Chapter 288: Bug Manic Brandon
~Third POV~
[Hoenn Region, Later, Route 120]
After capturing Registeel from the Ancient Tomb Azure, along with his partners Pikachu and Eevee, they continued their journey. Azure wasn't one to rush, preferring to immerse himself in the environment, observing the local Pokémon, and letting his instincts guide him.
Today, his path led him to Route 120, a winding trail that skirted ancient forests and crossed crystalline rivers, all under the shade of colossal, moss-draped trees. The air hummed with the buzz of Volbeat and Illumise, and the rustle of leaves signaled unseen inhabitants.
Azure breathed deep, a smile playing on his lips. He walked for a while, letting his senses guide him, before finding a suitable clearing—a sun-dappled glade beside a slow-moving stream, perfect for a training session.
He decided to focus on three Pokémon today: Dusclops, Blaziken, and Shelgon. Dusclops, a recent capture from the ominous depths of Mt. Pyre, was still relatively raw, its potential a fascinating mystery Azure was eager to unravel.
Blaziken, a powerful shiny variant, was a trained fighter, but even champions needed to hone their edge. And Shelgon, well, Shelgon was on the cusp of something truly magnificent, and constant training was the key to its evolution.
Azure called, releasing the three Poké Balls with a practiced flick, "Alright, everyone, you can come on out!"
*Pop*
Three flashes of light, and then they stood before him: the spectral form of Dusclops, its single eye glowing with an eerie violet light; the magnificent crimson and gold plumage of the Shiny Blaziken, flames dancing around its wrists; and the heavily armored, dragon form of Shelgon, its eyes burning with dragonic determination.
Azure began bluntly, kneeling to meet its singular gaze, "Dusclops, you're new to the team, and we have a lot to work on. I want to teach you some improvements to your moves today. We'll start with Will-O-Wisp. It's a tricky move, but incredibly useful. Focus on drawing out the spiritual energy within you and manifesting it as a burning phantom flame."
Dusclops blinked slowly, its ethereal hand-like appendages hovering. It was a Pokémon of quiet intensity, absorbing every word. Azure demonstrated, mimicking the motion of conjuring a small, flickering flame.
*Ssss*
Dusclops mimicked him, at first producing only wisps of cold air. Azure was patient, guiding it, explaining the intricate balance of ghost-type energy as he continued, "Imagine that flickering light within you, the one that keeps your essence together. Project it. Let it take form."
*Ssss*
After several attempts, a faint, pale blue flame flickered into existence between Dusclops's 'hands', momentarily illuminating the clearing with an otherworldly glow. It was small, unstable, but it was there.
Dusclops let out a soft, pleased moan. Azure explained the concept of channelizing dark energy, of striking at a foe's fear, "Excellent, Dusclops! Now, let's try Hex. It's a powerful spectral attack, especially effective when your opponent is already afflicted by a status condition."
Dusclops, still humming with the success of Will-O-Wisp, focused again. This time, a dark, swirling aura began to gather around its eye, condensing into a shadowy projectile that zipped through the air, leaving a brief, chilling trail…
*Thud*
It struck a nearby tree with a faint thud, leaving a dark scorch mark. Azure grinned. Dusclops was a quick study.
While Dusclops practiced its moves with increasing proficiency, Blaziken and Shelgon engaged in a rigorous sparring session. Blaziken, ever the graceful powerhouse, moved with a fiery elegance, its Speed Boost ability making it a blur of crimson and gold.
It practiced intricate combinations of Blaze Kick and Sky Uppercut, its punches and kicks sending shockwaves through the air. Shelgon, meanwhile, was a defiant tank. Its shell, already incredibly tough, vibrated with every impact, absorbing Blaziken's lighter blows and deflecting its stronger ones with incredible resilience.
Shelgon's focus was on physical conditioning, hardening its scales further, and practicing its powerful Headbutts and Dragon Breaths, the draconic energy crackling visibly. Azure watched, correcting their stances, offering encouragement, and ensuring they pushed their limits without overdoing it.
He saw the respect in Shelgon's eyes for Blaziken, and the gentle patience Blaziken showed its tougher, younger teammate. The training session continued for hours, the Hoenn sun arcing across the sky.
Azure called them back, praising their efforts and rewarding them with a hearty meal of Pokémon food. Dusclops, though still a novice with Will-O-Wisp, had made remarkable progress, its Hex attack now imbued with a chilling power.
Blaziken was as sharp as ever, and Shelgon's determination was inspiring. Azure and his team continued their journey, the path gradually widening and becoming more defined.
The forest began to thin, revealing glimpses of unique, tree-house structures nestled high in the canopies. They were approaching Fortree City, the city where people lived in perfect harmony with nature.
