Chapter 249: Mud Fish Pokémon [Bonus]
~Third POV~
[Hoenn Region, Mins Later, Route 118]
With the threat neutralized, Azure let out a slow, steady breath. The adrenaline began to recede, leaving behind a pleasant ache in his muscles.
He thanked his Pokémon, offering silent praise to them in a proud tone, "Well done, all of you. You too, Pikachu, Eevee."
He moved to a small, secluded patch of grass near the roadside, a small cluster of trees offering a modicum of privacy from the city's gaze. He sat down, leaning against a tree trunk, closing his eyes for a moment.
*Shiii*
The Viridian Force hummed around him, a comforting presence, slowly mending the frayed edges of his concentration. Doing so, he allowed himself and his team to heal under its soothing effects.
He took a moment to simply exist, to let the warm Hoenn sun soak into his skin, feeling the gentle breeze rustle the leaves above him. It was during this quiet respite, as his mind drifted, peacefully before deciding, "I have a few minutes left… might as well have a quick snack break, right guys?"
His Pokémon perked up at this. They all smiled, nodding they're heads in agreement after the intense battle they've been through.
Azure began unpacking some Poke Blocks and Pokémon food, much to his eager Pokémon's attention. The tantalizing aroma of Pokémon food, a special blend Azure had made himself, rich with nutrients and savory spices, began to waft through the air.
He carefully portioned out bowls for his Pokémon, and then for himself, preparing a simple yet hearty stew that simmered gently over the flame. All of them settled down, enjoying the peaceful quiet, broken only by the gentle lapping of water on the distant shore and the occasional chirp of a Bug-type Pokémon as Azure continued cooking.
Unbeknownst to the small, cozy group, a pair of dark, amphibious eyes were watching from the murky depths of the nearby river. Mudkip.
This Mudkip lived a simple life, mostly beneath the cool, comforting mud at the bottom of the lake, emerging only to forage or to play. Its days were predictable: wake, swim, eat, find a soft patch of mud, sleep…
Today, however, its usual bedtime routine was interrupted by an anomaly. A scent. An incredibly, undeniably, delicious scent.
It was the aroma of Azure's food, carried on the evening breeze, a symphony for a Mudkip's sensitive nose. Overriding its instinct to burrow down for the night, curiosity, and more importantly, hunger, compelled the Mudkip to surface.
It swam silently, propelled by its strong tail, closer to the source of the irresistible smell. Through the reeds, it saw them: a human, his Pokémon, all gathered around a glowing light, seemingly engaged in the sacred ritual of eating.
Without hesitation, without a hint of fear or shyness, the Mudkip simply waddled out of the water, its small, blue body surprisingly agile on land. It didn't sneak, it didn't hide.
It simply walked straight towards the source of the food, its small fins twitching with anticipation. Azure was in the middle of serving his own snack, humming a soft tune, when he felt a tug on his pant leg.
He looked down, expecting Eevee to be begging for a taste, but instead, he was met with the sight of a vibrant blue Mudkip, already halfway into Pikachu's bowl, happily scooping up a mouthful of Pokémon food with a satisfied gurgle.
*Gulp*
Azure froze; the snack suspended in mid-air. Pikachu, startled by the invasion of its snack, let out a surprised squeak of outrage but quickly recovered, watching the intruder with wide, bewildered eyes.
Eevee, ever curious, tilted its head, observing the bold little creature with an almost amused expression. All of Azure's Pokémon blinked, seeing the Mudkip thinking, 'It does know we're here, right?'
Azure himself was surprised seeing this. He mumbled, utterly flummoxed, "Well, I'll be… didn't expect to find a Wild Mudkip here. Then again, they do live in wetlands. This one might've come from the bottom of a nearby river or the lake."
He had encountered wild Pokémon before, curious ones, hungry ones, but never one so utterly devoid of caution. This Mudkip wasn't just bold; it was audacious.
*Gulp*
It ate with a casual disregard for its surroundings, as if it had been invited to dinner all along. Its small, beady eyes met Azure's for a moment, then it simply went back to devouring the food, the corner of its mouth smeared with gravy.
A slow smile spread across Azure's face, a chuckle bubbling up from his chest, he said curiously, pulling his stew bowl closer to protect it, "Alright there, little guy. Making yourself at home, are we?"
*Slurp*
The Mudkip ignored him, finishing off Pikachu's bowl with an audible slurp, then turned its attention to Eevee's, which Eevee graciously (and bemusedly) allowed it to share. Azure watched, genuinely amused.
This wasn't a timid wild Pokémon; this was a force of nature, driven by its stomach and an impressive lack of self-preservation. An idea sparked in Azure's mind.
