Chapter 252: Father and Son Battle! (3)
~Third POV~
[Hoenn Region, Nighttime, Mauville City, Pokémon Center – Battlefield]
As they're battle continued, nighttime son appeared, showing a full moon. Ruby took in a deep breath when he lost Nana against Norman's Slakoth.
However, Azure stated calmly, "You have two Pokémon remaining, Ruby. Norman, you have three."
Ruby took a deep breath, his mind racing. He needed a Pokémon with power and endurance against his father's Pokémon.
Ruby said calmly, his voice ringing with renewed confidence, "Alright, Father… Prepare yourself! Mumu, spotlight!"
*Pop*
From the Poké Ball, a sturdy, bipedal Pokémon with a large fin on its head and powerful arms emerged – Mumu the Marshtomp. Mumu stomped its feet, ready for a fight, a stark contrast to the more elegant Nana, "Marrrsh!!"
Norman merely nodded, his gaze fixed on Mumu. Ruby commanded boldly, "Mumu, use Mud Shot!"
*Splat*
Mumu scooped up a glob of mud from the battlefield's edge (a concession usually made for Water/Ground types in contained arenas) and hurled it with surprising force. The muddy projectile flew true, striking Slakoth directly.
*BAM*
The Ground-type attack caused Slakoth to stagger, its previous burst of energy fading. Norman ordered, "Slakoth, use Dig!"
But it was too late. Ruby pressed the advantage, "Mumu, finish it with a Water Gun!"
*SPLASH*
Mumu opened its mouth and unleashed a powerful stream of water, blasting the already weakened Slakoth. The hit was direct and overwhelming.
*Thud*
Slakoth, with a final, weary sigh, toppled over, swirls of faint stars circling its head. Azure announced, gesturing towards Norman, "Norman's Slakoth is unable to battle! The score is now one-to-one!"
Ruby punched the air, a grin spreading across his face in an excited tone, "Alright, Mumu! That's how it's done!"
Mumu let out a triumphant Marshtomp-like cry, "Marsh!"
Norman returned Slakoth, a flicker of something akin to pride in his eyes, but quickly masked. He reached for his second Poké Ball as he said calmly, "You've grown, Ruby. But a single victory doesn't win the battle. Linoone, let's go!"
*Pop*
A sleek, badger-like Pokémon with black and white fur and sharp claws appeared with a burst of white light. Linoone looked agile and ready to spring into action.
Norman wasted no time as he ordered, "Linoone, use Extreme Speed!"
*Zoooom*
Linoone blurred, a white streak across the battlefield, closing the distance to Mumu in an instant. It slammed into the Marshtomp with incredible force.
*BOOM*
Ruby flinched but shouted, knowing Mumu's bulk could take a hit, "Mumu, absorb it and use Mud Bomb!"
Mumu braced itself, grunting as the powerful blow landed flinching in pain. It then retaliated, unleashing a larger, more explosive Mud Bomb that splattered against Linoone, leaving it momentarily disoriented.
*SPLAT*
Norman commanded, eyes narrowed, "Linoone, stay focused! Use Slash!"
Linoone shook its head, clearing the mud from its eyes, and lunged again, its sharp claws extended, delivering a series of rapid slashes across Mumu's thick hide. Mumu grunted, its sturdy frame beginning to show signs of wear.
*Shinng*
Ruby aimed for another counter as he yelled, "Mumu, use Ice Punch!"
*Wooosh*
Mumu's fist glowed with icy energy as it swung. Linoone, moving with its characteristic speed, managed to dodge just in time, the punch narrowly missing its head.
Norman's eyes narrowed as he called out fiercely, "Now, Linoone, take advantage! Pinpoint with Pin Missile!"
*Pew*
*Pew*
Linoone launched a barrage of sharp, needle-like projectiles from its fur. Mumu, lumbering and still recovering from the previous attacks, was peppered with multiple hits.
The damage from the missiles took a heavy toll. Mumu swayed, its strength failing. Ruby cried, his heart sinking, "Mumu, no!"
