Chapter 6 — Unexpected Confrontation
Shalour City, nestled between the rugged cliffs and crashing waves of the Azure Bay, was a place of both beauty and tradition. But for Korrina, the time had come to leave her hometown behind and embark on the great Pokémon tournament. She cast a last glance at the Tower of Mastery looming in the distance, momentarily isolated from the rest of the coastal town. When the tide rose, the waterproof bridge leading to it was swamped for a couple of hours.
As she'd expected, Gurkinn didn't bother to give her any encouraging words before her departure. Actually, she hadn't seen him since last night. She sighed, her expression clouding with a hint of sadness. Just as she was about to walk away, clattering hooves caught her attention. Then she spotted old Ramos riding up on a Gogoat's back, clutching its long horns for better guidance. The botanist approached her with a friendly smile, his weathered face reflecting years of wisdom and experience.
"Korrina, my dear, looks like I'm just in time to wish you good luck," he said, halting his green mount beside the young girl. "The journey ahead of you is long and challenging, but it's also a time for growth and discovery. Don't let the weight of your family's legacy hold you back. You've got the heart of a true trainer, never forget that."
Korrina nodded, grateful for his words. "Thank you, Ramos. I needed to hear that."
"My pleasure. Now I must hurry back to Coumarine City, my first gym matches are scheduled for tomorrow and I still have much to do. Gogoat, yip yip !"
The Grass-type Pokémon instantly galloped off at full speed, vanishing into the landscape in a flash. With renewed resolve, Korrina took a deep breath and set off down the road heading for Santalune City. The salty breeze of Azure Bay ruffled her long blond hair as she gazed out at the horizon. It was time to set out on her own path.
"This is it," she muttered to herself, feeling a sense of excitement building within. "No looking back now."
As if on cue, Korrina retrieved a Poké Ball from her belt. She knew it was the perfect time to call upon her team's flagship Pokémon, the one that had been her partner through thick and thin. With a deft toss, the white-and-red sphere burst open, and in a flash of light, a majestic Lucario emerged. Its aura sensors flared to life, capturing its trainer's determination and readiness for the trials ahead.
Korrina smiled at her loyal companion. "Alright, Lucario, time to stretch those legs and show Kalos what we're made of." The canine-like Pokémon met her gaze with a nod, ready to face the challenges and adventures that awaited them. "Let victory be ours."
The Santalune City stadium stood in all its grandeur, eagerly awaiting the challengers and spectators who would soon fill its seats. This oval edifice was a marvel of architectural ingenuity, resembling a colossal Ariados' web that sprawled across the landscape. This unique design was a fitting testament to the local gym leader who called it second home—Viola, known for ensnaring opponents in her web of tactics and never letting them escape. Once caught in her net, trainers would find no respite until they had fallen foul of her formidable insect Pokémon.
As Viola strolled through the expansive battlefield, she couldn't help but appreciate the atmosphere of anticipation that hung in the air. It was a place where countless battles would be waged, where dreams would be tested and champions would maybe emerge. Although, if the fair-haired woman wished to retain her reputation and position, she'd better keep this amount to a minimum. Viola's keen eyes were drawn to the statues of Galvantula that adorned the building's four corners. Though many found these electrifying bug creatures frightening, Viola simply disagreed and thought they were oddly adorable. She snapped a few photos, capturing their essence as she roamed the field.
For now, the stadium remained closed to the public. Diligent workers bustled about, conducting final checks to ensure that all safety standards were met before welcoming the nearly fifty thousand enthusiastic spectators. Viola watched with interest as the whole crew went about their work, each of them tackling their task with precision, like a colony of Beedrill fulfilling their duty to keep their hives in tip-top condition. This stadium was thus a giant beehive, with Viola as its current queen. She felt quite proud by this comparison, and would fight with all her might to keep it alive.
