Rory, Aoki, and Giovanni moved swiftly through the alleys of Pewter City, the sun and the heat was unbearable, but their senses seemed to have heightened as they pursued the lingering members of Team Dark. The mission was clear, recover a valuable artifact stolen from the Pewter City Gym. None of them knew what the artifact was, what it looked like, hell it could be a priceless painting or just a basic pair of eyeglasses, all they knew was it was extremely valuable and in a cardboard box.
As they turned a corner, they encountered a pair of Team Dark grunts. Without hesitation, the grunts released their Pokémon, a Sneasel and a Gulpin, ready to fight.
"Giovanni, you take the Sneasel. Aoki, Gulpin's yours. I'll keep an eye out for more grunts," Rory instructed quickly, positioning himself for a broader view.
Giovanni nodded, calling out his Nidoran. "Nidoran! use Double Kick!" The attack was swift, catching Sneasel off-guard and sending it staggering back against the alley's brick wall.
Aoki's Tepig, Blaze, faced off against Gulpin. "Blaze, use Ember!" The flames engulfed Gulpin, causing it to squeal in discomfort before retaliating with a Sludge attack.
The battles were fierce but brief; the Team Dark grunts were clearly not prepared for the coordinated and determined efforts of Rory, Aoki, and Giovanni. With their Pokémon defeated, the grunts scowled at the three trainers, "Let me guess" One of them sneered, "you want that thing we took? Well we don't have it"
"They must have stashed it further down these alleys," Rory guessed, leading the way as they delved deeper into the labyrinthine backstreets. Just as they sensed they were getting close, shadows shifted around them, and three figures stepped into the light as if appearing out of the shadows like ninja's.
"Going somewhere?" a voice sneered. A tall young man with skyscrapers for legs and ocean liners for arms was looking down at the 3 children in front of them as if they were some kind of amusing joke. He wore nothing but black leather that was imbued with the Team Dark logo, from the jacket to the pants to even the wrist band, a face only a mother would love, he had a smile with teeth that shone as if it was polished every day, and he was so skinny that he can slip through a wall and a poster and the poster would still be hanging on the wall even if he were to repeat doing it every second all day long.
"Who are you?" Giovanni said stammering at the man.
"Me?" The man said as if he found the question both insulting and amusing at the same time "You don't know who I am?" He looked at the two gunts who began to laugh hysterically "I am Darko" The man said as if reading from an invisible script "One of the best Team Dark executives, notorious for his ruthless tactics and a penchant for dark and psychic Pokémon." He said with a sly grin "I can read my opponents minds well, and I can deal with anyone who stand in my way."
Flanked by two grunts, one with a Kantonian Watchog and the other with a Houndoom, he blocked the trio's path.
He took out a single pokeball and examined it as if it contained all the money in the world in it "I will be a reasonable man however, I will fight you with my weakest Pokémon, and I will still come out on top."
Aoki stepped forward, her resolve hardening. "We're not here to play games. Let us through."
Darko chuckled darkly, releasing his Pokémon, a sinister Kantonian Mimikyu whose costume seemed more malevolent than its usual guise. "Oh, but I insist. Please do. Let's play."
Kantonian Mimikyu #066
Type: Dark/Psychic
Description: This variant of Mimikyu wears a disguise that is much darker and more sinister than its counterparts found in other regions. The usual cheerful façade of its costume has been replaced with a more haunting visage, reflecting its adaptation to the harsher, shadow-filled environments of urban Kanto. Its eyes, visible through the holes in its costume, glow with a malevolent light, hinting at its increased cunning and malevolence.
Pokedex Entry: "Kantonian Mimikyu cloaks itself in a disguise that instills unease rather than affection. It skulks in the darkest corners of cities, using its psychic abilities to manipulate shadows and create illusions. Unlike other Mimikyu, this variant seeks to terrify other Pokémon and humans alike, feeding off their fear and confusion. Approach with caution, as it is known to react violently when its true form is seen."
Without hesitation, Rory and Giovanni readied their Pokémon. Rory called out, "Go, Silver!" His trusty Froakie appeared, poised and ready. Giovanni's Nidoran took its place beside Silver, both Pokémon bracing for the battle.
Aoki glanced at her Beatling, Zip, who buzzed with electric energy, its wings crackling. "Zip, get ready!"
