Author's Note:
Here it is, a chapter I've been looking forward to. As hinted at, this is the Mt Pyre chapter, and I may have changed it slightly for this world (mainly not having a tower built into the mountain). We get two new captures and sadly this will be the last capture for Brock in the Hoenn arc. Remember I mentioned one of the Pokémon back in the Granit cave chapter, maybe that's coming back here, we'll need to wait and see. His Pokémon can still evolve or have other things happen, but he won't 'catch' anymore. I hope you like the two Pokémon I've brought in, given their typing I know they have stiff competition from others of this typing in the series. I've tried to give them similar empowering personalities. We also get a special character being introduced and don't worry; she'll be around through the Lilycove arc, so we'll be seeing more of her. I will put in a disclaimer here, there will be some dark-humoured jokes in this chapter. If you don't want to see that then so be it but they are there. You might be wondering why I'm doing it and I'll give some info. I suffer from a physical disability and find the best way to deal with it is with jokes. One of the Pokémon I'm introducing today is the closest I'll get to a self-insert in this series. I also realised after writing a battle that I forgot dark types being immune to the prankster ability... I'm not redoing it now and honestly; it seems a little too OP anyway (for dark types). Now don't forget to vote in the poll, it'll change when I post the next chapter. With that, let's begin
Chapter Sixty: Keeping in High Spirits
Max ran ahead with Geico by his side. He felt his heart thump hard against his chest as he stared up at their next destination. Due to the height difference, he cranked his neck at a ninety-degree angle to take in the view of mount pyre entirely.
It was a large rocky mountain which while shorter than mount chimney, actually was the tallest land point in Hoenn. Only difference is most of this landmark sat in the water, hence the height difference. Near the top of the mountain was surrounded in fog, blocking it from fog. He tried to make out any sort of movements for the Pokémon, but none showed themselves. Sighing, he turned back to see the others approaching at a slower rate.
"Remind me again why you wanted to visit this place Max," his sister grumbled, holding her Bulbasaur in her arms.
"Not only is this the place to find ghost types in Hoenn but it's meant to be the secret training ground of Phoebe?!" he replied.
"Phoebe?" Serena asked.
"She's a member of Hoenn's elite four, if I remember correctly," Brock mused, "and she specialises in ghost types. So, I suppose it'll make sense this would be her training grounds if anywhere."
"Doesn't mean your gonna meet her or anything," May grumbled.
"Actually, I've calculated an eighty-six-point-three-percent chance she's up there right now," he replied.
"Really?!" Ash erupted, "how are you so certain?"
"She's down as a special judge for both the contest and showcase in Lilycove which is coming up," he replied, "and she's mentioned in interviews before that she spends most of her time here whenever she has to visit Lilycove. And even if she isn't, there's more reasons to visit!"
"Such as?" Brock asked.
"Hehehe, well." He blushed, scratching the back of his head with a nervous chuckle. "Geico and Ozone are great but I kinda want to work on expanding my team a bit. I haven't actually caught another Pokémon yet and I thought a ghost type would be a great new addition."
"Of course, we'll be happy to help you catch a new Pokémon Max," Serena encouraged, "any particular one you're after?"
"Any ghost type really," he shrugged, "Shedinja or Froslass would be great, but they might be a little tough given their typings and being evolved. So maybe a more basic ghost type like Shuppet or Duskull. After seeing Ash's all this time, I bet we'll be great together."
"Oh yeah, Duskull said he once lived at mount pyre," Ash mused, pulling out his Pokédex. Taking a Pokéball off his belt, he seemed to tap his way through the device before placing the ball on the back. In a zap of electricity, it teleported away before a new one replaced it. "I choose you, Duskull."
In a flash of light, the levitating pure ghost type appeared in front of them. He seemed to stretch slightly despite the rounded-body before floating up to an eye level with his trainer. He said something and while he only heard his name, if he guessed it would be general greetings.
"So Duskull, I thought you'd like to visit this place with us." Ash smiled. "It's mount Pyre and I remember when we first met. You said this was home."
"Dusss-kull," He smiled floating around his head.
Smiling himself, he looked forward to seeing Geico waiting for him. Holding the grass types hand, he got a nod confirmation from the others. Brock handed him a hand torch and he flicked it on. He turned ahead to face the pitch-black cave entrance. Closing his eyes, he took a deep breath. Puffing out his chest.
A red light flashed to the side, and he turned to see May with a Pokéball in hand. In front of her stood Mightyena, who had his tongue hanging out of his mouth with heavy panting. Quirking his eyebrow up, he noticed her rest Bulbasaur on his back and soothingly stroke his head.
"What?" she asked. "I'm not great with paranormal stuff, alright. It's not so bad that I can't be around ghost types but an entire area like this gives me the creeps."
"You don't need to come with us May." Serena offered. "We'd understand if you wanted to wait down here and just train or-"
"Is there some sort of magic barrier which forces all the ghost types that live here not to leave or visit down here?" she asked.
"No," Serena replied, "or I don't think so... at least."
"That's silly talk May," he chimed in.
"Then I'm not stupid. The safest place is right with the psychic top coordinator, the aura user, and the doctor in training," she replied, "and if I've got a dark type then I might as well use him... You'll keep me safe, right Mightyena?"
The pure dark type gave a bark of approval, but his pupils quickly dilated. Crouching low, he gave off a sinister growl in his direction with his eye locked on him... or rather his feet. He couldn't help but feel threatened by his sister's dark type canine.
"What's up with him?" he asked, taking an instinctive step back.
His feet ended up falling over themselves and he looked down to see his shoelaces tied together. A series of laughing cries echoed around him. Quickly glancing for the source, he found Duskull flying up high with another Pokémon which he easily recognized.
