Chapter 265: Attack on Aqua!
~Third POV~
[Hoenn Region, Later, Mt. Chimney]
Meanwhile, at the volcanic summit of Mt. Chimney, the air was thick with the acrid scent of sulfur and the hum of powerful machinery. From the above two, Vibrava flew overreaching they're destination of the summit of Mt. Chimney, holding Shelly and Prof. Cozmo.
*Fzzz*
*Fzzz*
Shelly, her sharp eyes scanning the readouts, stood beside Professor Cozmo, a nervous scientist clutching a shimmering meteorite as she explained calmly, "Here we are, Professor Cozmo. To our destination!"
Amber, a tall, imposing figure in Team Aqua's distinct uniform, greeted Cozmo with a polite, almost menacing smile. Amber's voice was smooth, betraying no hint of his true intentions as he said, "Professor Cozmo, a pleasure to finally meet you. I am Amber, one of Team Aqua's 'SSS' members. We've been eagerly awaiting your arrival."
Cozmo hopped down as he shook Amber's hand he saying happily, unaware of their true intentions, "Nice to meet you. It's terribly hot up here near the crater, isn't it? Phew! Pleasure meeting you, Amber."
Cozmo, still uneasy from the trip, looked around at the complex array of tubes, generators, and a massive drill-like device extending into the volcano's crater. He stammered, impressed despite his apprehension, "This… this is quite an operation. This must be the machine you told me about… the one that will temporarily halt the mountain's volcanic activity so we can raise the sea level near here."
Amber grinned, seeing that Cozmo was distracted. Amber replied proudly, gesturing grandly, "Indeed, Professor. According to our data, the Hoenn Region sea levels have been declining rapidly in the past year. We don't know the reason, but we must put a stop to it. The sea must be protected!"
Prof. Cozmo was moved by Team Aqua's motives, praised they're organization, "My! What a wonderful organization you have!!"
Amber nodded as he gestured to Cozmo to the drill as he explained his issue with it in a calm voice, "The experiment is already underway. However, there is one small issue… Mt. Chimney is an active volcano, and the machine doesn't have enough power to control it. That's where you come in, Professor Cozmo! We need the meteor you dug up, as well as your unique technology to extract its energy!"
He turned to the meteor in Cozmo's hand. Prof. Cozmo nodded as he opened the case and said resolutely, "Of course! My pleasure!"
*KLK*
Opening the case revealed the meteor within, as Amber praised Cozmo's work, finding it in a heartfelt tone, "So this is… the meteorite that fell from space…"
Prof. Cozmo nodded as Amber gestured to the Team Aqua Grunt working on the computer. Amber said calmly, revealing the blueprints, "The blueprints you provided were very helpful. We've already attached your device to the machine."
Prof. Cozmo smiled as he went towards the machine in a proud tone, "Excellent. It will convert the energy from the meteorite."
*WHIRL*
As everything was being meticulously set up, a low whirring sound announced the arrival of a cable car at the summit station. A Team Aqua Grunt, positioned at the entrance, straightened his uniform.
The Grunt announced, a triumphant grin on his face, in an excited voice, "Admin Matt must be back! Successful mission, sir!"
Amber offered a cool, appreciative nod as he said coolly, "Excellent. No more witnesses or pests to deal with."
*Hisss*
The cable car door hissed open. But instead of Matt, a flurry of motion erupted, causing a commotion, eyes all drawing to them.
*BOOOM*
Azure's Metang, a metallic beast with burst forth from the cable cart, followed by Sapphire's Phando the Donphan, and a roaring Magmortar, Flannery's powerful Pokémon, its canons glowing hot with silent fury.
The trio of Pokémon launched a coordinated surprise attack, sending a barrage of psychic energy, ground-shaking force, and fiery blasts towards the startled Team Aqua Grunts. They barely had time to cry out before being sent sprawling.
Amber's composure cracked for a fleeting moment, a flicker of irritation crossing his face. He muttered under his breath, then quickly regained his façade, "Matt has failed."
He turned to a visibly frightened Cozmo, who had instinctively shrunken back from the sudden chaos. Amber exclaimed, his voice laced with feigned concern, "Professor Cozmo, what a tragedy! It seems Matt was attacked by enemy forces during his mission. Clearly, they got the better of him."
He quickly pieced together a narrative as Prof. Cozmo listened intently, fearful of the chaos occurring, "My task was to oversee the experiment, Shelly's was to ensure your safe arrival, and Matt… Matt was supposed to negotiate with these… 'enemy forces.' It appears his negotiations did not go well."
