Chapter 402: Wish Pokémon
~Third POV~
[Hoenn Region, (July 4th), Artisan Cave]
*Clang*
A sudden, jarring clang resonated through the cave, a sound of heavy metal on stone. From the deepest shadows, a towering, armored figure materialized.
The armor was sleek, black, and utterly imposing, its helm obscuring any facial features. The armored man, without preamble, spoke, his voice deep and synthesized, devoid of emotion, "Hand over the Jirachi's Poké Ball, boy. Or unless you want me to take it by force, boy…"
He pointed a gauntleted finger at Azure. Azure scoffed as he bluntly stated, "Tch. If I had a nickel for every time some wanna be Grunt wanted to steal my Pokémon. Who the heck are you anyway?"
Green, recovering from the flash, instantly recognized the figure. She practically spat, stepping forward, her face etched with anger, "Guile! He's a villain! He's after Jirachi for his own twisted ends!"
Azure, clutching the Luxury Ball, his grip firm, met Guile's gaze with an unwavering stare. He stated bluntly, his voice calm but firm, "Not a chance."
He instinctively knew this 'Guile' would use Jirachi for something evil, something that would invariably cause suffering. He wasn't about to let that happen.
Guile seemed unfazed by the refusal. A chest compartment in his armor shimmered, then hissed open, revealing a staggering array of Poké Balls stuffed within.
*POP*
With a dramatic flourish, he pressed a button, and the balls simultaneously burst open, releasing a torrent of Pokémon. A diverse, overwhelming horde of them, from powerful Machamp to nimble Electabuzz, flooded the cavern, immediately lunging towards Azure with ferocious intent.
The Frontier Brains immediately sprang into action, their own Pokémon engaging the rapidly multiplying threat. As Greta's Hitmontop delivered a swift Rapid Spin against an incoming Primeape, she saw a familiar symbol on the Poké Ball that Primeape had been released from, glinting on the ground.
She quickly bent down and picked up one of the empty Poké Balls. Her eyes widened in shock. She gasped, holding up the ball, "Wait a minute! These… these are the Rental Pokémon! The ones that were stolen from Noland's Battle Factory!"
Her gaze snapped to Guile, horror dawning on her face as she yelled, "You! You're the one who stole them!"
Anabel, Lucy, Tucker, Brandon, and Spenser exchanged grim, knowing glances. The implications were clear. Guile wasn't just a random villain after Jirachi; he was a perpetrator who had directly attacked the Battle Frontier.
Brandon declared, his voice resonating with authority in a stern tone, "As far as the Frontier Brains are concerned, stopping Guile and recovering these stolen Pokémon is now far more important. We cannot let him succeed in stealing Jirachi or bringing further dishonor to the Frontier!"
Using the momentary distraction of the Frontier Brains' realization, Guile moved with surprising speed. His armored hand drew a gleaming, impossibly sharp sword from his hip, and he swung it in a deadly arc towards Azure.
Azure, however, merely smirked. His eyes, keen and alert, tracked the blade's trajectory. He didn't retreat; instead, he lunged forward, moving with a sudden burst of speed that brought him dangerously close to Guile.
*Swooosh*
He sidestepped the blade by an inch, then, with a flicker of his hand, placed his palm directly over Guile's armored gauntlet, effectively trapping the sword. A look of confusion flickered across Guile's helmet visor.
Before 'he' could react, Azure's smirk widened. The air around his hand seemed to ripple, distorting space itself…
*Swooosh*
With an almost imperceptible swoosh, both Guile's armor he wore and the sword vanished, sucked into Azure's own personal [Sub-Space]. The effect was instantaneous and profound getting results.
The figure stumbled back, completely disarmed and utterly bewildered. A sudden, high-pitched gasp escaped the figure's mouth, a voice undeniably feminine.
