Chapter 266: Iron Leg Pokémon
~Third POV~
[Hoenn Region, Mt. Chimney]
Behind the admin battle, the skirmish between the grunts and Sapphire and Flannery raged. Magmortar, wreathed in flames, became a living inferno, its Fire Punch sending Aqua grunts scrambling.
Sapphire's Donphan, Phando, a blur of motion, steamrolled through a pack of Carvanha with a powerful Earthquake, shaking the very ground. Sapphire shouted, "Rono, Iron Defense! Protect Relly!"
*CLANG*
Sapphire was directing her Lairon the Rono to shield her slow-moving Relicanth from a volley of Dark Pulses. Kirly, her Gallade, moved with elegant precision, using Air Cutter to dispatch a Mightyena, its blade-like arms cutting through the air.
Chic, her Combusken, leaped and spun, its Flame Charge sending a Zubat soaring. Sapphire, though not as experienced as Azure, was quickly adapting, using her Pokémon's diverse types and abilities to great effect.
Flannery, meanwhile, was in her element, a fiery whirlwind. She ordered sternly, "Torkoal, Lava Plume! Magcargo, Smog!"
*POOF*
The ground where Team Aqua stood became a perilous landscape of molten rock and noxious fumes, forcing the grunts and their Pokémon to retreat or risk being scorched. Her Magmortar, too, contributed with a surprising Flamethrower attack.
Both nodded to each other, seeing that they got everything handled here. Flannery gritted her teeth with a clenched fist, "I'll make sure you jerks get locked up trying to destabilize my hometown!"
Sapphire added on moving swiftly, avoiding Pokémon attacks from the Grunts, "Double for me too! You picked the wrong trainers to mess with!"
Sapphire and Flannery, a surprisingly effective duo, had formed a defensive perimeter. Sapphire commanded, her Combusken a blur of avian fury, "Chic, Double Kick on that Mightyena!"
Flannery shouted, her Torkoal letting loose a torrent of fire that swept across two Grunts and their Poochyena, "Torkoal, Flamethrower!"
The Grunts, though numerous, were no match for the combined might of a seasoned Gym Leader and a determined student. Sapphire, specifically, felt an adrenaline surge as she gazed at Chic.
Chic, her Combusken, had been training rigorously, especially since joining Azure. Each punch, each kick, each burst of flame it unleashed against the Grunts' varied Pokémon pushed it closer to its limits.
*SMACK*
A particularly powerful Iron Tail from a Grunt's Sandshrew struck Chic, sending it skidding. Chic shook its head, its eyes blazing, refusing to yield.
It met the Sandshrew's next charge with a blistering barrage of Double Kicks, each hit imbued with a raw power that surprised even Sapphire. The Sandshrew fainted, and Chic stood panting, radiating a faint aura glow.
*Shiii*
Suddenly, Chic began to glow intensely, a blinding white light that forced the surrounding Grunts and their Pokémon to shield their eyes. Sapphire gasped, her heart leaping. "Chic… It's evolving!"
The white light pulsed, then expanded, reshaping Chic's form. When it receded, a powerful, bipedal Pokémon with fiery wrists and ankles stood tall.
Its eyes were sharp, its stance confident. Blaziken. Sapphire exclaimed, utterly ecstatic, "Wow, Chic! You've finally evolved! You're amazing!"
The newly evolved Blaziken let out a triumphant cry, its power palpable, "BLAZIKEN!"
Flannery, witnessing the evolution, grinned. She reached into her pocket, pulling out a Mega Ring with a shimmering hexagonal Key Stone embedded in it as she said, "Well done, Sapphire! That's one fine Blaziken you have there! Watch this! Magmotar, Torkoal, give us some cover! Blaziken, let's show them what real power looks like!"
*Pop*
Flannery's Blaziken, a powerful specimen, emerged from its Poké Ball, a matching Mega Stone gleaming on its ankle band. Flannery declared, touching her Key Stone in an excited tone, "Now time to show you what real firepower looks like, Sapphire! Here's a sneak peek! Beyond Evolution! Mega Evolution!"
*SHIII*
A brilliant column of light enveloped Flannery's Blaziken. The light coalesced, reshaping, growing more dynamic, more intense.