A Mudkip, especially one with such a unique personality, could be an incredible asset to his team. Hoenn was a region of Water-type specialists, and a strong Water-type would be invaluable, as he thought examining Mudkip, 'And this Mudkip, it wasn't just strong; it was fearless. Plus, I got its Mega Stone from Zinna, meaning I could Mega Evolve it along with teaching it Hydro Cannon.'
Perking at this idea, Azure said, his voice gentle but firm, trying to get its attention, "Hey, Mudkip."
The Mudkip finally looked up from Eevee's bowl, a tiny piece of kibble clinging to its cheek. Licking it, Azure continued excitedly, "How about a battle? If you win, you can have all the food you want. If I win, you join my team."
Pikachu and Eevee exchanged glances, sensing the familiar pre-battle energy from their trainer. They watched the Mudkip expectantly.
The Mudkip, however, seemed to interpret Azure's challenge. It stared at Azure for a moment, its head tilted, as if pondering the absurdity of the human's proposition…
*SPLAT*
… Then, with a sudden, playful splash, it unleashed a precise, powerful stream of Water Gun directly at Azure's face. Azure sputtered, momentarily blinded, his face wet, water streaming down his face and dripping from his hair.
He blinked, trying to clear his vision, the taste of lake water surprisingly fresh on his tongue from Mudkip's Water Gun. A peal of high-pitched giggles erupted beside him.
Pikachu, unable to contain its mirth, was practically rolling on the ground, its little body shaking with silent laughter, "Pika! Pi!!! (Ha! You got a watered gun to the face!)"
Eevee, though more reserved, whined with suppressed amusement, its ears twitching as it tried to stifle its chuckles, "Eeevee… Bui!! (Hahaha! Rejected!)"
He turned his gaze to his other Pokémon, making snickering noises. And some outright laughed, enjoying the mischievous Mud Fish Pokémon attitude.
Even the Mudkip, having delivered its watery retort, seemed to be vibrating with a silent, mischievous glee, its fin-like ears twitching. Azure blinked as he thought, 'Am I being laughed at for getting rejected hard?'
Azure wiped his face with the back of his hand, a wry smile slowly replacing his initial shock. He said curiously, shaking his head, "Alright, alright, I get it. You're not the 'battle first, ask questions later' type, are you?"
He could see now that a conventional Pokémon battle, with its formal commands and strategic maneuvers, would probably just confuse or bore this Mudkip. This wasn't about power; it was about personality.
A new strategy was formed. He had another ace up his sleeve, one that rarely failed with hungry Pokémon.
Azure asked curiously, leaning forward, his voice conspiratorial, raising his hand dismissively, "How about this, then? No battle. Just... unlimited food. As much as you can eat, whenever you want. And a warm, dry place to sleep. And all the friends you can wish for."
He gestured to Pikachu and Eevee, who had finally composed themselves, though traces of their earlier amusement still lingered. The Mudkip's eyes, previously mischievous, widened in shock at the offer.
Its small body seemed to stiffen, then it slowly, almost imperceptibly, nodded. Its gaze went from Azure's earnest face to the simmering pot of stew, then back again.
The promise of food seemed to unlock a primal understanding within its small brain. It waddled closer, nudging Azure's hand with its head, a silent, yet clear, acceptance.
The deal was sealed.
It gazed at Azure's empty Poké Ball. It then tapped its head onto it without any regard, as it was sucked into the Poke Ball without issue and then…
*BON*
It was instantly captured. No struggles at all, just a simple click, and it was done. Azure's eyes widened as he muttered, "Seriously? Just like that?"
*Pop*
Mudkip let itself out, turning to Azure with a happy grin. The Mudkip let out a happy gurgle, "Kip! (You had me with food.)"
Mudkip then, as if to confirm the agreement, nudged Pikachu's nose playfully, causing a small spark of static electricity that made the Mudkip flinch back slightly before letting out another happy squeak.
It then darted back to the stew pot, looking up at Azure expectantly. Azure laughed, a hearty sound that echoed in the quiet clearing as he said joyfully, "Alright, alright, you win. There's plenty for everyone."
He pulled out another clean bowl and ladled a generous portion of stew into it for the newest member of his burgeoning Hoenn team. The Mudkip dove in with gusto, devouring the food as if it had been starving for days, periodically looking up at Azure with eyes that now held a glimmer of trust and contentment.
Pikachu nudged Azure's leg, then nuzzled the Mudkip gently, a silent welcome. Eevee curled up beside the Mudkip, occasionally licking its head, an act of immediate acceptance.
The unexpected addition had seamlessly integrated itself into their little camp. Azure found himself watching the Mudkip, who, after finishing its meal, had nestled comfortably between Pikachu and Eevee, already dozing off contentedly.
He had anticipated challenges, new Pokémon, and vibrant landscapes, but he hadn't anticipated a bold, food-obsessed Mudkip who would join his team through sheer charisma and the promise of a full belly.
