Chapter 299: Alluring Fire (3)
~Third POV~
[Hoenn Region, Verdanturf Town – Rusturf Tunnel (Deep Interior)]
But even as Absol stood as a temporary barrier, Courtney's keen eyes caught a glimpse of movement in the tunnel behind them. Azure's Pokémon, rushed towards the cavern tunnel, were now free from the Grunts.
A smirk returned to Courtney's lips, whispering, "Not quite yet, hero."
She swiftly tossed a Poké Ball towards the approaching Pokémon as she commanded, "Aggron! Block!"
*Pop*
From the Poké Ball erupted a colossal Aggron, its metallic hide gleaming. With a thunderous roar, it unleashed a powerful beam, a field of energy that slammed into Azure's advancing Pokémon, halting them in their tracks.
*PEW*
They struggled against the invisible barrier, their roars of frustration echoing in the tunnel, but they were held firm. Azure frowned, his moment of relief evaporating.
Courtney's Aggron was incredibly strong, able to hold back his powerful team. But in doing so, it left itself vulnerable, transfixed on maintaining the Block, unable to move or attack lest it allow Azure's reinforcements to rush in.
Courtney, her Ninetales still beside her, considered her remaining options. With Aggron deployed, she had 4 Pokémon left in her Poké Balls.
Azure, on the other hand, had Metagross, Sceptile, Gardevoir, Blaziken, and Slaking still within their Poké Balls. Manectric out defending him alongside the newly arrived Absol, which now stood as a silent, formidable ally.
Her eyes hardened as Azure stared intently, knowing the true battle was now inevitable. Absol, sensing the shift in the air, vanished back into the shadows, observing the human from its unseen vantage point.
Courtney, now wary, knew the Disaster Pokémon still lurked, a wildcard in a battle that was about to ignite. The tunnel, once a tomb, now buzzed with electric tension, poised for a clash of wills and power.
Courtney's Ninetales, a magnificent creature with nine flowing tails, appeared, its eyes glowing with contained power. Courtney murmured, her gaze lingering on Azure, "Excellent, I like a challenge. Defeating you without your best, without a type advantage… that will be even sweeter."
Her perverse joy was evident, but beneath it, a flicker of caution. She hadn't forgotten their encounters. Azure was far from an ordinary Trainer.
Absol, its red eyes now glowing faintly in the dimness, watched from a high, shadowy ledge, its presence still completely unknown to either Trainer. It was an impartial observer, for now, to the unfolding drama.
Azure commanded, his voice sharp, cutting through the tense atmosphere, "Manectric, Thunder Wave!"
*ZAP*
Manetric charged electricity in its fur as it shot a jolt of lightning at them. Courtney's smirk widened as she countered, "Ninetales, Protect!"
*CLANG*
A shimmering barrier of energy materialized around Ninetales, deflecting Manectric's paralyzing attack. Courtney cooed, her voice mocking, "Too slow, Champion! A predictable opener. Ninetales, use Flamethrower!"
*Ssss*
A searing stream of fire erupted from Ninetales' mouth, arcing towards Manectric. Azure countered, his eyes tracking the flames, "Manectric, Quick Attack, dodge it!"
*Zooom*
Manectric, just like a bolt of blue lightning, zipped out of the path of the inferno, repositioning itself. The battle became a dizzying dance.
Manectric, swift and agile, launched a barrage of Spark and Thunderbolt attacks, each one aimed with precision. Ninetales, graceful and cunning, met each offensive with its own array of Mystical Fire, Extrasensory, and swift dodges, its nine tails flowing like liquid fire.
Courtney yelled, a triumphant glint in her eyes, "Ninetales, use Sunny Day!"
*Shiii*
The tunnel, already dim, pulsed with a sudden, radiant heat. A miniature sun seemed to appear above Ninetales, bathing the cavern in an oppressive light, intensifying the heat dramatically.
Azure's eyes narrowed as he narrowed, 'A classic Ninetales strategy.'
Taking control of the battle, he ordered fiercely, "Manectric, Thunderbolt, now!"
*ZAP*
But something was wrong. Manectric's usually potent electric attack fizzled, its power noticeably diminished in the superheated air.
Courtney laughed, a sound that grated on the ears as she boasted, "Foolish! Ninetales is highly trained. Under Sunny Day, the air itself becomes a conductor of fire, an insulator against electricity! Your electric attacks are useless here, Champion!"
Azure cursed under his breath as he thought critically, 'Her strategy was brilliant, effectively nullifying Manectric's primary advantage.'
He swiftly recalled Manectric to his side, prepping another Poke Ball, yelling, "Shelgon, you're up!"