Among the security measures, the public protection system was of paramount importance. To guarantee this, each stadium was equipped with a machine that generated an invisible force field between the battling zone and the audience bleachers, safeguarding them if a Pokémon's attack veered in their direction. As Malva was fond of quipping : no laxity about securing our main sources of income. Even the slightest accident could wipe out substantial profits, so better safe than sorry.
Viola knew that this ingenious invention was the result of a collaboration between Lysandre Labs and Stern Dassault, having assisted her big sister during a reporting trip where she'd interviewed both companies' heads on the topic. This technological masterpiece was remarkably powerful, stopping almost any kind of threat. Whether electric blasts, flame-throwers or energy bombs, nothing could get through. Viola could bet that this device would soon evolve to serve the military interests of her country.
Just then, the foreman approached the blonde photographer. He was a pudgy, mustachioed man dressed in blue overalls and a red cap. "Gym Leader Viola, we're okay to run the test. Ready when you are," he said with a thumbs-up.
Viola grinned while unhooking a Poké Ball from her belt, always eager for a bit of action. "All right, let's see what this force field's got up its sleeve," she replied, tossing her little sphere aloft.
A Surskit came out and materialized in a red light. It was a nimble arachnid Pokémon known for its graceful skating on water and its high velocity. Observing how the Pokémon waited orders from its trainer, the foreman grabbed his talkie-walkie to remotely instruct one of his colleagues to switch on the system. No sooner said than done, and the invisible barrier became tangible in the air, morphing into a shielding dome.
"Surskit, we have a job to do," Viola sweetly warned him, pointing her finger at the protective screen's invisible surface. "Use Ice Beam in that direction."
The arachnid Pokémon chirped in approval, its large, expressive eyes stared at its target. It pumped energy into his antenna, which glowed with a bluish aura. Then a brilliant icy laser pulse blasted out, hitting the force field with precision. The invisible barrier rippled and shimmered as Surskit's launching strike collided with it. For a fleeting instant, it seemed as though the attack might pierce through. But then, to the workers' relief, the force field held firm. The Ice Beam came to an abrupt halt and dissipated harmlessly, leaving the protective shield unscathed.
"Wonderful !" the foreman raved. "Everything's running like clockwork. I'll let the management staff know they can open the stadium," he added, moving away to pass on the information.
Viola squatted down to pat her Pokémon affectionately. "Fantastique, my friend. Your accuracy and control are impeccable, just like I knew they would be. I'm counting on you to perform just as well on the battlefield."
As the edifice's gates prepared to swing open and the first challengers readied themselves for their upcoming matches, the gym leader felt a surge of excitement. The web of challenges that awaited her and the trainers who sought her badge was about to unfurl, and she was eager to see who would get entangled and who would emerge victorious. She aimed to embrace all her opponents with open arms, but always with her lens focused on victory.
Jude was deep in workout with his trusty Froakie. As his second Pokémon was still helping Serena, he could devote his whole attention to the blue frog. He was determined to help his loyal Pokémon accumulate as much experience as possible before its first gym battles. The wide clearing was an ideal training ground, large enough for the fivesome to practice without getting in each other's way. To check Froakie's improvement, Jude motioned it to a huge boulder nearby, its rough surface glistening with foam.
"Alright, Froakie," Jude encouraged, his voice filled with determination. "Let's see how much power you've gained. Hit that rock with everything you've got."
The frog nodded, a glimmer of resolution shining in its eyes. With a leap that defied gravity, it soared into the air, a shroud of aquatic energy enveloping its form. As it descended upon the boulder, its leg extended like a hammer blow, and with a resounding impact, the rock shattered into a shower of fragments. Quick on his feet, Jude executed a nimble cartwheel to avoid the countless pieces of debris scattering in all directions. He felt an immense sense of pride in his Froakie's newfound strength boost.
"Incredible, buddy ! You're getting stronger every day. Your brute force is perfect, now let's work on your speed and ranged attacks."