He checks Mudkip's status and info. He smiled, impressed by its strength.
[Mudkip the Mud Fish Pokémon. By using the fin on its head, Mudkip can detect changes in air and water currents as well as bodies of water. Its fin can also point in a certain direction. Despite its small size, Mudkip is a very strong Pokémon.
Mudkip can move or crush boulders larger than itself. Mudkip has been seen attempting to crush rocks with all its might, even while asleep. Mudkip has four different sleep styles: Fin-Fluttering Sleep, Nodding-Off Sleep, Rock-Hugging Sleep, and Atop-Belly Sleep.
Its large tail fin provides powerful acceleration to propel it through the water. According to its Pokémon Ranger browser entry, Mudkip is a very docile Pokémon. Mudkip is more commonly found in captivity, though it can be found in swamps and other wetlands. In the wild, it sleeps by burying itself in the mud at the water's edge or the bottom of a river.]
|Name: Mudkip (Mud Fish Pokémon)
|Type: Water
|Level: 12
|Gender: Male
|Held Item: None
|Ability: Damp (Hidden Ability)
|Nature: Relaxed
|Moves: Growl, Protect, Supersonic, Tackle, Water Gun, Rock Smash, Rock Throw, Mud-Slap, Ice Ball (IM), Mirror Coat (EM) (2 Moves left to learn)
Observing its moves intently, Azure grinned excitedly as he muttered, "These moves aren't bad at all. I can work with this…"
But then Azure checked its nature and ability with a mixed expression. He thought curiously with a raised eyebrow, 'Relaxed Nature means lower speed but higher Physical Def. And its Hidden Ability is Damp… not useful except for dealing with explosion-based oh!'
Then it hit him. Azure grinned, having Mudkip on standby as he thought mischievously, 'Oh! Don't those Regis have the move Explosion? With Mudkip having this ability, I wouldn't have to worry about them blowing up!'
With that, Azure began to leave the area, recalling his Pokémon back. He is already contemplating the training plan for his newly evolved team members. But then he muttered absentmindedly, "Oh, right, Ruby should be meeting with his father. Meh… probably not important enough to interfere."
/////
[Hoenn Region, Meanwhile, Mauville City – Pokémon Center]
Meanwhile, back with Sapphire and Ruby waited. The Pokémon Center's automated doors hissed open, welcoming them into the sterile, comforting environment. Sapphire, though relieved by the safety of the Center, remained on edge, her eyes scanning the room, a subtle tension in her shoulders.
Ruby, however, was already deep in thought, marveling at the Prism Scale. His Feebas, affectionately named Feefee, was the pride of his Coordinator ambitions. Feefee, currently splashing in a small indoor pond within the Center's grounds, was a testament to Ruby's dedication to bringing out the natural beauty in Pokémon.
Sapphire exclaimed, pulling her attention away from the window and towards him, "This is amazing, Ruby! Master really trusts you, giving you something so rare."
Ruby grinned, the scale glinting in the artificial light. He held the scale gently over the water as he said cooly, "Well, of course, he does. He knows I'm the one to truly bring out Feefee's inner radiance. This isn't just about evolving; it's about transformation."
Feefee, sensing the shift in energy, swam closer, her usually plain scales shimmering with an unusual light. Ruby whispered, his voice filled with tender encouragement, "Now, Feefee, show them your true beauty!"
He dropped the Prism Scale into the water, and as it dissolved, a blinding white light enveloped Feefee. The water churned…
*SHIII*
*SPLASH*
… and a long, elegant form emerged, scales now a magnificent mosaic of blues and greens, her fins flowing like silken ribbons. Milotic.
Sapphire gasped, utterly enchanted by Feefee's newfound beauty, "A Milotic! She's magnificent, Ruby!"
Ruby beamed, his chest swelling with pride. He knelt, stroking Milotic's smooth head as he said proudly, "She's perfect. Absolute perfection. Welcome, Fee-Fee Milotic!"
While Ruby was lost in the celebration of his Milotic's evolution, his Marshstomp, Mumu, was finding his own distraction. Mumu, usually quite stoic, suddenly perked up.
A sweet, tantalizing aroma wafted through the air, drawing his attention away from the glittering Milotic. On the gleaming tile floor, tiny, colorful Pokéblocks lay scattered, forming an irresistible trail.
Mumu's eyes, normally half-lidded, widened with hunger. He took a tentative step, then another, his marshy feet squelching softly as he followed the enticing path, each Pokéblock a delicious morsel.
One by one, he gobbled them up, his short-term memory overridden by the allure of the treats. Ruby finally looked up from Milotic, a frown creasing his brow as he muttered, "Mumu? Where did you go, boy? He was just here."
Sapphire, still admiring Milotic, also noticed the disappearance. She said casually, "He must have wandered off. Let's find him."
