Chapter 352: Unknown Challenger
~Azure S. POV~
[Johto Region, Later, Ecruteak City]
The clatter of ceramic plates and the savory aroma of Ecruteak City's finest cuisine still clung to my senses as I stepped out of the restaurant. Beside me, Pikachu, ever the energetic spark, chittered and bounced, his tail twitching with anticipation. Eevee, my steadfast companion, trotted with a quiet grace, her amber eyes reflecting the gentle glow of the setting sun.
I said calmly, my voice calm and steady, a stark contrast to the whirlwind of emotions that often swirled within, "Alright, team! Morty's map is clear. The Plates won't find themselves now, would they?"
As we stretched, preparing to venture out once more. Ruby said, satisfied finally, pulling his pack tighter, "Well, Azure, we won't hold you up! You look like you're on a schedule, probably chasing some legendary beast again."
I conceded, giving a wry smile, "Something like that."
As they began to turn, Sapphire took a step forward, but Ruby suddenly froze mid-step, his eyes wide. Ruby fumbled, clapping a hand to his back as he yelled, "Wait! Hold on! I almost forgot the most important thing!"
He slipped the heavy backpack off his shoulders and set it gently on the cobbled street. He unzipped a deeply padded side pocket, revealing a small, smooth object resting securely within. It was a Pokémon Egg. It was perfectly oval, radiating a soft, gentle warmth even from where I stood.
Its shell was a pale, almost ethereal white, with faint, crystalline blue and red speckles layered near the equator. I raised an eyebrow, my curiosity piqued. This was clearly important.
I asked curiously, "Oh?"
Pikachu cocked his head, looking at the egg with interest. Sapphire, usually so boisterous and confident in battle, suddenly looked down at her feet, a blush creeping up her neck. I got an idea what this Egg is now seeing her expression.
She began, fiddling with the ends of her headscarf, explaining, "Well, you see, Master… Ruby and I were researching the environmental fluctuations near Slateport, specifically how the ambient mega-energy affects local ecosystems."
She took a breath as she continued her face turned red, her gaze away from me, "And well, my Gallade, Kirly, and Ruby's Gardevoir, Rara… they were out in the field with us. And they were… cooperating. Very closely."
Ruby, already prone to high levels of dramatic flair, was now bright crimson. He insisted, waving his hands defensively, "It just… happened! We were so focused on the residual energy readings, and then the next thing we know, they're looking at each other, and then the next day they had made an Egg!!"
I watched the two of them, trying hard not to laugh. Their relationship—from rivals to partners to something much deeper—was a complex and powerful thing to witness. And now, they had an offspring of their beloved partners.
A Ralts Egg, undoubtedly. I wonder… [Observe].
[Pokémon Egg (Ralts (M))]
It's a boy, good for them. I said, genuinely happy for them, "That is… wonderful news. Congratulations to Kirly and Rara."
Silence settled between us, broken only by the gentle murmuring of the city. Then, Ruby looked up at me, his expression turning serious.
He picked up the Egg, cradling it in his hands. He said, his voice softer now, "Azure. If it wouldn't be too much trouble, we'd be honored if you would take care of it."
I blinked. Confused, I couldn't help but ask curiously at the two, "Me? But… you two are its parents, in a sense."
Sapphire stepped closer, her usual fiery gaze now earnest and pleading, explained, "We are, and we love it, but that's exactly why we need you to take it."
Ruby continued, holding the Egg out towards me, expecting me to take care of it, "We're always moving. We're going to travel, then maybe back to Kanto to survey the climate changes near Lavender Town. It's no environment for a fledgling Pokémon, especially one so sensitive as a Ralts line member."
Sapphire reached out and gently nudged the Egg to me as she said bashfully, "But you… You have a calm presence. You always have. And frankly, you're the safest person we know. You saved us. You taught me. You're the best trainer we know who isn't locked down to a single region. We know this Egg will be raised beautifully by you."
I looked from the Egg to their faces. This was more than a gift; it was an act of profound trust. They were entrusting a future to me—a fragile, innocent piece of this world I had been forced into.
Well… I'm a good Poke Parent, I guess. Plus, I could use a Gallade in my Sinnoh Team coming up soon…
Note to self: get a Riolu. And have Celebi help.
I carefully accepted the Egg from Ruby. It settled perfectly into both my palms, surprisingly warm, almost pulsing faintly with latent life.
Eevee woke up fully at the change in my posture and sniffed the shell tentatively, then offered a small, approving lick. Pikachu nuzzled my neck, a silent agreement.
I said happily, the words heavy with the promise I was making, ensuring the Egg's safety, "I understand. I will raise this Pokémon well. It will travel with me, but it will be safe, I promise you both."