However, just as the first intricate wooden walkways of Fortree came into view, a figure burst from behind a large tree, blocking Azure's path. He was a young man, perhaps in his late teens, dressed in an enthusiastic, if slightly eccentric, outfit adorned with stylized bug patterns. His eyes, wide with excitement, immediately locked onto Azure.
The Bug Manic exclaimed, striking a dramatic pose, eyes widened, "Hold it right there, Trainer! Are you… Are you Azure Sky? The Indigo Champion? The one who won Kanto two years in a row with a Pikachu and an Eevee?!"
Azure, mildly amused by the flurry of recognition, offered a polite smile and replied, "That would be me, yes."
Brandon practically vibrated with energy, exclaimed excitedly, "Oh, wow! This is incredible! I'm Brandon, a Bug Manic, and I've been dreaming of challenging a Trainer of your caliber! I challenge you to a Double Battle! Two Pokémon each, just a quick test of skill! What do you say, Champion?"
Azure's smile widened. He had originally planned to rest and explore Fortree City, but the offer of a battle, especially a Double Battle, was too tempting. It was a perfect opportunity to test Dusclops's skills in a real scenario and to see how Blaziken performed alongside it while practicing Double Battles.
Azure slowly smiled as he nodded his head, agreeing as he said, "A Double Battle, you say? I accept, Brandon. It would be my pleasure."
Brandon cheered, pumping his fist into the air excitedly. He reached for his Poké Balls as he declared excitedly, "Awesome! You won't regret it! My bug-types are ready! Go, Pinsir! And Masquerain!"
*Pop*
With twin flashes of light, a formidable Pinsir, its mandibles gleaming, and an elegant Masquerain, its large, iridescent wings fluttering, appeared. Azure immediately noticed the subtle glint on Pinsir's horn—a Mega Stone…
[Pinsirite]. And Masquerain's wings shimmered with an added sparkle, hinting at a Held Item, likely [Silver Powder] to boost its bug-type attacks.
Azure's sly smile returned, a glint of challenge in his eyes. He appreciated a Trainer who came prepared, as he said excitedly, "Excellent choices, Brandon. In that case, I choose you, Blaziken, and you, Dusclops!"
*Pop*
From their Poké Balls, Blaziken emerged, its fiery spirit already burning bright, and Dusclops materialized, its single eye fixed on the opposing Pokémon.
Azure quickly produced two items: the [Blazikenite] for his Blaziken, and a [Spell Tag] for Dusclops, which would boost its ghost-type moves even further.
Brandon gasped, his eyes wide, seeing Azure prepare himself in an excited voice, "A Mega Stone! You're serious! This is going to be epic! Pinsir, let's show him our true power! Mega Evolve!"
*Shiii*
A bright, swirling light enveloped Pinsir. Its body contorted and expanded, its mandibles growing even larger and more menacing, now adorned with sharp spikes. Four new, smaller wings sprouted from its back, giving it a more aerodynamic, yet equally terrifying, appearance. Mega Pinsir roared, its Bug-type energy overflowing.
Azure nodded, his gaze intense as he raised his Key Stone glove, "Blaziken, let's match their intensity! Beyond Evolution, Mega Evolve!"
*SHIII*
Blaziken roared its defiance, its own Blazikenite glowing fiercely. The fiery energy consumed it, its already impressive form becoming even more muscular and streamlined. Flames erupted from its wrists and ankles, and its fiery crest grew larger, resembling a blazing phoenix.
Mega Blaziken stood ready, a potent force of fire and fighting. Brandon commanded, his voice trembling with excitement, "Alright, Mega Pinsir, use X-Scissor on Mega Blaziken! Masquerain, use Quiver Dance!"
*Wooosh*
Pinsir, with astonishing speed for its size, launched itself at Mega Blaziken, its sharpened mandibles glowing with Bug-type energy. Meanwhile, Masquerain began to gracefully dance in the air, its wings shimmering, visibly boosting its Special Attack, Special Defense, and Speed.
Witnessing they're actions, it took a second for Azure to formulate a counter. Azure's voice was calm, authoritative as he issued commands, "Dusclops, use Will-O-Wisp on Mega Pinsir! Blaziken, protect Dusclops, then use Blaze Kick on Masquerain!"
*Wooosh*
*Ssss*
Dusclops, its single eye flaring, focused its energy. A ball of eerie blue flame shot from its 'hand', soaring directly towards the charging Mega Pinsir…
*Booom*
The spectral flame collided with the giant bug, engulfing it in an ethereal fire. Mega Pinsir roared in pain and frustration as the burn status took hold, its Attack stat immediately halved by the searing ghost-fire.