As he patted Froakie's head, a rustling in the bushes caught his attention. Shauna emerged from the foliage, her hand rubbing her head painfully. A small piece of rock had found its target, and she winced as she approached the dynamic duo. "Ouch… Hey you two, why don't you make sure there's no one around before unleashing the fire, eh ?"
Jude and his Pokémon stared briefly at each other, looking a little abashed and baffled. "Sorry about that, Shauna," Froakie's owner apologized. "I thought we'd moved far enough away to train without bothering anyone."
Shauna waved off the apology, her curiosity piqued. "Well, speaking of training, I could use your help, dude. I've been trying to improve Chespin's Vine Whip attack, make it more precise. Think you can assist us ?"
Jude considered the request for a few seconds before a spark of inspiration lit up his eyes. "I have an idea. What if we combine our exercises ? Froakie can send out mud shots, and Chespin can practice hitting them with its Vine Whip. It'll help with both accuracy and timing."
Froakie hopped over to join Chespin, and the two Pokémon exchanged friendly nods. This practice plan also seemed to suit Shauna, who promptly agreed. The two trainers ventured even further, making sure they wouldn't accidentally injure their friends during sparring. They made their way up the clearing until reaching the edge of a dense forest. The soft rustling of leaves and the soothing chirping of wild Pokémon flowed from it.
"Let's stop here, better not to be hindered by trees for this workout," Jude suggested.
They positioned themselves a distance away from each other, with both their respective Pokémon. Jude lowered his arm to give the signal, and Froakie launched the first projectile soaring into the sky, a glob of muck spinning through the air. Chespin's leaves rustled as it sprang into action, its green vines lashing out with precision. The vines swirled upwards, striking the mud pellet with pinpoint precision, cutting it into a fine mist.
Shauna cheered in delight. "That's it, Chespin, keep it up !"
Froakie released several more sludge balls straight ahead, slightly increasing the throw speed with each shot. The grass-type Pokémon handled himself well, landing the moving targets on most occasions, even if the pace gradually became a bit too fast for him. As the training session reached its peak, Froakie launched a particularly forceful Mud Shot. Chespin miscalculated the trajectory, and the brown lump slipped past its whips, deflecting into the woods nearby. Unbeknownst to the trainers, the errant projectile struck a wild Vespiquen lurking among the trees. The sudden impact sent the bee Pokémon into a frenzy. With an enraged buzz, Vespiquen burst forth from the forest, its compound eyes locked onto the source of the disturbance.
Shauna's eyes widened in astonishment and concern as this furious wild Pokémon charged toward them. The young trainer had little time to react but wasted none. "Chespin, use Leech Seed, quick !" she commanded.
Her Pokémon responded swiftly, releasing a cluster of seeds that unfurled into a tangle of roots and vines, creating a living barrier to ensnare Vespiquen. The wild Pokémon struggled within the leafy prison, but the Leech Seed held fast, sapping its strength. Shauna briefly hoped for victory, but despite her trap, the bug Pokémon was not one to be underestimated. With a furious flurry of wings, it summoned a gust of wind that buffeted the vines and roots, causing them to loosen. Vespiquen managed to break free from the vegetal snare, its royal determination evident.
Chespin, resolute to protect its trainer, followed Shauna's next order, "Now, Rollout !"
The grass-type Pokémon tucked into a ball, spinning rapidly as it launched itself toward the enraged Vespiquen. When the jarring impact echoed, Shauna hoped this cannonball would be enough to stun the flying creature. Unfortunately, the result was anything but. Vespiquen swiftly intercepted Chespin's charge, its mandibles snapping shut around the poor, vulnerable Pokémon. Fear washed over Shauna as she saw her beloved Pokémon caught in this deadly vice. Chespin cried out in distress as the jaws squeezed him tighter and tighter, menacing to slice his body apart.
"Hey, stop that !" she shouted frantically, unsuccessfully trying to return her Pokémon to its spherical home. "Leave him alone, you bastard !"