The two young Trainers quickly retraced their steps, calling out Mumu's name. It didn't take long for them to spot the subtle clues – a discarded Pokéblock here, another one there, leading away from the main hall and deeper into a quieter, less frequented corridor of the Pokémon Center.
He bent down, picking up a bright red Pokéblock. Ruby exclaimed, spotting the trail of colorful treats as he declared, a hint of pride in his voice, even amidst his annoyance, "Aha! There he is! Mumu, you naughty boy! These look just like the ones I make!"
But then a deep, resonant voice corrected him from behind, "Oh, no, Ruby… Those are my Pokéblocks."
Ruby spun around, his heart lurching into his throat. Standing there, impossibly silent, was a tall, imposing man with a stern expression and an aura of immense power.
Norman. Ruby's father, the Gym Leader of Petalburg City. Ruby stammered, his usual swagger replaced by youthful apprehension, "Dad!"
Norman's eyes, sharp as a Steel-type Pokémon's gaze, fixed on his son. A faint, almost imperceptible smirk played on his lips as he said sternly, "You've always been too predictable, Ruby. I could read your movements from a mile away. It's how I knew where to lay the bait for Mumu."
Sapphire, who had been lingering slightly behind Ruby, felt a chill run down her spine. The encounter with Team Magma had sharpened her senses, and the sudden appearance of this powerful man, Ruby's father no less, felt like an ambush.
Mauville City, despite its modern facade, was proving to be a place where danger lurked in unexpected corners. She instinctively took a step back, her hand subtly reaching for her own Poké Balls, her eyes darting around, half-expecting a Team Aqua or Magma grunt to emerge from the shadows.
She needed to be vigilant, especially with Azure still out there. Briefly, she considered excusing herself to check the perimeter, to make sure no more threats were closing in.
Her cautious nature, honed by Azure's teachings, urged her to secure their immediate surroundings. She murmured, her voice barely a whisper, her gaze still fixed on Norman, trying to gauge his intentions, "I'll be right back, Ruby. Just going to check something."
She slipped away, her steps light and swift, circling through a nearby hall, an uneasy knot in her stomach. Ruby, however, barely registered Sapphire's departure.
Norman's presence was a hurricane, consuming all his attention. Ruby replied sternly defiantly glaring at his father, "Predictable? Dad, I'm a Coordinator! We thrive on surprise and flair, not predictable patterns!"
Norman retorted, his voice unwavering with a stern expression as he said bluntly, "Flair without substance is merely noise, Ruby. You chase beauty, but can you command it? Can you truly understand the strength beneath the sparkle?"
Ruby gestured heatedly at his Marshstomp, who, having finished the last Pokéblock, now looked up, blissfully unaware of the brewing storm as he barked fiercely, "I understand my Pokémon! I understand Feefee, and I certainly understand Mumu!"
Norman merely sighed, a deep, weary sound that amplified the chasm between them. As he spoke, a flash of red and grey materialized beside him, "No, Ruby. You understand what you want to see. You're still chasing after things you don't fully comprehend."
*Pop*
His Slaking, its massive form radiating quiet power, appeared without a sound. It stared intently at Ruby, giving him a chill down his spine.
Ruby breathed, a flicker of apprehension in his eyes, "Slaking?"
Norman harshly said, his voice now lower, more dangerous, "You need to learn balance, son. A Trainer, a Coordinator, must know when to be subtle and when to be direct. When to hold back, and when to strike with overwhelming force."
Before Ruby could respond, Norman gave a subtle nod. Slaking moved with surprising speed, a blur of immense power…
*WOOOSH*
It wasn't an attack, not truly, but a demonstration. In one fluid motion, Slaking's massive arm reached out, not to strike Ruby, but to block his path, to redirect him. There was a whoosh of displaced air, a sudden pressure, and Ruby felt himself lifted, then gently, but firmly, propelled backward.
*Bam*
His back hit the cool tile wall of the Pokémon Center with a solid thud, knocking the wind out of him as he stared at his father. He slid down, landing rather ungracefully in a heap, his hair askew, his pride wounded.
*THUD*
Just as Ruby was trying to regain his bearings, Sapphire reappeared, her step faltering as she took in the scene. She had heard the thud, a sharp, un-Pokémon-like sound.
Her eyes widened as she saw Ruby crumpled against the wall, and Norman standing over him, Slaking looming like a silent sentinel.
Sapphire exclaimed, her earlier caution morphing into worried concern for her friend, "Ruby! What's happening?!"
Ruby, still slightly dazed, pushed himself up, an exasperated groan escaping his lips. He looked at Sapphire, then at his imposing father, then back at Sapphire, a wry, defeated look on his face as he said, as if sharing a profound truth, "Sapphire… you're about to witness a very violent family quarrel."
/////
A/N: Reach the goal of 250 PS to get a Bonus Chapter!