Vajk's day at Pokéschool had been nothing short of humbling. After the initial excitement of his dramatic morning, he found himself drowning in the sea of complex calculations and strategies. The lesson on Status moves and the probability of various scenarios happening during battles had his brain frying like an overcooked Magikarp. "God damn," he thought to himself, "when the hell am I ever going to use this crap?" He could barely order his Pokémon in the heat of the moment, let alone have the time to think about such nuanced strategies... He still has a long way to go... way longer than he expected.
Ronin, however, had been a reassuring presence. They studied together after Pokéschool, Ronin's calm demeanor and clear explanations helping to untangle the knots in Vajk's mind. Despite the day's frustrations, Vajk couldn't help but feel a small sense of gratitude for his friend.
As they packed up their books and prepared to leave the school grounds, Vajk grumbled under his breath, "I swear, if I hear one more thing about status ailments, I'm gonna lose it. Like, really, paralysis, poison... confusion? Who gives a shit?"
Ronin chuckled softly, shaking his head. "Y-You know, it's actually pretty useful if you can m-master it. Just g-give it some time."
"Yeah, yeah," Vajk muttered, still feeling the sting of today's lessons. "I'll leave the master plans to you, bud. I'll stick to what I know."
As they walked home, something strange caught Vajk's attention. Somewhere in the distance, out of the city, there were faint, eerie cries. The sound was unlike anything he had heard before—a mix of roars and crashes that sent a shiver down his spine. He stopped in his tracks, straining to listen.
"Hey, Ronin," Vajk said, his voice low. "Do you hear that?"
Ronin paused, tilting his head to listen. The strange noises continued, distant but unmistakable. "Y-Yeah, I hear it. S-Sounds like... trouble."
Vajk's curiosity flared. "Should we check it out?"
Ronin shook his head firmly. "N-No way. It's p-probably just some W-Wild Pokémon. We should j-just ignore it."
Vajk's brow furrowed in frustration as Ronin dismissed the idea of checking out the mysterious noises. "What? Are you kidding me?" he exclaimed, gesturing wildly towards the distant sounds. "Did you not hear that? That was no ordinary Pokémon, Ronin! That sounded like some serious, crazy stuff going down out there." And it also sounded quite familiar to Vajk... wonder from where?
Vajk let out a dramatic, exaggerated sigh, his shoulders slumping in an overly theatrical display of frustration. "Fiiiine, fine! I was just kidding, geez," he groused, throwing his hands up in the air as if the weight of the world was resting squarely on his shoulders.
Ronin watched his friend's melodramatic antics with a mixture of amusement and exasperation. "V-Vajk, you know I'm just looking out for us, right?" he said, placing a reassuring hand on Vajk's arm. "We're just kids - we don't know what kind of crazy stuff could be out there."
Vajk rolled his eyes dramatically, as if the very notion of caution was physically painful for him to contemplate. "Yeah, yeah, I know, I know." He paused for a moment, a mischievous grin slowly spreading across his face. "But I mean, come on, it's not like I'm that dumb, right?" He punctuated the statement with a playful jab to Ronin's ribs.
Ronin let out a small chuckle, shaking his head in fond exasperation. "Well, you certainly have your moments, Vajk," he teased. Then, his expression grew slightly more serious. "B-But seriously, l-let's just... maybe not go investigating anything too c-crazy, okay? I-I'd rather not end up as an U-Ursaring food or something."
Vajk's restless energy was still bubbling over like a shaken-up soda bottle as he thinks back where he came from he heard that roar... But he doesn't quite sure what it caused. He tapped his chin thoughtfully, brow furrowed in mock concentration as he thought while he walked next to Ronin. 'Hmm, let me think...oh, I know! That viny little Tangela thingy, right?' He snapped his fingers triumphantly, a lopsided grin spreading across his face.
'Yeah, that's the one! But, uh... it didn't make that sound...' Vajk's expression grew momentarily perplexed as he strained to recall the other mysterious creature. He waved a dismissive hand, the grin returning. 'Eh, whatever. It was probably nothing important if I can't even remember what it was,' thought to himself as he smiled like he did an excellent job...
AN EXCELLENT JOB IN FUCKING FORGETTING THE MAIN REASON YOU ARE HERE, YOU GOD DAMN INBRED FUCK! BRUH, I HAD TO BREAK THE FOURTH WALL HE IS SO PAINFULLY DUMB, I'M SORRY!
