Chapter 305: Dragon Pokémon
~Azure S. POV~
[Hoenn Region, Earlier, Mt. Chimney – Jagged Pass (Magma's HQ)]
The air in Jagged Pass tasted of ash and ambition. Heat radiated from the very rock under my boots, a geothermal furnace that Team Magma had hollowed out and called a base.
It was a testament to their single-minded obsession, this raw, elemental power they sought to control. And I was here to dismantle it… piece by piece.
My partners moved with the terrifying grace of a perfectly oiled machine. It was less a raid and more an intricate, destructive ballet.
On my left, Golduck's webbed hands glowed with psychic energy, anticipating the movement of a Grunt's Camerupt before a torrent of water from Milotic's Hydro Pump slammed into its side, dousing its internal flames and sending it collapsing in a heap of steaming rock.
*SPLASH*
*THUD*
The Grunt, a kid who couldn't have been much older than I was when I first left Pallet Town, stared in wide-eyed horror before recalling his Pokémon and scrambling away into the labyrinthine tunnels. It did make me frown seeing this.
Another wave of red-uniformed fanatics charged, their Pokémon a predictable menagerie of Fire and Ground-types. They were zealous, I'd give them that, but zeal was a poor substitute for experience.
I commanded, my voice barely rising above the hiss of lava pits and the groaning of machinery, "Sceptile, Absol. Cut them off."
*SHINNG*
There was no verbal acknowledgment, only action. A flash of green, followed by a whisper of silver. Sceptile's Leaf Blade, honed to a razor's edge, carved through the air, felling a Weezing before it could even think of using Smokescreen.
*SHINNG*
Absol, my beautiful harbinger, was a shadow of impending doom. Its Razor Wind wasn't a gale; it was a series of precise, invisible scalpels that severed power conduits and sent vital-looking computer consoles showering sparks.
The Grunts' Pokémon, a pack of Mightyena and a particularly large Torkoal, faltered, their line broken before it had ever truly formed. I let out a sigh, the sound lost in the cavernous space. This was… boring.
My Pokémon were barely breaking a sweat. I had come here expecting a fortress, a bulwark defended by Maxie's elite. Where were the Three Fires?
Where was Tabitha, with his brutish strategies?
Blaise, with his unsettling fanaticism?
Or Courtney, the cold, calculating bitch?
I hadn't seen a single Admin, let alone the man in charge, Maxie himself. It felt wrong, like breaking into a final boss chamber only to be blue balled, with a random NPC saying the boss is in another tower.
This base was a major strategic hub, the heart of their operations near Mt. Chimney. For it to be this lightly defended meant one of two things: either they were so arrogant they believed no one could touch them, or the real action was happening somewhere else entirely.
My money was on the latter. This was a shell, a decoy left behind while the true players moved their pieces across the board.
A guttural roar snapped me from my thoughts. One of the last remaining Grunts, a burly man with a desperate glint in his eye, had sent out his trump card.
*Pop*
An Aggron, its steel armor gleaming under the lurid red light of the base, lowered its head and charged directly at me. It was a foolish, last-ditch effort.
A trainer is never the target. But desperation makes people stupid.
I didn't even flinch. I scowled as the Alpha Pokémon from Hisui were much more frightening to this Kaiju rip-off. I countered harshly without flinching, "Blaziken, intercept. Swampert, follow through."
*Zoooom*
From my right, a blur of crimson and gold. Blaziken, my magnificent shiny partner, met the Aggron's charge head-on.
*SSSS*
*BOOM*
There was no finesse, just pure, overwhelming power. A Blaze Kick connected with the Aggron's horned head, the impact echoing like a struck anvil. The Steel-type behemoth skidded to a halt, its momentum completely arrested, its head ringing.
*SMASH*
Before it could recover, Swampert lunged from the other side, its massive, orange-finned arm glowing with fighting energy. The Hammer Arm came down like a meteor, striking the Aggron's flank and sending the half-ton Pokémon flying sideways.
*BOOOOM*
It crashed into the remaining horde of Magma Pokémon—a few Numel and a Zangoose—sending them scattering like bowling pins. The remaining Grunts finally broke down in panic, seeing they're teammates get squished.
Seeing their strongest Pokémon dispatched with such casual, coordinated brutality shattered their morale. They recalled their fainted partners and ran, their red uniforms disappearing into the darker passages of the base, their panicked shouts fading into echoes.
Silence descended, thick and heavy, broken only by the hum of the remaining machinery and the soft panting of my Pokémon. I walked among them, giving Swampert a firm pat on his broad shoulder and running a hand down Blaziken's arm.