But before the situation could take a dire turn, Jude's Pokémon came to the rescue. Froakie leaped into the fray, its leg pulled back for a powerful roundhouse kick. He smashed Vespiquen's jaw, forcing it to release Chespin. Shauna caught her Pokémon before it tumbled to the grassy ground and examined it. It had two long, but fortunately shallow, gashes on its hips. She could easily treat them with some disinfectant potions and bandages.
"Chespin, are you okay ?" Though shaken, the grass-type Pokémon responded with a nod, ready to continue the battle if necessary. "Fine, let me heal you, I've got just the thing."
Meanwhile, Froakie kept the bee Pokémon busy by confronting it. Vespiquen expelled a cloud of poisonous thorns from its multiple stingers toward Froakie, each deadly purple spine hurtling through the air with a sinister hiss. Jude's quick reflexes came into play as he shouted his command, "Counter with your water shuriken !"
The azure frog responded swiftly, summoning energy into its palm and forming it into several razor-sharp aquatic blades. With a flick of its wrist, Froakie sent the Water Shuriken spinning toward the incoming stings. The two attacks clashed in mid-air, causing a cacophony of explosive bursts. The needles disintegrated into harmless droplets of venom, as did the water slices, which fell back into small puddles. With its ranged offense now thwarted, Vespiquen changed tactics and directly engaged its prey, its sharp mandibles soaked in a toxic substance.
Froakie's natural assets were his small size and his innate batrachian swiftness. This allowed him gracefully danced around Vespiquen's charges, narrowly avoiding each attack. However, Jude couldn't win if his Pokémon only dodged, especially as it would gradually wear itself out and eventually get hit. Knowing that Vespiquen's venom was lethal and that he had no antidote on him, the slightest contact would sound the death knell. Jude watched the battle unfold, his mind racing with strategy. He knew he needed to create an opening to slow it down and gain the upper hand.
"That's it, I got an idea. Froakie, use Water Pulse !" Jude called out. "Aim mainly for its wings !"
The blue frog gathered energy within its mouth, releasing it in a powerful torrent hurled squarely at Vespiquen. The vortex slammed into the bee Pokémon, creating a maelstrom of aquatic force. The flying bug valiantly withstood the blow, but its wings, now heavy with water, became its undoing. This weighed it down a lot, hampering its ability to move fast and maneuver. The plan had worked well.
"Froakie, unleash yourself as in training," his trainer instantly prodded him. "Don't let it dry out and strike it relentlessly !"
As Vespiquen struggled to stay airborne, Jude's Pokémon seized the opportunity. His fringed collar glowed with a piercing light, and from it, he conjured two gleaming laser daggers which he nimbly twirled between his fingers. He darted forward, attacking with relentless speed and precision. Disabled by its wet wings, Vespiquen couldn't evade the stabbing jabs. The daggers struck true, causing the queen bee to cry out in pain. It was cornered, unable to defend itself effectively.
Realizing the fight was no longer in its favor, Vespiquen made a hasty decision. With a final, defiant buzz, it turned and retreated, disappearing into the depths of the forest. In the aftermath of this hectic duel, the rural surroundings seemed to exhale a sigh of relief. Chest puffed out, Froakie took a victorious pause, his triumphant expression reflecting the hard-fought victory.
"Bravo my friend, you've been amazing, a true modern-day samurai," Jude congratulated him by giving him a tasty Oran Berry, something the azure frog was particularly fond of.
Shauna joined in, her prized Pokémon seated on her shoulder, still recovering from the battle. "Absolutely, Jude. Thanks to you and Froakie, Chespin is safe, and we're all okay."
"Chespin looks well, that's reassuring," Jude noted with a relieved look. "I was afraid Vespiquen could have poisoned him."
Shauna nodded, offering a reassuring smile. "I was scared too, but luckily Chespin escaped with just a few shallow cuts. I was able to disinfect and bandage them. He'll be back to his usual self in no time."
