Ben Grimm laughs, a gravelly sound of pure joy, as he watches Rhyhorn charge across the rocky terrain. The heavy Pokémon lowers its head, its drill-like horn aimed squarely at a boulder twice its size. Ben braces himself, planting his feet wide. With a resounding CRACK, the boulder shatters into pieces. Rhyhorn snorts, dust puffing from its nostrils, and looks up at Ben for approval.
"Attaboy, Rhyhorn!" Ben bellows, clapping his rocky hands together. "That's how you do it! No finesse, just pure clobberin' power!"
Rhyhorn rumbles, a low, pleased sound deep in its chest. It nudges another, smaller boulder with its snout, inviting Ben to watch another demonstration.
"Oh, you want another one?" Ben chuckles, a wide smile on his face. "Alright, show 'em what you got, pal!"
The Rhyhorn charges again, a living battering ram, and CRASH, another boulder explodes into dust and pebbles. Ben feels a kinship with the creature, a simple, straightforward power that reminds him of himself.
"Ya know," Ben says, mostly to himself, but loud enough for Rhyhorn to hear, "I think we're gonna get along just fine. We both like breakin' stuff."
"Wow, Ben, that's an incredible match for your strength," Reed Richards exclaimed, his elastic arm stretching out to clap Ben's massive, rocky shoulder.
Sue Storm smiled warmly, her gaze tender. Franklin Richards bounced on his heels, his eyes wide with childlike wonder as he looked from Ben to Rhyhorn. Valeria Richards nodded, tapping her chin thoughtfully, already noting the formidable combination of the Rock and Ground types.
"A walking tank, huh? Big deal," Johnny Storm muttered, crossing his arms with a theatrical scowl. "Chimchar and I are fast enough to run circles around that slowpoke."
Chimchar chittered in agreement, its fiery tail flicking as its eyes narrowed at the distant Rhyhorn. The small Fire-type Pokémon scurried forward, its movements quick and agile, attempting to sneak up behind the massive Rhyhorn. Chimchar's tiny hands worked with surprising speed and precision, aiming to tie Rhyhorn's tail into a neat, mischievous knot.
Rhyhorn did not even turn around. It simply swished its heavy stone tail, sending Chimchar tumbling backward with a soft thump. Chimchar landed on its back, looking dazed. Rhyhorn then turned, nudged the small Fire-type with its snout, and let out a low, rumbling sound that sounded suspiciously like a chuckle. Johnny groaned, burying his face in his hands. The others laughed.
"Aw, man, that's just embarrassing," Johnny muttered, shaking his head. "My fiery little buddy got punked by a rock on legs."
Chimchar picked itself up, shaking its head, and then glared at Rhyhorn. Its tail flame flickered with renewed determination.
"Hey, no hard feelings, pal," Ben said to Chimchar, a grin spreading across his face. "Rhyhorn just wanted to show off a little."
"I think we've established the formidable physical capabilities of both Pokémon," Reed interjected, ever the scientist. "Rhyhorn certainly presents an interesting study in kinetic force and impact absorption."
"Indeed," Orion Oak added, leaning on his Poké Ball cane, a polite smile on his face. He explained that while the bond between Ben and Rhyhorn was wonderful, Rhyhorn's substantial mass meant it would be best for it to remain in the Sanctuary for now. "Bringing a Pokémon of Rhyhorn's impressive stature into New York City might pose... logistical challenges."
Ben grumbled, but he nodded. He acknowledged that he could not exactly take Rhyhorn on the subway without causing some significant delays.
"Yeah, Ben, imagine explaining that to the MTA," Johnny quipped, finally looking up from his hands. " 'Sorry, folks, the 6 train is delayed due to one large, rocky Pokémon having a snack.' "
Sue chuckled softly. "He has a point, dear. Our apartment in the Baxter Building might feel a little cramped for Rhyhorn."
"Cramped?" Ben huffed, looking at the massive Pokémon. "He'd barely fit through the door, Sue. We'd have to get Reed to invent a bigger door, and then a bigger hallway, and then a bigger everything!"
Franklin giggled, already imagining a Rhyhorn-sized doggy door on the Baxter Building. Valeria just shook her head, calculating the structural stress a full-grown Rhyhorn would put on their building.
Ben gave Rhyhorn one last pat on its stony hide. "Don't you worry, big guy. I'll be back to visit you. We'll break some more rocks, okay?"
Rhyhorn rumbled in contentment, nudging Ben's hand affectionately with its horn. It seemed to understand the arrangement, settling into a comfortable position on the rocky ground. The bond between them felt surprisingly solid, a testament to shared strength and an honest, uncomplicated understanding.