When it vanished, a Mega Blaziken stood in its place, its fiery fists burning brighter, its legs even more powerful, its aura radiating an almost overwhelming heat. It saw a Lombre rushing at it then…
*SMASH*
Roaring, it launched a spectacular Sky Uppercut that sent a Grunt's Lombre flying. Sapphire, still reeling from her own Pokémon's evolution, watched in awe at Flannery's Blaziken uttered, "Mega Evolution… SO COOL!!!"
Flannery smirked but kept her focus on the grunts watching them. Flannery winked as she declared passionately, "That's right, sweetie! It's time to turn up the heat! Mega Blaziken, let's go!"
Inspired by the sheer power and the sight of her own newly evolved Blaziken, Sapphire's resolve hardened. She grinned as she ordered, "You heard her, Blaziken! Let's show them what we're made of!"
With renewed vigor, the two trainers and their powerful Fire-type Pokémon tore through the remaining grunts. The battle was swiftly turning into a rout.
Amidst the chaos, huddled near a rock, they spotted Professor Cozmo, still looking terrified, trying to stay out of the fray. Sapphire cried, rushing over with Blaziken, "Hey, sir! Are you alright?"
Cozmo nodded, still trembling. Trying to find some safety, he explained everything he knew in a frightened tone, "Yes, yes, much better now that you've arrived. They… they were going to activate their device! To halt the volcano!"
Flannery's eyes hardened as she said angrily, joining them, Mega Blaziken standing protectively, "We know. That's why we're here. I'm Flannery, the Lavaridge Gym Leader. These Aqua thugs kidnapped me just to get me out of the way."
Cozmo's eyes widened further. His fear was now mingled with outrage, hearing this in a betrayed tone, "Kidnapped a Gym Leader? And they tried to manipulate Mt. Chimney? The audacity! This goes beyond mere ambition; it's sheer madness! I didn't know any of this. I was only – "
Flannery shushed him as her eyes focused on the frantic Grunts as she said calmly, "No worries, it seemed like you were abandoned, unaware of your attention. Stick with us for now, at the very least, you'll be safe."
Prof. Cozmo nodded his head frantically, staying behind Sapphire and Flannery. Both their eyes hardened as they refocused they're attention on the battle ahead of them.
/////
[Hoenn Region, Mt. Chimney – Summit]
Returning to Azure's battle against the admins…
*BOOOM*
The battle between them intensified. Azure pressed his advantage. Eyes narrowed, he ordered sternly, "Metang, Strong Style Zen Headbutt on Vibrava! Gardevoir, Strong Style Psychic on Pelipper, lift it high!"
*BASH*
Metang's head glowed blue, a focused Psychic attack designed for a powerful impact. It crashed into Vibrava, sending the dragon-fly Pokémon reeling, its wings flapping desperately trying to take flight…
*SHIII*
… Gardevoir's Psychic power, meanwhile, enveloped Pelipper, lifting the heavy bird high into the air, rendering it vulnerable and unable to attack effectively. Amber bellowed, frustrated, "Pelipper! Use Hydro Pump!"
Shelly grit her teeth as she ordered, "Vibrava, use Uproar!"
*SCREEEE*
Vibrava, enraged, unleashed a cacophony, a wild, disorienting Uproar that washed over the battlefield. Even Metang flinched for a moment, and Gardevoir's concentration wavered, causing Pelipper to drop a few feet.
*THUD*
With the effects of Gravity still active, it slammed to the ground hard. Azure remained unshaken as he commanded coolly, "Gardevoir, Moonblast on Pelipper! Metang, Iron Defense, then Agile Style Bullet Punch!"
*SHIII*
Gardevoir gathered shimmering energy into a pink sphere, a powerful Fairy-type attack. It launched the Moonblast directly at the suspended Pelipper in the air, which had little room to maneuver...
*BOOM*
The explosion was significant, sending Pelipper plummeting, clearly on the verge of fainting. Metang, ignoring the Uproar, strengthened its defenses with Iron Defense, then rocketed towards Vibrava with a lightning-fast Agile Style Bullet Punch.
*THUD*
The steel fist connected with a sickening thud, and Vibrava cried out, collapsing to the ground, unconscious. Shelly gritted her teeth, fist clenched as she thought bitterly, 'Damn it! We're being pinned here and…'
Her eyes darted towards the battlefield that was in chaos. Her eyes widened seeing Flannery's Mega Blaziken as she muttered bitterly, "The plan is going sideways all because of him… and that bitch had a Key Stone?! Everything is spiraling out of control…"
*THUD*
Amber's Pelipper, battered and bruised, lay struggling on the ground. Amber recalled his injured partner, his face a mask of disbelief and anger, "Pelipper, return!"