*Pop*
With a flash, Shelgon, a thick-shelled Dragon-type, appeared, its sturdy form ready for battle. Courtney's eyes flickered, a hint of surprise touching her features before her manic grin returned as she said, throwing another Poke Ball, "Oh? A Dragon-type, then? Very well. A change of pace. Swellow, let's see how you fare against real speed! And just to make things interesting…"
*Pop*
From the sphere emerged a Swellow, its elegant form immediately taking to the air. But what truly caught Azure's attention was the flickering orange orb clutched in its talons – a [Flame Orb]. As the orb's power activated, Swellow's body shimmered with latent energy, its eyes glinting with fierce determination. It was activating its Guts ability, boosting its attack power under the burn status.
The battle immediately shifted. Two Pokémon on each side.
The stakes had been raised. Courtney shrieked, her voice reaching a fever pitch, "Ninetales, continue with Flamethrower on Shelgon! Swellow, Aerial Ace, hit that Champion!"
*Zooom*
Azure's eyes widened. She wasn't just attacking his Pokémon; she was targeting him directly in this battle.
*Wooosh*
Without a moment's hesitation, he launched himself to the side, narrowly avoiding Swellow's impossibly fast dive. Azure roared, twisting his body to avoid another attack as Swellow circled back, "Shelgon, Iron Defense! Manectric, use Agility!"
The tunnel became a whirlwind of motion. Shelgon braced itself, its shell deflecting the superheated Flamethrower. Swellow, a blur of feathers and fury, incessantly harried Azure, forcing him to dodge, weave, and leap, his own movements as precise and desperate as his Pokémon's.
Ninetales and Shelgon clashed in a fiery, draconic struggle, while Courtney, like a perverse conductor, orchestrated the chaos, her eyes burning with an unholy ambition, her words dripping with a disturbing, almost erotic thrill for battle. Absol, still perched in the shadows, watched on, its own destiny now undeniably intertwined with the Indigo Champion and the mad Admin.
The true inferno had only just begun. The arena was set. The air crackled with anticipation, both Pokémon and Trainers ready to unleash their full power. The fierce, intense battle between Azure and Courtney, Admin Three Flames, had begun.
No longer a one-on-one, it became a frenetic double battle. Courtney and Azure, masters of their craft, moved with their Pokémon, dodging and weaving through the tunnel, each attempting to attack the other's Pokémon or even the Trainer themselves.
Azure shouted, commanding his Pokémon swiftly with each command, "Shelgon, Hydro Pump on Ninetales! Manectric, Thunderbolt on Courtney!"
He knew his electrical attacks would be weakened, but he was hoping for a disruption. Courtney laughed, a wild, unhinged sound as she countered, "Dream on! Ninetales, keep that heat intensified! Don't let his water moves get through! Swellow, Brave Bird, protect your trainer!"
*Ssss*
Ninetales unleashes a burst of heat, distorting the air around it, making the Hydro Pump visibly less effective as it dissipated somewhat before reaching its target. Swellow, a feathered arrow, soared at Azure, forcing him to duck and roll as it passed, its Guts-powered attack leaving a faint trail of scorching air.
The Thunderbolt, weaker than usual, merely crackled harmlessly against the stone wall near Courtney. The dance continued. Azure was a blur of motion, leaping over scattered rocks, darting behind stalagmites, constantly repositioning himself.
He ordered swiftly, trying to chip away at the flying type stamina, "Shelgon, Dragon Breath on Swellow!"
*PEW*
Courtney shrieked, her own movements surprisingly agile as she avoided a stray rock dislodged by Shelgon's attack, "Swellow, Quick Attack, grab me!"
*Zooom*
Swellow, with a burst of speed, flew to her, allowing her to grasp its talons and be yanked out of the line of fire. Managing to avoid the Dragon Breath, she continued, "Ninetales, Ember on Shelgon!"
The battle was a whirlwind of elemental attacks and strategic maneuvering. Azure recognized the critical need to disrupt Courtney's strategy as he thought warily, 'Ninetales' Sunny Day is empowering her fire-type and stifling Manectric's electric attacks. I need a game-changer….'
As he thought, his mind realized with a defiant smirk, 'Right… I just need to break her defense. Time to go for the offensive.'
Azure called, pulling back his electric-type and hurled another Poke Ball, "Manectric, return! Slaking, Giga Impact!"
*Pop*
With a thunderous roar, a gargantuan form materialized from its Poké Ball. Azure's Alpha Slaking, a truly immense specimen of its species, materialized, its sheer size dwarfing the tunnel.