The visor, no longer held in place by its now-missing armor, revealed a shocked, furious face framed by dark hair. Green exclaimed, recognizing the notorious Three Beast Commander, who was usually clad in more conventional villain attire, "S-S-Sird?! She's the one who stole –"
Sird's eyes, wide with disbelief and raw fury, gazed at Azure. Pikachu, still on his shoulder, let out a sharp cry and unleashed a powerful Thunderbolt, "Pika-CHUUU! (Oi! No one hurts him but us!!)"
*ZZZZT*
Simultaneously, Eevee, from her perch, fired a concentrated Shadow Ball as she cried out, "Bui! (No, you don't, you skank!!)"
*CRACKLE*
*Wooosh*
Sird, despite her shock, was still a formidable enemy. She executed a lightning-fast backward flip, narrowly evading both attacks, a snarl twisting her lips as her identity was laid bare.
She hissed, gritting her teeth visibly, "Damn you, boy!"
Her mission was a spectacular failure, and all because of this… upstart. With a desperate surge of will, she threw out a Poké Ball…
*Pop*
And her Starmie materialized, shimmering into existence. She commanded, preparing for a hasty retreat, "Starmie, Teleport!"
*Wooosh*
But the Frontier Brains were already moving. Tucker's Salamence roared, Brandon's Regirock slammed a fist, Spenser's Arcanine barked fiercely, and Lucy's Milotic coiled. Tucker boomed, "Not so fast, Sird!"
Without her sword, Sird couldn't redirect and amplify their attacks. They unleashed a coordinated, four-way assault from all directions – Dragon Pulse, Stone Edge, Extreme Speed, and Hydro Pump – designed to trap and overwhelm her.
Sird, realizing the gravity of her situation, her only escape momentarily blocked, acted swiftly. She shrieked, recalling the remaining rental Pokémon within her uniform and sending them charging in, "All of you! Stop them!"
*POP*
The sheer numbers were overwhelming. The Frontier Brains, caught between stopping Sird and ensuring the safety of their own Pokémon and themselves from the horde, were forced to halt their concentrated attack, ambushed and momentarily swamped by the sheer volume of Pokémon.
Seizing the opening, Sird and Starmie vanished in a flash of Teleport.
*Swf*
Greta declared, "She won't get far! Umbreon Double Team!"
Greta's Umbreon immediately creates an army of Double Team clones, each radiating dark energy, swarming the rental Pokémon and confusing them. Anabel's Raikou, a magnificent beast of thunder and lightning, roared, summoning its own storm clouds within the cavern from its main…
*RMBL*
*ZZZZZT*
A torrent of Thunderbolts rained down, striking the feral rental Pokémon, knocking many unconscious or forcing them to retreat. Green, not to be outdone, brought her Blasty back into the fray, launching powerful Hydro Pumps that swept through the horde, scattering them like bowling pins.
Azure joined in the chaos, his own Pokémon engaging the stray rental Pokémon that managed to slip past the Frontier Brains' efforts. He was a whirlwind of controlled power, his movements precise and efficient.
*Shiver*
Suddenly, a cold dread prickled the back of his neck as he thought, 'Should've known she didn't leave…'
*Swf*
Sird reappeared with another flash of light, not in front, but directly behind Azure, aiming specifically for the Jirachi Luxury Ball hanging from his belt. She snarled, "Now, you little brat! Die! Psybeam!"
*PEW*
Starmie launches a potent Psybeam, directly at Azure's back, a desperate, last-ditch effort to finish him and retrieve Jirachi. But Azure was always one step ahead. Before the Psybeam could connect, his hand moved with blurring speed.
*WOOOSH*
From his [Sub-Space], the very sword he had stolen from Sird earlier materialized in his grip. With a practiced flourish, he swung the blade around, not at Sird, but parallel to his body. He knew what was coming next as he thought, 'Get ready... FULL-COUNTER!!'
*REFLECT*
To Sird's utter shock, the sword hummed, generating a shimmering forcefield that easily deflected the Psybeam, sending it harmlessly skittering across the cavern wall. Sird's eyes widened in profound disbelief.