The battle erupted as Darko commanded his Mimikyu "Dark Pulse!" he hollered as the wave of dark energy surged forward. Zip darted in, its agility peaking, narrowly dodging the attack.
"Silver, use Bubble!" Rory commanded. Froakie unleashed a stream of bubbles at the Houndoom, striking it squarely and throwing it off balance.
Giovanni focused on the Watchog. "Nidoran, Double Kick!" His Pokémon charged, landing two strong kicks that sent the Watchog reeling back.
Meanwhile, Aoki saw an opening as Mimikyu prepared another Dark Pulse. "Zip, now! Bug Bite!" Zip surged forward, enveloped in a crackling aura of electric energy, and clamped down on Mimikyu with its powerful mandibles. The attack was super effective, and Mimikyu faltered, its disguise partially torn from the force of the attack.
Darko gritted his teeth as he watched his Mimikyu struggle. "Use Psyshock!" he ordered desperately.
But it was too late. Zip, empowered and buzzing from its successful attack, dodged the incoming Psyshock with incredible speed, circling around for another strike.
"Finish it with Thunderbolt!" Aoki's voice rang clear in the cool air. Zip unleashed a powerful bolt of electricity that struck Mimikyu directly, causing it to collapse, unable to continue.
With Rory and Giovanni swiftly handling the Houndoom and Watchog, the Team Dark grunts were also defeated, recalling their Pokémon in defeat. Darko glared at the trio, his plans thwarted. "This isn't over," he hissed, "But I know what you are after, but I don't have it." He sneered before retreating with his grunts into the shadows from which they had emerged.
Breathing heavily from the exertion, Rory, Aoki, and Giovanni exchanged relieved glances. "Great work, everyone," Rory said, pride evident in his tone.
Aoki smiled, patting Zip who chirped happily. "Let's keep moving. We have to find that artifact."
As they rounded another dark corner, they stumbled upon a scene of recent struggle. A Team Dark grunt lay unconscious on the ground, a cardboard box beside him. Before Rory, Aoki, or Giovanni could react, a figure emerged from the shadows, stepping over the grunt with a confident swagger.
It was Lief, the biker from the Angels of the End. In his hand, he held the cardboard box, his Kantonian Grookey by his side, looking smug and somewhat battle-worn, but its face was filled with ego, Silver and Blaze look on at their former companion with shock and disbelief.
"Well, well, if it isn't some of Team Jet's finest," Lief taunted, his gaze flicking over the trio. "You're a little late to the party."
Rory bristled, stepping forward. "That belongs to the Pewter Gym. Hand it over."
Lief chuckled, as he threw his head to the sky as if trying to break it as he tucked the box under his arm more securely. "I don't think so. This little treasure is going to look much better with us, the Angels of the end is far more nobel and better than any of those goths of Team Dark, those hot headed nobodys and those two faced goody two shoes in Team Jet. But please tell Lola I said thanks for the fun, I had the time of my life with my new Pokemon here."
Without another word, Lief jumped onto his motorcycle, which was parked just within reach. The engine roared to life, breaking the alley's eerie silence.
"Stop him!" Giovanni shouted, but it was too late. Lief kicked off the ground, his bike shooting down the alley as if fired from a gun, and he disappeared around a bend with a taunting wave.
Rory clenched his fists, frustration evident on his face. "We were so close."
Giovanni punched the floor out of anger as his Nidoran looked on as if it had been slapped in the face.
Aoki placed a hand on his shoulder, her expression determined. "We can't let him get away with this. We need to inform Lola and get back that artifact."
Giovanni nodded, his earlier hesitation replaced by a resolve sparked by the encounter. "He won't get far. We'll make sure of that."
But the three knew that it was hopeless to run after him as they skuled down the alley to deliver the bad news to Team Jet. Giovanni was gripping his pokeball so tightly it looked like he was trying to crush it.
"Those dam Bikers." Giovanni said "If it was the hoods I would have won as they are massive pushovers, if it was Team Dark or those Ember eye gangit would have been understandable but the bikers…"
Giovanni stopped as if trying to find the right word for them, as he sighed as if trying to empty his lungs. "I honestly have no words."
