Chapter 389: Anime Pokémon World (5)
~Azure S. POV~
[Unova Region, Days Later, Desert Resort – Mines]
A few days had passed since our jump, days filled with acclimatization and cautious exploration. Now, the blistering sun beat down on my face, and the air shimmered with heat haze.
We were deep in the Unova Region's Desert Resort, a vast expanse of shifting sands and rocky outcrops. The golden dust swirled around us, but a powerful aura kept it at bay, forming a pocket of calm around our small group.
I praised, patting the rough, scaled leg of the colossal Pokémon lumbering beside me, "Keep it up, Tyranitar, you're doing great."
Tyranitar's Sand Stream ability automatically conjured a sandstorm upon entry, but instead of harming us, it acted as a natural barrier, pushing away the desert's harsh elements. The roar of the sand became a distant whisper beyond his protective aura, sheltering us.
Pikachu rode perched on Tyranitar's shoulder, ears twitching, while Eevee trotted beside me, occasionally darting to sniff at a peculiar rock formation. My Arc Phone, for its deity-like omniscient knowledge, was alight in my hand, displaying a detailed topographical map of the area.
Lines highlighted a specific path, leading towards a cluster of dilapidated structures in the distance. I mused aloud, eyeing the map, "According to the Arc Phone, we're almost there… that ghost town should be at the distance…"
Our destination: a ghost town, rumored to house a specific, rare Pokémon. My purpose here wasn't just aimless training or sightseeing; it was a targeted acquisition. I was hunting a Shiny Larvesta, which I knew would eventually evolve into a magnificent Volcarona.
I remembered the episode from the anime, a charming little side adventure that wouldn't happen for many years in the Anime World's timeline. This was my chance to nab a future powerhouse for my Unova team, long before anyone else even knew it existed.
Plus, a Shiny Volcarona? A rare gem indeed, even in my home timeline.
We finally reached the ghost town, a collection of sun-bleached, crumbling buildings that seemed to melt back into the desert from which they rose. It was eerily silent, save for the crunch of our footsteps and the faint roar of Tyranitar's shifting sand barrier.
We headed towards what looked like an abandoned gold mine, its entrance a gaping maw in the side of a rocky hill. The air instantly cooled as we stepped inside, replacing the desert's scorching embrace with damp, earthy coolness.
The Arc Phone showed a network of tunnels and shafts. I instructed, my voice echoing slightly in the cavernous space, "Stay sharp, everyone. We're likely walking into some wild Pokémon territory."
*Rmbl*
Almost on cue, a small, rock-like Pokémon, a Roggenrola, rolled out from behind a stalagmite. Its single eye blinked at us, wary. Tyranitar, ever vigilant, let out a deep, rumbling growl using Screech, followed by a guttural cry, "Traaaooo!!"
The high-pitched, piercing sound resonated through the mine, causing the Roggenrola to flinch and visibly weaken, its rocky body trembling. It let out a nervous cry and began to retreat, "Rogga!!"
*RMBL*
Before it could vanish, however, the ground began to rumble. From deeper within the tunnel, dozens, then scores, of Roggenrola emerged, their glowing eyes fixed on us. A horde. And they looked angry.
I said calmly, a smirk playing on my lips, "Alright, looks like we've got company. Tyranitar, let's clear the path. Ice Beam!"
*PEW*
Tyranitar roared, its massive mouth glowing with an intense blue energy. A wide, sweeping beam of icy particles erupted, freezing the advancing Roggenrola solid in their tracks. The mine suddenly became a gallery of frozen rock Pokémon, their expressions of aggression turned into silent, crystalline masks.
It was an overwhelming display of power, a testament to Tyranitar's sheer might. I praised, recalling him to his Poké Ball with a grateful pat, "Excellent work, big guy. You earned a good rest."
Further in, we spotted an old minecart on a rusted track. I mused, hopping in, "This should speed things up."
Pikachu and Eevee joined me, Eevee curling up comfortably on my lap. The cart creaked and groaned as it began to move, picking up speed rapidly.
*RMBL*
The ride was wild, a roller-coaster through the dark, twisting tunnels. We clattered over rickety tracks, plunged down steep inclines, and swerved around sharp bends. At one point, a section of the track ahead was completely broken, leading straight into a god damn chasm!
My eyes widened in alarm. I yelled, though he was already moving, "Pikachu, Agile Style Extreme Speed!"
*ZOOOOM*
With a blur of yellow, my partner shot forward, slamming into the front of the cart with unexpected force, just enough to shift its trajectory slightly, causing it to bounce off the very edge of the cliff and onto an intact side track. I puffed, heart hammering, "Whoa! Good save, buddy!"
