Chapter 273: Mud Fish Splash!
~Third POV~
[Hoenn Region, Next Day, Route 104 – Beach Area]
The salt-laced breeze of the Hoenn region carried the familiar scent, a fragrance Azure had come to recognize. Yesterday was a day he had dedicated to re-acclimation and a rigorous training session, a standard routine to shake off the travel fatigue.
However, as the sun dipped below the horizon, painting the sky in hues of orange and purple, Azure couldn't shake a feeling of dissatisfaction
The progress, while present, felt… slow. His Pokémon, particularly the younger ones like Marshtomp, Manectric, and Combusken, were strong, but they lacked a certain edge, a depth of experience that only truly challenging situations could forge. He knew he needed to push them, and himself, beyond the conventional.
The next day, Azure rose with a renewed sense of purpose. He found his chosen spot on a secluded clearing along the beach area of Route 104, where the gentle lapping of waves provided a rhythmic backdrop to the rustling of palm leaves.
The air was fresh, carrying the tang of the salty sea and the sweet perfume of tropical blossoms. This was it – the arena for a new approach. Pikachu, ever vigilant, sat perched on Azure's shoulder, its tail twitching with curiosity.
Eevee, nestled at his feet, observed with bright, intelligent eyes. They sensed the shift in Azure's energy, the quiet determination that preceded a significant endeavor. Azure called out, releasing his chosen team in a burst of light, "Alright, everyone! Come on out!"
*Pop*
The clearing instantly filled with a vibrant collection of Pokémon, their varied calls mingling with the ocean's roar. Metagross hovered ponderously, its four brains whirring. Gardevoir floated gracefully, her green hair swaying.
Sceptile scanned the surroundings, its keen eyes assessing the terrain. Ninetales stretched its nine tails, a picture of fiery elegance. Golduck adjusted its powerful stance, its webbed feet firm on the sand.
Crawdaunt clicked its claws, an impatient glint in its eye. Shelgon remained stoic, a living bunker. Manectric let out a low growl, eager for action.
Marshtomp splashed its feet in a nearby tide pool, while Combusken (Shiny) flared its red and orange feathers, a beacon of vibrant energy. And then there was Slaking, who merely yawned, already contemplating the nearest patch of shade.
*Clap*
Azure clapped his hands, drawing their attention as he said softly with an authoritative voice, "Today, we're doing things differently. No easy battles. No gentle sparring. We're going for intensity. We're going to push our limits under conditions that will redefine those limits."
He turned to his two most potent psychic powerhouses as he said softly, "Gardevoir, Metagross! Your turn to set the stage. I want a concentrated Gravity field, strong enough to make every movement a struggle, but stable. Let's see what you can do."
*Shiii*
Gardevoir nodded, her hands rising, glowing with a soft, ethereal light. Metagross, its four arms extending, began to hum, its metallic body vibrating with immense psychic energy. Together, they focused, their combined mental prowess weaving a localized warp in the very fabric of space.
*THUD*
The air in the clearing shimmered, growing visibly denser. A strange, heavy pressure descended, pressing down on everything. The leaves of the palm trees seemed to droop further, and the sand felt remarkably more solid.
Pikachu grunted, feeling the increased weight on Azure's shoulder, a testament to the field's effectiveness. Eevee braced itself, its small body trembling slightly.
The Pokémon in the field felt it acutely. Slaking, who had been about to lie down, found its massive body pressing harder against the sand, a grunt of surprise escaping its lips.
Azure praised, feeling the subtle but immense strain himself, "Excellent, Gardevoir, Metagross! Maintain that field. Keep it stable."
He then addressed the main sparring groups. He cleared his voice as he instructed his team, "Marshtomp, Manectric, Combusken! You three are facing Alpha Golduck and Ninetales. This isn't about winning; it's about enduring, learning, and finding your strength when gravity itself is trying to pin you down. Golduck, Ninetales, I want you to be relentless. Push them to their absolute breaking point, but no unnecessary injuries. Got it?"