Milotic coiled elegantly around a rock pillar, her beauty a stark contrast to the rugged, industrial chaos around us. They had performed flawlessly.
But the silence felt… watched. A presence, potent and ancient, pricked at the edge of my senses. It wasn't the clumsy energy of a Magma Grunt.
This was something else. Something wilder.
From a high ledge shrouded in shadow, a figure dropped down, landing with the silent grace of a Mightyena. She was clad in a tattered, dark cape, and her eyes, sharp and intense, locked onto mine as she roared, "Salamence!"
*Pop*
Materializing at her side, a Salamence materialized from the Poke Ball, equally pissed off, its powerful jaw hanging slightly open, a low growl rumbling in its chest. Ah, now I know this feeling… Zinnia.
My heart gave a little skip, a flicker of genuine excitement. Now this was a challenge. Zinnia of the Draconid people.
The Lorekeeper. A trainer whose lineage was tied to the very legends of this region. Her Salamence looked immense, a creature of raw, draconic fury, its power a palpable aura in the heated air.
The idea of pitting my own team against hers, of testing my honed strategies against the ancient power of the Hoenn sky, was incredibly tempting. But then, my mind, ever the strategist, took over.
I knew the stories. I had spent months in the Oak's Library before ever setting foot on Hoenn Region, devouring every scroll, every forgotten text I could find on Hoenn's history using my Arc Phone.
I knew of the Draconids, of the great meteor, of their sacred duty to summon Rayquaza along with the metaknowledge. I knew what she was planning, what role she intended to play in the coming crisis.
And I knew, with a certainty that chilled me more than the cavern's heat, that her way would lead to disaster. She was a blunt instrument, a force of nature driven by prophecy and grief. I needed to be a surgeon's scalpel.
A battle here and now would be pointless. It would solve nothing and would only complicate my own path. So, I decided to trade a physical battle for a psychological one instead equally as effective.
*Pop*
Gardevoir and Metagross materialized on either side of me, their Poké Balls opening in silent flashes of light. They didn't assume battle stances.
They simply… existed, their immense psychic energies flooding the cavern. Zinnia's eyes widened slightly, her gaze flicking between the two psychic powerhouses. Her Salamence instinctively took a half-step back, its growl faltering.
I felt the connection in my mind, the seamless link between me and my partners. I thought calmly, directing the command to both Gardevoir and Metagross, 'Hold them steady. Gently, but firmly.'
*Shiii*
A faint, violet aura shimmered around Zinnia and her Salamence. It wasn't an attack, just an overwhelming pressure, a psychic cage woven from pure mental force. Zinnia's body went rigid as she was halted by Telekinesis.
Her Salamence tried to flap its great wings, only to find them impossibly heavy, held down by an unseen weight. She looked at me, confusion warring with fury in her eyes. She had no idea what was happening, only that she and her partner were suddenly, completely immobilized.
I allowed a knowing grin to spread across my face. I stepped forward, my shoes crunching on the gravelly floor, the sound unnaturally loud in the tense silence. I said smoothly, my voice calm and even, cutting through the psychic hum, "Sorry. But I'm afraid you won't be needed, Zinnia…."
I saw the flicker of shock in her eyes. She knew her name, of course. But what came next would be the real blow as I finished, "… The time is not yet right to battle Zinnia of the Draconid."
That was the key. Draconid.
It was a name spoken only in whispers, in forgotten legends. For an outsider, an Indigo champion no less, to not only know her name but the name of her ancient people… it was impossible.
Her face went slack, the fury replaced by pure, unadulterated shock. Her Salamence, sensing its master's turmoil, stopped struggling entirely.
She was completely off-balance, her mind racing to comprehend how I could know her most guarded secret. It was the perfect opening.
I sent the thought with a final, decisive push as I commanded, 'Gardevoir, now. Get them out of here. Somewhere safe. Somewhere far.'
*Shiii*
*Pop*
Gardevoir's eyes glowed with brilliant psychic light. The space around Zinnia and her Salamence warped, bent, and with a soft pop sound that barely disturbed the air, they were gone.
I had given Gardevoir the mental image of a small, secluded island where we had located Regice in the past. She'd be disoriented, confused, and most importantly, consumed by the mystery of who I was and what I knew.
That confusion would keep her occupied, keep her from interfering while I set my own pieces on the board. With the last threat neutralized, I recalled Gardevoir and Metagross, the oppressive psychic energy vanishing as if it had never been there.
The base was mine. The grunts were gone. The Admins were a no-show.
