Chapter 250: Father and Son Battle! (1)
~Third POV~
[Hoenn Region, Later, Mauville City, Pokémon Center]
Azure, along with his Pikachu and Eevee, finally arrived back in Mauville City as he took a glance at his Arc Phone as which confirmed his suspicion, as he muttered, "I'm a bit late. Hopefully nothing bad happened…"
He quickened his pace, a faint sense of unease stirring within him. As he approached the Pokémon Center, a sharp, guttural shout tore through the otherwise ordinary sounds of the city, "You're in big trouble, Ruby!!"
*THUD*
It was a man's voice, laced with fury. Then, a sickening thud, followed by a grunt of pain that was unmistakably human.
Azure's instincts, honed over countless battles and tense situations, immediately flared. Pikachu's ears twitched, and Eevee tensed in his arms, sensing the shift in their trainer's demeanor.
Pushing through the automatic doors, Azure was met with a scene that instantly froze the blood in his veins as he thought, 'Ah fuck me… Family drama…'
In the bustling main lobby, usually a sanctuary of healing and peace, a monstrous figure loomed over Ruby. It was a tall, powerfully built man, his face contorted in a mask of rage, his hand clamped cruelly around Ruby's throat.
Ruby's feet dangled inches from the floor, his face paling, eyes wide with a mixture of pain and defiance. Sapphire stood a few feet away, her own face pale with shock, her hands clenched into fists, unsure whether to intervene or flee.
Norman, the Gym Leader of Petalburg City, and Ruby's father, tightened his grip, his voice a low, dangerous rumble as he said harshly, "Why, Ruby? Why did you run away from home? You disgrace! This isn't the path for a son of mine!"
*THUD*
Without waiting for an answer, Norman flung Ruby across the room. Ruby hit the pristine, tiled wall with a sickening impact, momentarily stunned, sliding to the floor in a heap.
A groan escaped his lips, but he pushed himself up, leaning against the wall, his eyes never leaving his father's. Ruby choked out to Sapphire, his voice hoarse, a hand instinctively going to his bruised neck, "He... he wants me to be a Pokémon Trainer. He doesn't understand. He never will."
Sapphire, her initial shock giving way to concern, stepped forward cautiously. Her gaze flickered between the enraged father and the battered son, a sense of helplessness washing over her as she said in a concerned tone, "Ruby, maybe… maybe you should just apologize? This is serious."
Ruby's mind, despite the pain throbbing through him, raced. Three distinct choices presented themselves, each a divergent path into an uncertain future, as he thought cautiously, 'I have options… I could apologize like you say, or… I could make a run for it… find a way out of this place… but I have a third option too…'
Ruby managed to get himself up as he thought in a determined tone, '… something I should have done a long time ago… have a Pokémon battle with Dad!! Right here, right now!!!'
Ruby chose option 3. Stay and fight.
Not physically, not in the way Norman was fighting him, but to stand his ground, to meet his father's wrath with an unwavering resolve that spoke louder than any words. To fight for his convictions, for his dream, for the path he had chosen.
This was the most dangerous option, promising more pain, more confrontation, but it was also the only one that offered him a chance to truly be seen, to be understood, to prove the depth of his commitment.
A wry, bitter smile touched Ruby's lips as he thought calmly, 'Sapphire is right; an apology would be the sensible, the better option, in a purely pragmatic sense. It was the path of least resistance…'
But Ruby wasn't just seeking to survive this encounter; he was seeking to define himself. He needed to show his father, not just tell him, how serious he was about Contests. How deeply he believed in the beauty and artistry they embodied.
He pushed himself fully upright, his gaze challenging Norman's. Ruby said defiantly, his voice gaining strength, despite the tremor in his hands, "No. I'm not apologizing. This is my life, my path."
He turned to Sapphire, his voice softening, a plea in his eyes as he said, "Sapphire, please. Don't… don't watch this."
It was at that precise, charged moment, when the tension in the room was a palpable, suffocating entity, that Azure Sky finally spoke. Pikachu, sensing the gravity of the situation, hopped from his shoulder, settling at his feet, its small body radiating a silent electric energy. Eevee, ever watchful, padded softly beside him.
The confrontation was emotionally raw, a long-simmering family dispute exploding into the open. Azure watched, his expression unreadable, observing the pain in both father and son.
He understood the clash of ideologies, the chasm between different paths. He also understood that sometimes, words were not enough.
Azure interjected, his voice calm yet carrying an undeniable authority that subtly shifted the focus to him, "Perhaps… some differences are best resolved not through heated words, but through the language both of you understand best."
Norman and Ruby turned, momentarily surprised, to face Azure. Norman, recognizing the Indigo Champion, nodded curtly.
He asked, though his tone suggested he already knew the answer, "And what might that be, Champion Sky?"
His voice, calm and even, cut through the fraught atmosphere like a cool breeze. Azure suggested, stepping fully into the lobby, his presence immediately drawing all eyes, "If there's an issue, let's deal with it the way Trainers do. In a Pokémon Battle. A neutral ground to air grievances and perhaps, to find understanding."
No sooner had the words left Azure's lips than Nurse Joy, drawn by the commotion and the sound of Norman's rage, emerged from the back office. Her usually serene expression was replaced by one of stern disapproval, her arms crossed.
