Chapter 35: The Journey
~Third POV~
[Kanto Region, Days Later, Route 8]
With Azure leaving Lavender Town, he and his team continued to Route 7, battling trainers and Wild Pokémon to increase their skills. Along the way, he also used the Underground Path to avoid Saffron City since he knew his team wasn't ready to face off against Sabrina and her Psychic Types.
Not only that, but he also took the chance to teach Dragonair the Fly HM. With Dragonair being able to fly, options like fast traveling easily became accessible to him. However, learning the move proved to be rather dangerous.
Before Azure rides on Dragonair to fly across the sky, he commands her to get the Fly Move down before attempting any long flights. Dragonair agreed following her Trainer's words dutifully.
With that newfound goal in mind, the group traveled to Route 7 prepared for anything to be thrown their way. Managing to arrive at Route 8, they encountered Trainers and Wild Pokémon.
Along the way, Azure made sure to admire the routes, taking his time. While he had 3 Main Pokémon with him, he knew he could capture more.
But the issues would return to a lack of funds to continue a journey feeding 4 or more Pokémon in the long run. So, he took this time to write down notes in his Arc Phone of future items that would be revolutionary to the world.
The Rotom Phone, for example. And he owned the map of the Pokémon world, he knew where to find a few of them in the wild, but also had a recipe guide in Poke Blocks for each respective Pokémon species.
While encountering Wild Pokémon, the group hunted for Oddish and Bellsprouts in the area. They were easier foes for Growlithe to take down, and if not, his Pokémon would jump in to hold them down.
Of course, they also hunted down stronger Wild Pokémon for their other team members to practice their moves against to gain EXP. They continued their paths forward, hoping to head to Celadon City.
The first few trainers on Route 8 proved to be a manageable challenge. Pikachu, with its reliable Thunder Shock, and Growlithe, with its Ember attack, quickly dispatched the opposing Pokémon, granting them valuable experience.
But Azure was saving the real training for the wild encounters, as he used his Arc Phone to locate them. As they ventured deeper into Route 8, the foliage thickened, and the sound of rustling leaves filled the air.
Suddenly, a group of Bellsprout emerged from the undergrowth, their leafy bodies swaying menacingly. Bellsprout is a plant-based Pokémon with a stem-like brown body. There is a single green leaf on each side of its body. It has a yellow bell-shaped head with what appears to be pink lips at the end and beady black eyes.
It is capable of spitting corrosive acid from its mouth. Its stem is long, thin, and very flexible, making it capable of swerving rapidly to avoid many attacks or moving with blinding speed to capture prey. Its roots resemble feet, and it uses them as such.
Azure exclaimed, a grin spreading across his face as he explained to Growlithe in a happy tone, "Perfect! Bellsprout are Grass and Poison-types, a good matchup for Growlithe's fire abilities. Are you ready?"
Growlithe nodded with an eager expression as it cried out, "Arf!"
Raising its paw, Azure's fist bumped his Puppy Pokémon with an eager grin. Azure gave his commands to Growlithe, and he followed them with precision, using this moment to sharpen his moves to become Agile or Strong Style.
Azure could sense a wave of heat emanating from him. Azure commanded, "Growlithe, use Ember Strong Style!"
*Shiii*
Growlithe closed its eyes, focusing once more, and a visible wave of fire washed over the Bellsprout. The Bellsprout stumbled, their leafy bodies writhing in pain from the fire launched at them.
Some collided with each other, whilst others simply fell over. Azure was impressed by the sheer power of the attack.
The Bellsprout were visibly disoriented. However, they were still standing and capable of retaliating as Azure urged, "Again, Growlithe! Focus your fire! Condense it!"
*Shiiii*
Growlithe unleashed another wave of fire, this time with greater intensity. The Bellsprout were completely overwhelmed, their movements erratic and uncoordinated.
One by one, they collapsed, defeated by the fire onslaught. Azure praised Growlithe, showering it with words of encouragement in a happy tone, "Excellent work, Growlithe! You're a natural! Keep practicing, and you'll be unstoppable!"
Growlithe smirked, bobbing his head, but Azure could sense a subtle shift in its aura, a hint of pride perhaps. He knew that building trust and understanding with Pokémon would be a gradual process, but he was patient and committed to helping his Growlithe reach its full potential.
Ever since he got the Mega Stone and Key Stone from Mr. Fuji he focused on increasing his bonds with his Pokémon. Not too aggressive or possessive, just the right amount of affection for them and words of encouragement.
They continued their journey through Route 8, engaging in similar battles with other wild Pokémon. With each successful use of control, his Pokémon grew more confident and proficient in their move pools.
Their attacks became more precise, and their control over their natural powers more refined. Finally, they reached the entrance to the Underground Path, a dimly lit tunnel connecting Route 8 to Route 7.
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[Kanto Region, Underground Path]
The air grew cooler and damper as they descended into the earth, the silence broken only by the echo of their footsteps.
The Underground Path was a stark contrast to the vibrant landscapes above. The walls were lined with rough-hewn rock.
It was a long and winding tunnel. It was filled with trainers seeking to test their skills.