Just then, the three Trainers emerged from the cable car, their expressions stern and determined. Azure, Sapphire, and Flannery.
*Thud*
With a grunt, Sapphire and Azure tossed Matt's unconscious body unceremoniously to the side, where he lay bound and gagged, the bruises on his face a clear testament to Azure double double-tapping to ensure he stayed down.
Amber's eyes narrowed, but his voice remained calmly authoritative for Cozmo's benefit as he said sternly, "Professor, it's too dangerous here. Shelly will protect you. Escort him to a safe distance, away from the immediate conflict. We cannot risk the meteorite falling into enemy hands."
Shelly nodded, grabbing Cozmo's arm as she said sternly, "Follow me, Professor."
Amber turned to face the trio, his hand already on a Poké Ball. He announced to his grunts, his eyes blazing with a cold fury, "As for the rest of us… We will deal with these… interlopers. They will not disrupt Team Aqua's vital work!"
He threw his Poké Ball as he declared, "Pelipper, let's go!"
*Pop*
Other grunts, recovering from the initial shock, sprang into action, calling out their own Pokémon – Tentacruel, Carvanha, and Golbat. The summit of Mt. Chimney, a place of natural power, was about to become a battlefield, where the fate of Hoenn's delicate ecosystem hung in the balance.
The trio's eyes narrowed. But Azure was always two steps ahead.
He knew the meteorite was the key. As Shelly approached Cozmo, Azure's eyes locked onto the shimmering rock in the Professor's trembling hands.
Azure's commands were swift, precise, and layered as his eyes hardened, "Metang! Use Gravity, then Telekinesis, followed by Psychic!"
Metang, a marvel of psychic power, responded instantly. A wave of Gravity pushed down on the area around Cozmo, making it harder for anyone to move swiftly.
*THUD*
Then, with an eerie glow, Telekinesis lifted the meteorite gently from Cozmo's grasp, pulling it through the air, away from Shelly's reach. Before Amber or Shelly could react, Metang's Psychic solidified its hold, swiftly guiding the meteorite across the battlefield and directly into Azure's outstretched hand.
*Wooosh*
Cozmo let out a small shriek of surprise, staring at his now-empty hands. Shelly and Amber watched in stunned silence, their plans unraveling with lightning speed.
Azure, with a triumphant, almost smug grin, tucked the vibrating meteorite into a specially secured, spatial compartment in his backpack. The fabric shimmered imperceptibly, concealing the object instantly.
He met Amber's furious gaze, an unspoken challenge in his eyes. He said smugly, adjusting his cap, "Looks like your little plan just lost its power source, Admin. Now, what's your next move? You can't back down now, can you?"
Azure saw the glares aimed at him for doing this. He intentionally needed the meteorite as he used [Observe] to see its importance, and he stashed it into his Spatial Backpack, but his [Sub-Space] was out of prying eyes.
[Item: Meteorite
Rarity Item: -
Type: Key Item
Description: A Meteorite that you got at Mt. Chimney. Some sort of pattern is hidden from the surface, and it's shining with seven colors of light.]
Shelly, witnessing the audacious theft, hissed through gritted teeth. Her eyes, usually cold and calculating, burned with a furious frustration.
Abandoning Cozmo was a hard decision, but the meteorite was paramount. Archie's words, a stern warning about past failures, echoed in her mind.
They couldn't afford another setback, not now, not when they were so close to achieving their grand ambition. Shelly roared, her voice cutting through the din of the grunts, "Forget the Professor! Reclaim that meteorite! Target Azure! Don't let them leave with it!"
The entire contingent of Team Aqua, now galvanized by Shelly's fierce command, turned their attention towards Azure. Water-type Pokémon and dark-types alike surged forward, a wave of aggression.
But Flannery and Sapphire were not idle. Flannery roared in an angry tone with her Magmortar near her, "Oh no, you don't! I can't let you punks harm my hometown!! Magmortar! FLAMETHROWER!"
*SSSSSS*
Her Magmortar unleashes another searing Flamethrower, creating a fiery barrier between the grunts and Azure. Flannery hurled her Poke Balls into the air as she declared fiercely, "You want a fight, you got one!"
*Pop*
Behind her, her Torkoal and Magcargo emerged, ready to join the fray. And she wasn't the only one to send out her Pokémon.
Sapphire's Chic, the Combusken, darted forward with a quick Double Kick, sending a Zubat spiraling. Her Phando, the Donphan, charged, scattering a group of grunts and their Pokémon with a powerful Rollout.
