Chapter 390: Battle Frontier/Emerald Arc Begins! [Bonus]
~Third POV~
[Sinnoh Region, Later, Steel Ruins]
The crisp, cold air of Sinnoh bit at Brandon's exposed skin, but the Frontier Brain's resolve burned hotter than any frigid wind. Deep within the ancient, iron-rich earth of the Iron Ruins, he finally stood before the Steel Chamber.
Having already secured the slumbering titans Regirock and Regice from their earthy and icy prisons, Registeel was the last piece of the puzzle, the culmination of a grueling, continent-spanning quest.
*Fwp*
His Moltres, a magnificent avian beast whose fiery plumage shimmered even in the dim, metallic light of the cave, let out a piercing cry. The Legendary bird's eyes, like molten gold, fixated on the towering, enigmatic form of Registeel.
The Steel Pokémon, a living relic forged of an unknown, impossibly durable metal, hummed with latent power, its singular red eye glowing ominously, "Regi…"
Brandon commanded, his voice echoing with authority, "Alright, Moltres! Let's finish this! Flamethrower!"
*SSSSS*
Moltres unleashed a torrent of super-heated fire, a vibrant orange-red conflagration that washed over Registeel. The ancient Pokémon, designed to withstand the ravages of time and elemental forces, seemed to absorb the heat, but the super-effective nature of the Fire-type attack was undeniable.
*CRACK*
Cracks, hairline fractures in its metallic hide, began to appear. Registeel retaliated with a terrifying Lock-On followed by Zap Cannon, but Moltres, with Brandon's expert guidance, blocked the full force of the electric blast, using Protect.
*CLANG*
Brandon urged, his eyes narrowing, "Keep the pressure on! Heat Wave! Full power!"
*SSSSS*
The air shimmered and warped as Moltres conjured a suffocating wave of intense heat, a shimmering mirage of pure energy. It crashed into Registeel, and this time, the ancient titan staggered.
Its metallic body glowed with residual heat, and its movements became sluggish, its powerful defenses finally beginning to waver under the relentless assault. Registeel let out a pained, resonating groan, a sound like grinding metal on rock.
The battle lasted thirty excruciating minutes. Registeel was a fortress, shrugging off weaker attacks with its impenetrable defenses. Brandon relied on Moltres's sheer, overwhelming firepower and speed, maneuvering the winged titan to avoid Registeel's devastating Iron Head and debilitating Lock-On attacks.
*SSSSS*
Finally, after a decisive Flamethrower that scorched Registeel's metallic hide, the behemoth shuddered. Its glowing red eyes dimmed, and the titan collapsed with a seismic crash that shook the very foundations of the Iron Ruins.
Brandon wasted no time. Brandon took a deep breath, the cold air stinging his lungs. Without hesitation, he threw a specialized, heavy-duty Poké Ball.
*Wooosh*
With a practiced flick of his wrist, the Poké Ball sailed true, striking Registeel's inert form. A flash of red light enveloped the titan, drawing it inward with a hum. The Poké Ball dropped to the ground, once, twice, a third time, then settled with a soft click, confirming the capture.
*BON*
It connected, pulsating violently three times before settling with a soft, decisive click. A sigh of relief escaped Brandon's lips as he murmured, "Magnificent, Moltres. Another one for the collection."
Registeel was captured.
Brandon recalled Moltres, offering a silent nod of thanks to the weary, but victorious, Legendary Pokémon. He retrieved the Poké Ball, feeling the latent power humming within. Reaching for his Rotom Phone, the signal was struggling against the geological interference of the ruins.
He activated his Rotom Phone and dialed a familiar number, "Scott? It's Brandon. Mission accomplished. Registeel is secured."
The voice that crackled back across the ancient metalwork was overflowing with manic, barely contained energy. Scott's jovial voice boomed through the device, always a little too loud, "Brandon! Excellent! I knew I could rely on my Pyramid King! The trinity is complete. Regirock, Regice, and now Registeel. That gives you three massive titans for the Pyramid, ready for the grand opening."
Brandon allowed a wry smile, but then paused as he couldn't help but ask curiously, "Scott, I must ask. I was under the impression that the three titans were already accounted for in Hoenn. Azure Sky had captured them, or at least the ones involved in the Groudon/Kyogre incident, before the disaster struck."
His brow furrowed in genuine surprise as he continued, "How did you manage to pinpoint the Sinnoh Regi's locations, Scott? That's some serious intel you're sitting on."
Scott chuckled, a dry, rasping sound like rocks tumbling down a hill, "Ah, Azure Sky. Yes, he claimed the Hoenn trio quite handily. But the world is a strange place, Brandon. Secrets are often the currency of ambition. But let's not dwell on that. You've done well."
