Chapter 105: Puppy Pokémon [Bonus]
~Third POV~
[Alola Region, Months Later, Melemele Island, Ten Carat Hill]
Months flew by as he continued his studies and training. His Charmander had evolved into a Charmeleon, its fiery tail burning brighter with each passing day.
Bulbasaur had blossomed into an Ivysaur, its bulb growing steadily larger, hinting at its future power. Squirtle had become a Wartortle, its bushy tail swaying with a newfound proud confidence.
While Azure loved the learning environment and bonding with his Pokémon, he felt a void. He hadn't yet caught any Alolan Pokémon of his own.
He was so consumed with understanding the region and training his starters that he hadn't ventured out properly. Along with training his new and old teams for the battle of Johto against the Masked Man ahead, he couldn't afford any slip-ups against him.
Besides, while training his old Pokémon was important, he didn't forget to attempt new things, adding more Pokémon to bond with. He made sure to bond with his Pokémon and the Larvitar he found in Mt. Silver, enjoying its presence happily.
One day, he decided to rectify this. He set out for Ten Carat Hill, a rugged, rocky landscape known for its Rockruff population.
Pikachu and Eevee bounded ahead, eager for a new adventure. Wartortle, Ivysaur, and Charmeleon trailed behind, their excitement palpable at having to travel.
Azure made sure to leave his old Pokémon back at the Pokémon School with Professor Kukui and Samson Oak taking care of them. They were concerned, as the last time they weren't with him, he fell into a coma-like state, purifying the Spiritomb during an Island Trial.
Azure assured them he would be fine and touched by their loyalty. But he also wanted to enjoy his journey too, with new Pokémon, so they could all be friends and allies one day in the future.
As they navigated the rocky terrain, Azure felt a sense of peace wash over him. The Alolan air was warm and humid, carrying the scent of sea salt and rich vegetation.
The sun beat down, turning the volcanic rocks into shimmering mirages. He breathed deeply, feeling the energy of the land coursing through him.
Suddenly, Pikachu stopped dead in its tracks, its ears twitching. Eevee bristled, a low growl rumbling in its throat.
Azure's hand instinctively went to his Poké Balls. He whispered, his eyes scanning the surroundings, "What is it, guys?"
The air was still, but something felt wrong. A subtle undercurrent of tension hung heavy in the air...
"Arf..."
*Zzzz*
Then, he heard it – a faint whimper, followed by the crackle of static. He followed the sound, his heart pounding in his chest, Pikachu and Eevee leading the way.
They rounded a bend in the path, and the sight that greeted them sent a surge of fury through him. Three figures in dark clothing were huddled around a makeshift cage, their faces obscured by bandanas.
Inside, several Rockruff huddled together, their eyes wide with terror. One of the figures was holding a device that crackled with electricity. "Keep 'em quiet. We don't want anyone nosing around."
Azure's blood ran cold. These weren't researchers or concerned citizens.
These were Pokémon Hunters, poaching Pokémon for profit. He had heard stories of their cruel practices, but he had never encountered them firsthand, other than Team Rocket.
He couldn't stand idly by. It reminded him too much of Team Rocket as he shouted, his voice echoing through the hills, "Hey!"
The figures whirled around, their faces contorted in anger. One of them stepped forward, brandishing a net as he sneered, "Well, well, well. Looks like we have a little hero here."
Azure demanded, his voice trembling with anger, "Let the Rockruff go."
The figure retorted, stepping closer, "And what if we don't?"
*Pop*
Without a word, Azure released his team. Charmeleon roared, its fiery tail illuminating the scene, "Charrrr!!"
Ivysaur's vines lashed out, tangling around the cage. Wartortle unleashed a stream of water, drenching the hunters.
*Whip*
*Splash*
Pikachu crackled with electricity, ready to strike. Eevee stood its ground, ready to protect and evolve if need be.
The hunters were caught off guard. They stumbled back, cursing and yelling.
The leader shouted, releasing their own Pokémon, "Get them!"
*Pop*
Materializing from their Poke Balls were Houndour, a Mightyena, and a Beedrill. Each of them was ready to inflict as hard as Azure adjusted his cap, smirking, 'Ah… it just reminds me of my days fighting Team Rocket. Good days looting them.'
The battle was on. Azure, fueled by righteous anger, directed his team with precision and skill. Charmeleon's Flamethrower clashed with Houndour's Ember, creating a swirling vortex of fire.
Ivysaur's Razor Leaf cut through the air, forcing Mightyena to retreat. Wartortle's Water Gun collided with Beedrill's Poison Sting, creating a cloud of mist.
Pikachu weaved through the chaos, dodging attacks and delivering powerful Thunderbolt attacks. Eevee, smaller but no less determined, used Quick Attack to distract the opposing Pokémon, giving Azure's team the upper hand.
The hunters, realizing they were outmatched, began to panic. They ordered their Pokémon to fall back, but Azure wouldn't let them escape. He knew he had to stop them, not just for the Rockruff, but for all the wild Pokémon of Alola that were unfortunate enough to encounter them.
*Zzzz*
As the trainers were trying to escape, the ringleader released another surge of electricity into the cage, making the Rockruff whimper. Azure was furious and started to give chase when a Rockruff broke free from the cage.
The Rockruff was small and scared, but it was surprisingly agile. It darted through the rocks, dodging the hunters' attempts to recapture it.