Ruby's smile was radiant. He sighed in relief, responding, "We knew we could count on you, Azure."
Sapphire added, her eyes shining with burning fire in them, "And when it hatches! You must let us know. We want to see how strong it becomes."
I confirmed happily, agreeing, holding the Ralts Egg in my arm, "Absolutely. When the time comes, I'll reach out."
We said our final farewells, a quick, solid handshake with Ruby, and a slightly rougher, heartfelt shoulder bump with Sapphire. They turned and continued their journey north, sightseeing and challenging Gyms.
I stood there for a moment, the Egg cradled securely against my chest, the faint, internal tap-tap of life within it a steady rhythm against my own heart. I addressed my partners softly, "Well, you two. Looks like we have a new member of the family to look out for. And we need to find a way to keep this little one warm and comfortable while we chase down the Plates."
Pikachu responded with a determined cheer, "Pika! (Big bro Pikachu is here to help!)"
Eevee made a noise that sounded suspiciously like a motherly coo, "Eevoi!! (And Big sis Eevee is here to help!)"
It was time to move. The map indicated the first confirmed Plate reading was deep in the mountainous regions of Mt. Silver, requiring speed and altitude.
I whistled sharply, pulling a special, durable carrier for the Egg from my pack—a pouch designed for maximum insulation and shock absorption. After securing the Ralts Egg within the pouch, I gazed skyward.
*Pop*
Hurling a Poke Ball, Dragonite descended from above with a powerful beat of her wings, her scales gleaming in the afternoon sun. She landed with a gentle thump, his vast size contrasting sharply with the delicate burden I now carried.
I mounted swiftly, resting the Egg-pouch carefully between my arm and chest, ensuring maximum warmth and minimal jostling. I commanded, looking towards the towering peaks in the distance, "Dragonite! Let's go there; that should be where the first Plate should be located. Let's make time."
*Fwp*
With a tremendous roar that echoed off the ancient pagodas of Ecruteak, Dragonite launched itself into the sky. The air quickly grew thin and cold, but against my chest, the little Egg radiated hope and commitment.
Let's get those Plates and then chill. That's the plan I have in mind when I'm done scouring the Johto Region.
/////
~Cynthia POV~
[Kanto Region, Meanwhile, Pallet Town – Oak's Lab]
The Kanto sun, a gentle embrace compared to Sinnoh's often biting chill, warmed my skin as I disembarked from the regional express. Pallet Town. Even the name felt light, almost idyllic, a stark contrast to the weighty purpose that had drawn me here.
I, Cynthia, Champion of the Sinnoh Region, had come to meet a phantom. Azure Sky, the Uncrowned Champion.
My partner, a magnificent Alpha Garchomp forged in the crucible of countless battles and honed by my own relentless pursuit of knowledge, stretched beside me, its scales shimmering in the afternoon light. It was an unmistakable presence, powerful and watchful, a silent testament to my own journey from a young scholar with a Gible to the champion I had become.
We were practically unbeatable in Sinnoh, a fact that both satisfied and spurred me on, for true strength, I knew, was always relative. And Azure Sky… he was the new unknown in the equation. A true unknown.
Whispers of his exploits had reached every corner of the Pokémon world, rippling through the Champion's network, each tale more unbelievable than the last. He was a Kanto native, yet his influence stretched far beyond these familiar shores.
Years ago, he'd taken the Ninth Kanto League Tournament by storm, and then the Tenth, a feat unheard of. Not only that, he'd conquered the Hoenn League as well. Yet, despite these triumphs, he repeatedly refused the title of Champion.
It was baffling to my peers, a deviation from the traditional path, but to me, it spoke of a different sort of ambition, a different measure of success. I understood the lure of knowledge, of digging deeper into forgotten lore.
That's what brought me here now; my immediate reason for this journey was more personal. I wanted to see him, this man who defied convention, for myself. To defy the natural into the unbelievable.
The stories were compelling: his pivotal role in averting the catastrophic awakening of Kyogre and Groudon in Hoenn. He hadn't merely assisted; he'd been instrumental. He, along with Steven Stone, the Hoenn Champion, had called upon Rayquaza – a Rayquaza that Azure himself had captured – to quell the titans.
And the legend grew, stating that as Steven arrived with the Elite Four to mop up Team Magma and Aqua, Azure had done the impossible: he had captured both Groudon and Kyogre. Not weakened, not repelled, but brought under his command.
Along with the Regi Trio – Registeel, Regirock, and Regice – it was an arsenal of legendary power that no other trainer, not even the most seasoned Champion, could boast. It was unbelievable. Impossible even.
