Chapter 407: Student Vs Master
~Third POV~
[Hoenn Region, Later, Battle Frontier – Battle Dome]
Returning to the Battle Dome Green, cradling the Pichu-Mew, her eyes wide, watched from the stands. Pikachu, his tail swaying, and Eevee, ears perked, mirrored her awe. Green murmured, her voice soft, almost a whisper, "They're strong, aren't they?"
She watched Ruby's Mumu, a Swampert of formidable size, effortlessly dispatch its opponent with a single, devastating blow. Moments later, Sapphire's Chic, a Blaziken radiating an aura of intense power, delivered a similar, decisive strike.
The crowd roared in excitement. Ruby, a confident smirk playing on his lips, recalled Mumu. Sapphire, a determined glint in her eyes, returned Chic to its Poké Ball. The semifinals awaited.
Green smiled as she murmured, almost a whisper to herself, "But they're not just strong. They're determined. Just like he was."
She glanced at Azure, who stood in the prep zone, arms crossed, eyes closed. Calm. Focused. Like a storm waiting to break. Azure, too, had dispatched his opponent with a casual ease that belied the intensity of the battle.
Tucker, a grim satisfaction etched on his face, had done the same. The stage was set: Azure versus Sapphire, Ruby versus Tucker. Scott leaned in, microphone in hand, as he declared, "This is it, folks! The stage is set for a clash of styles—raw power versus refined instinct, legacy versus the future!"
Azure stepped onto the battlefield, the spotlight catching his silhouette. Pikachu and Eevee settled beside Green, and the Pichu (Mew) cheered his name.
The crowd's roar was deafening. On the opposite side, Sapphire took her place, hair whipping in the wind.
She locked eyes with Azure—and bowed. She said, voice clear and strong, "Thank you, Master. For training me. For believing in me. I won't hold back. I'll show you everything I've learned in Hoenn… in Johto… in every battle since."
Azure smiled—a rare, genuine thing. He muttered, "Then let's see it."
No data checks. No scouting.
Just trust in the Pokémon they had trained, the bonds they had forged. Scott, the Frontier Brain coordinator, a man whose smile rarely faltered, his gaze alight with keen interest, approached Tucker.
Scott's voice, a smooth baritone, carried a hint of amusement, "Interesting matchups, wouldn't you say, Tucker? Azure versus Sapphire, Ruby versus you. What if Ruby beats you before you get to face Azure?"
Tucker's jaw tightened, a muscle twitching in his cheek. He ran a hand over a Poké Ball clutched in his palm as he stated, "Whoever wins the tournament, Scott, gets the Tactics Symbol. And I won't be losing, not even to these rising stars. Not even to the Uncrowned Champion."
His grip on the Poké Ball tightened further, a silent promise of a secret weapon. But they returned their focus to the battle between Master and Student.
Sapphire threw her Poké Ball as she declared, "Kirly, I choose you!"
*Pop*
With a flash, her Gallade emerged, [Galladite] clutched around its neck, aura already pulsing with the promise of Mega Evolution.
But Azure didn't flinch. Azure's lips curved into a slow smile, a flicker of pride in his eyes. He saw the growth, the fire. Then, the smile faded, replaced by a calm, focused intensity as he exhaled slowly…
*Wooosh*
At the instant, Azure's hand moved, a blur, releasing his own chosen partner, declared, "I choose you, Ampharos!"
*Pop*
Another burst of light, and Ampharos, its woolly body crackling with latent electricity, appeared, an [Ampharosite]adorning its neck. Sapphire's eyes widened, a silent gasp escaping her.
Sapphire's breath hitched despite the tension as she thought, amazed, seeing one of his other Pokémon, 'Wow.... Master's Ampharos... I saw the footage of its first Mega Evolution against Green's Moltres all those tournaments ago! It started the Mega craze in Kanto! How strong is it after all these years?!'
She remembered its introduction to Mega Evolution, a world-shattering event during the Tenth Pokémon League Tournament in Indigo, battling Green's Moltres. The sheer power it had displayed then, and now, years later, she could only imagine its current strength.
Her focus sharpened, the battle her sole reality. She shook her head as she thought, 'I gotta lock in! No time to daydream now!'
In the stands, Green's gaze softened as she watched Ampharos. Memories, warm and vivid, washed over her. Their battles, Azure's relentless pursuit of strength, and her own growth alongside him.
Green in the stands felt the memory surge—that battle, that moment, when Mega Evolution was born as she whispered, "When Azure, just a rookie then, had defied the odds. And now? He was a storm with eyes."
A fond smile touched her lips, but then, like Azure, her focus snapped back to the arena, to the unfolding drama between master and student. Green was curious how the battle would unfold with Ruby sitting next to them, looking wary at the match.
Sapphire commanded, her voice sharp, "Kirly, Hypnosis!"
