metang, Grovyle, Gardevoir, Ninetales, Golduck, Crawdaunt, Bagon, Electrike, and Vigoroth. Golduck and Crawdaunt certainly fit the bill for a water search.
While his initial plan was solitary training, assisting Ruby wouldn't be a waste of time. It would give his Water-types a chance for practical experience in a unique scenario, refining their senses and teamwork in a non-combat environment.
Besides, Ruby's passion was infectious. Azure said calmly, a slight smile forming, relenting to Ruby's request in a curious voice, "Very well, Ruby. A Feebas hunt it is. It sounds like an interesting challenge."
Ruby practically leaped from his seat. Rara chirped in agreement, standing gracefully around Ruby's side as he passionately said, "Oh, thank you! This is going to be magnificent! The start of something truly beautiful!"
/////
[Hoenn Region, 1 Hour Later, Route 118]
An hour later, under the clear Hoenn sky, Azure and Ruby were making their way along the winding paths of Route 118. It was a picturesque route, transitioning from the urban sprawl of Mauville to lush green fields, eventually giving way to marshier areas and the sparkling waters of the coast.
The air was warm, carrying the scent of salt and damp earth. They managed to travel through the water with their respective Water Type Pokémon using Surf to traverse the water gap between Mauville City and Route 118.
Ruby explained excitedly, consulting a detailed map on his Rotom Phone, "The reports say Feebas are found in the rivers and ponds that connect to the sea. But they are notoriously elusive! Appearing only in a few specific spots, and even those spots can change!"
Azure observed calmly, walking with his usual steady gait as he said casually, "That's part of the challenge. We'll need patience and sharp senses."
Pikachu rode comfortably on his shoulder, while Eevee trotted beside him, ears twitching at every rustle in the undergrowth.
They soon arrived at a tributary, a wide, slow-moving river that meandered through a patchwork of tall reeds and rocky outcrops before emptying into the vast ocean. The water was clear in some parts, murky in others, and teeming with various Water-type Pokémon like Wingull, Tentacool, and even the occasional Marill.
Azure announced, taking two Poké Balls from his belt and hurling them into the water, "Alright, let's begin! Golduck, Crawdaunt, I need your help!"
*Pop*
With flashes of white light, Golduck, a majestic, powerful Water-type, and Crawdaunt, a formidable Water/Dark-type with gleaming red pincers, appeared. Golduck's eyes, usually half-closed in a meditative state, sharpened with focus as it surveyed the water.
Crawdaunt, ever ready for action, immediately dipped its claws into the shallow bank. Azure instructed the two, "Golduck, I need you to use your psychic abilities to sense any unusual movements or energy signatures beneath the surface. Crawl along the riverbed, but be subtle. We don't want to spook anything."
Golduck nodded, a low murmur of assent emanating from its throat. With powerful kicks of its webbed feet, it slipped silently into the deeper water, its streamlined body moving with grace and power.
*Splash*
Azure nodded happily at Golduck's efforts as he turned to Crawdaunt, and continued, "Crawdaunt, investigate the shallower areas, under the rocks and among the reeds. Use your heightened senses to detect any hidden Pokémon. And be gentle with your pincers, no destructive tendencies for this search."
*Clip*
*Clip*
Crawdaunt clicked its pincers twice, a gesture of understanding, and began to meticulously probe the nooks and crannies along the riverbank, its red carapace blending surprisingly well with the darker stones.
Ruby, meanwhile, had deployed his own Pokémon, a strong Mumu the Marshstomp with a sturdy body, as he ordered excitedly, "Mumu, darling, keep an eye on the banks! Perhaps Feebas are attracted to them, and if possible, assist Azure's Pokémon in the search!"
Mumu saluted at Ruby's command as it followed Azure's Golduck and Crawdaunt. The search began in earnest.
For the next hour, they meticulously scanned the river. Golduck's head would occasionally surface, its eyes thoughtful as it relayed vague psychic impressions to Azure, mostly of common Water-types.
Crawdaunt would scuttle out of the water, shaking its head, indicating nothing. Mumu followed suit, finding nothing.
Ruby's initial enthusiasm, though still present, began to show tiny cracks. He complained good-naturedly after a particularly long stretch of fruitless searching, "It's like looking for a needle in a haystack of... incredibly common fish! How can something so plain be so good at hiding?"
Azure shrugged his shoulders, having his Good Rod assisting as he pointed out, "Their unassuming nature is their best camouflage. They don't draw attention."
Ruby sighed as the two continued to fish for the hard-to-find Feebas. The sun climbed higher, beating down on them. Other trainers occasionally passed by, some fishing, others simply enjoying the route.
None seemed to have any luck with Feebas. The elusive fish was living up to its reputation, being hard to find. Ruby sighed, dropping onto a comfortable patch of grass as he muttered disappointedly, "Still nothing. Perhaps this is a fool's errand. Maybe the legends of its beauty are just that – legends."
Azure remained unperturbed. He patted Ruby's shoulder as he said encouragingly, "Patience, Ruby. Sometimes the most rewarding finds require the most effort."
*Splash*
He looked at Golduck, returning from a deep dive. Golduck shook its head, but then pointed with a webbed finger towards a section of the river where a cluster of large, smooth stones jutted out, creating small, sheltered eddies.
Azure asked curiously, seeing Golduck's gesture, his voice regaining hope, "Did you sense something different there, Golduck?"
