Chapter 116: Wool Pokémon
~Third POV~
[Johto Region, Later, Violet City – Pokémon Center]
*Ding*
Silver gets his Pokémon healed by Nurse Joy, and he thanks her for healing them. He then proceeds to call Lance over the Rotom Phone.
*Beep*
Walking out, he managed to get Lance on the phone as he asked curiously, "So I take it you battled against Azure? What's your opinion of him?"
Silver places his Poke Balls over his belt as he bluntly says, heading towards the Poke Mart to resupply himself, "Strong and tactical. He trusts his Pokémon completely and makes the right judgment in battling. Even if his Pokémon aren't his main team, he has already established a strong bond with them, trusting them fully."
Lance chuckled, hearing Silver's explanation as he said coolly of Silver's impression of Azure, "Heh. I take it you lost badly and quit, not wanting your Pokémon hurt. But did you learn anything from the encounter?"
Silver considered Lance's words before finally replying. What he learned battling against Azure, calmly said, "I've learned his commands in each move are precise and knowledgeable in his field. Against stronger enemies, his ingenuity and unpredictability in Pokémon battles are unmatched."
But Silver heard a sigh escape from Lance, causing him to raise an eyebrow. Confused, Lance explained as he added, "Sigh… yes, his all that, but you forgot one thing. You forget that he and his Pokémon have fun while battling."
Silver looked confused when Lance said that. Lance sighed, shaking his head as he began to give him his next mission, "Forget it. For now, you have a new mission to do next. There are reports of Team Rocket cutting off Slowpoke Tails in Azalea Town. Your objective is simple… take them down."
*Beep*
Ending the call, Silver remained calm as he bought his supplies for his next mission. But he frowned slightly as he recalled Lance's words about Azure, 'Having fun in a Pokémon Battle...?'
He shook his head as he focused, muttering to himself in a determined tone, clenching his fist tightly in rage, "No. My objective is to take down the Mask Army. I'll get you Masked Man…"
Silver turned as he bought his supplies. His next destination is Azalea Town.
/////
[Johto Region, Meanwhile, Route 32]
Azure stood at the crossroads of Route 32. His Pikachu, perched happily on his shoulder, twitched its nose, while Eevee, nestled comfortably in his backpack, peeked out with curious eyes.
His journey in the Johto region had begun with a whirlwind of excitement, but a slight disappointment lingered in his heart. Cherrygrove City had been welcoming, but the Violet City Gym was devoid of its Leader, leaving Azure feeling adrift.
He adjusted the brim of his cap, the sunlight glinting off the six Poké Balls clipped to his belt. Inside resided his loyal companions.
Larvitar, a small, rock-skinned Pokémon with immense potential; Misdreavus, a mischievous ghost-type with a penchant for playful pranks; Wooper, a perpetually cheerful water/ground type; and Skarmory, a majestic steel bird whose wings shimmered like polished armor.
With renewed determination, Azure set off down Route 32, hoping that Azalea Town would hold the challenge he craved. The road was bustling with activity. Young trainers, eager to test their skills, dotted the landscape, their Pokémon partners ready for action.
Azure engaged in several battles, guiding his team through each encounter with careful strategy and unwavering encouragement. Larvitar's Rock Throw proved surprisingly effective, Wooper's Water Gun was a steady stream of offense, and Skarmory's Steel Wing sliced through the air with precision.
Misdreavus, although sometimes aloof, would unleash a powerful Shadow Ball when the situation demanded it. As he journeyed further, the landscape began to shift.
Rolling hills gave way to grassy plains, dotted with grazing Pokémon. Here, he spotted them as his eyes narrowed.
Three figures, clad in dark clothing and distinctly menacing masks, were huddled around a small flock of Mareep. Their movements were furtive, their intentions clearly sinister.
They were using what looked like electric nets to corral the sheep Pokémon, their faces hidden behind those unsettling masks. Azure's blood ran cold.
He recognized the insignia, a stylized letter "R" that hinted at the notorious Team Rocket's involvement, only these were different. This was likely the "Masked Army" he vaguely remembered from the series, a specialized branch controlled by the Masked Man.
Rage simmered within Azure as he clenched his fist. He couldn't just stand by and watch as he said, his voice low and firm, "Pikachu, Eevee. We need to stop them!"
Pikachu, sensing the shift in Azure's mood, crackled with electricity, its cheek pouches sparking. Eevee, usually timid, let out a determined yip, its evolution potential surging with excitement.
Azure charged forward, his voice ringing out across the field as he yelled bluntly, "Hey! What do you think you're doing? Leave those Mareep alone!"
The masked figures turned, startled by his sudden appearance. One of them, a bulky man with a cruel glint in his eyes, sneered as he said, "Well, well, well. Look what we have here. A little kid trying to play hero."
Another muttered, adjusting the net gun in his hands, "We don't have time for this brat. Let's just take him down."
Azure commanded, his voice sharp and focused, "Pikachu, use Extreme Speed!"
*Zooom*
Pikachu, a blur of yellow, shot forward, slamming into the closest Team Rocket grunt, sending him stumbling. The other two reacted quickly, releasing their own Pokémon.