She gasped, utterly flabbergasted that he understood the properties of her unique blade, "How did you –?! You knew how it worked?!"
*BANG*
The deflected Psybeam's residual energy, combined with the sheer force of Azure's swing, sent Sird and her Starmie flying into a nearby rock wall with a sickening thud. They didn't get a chance to recover.
*ZZZZT*
Pikachu, seizing the opportunity, unleashed a precise Thunder Wave, crackling with electricity, which slammed into Sird, paralyzing her on the spot…
*CRACKLE*
*BOOOOM*
Eevee, equally quick, launched another Shadow Ball, a dark orb of energy, that connected squarely with Starmie, finally causing the Water/Psychic type to faint, its gem-like core dimming.
Immediately, Azure extended his hand…
*CRACK*
With a surge of his Telekinesis, he crushed Sird's remaining Poké Balls' opening mechanisms, the cases shattering into harmless shards. Then he saw one that caught his eye as he secretly pulled it away from Sird's belt.
Then, looking at her in the eyes, he stated calmly, ensuring she couldn't call on any more Pokémon, "No more help for you."
The Frontier Brains, now freed from the rental Pokémon onslaught, quickly surrounded the paralyzed and disarmed Sird, with Green providing a final Hydro Pump to clear the last stragglers. Azure sneakily took the Poke Ball from Sird's possession.
Sird, spreadeagled against the wall, glared at Azure, a raw glint of fear mixing with rage in her eyes. Despite her paralysis, she managed to force out a choked question, her voice rasping, "How... how did you know the sword would reflect the attack?"
Azure leaned in close, his face alight with a mischievous grin. Without a word, he brought the butt of Sird's own magnificent sword slamming into her head, a precise, efficient strike that rendered her instantly unconscious.
*SMACK*
He stated, a casual, almost flippant tone to his voice as he straightened up, sheathing the sword back into his [Sub-Space], "That's for me to know and you to find out."
The group exited Artisan Cave, the unconscious Sird being carefully secured by the Frontier Brains. Her sleek armor and unique sword had, of course, vanished into Azure's [Sub-Space], much to his barely concealed delight.
Green, walking beside him, couldn't help but shake her head, a smile playing on her lips. She began, "Honestly, Sky, you just can't resist collecting souvenirs wherever you go, can you? Taking her sword and armor like that. What was that trick, anyway? Some newfangled Poké Ball tech?"
Azure merely shrugged, a picture of nonchalance, Pikachu still on his shoulder, Eevee now curled comfortably inside his jacket. He replied, a convenient excuse ready on his tongue, "Oh, that? Just a Viridian Force ability I've been working on. Helps me store items in a secret space only I can access. Pretty neat, huh?"
He then winked, flashing a quick glimpse of the armor and sword momentarily appearing and disappearing from his hand as he said happily, "Plus, I get to keep these. Definitely keeping these."
Azure used his [Observe] on it. And he mentally cheered, reading their abilities coming extremely handy.
[Item: Instant
Rarity Item: S
Type: Key Item
Description: A sword created by Team Galactic with the properties of Light Screen and Reflect. This sword can reflect any physical and special attacks.]
[Item: Eternity
Rarity Item: -
Type: Key Item
Description: An armor that can shape into any person it wears, created by Team Galactic. It allows the wearer to live for an eternity by having their flow of time inside be slower, nearly halting the aging process entirely.]
Green scoffed, a knowing glint in her eyes. She knew Azure was lying through his teeth – a Viridian Force ability that conveniently teleported items was far beyond anything a normal trainer could achieve, even an absurdly talented one like him.
But seeing it wasn't anything harmful, and frankly, the sight of him knocking out a villain with her own sword was amusing, she merely shook her head. She says sarcastically, continuing, "Right….? Whatever. So, now that you own Jirachi, what are you planning to wish for?"
Azure paused, looking up at the azure sky they had just emerged into. He mused, curiously eyeing the Luxury Ball, "Good question. I have two ideas in mind. But first, I plan to bond with Jirachi. Get to know it, let it get to know me. Wishes are serious business; I won't just rush into it."