My mind drifted back further, to a time when I was still cementing my place as Sinnoh's Champion, when the League had recently adopted the Champion and Elite Four system into place. News had trickled in from faraway Sinnoh Region, my homeland, also called the Land of the Gods.
But even then, the named Azure Sky, riding a majestic Ho-Oh, purged Sunyshore City of criminal elements at the behest of Volkner, the now-strongest Gym Leader, and Flint, one of his Elite Four colleagues. It was a surprise when I heard the news.
I'd been a scholar then, watching my young Gible evolve, dreaming of my own path. To hear of Ho-Oh responding to a trainer's call felt like something out of a myth.
And then, the Indigo League matches. I'd watched them on my Rotom Phone, a live feed, mesmerized. The initial battles, where Azure, astride his Ho-Oh, showcased a spectacle of unparalleled power.
But it was the championship rounds that truly stunned me. Facing off against Blue with Zapdos, Green with Moltres, and finally, Red with Articuno. Everyone, me included, expected Ho-Oh to be unleashed, an overwhelming force.
But Azure didn't.
Instead, with a quiet intensity, he revealed something new, something that redefined the very nature of battling: Mega Evolution and Z-Moves. He didn't need a Legendary Pokémon to face down other Legendaries.
He used his own Pokémon, ordinary Pokémon, elevated to extraordinary heights by trust, by bond, by sheer force of will. And won.
My thoughts had immediately gone to Leon, the Unrivaled Champion of Galar. He was strong, undeniably so, but could he pull off such a feat?
To stand against trainers commanding Legendary Pokémon with only his own team?
It was a test that few Champions ever faced; fewer still would pass. It wasn't about the raw power of the Pokémon, but the raw power of the trainer's spirit.
Pallet Town was as charming as the stories described, with quaint houses nestled amongst rolling hills. Professor Oak's Lab was unmistakable, a large, well-maintained building surrounded by lush greenery.
As I approached the main entrance, a cheerful voice called out to me, "Oh, hello there! Can I help you?"
A young woman with kind eyes and a welcoming smile, Daisy Oak, I presumed, stood at the doorway. Her aura was immediately comforting, a stark contrast to the whirlwind of legendary tales that preceded my visit.
I replied respectfully, offering a polite smile, "Good afternoon. I'm Cynthia, Champion of Sinnoh. I've come to meet with Azure Sky, if he's available."
Daisy's smile softened, a hint of apology in her eyes as she explained, "Oh, Azure's not here right now, I'm afraid. He's usually off on one of his adventures, and Professor Oak is currently out on fieldwork. He hardly ever stays in one spot for long."
My gaze swept over the expansive backyard, where several Pokémon of various species roamed freely, "I see. A shame. I'd hoped to speak with him."
Daisy's eyes brightened as she clasped her hands, explaining, "Well, if you're looking to challenge him, he has a system! He gets so many challengers, you see, and he's ever so busy. So, he usually sets up some of his Pokémon to battle in his stead. If you can defeat three of his Pokémon, you'll earn a chance to battle him when he returns!"
I blinked, an eyebrow arching in surprise. A system of proxies?
It was certainly unconventional, but pragmatic, I supposed, for someone as sought-after as Azure Sky. It also spoke volumes about his confidence in his Pokémon.
Daisy called out, her voice carrying over the rustle of leaves, "Hey! You have some of the usual challenges here! Which one wants a go!"
*FWP*
Almost on cue, a powerful shadow descended from above. A Charizard, magnificent and radiating an undeniable strength, landed gracefully in the clearing before us. Its eyes, sharp and intelligent, met mine, a silent challenge in their depths. My Rotom Phone, ever-present, whirred to life, its scan quickly registering the Charizard's data.
"[Charizard the Flame Pokémon. Male. Level 72.]"
My eyes narrowed. Level 72?
That was well beyond what one might expect from a casual challenge Pokémon. That was the level of an Elite Four's ace, or straight in on Champion-level territory. This wasn't a mere gatekeeper; this was a serious opponent.
A grin, small but genuine, touched my lips. I said calmly, turning back to Daisy, "Very well. Since Azure isn't unavailable, perhaps this is an opportunity. My team could use the exercise."
I withdrew a Poké Ball from my belt, calling forth, "Come forth, Lucario!"
*Pop*
With a flash of light, my Lucario materialized, its aura sensing antennae quivering, picking up on the raw power emanating from Charizard. Lucario is a formidable partner, a master of Aura, whose own level, at 65, was a testament to our rigorous training.
He might be slightly out-leveled by Charizard, but battle wasn't just about raw stats. It was about strategy, bond, and the will to win.
