Chapter 55: Transport Pokémon
~Third POV~
[Kanto Region, Route 19]
Azure Sky, Soul Badge gleaming on his jacket, stood at the edge of Fuchsia City's beach leading to Route 19, the salty breeze whipping through his hair. His faithful Pikachu perched on his shoulder, its tail crackling with contained energy, while his equally loyal Eevee nestled snugly on his head, its soft fur tickling his scalp.
The vast expanse of Route 19, the ocean road, stretched before them, promising new adventures and challenges. Beside him, the imposing figure of Arcanine shifted restlessly, eager to run.
Scizor's metallic shell gleamed in the sunlight, its sharp pincers clicking softly. Dragonair, graceful and serpentine, floated serenely above the water, its presence a calming influence.
Lastly, his recently evolved Gengar hovered nearby, a mischievous grin on its spectral face. Azure announced, his voice filled with enthusiasm, "Alright, team! Route 19, here we come! Dragonair, can you give us a ride?"
Dragonair responded with a gentle nod, lowering itself to the water's surface. Azure recalled his Arcanine, Scizor, and Gengar back into their Poké Balls, knowing the ocean voyage would be more comfortable for them that way.
He retrieved another Poké Ball from his belt and enlarged it, releasing Horsea into the clear, salty air. He wanted to bond with this water Pokémon, especially since they were embarking on a sea route.
*Pop*
*Splash*
Azure chirped, holding out a finger for the tiny Dragon Pokémon to latch onto, "Hey, Horsea!"
Horsea, initially hesitant, cautiously wrapped its tail around Azure's finger, its large, inquisitive eyes studying him. Azure, Pikachu, Eevee, and Horsea carefully climbed onto Dragonair's back.
With a powerful surge of energy, Dragonair unleashed a shimmering Surf, creating a massive wave that propelled them forward. The journey began.
*Splash*
The rhythmic sway of the waves, the salty spray on their faces, and vast ocean created a sense of peace and tranquility. Pikachu chattered excitedly, enjoying the ocean breeze, while Eevee seemed content to snuggle further into Azure's cap, occasionally peeking out with curious eyes.
Horsea, initially nervous, gradually relaxed, enjoying the gentle rocking motion and the abundance of water surrounding it. Azure spent the time talking to Horsea, telling it about his journey, his dreams, and the strength of his team.
As they ventured further into Route 19, the horizon began to shimmer strangely. The sun glinted off something in the distance, revealing two small boats heading towards them at alarming speed.
Azure squinted, his brow furrowing in concern thought, 'Something feels wrong here…'
He murmured, his hand instinctively reaching for his Poké Balls, "Pikachu, everyone be ready."
Pikachu responded with a determined nod, sparks crackling around its cheeks. Eevee narrowed its eyes, prepared. Dragonair nodded her head as Horsea, swimming in the water, nodded with a cute glare prepared for battle.
As the boats drew closer, the familiar 'R' emblazoned on their sails confirmed Azure's suspicions. He groaned inwardly, "Team Rocket."
He'd hoped to get at least a few hours of peace before encountering their brand of trouble, but it seems like fate had something in store for him. The Team Rocket Grunts, clad in their uniform black, yelled taunts as they approached him, "Well, well, well! What do we have here? A little trainer playing in the ocean?"
One of them sneered, eyeing his Dragonair with his greedy eyes as he demanded, "Looks like we're going to have to confiscate that Dragonair and whatever else you've got!"
Azure's eyes narrowed. He gave the Team Rocket grunts a warning in a cold tone, "Leave them alone! I won't let you hurt anyone!"
The Grunt cackled, throwing a Poké Ball into the air, preparing to steal Azure's Pokémon, arrogantly said, "Hurt? We're doing them a favor! We're giving them a chance to become part of something bigger, something… profitable! Go, Koffing!"
*Pop*
A cloud of noxious purple smoke erupted as Koffing appeared, its eyes gleaming menacingly. The other Grunt followed suit, releasing a Grimer that oozed across the deck of their boat.
Azure commanded, his voice ringing with authority to his Pokémon with determined eyes, "Pikachu, use Thunderbolt on Koffing! Horsea, use Water Gun on Grimer!"
*Zzzz*
*Splash*
Pikachu unleashed a searing bolt of electricity that struck Koffing with incredible force, sending the Poison-type Pokémon reeling. Horsea followed up with a powerful jet of water that washed over Grimer, disrupting its form and weakening its attack.
The Grunts, caught off guard by the swift and powerful attacks, sputtered in frustration, "You little brat! You'll pay for that!"
As the Grunts rallied their Pokémon for another attack, a mournful cry echoed across the water. In the distance, Azure spotted a larger Pokémon desperately swimming away from another, larger Team Rocket vessel.