*Shiii*
Kirly's eyes glowed, a swirling vortex of color aimed directly at Ampharos. But Azure's voice cut through the air, calm, unwavering, "Double Team, Ampharos!"
*Wooosh*
Ampharos shimmered, splitting into multiple ghostly images, each mirroring its every move. The Hypnosis swirled harmlessly through the phantoms.
Azure commanded, "Now, Thunderbolt!"
*ZZZZT*
A crackle of raw energy and a bolt of lightning, thick and potent, launched from Ampharos, intending to strike Kirly. But Sapphire countered, "Teleport!"
*Swf*
Dodging the incoming Thunderbolt Kirly appeared elsewhere in the field. Azure smiled as he commanded, "Amp it up! Thunderbolt Barrage!"
*ZZZZZT*
*ZZZZT*
*ZZZZT*
The single bolt multiplied, becoming an endless storm of electricity, arcing and snapping, filling the arena with blinding light and the scent of ozone. Kirly, however, was a dancer in this storm.
Sapphire called, her voice strained but firm, "Teleport! Keep moving while using Swords Dance!"
*Swf*
Gallade vanished from one spot only to reappear meters away, narrowly avoiding a bolt that scorched the arena floor where it just stood. Each reappearance coincided with a fluid, spinning motion, its elbow blades gleaming as its Attack power skyrocketed.
*Swf*
It danced through the lightning storm, a dangerous ballet of evasion and preparation. Blink. Dodge. Dance.
*Swf*
+2 Attack... It evaded every crackling tendril of lightning, its movements fluid, almost artistic.
*Swf*
Kirly vanished, reappearing elsewhere, a blur of motion. As it danced, it performed a series of elegant, precise movements +4...
*Swf*
Each graceful spin and lunge boosted Kirly's attack stages, the energy around it visibly intensifying. Six times it danced, six times its power surged to the max…
*Swf*
Kirly had reached MAX +6 Attack Stats, evading every attack Ampharos unleashed. The crowd gasped. Sapphire's teeth were gritted in concentration as she thought, 'Faster! Keep going! Just a little more... NOW!'
*Swf*
Kirly vanished. Not a dodge, but an offensive Teleport.
*SHINNG*
It materialized directly in front of Mega Ampharos, its psychic blade forming a colossal, glowing Sacred Sword. The attack was aimed straight for the Electric-type's core, propelled by its maxed Attack stat.
Sapphire roared, her voice echoing through the arena, "Sacred Sword!"
Azure remained unnervingly still. Azure's voice, a low hum, cut through the tension, "Now! Flash!"
*FLASH*
Ampharos's tail gem flared, emitting a blinding burst of light that enveloped Kirly. Kirly stumbled, its attack missing its mark, slicing through empty air.
*Wooosh*
Seamlessly, Azure commanded, "Strong Style Thunder Punch."
*CRACKLE*
Ampharos pivoted, its fist wreathed in crackling energy as bright as the Flash had been. With a sound like tearing metal amplified a hundredfold, the electric fist connected squarely with Kirly's chest.
*BOOOOM*
Kirly was launched backwards like a cannonball, skidding across the arena floor, yellow sparks dancing erratically over its body before it came to a groaning stop. Kirly had just gotten Paralysis.
Kirly, staggering backward, its movements jerky, uncoordinated. A faint blue spark danced across its form. Sapphire cried out, her voice laced with dismay, "NO!"
Kirly, now paralyzed, would be slower, its movements halting unpredictably. Azure's voice followed immediately, leaving no room for Sapphire to recover, "Ampharos follow up with Dazzling Gleam!"
*FLASH*
Ampharos pulsed with a brilliant, multi-colored light, a wave of pure energy radiating outwards. Sapphire's command was a desperate plea, "Protect, Kirly, now!"
*CLANG*
A shimmering barrier, barely visible, flickered into existence around Kirly, absorbing the Dazzling Gleam. But Azure was already one step ahead as he ordered, "Agility!"
*ZOOOM*
Ampharos blurred, a streak of yellow and white, leaving a shimmering trail of electricity in its wake. Sapphire's eyes widened in alarm. The speed was terrifying.
Tucker leaned forward from his VIP seat, eyes narrowed, thought, 'He baited the Protect! He knew she'd have to shield, leaving no room to counter... or dodge.'
Sapphire saw it too, a fraction too late. Azure's next command cut through the flickering remnants of the barrier, "Strong Style Supercell Slam!"
*ZOOOOM*
Ampharos wasn't just fast; it became a streak of crackling yellow and white light. It darted across the battlefield at ultrasonic speed, leaving a visible trail of ionized air and residual electricity in its wake.
Kirly, shaky and slowed by paralysis, couldn't track it. Kirly had only registered a blinding blur before a devastating tackle, amplified by raw electric force and insane velocity, slammed into it.