Azure and his team encountered several trainers along the way, each battle providing valuable experience. Pikachu and Dragonair continued to shine, their attacks becoming more powerful and strategic with each encounter.
Dragonair, with its elegant movements and devastating Dragon Rage, proved to be a formidable force. Even Growlithe got its fair share of battles, honing its Fire-type move against a variety of Pokémon.
Azure noticed that Growlithe was becoming more adaptable, learning to adjust its tactics based on the opponent's strengths and weaknesses. It was a testament to its intelligence and inherent fighting talent.
For the past few months, traveling with his Pokémon, he felt proud of them. Each is working hard to achieve the possible.
But he also hid his concerns for when they reached their final form as he thought curiously, 'I wonder if I get my own Charmander, would I have to shift my Growlithe into the box? And will I get the same issues as Ash with his Charizard? If I do my Mega Evolution with a Charizard, will it lead to some concerns?'
Mega Evolution was something Azure thought about deeply ever since receiving his own set from Mr. Fuji. The history and origins of Mega Evolution are shrouded in mystery and apparent contradictions, with different characters and groups having their own beliefs on where the phenomenon originated.
Not only that, Azure also thought of another concern as he frowned in a serious tone, 'And there is the issue of control over Mega Evolution. In the anime, Korrina's Lucario lost control over its new power and attacked in a violent frenzy, losing control. And eventually leading to over exhaustion… but in adventures it's different.'
At first, Mega Evolution was portrayed as a relatively unknown phenomenon, known only to Gurkinn and his Successors. Since then, it became apparent that Team Flare was also after the power of Mega Evolution, with one member even compiling a list of Mega Stones that they discovered.
Simultaneous Mega Evolutions can also be accomplished by a Trainer, as long as they have a Key Stone for each Pokémon, they are Mega Evolving. However, doing so will cause severe mental stress on the Trainer, and they will be unable to focus on anything other than a single target until the Mega Evolution is undone.
But knowing this led Azure to another question, recalling his events in Lavender Town in a confused tone, holding the Key Stone in hand, 'But that doesn't explain how Mr. Fuji has gotten his hands on these stones? Argh, just thinking about it is gonna be a headache. Was it only there because of the connection with Mr. Fuji in the Core series games?'
As they neared the exit of the Underground Path, Azure shook his head as he muttered, rubbing Growlithe's head happily, "I guess it doesn't matter. So long as I have my Pokémon, we are chilling and handle anything in our way."
Azure himself didn't know what he would do if he ever reached that result, but at the same time thought, gazing at the end of the tunnel, 'No matter what happens so long as I have Pokémon that trust me, I'll be fine. And besides that, I'll train a Charmander one day, and who knows, maybe he'll be a worthy rival to my Arcanine in the future.'
His Pokémon blinked, confused by his words. But they simply shrugged their shoulders, leaving it to his usual antics as they exited the Underground Path.
Seeing the light ahead, Azure grinned, walking down the path with his Pokémon. He thought, gazing at his team in a proud tone, 'For now, I'll use this chance to test my skills as a Trainer. I have the Key Stone and Mega Stone that'll help me, but... I want to do this with no gimmicks or edge for the Indigo League. I want to see how my skill as a Trainer gets me far.'
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[Kanto Region, Later, Route 7]
Emerging from the Underground Path onto Route 7, Azure felt a surge of renewed determination. He had successfully navigated the challenges of Route 8 and the Underground Path.
With Pikachu perched on his shoulder and his team following close behind, Azure continued his path, his eyes fixed on the horizon. The road ahead was long and arduous, but he was ready to face any challenge that came his way.
He had a dream, a team, and the unwavering support of his Pokémon. And with partners by his side, he knew that anything was possible.
They made their way to Celadon City following Route 7 road ahead. But from above a building overlooking Route 7, known to all of them, someone was watching from a distance as Azure entered Route 7.
Leaf Green smirked as she muttered, looking through binoculars, "Dum-dee. Dum-dee. Ooh? An unsuspecting visitor! Seems like we meet again, Azure Sky. This will be easy pickings."
Using her binoculars, seeing an easy target, she paused, seeing his rotation out in the open, making her second-guess herself. She muttered, her eyes widening in disbelief, "A Pikachu, Growlithe, and… a Dragonair?! Where the heck did he get this stupidly strong lineup?"
Green frowned, seeing that trying to trick Azure again wouldn't be as easy as last time, seeing only his Pikachu, Dragonair, and Growlithe the last time they met. But she thought to herself cheekily, 'But then again, I could try seeing we are familiar with each other. I could use my beauty to scam him. Heh.'
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A/N: Hey Guys, the author here wants to ask a quick question. I'm writing the Yellow Arc, wondering how to make the chapters, till I realized there's no reason for the MC to follow Yellow and is wise enough to stay back while he helps Red heal his frozen limbs from Lorelei's attack in Mt. Silver Healing Everything Spring.
So I wanted to know if you guys want the MC to let events follow till Red and him enter the fray at the climax of the Elite Four fighting the Dex Holders. Or do you guys want the MC to be proactive against them?
P.S. The MC will be able to use Mega Evolution after the 2-Year Time Skip into the Yellow Arc. As for which Pokémon? Just wait till he shows it. Should he show off against Lance with this or not?