Chapter 285: Mt. Pyre
~Third POV~
[Hoenn Region, Later, Route 122]
*Splash*
The sky above Hoenn stretched like an endless canvas, mirroring the vast, shimmering expanse of the sea below. Azure, with his Pikachu and Eevee, perched atop his magnificent, serpentine Milotic, he glided effortlessly across the cerulean waves, leaving a gentle, rippling wake behind them.
The sun, a warm orb in the heavens, glinted off the scales of his Water-type companion, momentarily transforming them into a cascade of scattered diamonds. His inseparable partners, Pikachu and Eevee, though currently resting within their Poké Balls, were always within the periphery of his thoughts, their shared journey a tapestry woven with countless victories, heartbreaks, and moments of unadulterated joy.
His journey had led him through the lush greenery of inland routes, and now, he found himself navigating the open waters of Route 121, en route to Route 122. But the destination was merely a waypoint; his true purpose lay beyond – a towering, enigmatic silhouette that had captured his attention the moment it had risen into view on the distant horizon: Mt. Pyre.
The mountain loomed, a solemn, purple-tinged sentinel against the bright sky, its peak often shrouded in a soft, ethereal mist. Azure had heard tales, of course, of its sacred status as a resting place, renowned for its abundance of Ghost-type Pokémon. This intrigued him immensely.
His mind drifted back to the Pokémon Tower in Lavender Town, a place of quiet reflection and somber remembrance in Kanto, as he muttered curiously, "How would Mt. Pyre differ? Would its spiritual energy be the same, or would Hoenn imbue its sacred mountain with a unique essence?"
He was keen to observe, to understand, and perhaps, to feel the echoes of the past that surely permeated its hallowed grounds. Milotic, sensing Azure's meditative state, continued its graceful journey, its powerful tail propelling it forward with rhythmic efficiency.
As they drew closer to Route 122, the sea began to deepen in hue, its color darkening to a deeper blue, reflecting the increasing depth. The coastline, a rugged stretch of land, gradually gave way to a series of smaller islands, rocky outcrops that seemed to guard the approach to the great mountain.
The air itself began to shift, losing some of its salty tang and replacing it with a subtle, almost imperceptible coolness. This quality hinted at the profound spiritual energy Azure anticipated with eagerness as they reached they're destination.
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[Hoenn Region, Mt. Pyre]
The base of Mt. Pyre was a stark contrast to the open sea. Jagged rocks rose from the water, their surfaces slick with sea spray and moss, creating a natural barrier.
Azure guided Milotic towards a small, relatively clear cove, where the water was calmer, and a narrow, winding path seemed to ascend into the mountain's lower slopes. He dismounted, offering a grateful pat to Milotic's smooth head as he thanked her, "Thank you, partner. You rest now, I'll call you if I need you."
With a silent nod, Milotic returned to its Poké Ball, leaving Azure at the foot of the imposing peak. The path was ancient, worn smooth by countless footsteps, though none seemed recent.
Dense, gnarled trees, their branches laden with thick, dark leaves, cast long, deep shadows, even in the bright afternoon sun. The air was still, quiet, broken only by the gentle lapping of waves against the rocks below and a faint, almost imperceptible whisper carried on the breeze – a sound that resonated with the very essence of the mountain.
It wasn't just the absence of sound, but a quality of silence that felt profound, almost sacred. Azure took a deep breath, his senses on high alert.
He could feel it now, the distinctive aura of Ghost-type Pokémon. It was different from Pokémon Tower.
There, the spirits had been present, yes, but often tinged with sadness, with lingering regret. Here, it felt… older.
More serene, perhaps. Or perhaps just simply different. He pulled out a single Poké Ball, holding it loosely in his hand, a precaution rather than an expectation of conflict. He wasn't here to battle, but to observe, to understand.
He began his ascent, his footsteps light and respectful. The path wound upwards, revealing glimpses of the expansive sea below and the distant mainland, now appearing as a faint strip of green on the horizon.
The trees thinned out as he climbed higher, replaced by ancient, moss-covered stone structures – small shrines, he surmised, built by generations past to honor the spirits of the mountain. Each one exuded an aura of forgotten prayers, of timeless devotion.
Suddenly, a voice, clear and resonant, penetrated the quiet. It was not a physical sound, but one that echoed directly in his mind, sharp and distinct, yet undeniably gentle, "Intruder."
The word hung in the air, a psychic pronouncement. Azure stopped, his hand instinctively tightening around the Poké Ball.
