Chapter 256: Vs Rival Wally! (1)
~Azure S. POV~
[Hoenn Region, Next Day, Route 111]
The Hoenn region hummed with a different sort of energy than Hisui. Less ancient, perhaps, but vibrant, untamed. But unlike my previous journeys this time, I was focusing on another kind of growth: Sapphire's.
She walked beside me, her steps lighter, more confident than when we'd first set out. My role as her mentor was a stark contrast to my past crusades.
Back then, it was all about the next Gym, the next rival. Now, it was about watching her growth and her Pokémon. This was a different kind of reward, a deeper kind of fulfillment, training up a strong rival.
We'd left Mauville City a day ago, the bustling, electric metropolis a blur of fond memories and successful training sessions. Our path had led us along Route 111, a stretch that gradually surrendered its lush greenery to the encroaching sands of the desert.
We'd spent the previous night camped just at the edge, the air still cool but carrying the faint promise of the desert's heat, along with defeating the Winstrate Family Challenge. My own team, a varied bunch I'd carefully cultivated for Hoenn's unique challenges, rested comfortably in their Poké Balls, ready for whatever lay ahead.
They were formidable, each chosen for a specific role, a testament to years of experience knowing they're roles. The morning sun, already climbing high, cast long shadows as we resumed our trek.
The vegetation thinned with every step, the ground beneath our feet turning from packed earth to loose, reddish sand. The air grew drier, the faint scent of minerals and dust replacing the fragrance of flora.
Ahead, the desert stretched, vast and shimmering, an open invitation to adventure. Sapphire commented, shielding her eyes with a hand, "The desert looks intimidating, doesn't it, Master? Are you sure we have enough water?"
I grinned. I responded casually, holding my Spatial Backpack, "Always, Sapphire. Rule number one: be prepared. Besides, the challenge is half the fun, isn't it?"
Before we could take another step into the vast expanse, a figure emerged from behind a cluster of scraggly cacti to our left. He was slight in build, but there was a newfound robustness to his posture, an energy radiating from him that I instantly recognized.
His green hair, still distinctive, framed a face that was no longer pale and drawn, but flushed with health and excitement. He called out, his voice clear, free of the wheezing cough that used to punctuate his every sentence, "Azure Sky?"
My footsteps faltered. My eyes widened in genuine surprise as I replied, surprised, "Wally? Is that you?"
Sapphire, beside me, frowned. She asked casually, eyeing Wally cautiously, "Wally? Who's this one, Master?"
Wally hurried towards us, a smile so wide it threatened to split his face. He stopped a respectful distance away, his hands clasped, a slight tremor in his fingers betraying his excitement as he said in an excited tone, "It's me! Wally! I... I didn't think I'd see you again, not like this!"
I managed to speak out, still a little stunned, "You've... changed."
The last time I'd seen Wally, he was struggling for breath, his passion for Pokémon dimmed by his illness. A faint, almost imperceptible warmth spread through my chest as I recalled the day I used my Sacred Ash on him.
To see him now, so vibrant, so alive… it was truly heartwarming. But then Wally exclaimed, his eyes shining, "I have! Thanks to you, Azure! That… that Sacred Ash you gave me. It worked! It really worked! My lungs are clear, I can breathe, I can run, I can battle!"
He took a deep, clear breath, puffing out his chest. It was a simple action, but for him, it was monumental.
It was a triumph. I said happily, a genuine smile spreading across my face, "That's incredible, Wally. I'm truly happy for you."
Wally smiled, hearing my words. Then he continued, a fierce determination entering his gaze, "Yeah, but… happy doesn't cover it. I've been training so hard. I want to show you how much I've grown, how strong I've become! That Sacred Ash… it gave me a second chance, and I'm not wasting it. I want to thank you, the only way I know how: with a battle!"
His enthusiasm was infectious. This was the spirit I admired in trainers, the drive to push past limits, to constantly improve.
The reason why I gave Wally Sacred Ash wanting to challenge this trainer, unburdened by his illness. A challenge I wanted.
But then Wally added, asking in a confused tone, suddenly remembering something, "Before that, though… Have you seen Ruby anywhere? He helped me catch my first Pokémon, Kecleon, back when I was still struggling. I owe him a lot, too, and I wanted to tell him how much I've improved!"
Sapphire, who had been listening intently, finally spoke up. Her eyes widened in surprise as she answered, "Ruby? He's probably in Verdanturf Town right now. I heard a big Pokémon Contest is happening there today. He's quite the rival for me, actually."
Wally blinked, surprised, then a grin, equally wide as his first, spread across his face as he muttered excitedly, "Ruby's doing Contests? Wow. Well, I guess I'll have to show him what a great battle I can put on first!"
He turned back to me, his eyes alight with a renewed challenge. He asked in a determined tone, "So, Azure? What do you say? A 2-on-2 Pokémon battle? Please? I really want to prove myself!"
I looked at Wally, at the boundless energy that now radiated from him, at the eager anticipation in his stance. He was no longer the frail boy I'd met, but a burgeoning trainer, ready to take on the world.