I turned to my remaining Pokémon as I congratulated them proudly, "Good work, all of you. A clean sweep."
My praise was met with a chorus of happy cries and contented growls. But as I was about to recall them, a brilliant, white light erupted from the center of our circle.
*Shiii*
Everyone fell silent, turning to watch. It was coming from Shelgon's Poké Ball on my belt. I released him, and he hovered in mid-air, his entire body encased in the blinding, beautiful light of evolution.
*Pop*
We watched, captivated. The hard, spherical shell that had protected him for so long began to crack and splinter. The light intensified, forcing me to shield my eyes. The form within stretched, elongated.
The stubby appendages grew into powerful limbs, tipped with formidable claws. The shell shattered completely, falling away like dust as two magnificent, blood-red wings unfurled with breathtaking speed.
*FWP*
The light faded, revealing the creature that stood in Shelgon's place. Its body was sleek and powerful, a study in blue and grey aerodynamics. Its eyes burned with newfound intelligence and a fierce, primal joy. A mighty, triumphant roar ripped through the cavern, a sound that wasn't just a cry, but a declaration, "GRAOOOO!!! (TODAY IS THE DAY I FLY!! HAHAAHA!)"
A dream, held for generations within its genetic code, had finally been realized. My Shelgon was a Salamence.
My other Pokémon cheered, a cacophony of joyful sounds echoing off the metal walls. I couldn't help but smile, a wide, genuine grin.
This was the real prize of the day. I looked up towards the gaping hole in the cavern ceiling, a wound Sceptile and Absol had carved out earlier.
I said proudly, my voice filled with pride as I gazed at my Dragon Pokémon, "Go on. You've waited your whole life for this. Go fly."
My new Salamence looked at me, her intelligent eyes filled with gratitude. Then, with another earth-shaking roar, she crouched low and launched herself into the air. She soared through the opening, her powerful wings catching the currents of the mountain pass.
*FWP*
*ZOOOM*
She looped and dove, a streak of blue against the volcanic grey of Jagged Pass, reveling in the freedom of the sky. The sight was worth more than any League trophy. I stood there for a long moment, watching my partner achieve her deepest desire.
My team gathered around me, a silent, powerful family sharing in the moment. The Team Magma base was a conquered ruin at our feet, Zinnia was a problem deferred, and a new, incredible power had joined our ranks.
Taking the chance, I took out my Arc Phone. I smiled proudly, seeing my Dragon Pokémon grow up strong and proud.
[Salamence the Dragon Pokémon. Salamence is considered an unusual Pokémon due to the circumstances of its Evolution; its fervent desire to fly triggered a cellular mutation that allowed it to suddenly grow large, red wings.
Its long-held dream fulfilled at last, Salamence constantly flies around and releases intense blasts of fire as an expression of its joy. It only stops flying when it gets exhausted and needs to sleep. If enraged, it loses all sense of self and flies into an uncontrollable rampage, destroying everything around it until it tires itself out. It lives in rough terrain, and it competes with Garchomp midair for food.]
|Name: Salamence (Dragon Pokémon)
|Type: Dragon/Flying
|Level: 50
|Gender: Female
|Held Item: [Dragon Fang]
|Ability: Moxie (Hidden Ability)
|Nature: Naïve
|Moves: Leer, Scary Face, Iron Defense, Roar, Dragon Breath [A][S], Dragon Claw [A][S], Twister [A][S], Draco Meteor [A][S], Dragon Pulse [A][S], Outrage [A][S], Flamethrower [A][S], Dragon Rage [A][S], Crunch [A][S], Headbutt [A][S], Tera Blast [A][S], Zen Headbutt [A][S], Hydro Pump [A][S], Iron Head [A][S], Shadow Claw [A][S], Fire Fang [A][S], Thunder Fang [A][S], Fly (IM), Protect (IM), Dragon Dance (IM), Dragon Rush [A][S] (EM) (9 Moves left to learn)
I grinned as it finally learned the move Fly. I'm so proud of her. Now I can finally use that Mega Stone for her.
But deep down, I knew this was far from over. This easy victory was just the calm before the storm. Groudon and Kyogre would awaken.
The world would be thrown into chaos. But now, things were different. I had a Salamence, a partner born to rule the skies. One dragon's dream was realized. Now, it was time to go find the master of them all.
My journey to the Sky Pillar, and to the Sky High Pokémon, Rayquaza, had just truly begun. I smiled at the idea but knew it would probably be the hardest challenge I would ever take with my Team's current level.
/////
A/N: Reach the goal of 100 PS to get a Bonus Chapter!