"It's okay G." Aoki said as she patted his back "Maybe another time you might be able to do something great. You have a lot of potential and I know it."
"You did well in that fight against Darko" Rory added
Giovanni said nothing as his eyes looked down at his pokeball that held his Nidoran "On day." He mumbled "I will be a strong trainer, and everyone will take me seriously. I just need to train harder."
"That's the spirit!" Aoki said beaming, "Now I just hope that the guy at the Pewter City gym will be more understandable."
Rory, Aoki, and Giovanni walked towards the Pewter City Gym, their steps heavy with the disappointment of having failed to recover the stolen artifact. As they approached, the sound of construction echoed from within, and they could see a number of figures moving about, busy with various tasks.
They entered the gym and were immediately struck by the scale of the ongoing renovations. Amid the bustle, was a giant of a man that looked to be a giant bolder. He had a beaded and a mustashe that was completely filthy, hands that looked as if it can turn rocks into gravel with one punch and a voice that echoed through the room like a cannon. He was wearing a hard hat the size of a small boat, an orange vest with the word 'Granite' on it, a pair of overalls that looked as if it was dragged though a rubbish dump and shoes that were falling apart. The man turned to greet them, with a small smile on his face.
Next to him was a young man Rory and Aoki recognized as Flint, the boy they met in Viridian City who was giving some instructions to one or two construction workers who somehow looked to be even dirtier than the last time they looked met and behind him was a toddler who was sleeping on a couch that was impossibly clean.
"Welcome to the Pewter Gym," Granite said, his voice resonant in the cavernous space. "I'm Granite, the Gym Leader. I see that you've already met me son, Flint. And that little tike over there," he pointed to the toddler who was dozing on the couch, "is my nephew, Brock."
Rory stepped forward, offering a hand. "I'm Rory, and these are my friends, Aoki and Giovanni. We're sorry to report that we are unable to retrieve the artifact as a biker had stolen it."
Granite's expression hardened for a moment, a shadow passing over his face. He let out a heavy sigh "I should have expected something like this." He grumbled "It's a significant loss for us. Not just in value but in historical significance to our city and gym. But sooner or later it will be back in our hands, even if I have to chop off my arm to get it back."
Flint, joining the group, added, "The renovations to this old place, should keep our spirits up as we improve the gym, both for trainers and for the community." He said.
Aoki, looking around at the ongoing work, remarked, "It looks like you're making great progress. Even though I don't know what it used to look like, it's impressive."
Flint laughed softly "Oh believe me, this place used to be a dump. It wasn't even a gym more like a warehouse nobody used, and the old gym used to be in diglet cave but that place became too much of a hastle to maintain. Now we have a place for trainers all alike can train and all that."
Granite smiled, "We're building something that will stand the test of time, much like our Rock-type Pokémon."
Giovanni, curious, asked, "Could we possibly see a gym battle? We've come a long way and heard much about your prowess."
Flint chuckled, "Actually, we're just wrapping up some of the critical work. Give us a few hours to finish up, and I'd be glad to accept your challenge."
Granite nodded in agreement. "It'll give you a chance to see our gym in full action. Plus, it's a good opportunity for Flint here to test his skills against new trainers."
Rory and Aoki exchanged excited glances, both eager for the opportunity, both of them always wanted to do the gym challenge and this is a good opportunity for them to start. "We'll wait, then. It gives us some time to explore Pewter City a bit more," Rory said.
As they talked, Brock, now awake, curious and unafraid, toddled over to the group. Flint picked him up, setting him on his shoulders. "This little guy is going to be a great trainer one day, just like me and my sister," Flint said with a small proud smile "My sister and her husband is out in Alola and I have to look after him for a while." He said he looked down at Flint with a look only a father can do to their child. "And I know that you too can be a strong trainer like your old man." He said as he practically crushed his head with a noogie.
Granite clapped his hands, signaling the end of the break. "Alright, let's get back to it. We'll see you folks in a few hours. Feel free to come back anytime after that."
Rory, Aoki, and Giovanni thanked them and exited the gym, the promise of an upcoming gym battle lifting their spirits despite the earlier setback. As they stepped out into the sunlight of Pewter City, their thoughts were a mix of anticipation for the battle and admiration for the resilience of the gym's leaders and their dedication to their community and Pokémon alike.