As they continued their walk home, the cries of destruction slowly faded into the background, leaving an uneasy silence in their wake. Vajk couldn't shake the feeling that something significant was happening out there, beyond the city limits. He made a mental note to keep his ears open for any news.
The rest of their walk was uneventful, and soon they were back at Vajk's house. They settled into their usual study routine, going over the day's lessons and preparing for the next.
But even as Vajk tried to focus on his books, his mind kept wandering back to those strange, distant cries. What could it have been?
x-x-x
A FEW HOURS BEFORE
As the sun's dying rays painted the sky in a breathtaking array of oranges and reds, the rugged landscape of Mt. Moon seemed to come alive with an otherworldly beauty. The craggy peaks and jagged cliffs cast long, twisted shadows across the land, like the grasping fingers of some ancient, slumbering giant. And there, amidst this wild and untamed wilderness, a lone figure stood out like a dark blot on a canvas of light.
He was a man who seemed to be carved from the very shadows themselves, his black jacket and cargo pants blending seamlessly with the gathering darkness. The word "NEO" blazed upon his back in a fierce, bloody red, a stark contrast to the muted earth tones of the mountain. His amber sunglasses glinted with an almost predatory light, reflecting the dying embers of the sun and concealing the eyes that lay behind them.
As he moved, the man seemed to become one with the landscape, his booted feet treading lightly upon the rugged terrain. Each step was carefully measured, each movement precisely controlled, as if he were a hunter stalking his prey. He paused, his head tilting slightly as he surveyed the area with a critical eye. The wind whipped at his hair, stirring the short, neatly trimmed beard that framed his angular jaw. In the fading light, his features seemed almost carved from stone, a mask of perfect composure and unreadable intention.
With a fluid, almost casual motion with a slight annoyance carved into his face, he reached into his jacket pocket and withdrew a small, silver case. The dying light glinted off its polished surface, casting a faint, reddish glow across his face as he flicked it open with a practiced motion. Inside, nestled within a bed of dark velvet, lay a single cigar. He lifted it to his lips, the rich scent of tobacco mingling with the crisp, mountain air, and struck a match. The flame crackled to life, illuminating his features for a brief moment before he brought it to the cigar's tip, inhaling deeply and exhaling a plume of smoke that drifted lazily upwards, blending with the evening mist.
"Bloody hell," he muttered to himself, his voice a low, gravelly whisper that seemed to harmonize with the mountain's ancient song. "I've already looked around almost all the caves and fissures, but still nothing. Tonight has to be different."
He moved forward, his eyes narrowing as he caught sight of a new path, one he hadn't explored before. It wound its way up the side of a steep incline, leading to a large crater-like depression in the mountain's surface. As he approached, his keen eyes spotted something that made him stop in his tracks.
In the center of the crater, a Tyranitar family was gathered. The mother, a towering beast of muscle and scale, watched over her two playful Larvitars with a protective gaze. The young ones tumbled and wrestled, their joyous cries echoing off the cavern walls. The man watched them for a moment, a faint smile playing at the corners of his mouth.
As the mysterious figure in black stalked forward, the crackling of his cigar and the crunch of his boots against the rocky terrain were the only sounds that broke the eerie silence of Mt. Moon. His eyes scanned the area intently, searching for any signs of the precious gems he had come to claim.
"Bloody sensors," he grumbled under his breath, his brow furrowed in frustration. "Should've known that blasted device would draw too much attention. Tyranitar territory, this is - can't be going around making a racket like that." He took a long, slow drag from his cigar, the smoke curling around his face as he exhaled.
"But the readings were clear as day - this crater, this very spot, should be teeming with the Rock and Dark Gems I need." He paused, his gaze sweeping across the vast depression in the mountainside. "And the Ground Gems as well, if I'm not mistaken. All the right conditions, all the signs were there."
Carefully, he edged closer to the lip of the crater, his movements practiced and controlled. He could see the massive Tyranitar matriarch keeping a watchful eye over her young, their playful cries echoing off the rocky walls. "Can't afford to disturb the beasts," he muttered, his lips twisting into a wry smile. "Not this time, at least. I've had my fill of Tyranitar battles for a lifetime..."
With a deep breath, he continued his slow, cautious advance, his mind racing as he devised a plan to infiltrate the cave without drawing the attention of the formidable creatures. "If I can just slip past unnoticed, I'll have those gems in no time. The world championships are just around the corner, and every trainer worth their salt will be desperate for an edge. These beauties could fetch a fortune, both on the open market and the black."