He scanned his surroundings, but saw nothing out of place. The path ahead was empty, the shadows beneath the trees still.
A different voice echoed, this one slightly softer, yet equally firm, joined the first, "Your presence is noted, Trainer… It is not your time to enter the inner sanctums of this sacred peak."
Azure lowered his hand, a slight smile touching his lips. He had expected something like this would happen.
He was, after all, an experienced Trainer. He knew when he was being observed, especially by those with psychic abilities.
He looked upwards, towards the peak, then slowly turned to face a specific cluster of ancient, wind-sculpted rocks beside the path, as if addressing an unseen presence. Azure said calmly, his voice calm and clear, carrying no hint of aggression, "My apologies if I intrude. My name is Azure Sky. I mean no disrespect to this hallowed ground. I came only out of curiosity, to witness Mt. Pyre for myself. I have heard much about it, and I wished to understand its unique essence, particularly how it differs from the Pokémon Tower in my home region."
As if his words were an invitation, two figures materialized from the shimmering air that seemed to ripple around the ancient rocks. They were young, perhaps no older than teenagers, yet their presence exuded an ancient, powerful aura.
A boy and a girl, strikingly similar in appearance, with sharp, intelligent eyes and short, neat hair. The boy, Tate, wore a serious, almost stern expression, while the girl, Liza, possessed a slightly softer, more inquisitive gaze.
Both were clad in simple, flowing robes that seemed perfectly suited to the austere environment. Standing beside them, their signature Pokémon, a Solrock and a Lunatone, orbited gently, their forms glowing faintly with cosmic energy.
The boy, Tate, stated, his voice now audible, resonating with a quiet authority, "We are Tate and Liza. Gym Leaders of Mossdeep City. And guardians of Mt. Pyre. We act under the direct orders of the Hoenn Pokémon Association Chairman."
Liza chimed in, her voice a harmonious blend with her brother's, "This place is sacred. It is where the spirits of all Pokémon and people return to the earth, finding peace before their next journey. It is not merely a habitat for Ghost-type Pokémon, but a profound resting place."
Azure nodded slowly, taking in their words and the psychic energy that emanated from them. He replied calmly, "I understand. I meant no disrespect. As a Trainer who has seen much and learned much, I feel a deep connection to places of spiritual significance. The Pokémon Tower in Kanto… it is a place of mourning, yes, but also of quiet remembrance, a bridge between the living and the departed. I wondered if Mt. Pyre shared that quality, or if its purpose was grander, older."
Tate stepped forward, his eyes narrowing slightly, not with hostility, but with deep concentration as she said calmly, "You speak of a bridge. Here, there are many bridges. Bridges between life and death. Bridges between the past and the future. Our grandparents watched over this peak, and now we do. Its sanctity is paramount."
*Shiii*
Liza added, her gaze thoughtful as her eyes faintly glowed blue, using her Psychic Abilities, sensing Azure's Viridian Force, "Your energy is… strong. We sense no ill will, only a potent curiosity…. Yet, the mountain's secrets are not for casual gaze. It guards its peace carefully."
Azure met their gaze, a respectful silence hanging between them as he said calmly in a determined voice, "I assure you, my curiosity is born of respect, not irreverence. I have walked many paths and always sought to understand the world and its Pokémon more deeply. My partners have taught me the importance of empathy, of understanding the unseen as well as the seen."
He paused, a faint smile playing on his lips as he added playfully, "I've even had the honor of winning the Indigo League twice, which I mention only to convey the depth of my experience and my earnestness in approaching such profound places."
Tate and Liza exchanged a glance, a silent communication passing between them. Their Solrock and Lunatone pulsed faintly.
Tate asked calmly, a hint of surprise in his voice, hearing his claims, "The Indigo League? Twice? That is… significant. Your aura speaks of great accomplishments, yes, but also of a deep, calm wisdom."
Liza affirmed with surprise in her eyes but voiced in a stern tone, "Indeed. We sense your sincerity. But guarding Mt. Pyre is our duty. We cannot simply allow anyone to wander its sacred paths, no matter how pure their intentions. There are energies here that can be overwhelming to those unprepared, and secrets that must remain undisturbed."
Azure frowned, hearing that, as he began to ponder. Then he suggested gently, "Then perhaps, we can find a middle ground. I am not seeking to disturb. I merely wish to feel the mountain, to understand its energy from the perspective of one who respects all life and death equally. Could you perhaps… guide me, in a limited capacity? Or simply share with me what makes this place truly unique, beyond my own limited observations?"
