Chapter 4: Training Days
-Ars Bastion POV-
"Did you just come all the way here from Sinnoh, just to see my pokemon?" I decided to bluntly ask Cynthia her intentions, given what I heard her say from before. after she calmed down we shook each other's hands
Cynthia nodded, giving me a knowing smile. "Indeed, Mr. Bastion. After all, I wouldn't just waste my time coming here without a reason. After all, is it not everyday you hear about someone who had somehow gotten not only one, but two extinct ancient Pokémon, and happens to originate from my homeland. Am I right?"
You still have a long way to go before trying to tease me, Cynthia. Champion or not, I will not back down from teasing, done by a girl that is technically younger than me.
I hummed in amusement, taking her teasing head on. "Of course, Lady Shirona. I would gladly introduce your highness to my pokemon who are only just starting their first day of training."
It did have some effect as her composure cracked, with her lips twitching for a bit. Both of us are staring at each other for a moment, before our lips go upward as we both burst in laughter.
After regaining her composure, Cynthia took the initiative in our conversation. "Ahh… It's been a while since I laughed like that. You are quite a charmer, Mr. Bastion."
I just shrug at her complement. "Just call me Ars, Ms. Shirona."
"Then Ars, I will demand that you call me Cynthia as well." Cynthia giggled upon hearing my statement.
I simply nodded at her request.
"Alright, then I suppose I have permission to see your pokemon now?" Cynthia asks as her gaze lingering towards the silhouettes of Zorua and Sliggoo who've been training to master their moves.
I smirked and made a gesture allowing her to see my pokemon. "Sure, I don't mind. But I need to warn you not to spook the two of them. Especially Zorua, since she's still having some issues interacting with new people."
Sliggoo has no trouble interacting with people despite her enormous size. After yesterday's fiasco, I found her getting along with professor Magnolia and Sonia rather quickly, and without much trouble.
On the other hand, Zorua is the exact opposite of Sliggoo. She is very shy and timid with new people, and easily gets spooked. Often taking far longer to show even the smallest amounts of trust. Yesterday when Sonia was reaching out to pet her after interacting with Sliggoo, she was startled when Zorua yipped in shock and almost smoked Sonia with a Snarl.
Cute as she ever was, Zorua is still a pokemon. And you don't really want to surprise any of them when they can hurt you.
Cynthia nodded at my explanation, and slowly started approaching Sliggoo first, with me right behind her making sure to comfort my pokemon if either of them get startled.
Sliggoo, busy trying to unlock Ice Beam began to realize there was an unfamiliar presence nearing her. She turned her antenna-like eyes towards Cynthia, causing her and Cynthia to eye each other in curiosity.
I sigh in relief, thankfully Sliggoo is calm enough not to immediately freak out, or I will have to return her to the Luxury ball for a while.
"Sliggoo," I called my unofficial starter, which got me a happy coo from her. "This is Cynthia, she is also a pokemon trainer and really wants to meet you."
Cynthia gave me a sidelong glance hearing my explanation, probably because I didn't mention to Sliggoo about her champion status.
I just shrugged at her. "She didn't know anything about your status or anything. She's just a big happy girl, right Sliggoo?"
"Sliii~~" Sliggoo answered my question with a huge smile, which made Cynthia also smile seeing her antics.
"She is really a big ray of sunshine…" Cynthia mumbles while giving Sliggoo a pat on her head. Her act didn't bother Sliggoo at all. Instead, it made her happier as she glided up to Cynthia, showing her affection by licking her face. Cynthia laughed, not bothered by Sliggoo's gooey substances at all.
I was quite surprised to see how quickly Cynthia was getting along with Sliggoo, even though Sliggoo is quite tame by dragon's standards.
'Is this what it means to be a Champion?...' I wondered in my head while watching the ordeal.
"Zora…?" I snapped out of my own musing when I heard a familiar yip near my feet as I looked below where Zorua is curiously watching her friend's interaction with Cynthia. Probably she heard the commotion and decided to approach the source out of curiosity. Beside her, Ralts was also doing the same thing, making a cute gesture and pointing her small hands in Cynthia's direction while looking at me.
"Are you curious about her?" I got down on my knees and pointed towards Cynthia who's currently petting Sliggoo This earned me nods from both Zorua and Ralts. "That's Cynthia, another guest who visited me to see both Zorua and Sliggoo."
Both pokemon looked at Cynthia with curiosity, but they didn't have the courage to approach Cynthia yet.