They had a spherical head with black rings around the multicoloured eyes, which had light-blue sclerae, dark-blue irises and yellow pupils. With an appearance which looked like a grey cloth draped over the body, the bottom swayed in the wind similar to Chimecho's tail-fin. The new ghost looked down, trying to stop the uncontrolled laughter, and stuck out a large, pink tongue. Extending from the top of their head was a long, pointed horn.
Grumbling to himself, he reached down and untied his laces and stood back up. His pure grass type picked up the torch and handed it back whilst he dusted himself off. Shaking him from the experience, he turned back to the two ghost types.
"Bullet seed!" he instructed.
A series of small yellow bullets shot up out of his starter's mouth. Despite readjusting his head for accuracy, the wild Pokémon easily floated away.
Burning blue balls of fire shot down an imploded over his starter. Causing him to cry out as he spun around to notice the wild Pokémon once more.
"Shup Shuppet!" The wild ghost type winked at him. Floating backwards they disappeared into the mountainous wall.
"What did they say, Ash?" he asked, turning to the older trainer.
"I'm quoting here but he said." The raven-haired boy cleared his throat. "And you'll always remember this as the day you almost caught captain Shup-Pet!"
"Shup-Pet?" May asked.
"He did the emphasis, not me," he shrugged.
Turning back around, he noticed Brock with a Pokéball in hand and burn heal in the other. He let out his Chimecho, who quickly helped extinguish the flames and ease the pain with heal pulse. Spraying the medical bottle onto his starter, it helped prevent the burn flaring back up.
"Alright, I've decided." He narrowed his brow. "I'm gonna catch that Shuppet."
"I like the sound of it." Ash smirked. "And we'll be with you all the way."
"Am I the only one who saw that as a warning not to pursue this place and just go on to Lilycove?" May asked.
"I mean, I'd be lying if I said I wasn't concerned too," Ash shrugged, "but that's more because we've met Gengar... we know just what ghost types could do."
"Dusk Duskull."
"Hehehe, sorry bud." Ash nervously chuckled, scratching the back of his head.
"What he say this time?" Brock asked.
"Just taking offence that we know what ghost types can be like," he replied, "but he also said he knew Shuppet from when he lived here."
Turning on his heel, he held the torch out to illuminate the cave entrance and led the way inside. His hand tightened around Geico's, and they set off further into the cave, using the light to lead the way. His heart picked up pace as his lips stretched out into a wide smile.
Gengar floated back and forth around the lab. Rubbing her none-existent chin with one hand.
"I swear there was something I was meant to do today." She muttered. Pausing in place, she sneezed and cartoonishly wiped it with her arm, shaking it sending droplets splashing everywhere but disappearing before actually being visible. "Huh? Could the author be thinking of using me again?"
Brock smiled at the psychic type floating by his head as his torch continue to help illuminate dark cave as they worked their way inside. A slight sound echoed through the tunnel, and he stopped pinching his lips together. Looking around, he found that he fell behind the others and was at a crossroads.
"Hold on guys," he called out.
"What's up, Brock?" Ash replied.
"I can hear something," he replied, "you guys wait there and I'll investigate."
Receiving some nods of approval from his friends, he turned down to the new tunnel and stepped down it. He continued on for nearly a minute before coming out into an open room, illuminated by several wall torches surrounding the cavern with several Pokémon such as: two Duskull; three Chimecho dangling from the ceiling; a swarm of Zubat and Golbat; a single Ralts and two Kirlia. Although the most interesting Pokémon was one stood in front of the others.
A bipedal Pokémon whose body was primarily a dark purple colour. Chatting around and walking around, like some sort of performer on a stage, he noticed razor sharp teeth covering both the upper and lower jaw, matching the clawed fingers on the end of the two arms. Two pale blue gemstones made up the eyes, which sparkled from the candles around the room. With a matching red gemstone on the chest. He turned to walk the other way, revealing his back covered with gemstones coloured blue, green and red. The crowd of Pokémon erupted in laughter while one Kirlia covered Ralts' ears.
"Oh, it's Sableye!" Chimecho beamed through a mental connection.
"You know that Pokémon?" he asked.
"Remember I told you about my time training as a nurse," she replied, "well, he would often stop by my residence to perform for the injured Pokémon. Some of his humour is vulgar but he can normally make someone feel better... he just doesn't know when to stop."
He turned to watch the ghost dark type perform another joke. This one seemed less well received with a series of shocked faces and gasps from the audience, part of him wanted to know what the joke was... but seeing their reaction, another part didn't. The Pokémon each made their way out. With the ghost types disappearing through the walls, the Kirlia and Ralts teleported, both the Zubat, Golbat and Chimecho exited through an opening in the ceiling.
His pure psychic type floated forward and stopped just above the dark ghost type, he leaned against the wall. She floated back and forth. Seeing the smile on the performers face, it seemed he really did remember his wind chime Pokémon.
"Brock dear, would you care to join us?" Chimecho asked through their mental connection. He made his way up to them and crouched down so they were closer to an eye level. "Obviously, I can't connect your minds because he's dark type, but I can still translate."
"Well, it's nice to meet you, Sableye." He held his hand out and the comic reached out to shake.
"Sable Sableye."
"Chimecho says you like to make others feel better through human." He ended the handshake. With a wide smile on his face, he related what seemed to be another joke. Hearing a slight giggle from the pure psychic type, he turned to see what he said.
"I did a sponsored walk once and I was able to raise enough money... to afford a taxi."
"Heh, that's pretty good." He smiled. The dark ghost types eyes lit up and he jumped back to his feet. Performing another joke, he ended with a loud laughter from him and a slap of the knee. Once again, he turned to his wind chime Pokémon for help.
"My girlfriend brought a cookbook the other day called 'cheap and easy vegetarian cooking. Which is just perfect for her, because not only is she vegetarian but-"
He rolled his lips into his mouth and tried not to chuckle as he finished the joke off in his head. Shaking his head, he regained his composure before looking down at the darkness Pokémon, who seemed to beam from the positive response.
"So why do you keep pushing the boundaries with your jokes?" he asked, "they're certainly funny but seem to be getting more offensive."