*THWACK*
Ampharos slammed into Kirly with the force of a freight train, a deafening THWACK echoing through the arena. The impact echoed sickeningly through the Dome. Kirly was smashed into the reinforced barrier wall, electricity coursing over its body before it slid limply to the ground, eyes swirling.
*Thud*
It lay motionless, a faint wisp of smoke rising from its form. Fainted.
Sapphire stared, her mouth agape. The sheer, brutal strength of Ampharos. It was overwhelming.
Sapphire stood frozen for a second, the roar of the crowd a distant buzz. Her strongest counter-strategy... demolished in a handful of moves. Her hand trembled slightly as she recalled Kirly.
She whispered to the Poké Ball, "You were amazing."
Tucker folded his arms, a muscle ticking in his jaw as he mused, "Impressive control... unnerving speed. Scott wasn't exaggerating."
Scott, beaming beside him, clapped Tucker on the shoulder and exclaimed excitedly, "Told you! That Ampharos was his backbone through the Tenth Pokémon League Tournament! Age has only refined its power!"
Sapphire took a deep, steadying breath, looking down at Chic's Poké Ball. Her Master's calm voice reached her. Azure said calmly, recalling Ampharos with a reassuring nod, "Your strategy was sound, Sapphire. You pushed Kirly's strengths. But sometimes…"
He grinned, pulling out another ball as he continued, "Raw power and experience have an edge. Dragonite, your turn! Let's fly!"
*Pop*
The orange draconic titan emerged, bellowing a challenge, its [Dragoninite] gleaming on a band around its neck. Sapphire felt a cold dread settle in her stomach. Her master was strong. So strong.
Azure merely offered a faint, almost imperceptible grin. He hadn't even needed Mega Evolution, and now she had to face off against his Dragonite.
Green, next to Ruby, mumbled, as she knew the struggle, "Sapphire's got her work cut out for her. That Dragonite is one of his main battlers... she's been with Azure since she was a Dratini, all the way back in Kanto. A Dratini he raised with his own hands."
Ruby, seated nearby, nodded in agreement. He whispered with a conflicted expression, "It took down Red's Aerodactyl in the finals of the Ninth League. And Blue's Zapdos, solo in the Tenth League. That thing… isn't just strong. It's legendary in its own right. Sapphire's in trouble…"
His voice trailed off, a silent thought echoing in his mind as he knew just glancing at Azure's Dragonite, 'She's going to lose.'
Sapphire's eyes narrowed, any lingering shock replaced by fiery resolve. She declared, "Don't underestimate us, Master! Chic! Time to burn!"
*Pop*
The Blaziken Chic materialized, its comb burning fiercely, its fiery aura radiating defiance. Its eyes locked onto Dragonite with primal intensity as it held its Mega Stone held item [Blazikenite].
Sapphire commanded fiercely, her voice ringing with renewed determination, "Flamethrower, Chic!"
Azure countered, his voice a calm counterpoint, "Dragonite, Flamethrower!"
*SSSS*
Two torrents of fire, orange and blue, erupted from the Pokémon, colliding in the center of the arena...
*BOOOOM*
*WOOOSH*
Both attacks collided, resulting in an explosion, creating a colossal cloud of smoke that billowed upwards, obscuring everything. Azure's voice cut through the haze, "Tailwind, Dragonite!"
*Fwp*
*Woooosh*
Dragonite flapped its powerful wings, generating a powerful gust of wind that swiftly tore through the smoke, revealing Chic, a fiery blur, leaping high into the air. Azure seized the opportunity, "Dragon Rage!"
*PEW*
A sphere of raw draconic energy coalesced in Dragonite's mouth, launching towards the airborne Blaziken. But Chic, agile even in the air, twisted, narrowly avoiding the incoming Dragon Rage.
Sapphire shouted, her voice regaining its urgency, "Quick Attack, Chic!"
*Zooom*
Chic plummeted, a streak of speed, slamming into Dragonite. Dragonite, however, merely grunted, its massive frame absorbing the blow.
*Fwp*
It ascended, climbing higher into the sky. Chic, undeterred, launched another Flamethrower, catching Dragonite mid-flight.
*Boom*
The attack landed, scorching Dragonite's scales. Sapphire commanded, "Follow up! Quick Attack into Fire Punch!"
*Zooom*
*THWACK*
Chic, a relentless blur, struck again, its fist now wreathed in flames. The blow connected, a solid THWACK.
Dragonite reeled slightly, but then, its eyes blazing, it countered. Azure's voice was a thunderclap, "Mega Punch!"
*CRUNCH*
Dragonite's massive fist, glowing with raw power, connected with Chic's chest with a bone-jarring CRUNCH. Chic cried out, stumbling backward, its momentum broken. Sapphire refused to yield as she ordered, "Quick Attack, again!"