"Do you guys want to meet her?" I asked both Zorua and Ralts, earning me a mixed answer from the two of them. Ralts didn't mind meeting new people, but Zoruawas hesitant.
Welp, Zorua and Ralts could probably get used to her later as the time passed by.
Anyway, there's something that has been bugging me ever since I met Cynthia.
I want to see her pokemon, especially the ones that have given me the most trouble whenever I played Platinum!
"Cynthia," I called her, which she quickly turned her head over to me. "While you might have enjoyed meeting my pokemon, can I have the privilege to meet your pokemon as well?"
Hearing my request, Cynthia simply smiles while taking out her pokeballs. "I always forget that everyone wants to meet my team, too, even if it's someone who owns two ancient pokemon."
I just shrugged while smiling. But inwardly, I almost couldn't hold my excitement.
Giggling, Cynthia threw all of her pokeballs into the air.
"Come out folks!"
Where immediately, every single of her pokemon came out with various cries of answering her call.
The first pokemon is a ghostly purple pokemon attached to a stone. The stone is trapezoidal in shape and has two small dots. There is a crack running down the middle, splitting in two near the bottom where it appears to form a frowning face. Its projected appearance is an ethereal composition of swirling purple fog with crescent green eyes and a smiling jagged mouth while swirling around its face are green orbs with yellow centers.
The second is a bipedal, canine-like pokemon with blue and black fur. I noticed that it was also much taller compared to the official data. It has red eyes, a long snout, and ears. It has a short, round spike on the back of each forepaw. Cream-colored fur on its torso and blue fur on its thighs that resemble shorts alongside a medium-length tail of the same blue color.
The third is a bipedal green pokemon with an appearance resembling a masquerade. It has hair made of white rose petals, and a green cape with a yellow bangle on its neck. The cape pattern reaches toward the back of its head in spiky, sepal-like extensions on the hair while holding a bouquet in each hand, with red on right and blue on left.
The fourth is a serpentine pokemon with a cream-colored body, a straight spike, red eyes and a long, pinkish antennae above them. There are long fins above its eyes, nearing its spiky head which begin thin and thicken towards the tips. These fins extend to almost half of its body length. On its neck are three black dots, similar to gills. Its lower body is a pattern of blue and pink, diamond-shaped scales outlined with black. The tail consists of four large, blue fins with pink ovals in their centers with the tip resembling a fan.
The fifth is a white avian pokemon with an egg-shaped body. It has large triangular wings, with red and blue triangular markings over its underside, along with a short tail consisting of three feathers and small feet situated closely. On the back of its head are three spikes, with a red-tipped one on the right, a blue-tipped one on the left, and a pure white one in the middle.
While all of them are very well known to me, it's nothing to compare with the last one who stood taller above the rest.
The last one is a bipedal, draconian pokemon that is primarily dark blue in color with sharp, black sclerae and gold-colored irises. It has a horn that resembles a hammerhead shark, along with a large mouth that features razor-sharp teeth and a golden star shape that adorns the tip of its snout. Red underbelly from the lower jaw to the middle of the abdomen, including the undersides of its arms. The arms have a large, white claw for a hand with curved fins sprouting from the arms, creating a part that resembles wings that allow it to fly, and a huge feet. It has a large dorsal fin and another on its tail that resembles a shark tailfin. A patch of gold comes to a point below the red on its belly. What I notice is the color of her hide is darker than her other kin, showing how far this it had been continuously fighting and honing herself. Its body is also leaner and has the right amount of proportional muscle along with hefty muscular legs.
"Everyone, please say hello to our newest friend, Ars Bastion!" Cynthia quickly gave these incredible specimens a command, which replied with a bunch of different cries as they greeted me.
I smiled widely as I waved at every single of Cynthia's pokemon while approaching them. Finally I am able to see her team directly with my very own eyes. Not to mention, each of them are giving incredible pressures which is fitting for them as a Champion-class team.
Cynthia's pokemon quickly got along with mine. Her Garchomp quickly takes a liking to Sliggoo as both of them quickly coo and growl at each other, talking animatedly.
Surprisingly, Zorua somehow got herself getting closer with Spiritomb out of all pokemon, as both of them took a spot near one huge tree, where Spiritomb then began to teach Zorua about manifesting her miasma.
And in the distance, I can see Togekiss took light in Ralts, as both of them also getting along with Gardevoir joining the conversation as well.
Milotic simply prefers to stay close with her trainer, something that Lucario and Roserade also follow.
Though I found something weird regarding Cynthia's Lucario.