As they shared a moment of relief and reflection, an unexpected phenomenon occurred. An intense light began to emanate from Froakie's body, bathing the glade in a soft, otherworldly glow. Jude and Shauna watched in astonishment as Froakie's form started to change and mutate. The frog's body expanded, its limbs elongated, and its fringed frills transformed into streamlined crests. The light grew brighter, enveloping Froakie's entire silhouette. It was a breathtaking sight, the very essence of evolution unfolding before their eyes.
The radiance eventually faded, revealing a new and proud form. Froakie was no longer the same. It had evolved into a Frogadier. Jude's eyes widened in awe, his heart swelling with admiration for his loyal Pokémon. "Froakie, you've made it, you've evolved !"
Frogadier stood tall, its newfound power and grace evident in every movement. It croaked with delight, a sound of joy that filled the meadow. Shauna clapped her hands in excitement, while Chespin squealed with praise. "Congratulations, Jude. Your Pokémon is so classy like that !"
Jude couldn't contain his happiness as he knelt down to Frogadier's level, a wide grin on his face. "You've earned this, buddy. I'm very proud of you."
But the celebration was short-lived, interrupted by a new disturbance echoing from the scrubby woods. This caused Frogadier to tense up, his eyes sparkling with vigilance and ready to use his increased strength to defend his fellow adventurers. If another unfriendly Pokémon wanted to take a beating, he'd be there. However, to their immense relief, the new arrival didn't carry the air of aggression that Vespiquen had. Instead, emerging from the foliage, there was a small, non-threatening Combee. It hovered gently, its multiple eyes glistening with curiosity rather than hostility.
Jude was quick to deduce the situation. "Now I understand why Vespiquen spied and raided us. Her hive can't be far away and she must have feared we were a threat to her colony. This Combee is probably one of her workers."
Shauna couldn't help but notice something about this particular Combee, notably by the wobbly way it fluttered. It appeared wounded and in need of assistance. "Oh, poor thing." She approached it slowly and gently, mindful not to make any sudden gestures. "Hey, there..." she spoke soothingly to the weakened honeycomb Pokémon. "You look like you could use some help. Can I take a look at your injuries ?"
The Combee, though wary at first, seemed to sense Shauna's kind intentions. It cautiously allowed her to inspect its injuries, buzzing softly as she applied a healing potion and salves. The gentle treatment seemed to put the Combee at ease. As Shauna tended to the Combee, the small Pokémon's eyes sparkled with gratitude. It chirped in a friendly manner, expressing its happiness at being cared for.
"Here you go, it should mend quickly and you'll feel better. You can head back in peace now, but please be careful." However, her patient clearly had other plans. As Shauna attempted to move away, the yellow Pokémon clung to her, unwilling to let go. It appeared to have formed a bond with the trainer who had shown it kindness in its time of need. Shauna's heart melted at the sight. "You're a sweet little thing, aren't you ? Would you like to come with me ? You'll be safe, and I'll make you strong."
Combee's response was immediate and filled with joy. It buzzed happily and nuzzled against Shauna's cheek, as if to accept her offer. No doubt it wasn't enjoying life in its colony, and it longed for something different, something less monotonous and more stimulating. "So it's official, welcome to the family. With me as your trainer, you'll surpass your former queen's toughness in no time," Shauna boasted with a wink.
"Well done Shauna, with this second Pokémon your team is large enough to face Viola," Jude complimented her. "This Combee is a female, as evidenced by the red triangle on its central alveolus. Which means she'll grow into a mighty Vespiquen if you train her properly."
"Really ? So cool, I can't wait to see this. As for Chespin, it shouldn't be too long before he evolves into a Quilladin, which will give him the extra oomph he needs to score victory in his first competitive match."
"That's all the good I wish for him. Now we'd better get back to the rest of our group. We've gone far and they're probably concerned."