Back at the front desk, Johnny was still sulking about Rhyhorn's casual dismissal of Chimchar. He just couldn't believe a rock on legs had outsmarted his fiery little buddy.
"Cheer up, Johnny," Sue Storm said gently, smoothing her uniform. "It was a fair match."
"Fair?" Johnny scoffed, running a hand through his hair. "It wasn't even a fight! Chimchar barely got a spark in."
"That's because Rhyhorn has a type advantage," Valeria pointed out, ever the pragmatist. "Rock is strong against Fire, Uncle Johnny."
"Whatever, Val," Johnny grumbled. "It's still lame."
Sue just smiled, a soft, knowing look on her face. She stepped forward, placing her hand on the lottery tablet. The screen lit up, and silhouettes of various Pokémon rolled by in a blur of shapes. Franklin leaned in, watching with wide, hopeful eyes. Ben stood behind them, his arms crossed, a soft rumble in his chest.
The screen slowed, the image resolving into a distinct, rigid shape. It looked like an old sword, with a strange cloth wrapped around the hilt. Sue tilted her head, a confused frown on her face.
"Orion, what is that?" Sue asked, her voice calm but curious. "It doesn't look like a living creature at all, but rather... a weapon."
Orion stepped closer, his gaze fixed on the screen. "That is Honedge," he explained, his voice even and unhurried. "It's a Steel and Ghost-type Pokémon, a spirit that possesses an old sword."
"A spirit sword?" Franklin whispered, his eyes wide with wonder. "Like, a haunted sword?"
"Precisely," Orion confirmed with a nod. He explained that Honedge was a promising partner, offering great loyalty. However, its unique nature required specific handling. "Its spirit lies within the blade, but it drains life energy through the cloth wrapped around its hilt. It requires a trainer who understands its unique needs, a trainer who can wield it with both power and respect."
He looked at Sue, his expression thoughtful. "Are you sure you wish to see it, Mrs. Storm-Richards?"
Sue looked at the image, her curiosity truly piqued. She saw the faint outline of an eye on the hilt, and a spirit bound to a sword just sounded lonely, didn't it?
"Yes, I would like to meet it," Sue confirmed, a gentle resolve in her voice.
Orion nodded, a subtle knowing look in his blue eyes. He disappeared into the back room for a moment. He returned, holding a sheathed sword wrapped in a tattered blue cloth. He set it gently on the counter. The blue cloth around the hilt shifted slightly, almost imperceptibly. Then, a single, crimson eye opened, staring directly at Sue. The blade was chipped and worn, hinting at a long and likely difficult history.
The other customers in the shop instinctively took a step back, a collective gasp rippling through the small crowd. Even Johnny looked a little uneasy, despite his usual bravado. Ben just rumbled, a low, protective sound in his chest. Sue, however, didn't flinch. She extended a hand, not to touch the cold, ancient blade, but to hover just above the cloth. A faint shimmer of invisible energy, a force field, emanated from her palm—not as a weapon, but as a gentle, protective barrier, a silent offering of safety and understanding.
Honedge's crimson eye, which had been so sharp, seemed to soften. The cloth around the hilt loosened slightly, the tension draining away from its spectral form. It sensed no greed or fear from Sue, only a calm, maternal strength, a quiet empathy. The blade tilted slightly, a subtle nod of acceptance, a silent acknowledgment of her kindness. Sue smiled gently, a silent greeting passing between them, a quiet bond forming.
"Well, I'll be," Ben muttered, his voice surprisingly soft. "Looks like Sue found herself a buddy."
"A sword buddy?" Johnny piped up, wrinkling his nose. "Seriously, Sue? You're going with a haunted sword?"
"It's not haunted, Johnny," Franklin corrected, his brows furrowed. "It's a Ghost-type Pokémon. That's totally different."
Valeria, ever the analyst, pulled out her personal tablet. "Technically, a spirit possessing an inanimate object aligns with several known paranormal phenomena, but the classification as a Pokémon implies biological and energetic consistency across its species."
"Thanks, Val, for the science lesson," Johnny said dryly, rolling his eyes. "Still sounds like a haunted sword that wants to drain your life force."
"It sensed my intentions," Sue said calmly, her gaze still fixed on Honedge. "It's not dangerous, just cautious."
Reed, who had been observing the entire interaction with intense scientific interest, finally spoke. "Fascinating. The direct energetic resonance with a protective aura rather than a hostile one. It confirms the non-aggressive nature of Honedge unless provoked or, as Orion stated, hungry."
"So, Mom, are you going to get it?" Franklin asked, practically bouncing with excitement. "A real spirit sword! That's so cool!"
"Yes, I think I will," Sue replied, her smile soft and genuine. "I quite like the little guy."
***
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