*THUD*
It stomped the ground, sending vibrations through the rock as it prepared its devastating attack. Courtney's eyes, for the first time, flickered with genuine alarm. An Alpha Slaking, attacking immediately, without the usual Truant drawback – that was a serious threat.
She screamed, her voice losing its manic edge, replaced by a desperate urgency, "Ninetales, Disable! Swellow, Protect!"
*Shiii*
Ninetales, moving with uncharacteristic speed, unleashed a wave of psychic energy, attempting to Disable Slaking. At the same time, Swellow zipped in front of Courtney, generating a shimmering green barrier with Protect…
*BOOOM*
Slaking's Giga Impact, a terrifying surge of raw power, slammed into the Protect barrier, cracking it like fragile glass. The force of the blow was immense, but it bought Courtney precious seconds.
But Azure barked, seizing the opening, "Shelgon, Roar!"
Shelgon let out a guttural roar, a sound that reverberated through the tunnel, "GRAO!! (GET BACK HERE!!)"
Slaking, momentarily disoriented from its Giga Impact and then forced back by the intimidating Roar, recoiled and was immediately recalled to its Poké Ball by Azure. It's brief but impactful appearance, serving its purpose.
Azure roared, a new Poké Ball arcing through the air, "Sceptile, now!"
*Pop*
From it burst Sceptile, energy already surging around its body as Azure ordered, "Strong Style Tera Blast, point-blank!"
*PEW*
Sceptile began glowing on its chest, unleashed a blinding beam of pure energy through its mouth, unleashing its attack. It was a perfect, devastating strike.
*BOOOM*
Ninetales, still recovering from using Disable, and Swellow, whose Protect barrier was shattered, had no time to react. The green Tera Blast slammed into both Pokémon simultaneously, lifting them off their feet.
They skidded across the rough tunnel floor, leaving deep gouges in the rock, their forms battered and bruised. Azure didn't let up as he commanded, his voice echoing with renewed intensity, "Shelgon, Dragon Pulse! Sceptile, Solar Beam!"
*SHIII*
The Sunny Day Ninetales had cast, now worked against it, having fully charged Sceptile's Solar Beam. Shelgon unleashed a swirling orb of draconic energy, followed instantly by Sceptile's blinding column of solar power, both attacks hurtling towards the wounded Team Magma Pokémon.
*BOOOM*
Courtney's expression darkened, her earlier smugness replaced by a cold, furious dread. Both her Ninetales and Swellow collapsed, swirls in their eyes, thoroughly defeated as they fainted from the attack.
She snarled, recalling her fainted Pokémon with a savage gesture, "You… you ruined my beautiful flames!"
Her eyes fixed on Azure, a desperate glint in them as she yelled, "You may have won this round, but Team Magma will always rise!"
With a swift, practiced motion, she threw another Poké Ball. She called out fiercely, "Camerupt, to me!"
*Pop*
Outburst a powerful Camerupt, its twin volcanoes already smoldering. Courtney roared, "No more games!!"
Azure didn't flinch. He ordered calmly, eyeing Camerupt, "Sceptile! Power up!"
*GULP*
Sceptile used Energy Ball and ate it following the command. Doing so activated its Overgrow Ability in the process. Sceptile, radiating an intense forest energy, let out a piercing cry, ready to face the titanic Camerupt, "CRAAA!!!"
Azure commanded, his voice ringing with authority, "Sceptile, handle Camerupt! Buy us some time, partner!"
*Wooosh*
Sceptile rushed ahead using Leaf Blade, intending to battle Camerupt. The Camerupt growled as it battled against the Forest Pokémon.
But it wasn't all as Azure continued ordering in a fierce voice, "Shelgon, now! Aggron is no longer able to move! We need to take it out! Hydro Pump!"
*SPLASH*
Shelgon turned its attention to the Aggron, which, having focused so long on maintaining Block, was momentarily off-balance. But with no one there to defend it as Courtney was struggling, it was the moment when it unleashed a pressurized stream of water…
*BOOOOM*
It forced Aggron to recoil in pain and allowed the rest of Azure's Pokémon to pounce on it without mercy. Courtney saw Azure's Pokémon, now freed from Aggron's Block, surging forward; their combined power was too much to handle.
Her Camerupt was a formidable force, but her team was depleted, and Azure's full roster was nearly upon her. Courtney snarled, a mixture of rage and frustration contorting her features, "This isn't over, Azure! This is just the beginning!"
She recalled her Camerupt. With a final, desperate gesture, she threw one of her Poké Balls, yelling, "Magmar!"