The trainer duo immediately retraced their steps, their faithful Pokémon walking or flying alongside them. Shauna was excited to introduce her new ally to her traveling pals and Frogadier was proud to walk in the footsteps of Raichu and Noivern by evolving as well. Now, he was definitely ready to step up a gear by facing the Kalos Gym Leaders' elite guard.
Just like Jude, Alain had risen at the crack of dawn. Before leaving, he wanted to finish his contribution concerning the Pokémon fossil resurrection project. The job was now wrapped up, and the best-restored samples had been transferred to the museum by late morning. Currently, the young man had retired to his private quarters to plan his journey peacefully. Alain's staff bedroom on the laboratory's top floor was spartan and functional, much like the trainer himself. He moved with precision and purpose, carrying in his bag only the bare essentials for the challenging journey that lay ahead.
Clothes, Poké Balls, a few potions, and his trusty Mega Stone—these were the tools of his trade. Alain knew that the road to conquering the eight badges of Kalos and securing a place in the Pokémon League would be arduous, and he intended to travel light and fast. With his bag packed and slung over his shoulder, Alain descended the stairs to the ground floor, where Mister Augustine Sycamore was waiting for him. The professor offered a supportive smile, expressing a mix of pride and encouragement. While it was regrettable to lose such a good assistant, it would be an even greater shame to cut out such a promising candidate for the competition.
"Alain, my boy, I wish you the best of luck in the tournament," the professor said warmly. "I trust you'll quickly make a name for yourself, and I hope you emerge victorious."
Alain thanked him solemnly, just like a trainee grateful to his master for having taught him so much. He knew this championship was a crucial step in fulfilling his ultimate goal—climb to the highest echelons of the Kalos hierarchy and become the new Elite 4 commander. Suddenly, Alain was taken aback by an unexpected presence. Mr. Lysandre, the enigmatic and influential figure who was regularly on every magazine cover, stood tall and bold before him. Even for a poker face like Alain, facing such a character was destabilizing.
The august red-bearded man extended his hand with a genial smile. "I presume you're Alain. It's a pleasure to finally meet you in the flesh," he said with a voice that carried an air of authority and respect. "I also wanted to offer my best wishes before you leave."
Alain found himself searching for words, something he almost never did. The founder of Lysandre Labs, a scientist known for his brilliance and innovation, and one of Kalos' biggest fortunes had taken the time to personally lend him his backing. Alain knew that Mr. Lysandre had chosen to sponsor him in the upcoming tournament, but he hadn't expected the man himself to appear, considering how busy and overloaded the entrepreneur typically was. Until then, he had only kept in touch with the CEO by e-mail or via his company's administrators.
Finally, Alain shook Lysandre's hand, his surprise giving way to recognition. "Thank you, Mr. Lysandre. Your support means a lot to me."
The businessman continued, his tone earnest. "As a symbol of our partnership, accept this gift."
With a graceful gesture, Lysandre produced a Poké Ball from his pocket and released the Pokémon within. A small orange lizard appeared, its flame-tipped tail flickering with anticipation. Alain immediately recognized a Charmander, a highly popular Pokémon in the Kanto region, but a rarity here in Kalos. This Fire-type creature was renowned for its indomitable spirit and fierce determination. It was an ally of immense value, and Alain recognized it as such.
"Hi, little one," Alain greeted gently as his gaze met the Charmander's. "It seems our paths are intertwined now." In that moment, an unspoken bond formed. He extended his hand, and the Charmander nuzzled it affectionately. It was as if the Pokémon had chosen him as much as he had chosen it. "Thank you, Mr. Lysandre. I will take good care of Charmander and raise it to be an unstoppable champion, I promise."
Lysandre smiled, a rare expression of warmth on his face. "I have no doubt you will. Remember, our partnership is built on trust, and I believe you have a bright future ahead. Make the most of this opportunity."
Alain respectfully bowed to the two men and set off, his new companion perched on his shoulder, the flames of destiny burning brightly within them. The road to success lay ahead of them, a road they were prepared to tackle with all its obstacles.
To be continued