Azure saw his chance. He ran towards the Rockruff, extending his hand. Using his Viridian Force, he said softly, his voice reassuring, "It's okay. I'm here to help."
The Rockruff hesitated for a moment, its eyes darting between Azure and the retreating hunters.
But when it felt the Viridian Force coming off from Azure, it soothed it. Then, slowly, cautiously, it approached Azure.
It nuzzled its head against his hand, its tail wagging hesitantly. Azure smiled, his heart swelling with compassion.
He said, gently stroking the Rockruff's fur, "You're safe now."
He watched as the hunters scrambled into their vehicle and sped away, leaving behind the broken cage and the remaining Rockruff. He knew they wouldn't be back, not if he could help it.
He wasn't one to allow them to get off scot free as he ordered, "Pikachu! Thunder!"
Pikachu ran up to a nearby rock and jumped. High above, gathering electricity as the thunderclouds formed, unleashed its attack, "Pika… CHU!!"
*KABOOOM*
A large thunderbolt struck where the Pokémon Hunters ran away, and he called the local Officer Jenny. An explosion was heard as Pikachu jumped down near Azure's side as he said calmly, "Good riddance, I say. Come on, let's go help the Rockruffs."
His Pokémon agreed as they came to help. They quickly freed the other Rockruff from the cage and helped them regain their bearings. They were shaken, but unharmed.
As the sun began to set, painting the sky in hues of orange and purple, Azure prepared to return to the Pokémon School. The Rockruff he had rescued, however, refused to leave his side.
It followed him closely, its eyes fixed on him with unwavering trust. He knelt, looking the Rockruff in the eye as he said, "You don't have to come with me. You can stay here with your friends."
The Rockruff whimpered and shook its head. It nudged Azure's hand with its nose, as if pleading with him to let it stay.
Azure smiled. He knew what he had to do. He reached for a Poké Ball. He said, tapping the Rockruff on the head, "Alright. Welcome to the team."
The Rockruff was instantly enveloped in a beam of light and drawn into the Poké Ball. It clicked shut, signaling a successful capture.
*BON*
Azure picked up the Poké Ball, a feeling of warmth spreading through him. He had come to Ten Carat Hill to catch a Pokémon, but he had found something much more valuable – a bond of trust and loyalty.
He quickly checked his Arc Phone to scan the status of his Rockruff. And he wasn't disappointed in the slightest.
[Rockruff the Puppy Pokémon. Rockruff has an excellent sense of smell and will never forget an odor after smelling it once. There are tales of it reuniting with its Trainer after becoming lost by following the faintest traces of scent. It has lived with humans since ancient times.
Rockruff is often recommended as a good Pokémon for beginner Trainers due to its friendly nature and ability to bond with Trainers easily. However, Rockruff is said to be a challenging Pokémon to raise, to the point where some Trainers abandon it due to being unable to handle it.
This Pokémon is very sociable and will greet others by rubbing them with the rocks around its neck. As it ages, Rockruff becomes wilder and more independent. Once it is close to evolving, it will begin to howl when the sun goes down.
It has been said to leave its Trainer's side and return once it has evolved. Despite becoming more vicious as it matures over time, Rockruff never forgets its master's kindness. Wild Rockruff travels in packs until it evolves.
A persistent Pokémon, it will keep going until it outlasts foes that are even more powerful. Rockruff intimidates opponents by using the rocks on its neck to hit the ground. Rockruff trains itself by running around. It attacks foes the moment they flinch. It has been known to fight with Growlithe over territory.]
|Name: Rockruff (Puppy Pokémon)
|Type: Rock
|Level: 16
|Gender: Male
|Held Item: None
|Ability: Own Tempo
|Nature: Jolly
|Moves: Tackle, Leer, Sand Attack, Double Team, Rock Throw, Howl, Thrash (EM) (4 Moves Left to learn)
Smiling at this, Azure turns to leave as he goes to return to Pokémon School. In the distance, high above the cliff, Tapu Koko noticed its Trainer's actions, witnessing everything.
It had a complicated expression on its face when it came to its trainer. Azure beat it and caught it while making Tapu Koko give him the Z-Crystals that it felt were undeserved for someone as greedy as him.
But its trainer surprises him for his actions dealing with the Pokémon Hunters and freeing the Rockruffs in its territory. Tapu Koko has always been the more curious and social of the Guardian Deities of the Alola Region.
Compared to Tapu Lele and Tapu Fini, it was at least respected by the people of Alola without being feared, unlike those two. Tapu Bulu was the pacifist of the four, but when angered, it's one you shouldn't mess with.
However, witnessing its trainer's actions made it contemplate a few things about people and Pokémon. Not only that, Tapu Koko thought curiously, 'The battle when we first fought… if he had brought out such a force as Mega Evolution… why did he need the power of Z-Crystals as he proved himself powerful enough?'
Tapu Koko couldn't disobey Azure if it wanted to because of its Gym Badges, but it didn't restrict its curiosity. But it also grew a bond of sorts as it battled with his main Pokémon Team, each showing powerful and unique abilities.
They understood their struggles to reach the top. Tapu Koko crossed its arms as it muttered curiously, "Koko… (Bonds… they're interesting things…)"
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A/N: Next Goal of 150PS for an Bonus Chapter!