With a deep breath, the shadowy figure continued his slow, cautious advance, his mind racing as he devised a plan to infiltrate the cave without drawing the attention of the formidable creatures. Shadows clung to him like a second skin as he moved, his eyes never leaving the Tyranitar family. The matriarch's gaze was vigilant, a protective instinct that had been honed over countless generations. But the playful antics of the Larvitars offered brief moments of distraction, precious seconds that he could exploit.
He waited his body as still as the ancient stones that surrounded him. Each breath was measured, and each heartbeat was carefully controlled. Patience was a virtue he had mastered long ago, all he did was to wait... wait until he was powerful enough to start his scheme. All those years, stretch back to his childhood... he just waited... until now.
He watched as the Larvitars tumbled and played, their joyous cries echoing off the cavern walls. And then, as if the hand of fate itself had intervened, the younglings scampered off, their mother's gaze following them for a precious instant.
It was all the opportunity he needed.
With a fluid, almost feline grace, he slipped forward, his footsteps silent on the rocky ground. The shadows seemed to wrap around him, concealing his presence from the watchful eyes of the Tyranitar. As he neared the cave entrance, a sinister smile spread across his face, his eyes glinting with a malevolent light.
"This is it," he thought, his mind racing with dark possibilities. "The chance I've been waiting for."
He paused, his gaze sweeping across the crater, taking in the rugged beauty of Mt. Silver. The mountain had stood for eons, a silent sentinel watching over the land. But today, it would bear witness to the birth of a new era...
(Yeah, it's hard to be dramatic, as well as trying to be not so edgy in the meantime... Sorry...)
"Team Rocket," he sneered, the name like bitter ashes on his tongue. "A relic of the past, a name that barely resonates anymore. But I'll change that."
His mind drifted back to the days when Team Rocket had been a force to be reckoned with, a criminal organization that had struck fear into the hearts of all who heard its name. But those days were long gone, the once-mighty syndicate reduced to little more than a fading memory.
"Team Rocket," he sneered, the name like bitter ashes on his tongue. "A relic of the past, a name that barely resonates anymore. But that's where they failed. They became comfortable, and predictable. I won't make the same mistake."
"They were a shadow of what real power should be," he thought, his lips curling into a menacing smile. "They lacked vision. I am different. I am the future."
He had dreamed of this moment for years, plotting and scheming in the shadows, biding his time until the perfect opportunity presented itself. And now, here he stood, on the cusp of greatness, the key to his ascension within his grasp.
"The gems," he whispered, his voice a low, guttural growl. "They are nothing in the greater picture, but it is a great stepping stone for carving myself into the very fabric of this world... A name that will be spoken in hushed tones, a name that will command fear and respect in equal measure."
He took a step forward, his body trembling with anticipation. The cave loomed before him, a gaping maw of darkness that seemed to beckon him onward.
As he pressed onward, the man reached down to his wrist, activating the multifunctional device strapped there. With a few deft taps, the device sprang to life, casting a bright, blue-tinged illumination that flooded the cavern.
"Let there be light," the man murmured, his voice tinged with a hint of triumph. The powerful LED bulb built into the device provided.
He could almost feel the power emanating from within, the ancient energies of the Rock and Dark Gems calling out to him.
"This is my chance," he thought, his eyes narrowing with determination. "My rise to power begins here."
He moved forward, the shadows parting before him like a living curtain. The air grew colder as he entered the cave, the damp scent of earth and stone filling his nostrils. But he paid it no heed, his focus solely on the prize that awaited him.
With each step, he could feel the power growing stronger, the gems' energies pulsing in time with his own heartbeat. And as he delved deeper into the mountain's heart, a dark chuckle escaped his lips, echoing off the cavern walls.
"The world will remember the name Neo Rocket," he whispered, his voice dripping with malice. "And they will tremble before it."
"Neo Rocket will be more than just a revival of an old name," he muttered to himself, his footsteps echoing through the damp, cavernous depths. "I won't be remembered as some cheap imitation of Team Rocket..."
As he pressed deeper into the mountain's heart, his mind raced with visions of the future. A world where his name was whispered in hushed tones, where the mere mention of Neo Rocket would send shivers down the spines of even the bravest trainers. He would build an empire that would put Team Rocket to shame, a criminal syndicate that would redefine the very meaning of power.
Lost in his dark musings, he barely noticed as the cave floor beneath his feet suddenly gave way. With a startled curse, he found himself tumbling down a steep incline, his body battered by jagged rocks as he plummeted into the unknown. Pain exploded through his limbs as he finally came to a stop, his breath coming in ragged gasps.