Her gaze was fixed firmly on Norman. Nurse Joy's voice, though calm, held an undeniable steel as she said sternly, "A Pokémon Battle? If you wish to battle, Mr. Norman, you will do so outside. The Pokémon Center is for healing, not for brawling. We have an outdoor battlefield in the back, specifically for such matters. And there will be no physical altercations between Trainers."
Her tone left no room for argument as she said clearly, "Am I understood?"
Norman, his face still etched with anger, visibly bristled but did not outright defy the Nurse. He was a Gym Leader, bound by certain rules and expectations.
He knew Nurse Joy held considerable authority within the Pokémon League system, and her word was often law in her domain. Ruby looked at Azure, then at his father, a flicker of something akin to hope igniting in his eyes.
Norman considered Azure's proposal, his gaze lingering on his son's face, catching the defiance, but also perhaps, the deep-seated desire for validation. He merely glared at Azure, then at Ruby, before turning sharply towards the back exit.
Norman finally agreed, his voice firm as he said sternly, "A battle, then. But not some flashy Contest performance. A true Trainer's battle."
Ruby declared, regaining his composure, his chin lifting with renewed determination, "Agreed. And Azure, you will be the referee. I trust your neutrality."
Azure nodded, a small, reassuring smile gracing his lips. He casually replied, "I shall observe with an unbiased eye. Three-on-three, standard rules. Are we agreed?"
Norman affirmed, his expression hardening with resolve, "Agreed."
Ruby echoed, his voice ringing with a newfound conviction, "Agreed!"
Ruby, though still shaken by the physical assault, felt a surge of adrenaline, and with it, a newfound resolve as he thought seriously, 'This is it. This was my chance. I wouldn't back down. Not now.'
Sapphire was torn between her loyalty to Ruby and her discomfort with the escalating family drama, wringing her hands, unsure what to do. She looked at Azure, a silent question in her eyes.
Azure met her gaze, a subtle nod conveying understanding. He knew Ruby's request was born of pride and a desire to face this alone, but he also sensed Sapphire's need to support her friend.
Azure smiled lightly, seeing Sapphire's reaction to Ruby confronting his father as he thought happily, 'Oh? Seems like Sapphire is taking a liking to Ruby, seeing this side of him, or just plain concern.'
While Azure was interested in their development, he took the moment to play the mentor. He said softly, "Sapphire. Ruby asked you not to watch the battle between him and his father. It's his choice, and you should respect it. However, if you wish to observe a different kind of battle, a clash of wills rather than just Pokémon, you are welcome to join me on the sidelines. We can ensure the battle adheres to fair rules, at least."
Sapphire hesitated, then looked at Ruby, who was already striding towards the exit behind his father, his back straight, his shoulders squared. She saw the fierce determination in his posture, the quiet, desperate courage.
With a deep breath, she made her decision. Exhaling with a determined expression, she said resolutely, "I'll… I'll stand with you, Master. But I'll be there for Ruby, no matter what, as he…"
Her face flushed red, keeping her words to herself. Azure, on the other hand, had a teasing grin, already knowing the answer, but didn't say for now as they kept they're gaze at the father and son duo.
As they followed the two men out, the cool evening air of Mauville City was a stark contrast to the heated emotions simmering between father and son. The outdoor battlefield, usually reserved for friendly sparring or official practice, now felt like an arena for a deeply personal, almost primal conflict.
The artificial lights cast long, stark shadows, making the field seem larger, more imposing. Norman took his position on one side, his massive frame radiating an intimidating power.
His eyes, cold and hard, were fixed on Ruby. This was more than just a battle; it was an ultimatum. Ruby stood on the opposite side, his smaller frame appearing almost fragile against his father's bulk.
Yet, there was an unyielding steel in his gaze, a quiet fire burning within him. His heart hammered against his ribs, a frantic drumbeat of fear and defiance.
He knew the odds were stacked against him. His father, a Gym Leader, commanded powerful, battle-hardened Pokémon.
Ruby's own team, while beautiful and skilled in Contests, was not typically trained for the brutal force and strategic depth of a Gym Leader battle. But this was not about winning in the traditional sense. It was about proving a point.
It was about standing up for his dreams, for his identity, against the crushing weight of expectation. He would not yield. He could not.
Azure and Sapphire stood a respectful distance from the battle lines, as they slowly followed them from behind. Azure's expression was unreadable, but his presence was a grounding force.
He was an objective observer, yet deeply aware of the emotional undercurrents swirling around the field. He saw Ruby's trembling hands, the set of his jaw, the flicker of doubt in his eyes, quickly replaced by resolve.
He saw Norman's rigid posture; the lines of disappointment and frustration etched onto his face. Sapphire whispered, her voice barely audible, "This is going to be difficult. Ruby… he's so passionate about Contests, but his Pokémon aren't built for this kind of fight."
Azure nodded slowly. He watched as Norman reached for a Poké Ball at his belt, a glint of challenge in his eyes as Azure said calmly, speaking from experience, "Passion can fuel a Trainer to achieve great things, Sapphire. Sometimes, it can even overcome a disadvantage in strength. We will see what Ruby is truly made of tonight."
Ruby, with a deep breath, mirrored the action, his fingers closing around the smooth sphere of his own Poké Ball. The stage was set.
The battle, long brewing beneath the surface of their family, was about to begin, not with fists, but with the clashing wills of Pokémon.
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A/N: Reach the goal of 250 PS to get a Bonus Chapter!