*Ssssss*
A torrent of super-heated flame erupted from Charizard's maw, a blazing inferno hurtling towards Lucario. A Flamethrower attack.
I commanded, "Lucario, Bone Rush!"
*Zoooom*
My partner moved with blinding speed, summoning a staff of crackling blue energy. He met the Flamethrower head-on, deflecting the edges of the inferno, twirling his bone staff with practiced ease.
But Charizard was no ordinary foe. The sheer heat pushed Lucario back, forcing him to dig his heels into the earth.
I followed up, pressing the advantage, "Meteor Mash!"
*Zoooom*
Lucario lunged, his fist glowing with metallic energy, aiming for Charizard's chest. Charizard, however, was quick, very fast. With a powerful flap of its wings, it ascended, narrowly avoiding the blow.
*Fwp*
*SHINNG*
Charizard's claws glowed with draconic energy, slashing down as it dove. Dragon Claw, as I noticed the move.
*Zooom*
Lucario, anticipating, used Extreme Speed, a blur of motion darting beneath the attack. He spun, delivering a powerful kick to Charizard's underbelly as it passed. The battle became a harsh, brutal dance.
Charizard, with its superior aerial mobility and devastating fire attacks, frequently forced Lucario onto the defensive. Its blasts of Fire Blast left scorch marks on the ground, and its Dragon Pulses forced Lucario to weave and dodge with desperate agility. But Lucario was tenacious.
He used his Aura Sight to predict Charizard's movements, his Close Combat attacks landing with precision whenever he could get close. I found myself relying on every ounce of my experience, every moment of training with Lucario.
This wasn't just a simple warm-up; this was a high-stakes duel against a truly powerful Pokémon. Charizard's movements were fluid, its attacks perfectly timed, its determination unwavering. But without a Trainer's guidance, pure power alone isn't enough.
It moved with the confidence of a Pokémon that had seen countless battles, that understood the rhythm of combat. It was a well-oiled machine, reflecting a trainer who demanded nothing less than perfection.
The air crackled with energy, the ground scarred by attacks. Lucario, though grimacing from the heat and the occasional graze, pressed on. He took a brutal Dragon Claw to the shoulder, staggering, but he used the momentum of the blow to spin, focusing his remaining energy into a counterattack.
I yelled, my voice ringing with renewed resolve, "Aura Sphere! Full power, Lucario!"
*PEW*
Lucario's palms glowed, a pulsating orb of pure aura forming between them. He unleashed it, a concentrated bolt of energy that tore through the air. Charizard tried to evade, but it was too slow, too close…
*BOOOOM*
The Aura Sphere struck true, exploding against its chest. Charizard cried out, tumbling from the sky, landing heavily with a thud.
*THUD*
It struggled to rise, its eyes glazed, before finally collapsing, defeated. Lucario stood panting, exhausted, its fur singed, its chest heaving.
*DING*
But a triumphant grin split its muzzle, and with a soft ding, it glowed, a surge of power coursing through its body. Lucario grew to Level 66!
My Rotom Phone confirmed its level-up. The battle had pushed him, and he had grown stronger for it.
Daisy exclaimed, clapping her hands, "That was an excellent battle! Blisssy!"
She sent out a Blissey, whose gentle, ethereal presence immediately soothed the lingering tension in the air. Daisy asked kindly, "Blissey, Healing Pulse, please!"
*Shiii*
A wave of restorative energy washed over both Lucario and the fainted Charizard. Soon, Charizard was back on its feet, shaking its head, looking none the worse for wear. Lucario, too, felt the gentle healing, its injuries fading remarkably quickly.
I approached Charizard with a sense of deep respect in my gaze. I stated, my voice sincere, "That Charizard was truly magnificent. Just as powerful as it appeared in the League finals against Red's Articuno. It must be one of Azure's main battle partners."
Daisy giggled, covering her mouth with her hand as she explained happily, "Oh, that's where you're mistaken, Cynthia! Charizard isn't one of Azure's main Pokémon. He's… one of his reserves."
The cheerful words hit me like a physical blow. My eyes widened, my carefully cultivated composure faltering for a brief, disorienting moment.
Reserves?
I scanned the powerful Charizard again, its Level 72, its undeniable skill, the way it had pushed my own Champion-level Lucario to the very brink. If this were merely a reserve, a Pokémon left behind to handle challengers…
*Shiver*
… then what, I wondered, with a sudden, exhilarating shiver, were the main team Pokémon Azure Sky battled with? What terrifying, unimaginable strength did they possess?
My quest to find Azure had just become infinitely more intriguing. And perhaps his proxies could be useful for training my team while I wait in the process...
/////
A/N: Reach the goal of 300 PS to get a Bonus Chapter!