A Koffing spewed noxious fumes, and a Grimer oozed towards Azure and his partners. In a quick motion, Azure hurled his Poke Balls as he shouted, his strategy clear, "Misdreavus, use Psychic on the Koffing! Wooper, use Mud Shot on Grimer!"
Misdreavus, with a gleeful shriek, launched a concentrated sphere of psychic energy, striking the Koffing squarely. Wooper, equally quick, unleashed a volley of mud, slowing the Grimer's advance.
The battle raged. The Team Rocket grunts, though surprised by Azure's competence, fought with a ruthless determination.
The Grimer managed to splash Wooper with sludge, causing it to wince. The Koffing, despite being weakened, continued to belch toxic gas, making it difficult for Azure to breathe.
*Pop*
Hurling his next Pokémon, Azure commanded, his voice strained but firm, "I need your help! Skarmory, Steel Wing! Take down the Grimer!"
*Pop*
Skarmory, with a piercing cry, soared into the air, its steel wings gleaming in the sunlight. It swooped down, striking the Grimer with a powerful blow, sending it sprawling.
*Shinng*
With Grimer down, the Team Rocket grunts began to panic. They hurled insults and threats, but Azure remained unfazed.
He knew he had the upper hand. Azure yelled, his voice filled with conviction making a cocky grin, "Pikachu, use Thunderbolt!"
*KABOOOOM*
Pikachu unleashed a massive surge of electricity, bathing the battlefield in brilliant light. The Thunderbolt struck the Koffing and the remaining Team Rocket grunt simultaneously, sending them crashing to the ground, defeated.
The masked figures, defeated and demoralized, scrambled to their feet and fled, disappearing into the tall grass which seemed to be heading to the Ruins of Alph. Azure watched them go, his heart pounding with adrenaline.
He turned his attention to the Mareep, who huddled together, trembling with fear. He approached them slowly, speaking in a soothing voice as he said gently, "It's okay. They're gone now. You're safe."
The Mareep, slowly regaining their composure, looked at him with large, trusting eyes. One of them, a particularly fluffy Mareep with a small tuft of wool on its head, tentatively approached Azure.
It nuzzled his hand, its wool soft against his skin. Azure smiled, he said softly, "You're a brave little one, aren't you?"
He reached into his bag and offered the Mareep a handful of Berries. It ate them eagerly, its fear gradually dissipating.
As the sun began to set, casting long shadows across the plains, Azure prepared to continue his journey, heading to the Ruins of Alph next. He was about to leave when he felt a gentle tug on his sleeve.
He turned to see the fluffy Mareep standing before him, its eyes pleading. There was something about this Mareep, a spark of resilience, that resonated with him.
He knelt, looking the Mareep in the eye. He asked softly, "You want to come with me, don't you? You want to join my team?"
The Mareep bleated in response, nodding its head eagerly, "Maa!"
The Mareep bobbed its head vigorously, its golden wool bobbing. It let out another excited bleat, then, to Azure's slight surprise, stamped its small hoof on the ground, a small spark flying.
It nudged its head towards him, then backed up, its posture shifting subtly, a clear challenge in its stance. It wanted to battle.
Not out of aggression, but out of a desire to prove itself worthy, to earn its place. Azure chuckled as he said happily, "Of course. An honest challenge."
He looked back, and his new team, roused by the Mareep's energetic outburst, was now watching, curious. Pikachu and Eevee, however, seemed to understand, their expressions soft with approval.
Azure said, his voice firming as he commanded his Water Fish Pokémon, "Alright then, Mareep. I accept your challenge. But I won't use my strongest. I'll use someone who needs this experience just as much as you need to prove yourself. Wooper, I choose you!"
The Water Fish Pokémon emerged with its usual cheerful "Wooopa!"
Blinking in the bright sunlight, then noticing the vibrant, gold-wooled Mareep. Its perpetually smiling face seemed to momentarily falter as it registered the electric energy emanating from its opponent.
Mareep, for its part, wasted no time, charging forward with a surprising burst of speed, its tail light flaring. Mareep began as it charged using Tackle.
*Swooosh*
Wooper, caught slightly off guard, braced itself, taking the hit with a surprisingly solid thud as it skid slightly. It slid back a foot or two, but remained standing, its eyes now narrowed with determination.
*Thud*
Azure commanded, his voice clear and encouraging, "Wooper, Water Gun!"
*Splash*
Wooper opened its wide mouth and unleashed a stream of water. Mareep, however, was agile, side-stepping the attack with a nimble hop, its woolly body seeming to generate static electricity as it moved.
*Zzzz*
Azure mused aloud as he had to be careful, as he saw the field was charged, "Electric Terrain, huh? Let's make this quick!"
Electric attacks would be devastating to Wooper... if it weren't for its Ground Typing making it immune to electrical attacks. Azure ordered, "Wooper, use Mud Shot! Aim for the eyes!"
*Splat*
Wooper plunged its small mouth as it spat soft earth and flung it with surprising force. Mareep, perhaps overconfident from dodging the Water Gun, was momentarily struck.