Pikachu landed back in the cart, chest puffed out with pride, "Pika! (No worries, I've got your back, partner!)"
The wild ride finally ended at what appeared to be an old elevator shaft. The mechanism was defunct, rusted, and clearly unpowered. I remarked, looking at Pikachu, "Looks like we need a little juice."
He understood instantly. Pikachu chirped, scampering over to the exposed wiring, "Pika! (On it!)"
*ZZZZZT*
With a mighty cry, he unleashed a controlled Thunderbolt, sending a surge of electricity coursing through the ancient machinery. Gears groaned, chains rattled, and with a shudder, the elevator began its slow, deliberate descent.
We rumbled down into a vast, open cavern. The air here was even cooler, and strange, thorny vines hung from the ceiling, their tips glowing faintly…
*THUD*
As we stepped off the elevator, a large, spiky Pokémon with a metallic body and long, whip-like arms dropped from the ceiling, its eye-like sensors glowing red. A Wild Ferrothorn tried to jump at us!
I said excitedly, already reaching for a Poké Ball, "Well, well, looks like someone doesn't like visitors. Time for a little firepower. Houndoom, let's go!"
*Pop*
I flung the Poké Ball, and with a flash of red light, my Houndoom materialized, her sleek black fur and bony armor looking formidable against the dim backdrop. Her barks were sharp, aggressive, "Bark!"
Immediately, I commanded, "Houndoom, Flamethrower!"
*SSSSSS*
Without hesitation, Houndoom unleashed a torrent of scorching flames, a focused blast of fire that engulfed the Ferrothorn instantly. The metallic Pokémon shrieked, its thorns crackling and burning, before it slumped to the ground, defeated.
*Thud*
It was a swift, decisive victory. That and Ferrothorn were super weak to Fire by 4x weakness. It wasn't its day.
I praised, patting Houndoom's head as she panting slightly, her eyes still glowing with heat, "Excellent work, girl! Keep your senses sharp, use Odor Sleuth to sniff out anything else trying to ambush us."
Houndoom barked happily, her keen nose already working, sweeping the cavern for unseen threats, "Arf! (Roger!)"
We moved deeper, Houndoom leading the way, her senses picking up faint trails. Eventually, we arrived at what looked like an old mine railway station, a central hub that likely connected this mine to others during the gold rush era.
It was here, amidst the rusting tracks and forgotten equipment, that I saw them. A cluster of eggs, nestled together in a small, sandy crevice, radiates a faint warmth.
My eyes immediately recognized the distinctive patterns. I breathed, excitement bubbling up inside me, "Larvesta eggs."
This was it. The jackpot.
My Arc Phone confirmed my suspicion. This was indeed the Volcarona sanctuary I had read about. I theorized, my gaze sweeping the immediate area, "If the eggs are here, then Volcarona, or at least its pre-evolutions, must be nearby, protecting them…"
*Trmbl*
Just as the thought crossed my mind, movement from a shadowed tunnel caught my eye. Two fiery blurs, then two distinct Pokémon, emerged: Larvesta.
*Sssss*
They were smaller than I expected, but their intent was clear. They hissed, their mandibles snapping, and then unleashed twin blasts of fire.
I commanded, knowing her ability well, "Houndoom, front and center!"
*Sssss*
With a growl, Houndoom unflinchingly took the hits. The flames, instead of harming her, were absorbed into her body, making her fur ripple with contained energy. She barked defiance, her usually red eyes now burning with a hotter intensity, her body charged for battle, "Arf! (Who dares – )"
*Ssss*
But then, a third blast of fire, much larger and more potent, erupted from the tunnel, heading straight for us, but Houndoom absorbed it with her Flash Fire Ability. I turned my eyes to see it was the Shiny Larvesta, but widened in surprise seeing its name tag.
[Larvesta (S)(F) [Alpha] Lv.15 Torch Pokémon]
This was the one. The Alpha.
I murmured, putting a hand on Houndoom's side, "Hold on, girl."
The Larvesta, particularly the larger, more powerful ones, were still wary, still aggressive. But I had a different approach in mind.
From my belt, I retrieved a small pouch. Inside were high-quality Poké Blocks, specialized concoctions designed to appeal to specific Pokémon types and tastes. These were some of the best I had, a variety perfectly suited for Bug/Fire types.
I carefully placed a handful on the ground, just out of aggressive range. I projected, my voice calm and soothing, "There you go. Food. Delicious, nutritious food. Something hard to find in this desert, isn't it?"
The Larvesta, mid-hiss, paused. Their heads tilted, their antennae twitching, clearly catching the scent.
Food in the desert was indeed scarce, a harsh reality for many wild Pokémon. Curiosity warred with their territorial instincts. Then, I focused.