"Eye, Sableye!" He explained whilst making exaggerated movements with his arms.
"He says that when things are bad, that is when you need to laugh. It's best to have a dark sense of humour which can really pull anything and everything into it. Someone like that, when having a tough time, they can laugh about it," Chimecho translated. The ghost dark type continue on with his explanation in a similar style. "He feels sorry for the people who can't laugh at the dark because when their life is terrible... they just have to power through. Being able to make fun of something gives you power over said and without that power... are you ever truly over it?"
"I never really thought of it like that," he replied, "but don't you worry about offending others?"
"Sableye," he smiled creepily.
"He says that what he says is just jokes, not the terrible thing themselves." She continued. "There's a big difference between joking about cheating on your partner and actually doing it."
"Well, it was nice meeting you, Sableye." He stood back up. "But the others are possibly wondering where we got too. Would you like to join us? I'm sure Chimecho would like the chance to reminiscence with you as well."
"Sable." He nodded.
Smiling down at the ghost dark type, he turned and walked back down the tunnel to his friends. After a brief introduction to the darkness Pokémon, they set back off through the tunnel. His wind chime Pokémon lead the way with her old friend, who offered to be a guide of sorts.
"Hey Serena," he whispered to the honey blonde girl.
"What's up Brock?" she asked.
"Could I borrow your Pokédex for a moment?" he asked, "I'd just like to know a little more about Sableye."
"Of course," she smiled, handing the device over. He flipped it open and scanned the little purple Pokémon:
Sableye, The Darkness Pokémon. Living deep in caves, this Pokémon is known to eat valuable gems for a food source. Several records claim it's from outer space but unlike other species there's no scientific evidence corroborating this. It's well known the species is mischievous but it's usually in good spirits
"Thanks." He handed the device back.
"So, what's the story with those two?" she asked, "they seem quite friendly for having just met."
"They knew each other from before I met Chimecho," he replied, "remember how she used to be a Pokémon nurse in training?"
"Uh huh." She nodded.
"Well, Sableye use to visit her practise to perform stand-up comedy shows for her patients," he replied, "she translated a few of jokes and they were certainly funny-"
"They do say laughter is the best medicine." She shrugged. "But?"
"He also went a little far with certain topics," he replied, "I... guess I'm concerned that if he sees Electrike then he might make fun of him or-"
"Did he personally attack anyone with his jokes?" she asked.
"Well... no," he replied, "they were more generalised."
"So, I doubt he'd attack Electrike either," she shrugged, "I get being worried for him, but I see it as you can't be offended on behalf of someone else. For you to be offended then you, personally need to be offended."
"Did you consider this with Milotic and the Fortree contest?" he asked.
"She was offended, I just offered a chance to make her point clear," she replied, "yes, I felt anger for her, but it was her point to get across."
"What do I do if he does upset Electrike then?" he asked.
"We'll all deal with it when or if the time comes." She smiled. "I remember a wise guy once told me that there's no point in being concerned of possible futures until they arrive. Just deal with the here and now."
He couldn't help but smile at her, turning his attention forward. While the two Pokémon continued to chat away, he couldn't help but feel like he should trust Chimecho's judgement. She has proven herself to be very mature and if she says he is good-hearted then that should say something... right?
Sableye smiled as he stepped out into the cool, foggy grey top of mount pyre. Moving to the side, he gestured with his arms for the others to walk out. He always enjoyed the damp cool air covering this place. He couldn't be sure why but like many ghost types, it just felt... homely.
Seeing the group of humans leave the cave, none of them really interested him much to pay attention to their reaction. With them agreeing to set up a time for lunch. He felt his stomach grumble at the suggestion, and it didn't help when the thick scent of food started spewing out of the big cooking pot which the honey-blonde girl was using... along with the little orange Pokémon sat on her shoulder, although he knew that was a member of Brock's team.
Shaking his head, he knew he couldn't just hang around them and turned to see what the others were up to. The youngest human seemed to be setting up a battle against the Duskull one of the other humans had. Using the white floating Pokémon against him with his green Pokémon stood beside him. While the black-haired boy was stood next to the Absol which the girl whose cooking provided. He walked closer to try and get an idea of what they were talking about.
"But why don't you like me?" he asked, "what did I ever do to you?"
"I'm able to sense oncoming disasters," the dark type scoffed, "and you attract the danger and run in without a thought for anyone else."
"Hang on, we all do that because it saves people," he replied, "we're exactly the same. You-"
"I do it because I prioritise saving people over everything else." He cut him off. "You do it because you like to be the hero. I've seen aura user's before and while they might do good... their motives are anything but so don't try to claim us the same. Serena might be ignorant to your ego but I'm not and I won't allow your need to be the hero saving the day interrupt my mission to protect the prince of the sea."
"Why don't you tell us more so we can plan for this?" he asked, "who even is the prince of the sea?"
"The less you know, the more secure the future I sense is," he replied, "if something changes then I'll let Serena know. Psychics tend to have common sense."
Seeing the disaster Pokémon turn in his direction, he quickly spun around. Whistling a basic tune, he stretched his arms behind his head and walk away, not wanting to be dragged into their argument. As he slipped away, he noticed the orange shell Pokémon and the black serpent working on what seemed to be flamethrower, with the white and red Pokémon sat off from the distance, watching longingly.
The Cacnea, Dustox, Meditite and one of the Kirlia were off by themselves. Seemingly practising some sort of dance routine with the second Kirlia sat nearby with Chimecho and the Marshtomp. Shrugging to himself, he couldn't exactly say he was invested in such performances.
He spotted the black-haired boy join up with his Pikachu and Metang. Contrary to what he would've expected, he saw the small electric type deliver a swift flurry of strikes and keep pushing the pseudo legendary back. He couldn't help but smile at the reverse of roles between the two Pokémon.