The mud splattered across its face, momentarily obscuring its vision. It bleated in annoyance, shaking its head.
Azure barked, seeing his opening, "Now, Wooper, charge in with Slam!"
Wooper, seizing the opportunity, waddled forward with surprising speed, its little body a determined blur, and slammed into Mareep. The impact was solid, sending Mareep skidding across the dirt.
*SLAM*
It shook off the mud, its golden wool bristling, sparks beginning to dance around its fleece. This Mareep was no ordinary wild Pokémon; it had spirit.
It let out a defiant bleat, its tail light pulsing rapidly, and then a focused bolt of electrical energy sparked from its glowing orb. Azure recognized the attack instantly, "Thunder Shock! Wooper, brace yourself! Charge in with Slam!"
The bolt struck Wooper directly. The little Pokémon smirked seeing as the Electric attack had done nothing to it.
Mareep was surprised as Wooper rushed ahead, determined. Its eyes snapped open, blazing with renewed resolve as it slammed into Mareep.
*SLAM*
The attack was strong, fueled by Wooper's newfound determination, and it struck Mareep as it cried out, a startled bleat as the super-effective attack took its toll. Its golden wool, once crackling with energy, now looked slightly messy.
It stumbled backwards, its tail light flickering weakly, its legs wobbling. It was exhausted, but its eyes, though dimming, still held a spark of pride.
Azure knew this was the moment. He didn't want to overdo it, to break Mareep's spirit as he commanded, "Wooper, one more Water Gun! Just enough to show your strength. Go! Agile Style! Water Gun!"
Wooper, understanding, lost a softer, more controlled stream of water. It washed over Mareep, a final, gentle push.
*Splash*
Mareep sagged, its eyes closing, its body trembling not from fear, but from the sheer effort of the battle. It had given its all.
Azure reached for an empty Poké Ball. He didn't throw it with force, but rather offered it, holding it out with a quiet reverence. He said softly, smiling happily, "You showed incredible will, Mareep. You earned this."
The Poké Ball opened, a gentle red light extending towards the exhausted Mareep. Without resistance, with a quiet sigh, the Mareep allowed itself to be drawn into the ball. It wobbled once, twice, then clicked shut with a soft, final sound.
*BON*
Azure picked up the Poké Ball, a feeling of deep satisfaction washing over him. It wasn't just a capture; it was a mutual decision, a pact sealed through battle and respect. He held the ball for a moment, feeling the faint vibration of the new life contained within.
Azure held it in his hand, feeling the gentle sway of the Mareep inside. He took out his Arc Phone, reading its bio and status.
[Mareep the Wool Pokémon. Mareep has an orange sphere at the end of its tail, which acts like a small light bulb. The sphere glows brighter the more electricity and heat it has on Mareep's tail. Mareep's wool grows continuously and stores electricity, rubbing together and building a static charge.
Its volume increases when it builds up with electricity. Touching the wool when it is charged will result in a static shock. During the summer, the fleece is shed, but it grows back in a week. Air is also stored in its fur, which allows it to stay cool during summer and warm during winter. It tends to avoid battles in the wild and has a mild disposition.
Mareep is most often found in grassy fields, though it can also be found on farms where its wool is used to make high-quality clothing. Clothing made from Mareep's wool builds up static electricity easily, and as such, a special process has to be used on it. Mareep is known to roll over in its sleep.]
|Name: Mareep (Wool Pokémon)
|Type: Electric
|Level: 12
|Gender: Female
|Held Item: None
|Ability: Static
|Nature: Modest
|Moves: Growl, Tackle, Thunder Shock, Thunder Wave, Cotton Spore, Flash (HM), Electric Terrain (EM) (4 Moves left to learn)
He smirked as he was kneeling to gently pat his Water Fish Pokémon, saying in a proud tone, "You were magnificent, Wooper."
Wooper beamed, a triumphant cry escaping its mouth, its earlier aches forgotten in the glow of victory, "Woopa! (Yes! Victory for Wooper!)"
Azure quickly sprayed it with a Super Potion, and the small Pokémon visibly perked up. He released Mareep immediately.
The electric sheep materialized in a flash of light, looking a little disoriented, but no longer exhausted. Its golden wool was still damp, but its eyes, though tired, now held a new light – a light of acceptance, and perhaps, budding affection.
It looked up at Azure, then at Wooper, then at Pikachu and Eevee, who had approached, their expressions welcoming. Houndour cautiously sniffed the air, while Misdreavus circled the new arrival with mischievous curiosity. Larvitar remained stoic, but its small head tilted slightly, observing.
Mareep nudged its head against Azure's leg, a low, contented bleat vibrating through its body. It was an unspoken thank you, a confirmation of its choice.
Azure murmured happily, gently stroking its soft wool using his Viridian Force to heal his Mareep, "Welcome to the team, little one. You'll see the world, just as you wished and I have a future electric dragon."
While he healed Mareep, Azure thought a bit as he smiled slyly, 'Wait… wasn't Team Rocket near the Ruins of Alph? I smell looting targets…'
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A/N: Reach 100 PS to get a bonus Chapter!