He kept staring at me with a guarded expression while keeping his stance a considerable distance. While I didn't see any form of dislike or worse, hostility from him, I felt like he was uncomfortable with my presence. The same thing also happens with Roserade as she joins Lucario while observing me beside the canine pokemon.
'... Strange, did I do something that makes both of them keep their distance?'
Whenever I try to close the distance, they soon take some distance from me, as if they are really paying attention to every movement that I make.
This didn't go unnoticed by Cynthia, who also noticed her pokemon's unusual behavior.
"Lucario, Roserade, what's wrong?" Cynthia asks both of them, who got spooked by the sudden question from their trainer. "Why are both of you avoiding Ars? Did he do something that makes you both uncomfortable?"
Both Lucario and Roserade flinched when their trainer asked a question. They glanced at each other while trying to comprehend the situation. I am also waiting for the answer out of curiosity since this is probably the first time that pokemon is being wary of me.
After being hesitant for a while, Lucario finally pointed at me with a calm 'luca', then crossed both of his arms. He then pointed at me once again, while shrugging his shoulders then shaking his head.
I quickly catch what Lucario means, which surprises me.
Likewise, Cynthia is also surprised as she then asks for more detailed information. "Ars is making both of you uncomfortable?"
"Luca." Lucario nodded.
"And both of you don't know why he makes you uncomfortable?"
They both nod, Roserade looked guilty as she glanced at me with an apologetic expression.
"I think I know the reason," Cynthia said while rubbing her chin thoughtfully. She then looked at me while gesturing to me to come closer. "Ars, would you please come closer?"
I raised my eyebrow upon hearing her request. "Me? Wouldn't it make both Lucario and Roserade uncomfortable with my presence?"
Cynthia smiled at me. "Don't worry, you will understand the reason for Lucario and Roserade being unusually uncomfortable around you."
She then looks at her pokemon while trying to reassure both who are looking at her anxiously. "And both of you, I know this is probably hard, but I want both of you to hold yourself while I explain it later, okay?"
Lucario and Roserade are both hesitant, but they decide to trust their trainer while nodding reluctantly.
Seeing that, I nodded at Cynthia while slowly approaching her. As expected, both of her pokemon tensed as I closed the distance, but they held themselves with a dignified manner, showing their utmost trust in their trainer. When I finally stood directly in front of them, I could see that both were averting their eyes from mine, as they did their best to hold themselves even though their bodies were shaking from anxiousness.
I looked at Cynthia, but she just shook her head, while putting both of her hands on Lucario and Roserade's shoulder. "Just wait for it, the symptoms should be finished soon."
Sure enough, after waiting for a while, both Lucario and Roserade's bodies finally stopped shaking, as their expression is also becoming relaxed which is totally different compared to a few minutes earlier. Lucario is bold enough to offer his hand with a calm 'luca' while staring directly at me.
Seeing that, I quickly reciprocate his gesture while taking his hand with my own. Lucario flinched for a bit when our palms were touching, but he quickly put it aside as he smiled apologetically.
Confused, I then looked at Cynthia while taking my hand off Lucario. "What is this all about? Why is he suddenly getting used to me?"
Cynthia smiled seeing my confused expression, as she proceeded to explain it. "That's because despite your bad affinity with both Lucario and Roserade's typing, they could learn to get used to your presence. I must say, I have never seen such a degree of reaction from a pokemon towards a person like yours."
I looked at her in confusion, as I never heard about the thing called affinity, even from Chris. "What is this affinity that you just spoke about?"
"Affinity is what I would like to describe as a relationship between individuals with pokemon according to their types. In this world, every single individual, trainer or not, has an Affinity with a specific type among eighteen types of pokemon. Having Affinity toward a certain type makes the individual easier to get closer with pokemon that are associated with that type. For example, I have a strong Affinity with dragon types, which is why I was allowed to keep Garchomp as my starter for my journey because my affinity enables me to form a bond much faster than a person who doesn't have a Dragon-type Affinity. That, and Dragons are naturally one of the most dangerous types. Having an Affinity for dragon type Pokemon makes it far safer of a starter than it otherwise could have been." Cynthia explained.
I listened to Cynthia's explanation with an amazed look. Despite my knowledge about pokemon from anime, manga, and games, the terminology of affinity towards a certain type was something entirely unknown to me.
This also raised a question.
"So if there's an Affinity towards a certain type, does that mean there is also an opposite term that makes a certain type have a bad compactibility to any individual as well? For example, like the aversion that I currently have with both Lucario and Roserade."