*Zooom*
Chic, though battered, charged once more. Dragonite met it head-on, a whirlwind of fists and claws. The two Pokémon brawled, a furious dance of power and speed.
Azure's command was precise, devastating, "Strong Style Hydro Pump Dragonite! Fire at point-blank range!"
*SPLASH*
Green, Pikachu, Eevee, and the Pichu (Mew) cheered, a chorus of excited squeaks and chirps. Dragonite, its powerful wings still generating Tailwind, unleashed a torrent of water, a roaring geyser aimed directly at Chic.
The attack struck, a colossal SPLASH, sending Chic skidding across the arena floor, a crumpled heap. The referee raised his arm, ready to call the match. But then, a flicker of movement…
*Rmbl*
Chic stirred. It pushed itself up, trembling, but standing. Sapphire's voice was a desperate plea, a surge of renewed hope, "Chic!"
*Tmp*
Chic, exhausted but resolute, launched one last, desperate Quick Attack. Azure's voice was calm, confident, "Extreme Speed, followed by Mega Punch!"
*ZOOOM*
*BOOOOM*
Dragonite, already boosted by Tailwind, became a golden blur, its speed unmatched. Chic, slow, and battered, couldn't avoid it. Dragonite's fist, imbued with the raw force of Extreme Speed, slammed into Chic with another brutal Mega Punch. The impact was sickening, a sound of bone and muscle tearing.
*CRACK*
Chic cried out, a raw, pained sound. But then, a fierce glow erupted from its body, overflowing with a red aura. Azure murmured, impressed, "Oh? Chic is really going all out. It activated its Blaze ability."
Sapphire screamed, her voice hoarse, "Flamethrower! Full power!"
*SSSSSS*
Chic, its eyes burning with a desperate fire, unleashed a torrent of flames, a conflagration of raw, unbridled power. Powered by Blaze, it was a torrent of blue fire as it was heading towards Dragonite's way.
Azure grinned, seeing how much Sapphire gotten stronger over the months apart since Hoenn, but thought calmly, 'She's gotten stronger, alright. But I'm afraid it's too soon to battle me. Better end this.'
Azure's voice, though calm, held an edge of finality, "Let's end this battle, Dragonite. Strong Style Hyper Beam!"
*PEW*
Dragonite gathered its energy, a shimmering sphere of destructive power forming in its mouth, then launched it, a blinding beam of pure energy, towards Chic. The two attacks collided, a cataclysmic explosion of fire and light that engulfed the arena.
*KRA-BOOOOM*
Smoke billowed, thick and acrid, obscuring the view. As the smoke slowly cleared, Chic stood, barely, its body scorched, trembling violently.
Dragonite, too, was visibly damaged, its scales singed, but it stood tall, defiant. Azure remained calm, his expression unreadable. He knew the outcome.
Sapphire, her voice a whisper, pleaded, "Get up, Chic! Please!"
*Tmp*
With a Herculean effort, Chic pushed itself upright, swaying precariously. Sapphire's voice cracked with emotion, "Blaze Kick, Chic!"
*Sssss*
Chic lifted its leg, a flicker of flame igniting around its foot, but then, its legs buckled. It collapsed, a heap of exhaustion.
*Thud*
It tried, oh how it tried, to get back up, but its strength was gone. It lay still, defeated, unable to continue further. The referee's arm shot up, declaring, "Chic is unable to battle! The winner is Azure Sky!"
Azure smiled, a genuine warmth in his eyes, and approached Dragonite, stroking its head as he praised her, "Good work, old friend."
Then he turned to Sapphire, his voice gentle as he praised her, "You've raised Chic's power to an incredible level, Sapphire. Truly impressive."
Sapphire, tears welling in her eyes, recalled Chic. She managed, her voice thick with emotion, "Thank you, Master. But I still have a long way to go to match you."
Azure smiled as they both left the field. Sapphire, though, as she rubs the tears, thinking to herself, determined, 'I'm still not at his level yet… he didn't even need to use Mega Evolution against me… but one day I'll reach there. The gap I saw was something I needed to see, and when I'm ready…'
Wiping the tears away, showing a determined expression, she continued, '… I'll be the one to conquer the Uncrowned Champion.'
/////
A/N: Okay guys I'll be frank. I'm not doing Bonus Chapters for PS anytime soon. Reasons why I don't want to waste my Chapters I have stored up too soon because I'm back in classes again meaning I won't have as much time as I used to have before to write future chapters of this fic.
So till then only 1 Chapter a day. At least till either classes are over as I need to have some focus put into it.
And since I have the time what teams do you think should the Sinnoh Dex Holders get when we reach the Sinnoh Arc? Just curious to hear your guys thoughts if I should change it or keep it the same?