Letting the laughter tickle his insides he spun around and noticed he brown haired girl with a collection of six Pokémon. Some were battling, others doing performances, but he didn't care enough to go investigating. Spinning around, he noticed Brock sat on a blanket with a small green Pokémon lying next to him with two more nearby locked in some sort of battle. A white primeape Pokémon against some sort of metal covered beast.
He made his way over and noticed that the small green Pokémon had a missing leg, with Brock changing the bandages round the stump. He stopped nearby and glanced up to see the breeder smile towards him.
"Sableye, this is Electrike. Electrike, this is Sableye." He introduced. "He's an old friend of Chimecho's."
"Hiya," the electric type barked.
"Nice to meet you... I don't want to get off on the wrong foot here, but I must ask... did you skip leg day or what's going on?" he asked, giving a wide smile.
The canine giggled. "That's funny. Brock's been great but it's usually all seriousness."
"Well, I'm glad you two seem to be getting on," the human smiled. Standing up, he walked over to the two Pokémon battling back and forth so he took a seat on the blanket. He knew the breeder couldn't understand them without Chimecho to translate like before.
"You know, I met a human in the wild recently who said she was in marketing, so I had to ask," he replied, "what sort of marketing? And she said she was head of marketing for a prosthetic limbs company."
"Huh?" Electrike blinked.
"Now I never met an arms dealer before." He continued, earning a small giggle from the electric type. "I asked if she sold used one's because that'll be a second-hand shop."
The pure electric type burst out laughing.
"I hope we can all agree that's a women whose robbing a living... because if there was ever a product which requires zero marketing spend, its prosthetic limbs." He continued. "Seriously, what's going on in that show room? Can I help you sir?"
He jumped to the side and lift one of his legs up behind his body.
"Just browsing thank you. I was passing and thought I'd hop in." Electrike continued to laugh aloud so he dropped his leg back down. "Well, it might interest you to learn their's fifty percent of right legs."
Sableye picked his leg back up.
"That's exactly what happened to me!" He dropped his leg back down. "Maybe I could help you make a decision?" He picked the leg back up. "Why thank you, I'm a bit stumped. I just don't want it to cost me an arm and a leg."
The pure electric type rolled around on his back laugh with howls. His three-and-a-half legs kicking up into the air. He dropped his leg back down and waited.
"My point is the only way to market prosthetic limbs is to manufacture land mines."
Happy that the electric type was enjoying those jokes, he stood up and approached the breeder. His two Pokémon were now sat down, and he was performing some basic first aid on them. Seeing him, he sent them off to do their own things. He couldn't help but notice Chimecho floating over from the distance.
"Well, you seem to have made Electrike happy," he smiled. "I've tried to keep him healthy since we met but I don't recall him being so happy before."
"I think that proves my theory about comedy," he replied, "and in my experience, those that get upset or offended over something like a joke... usually aren't the same ones who have to live it every day. And just make it that much harder for those who have to, to express themselves."
Chimecho seemed to translate for him.
"Well, I should be thanking you, then," he smiled, "I'll tell you something, Sableye, I'm learning to be a doctor but being able to fix someone's mood isn't something I could easily do. With your help, I can see a lot of the Pokémon being cheerful whilst also physically getting better."
"I don't swing that way my man, sorry but your just a little too... human," he replied.
"I think my trainer was offering you a place on his team rather than what your insinuating." Chimecho clarified.
"Oooooh, in that case yeah. Great," he smiled, "I'd love to make your patience laugh."
Which the wind chime Pokémon translated but before they could get down to the actual capture, the honey-blonde female called out that food was finished cooking. They turned and approached her, along with everyone else ready to help with dishing up. His tongue slapped around his mouth, ready to devour the food. Just the smell was increasing his hunger ten-fold.
Max smiled as he dug into the stew which Serena cooked. His glanced down to the side to see both Geico and Ozone eating with similar haste. He wanted to rush this down in case Shuppet showed up once more. He's going to catch a new Pokémon today regardless of how long it takes.
"Huh?" He blinked, noticing a new Pokémon approach from a distance. Floating through the air was a small, dusty-brown bug with a white halo over his head which he easily recognized as a Shedinja. While this was certainly the place to find one, he couldn't say he was expecting to see one. He used his Pokédex:
Shedinja, The Shed Pokémon. An evolved form of Nincada. Shedinja's hard body doesn't move, not even a twitch. In fact, its body appears to be merely a hollow shell. It is believed that this Pokémon will steal the spirit of anyone peering into its hollow body from its back
As he put the device down, he couldn't help but noticed three more figures appearing from the fog. Two of which were Pokémon, one being another Sableye but much larger than the one Brock met, with an armband and mega stone embedded into the accessory. While the second one was vaguely familiar, resembling a Marowak even though he's never met one in person. Although this one's body was black, and the eyes appeared to be pale gray. A dark, flamelike mark on the skull was placed between the eyes. He thought the body was thinner compared to normal one's, but he couldn't be sure. White markings resembled shoulder blades, vertebrae, and hip bones visible on their back. The bone in their hand also seemed longer than what he believed most of the species used. Interested by the unique specimen, he scanned with his Pokédex once more:
Marowak, Alolan variant, The Bone Keeper Pokémon. The final evolved form of Cubone. The bones it possesses were once its mother's. Its mother's regrets have become like a vengeful spirit protecting this Pokémon
"I see you've taken an interest in Marowak." A female voice drew his attention. He tried to reply but his voice stuck in his throat at the sight of the twenty-something women in an ocean blue Alolan-style skirt, which left one of her long slim legs exposed and a strapless bra, which hugged her chest.
"Ph-Phoebe?!" He coughed, dropping the device on the table. It was one thing to predict she'd be here but to actually meet her... unreal.
"Hehehe, I guess that means you know who I am," she giggled, "sorry for intruding. We were just doing some training with Shedninja when we smelt your food and couldn't resist investigating. How rude of me, please introduce yourselves."