Scott's tone hardened slightly, shifting from jovial to professional serious voice, continued, "Speaking of gifts and preparations, Anabel has also proven her worth. She secured Raikou in Johto. She plans on utilizing it within her Battle Tower rotation. The Frontier is shaping up exactly as planned."
Brandon repeated, a flicker of professional challenge in his eyes, "Raikou! Very well, Scott. I will transport Registeel immediately."
/////
[Hoenn Region, Meanwhile, Battle Frontier]
As Brandon expressed his congratulations to Anabel through Scott, the scene shifted dramatically hundreds of miles south, to the sun-drenched, coastal region of Hoenn. Scott himself, a man whose ambition was as vast as the ocean, stood on a newly constructed viewing platform, overlooking what was rapidly becoming his magnum opus: the Hoenn Battle Frontier.
He ended the call with Brandon, a satisfied smirk playing on his lips as he gazed out at the bustling construction site. Cranes stretched towards the sky like metallic giants, their arms moving with precision to place massive steel girders and prefabricated structures.
The air was thick with the scent of fresh concrete, sawdust, and the distant tang of the sea. Below, teams of construction workers, Pokémon working in tandem with humans, moved with practiced efficiency.
The Battle Dome's colossal sphere was nearing completion, its gleam almost rivaling the sun. The Battle Pike, a serpentine marvel, snaked through a verdant landscape. The Battle Pyramid, a monolithic structure, scraped the heavens, promising trials of endurance and strategy.
Scott murmured, his voice laced with a profound sense of achievement, "Almost there… My dream… nearly a reality."
He rubbed his hands together, picturing the throngs of trainers that would soon descend upon this island paradise, all seeking to challenge the Frontier Brains, all craving the thrill of the ultimate Pokémon battle.
He thought of his chosen seven, the elite few who would guard the Symbols. Brandon, the stoic Pyramid King, now with not just Regirock and Regice, but Registeel as well. Anabel, the alluring psychic and strategic Salon Maiden, is now accompanied by the fierce Raikou by her side.
He smiled, recalling how out of the seven, five already had Legendary Pokémon under their command, a testament to the sheer power and prestige his Battle Frontier would command. The other two were exceptionally skilled, deserving of their place among these titans.
But the Battle Frontier needed more than just brains; it needed buzz. It needed to capture the world's attention, and there was only one person capable of delivering the explosive opening ceremony Scott desired.
Scott leaned back, an involuntary shiver tracing down his spine. Then, his thoughts drifted to the one he knew would be the biggest draw of all as he murmured, "Azure Sky. The Uncrowned Champion…"
Weeks ago, he'd extended the invitation, an offer impossible to refuse, to the man who truly had the most Legendary Pokémon under his command. Azure Sky. The very mention of the name sent a shiver of anticipation, almost fear, down Scott's spine.
Azure, the enigma. A young man, barely sixteen by most accounts, who had seemingly emerged from nowhere to dominate the Pokémon world. Three regional League championships already under his belt, each a masterclass in strategy and overwhelming power. And the Pokémon he commanded…
Scott recalled the whispers, the official reports, the stunned silence from the Pokémon Association. Azure Sky, the one who owned the majestic Ho-Oh, the Rainbow Pokémon itself, was allowed to be captured by him…
The man who had been instrumental in saving Hoenn from utter annihilation during the cataclysmic awakening of Groudon and Kyogre, not merely contributing but controlling Rayquaza, the Lord of the Sky, to quell the raging titans. Then there were the Hoenn Regi Trio, captured by Azure not long before the disaster, a feat that cemented his legendary status even before the world almost ended.
Scott muttered, a wide, almost manic grin spreading across his face, "He'll bring the crowds. Everyone will want to see the Uncrowned Champion in action. The first participant in the Battle Frontier. The perfect way to kick things off."
Scott had last heard from his network of informants that Azure was off training, preparing himself, honing his already formidable skills for the unique challenges his Battle Frontier would present….
*Shiver*
Scott just got shivers, a mixture of excitement and trepidation, as he muttered, "Just what kind of battles would that madman bring out?"
/////
[Hoenn Region, Weeks Later, Battle Frontier]
Time, as it often does in the world of Pokémon, moved with the speed of a fleeing Raikou using Extreme Speed. Weeks turned into days, and the grand opening of the Hoenn Battle Frontier was upon them.
*Fwp*
The crisp, salt-laden air whipped around Azure as his Dragonite, a majestic sky-dragon of orange, began its graceful descent towards the main entrance of the newly completed Battle Frontier complex.
*Fwp*
Perched comfortably on Azure's shoulder, his trusty Partner Pikachu chirped excitedly, its electric cheeks sparking with anticipation, "Pika! (Vacation time!!)"