He glared at Azure. He gritted his teeth, pulling out another Poké Ball in hand as he declared hatefully at him, "You… you're good. Too good… But we won't give up the meteorite! Starmie, let's go!"
*Pop*
His Starmie, a dazzling purple starfish, materialized, its core jewel gleaming, burst forth. Shelly snarled, recalling Vibrava as she said bitterly, "Same goes for you! Return Vibrava! Go! Ludicolo, let's dance!"
*Pop*
She sent out her Ludicolo, its cheerful, water-dancing form oddly out of place amidst the fiery landscape. Azure remained unperturbed.
He knew the Admins would have a backup plan. He calmly ordered his commands, "Gardevoir, Metang, excellent work. Take a moment to power up. Gardevoir, use Calm Mind! Metang, Hone Claws!"
*Drip*
The battle intensified further as Gardevoir enhanced her mind. Metang sharpened its metal claws in preparation as the Admin's Pokémon attacked.
Ludicolo danced, dodging Gardevoir's Psychic attacks with surprising agility, then retaliating with a powerful Hydro Pump. Starmie used its incredible speed, darting around Metang, launching rapid-fire Water Pulses.
Metang, already weary from the previous battle, was taking a beating. Starmie's swift attacks were difficult to track, and Ludicolo's joyful yet potent assaults chipped away at its defenses.
Azure watched, his expression unreadable, calculating. He commanded, pushing his Pokémon in a determined voice, "Metang, Thunder Punch on Starmie!"
*ZZZZZ*
Metang, gathering its electric energy, lunged forward. Starmie, quick as a flash, tried to evade, but Metang's determination was fierce…
*CLANG*
… It landed a glancing blow, but the effort was immense. The steel Pokémon grunted, wobbling slightly, its metallic body vibrating with stored power and the strain of battling two enemies just below its level till…
*SHIII*
Suddenly, a brilliant blue aura erupted from Metang's body. Its two arms flexed as it formed into 4, then twisted, melding into a larger, more intricate structure. The light intensified, swirling around the Pokémon until it became a blinding pillar that reached for the smoky sky.
Shelly and Amber gasped, their faces momentarily losing their composure. Sapphire, Flannery, and Professor Cozmo, having cleared out the last of the grunts, looked up at the incredible display of power from below.
*THUD*
When the light faded, a colossal form stood where Metang had been. Its body was larger, more heavily armored, and four powerful legs now anchored it to the ground.
Its face sported a prominent X-shaped visor, and its four arms pulsed with immense psychic and steel energy. Azure stated, a hint of satisfaction in his calm voice, "I've been wondering when you evolve Metang – no. Metagross."
*THUD*
His Iron Leg Pokémon had finally evolved. The tide of battle, already shifting, was now poised to turn decisively in their favor.
The tide of the main battle had clearly turned in the heroes favor. Amber and Shelly, despite their initial aggression, were now on the defensive, their Pokémon struggling against Azure's well-coordinated assault.
In the background, Sapphire and Flannery had cleared a significant path through the grunt forces. Most of Team Aqua's Pokémon had fainted, and the remaining grunts were either fleeing or cowering.
Flannery's Magmortar, still roaring, stood over a pile of defeated Pokémon, while Sapphire's Donphan looked ready to tackle another wave. Not only do their Fire Starter Pokémon do clean work, bashing the waves of Team Aqua's Pokémon.
Without they're leaders' commands or directions, they had to rely on brute force to assist they're Admins. But with Sapphire and Flannery assisting Azure, they were no match against the fiery duo attacks.
Amber and Shelly, seeing their forces decimated and their own Pokémon faltering, exchanged a desperate glance between each other. The meteorite, crucial to their plans, was still securely within Azure's backpack.
The machine, still humming, was useless without its power source. Shelly hissed, her voice laced with venom, "We can't lose the meteorite! Archie will have our hides if we fail this mission!"
Amber conceded, his usual cool demeanor cracking as he flicked his hand, signaling a retreat to the few remaining grunts, "We're overwhelmed, Shelly. We need to regroup. We'll get it back. Just not today. Everyone, fall back! We're pulling out!"