It was a Lapras, its usually gentle expression contorted in fear. Lapras is a marine reptilian Pokémon that resembles a plesiosaur. It has a blue hide with darker blue spots and a cream-colored underside.
It has large brown eyes, a short horn on its forehead, and tightly curled ears. It has a long neck and four flippers. The foremost flippers are larger than the hind flippers. On its back is a heavy, gray shell covered in blunt knobs.
Azure exclaimed, his heart sinking, trembling in rage, seeing their actions, "They're after that Lapras! Everyone, we need to help that Lapras!"
Azure clenched his Poke Ball, preparing his next Pokémon to bring out as he thought in a disgusted tone, 'Team Rocket's greed knows no bounds. And with the Lapras species being easy targets for hunters, they're nearly driven to extinction. Not on my watch!'
*Pop*
Tossing out Gengar's Poke Ball summoned Gengar, grinning mischievously as he commanded, "Gengar, go help that Lapras out! Pikachu, go assist Gengar, will handle things here!"
Pikachu nodded as he hopped over onto Gengar with its Levitate ability, floating over to Lapras' direction. Azure hopped on Team Rocket's ship as more came out, and he brought out his Arcanine and Scizor.
The Team Rocket Grunts tried to attack, but Azure coldly says, "Arcanine! Extreme Speed! Scizor! Bullet Punch!"
*Swoooosh*
Arcanine vanished into an orange-blue, slamming its large frame against the Team Rocket Grunts, sending them flying into the ocean. Scizor attacked their Pokémon with a Bullet Punch, knocking them out in one or two hits thanks to its Attack Stat of 130.
He brought Horsea along, aiming at the Pokémon getting too close to Scizor, claiming critical hits thanks to her own Sniper Ability. The Team Rocket Grunts were running away into the sea, seeing how Azure's Pokémon mercilessly took them down.
Dragonair from above observed and landed powerful Bubblebeams, assisting in defeating the Team Rocket Pokémon from the sky. When everything was clear, Azure recalled everyone and climbed onto Dragonair to assist his Pikachu and Gengar in rescuing the Lapras.
Dragonair gracefully followed, keeping pace with Pikachu and Gengar. As they approached the Lapras, Azure could see the Team Rocket grunts on the larger vessel pelting it with nets and trying to ensnare it with ropes.
The Lapras cried out again, its voice filled with distress, "Auuuu!!"
Azure shouted, his voice amplified by his anger, "Leave it alone!"
The Team Rocket grunts on the Lapras hunting ship turned towards Azure, their faces twisted into sneers. One responded in an annoyed tone, "Another little pest trying to be a hero? We'll deal with you quickly!"
*Pop*
They unleashed a barrage of Pokémon – Zubats and Arbok – to intercept Azure and his team. But from Azure's perspective, he saw Pikachu and Gengar above as he commanded all three of his Pokémon, "Dragonair, keep those Pokémon away with Twister! Pikachu and Gengar use Thunderbolt on them!!"
Azure commanded, his mind racing as he assessed the situation. They were outnumbered, but he wouldn't back down.
Dragonair unleashed a swirling vortex of wind that buffeted the Zubats and Arboks, disorienting them and forcing them back. Pikachu's cheeks sparked, preparing a Thunderbolt, and Gengar's body charged with electricity grinned wickedly as they unleashed their attacks.
*SWOOOSH*
*Zzzzz*
They're plan worked as Dragonair sent the Pokémon in Pikachu and Gengar's direction. And in that moment, both unleashed a powerful Thunderbolt against those Pokémon, easily defeating them thanks to Pikachu's Light Ball dealing double damage and Gengar's high Sp. Attack stats.
Seeing their plans thwarted, the Team Rocket grunts grew desperate. They launched a volley of missiles from their ship towards the Lapras, intending to cripple it.
*BANG*
*BANG*
Azure eyes grew colder as he shouted, his heart pounding in his chest, "Dragonair, use Hyper Beam!"
*PEW*
Unleashing a powerful beam from her orb around her neck. And controlling the Hyper Beam zig-zagging around as the missile harmlessly exploded before it had the chance to hurt Lapras.
Azure knew they couldn't keep this up forever. He needed to end this quickly.
He reached for another Poké Ball. He tossed it at the Team Rocket Ship. He yelled, "Scizor, I need your help! Come on out!"
*Pop*
With a flash of light, Scizor appeared, its metallic pincers gleaming menacingly as the Team Rocket Grunts paled. Azure commanded, "Scizor, use Metal Claw on that ship's engine! Disable it!"
Scizor, without hesitation, propelled itself towards the Team Rocket vessel, its pincers glowing with metallic energy. With a series of precise and powerful strikes, it tore apart the ship's engine, leaving it sputtering and smoking.
*SHINNG*
*CRACK*
The ship slowed to a halt, effectively ending the pursuit of the Lapras. With the immediate threat neutralized, Azure turned his attention back to the initial Team Rocket grunts.