*Sssss*
Mega Blaziken, demonstrating its agility, quickly pivoted, creating a fiery shield to deflect Mega Pinsir's X-Scissor, protecting Dusclops from the brunt of the attack. Then, with a burst of speed, it launched itself at Masquerain, its leg wreathed in roaring flames…
*SMACK*
The Blaze Kick struck Masquerain with full force, sending the elegant bug-type spinning through the air, clearly taking significant damage despite the type disadvantage. Each move is swift and clean.
Brandon's eyes widened. He didn't let the setback deter him, adapting quickly, "Impressive! Pinsir, Earthquake! Masquerain, Bug Buzz on Mega Blaziken!"
*RMBL*
Pinsir slammed its mandibles into the ground, causing the earth to ripple and shake, a powerful Earthquake targeting both of Azure's Mega Pokémon. Simultaneously, Masquerain gathered its energy, releasing a piercing sonic wave of Bug Buzz directly at Mega Blaziken.
*BUZZ*
Seeing the incoming attacks Azure commanded, his strategy unfolding, "Blaziken, Bounce on Pinsir! Dusclops, Hex on Pinsir!"
*Wooosh*
Mega Blaziken, ignoring the Bug Buzz that grazed its side, launched itself high into the air, its knee glowing with flying energy. It arced downwards, delivering a devastating Bounce directly to Mega Pinsir's head…
*BOOOM*
The force of the impact was immense, shaking the ground even more than Pinsir's Earthquake. Before Mega Pinsir could recover, Dusclops's single eye flared again. With the [Spell Tag] boosting its power, it manifested a horrifying, shadowy energy…
*BOOM*
The Hex attack, amplified by the fact that Mega Pinsir was already burned, struck the massive bug with a chilling intensity. The combined damage from the Bounce, the burn, and the super-effective Hex was too much.
*Thud*
Mega Pinsir shuddered, collapsing to the ground with a fading roar, reverting to its normal form before fainting. Brandon cried, devastated but not defeated, "Pinsir, no! Masquerain, quick, use Air Slash on Dusclops!"
*Shinng*
Masquerain, still reeling from Blaze Kick, gathered its remaining strength and launched razor-sharp blades of air at Dusclops. But Azure countered, "Dusclops, quickly use Protect!"
*CLANG*
A shimmering, transparent barrier instantly formed around Dusclops, deflecting Masquerain's attack harmlessly. Azure ordered, ending the match, "Blaziken, finish this with a Strong Style Blaze Kick!"
*Ssss*
Mega Blaziken, a living inferno, surged forward, its body wreathed in furious flames. It slammed into Masquerain with an explosive Blaze Kick, leaving no doubt about the outcome...
*Thud*
Masquerain, unable to withstand the super-effective attack, cried out and fainted, falling gently to the ground. The battle was over.
The clearing, moments ago a chaos of elemental energy, returned to relative stillness. Mega Blaziken, catching its breath, reverted to its normal form, its fiery aura subsiding. Dusclops floated calmly, its single eye gazing at Brandon.
Brandon stood, mouth agape, staring at his two fainted Pokémon. Then, a wide grin broke across his face as he said cheerfully, "Wow! Just... wow! You really are the Champion, Azure Sky! My Pinsir and Masquerain never stood a chance! That Mega Blaziken was incredible, and Dusclops's Will-O-Wisp and Hex combination was brilliant!"
He recalled his Pokémon, his enthusiasm undimmed by defeat as he said, "Thank you for the amazing battle! I learned so much!"
Azure smiled warmly. He recalled Blaziken and Dusclops, giving them silent praise as he said to Brandon, "You fought well, Brandon. Your Pinsir and Masquerain are strong Pokémon. Keep training them, and you'll go far."
Blaziken had been magnificent, a true powerhouse. But it was Dusclops that filled him with a quiet satisfaction. It's first real battle, and it had performed admirably, executing its new moves with precision and contributing significantly to the swift victory.
Its potential was even greater than he'd imagined. Brandon excitedly recounted the battle to himself, already plotting new strategies.
Azure continued towards Fortree City in the distance. As he left Brandon to heal his Pokémon, he smiled widely with Pikachu over his shoulder and Eevee on his head. He muttered to himself, "Seems like other Trainers are beginning to get they're own Mega Stones and Key Stones. Now that's interesting…"
Azure smiled, recalling how he introduced the concept of Mega Evolution early during the Tenth Pokémon League Tournament. He smiled, seeing other Trainers who obtained them slowly start showing around the world, excited for future challenges ahead…
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A/N: Reach the goal of 100 PS to get a Bonus Chapter! Also, thanks, guys, for the suggestions provided!