The Alpha Golduck grinned, its powerful muscles flexing at its juniors, and gave a firm nod. Ninetales let out a low growl, its eyes gleaming with an ancient wisdom, ready to impart tough lessons.
Smiling and nodding, Azure turned his attention to the others as he continued, "Sceptile, you're up against Shelgon and Crawdaunt. Shelgon, I want you to focus on defense, on becoming an unmovable object. Crawdaunt, use your speed and power to overwhelm Sceptile, but don't forget to protect Shelgon. Sceptile, your agility is your greatest asset. Can you maintain it under this pressure?"
Sceptile coiled, its tail thrumming, a fierce glint in its eyes. It relished a challenge. Shelgon braced itself, its armored plates settling, while Crawdaunt scuttled sideways, its claws clicking, already strategizing.
Finally, Azure turned to his largest, laziest companion. He said helplessly, a small smile playing on his lips, "And Slaking… you, my friend, are going to endure. Simple exercises. A few push-ups, maybe some stretches. Just keep moving, keep feeling that gravity."
Slaking, who had already managed to partially recline despite the crushing weight, groaned dramatically. It was a testament to its miraculous nature that it was doing anything at all, let alone simple exercises under intense gravity.
Its massive arms, thick as tree trunks, pushed its upper body from the ground in a slow, agonizing push-up, a feat that would have crushed lesser Pokémon. But granted, it was the Alpha Lazy Pokémon, so seeing it following his command was a miracle enough.
With the stage set, the intensive training began. The clearing transformed into a vibrant, chaotic symphony of battle. Energy surged and clashed, muted slightly by the oppressive gravity.
Marshtomp, Manectric, and Combusken, despite their enthusiasm, immediately felt the daunting difference. Every sidestep, every leap, every attack required double the energy and effort.
Marshtomp, usually nimble on its feet, found itself sinking slightly into the sand with each step. Manectric's lightning-fast charges were visibly slower, its powerful Electric-type moves feeling heavy in the air.
Combusken, its fiery kicks usually a blur, moved with a surprising new weight. Golduck and Ninetales, having faced far greater challenges and possessing immense natural power amplified by their Alpha status, moved with a controlled intensity.
Ninetales launched streams of Will-O-Wisp, the ghostly flames, usually lightweight, flickering with a denser, more suffocating feel in the gravity field. Golduck, using its Psychic powers, manipulated the water from the nearby ocean, molding it into crushing Hydro Pumps and sending them crashing down.
Azure called out, his voice firm, his eyes tracking every movement, "Marshtomp, Agile Style Mud Bomb! Manectric, Strong Style Thunder Fang! Combusken, Double Kick!"
Marshtomp, grunting with effort, conjured a sphere of mud, launching it at Golduck. The mud, too, seemed heavier, losing some of its usual velocity.
Golduck met it with a casual Water Pulse, shattering the attack. Manectric, aiming for Ninetales, powered through the sand, its fangs crackling with electricity, but Ninetales, with a wise flick of its nine tails, evaded, counter-attacking with a swift Flamethrower.
Combusken, attempting a dramatic leap for a Double Kick, found its jump cut short by gravity, its kick landing with less impact than usual, though still scorching the sand beneath Ninetales' tail. The younger trio struggled, their youthful energy meeting the unyielding wall of experience and heightened gravity.
They were getting hits in, yes, but Golduck and Ninetales shrugged them off with ease, their defenses bolstered by experience. Ninetales' Fire Spin began to encircle Combusken, forcing it to exert even more effort to break free.
Golduck's Aqua Tail slammed into Marshtomp, sending it skidding across the sand. Manectric, trying to keep its distance, found itself cornered by a swift Shadow Ball from Ninetales, forcing it to recoil.
Azure watched, his expression unreadable. This wasn't about victory for his young ones; it was about resilience, about adaptation.
He saw the frustration in their eyes, but also a growing determination. They were learning to push beyond their normal limits.