Norman pressed on as he ordered, "Finish it with Extreme Speed!"
*Zoooom*
Linoone charged, lowering its head and ramming into Mumu with full force. The impact was too much…
*BOOOM*
… Getting hit in the head, Mumu collapsed, its eyes swirling.
*Thud*
Azure declared, "Mumu is unable to battle!"
The score is now Norman two, Ruby one. Ruby bit his lip, his brow furrowed.
He had underestimated Linoone's speed and varied attack types. He returned Mumu with a gentle pat as he muttered, "You fought well, Mumu. Thank you."
Now, it was down to Ruby's last Pokémon. He took a deep breath, his earlier nervousness giving way to a fierce resolve as he thought, 'I'm not giving up yet. Not here, not now.'
He needed to show his father that his chosen path had forged a powerful, unique bond with his Pokémon. He was down to his last hope, the Pokémon he had nurtured with such care, the Pokémon whose beauty he adored above all others.
He took a shaky breath, his gaze falling upon the Poké Ball. He whispered, before raising his voice, determination hardening his features, "It's all up to you now… Rara! I'm counting on you! Go!"
*Pop*
With a graceful flash of light, Rara the Kirlia appeared. Its elegant form, its green hair, and its poised stance radiated a delicate beauty.
Rara looked at Ruby, then at the formidable Linoone, a silent question in its large, blue eyes. Ruby started, "Rara, use Magical Leaf!"
*Wooosh*
Rara conjured a flurry of glowing leaves, homing in on Linoone. Linoone, with its incredible speed, tried to dodge, but the leaves pursued it, landing several hits.
Norman commanded, hoping to exploit Linoone's speed and a type advantage, "Linoone, use Shadow Claw!"
*Shinng*
Linoone lunged, its claw glowing with dark energy. Rara, however, was incredibly agile, too, as it gracefully twirled, expertly dodging the attack and then…
*Shiii*
… countering with a swift Psychic. The invisible force slammed into Linoone, making it cry out. Ruby pressed, "Now, Confusion!"
*Shiii*
Rara focused its psychic energy, sending waves of disorientation towards Linoone. Linoone staggered, unable to maintain its balance or speed.
Norman urged fiercely, "Linoone, Quick Attack, shake it off!"
*SHIII*
But it was too late. Rara, seizing the opportunity, unleashed another powerful Psychic, sending Linoone flying into a wall with a sickening thud.
*THUD*
… Linoone lay still, its eyes glazed over. Azure declared proudly with a sly grin, "Linoone is unable to battle! Ruby takes the point! The score is two-two! Norman, send out your final Pokémon!"
A hush fell over the Pokémon Center. It was down to the wire.
Ruby had managed to fight his way back. Norman, his expression unreadable, returned Linoone but felt pride in his heart as he gazed at Ruby briefly, thought, 'You've really grown out of that shell, Ruby… even your Rara and Nana evolved. I see…'
Norman closed his eyes as he said calmly, a flicker of something akin to pride in his voice, "You've done well, Ruby. But now… You face my strongest. Slaking, let's go!"
*Pop*
*TBML*
The ground trembled as Norman's final Pokémon materialized. Slaking.
A colossal, powerful ape-like Pokémon, its sheer bulk dominating the battlefield. Its gaze, though lazy, held an immense, dormant power. Even Azure felt a prickle of awe.
Ruby's breath hitched. Slaking. Norman's signature Pokémon
The very embodiment of brute force and unyielding power. Rara, so delicate and elegant, looked impossibly small in its shadow.
Azure's voice was steady, despite the palpable tension, "Battle begin!"
Norman commanded sternly, "Slaking, use Focus Punch!"
*WOOOSH*
Slaking, surprisingly, moved with a burst of power, its massive fist glowing with fighting energy. The force behind it was immense.
Ruby yelled, his voice strained, "Rara, Psychic, quick!"
*CRACK*
Rara created a shield of psychic energy, trying to block the attack, but Slaking's Focus Punch shattered it with terrifying ease, slamming into Rara and sending it skidding back. Rara whimpered, its graceful movements now faltering.