This was more than a mere battle; it was a testament to courage, to hope, and to the power of Pokémon. My grin widened as I accepted his challenge coolly, "You're on, Wally. I wouldn't miss it for the world."
Sapphire stepped forward, her expression serious. She grinned as she declared excitedly, "I'll referee, then! A 2-on-2 Pokémon battle between Master and Wally, who's ready to show off his amazing growth! Trainers, please choose your first Pokémon!"
Wally took a deep, calming breath, mentally preparing himself. His whole body seemed to vibrate with suppressed energy.
I mirrored his action, a slow, deliberate intake of the desert air. This wasn't just another battle; it was a celebration of life, a chance for a young trainer to truly shine.
My mind sifted through my available team, considering Wally's known strategy, even if limited, and the environment. I could assume he captured Pokémon from the nearby environment, readying my hand.
My gaze settled on a particular Poké Ball. I said calmly, my voice steady, my grin still in place, "Alright, Wally. Let's see just how much you've grown."
Wally reached for his belt, his hand hovering over a Poké Ball as he said resolutely, "You won't be disappointed, Azure!"
Sapphire called out, her voice clear and authoritative, perfectly suited for her temporary referee role as she yelled, "Trainers, send out your Pokémon!"
Wally exclaimed, releasing his Poké Ball with a flourish, "Trapinch, let's go!"
*Pop*
A burst of light, and there it was: a sturdy, orange Pokémon with an enormous, powerful jaw, digging its four legs into the loose sand. Trapinch let out a confident roar, kicking up a small dust cloud, "Graaaooo!"
Trapinch, he'd said, was his first. A formidable Ground-type, known for its powerful jaws and Sand Tomb abilities. It seemed perfectly at home in this environment, a true desert denizen.
Not a bad choice here. I needed a type advantage. I declared, tossing my own Poké Ball, "Mudkip, I choose you!"
*Pop*
With a flash of white and blue, my Mudkip landed gracefully. It cries a cheerful one, its keen eyes fixed on the Trapinch below. It cried, "Kip!"
The contrast was stark: an agent of the water against an agent of the earth. Sapphire announced, her arm sweeping dramatically, "Let the battle begin!"
Wally wasted no time as he took his shot. With a confident smirk, he swiftly ordered, "Trapinch, use Sand Attack!"
*Pooof*
Trapinch, true to its nature, immediately began kicking up sand with its powerful legs, sending a cloud of gritty particles swirling towards Mudkip. This was a classic opening move for a Ground-type, aiming to blind its airborne opponent.
I countered, knowing that Mudkip's awareness was its greatest asset, "Mudkip, quick! Foresight and use the Water Gun to escape!"
Mudkip's eyes shone a bit, using Foresight to see the incoming attack. It quickly opened its mouth, shooting out a stream of water from its mouth.
*Fwp*
Mudkip's fin responded instantly, shooting upwards like a propelled dart by using the Water Gun momentum to move backwards, easily evading the main brunt of the sand attack. It then landed on the ground as it launched itself forward with a Tackle.
*SPLASH*
Wally commanded, anticipating the attack, "Don't let up, Trapinch, use Bite!"
Trapinch's massive jaws snapped open, ready to intercept Mudkip's mid-dash. The sheer size of its mouth made it a daunting target.
But Mudkip wasn't just about raw power; it was about precision and awareness. Just as Trapinch's jaws were about to clamp down…
*Wooosh*
… Mudkip's fin twitched as it twisted its body with an almost impossible grace, the Tackle grazing Trapinch's head rather than landing a full impact. It was enough to make the Ground-type flinch, but not enough to cause significant damage.
Mudkip, however, didn't stop there. Continuing its momentum, it circled Trapinch once, then launched itself back upwards.
I instructed Mudkip, aiming to capitalize on the type advantage, "Now, Mudkip, Agile Style Water Gun!"
*SPLASH*
Mudkip let out another cry, gathering a shimmering orb of water in front of its mouth. It fired a stream of water, sending it hurtling towards Trapinch with surprising velocity.
The desert air, dry as it was, seemed to shimmer as the stream of water cut through it. Wally shouted, his voice laced with urgency, "Dig, Trapinch, quick!"
He knew the threat of a Water-type move. Glad to see he knows the basics of type advantage and disadvantage.
*RMBL*
Trapinch, with incredible speed for its bulk, began to burrow into the sand, kicking up a fountain of grit. It was a race against time. The Water Gun, however, was already too close as it landed its mark on Trapinch.
*SPLASH*
It slammed into Trapinch's back legs just as it was disappearing below the surface, sending a splash of water and sand into the air. Trapinch let out a grunt of pain, its digging momentarily disrupted, but it managed to vanish completely, leaving only a disturbed patch of sand.
I commended, a true smile now gracing my lips, "Nice move, Wally."
He was sharp, reacting quickly to threats. This wasn't some haphazard trainer; this was someone who had truly put thought into their Pokémon's abilities.
My Mudkip, still alert, looked around, its head cocked, searching for its underground opponent. The air hung thick with anticipation. The battle had truly begun.
/////
A/N: Reach the goal of 100 PS to get a Bonus Chapter!