Disoriented and bruised, he fumbled for the flashlight strapped to his wrist. The device, a marvel of modern technology, sprung to life at his touch, casting an eerie blue glow across his surroundings. As he raised his arm to survey the cavern he had fallen into, his eyes widened in surprise.
All around him, scattered across the rocky floor, lay the ancient remains of countless Tyranitar. Their massive skeletons formed a macabre tapestry, a testament to the power and majesty of the species. Some lay in repose, their bones arranged as if in peaceful slumber, while others were contorted in positions of agony, frozen in their final moments of life.
"A Tyranitar graveyard," he whispered, his voice tinged with a mixture of awe and unease. "I've stumbled into their sacred resting place."
For a moment, a flicker of fear danced across his face, the primal terror of one who had trespassed upon the domain of the dead. But as quickly as it had come, the feeling vanished, replaced by a cold, calculating determination.
As the initial shock of his discovery began to fade, the man's keen eyes were drawn to the glimmering crystals that adorned the cavern walls and ceiling. The gems, dark and pulsing with an otherworldly energy, seemed to have formed from the essence of the deceased Tyranitar. It was as if the souls of these mighty creatures, upon their death, had coalesced into these magnificent crystals, forever preserving their power within the heart of the mountain.
"Incredible," he breathed, his voice barely above a whisper as he approached one of the larger crystals. "The concentration of energy within these gems is unlike anything I've ever seen."
He reached out, his fingertips brushing against the smooth, faceted surface of the crystal. As he made contact, a shiver ran down his spine, the raw power contained within the gem seeming to flow into his very being. It was a sensation unlike any he had ever experienced, a rush of dark energy that threatened to consume him entirely.
His mind raced with the possibilities. These gems, born from the death of the giants, held a value far beyond mere monetary wealth. The power they contained, if harnessed correctly, could grant him an edge unlike any other. With these crystals at his disposal, he could create weapons as he uses these crystals as fuel, and tools imbued with the very essence of the Tyranitar.
"Shards of their souls, fragments of their might, compressed together into these huge crystals... their power endures long after their physical forms have turned to dust forming these crystals that could bolster other Tyranitar's power..." he whispered, his voice trembling with excitement. "Even the smallest shards of these crystals would fetch a fortune on the black market."
He began to move through the cavern, his eyes scanning the walls and ceiling for the largest, most potent crystals. Each one he found was carefully extracted, the man using a variety of tools from his belt to pry the gems free from their rocky prisons. Some came away easily, while others required more force, the crystals seeming to resist his efforts as if the spirits of the Tyranitar were unwilling to relinquish their power.
As he worked, his mind continued to churn with ideas and plans.
As the man gazed upon the glittering crystals, a sense of awe and determination gripped him. Though he had only brought a small pack, expecting to find a few scattered gems, the sheer abundance of power-infused crystals before him was beyond his wildest dreams.
Carefully, he began to select the largest and most potent-looking specimens, handling them with reverence as if they were priceless artifacts. The crystals seemed to pulse with an otherworldly energy, as if the very essence of the fallen Tyranitar had been distilled into these magnificent gems.
"This is far more than I could have imagined," he murmured, his voice tinged with a mixture of excitement and trepidation. "The power contained within these crystals is beyond measure."
"I only brought this small pack for scouting, I wanted to confirm if the readings were true," he muttered, gently running his fingers over the faceted surfaces of the crystals. "I never imagined I would stumble upon such an unbelievable treasure trove already..."
He let out a frustrated sigh, realizing the predicament he now found himself in. The entrance he had fallen through was far too high for him to reach, and he had no means of calling for assistance. Alone, in this cavernous graveyard of Tyranitar, he would have to find his own way out.
As he secured the precious gems within his pack, his mind raced with the possibilities. With these crystals at his disposal, the foundations of his Neo Rocket empire would be unshakable. The dark energy they radiated could be harnessed and woven into every aspect of his organization – weapons, armor, even the very structures that would house his criminal network.
But first, he needed to find a way out of this labyrinthine cavern. The high ceiling from which he had fallen was now far out of reach, and the twisting tunnels all seemed to blend together in a disorienting maze. Without a map or any clear sense of direction, he knew he would have to rely on his instincts and determination to navigate his way back to the surface.
The man carefully unclasped the pokeball from his belt, the smooth surface glinting in the eerie black and brown light that the crystals produced. With a deft flick of his wrist, he tossed the ball into the air, and in a flash of energy, a magnificent Galarian Slowking materialized before him.