He could only stare in shock as the others went around introducing themselves with May surprisingly doing it for the both of them. Although he noticed she had Mightyena move between herself and the three new ghost types within their vicinity.
"May, Max?" Phoebe questioned, "you two aren't related to the Petalburg gym leader by any chance, are you?"
"We are actually, he's, our dad." May smiled. "Why do you know him?"
"Yeah, I was one of the ones to recommend him for the elite four position," she smiled. Her eyes widened and she covered her lips with an 'oops' and shrug of her shoulders. "I probably shouldn't have told you that. Eh, it doesn't really matter just don't tell anyone, kay."
"We... kinda already knew," he uttered, scratching the back of his head.
"Well, that's a relief." She wiped her forehead and relaxed. "They'd get so mad if I spoiled one of the possible replacements after the other thing."
"Other thing?" Serena asked.
"I kinda let it slip Glacia was leaving... well I didn't say Glacia but just someone was leaving and due to their age, it was guessed that it's either Drake or-" She stopped, and eyes widened once more. "Okay, none of you can tell anyone that's it's Glacia leaving, 'kay?"
"Wow Max, I guess it's not just you who struggles to keep a secret," Brock chuckled, patting his back in good fun.
"Oh, Ash and Serena. Would you happen to be the same Ash and Serena that Steven told me about?" she asked, placing a hand up to her mouth to whisper rather loudly, "the one's that he gave key stones too?"
"Y-yeah, that's us," Ash chuckled nervously.
"Awesome!" She looked around. "Hang on, where's your Aerodactyl? Steven said that he already approved that mega for you."
"I sent him back to the lab in Kanto because-"
"Bummer!" She dropped her head and arms in a dramatic style. "I was looking forward to checking out a new mega. They are always so cool and unique."
"Well, I could get Houndoom since he's got a mega too and-"
"Hold your Rapidash, Ash." She jumped back up. "You already have one mega confirmed so if I'm gonna test either of you, I think it should be Serena."
"Me?" the honey blonde girl asked. "I mean, I guess. Who should I get, Beedrill or Ampharos?"
"Beedrill?" Phoebe asked, "That one! I've never seen a mega Beedrill before, but I visited the Blackthorn gym shortly after Claire got one for her Ampharos."
"Alright," she smiled, taking out her device.
A cool breeze blew past his neck, and he looked around to see the Shuppet from before. Floating off to the side, he jumped out of his seat and tried to run after the ghost type. His eyes shot open as a cold damp feeling soaked through his feet. Falling onto his behind, he noticed a single puddle of water surrounding him and no shoes on his feet, just soaking socks. Looking up, he noticed the ghost juggling his shoes in front of him.
"Hey!" He called out, struggling back to his feet. "No fair!"
"Hehehe, it seems Shuppet likes you," Phoebe giggled, "they only come and interact with humans that they share a connection with."
With help from his two Pokémon, he made his way back to his seat. Torkoal was kind enough to move under his feet and use his internal flame to help dry off his feet. His eyes, however, locked onto the elite four member, who smiled in his direction after her little explanation.
"I can see it in your eyes," she smiled, "you wanna try and catch that Shuppet, right?"
"Yeah," he nodded.
"Come fourth, my friend!" She tossed an Ultra Ball into the air.
In the flash of a light, a dark gray doll-like Pokémon appeared in front of her. They had three short spikes on the head and a long zigzagging ribbon trailing off the back of the head. The mouth appeared to be some sort of zipper, and there were two purplish-pink eyes with slit pupils. The long, flat arms each had three-fingered hands, while the legs appeared short and stubby. A yellow, brush-like tail stuck out behind the new ghost. He scanned with his Pokédex:
Banette, The Marionette Pokémon. The final evolved form of Shuppet. A cursed energy permeated the stuffing of a discarded and forgotten plush doll, giving it new life as Banette. The Pokémon's energy would escape if it were to ever open its mouth
"I wouldn't pay too much attention to that old folk tale." She dismissed. "In olden times ghosts were supernatural beings from the afterlife and shared similar attributes of Pokémon by the same type. It's where the name for their typing came from."
"Ban Banette!"
"Right, Banette dear, could you go and find Shuppet please?" she asked.
"Ette." She laughed, disappearing into a shadow on the ground. Crawling across the floor at a fast speed, she disappeared among the foggy terrain.
"Now Max, I'm not just gonna do this for you. Banette will set up the chance to battle but your gonna need to do the stuff yourself," she smiled, "I always like getting to see young trainers in the field! It reminds me of my early days in the Alolan region!"
"I thought we were going to battle?" Serena asked.
"Right, we are!" She turned on a heel. "Get Beedrill ready and we'll battle once young Max is done with Shuppet. Oh, and let's make it a double battle."
"A double battle? Alright." she shrugged. She made her way over to the pure dark type and kneeled next to him. He guessed that she was planning on using the disaster Pokémon, but a shadow jumped out, dragging his attention away. He stumbled back on his seat as Banette stood in front of him with both shoes.
Taking them from the ghost with a word of thanks, he slide them back on and stood up. Geico and Ozone moved to his side as he went over to the ghost type specialist. Her marionette Pokémon lead the way and the others disappeared through the fog. It didn't seem to take long before they came out into a fog covered grassy field with grey rocks littered around. In the centre stood Shuppet, floating back and forth.
"Alright Ozone, let's do this!" He shouted, with the normal type floating forward.
"Tree Treecko!"
"Huh?" He turned to the side to see his starter stamping his foot down and arms crossed with narrowed eyes. "What's wrong Geico?"
"If I were to guess, I think Treecko wanted to be the one you battled Shuppet with," Phoebe explained, "am I right?"
"Ecko," he nodded, turning around.
"Sorry bud but Ozone is in the best position to counter him since they both float," he replied, "you'll get your chance sooner or later."