Norman's Slaking reeled its fist again as Norman commanded swiftly, "Again, Focus Punch!"
*WOOOSH*
Slaking lumbered forward, windmilling its arm for another devastating blow. Rara, barely standing, struggled to dodge.
*THUD*
It managed to avoid a direct hit, but the shockwave threw it back against a pillar. Ruby cried out, his heart pounding, "Rara!"
Rara was hurt badly. Its movements were sluggish, its usual poise gone. The despair began to creep in, chilling his resolve as he thought worriedly, 'I was losing. I'm going to lose, just like always, to dad – '
But then a clear voice cut through his despair, "Don't give up, Ruby!"
It was Sapphire, standing by Azure, her eyes earnest and unwavering. She yelled words of encouragement, trying to encourage him, "Don't fight for victory, fight for Rara! For the bond you share! Master always says… The power comes from your heart!"
Ruby looked at Sapphire, then at Azure, who gave a subtle nod. He looked at Rara, trembling but still standing, its eyes fixed on him, waiting for his command.
Sapphire's words echoed in his mind. It wasn't about winning, not anymore. It was about standing by his Pokémon, fighting with integrity, showing his father—and himself—that his way had value.
A renewed strength surged through Ruby. He wasn't giving up as he thought bitterly, 'Not now, not ever.'
He took a deep, bolstering breath, his despair replaced by a fierce, protective love for Rara. He yelled with renewed determination as he declared, "Rara, stay with me! We can do this! Keep fighting!"
Rara, sensing Ruby's sudden, intense resolve, felt a surge of energy course through its own body. A powerful, unseen force swelled within it, responding to its trainer's unwavering spirit…
*SHIII*
Rara's body began to glow, a brilliant, shimmering light enveloping it, surprising everyone in the room. Sapphire gasped, her eyes wide with wonder, "It's… it's evolving!"
The light intensified, twisting and reshaping Rara's form. Its delicate features became more defined, its gown-like body elongating, its arms extending into elegant, slender appendages. When the light faded, standing where Rara had been was a magnificent Gardevoir. Its green hair was longer, flowing, its eyes deeper, more serene, its poise elevated to an ethereal majesty.
Azure allowed himself a small, knowing smile. He had seen this power before.
Norman, for the first time, looked genuinely shocked, his Slaking momentarily paused, as if sensing the power shift. Azure lightly chuckled as he thought, 'Been wondering when you'll evolve Rara. Guess you were waiting for your moment to shine… or possibly follow Ruby's dream to the very end.'
The newly evolved Gardevoir looked at Ruby, a silent understanding passing between them. Its resolve was absolute, mirroring his own. Ruby breathed, utterly awestruck, "Rara, you evolved into a Gardevoir!"
But quickly recovered his focus. He checked his Pokedex, seeing a few new moves as he grinned, ordering, "Rara, use Moonblast!"
*Shiii*
Rara raised its hands, and a sphere of pure fairy energy, shimmering with all the hues of a lunar eclipse, materialized between them. Its beauty struck true as the full moon appeared, giving Gardevoir an awe-inspiring scene.
It pulsed with incredible power, a stark contrast to Slaking's brute force. Norman roared, recovering from his surprise, unwilling to back down, "Slaking, Giga Impact!"
*WOOOSH*
Slaking let out a mighty roar, charging forward, enveloped in a blinding aura of energy. It was a collision of raw power against refined, mystical might.
Rara, with an elegant, almost balletic gesture, propelled the Moonblast forward. The fairy energy slammed into Slaking mid-charge, erupting in a dazzling explosion of light and force...
*BOOOM*
Slaking, for all its immense power, was caught completely off guard by the sheer, unadulterated fairy energy. It roared in pain as the Moonblast consumed it, pushing it back, then sending it crashing to the ground with a thunderous thud.