*Pop*
Her Magmar appeared, clutching a shimmering [Smoke Ball]. Before Azure could react, Magmar unleashed a thick, obscuring cloud of smoke, engulfing the entire area.
Courtney's voice echoed through the smoke, already fading, "We'll meet again, Indigo Champion! And next time, you won't be so lucky!"
*Shiii*
As the smoke began to dissipate, leaving behind only the acrid scent of sulfur and burnt earth, Courtney and her Magmar were gone, a telltale shimmer of Teleport hanging in the air. Azure's freed Pokémon, Pikachu, Eevee, and the rest, rushed to his side, panting but victorious, their cheers mingling with the fading echoes of confrontation.
Azure watched the spot where Courtney had vanished, a thoughtful, almost weary expression on his face as he muttered, "This is Hoenn, alright. And it was already proving to be far more volatile than even I had anticipated."
With the battle concluded and Courtney gone, the tension in the tunnel finally eased. Azure swayed slightly, then recalled his Pokémon. They all returned to their Poké Balls, their forms shimmering out of existence.
Pikachu and Eevee looked at him, concerned. He waved it off as he said, tiredly leaning his body against a nearby stone wall, "No worries, you two… we've been through worse situations before. Just give me some time."
*Shiii*
He closed his eyes, his Viridian Force subtly activating. A faint emerald glow emanated from his body, and the throbbing ache of his burns began to recede, his stamina slowly replenishing.
As the soothing energy worked its magic, a shadow detached itself from the tunnel wall. Absol, its work done, finally emerged, its knowing eyes fixed on Azure.
It had observed the entire battle, from Azure's desperate defense to his cunning counterattacks, his resilience, and his compassion for his Pokémon. Azure smiled, a genuine, tired smile as he said casually, "Well, that was quite the situation, wasn't it?"
He looked at Absol, his gaze gentle. He extended a hand, palm open as he said curiously, "You're a strong Pokémon, Absol. And you helped me when I needed it most. Would you… Would you like to join my team?"
Absol gazed at him, its intelligent eyes studying him. It sensed the Viridian Force, the natural healing energy that flowed within him, a power that resonated with its own instincts for foresight and prevention.
The Disaster Pokémon's lips curved into a rare, almost imperceptible smile. It nodded, a silent acceptance.
Azure, surprised but delighted, quickly reached for an empty Poké Ball on his belt. With a soft click, he presented it.
Absol, without resistance, touched its forehead to the button, absorbing into the ball with a gentle chime. It shook once, twice, then clicked, signifying a successful capture.
*BON*
Just as the Poké Ball settled in Azure's hand, he grinned happily as he said tiredly, checking his Arc Phone, "Thanks for joining my crazy odyssey. Let's see what you got…"
[Absol the Disaster Pokémon. Absol lives in the mountains far from civilization, and it rarely ventures down from its alpine home. Using its horn, Absol can sense even subtle changes in the sky and the land to predict when a disaster will occur and will try to warn people when one is approaching.
In addition to its divination powers, Absol's horn can be extended and used in battle. Absol is also known to protect fields from natural disasters. This often has the unfortunate effect of Absol itself being blamed for the disaster, notably by the elderly.
The hatred for Absol started years ago due to superstitions surrounding it. Despite this, others are interested in its ability to predict disasters. Absol has been referred to as a bringer of doom. Absol can move as swiftly as the wind. Absol is said to have a lifespan of up to 100 years. The powers of Absol's horn remain active even when it sleeps. Due to this, Absol can strongly detect danger even when not awake.]
|Name: Absol
|Type: Dark
|Level: 46
|Gender: Female
|Held Item: None
|Ability: Super Luck
|Nature: Jolly
|Moves: Detect, Leer, Taunt, Swords Dance, Double Team, Bite, Pursuit, Dark Pulse, Night Slash,Punishment, Thief, Payback, Feint Attack, Quick Attack, Razor Wind, Psycho Cut, Feint, Slash, Future Sight, Mean Look (IM), Perish Song (EM) (6 Moves left to learn)
Azure smiled happily, seeing its move pool and level. Just as he finished reading the info familiar voices of his companions echoed from the tunnel entrance, "Azure! Are you okay? Whoa!! The heck happened here!!"
Ruby and the gang, their faces etched with concern. Seeing the lingering smoke and the exhausted but defiant look on Azure's face, they quickly moved to his side, helping him out of the tunnel and into the fresh air.
Azure merely smiled, clutching the new Poké Ball, a testament to a battle hard-won and a new companion gained. But his gaze hardened as he thought, 'I need time to rest up. But I suppose I'll need to take a breather first…'
/////
A/N: Reach the goal of 200 PS to get the Bonus Chapter!