*Zzzzz*
Just as Amber says that sparks flew off the drilling machine, causing their eyes to widen, it broke down, releasing black smoke. The Admin's eyes widened as Azure's Pikachu came out from one of the machine's vents, biting down on electrical cables as if having a snack with a smug grin.
It rushed over to Azure's side with a smug grin at the Team Aqua duo, "Pika! (Those cables were delectable! A bit of ketchup would've made them tasty!)"
Eevee rolled its eyes, hearing Pikachu comment as it replied, "Bui… (You, my friend, have some kind of addiction to Ketchum. Truly Mustard is the best!)"
Hearing that the two got into they're arguments again, as Azure helplessly sighs at his partner's antics. Shelly and Amber grit their teeth, seeing that the drilling machine was utterly useless to them now, along with the meteorite in Azure's hands.
The fight for Mt. Chimney and Hoenn's delicate balance was far from over, but with new evolutions and renewed resolve, Azure and his companions were ready for whatever Team Aqua could throw at them.
Before Azure could deliver another decisive blow, Shelly and Amber, along with the remnants of their grunts, made a hasty retreat, scrambling down a hidden path on the side of the volcano, disappearing into the rocky terrain. Their grand plan to halt Mt. Chimney, for the moment, was in shambles.
Azure's eyes narrowed as he gazed at Team Aqua running away. His Pokémon prepared to pursue them as he ordered calmly, "Gardevoir. Metagross, let's check up on Flannery and Sapphire… did you two put psychic markers on the Admins?"
Both paused as they slowly nodded, making him smile as he muttered calmly, "… Good. That means no matter where they run, we'll always find them. Let's see if those two need help, come on."
Both nodded as they proceeded to meet up with Flannery and Sapphire. It didn't take long to meet them as he saw Prof. Cozmo was with them.
Professor Cozmo, who had been hiding behind Sapphire and Flannery, slowly emerged, his face a mixture of relief and bewildered fear as he stated, "My meteorite… they almost used it for some… some terrible scheme!"
Azure recalled Metagross and Gardevoir, a faint smile on his lips. He said calmly, "They were certainly determined. But not determined enough."
Sapphire and Flannery joined him, breathing heavily but victorious. Sapphire admitted, recalling her own Pokémon, "They certainly put up a fight. But we showed them! Even Chic evolved during the battle!"
Showing off her new Chic, the Blaziken Azure nodded. Flannery added, punching the air as she thanked the two, "That's for messing with my Gym, and Mt. Chimney! Thank you, both of you. You saved my skin, and the mountain! If there's anything I can do for you both, I'll try to make up for it!"
Sapphire grinned as she raised her Poké Ball in a challenging voice, declared, "In that case… how about we battle for my fourth Gym Badge!"
Flannery grinned, accepting her proposal, but then Azure asked curiously with a sly smile on his face as he said, "If you're offering rewards, you wouldn't happen to have a Torchic in your breeding house in Lavaridge Town. You wouldn't happen to have a Torchic you wouldn't mind me having for saving your Hometown?"
Flannery, hearing this, pondered a bit before nodding as she said happily, "Sure, no problem. You two did save the volcano that would be affecting my hometown, so consider it done when we reach Lavaridge Town! I'll show you both the best hot springs that my humble town can provide!"
Both Azure and Sapphire nodded, hearing that. With that, the group began to leave Mt. Chimney, heading down the route to Lavaridge Town.
The meteorite was safe, Team Aqua's plan thwarted, and Mt. Chimney continued its natural, fiery existence. But Azure knew this was only a temporary victory.
But from a distance, the Disaster Pokémon Absol observed from afar. It looked at Azure, seemingly the leader, judging him…
*Wooosh*
As they left Azure suddenly felt a pair of eyes staring at him, and he instinctively turned to see Absol staring back at him. As they locked eyes, Absol quickly fled the scene as Azure gazed at it majestically.
Holding his cap, shadowing his eyes, he pondered to himself curiously, 'So that was Absol, huh? I hope our paths cross again, just so I can capture you, Disaster Pokémon.'
With that, he left with Flannery and Sapphire, leaving Mt. Chimney. For now, however, a sense of quiet accomplishment settled over the summit.
/////
A/N: Reach the goal of 50 PS to get a Bonus Chapter!