Eevee, a fluffy brown bundle of joy, nestled contentedly on Azure's head, occasionally nudging his ear with a soft purr, "Buiiii… (Are we there yet…)"
*Fwp*
Beside them, Green's Moltres, a dazzling beacon of fire and feather, spiraled down with equal elegance, its golden eyes glinting in the afternoon sun. The two Pokémon landed softly onto ground level…
*Thud*
… their powerful forms barely disturbing the perfectly manicured grass of the plaza. Azure recalled his Dragonite to its Poké Ball, the sphere vanishing with a soft snap.
Green did the same with her Moltres, a grateful smile gracing her lips. She said, her voice warm and melodious, "Thanks for the ride, Azure. And thank you again for inviting me to the Battle Frontier. For our first… date."
A playful twinkle entered her eyes as she added, "It's certainly a grand event for it."
Azure returned her smile, a genuine, slightly nervous warmth in his own eyes as he said nervously, "Of course, Green. I'm really glad you could make it."
He scratched the back of his neck, a rare show of shyness as he continued, "This is… well, the first time I've ever really asked someone on a date. So, I apologize if this isn't quite what you imagined for such an occasion."
Pikachu, sensing his trainer's slight awkwardness, nudged his cheek affectionately, while Eevee rubbed its head against his hair. Hearing their encouragements made Azure calm down and slightly ease his nerves.
Green laughed, a melodious sound that drew the attention of a few passing trainers. She leaned in, her voice softening, "Don't be silly. It's perfect. Anywhere with you would be perfect. After all, you aren't perfect, so just be yourself."
Azure's cheeks flushed a faint pink, but his smile widened. He reached into his pocket, pulling out a sleek, metallic Poké Ball – not a standard one, but clearly something specially crafted made by Kurt at his request.
He presented it to her, a small, unassuming gesture that belied the immense value of its contents. Azure explained calmly, although a bit shy, "Still, I thought I should, uh, bring a little something to mark the occasion."
Green blinked, taking the Poké Ball from his outstretched hand. It felt weighty, cool against her palm.
Her eyes widened as she examined it, then snapped back to Azure, curiosity warring with surprise, "A Poké Ball? Azure, what...?"
*Pop*
With a thought, she sent out the Pokémon. A flash of brilliant white light erupted, solidifying into a majestic, four-legged creature with a powerful, metallic body and four gleaming, crimson eyes. Its form was an iridescent silver, almost liquid in its sheen – a Shiny Metagross. Its metallic claws clicked softly on the polished plaza tiles, its psychic power humming gently in the air.
Green gasped, her jaw dropping slightly. Her eyes, usually so composed, were wide with utter astonishment as she uttered in disbelief, "A... a Shiny Metagross?! Azure, how did you—"
She looked at the powerful Pokémon, then back at him, utterly bewildered as she continued, "This is incredibly rare! Like, impossibly rare to find in the wild! You really shouldn't have gone to so much trouble."
Azure shrugged casually, as if he'd just found a common Pidgey, as he stated casually, "Oh, it wasn't much trouble, honestly. While I was off training, getting ready for Scott's Battle Frontier, I was also keeping an eye out for a gift for you. One day, I just happened to stumble upon this Metagross. It was quite a powerful specimen, even for a wild one."
He gestured to his own wrist, where another Poké Ball, subtly different, was clipped as he smiled, continuing, "And since I already have my own Metagross, I figured this one would be a perfect fit for you. Especially with your work for the International Police, its psychic and steel typing, its raw strength... it could prove to be a remarkably helpful ally."
Green stared at him, then at the magnificent Shiny Metagross, then back at him again. A slow, radiant smile spread across her face, chasing away the last vestiges of her surprise. She said sweetly, her voice soft but filled with genuine warmth, "Azure… you really didn't have to do this. But it is… incredibly sweet of you to think of me. Thank you."
She returned the Shiny Metagross to its ball, a treasure now hers as she added softly, "I'll cherish it."
She took his hand, her fingers intertwining with his, taking the lead boldly as she said mischievously, "Now, come on, you big softie. You've got that All Battle Pass, right? Let's go sightseeing around this incredible place before your big match kicks off. I want to see everything."
Azure's smile was genuine, untroubled, and full of happiness. He squeezed her hand gently, his Pikachu still nestled on his shoulder, Eevee still peeking over his head.
Together, the young man who had conquered Leagues and befriended Legends, the intelligent and spirited woman of the International Police, and their beloved Pokémon walked into the bustling heart of the Battle Frontier, ready to enjoy the spectacle, the thrill, and the promise of the incredible battles that lay ahead.
/////
A/N: Reach the goal of 200 PS to get a Bonus Chapter!