Meanwhile, Sceptile was a whirlwind of emerald, green, even under the crushing weight of gravity. It dodged Crawdaunt's powerful Crabhammers with split-second precision, its Leaf Blades flashing as it tried to find openings in Shelgon's hardened shell.
Crawdaunt, surprisingly agile despite its bulk, pressed the attack, its Night Slash movements surprisingly fluid. Shelgon, a pure defensive wall, utilized Iron Defense, its shell shining like polished steel, deflecting Sceptile's attacks with minimal effort.
Azure commanded calmly, issuing orders as they reacted, "Sceptile, Quick Attack, then try a Grass Pledge!"
Sceptile blurred, a brief surge of speed under gravity's pull, circling Crawdaunt, then launching a volley of sharp leaves at Shelgon. The Grass Pledge, usually a wide-ranging assault, felt more contained, each leaf a missile.
Shelgon, however, stood its ground, using Dragon Dance charging, ready to unleash a devastating counter. The battle for Sceptile was a dance of frustration, endurance, precision, and critical thinking.
It needed to find a way to penetrate Shelgon's defense while avoiding Crawdaunt's brute force, all while fighting gravity. It was a mental and physical chess match, forcing Sceptile to be more inventive, more conservative in its movements.
Back with the first group, Marshtomp gritted its teeth. It was tired, its movements sluggish, but the fire in its eyes burned brighter.
It had taken multiple hits, its body aching, but it refused to yield. Golduck, seeing its resolve, pressed harder, launching a focused Water Pulse.
Azure barked, sensing a shift ordered, "Marshtomp, Surf, full power!"
Marshtomp roared, a sound of defiance, and gathered every ounce of its remaining energy. A torrent of water erupted from its mouth, crashing against Golduck's Water Pulse.
*SPLASH*
The two attacks met in an explosion of spray and mist. The force pushed Marshtomp back, but something in its expression changed. Its eyes widened, a primal energy surging within… then a radiant blue light enveloped Marshtomp.
*SHIII*
Golduck and Ninetales paused, their alpha eyes widening slightly in surprise. Manectric and Combusken, battered but still standing, stared in awe.
The light intensified, swirling around Marshtomp's form. Its body elongated, its muddy brown becoming a darker, richer blue. Its head grew larger, its fin-like crest becoming more prominent, the three-fingered hands morphing into powerful, webbed digits. The ground beneath it groaned as its weight and power increased dramatically.
When the light faded, a magnificent Swampert stood in Marshtomp's place. Its eyes, now glowing with newfound power, surveyed its opponents. It let out a deep, resonant cry, a declaration of its evolution, "SWAAA!!!"
Pikachu and Eevee cheered, their small voices joining the chorus of surprise. Azure, taking out his Arc Phone, read its info, exclaimed, a wide smile breaking across his face, "Incredible! Swampert!"
[Swampert, the Mud Fish Pokémon. Swampert boasts the physical strength to easily drag an enormous boulder weighing more than a ton, batter down opponents, and swim faster than a jet ski. It can even tow a large ship while swimming. Swampert's arms are as hard as rocks.
The arms can shatter enormous boulders into pieces with one swing. It has keen eyesight, enabling it to see in murky waters. Swampert can also predict storms, sensing subtle differences in the sounds of waves and tidal winds with its fins.
When a storm is approaching, Swampert will pile up boulders to protect its nest. It makes its nests on beautiful beaches. The reason Swampert covers itself in mud is that it wants to keep its skin moist.
It has also been seen living on beautiful beaches. Swampert has occasionally been observed relaxing in the mud before falling asleep. Swampert typically does this after exhausting all its strength. Swampert has four different sleep styles: Dream-Swimming Sleep, Sturdy Sleep, Mud Sport Sleep, and Atop-Belly Sleep.]
Azure grinned as he saw the newly evolved Swampert, invigorated by its transformation, and wasted no time. It charged, its movements still heavy under gravity, but now imbued with a raw, untamed strength.