"Tree." He flopped down onto his behind. Shaking his head, he focused his gaze ahead towards the oncoming battle. He can sort it out with Geico later when they don't have the battle pending. His eyes widened seeing the blue balls of fire orbiting around the pure ghost type.
"Sunny day!" He hollered.
A ray of sunlight shone down through the foggy cloud and his normal type turned into her fire form. The will-o-wisps smashed into her body harmless.
Building up a giant ball of fire in front of her. He couldn't help but smile at the successful counter to what Shuppet showed off earlier.
The pure ghost type disappeared from sight and reappeared right in front of Ozone. With dark type energy surrounded around the pointed horn. Charging through the weather ball, it dispersed into thin air as his weather Pokémon was knocked down.
She swooped at the last second, narrowly avoiding a crash landing. While he looked up to their opponent.
Shuppet dived straight after her, turning into a shadow on the floor. Thanks to the sun, he was easier to track previously but he swiftly sped across the floor.
His voice stuck in his throat as he saw the shadow quickly catch up with his pure fire type. She tried to climb up back up, but Shuppet leaped out.
Crashing into her once more, both went back down to the ground. Ozone rolled on the floor as another shadow formed on the floor.
He tried to keep track of their opponent as the shadow skimmed over the floor, but the sun shone through his glasses. Momentarily blinding him, he put a hand up to block out his own weather effect. As he turned back to the field, he realised no shadow was present. His eyes widened in realisation.
"Widespread ember!" He shouted.
Ozone shook herself and began spinning once more. A barrage of small fire balls echoed out over the makeshift field, setting bits of the grass on fire.
She quickly ended her attack and shot straight up. Somewhere over the field, he noticed Shuppet panic flying up with his head on fire.
"Cleaver," Phoebe muttered, "you knew he was waiting without shadow sneak to catch you off guard."
Ignoring her comments, he watched the two Pokémon float around each other through the air. Dark type energy surrounded Shuppet's horn, and he kept trying to stab into his weather Pokémon as she shot off small embers. Some hit but most didn't.
His hand tightened in anger as he watched the semi-aerial battle. It was becoming increasingly obvious Shuppet had the upper hand in this battle.
Stabbing into her back, Ozone fell back down to the ground. As he hovered over the top, a seeming semi-transparent copy of Shuppet shot down.
Crashing into his pure fire type, she cried out in pain. He took out a Pokéball and tossed it up to Shuppet, guessing what move he just used.
It struck the ghost and fell back down. Rocking back and forth on the grass, he noticed his weather Pokémon crying out in agony.
"Rain dance!" he hollered.
Wincing as the device burst open, a dark cloud started to form over their makeshift field. Rain drops started to fall down over them, with Ozone turning into her water form while Shuppet floated high above the field. Striking a dramatic pose, "shup shuppet!"
Holding his second Pokéball out, he quickly recalled Ozone. Turning to the side, his eyes met with Geico, "you still wanna battle?"
"Cko."
A smile overtook his face as his pure grass type ran out over the field. The light rain putting out any remaining flames from the previous battle.
Several more blue fire balls rained down over the field although the rain seemed to hinder the size. His starter skilful danced over the field, avoiding each.
The pure ghost type dived down and created another shadow on the floor. Zooming across the floor, he saw him quickly catch up with Geico.
"Quick Attack and make this a race!" He hollered.
While he knew a normal move wouldn't touch Shuppet, he was more concerned with wearing him down now. Being surrounded in normal type energy would protect him from and shadow sneak attack and he knew that as species, Geico would out speed Shuppet any day.
Watching them race over the ground, he notice the puppet Pokémon leap out. His horn surrounded in dark type energy for a swift sucker punch.
"Leer!" He hollered.
Jumping up, he spun in the air and crossed his arms over his chest. Sending out a leer straight into Shuppet's eyes, the sucker punch faded from his horn.
He landed on the slightly wet ground and slid back. Dropping into a crouch position to prevent sliding further. A will-o-wisp shot out towards him and hit.
Fire erupted over his body, but Geico shook hit off. Thanks to the rain, the flames on his body died down. He knew it wouldn't stop the damage over time or his weakened offensive power but at least he wasn't distracted by server flames covering him and disrupting sight or mobility.
The pure ghost type covered himself in ghost type energy and shot down. Smashing through his starter, Geico cried out in pain. He pulled out his Pokédex:
Hex: A ghost type move which doubles in power to an opponent suffering from some sort of status ailment
"Alright Geico, get running and don't let Shuppet follow you!" He shouted, putting the device away.
His pure grass type took off as Shuppet was left where he once stood. He seemed slightly dazed and turned around but found his opponent no-where to be seen. Closing his eyes, he seemed to spin around before diving back into the ground. Zooming off towards the rock as a shadow.
Geico climbed onto the top of the boulder and seemed to be waiting for him. Once close enough, the puppet Pokémon charged out and flew towards him.
With a deep breath, a barrage of yellow seeds shot out of his mouth. Striking their opponent, Shuppet was knocked backwards and across the ground.
Taking out another device, he tossed it over to the downed ghost type, "go Pokéball!"
Striking their opponent on the head, his eyes darted between his starter, who stood tall with small fires burning over his body and the device which shook back and forth on the ground. Squeezing his eyes shut, he tensed up his entire body until the ding echoed over the entire field.
"Huh?" He opened his eyes and looked ahead. The device laid still on the ground. "Alright! We did it!"
Running ahead over the wet grass, he skidded onto his knees and swiped up the device. Feeling his eyes water at the sight of it, his heart thumped against his chest as Geico ran down and engulfed him in a hug. A light flashed off his belt and Ozone joined in with the celebrations.