*THUD*
Dust billowed, and when it cleared, Slaking lay still, unable to move. Azure saw the moment as he slyly grinned, thinking to himself, 'Gardevoir landed a critical hit. It was during the hit of impact… quite the determined Pokémon. But then again…'
Azure's eyes lingered at the surprised expression from Ruby as he thought excitedly of the outcome, '… in the original Rara never returned to Ruby till the end of the Sapphire and Ruby Arc. But because I returned Rara earlier than expected, we have this development instead. I just didn't think Rara would evolve here in this moment…'
Keeping his thoughts to himself, Azure shook his head. Azure declared, his voice cutting through the stunned silence, "Slaking is unable to battle! The winner is Ruby!"
The Sapphire erupted in cheers. Ruby stood frozen for a moment, then a wave of emotion washed over him.
He rushed to his Gardevoir, hugging its slender form tightly as he says proudly, "You did it, Rara!! You were incredible!"
Norman walked over, his stern façade finally cracking. He looked at Slaking, then at Gardevoir, then finally at Ruby.
A slow, respectful smile touched his lips. He paused, then said, his voice softer, "You… you fought well, Ruby. Your Pokémon… they showed incredible spirit. And your Gardevoir… it truly is beautiful."
Ruby looked up, tears welling in his eyes. His father had seen it.
Not just the strength, but the beauty, the heart, the bond. Azure stepped forward, his eyes twinkling. He glanced at Sapphire, who was beaming as he said calmly, "A remarkable battle, both of you. A true display of the bonds between trainer and Pokémon. And a powerful lesson for all of us."
Sapphire nodded, her gaze fixed on the triumphant Gardevoir, then on Ruby, a newfound respect shining in her eyes. The conflict, the tension, had dissipated, replaced by a quiet understanding.
Norman, seeing their expressions, slowly smiled with a hint of pride. He moved forward as Sapphire stood by Ruby's side as he said calmly, "Hey!! You went off on your own… You weren't patient enough to hear your parents out… I wanted to tell you that you can pursue your dream! You're free to do as you will!!"
Hearing this, Ruby's eyes widened in surprise as he handed him a Mega Ring containing a Key Stone and 2 Mega Stones as he continued, "But I expect you to do your best to achieve your goal! Once you decide to do something… give it your all! I don't know anything about Pokémon Contests. I have no idea what you see in them… but I'm sure you're going to need a lot of supplies to do the job right."
Ruby's eyes blinked in surprise, seeing the Mega Ring and 2 Mega Stones, as he asked curiously, as Sapphire's eyes widened seeing the items, "Dad… are these Mega Stones… and a Key Stone…?!!"
Surprisingly, Ruby Norman handed another set to Sapphire of a Mega Ring and 3 Mega Stones as he replied calmly, "Yes. Those two are Mega Stones for Rara and Mumu Ruby. And these are for Sapphire for her future Aggron, Blaziken, and Gallade. Your Father wanted me to hand this to you before searching for Ruby."
Sapphire was surprised by this but smiled fiercely as she declared proudly, "Then I hope you're ready, Norman! When I return to Petalburg City to challenge your Gym, I'll be there to challenge you!"
Norman gave a curt nod as he turned his back away till he saw Azure's face, and he said bluntly to him, "And you… Thanks for looking after my son."
Azure merely smiled, nodding his head as he uttered calmly, "No problem. He was quite the baby to babysit!"
Ruby, hearing that, yelled, "HEY!!!"
Norman chuckled, hearing that as he began to leave the area, as he said, waving his hand dismissively, "Heh. And Ruby, don't forget to call your mother now and then!"
With that, Norman finally left as the trio had delivered an unforgettable lesson. The road ahead would undoubtedly hold more challenges, but with such companions and such spirit, Azure knew they were ready for anything.
As for Ruby, he had found the true meaning of Pokémon beauty, not just in aesthetics, but in the heart of battle, and in the unwavering loyalty of his partners. They had a destination, yes, but the journey itself was proving to be the greatest adventure of all.
/////
A/N: Reach the goal of 300 PS to get a Bonus Chapter!