Golduck nodded once, then made a vague gesture with its hand, indicating something fleeting, a mere whisper of presence. Azure murmured and ordered his Crawdaunt, "That's a start. Crawdaunt, focus your search on those stones. Be extra thorough."
*Splash*
Crawdaunt plunged back in, moving with renewed purpose. It wasn't long before a series of subtle movements caught their collective attention.
*Ripple*
A small ripple, barely visible, emanated from behind one of the larger stones. Crawdaunt, its pincers poised, slowly approached.
Ruby scrambled to his feet, eyes wide with anticipation. He muttered hopefully, "Is it... is it really?"
*SPLASH*
Suddenly, Crawdaunt flicked its tail, sending a burst of water into the air, and from behind the stone, a small, unassuming Pokémon darted out. It was a Feebas – small, with dull scales, large eyes, and plain, ragged fins.
It seemed almost apologetic in its appearance, certainly not the picture of beauty Ruby had painted. But he exclaimed, his voice of awe, "There it is! It truly is... here!"
Azure said coolly, a hint of amusement in his tone, "And it's yours if you can catch it."
The Feebas, startled, began to swim away rapidly, its plainness belying a surprising turn of speed. But then paused, gazing at Ruby intently.
It was when both Trainer and Pokémon stopped as Feebas leaned forward, watching Ruby intently. Ruby paused, seeing Feebas as he smiled, giving his pitch, "Hello Feebas! I'm Ruby, a Pokémon Coordinator! I've been searching for a Pokémon to participate in my beauty Category! And with my help, I'll evolve you into a beautiful Milotic that you're destined to become!"
Feebas' eyes widened slightly, hearing Ruby's claims. Then blushed lightly, hearing someone actually wanted her on a team, along with the desire to evolve, showing off its beauty to the world.
*Splash*
Feebas jumped happily in a splash, happily agreeing with an excited cry, "Fee! (You son of a bitch, I'm in!)"
Sensing Feebas' eagerness, Ruby smiled as the two formed a bond. Reaching for his Poke Ball, he leaned forward as he said proudly, "Welcome to the team, Feefee!"
Feebas jumped into the air, hitting Ruby's Poké Ball, tapping its head on it. In an instant, it was sucked into the Poké Ball with no resistance in a flash of red light, and the Feebas was drawn inside.
*Plop*
The ball dropped into the water, bobbing gently. One shake. Two shakes. Three shakes till finally… A click!
*BON*
Ruby let out a triumphant yell that echoed across the river. He splashed into the shallow water, carefully retrieving the Poké Ball, and excitedly declared, "I got it! I got it! I caught a Feebas!! Oh, you glorious, little marvel Feefee! I can just imagine us working together winning the Pokémon Contest world!"
He held it up, a look of profound joy on his face, as if he held not just a Feebas, but a shining Milotic already. Azure smiled, a genuine warmth spreading through him. Pikachu cheered, Eevee barked happily, and his other Pokémon returned to their Poké Balls, their mission accomplished for the day.
Golduck and Crawdaunt surfaced, their expressions communicating a job well done. Azure said happily, walking over to his elated companion, "Congratulations, Ruby. A true test of patience and perception."
Ruby corrected casually, carefully examining the Poké Ball in an excited tone, "Patience rewarded with potential!"
He clutched the Poké Ball to his chest, his eyes already envisioning the breathtaking Milotic it would become as he said passionately, "Now, the real work begins! Transforming this little gem into the most beautiful Pokémon in all of Hoenn! We'll need to find the finest Pokéblocks, the most exquisite Poffins... Oh, the possibilities!"
As they began their walk back towards Mauville City, the sun beginning its gentle descent, Azure felt a quiet satisfaction. Ruby's exuberant chatter filled the air, detailing his grand plans for his new Feebas.
It was a stark contrast to Sapphire's single-minded pursuit of Gym Badges, or his own methodical approach to training and exploration. Yet, each path held its own validity, its own rewards.
For Azure, helping Ruby find his "ugly duckling" was more than just a diversion. It was a reminder of the vast and varied world of Pokémon, where beauty was in the eye of the beholder, and potential, no matter how hidden, could always be brought to light with dedication and the right kind of support.
/////
[Hoenn Region, Meanwhile, Slateport City – Shipyard]
Meanwhile, back at Slateport City, there was trouble brewing as news of the Pokémon Contest Hall was attacked. It made it to big news, where people learned what occurred that startled the people of the incident.
At Stern's Shipyard, Gabby and Ty try to report something to Captain Stern. After grabbing him, they took him to a private area at Stern's Shipyard as Gabby explained seriously, "I apologize for being so forward, but you were waiting for Devon Corp's President Stone to bring a special component here… am I right?"
Hearing this, Captain Stern's eyes shot wide open as he exclaimed, alarmed, "How do you know that?!"
Gabby slyly grinned, seeing this, but shifted to a serious expression as she explained the news to the startled Captain Stern, "I know even more! Perisdent Stone was in an accident. You have no idea of the whereabouts of that component, do you? According to news reports, President Stone was attacked by a Wild Pokémon while taking a walk."
Captain Stern slowly nodded his head, agreeing, but then was startled as Gabby continued in a serious voice, "But it isn't true!! President Stone was attacked by three mysterious individuals! We were there when it happened!!"
As Captain Stern gasps in shock, they are interrupted by Norman, who asks if he can cut into their conversation. Bluntly, Norman said with his Vigoroth out, "Excuse me, miss… would you mind filling me in about this incident too…?"
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A/N: Reach the goal of 150 PS to get a Bonus Chapter!