It met Golduck's next Aqua Tail with a powerful, earth-shaking Ice Punch, sending ripples through the ground. The force of the impact shook Golduck, causing it to momentarily falter.
Azure rallied, seeing the renewed vigor as he ordered, "Now, Manectric, Discharge! Combusken, Double Kick!"
Manectric, taking advantage of Golduck's distraction, unleashed a wide-area Discharge, sending arcs of electricity through the sandy clearing. Ninetales quickly erected a Mystical Fire barrier, but some of the current still crackled around it.
Combusken, seizing the moment, attempted another leap, its Double Kick aimed at Ninetales. This time, its leap felt stronger, more decisive, even with gravity's pull. Its fiery feet connected, sending Ninetales staggering back a step.
But Golduck and Ninetales were Alpha Pokémon, seasoned veterans. They had allowed the young ones their moment of triumph, but the lesson wasn't over.
Golduck, recovering quickly, unleashed a devastating Hydro Pump, a concentrated blast of water that slammed into Swampert, sending it sprawling. Ninetales, shaking off Combusken's attack, retaliated with a powerful Inferno, engulfing Combusken in a searing vortex of flames.
Manectric, trying to assist, was caught by a swift Psychic from Golduck, its energy flickering. The combined force was too much.
Swampert, despite its new power, was still recovering from the evolution's energy drain. Combusken, singed but defiant, collapsed to its knees. Manectric lay stunned, its fur still crackling faintly.
Azure called out, his voice cutting through the intensity, "Alright, that's enough! Training session dismissed!"
The oppressive gravity field dissipated as Gardevoir and Metagross relaxed their focus, the air suddenly feeling lighter, easier to breathe. The Pokémon, panting and exhausted, slowly began to rise.
Swampert, though having lost the sparring match, looked at its new, powerful body with a sense of wonder and pride. Manectric and Combusken, though defeated, had a fire in their eyes, a deeper understanding of the immense gap they still needed to bridge.
Alpha Golduck and Ninetales approached them, Golduck giving a respectful nod to Swampert, and Ninetales touching its nose gently to Combusken's singed feathers. The lesson, though harsh, had been delivered with fairness and purpose to help them grow.
Sceptile, too, emerged from its battle, its movements still sharp, but its breath coming in ragged gasps. Shelgon and Crawdaunt stood their ground, weary but satisfied with their successful defense.
Sceptile looked at its opponents with newfound respect; fighting two powerful Pokémon under such conditions had honed its senses and strategies. And Slaking?
It had managed to complete a remarkable three push-ups and a series of stretches, its sheer effort under the circumstances a feat of unparalleled dedication, at least for a Slaking. It then promptly collapsed into a heap, already fast asleep.
Azure walked among his exhausted but invigorated team, laying a hand on each of them. He said happily, his voice filled with genuine pride, "You all performed exceptionally today. Swampert, your evolution was spectacular, a testament to your hard work. And Manectric, Combusken… you faced overwhelming odds and never gave up. That's what matters."
He looked at the older, more experienced Pokémon as he praised them proudly, "Golduck, Ninetales, your guidance was invaluable. And Sceptile, Shelgon, Crawdaunt, you all pushed each other to new heights."
He knelt beside Swampert, who nuzzled his hand as he said proudly, "This is just the beginning, my friend. Hoenn is full of challenges, and we're going to face every single one of them, together. Today, we learned that our limits are merely starting points."
As the sun began its descent once more, painting the Hoenn sky in glorious hues, Azure looked out at the ocean. The road ahead would be long and arduous.
But with a team as determined and powerful as his, and a willingness to constantly innovate and challenge convention, he knew they were more than ready. The slow progress was a thing of the past. The intense gravity training had forged not just stronger bodies, but stronger spirits, ready to conquer, one extraordinary step at a time.
The satisfying results of this day were etched not just on the sand but in the deepened resolve of a trainer and his Pokémon, bound by an unbreakable spirit of adventure. He grinned as he focused on their growth…
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A/N: Reach the goal of 200 PS to get a Bonus Chapter!