*Shiii*
I channeled my Viridian Force, that latent ability I possessed to connect with Pokémon on a deeper level, to project my thoughts and emotions directly into their minds. It wasn't telepathy in the traditional sense, but a powerful empathetic link.
I imbued the food with a sense of peace, safety, and nourishment. The Larvesta moved cautiously, one by one, drawn by the irresistible aroma and the calming aura. The largest one, the one that had launched the most powerful fire blast, was the last to approach.
And then I saw it clearly. My eyes widened slightly.
This wasn't just a regular Larvesta; its carapace shimmered with a distinct, deep gold, almost divine, instead of the usual orange-red. It was a Shiny Larvesta.
And its size… it was noticeably larger, more imposing than the others, radiating an undeniable presence. An Alpha Pokémon, indeed. Just as the anime had hinted, but even more magnificent in person.
They began to munch, tentatively at first, then with increasing fervor. The aggression in their eyes softened, replaced by a focused hunger. They devoured the Poké Blocks quickly, clearly relishing the treat.
Once they finished, their attention returned to me. This was my moment.
I activated my Viridian Force again, projecting my thoughts directly to the Alpha, letting the other Larvesta pick up on the emotional resonance I projected, my voice gentle but firm in their minds, 'You can eat all you want if you return with me. Even your eggs will be safe. I have an open space for all of you, a sanctuary where you will be protected and nourished. But in return, I want you to be my Pokémon. I can guarantee you all safety, you have my word.'
The Alpha Larvesta looked at me, its eyes intelligent. It communicated something to the other two, a series of clicks and chitters that sounded like rapid discussion. They looked at their eggs, then back at me, clearly weighing the offer.
The Viridian Force continued to soothe them, conveying my sincerity, my genuine desire for their well-being, not just their power. Food, safety, sanctuary for their offspring – these were powerful incentives in the harsh world of the wild.
Finally, the Shiny Alpha Larvesta turned back to me. It let out a soft, affirmative chirp, a clear indication of acceptance, "Larvee!! (We accept!)"
A broad smile split my face. I whispered, relief and triumph washing over me, "Thank you for trusting me."
Not only had I secured a future powerhouse for my Unova team – a Shiny Alpha Volcarona, no less – but I had also effectively established a Volcarona sanctuary line. Collecting these eggs, these precious Larvesta, was an incredible boon.
Even in my Pokémon Adventures world, Volcarona and their evolutionary line were incredibly rare to find, let alone a nest of them. With a final grateful pat to Houndoom, I recalled her.
After that, I helped capture the Larvesta into their Poké Balls. With that, I took a quick look at my new partner in the future, viewing her info and status.
[Larvesta the Torch Pokémon. Larvesta can shoot fire from its five horns as a defensive tactic to intimidate predators or to scare prey. It has been seen using the fire that shoots from these horns to fly. Larvesta's flames can reach up to almost 5,500 degrees Fahrenheit in temperature.
The horns' flames can cut through even sheets of iron. It lives at the feet of volcanoes, though people of ancient times once believed that Larvesta nested on and fell from the sun; some people still say that it was born from the sun.
In ancient times, it was known as the Larva That Stole the Sun and an emissary of the sun. Despite this, Larvesta is considered a burden due to its causing constant forest fires. When it evolves into Volcarona, its body becomes enveloped in flames, akin to a cocoon.]
|Name: Larvesta (S) [Alpha] (Torch Pokémon)
|Type: Bug/Fire
|Level: 15
|Gender: Female
|Held Item: None
|Ability: Flame Body
|Nature: Timid
|Moves: String Shot, Ember, Flame Charge, Struggle Bug, Leech Life, Absorb, Harden (IM), Endure (IM), Foresight (IM), Magnet Rise (IM), Morning Sun (EM) (4 Moves left to learn)
This Larvesta is going to be an Ace Pokémon. Seeing its moveset and inherited moves are ridiculous. Not only that, but Timid Nature is good for more speed over physical attacks when it evolves…
*Pop*
Then, I unclipped the GS Ball from my neck, letting Celebi emerge. I said, a wave of homesickness suddenly washing over me, "Alright, Celebi… It's time… Time to take everyone home."
With this detour, it had been productive, exhilarating, but my own world, my own journey, beckoned as I continued, "Help me gather these eggs and secure the Larvesta. Then, it's time to head home."
Celebi chirped, a knowing glint in its eyes, and began to ready its temporal powers. The green light started to emanate once more, promising a swift return. I had gathered enough, learned enough, battled enough for now.
My Adventures world awaited, and I had some incredible new additions to train. And then the Battle Frontier with my date with Green.
/////
A/N: Reach the goal of 100 PS to get a Bonus Chapter!