Its lavender skin glistened with an ethereal sheen, and the ornate crown-like shell atop its head seemed to radiate an aura of ancient wisdom. Its eyes, however, held a deep, contemplative gaze, as if the Pokémon could sense the weight of the predicament its trainer now found himself in.
"Slowking," the man said, his voice tinged with a hint of desperation, "I need you to teleport us out of here. The entrance is far too high for us to reach, and I can't find a way out on my own."
The Slowking nodded solemnly, its body tensing as it prepared to channel its psychic energy. The man watched with bated breath, his fingers crossed mentally in the hope that the Pokémon's powers would be enough to transport them to safety.
But after a few moments, the Slowking's expression turned to one of regret, and it shook its head slowly. The man's heart sank as he realized the implications – the cavern was simply too deep, the distance too great for the Slowking's teleportation abilities to bridge.
"Damn it," the man cursed, his frustration evident in his tone. He reached out and gently placed his hand on the Slowking's head, the Pokémon's regal features radiating a calming, soothing presence. "I know you tried your best, well, we have to walk on our feet then," the man turned to the Galarian Slowking, his eyes alight with a glimmer of hope.
"Slowking," the Slowking regarded him with its deep, contemplative gaze, as if considering the request, already knowing what he wanted to ask. "Can you use Future Sight to peer into the paths ahead and find us the way out."
Then, with a solemn nod, the regal Pokémon closed its eyes, its brow furrowing in concentration.
"That's it, old friend," the man encouraged, watching intently as the Slowking's body began to glow with a faint, ethereal light.
The cavern was filled with an eerie silence as the Slowking delved deep into its psychic senses, its mind reaching out to unravel the twisting tunnels that stretched before them. The man held his breath, his fingers tightly clasped around the strap of his pack, the precious crystals within radiating a pulsing energy.
After several tense moments, the Slowking's eyes snapped open, a look of determination etched upon its features. With a sweeping gesture of its webbed hands, the Pokémon began to guide the man through the maze of tunnels, its psychic powers illuminating the path ahead.
"Yes, yes, that's it!" the man exclaimed, his pace quickening as he followed the Slowking's lead. The Pokémon's Future Sight had revealed the intricate network of passages, guiding them through the labyrinth with unerring precision.
As they navigated the winding tunnels, the man couldn't help but feel proud at the sheer mental power and intelligence of his companion... Well, what he could say, he was the one training and rasing it since it was a Slowpoke.
Suddenly, a faint rumbling sound echoed through the tunnel, causing the man to halt in his tracks. The Slowking tensed, its regal features etched with a hint of alarm as it scanned the shadowy recesses for the source of the disturbance.
"What was that?" the man whispered, his eyes narrowing as he strained to see through the eerie blue light cast by his device.
The rumbling grew louder, accompanied by the unmistakable sound of heavy footsteps. The man's heart pounded in his chest, his fingers instinctively reaching for another pokeball at his belt, ready to unleash the another Pokémon if it is necesary, as these tunnels are not so spacious.
Then, from the depths of the exit of the tunnel they're in, a massive, hulking figure emerged, its scales gleaming in the ethereal glow. The man's breath caught in his throat as he recognized the towering, dinosaur-like silhouette – a Tyranitar, its eyes burning with a primal fury.
The man's eyes narrowed as the towering Tyranitar emerged from the depths of the tunnel, its scales gleaming with an almost menacing brilliance in the eerie blue light. A flash of annoyance crossed his features as he recognized the ancient, dinosaur-like silhouette.
"Oh, you've got to be fookin' kidding me," he muttered, his fingers tightening around the pokeball he had instinctively reached for. "As if navigating this labyrinth wasn't annoying enough, now I have to deal with one of your kind as well."
The Tyranitar let out a thunderous roar, its jaws gaping wide as it charged towards them, its massive claws poised to strike. The man's lips curled into a wry smile as he observed the creature's primal fury.
"I suppose you've sensed the power radiating from the crystals, haven't you?" he mused, his gaze never leaving the advancing Tyranitar. "Well, I'm afraid you'll be seeing your ancestors a bit sooner than intended, maybe your friends as well I had to take care of before..."
Before the Tyranitar could reach them, the Galarian Slowking stepped forward, its regal form radiating a palpable aura of power. The man glanced at his faithful companion, a subtle nod of approval passing between them.
"Slowking, show this beast the true extent of your power," the man commanded, his voice laced with a mix of authority and anticipation.
- TO BE CONTINUED! -