*BOOOM*
Doing they're work, she hurled the rest of her team out as she commanded, "Kirly, Rono, Relly, Troppy, you're up too!"
*Pop*
Sapphire unleashes the rest of her team, ready to engage the overwhelming numbers. Her eyes dart to Azure as she thought worriedly, 'Sorry, Master, I can't fight with you… But at the very least, we'll deal with the grunts! Kick their asses!!'
/////
[Hoenn Region, Later, Mt. Chimney – Summit]
Azure, meanwhile, strode forward, meeting the challenge head-on, reaching for the summit of Mt. Chimney, facing his opponents. He locked eyes with Amber and Shelly, a calm determination settling over him.
He declared bluntly, "You two are mine."
*Fwp*
Amber's Pelipper soared, its beak glowing with a Hydro Pump. Shelly's Vibrava, its wings buzzing, whipped up a gust of sand.
They converged on Azure, a dual assault from the air and the ground, their priority clear: take down the champion and recover their prize. With a final, decisive movement, Azure hurled another Poké Ball as he declared, "Gardevoir, come on out!"
*Pop*
With a shimmer of light, his elegant Gardevoir materialized, her eyes meeting Azure's. A silent understanding passed between them.
Metang, already on standby, rumbled, ready for action. It was a doubles battle, one champion against two determined Admins, while the rest of Team Aqua clashed with Flannery and Sapphire in a chaotic melee behind them.
The fate of Mt. Chimney, and perhaps Hoenn's delicate balance, hung in the air, charged with the scent of sulfur and the crackle of Pokémon energy. Azure's Gardevoir moved with a dancer's grace, its hands raised, already weaving tendrils of Psychic energy around itself, prepared for battle.
Metang, ever the stoic guardian, floated beside it, its metallic body reflecting the midday sun, its four arms ready. Amber and Shelly ordered, their eyes narrowed, completely focused on Azure, "Pelipper, Hydro Pump! Vibrava, Screech!"
They knew Azure's reputation; this was no ordinary Trainer.
Pelipper dive-bombed, a torrent of water blasting towards Azure's Pokémon. But Gardevoir, with a serene expression, intercepted, its Psychic barrier shimmering into existence, absorbing the attack.
*BANG*
Simultaneously, Vibrava unleashed a piercing Screech, a high-frequency assault meant to disorient. Metang, however, was unfazed, its steel mind unaffected by the sonic assault, but its defense was reduced.
Azure commanded, his voice calm amidst the chaos with pure focus, "Metang, use Meteor Mash on Pelipper! Gardevoir, Moonblast on Vibrava!"
*Zooooom*
Metang shot forward, a blue blur. Its arm glowed with cosmic power, slamming into Pelipper with incredible force.
*BASH*
Vibrava cried out, knocked sideways, but it was tough, shaking off the blow. Gardevoir, meanwhile, conjured an orb of pure fairy energy, launching it at Vibrava.
*BOOOM*
The Moonblast struck, dealing super-effective damage, and Vibrava faltered, its flight becoming erratic. Shelly roared, her frustration mounting, "Don't let up! Vibrava, Dragon Breath!"
Amber's expression darkened as he ordered swiftly, "Pelipper, keep up the Hydro Pump, target Gardevoir!"
Vibrava recovered, spitting out a green, electrical Dragon Breath that arched towards Metang. Pelipper, regaining some composure, unleashed another powerful stream of water.
Azure countered, his strategy unfolding with practiced ease, "Metang! Gardevoir! Block it with Gravity!"
*THUD*
Both their eyes glowed as the duo halted the attacks by crushing them under the force of gravity. Not only that, but it brought both the flyers to the ground as they can no longer escape into the air.
Azure wasn't just brute-forcing his way through; he was meticulously controlling the battlefield, minimizing damage and maximizing his Pokémon's advantages. His champion's mind was at work, anticipating Team Aqua's moves.
He smirked as he focused on his battle as he spoke to his partner Pikachu in a mischievous tone, "Hey buddy… can you do me a solid and eat the cables of their drill? It's time for you to be the menace to them."
Pikachu's ears twitched, hearing that from his shoulder. It then grinned smugly, followed by a cry, "Pi? Pikachu! (Oh? Very well, time to be a mouse menace!)"
*Shiii*
Instantly, Pikachu was teleported away with Eevee on guard as Azure's Gardevoir used Teleport to take Pikachu away near the machine. It scurried off, eating the electrical cables without anyone noticing…
/////
A/N: Reach the goal of 50 PS to get a Bonus Chapter!