They were still struggling to control their Koffing and Grimer, which were weakened and disoriented. Azure declared in a serious tone, "Alright, let's finish this! Scizor uses Slash on the net to free Lapras! Pikachu! Gengar! Use Thunderbolt!"
*Zzzzz*
Pikachu unleashed another devastating Thunderbolt, striking Koffing and Grimer with incredible force. The two Pokémon fainted instantly, leaving the Team Rocket grunts defeated and demoralized as the Lapras was free from the net.
One of the grunts yelled as they retreated, their boats limping away, "We'll be back! Team Rocket never gives up!"
*Pop*
Calling his Arcanine using Extreme Speed appeared to the fleeing Team Rocket Grunts as they paled seeing the Legendary Pokémon. They gulped as Azure demanded, looking down as he coldly said, "You have two choices: drop everything valuable. Money, TM's, Pokémon Food, and any Captured Pokémon you collected. Or… be burnt alive. Arcanine, a Flamethrower demonstration, please, boy?"
*BRRR*
Unleashing a torrent of flames into the air, Arcanine used Flamethrower to show a demonstration to them. They paled as they dropped everything valuable, crumpled bills of Poke Dollars, into stacks of them, random TM's, and even Wild Pokémon in their Poke Balls as they limped to the boats, fleeing.
Azure watched them go, his expression grim. He knew they would be back, but he was ready for them.
He turned his attention to the Lapras, which was now cautiously approaching them. Azure asked, his voice filled with concern as Pikachu and Gengar were on the boat, "Are you alright?"
The Lapras responded with a soft, grateful cry. It nuzzled against Azure's hand, its skin surprisingly smooth and warm. Azure said, stroking its head, smiling at her, "You were very brave. I'm glad we could help."
Seeing that he gained Lapras' trust, the urge to capture tempted him. But he hesitated for a moment, then decided as he asked calmly, "Would you like to come with us? You don't have to be alone anymore. My team and I could protect you."
The Lapras looked at Azure, its large, intelligent eyes filled with hope. It nudged his hand again, then gently nuzzled Pikachu, Horsea, and Eevee.
Azure smiled. He knew he had made the right choice.
He held out a Poké Ball. Enlarging it near her head, he said happily, "Lapras, I'd be honored if you joined my team."
The Lapras touched the Poké Ball with its horn. With a flash of red light, it was absorbed into the ball. The Poké Ball shook once, twice…
*Riggle*
*Niggle*
… and then clicked shut.
*BON*
Azure Sky had caught a Lapras. He smirked as he checked her status with his Arc Phone for the bio info.
[Lapras the Transport Pokémon. Lapras is a gentle, helpful Pokémon that enjoys ferrying people across bodies of water. In the past, its docility made it an easy target for hunters, and it was driven to near extinction. Recent protection efforts have seen Lapras become overabundant instead, which is now affecting the fish Pokémon numbers in some areas. An intelligent Pokémon, it can understand human speech.
Lapras has been known to travel in large pods across the seas, spanning both polar and tropical areas. To keep in touch with others of its kind, it sings enchanting melodies. Lapras usually sings when it is in a good mood. Lapras can develop psychic abilities such as telepathy. In Alola, Lapras is used as a Ride Pokémon called Lapras Paddle. Alolan natives use Lapras to travel and fish for Pokémon in the water.]
|Name: Lapras (Transport Pokémon)
|Type: Water/Ice
|Level: 37
|Gender: Female
|Held Item: None
|Ability: Water Absorb
|Nature: Calm
|Moves: Growl, Sing, Water Gun, Mist, Life Dew, Body Slam, Confuse Ray, Ice Shard, Perish Song, Ice Beam, Rain Dance, Water Pulse, Brine, Surf (HM), Dive (HM), Horn Drill (EM) (5 Moves left to learn)
Azure smiled as he released Lapras from its Poké Ball. Lapras looked at Azure, Pikachu, and Eevee with gratitude. Azure returned the sentiment with a smile, indicating that Lapras could follow Dragonair.
With that, he began to loot the items that Team Rocket dropped till he found one that caught his eye. He grabbed hold of it using [Observe] to see this item.
[Item: Dragon Scale
Rarity Item: A
Type: Key Item
Description: A very tough and inflexible scale. Dragon-type Pokémon may be holding this item when caught. When held onto a Seadra while holding it during a trade, it will evolve into a Kingdra.]
He smirked as they continued their journey down Route 19, now with Lapras swimming alongside Dragonair and Horsea. Azure knew his team was growing stronger, not just in power, but in heart.
He was ready for whatever challenges lay ahead, knowing that with his Pokémon by his side, he could overcome anything. The azure sky above mirrored the boundless possibilities that stretched before him, a future painted with courage, friendship, and the unwavering spirit of a Pokémon Trainer.