"Thanks to you two," he uttered, trying to return the show off affection. After about half a minute, he pulled out his Pokédex and scanned his new capture:
Shuppet, The Puppet Pokémon. Shuppet grows by feeding on dark emotions, such as vengefulness and envy, in the hearts of people. It roams through cities in search of grudges that taint people
Type: Ghost
Ability: Frisk
Hidden Ability: Cursed Body (Note: This hidden ability is currently locked)
Gender: Male
Nature: Naughty (Note: This nature could change when this Pokémon evolves)
Move(s): Knock off, Screech, Night Shade, Spite, Shadow Sneak, Will-o-Wisp, Pain Split, Hex, Curse, Role Play, Sucker Punch
"Congratulations, Max," Phoebe clapped as she approached. "Seeing new trainer's doing stuff like training or battling or catching always puts a smile on my face. It's one thing I miss about my early years of being a trainer. The excitement of trying everything for the first time."
Smiling at the compliment, he held the device out and let Shuppet out. The pure ghost type practically sat in front of him, with the two other Pokémon moving to the side. "So Shuppet... I'm Max and these are Geico and Ozone. I wanted to ask if you wanna stay and be a part of our team."
"Shup?" He quirked his eyes up.
"You realise you already caught Shuppet, right?" Phoebe asked. Kneeling down next to them.
"Of course," he replied, "but I wouldn't want to take him away if he really didn't want to. We got to battle and win so-"
"Shuppet-pet."
"Hehehe, you're a strange kid Max." Phoebe giggled. Reaching out, she stroked the ghost types horn. "You see this, this allows Shuppet to sense your inner self and use that as a guidance. If he didn't want to risk capture like that, then he wouldn't have shown himself to you originally or let my Banette set up this battle. Am I right, Shuppet?"
"Shup!" He nodded.
"Then welcome to the team Shuppet!" He smiled with the ghost type flying straight into him. "Hahaha, and by the way. I like to give nicknames to my team, as you can probably tell with Geico and Ozone. So, we'll think about it but if you have any ideas, let me know, 'kay."
"Shuppet." He smiled.
Standing back up, he followed the ghost type specialist back towards the campsite. The little effect Ozone had on the weather fading and having the fog return. As they made it back, he couldn't help but notice everyone had recalled most of their Pokémon, except Brock still had Chimecho and Sableye, Ash had Duskull, May had Mightyena and Serena sat with Absol and a large Beedrill. He couldn't help but gulp at the large stingers.
"I take it ya'll are ready for our battle Serena?" Phoebe called out, taking up a spot on the makeshift field. He slowly made his way around to the others with his three Pokémon. Ash, May, and Brock all made mention of Shuppet, but the conversation fell flat as Serena took up her spot opposite.
"We are," she replied, "let's go Beedrill, Absol!"
The two Pokémon ran, or flew, ahead. Absol stood still with eyes locked forward. His head piece off to the side with claws clenching the grassy dirt. While her bug poison type floated side to side, wings beating and a low buzz echoing off. Seeming ready to pounce at any minute. A small head band around his head, holding a mega stone.
"Then I'll choose Sableye and Shedinja!" She threw her arm forward. The two Pokémon ran out and faced off against Serena's. The former stood still in a slight defensive position while the latter floated back and forth but seemed more calming than Beedrill. A smile crept on his face as he anticipated the battle.
"Begin!" Brock announced.
Beedrill wasted no time in taking off over the field. His eyes locked on Shedinja with his two front stingers glowing with a toxic purple colour. Reaching the ideal opponent, the two duel bug types seemed to enter a dance with Phoebe's Pokémon moving back, swooping through the jabs.
Taking off whilst flying backwards, the ghost bug type led Serena's partner up and away from the battle. His eyes lingered on them before turning back down.
Absol was jumping around the field, avoiding blue fire balls which erupted on the grass. A spread-out wall of fire seemed to protect the ghost dark type.
"Taunt!" Serena hollered.
Absol glew with a black outline and let out a loud cry. The black aura seemed to envelop the darkness Pokémon as the will-o-wisps faded into nothing
"Hmm." Phoebe pinched her lips together.
Landing on the grass, her disaster Pokémon turned and charged forward. His horn glew with a lime-green tint and his claws extended out with dark type energy. Pouncing down on the opponent, he delivered a swift mega horn and followed through with duel night slashes.
Phoebe's ghost dark type spun out on the hit and seemed to dance around as she went with the blows. Each one seemed hard hitting, only laughter resulted.
Putting her fingers into her mouth, the elite four member let out a high-pitched whistle. Frowning at the weird action, he glanced around.
From the sky he noticed Shedinja diving down once more. Serena's first caught zooming behind, launching out a barrage of poison stingers straight down.
Swooping near the ground, he levelled out and started circling the circumference. With the toxic pins sticking in the ground as Beedrill pursued faster.
His stingers glew with bug type energy. Having an even flying field, he noticed the speed at which Beedrill approached Shedinja.
Making a tight turn through the opposing bug off but he took a wider berth. Closing the distance, Beedrill smashed his stingers into the shed Pokémon.
Knocking him sideways, Beedrill continued forwards. Mere inches away from Absol who continued his assault on Sableye. The darkness Pokémon delivered a punch to the face, momentarily stunning the disaster Pokémon. With Beedrill delivering the full force fell stinger into his side.
Absol went sideways and rolled on the floor, swirls replacing his eyes. While Serena recalled her dark type, her first caught took off higher.
A light shimmered over his body as his buzzing became more aggressive. His glanced off to the side, and both ghost types regrouped. His eyes shot towards the honey-blonde trainer, and she holds out her key stone, "respond to my heart and mind, Beedrill! Mega evolve!"
Beams of light radiated out from her hand and the marble on Beedrill's head. The two strands connected in the air and a sort of crystal ball formed around the bug poison type. Continuing to fly around, the light display cracked and out shot a new form. The antennae were shorter and T-shaped, with longer and sleeker eyes. He now had three pairs of wings and the uppermost pair were larger with a black trim along the top. The stingers became longer and larger, resembling lances. Additional conical, black-and-yellow stingers with white tips took the place of his legs. With the abdomen larger, grooved and attached to the thorax by a black structure. A similar black structure connected the head and thorax. While his stinger on the abdomen was more of a pale yellow, and it now had black stripes over the entire body. As he zoomed around, Max's mouth dropped slightly at the pure aggression and speed.