Tate and Liza seemed to ponder this. The air around them crackled with their psychic deliberation. Tate finally said calmly, "The Chairman's orders are clear. Protect Mt. Pyre. But your intentions are also clear. You are not a plunderer, nor a disruptor. You are a seeker."
Liza added knowingly, her eyes sparkling with a subtle, knowing light, "And seekers, sometimes, deserve a glimpse. Very well. We will not permit you to ascend to the Summit, nor to the highest memorials. Those are for the most solemn of venerations. But we can show you a path, here on the lower reaches, where the energies of the mountain begin to intermingle with the sea breezes."
Tate nodded, a rare, almost imperceptible smile touching his lips as he said calmly, "Consider it… a test of understanding. Not of strength, but of humility and respect. A Psychic bond can be forged not just in battle, but in shared insight. We are, after all, Gym Leaders who emphasize the harmony of body and mind."
With that, their Solrock and Lunatone drifted forward, their soft glows illuminating a less-trodden offshoot of the main path. Tate and Liza began to move, their steps light and almost ethereal, inviting Azure to follow.
Azure accepted their silent invitation, a quiet sense of satisfaction settling over him. This was precisely what he had hoped for – not a battle to prove his strength, but an opportunity to learn, to connect, to broaden his understanding of the world, guided by those who intimately knew its secrets.
As they walked, the twins spoke, their voices weaving a tapestry of history and spiritual significance. They explained how Mt. Pyre served not just as a resting place, but as a nexus of spiritual energy for the entire Hoenn region.
Liza explained calmly, gesturing to the interior of Mt. Pyre, "The Ghost-type Pokémon here are not merely resident spirits. They are the mountain's guardians, its memory keepers. They guide the lost and keep the profane away."
Tate continued keeping a steady pace, lecturing Azure, "Unlike Pokémon Tower, which primarily serves as a human-constructed memorial, Mt. Pyre is a natural monument to the cycle of life and death, revered long before the first human structures were built around it. Its power is inherent, emanating from the earth itself."
They led him to a small, secluded clearing overlooking the sea, where ancient, gnarled trees with pale, almost translucent leaves grew in a circle. In the center, a perfectly smooth, uncarved stone stood, pulsating with a faint, warm energy.
Azure eyes recognized this as he thought, surprised, 'Isn't that the magic circle used to restore a Pokémon's health? They have one here?'
Liza whispered, catching Azure's attention, clarifying for him, "This is one of the oldest meditation points. Here, the energies of earth, sky, and sea converge. You are permitted to sit and feel its presence. To truly understand Mt. Pyre, you must listen with more than just your ears and see with more than just your eyes."
Azure sat cross-legged opposite the stone, closing his eyes and letting his mind quiet. He felt the subtle hum beneath the earth, the gentle caress of the sea breeze, and the faint, yet powerful, psychic emanations from Tate and Liza and their Pokémon.
But most profoundly, he felt the mountain itself. It was ancient, vast, and teeming with a serene, undeniable spiritual presence. It wasn't sad, like Pokémon Tower; it was simply eternal...
It held within it the stories of countless lives, a quiet acceptance of passing, and a profound promise of continuity. It was a place where grief transformed into peace, and memory became a timeless echo.
He opened his eyes after what felt like an eternity, though only a short time had passed. The twins watched him, their expressions unreadable, yet tinged with a subtle understanding.
Azure said calmly, his voice soft, filled with genuine gratitude, "Thank you, I… I understand now. It is truly different. Not just a burial ground, but a living testament to the cycle, a guardian of the unseen realms. A profound place of peace."
Tate nodded, a look of approval in his eyes as he said calmly, "You have seen. You have felt. Your journey has brought you here for a purpose, it seems. And you have absorbed a part of Mt. Pyre's wisdom."
Liza added, her voice warm as she said calmly with a gentle expression, "We trust you will carry that respect with you."
Azure rose, bowing slightly to the young Gym Leaders as he said excitedly, "I will. And I will remember your kindness, Tate, Liza, and the profound lesson of Mt. Pyre. My journey in Hoenn has already taught me something invaluable."
With that, Tate and Liza began to show Azure around Mt. Pyre. The more he learned, the more he got interested in listening…
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A/N: Reach the goal of 100 PS to get a Bonus Chapter!