As they conversed, Anabel approached them, her expression earnest. She bowed her head lightly, a gesture of respect and apology. She began, her voice soft but sincere, "Azure, Green. I apologize. I… we, the Frontier Brains, suspected you of being involved, or at least knowing, of the villains who stole the Battle Factory's Rental Pokémon. We were too quick to judge."
Green merely shrugged, a casual wave of her hand as she replied, "Don't sweat it, Anabel. The issue's passed. You caught the real culprit. All's well that ends well."
But Azure, ever the pragmatist, wasn't letting them off so easily. He said calmly, a playful glint in his eyes, "Well, while the issue has passed, being suspected and dragged into this whole mess was quite the trouble, wouldn't you say? I think some compensation is for our... assistance."
Anabel twitched but then nodded firmly. She was one to uphold justice and fairness as she asked, "Of course. It's the least we can do. What do you need, Azure? Consider it a reward for stopping Sird and preventing further damage to the Battle Frontier's reputation."
Azure's grin widened. He rubbed his hands together as he asked excitedly, "Hmm, let's see... how about I keep one of Sird's Pokémon? I already have it on me, and I plan to retrain it for my next journey."
Anabel nodded, accepting the condition. With a final, slightly exasperated look at Azure and a sigh, she turned and left, presumably to begin the arduous task of fulfilling the role of the Battle Frontier.
Watching her go Green laughed lightly. Azure looked towards the distant mountains, a new determination in his eyes as he muttered, "With no evil bothering us, we can finally relax a bit here. I suppose my next stop is the Battle Arena. Time to add Greta's Guts Symbol to my collection."
With that, Azure began to formulate what team he needed against Greta. With no evil villain to handle, he can freely enjoy his time here in the Battle Frontier as he plans for the next incoming challenge worry-free.
But in the meantime, Azure checked Jirachi's info and status. He was impressed with the info given.
[Jirachi the Wish Pokémon. Jirachi hibernates for most of its life, awakening for seven days every thousand years. It can also be awakened if sung to by a voice of purity. While it sleeps, a tough, crystalline shell envelops its body to protect it. However, it can still fight while asleep. During the short periods it is awake, Jirachi will grant wishes. Jirachi will only grant wishes when its true eye is opened.
Additionally, it can only grant three wishes every thousand years, which are written on each of its three wish tags. It is said that Jirachi's ability to grant wishes also gives it great attack power, as seen when it creates a concentrated bundle of light to blast its target. Although it is extremely rare, Jirachi can be found in the mountains.]
|Name: Jirachi (Wish Pokémon)
|Type: Psychic/Steel
|Level: 60
|Gender: Genderless
|Held Item: None
|Ability: Serene Grace
|Nature: Lax
|Moves: Wish, Life Dew, Gravity, Healing Wish, Cosmic Power, Rest, Future Sight, Psychic, Meteor Mash, Zen Headbutt, Confusion, Double-Edge, Last Resort, Swift, Doom Desire (IM) (21 Moves to learn)
Azure mentally raised an eyebrow, seeing this as he thought calmly, 'Okay… not much to work with here in its movepool. Granted, it only ever wakes up every 7 days in a thousand years…'
Azure mentally shook his head as training Jirachi was going to be interesting. But for the wishes he wants, he'll need to carefully consider what he wants the most as he thinks deeply of his choices…
Not only that, with no one looking, Azure held the Poke Ball, revealing it to be Sird's. He smirked mentally, seeing its name screen…
[Darkrai Lv60 Pitch Black Pokémon]
/////
A/N: Reach the goal of 200 PS to get a Bonus Chapter!
On a sidenote though I didn't want to drag the Emerald/Battle Frontier Arc with Sird getting her wish as the MC will just stomp her hard. Plus it would be a good way to end a threat before it gets out of hand surprising her using Team Galactic's Weapons against her in a surprise attack.