Making a direct turn, the two arm-stingers stuck out and glew with dark type energy. Shooting straight down, he crashed into Shedinja. Sending the bug ghost type down into the ground, Beedrill pulled back up into the sky and out of Sableye's reach. Leaving the shed Pokémon on the ground, knocked out.
"So, you figured out Shedinja's little trick?" Phoebe asked, recalling her fallen Pokémon.
"We looked up the species beforehand," she replied, "both my Pokémon knew what it would take."
"Why wait then?" she asked.
"Beedrill likes to warm up and test out his opponents." She shrugged. "Playing ignorant allowed him to do it without raising suspicion."
"Interesting." She mused. The dark aura from taunt broke off from around Sableye. "Guess it's time to truly see what your made off then."
"Beedrill!" She shouted, realising Phoebe stalled out the taunt from Absol.
Taking a wide berth in the air, he shot straight down. Several balls of will-o-wisp shot out towards him.
A barrage of purple stingers shot down, piecing and destroying the blue fire. Raining down over the field, Sableye crossed her arms to protect her face.
Extending the larger wings, he closed in nearer the ground. With a swift flash of light in the ghost dark types eyes, Phoebe's Pokémon lept to the side. She rolled onto one knee, narrowly avoiding the onslaught from their opponent.
Zooming over the ground, blades of grass went flying up as he took the wide berth. Coming in from the back, his stingers glew with a bright purple colour.
Spinning on a heel, Sableye charged straight ahead. With a leap, he performed a forward roll and landed on Beedrill's back
"Why hasn't Phoebe mega evolved her Sableye yet?" he asked no-one imparticular.
The poison bee Pokémon turned and rocketed up into the air. Quickly disappearing from sight, his eyes lingered on Phoebe who slightly tilted her head.
"She could be making a statement," Brock muttered, "but I'm sure she knows what she's doing."
He turned his attention upwards and noticed a blue fire eruption which he could only assume came from will-o-wisp. His teeth sunk into his bottom lip.
"That's what worries me," Ash added.
Several dots fell from the sky, and he noticed several white balls slowly lowering down back to the floor. With Sableye hopping along them as if to step down like self-made staircase. Although the sight of a burning Beedrill appeared shooting straight down.
His pincers smashed down through one of the power gems. Causing Sableye to stumble slightly, she moved and crouched.
Diving off the platform, she shot down towards Beedrill who stopped and turned to face her. A blue ball of psychic energy covered her head.
Smashing straight into Beedrill, he paused, and the darkness Pokémon bounced off. Landing safely on the ground with a stylish pose.
Above them, Serena's first Pokémon started thrashing around. Loud cries filled with anger echoed around them.
"Beedrill! You need to keep calm!" She called out. "Rampage!"
Stopping in his movements, Beedrill seemed to take a deep breath. Lowering himself back down, he hovered just in front of Serena, who gave him a small smile. Giving him a small nod, he turned back around and faced Sableye once more.
"You was able to calm him down that easily?" Phoebe asked.
"He had issues with anger after evolving," she shrugged, "so we came up with a safe word. If he starts acting out, then I say it and he knows to calm down."
"Interesting," she mused, "guess we have our answer Sableye, let's finish it."
As if her own Pokémon, Beedrill took the instruction. His stingers glew with bug type energy as he charged at their opponent.
Sableye slid on her side and went under the bug poison type. A dark type aura radiated around her. Reaching up, she grabbed the stinger and kicked his body, flipping the poison bee Pokémon over. Crashing him into the floor with his own momentum adding to the impact.
A light engulfed Serena's first caught Pokémon and he reverted back to his normal form on his back. Swirls replacing his eyes with her running over. He took off with the others, meeting the two girls near the Pokémon who just battled hard.
"You've raised Beedrill very well, Serena, and he controlled the power boost very well," she commented, "it was shaky for a moment, but you pulled it off."
"But we didn't win," she muttered, "you didn't even need to mega evolve Sableye."
"That's because mega evolution, along with giving a massive power boost, can drastically change a fight style," she explained, "Sableye's ability changes and she becomes far less mobile. Against an opponent like Beedrill, it would've only been a hindrance. And who says this was about winning?"
"What'cha mean?" he asked.
"I was testing to see if Serena should use mega Beedrill without superior guidance. Considering how she calmed him down and how they conducted themselves, I don't see why she shouldn't." Phoebe smiled. "This battle was never about seeing if you could match an elite four member."
"So will you show us mega Sableye?" Ash asked.
"Sure," Phoebe shrugged, "if you end up making it that far in the emerald league. We'll gladly knock you and your mega Aerodactyl out of the challenge."
"Hey!"
"Hehehe, don't start a fight Ash," Serena giggled, having recalled her Beedrill. Sableye climbed up and rested on Phoebe's back, poking her head over the elite four members shoulder. "Remember that we've got a lot more to do before the Hoenn league even starts."
"Your spending some time in Lilycove, right?" Phoebe asked.
"Yeah," May interjected. "I've got a contest and Serena a showcase."
"Since Lilycove is a major city, we thought it would be a good place to hang out before we go traveling the ocean," Brock explained.
"Then I'll probably see you around since I'm a special judge used in each of those competitions," she smiled, "just don't any special treatment, 'kay."
Bidding the ghost type specialist once more, the group made their way out with Brock's new Sableye leading the way. He couldn't help but smile whilst surrounded by all three members of his team. Now he's battled and caught a Pokémon on his own... it's like one of the first steps of being a real trainer.
Thanks for reading... Please Favourite, Follow and Review. Also, feel free to ask any questions through PM, I will answer them all, although don't expect too big of spoilers. Don't forget to vote in the polls. I really appreciate the support. Thank you and see ya next time...