Cynthia nodded at my question. "I am impressed, You catch it very quickly. As you guessed, there's also the opposite term which is Aversion. Aversion makes pokemon instinctively wary of individuals who have it. While it doesn't immediately make the pokemon outright avoid you, it will affect your initial relationship with the type Aversion pokemon. As for your aversion, I am thinking of two categories of aversion between Fighting, Steel, and Grass, or Poison types."
I nodded while thinking about my Aversion type, which made me sighed in disappointment. "This means that I will have a hard time finding Riolu to be my pokemon… Damn, it sucks since Lucario is one of my favorite pokemon…"
Cynthia only smiled sadly while placing her hand on my shoulder. "I am sure that one day, you could probably find one that willingly follows you."
I nodded gratefully for her attempt to console me.
"Luca…" Lucario's ears go downward hearing my disappointing tone, as he silently pokes my back, as if trying to console me.
"Rose… Rose, ro…" Roserade also slowly approaches me as she touches my left hand with her red flower hands while smiling sadly. Apparently she was finally getting used to my presence as well.
"Thank you guys, for your support…" I said. I appreciate their effort despite their uneasiness.
"But aside from that," said Cynthia while lightly clapping her palm. "Despite your Aversion either two of four types I mentioned before, I think that you probably have dual Affinities in exchange."
I looked at Cynthia with raised eyebrows. "So people can have more than one Affinity in specific types?"
"On rare occasions, people like you could have natural Affinities toward two types," explained Cynthia again. "Also, from each of your pokemon, I assume that you have dual Affinities between Normal, Steel, Dragon, or Ghost types."
"Is your assumption based on the dual typing that both Sliggoo and Zorua have?" I asked Cynthia, which she nodded. Though, I failed to notice how Lucario frowned when he heard Cynthia mentioning Ghost-type.
But before I asked again about Type Affinity, suddenly I heard a loud dull sound coming from the place where Sliggoo and Garchomp were.
Before I widened my eyes when I caught a glimpse of a large shadow suddenly flying toward us.
"Cynthia, watch out!"
"Wha-!?"
Reacting quickly, I pulled Cynthia away as both Lucario and Roserade were barely able to dodge the dark silhouette as it almost hit them by a few inches, as both of us then stumbled on the ground in rough manner.
The large silhouette smashed into the nearest tree with such immense force, so much that it split the tree, where it landed near it with a loud thud, thus making a huge amount of snow scattered around, and clouding our vision.
"W-what just happened…" Cynthia said in a daze, looking at where the silhouette landed.
"I… I don't know…" I replied as I held her protectively.
Both of us are sitting while hugging each other for a brief moment, before realizing our current predicament.
"I-I am sorry!" I quickly let go of her while immediately standing in reflex, as she also jumped upward while letting out a cute yelp. I can see a faint red on her cheeks as Cynthia slowly stands as well.
"D-don't worry about that, I-I-It just an accident…" Cynthia replies as she looks away from me with a reddened cheek, probably about the fact that she was hugging someone much younger whom she had just met.
"Gar…"
A faint growl suddenly snaps me away from my awkwardness, as I quickly realize who just slammed into the tree.
"Are you okay?" Without thinking, I quickly approach the downed figure near the fallen tree. As the cloudy snow subsided, my assumption proved to be true as I was currently standing on the fallen figure of Cynthia's Garchomp, who was lying on the snowy terrain while growling painfully.
"Oh dear Arceus, Garchomp!?" Realizing the large shadow is in fact, her own pokemon, Cynthia approaches us and immediately kneels, checking her trusted partner's condition. "What's going on? Why did you suddenly slam into a tree like this?"
The rest of her pokemon alongside mine and Gardevoir are also approaching as well. But all of them are beaten by Sliggoo, who is practically crying frantically as she approaches us at a fast rate by rolling her shell.
"Slii! Slliggoo, Slig!?"
"Gar… Garcho…"
"Slii! Slig! Sliggoo!"
I silently watched their interaction. Sliggoo looks frantic while repeatedly bowing her head as a bluish-green aura suddenly surges forth from her body, and then envelops the Garchomp, who just growling weakly while smiling. The rest of the pokemon are also watching the entire ordeal in confusion, with Zorua somehow sneaking using her intangibility ability to land on my head.
"Currently, Sliggoo is currently apologizing to Garchomp for sending her flying." Every pokemon in there sans Sliggoo and Garchomp turned their attention towards Gardevoir who directly translated the entire conversation. "Both of them did a mock training, with Sliggoo being told to attack Garchomp using Heavy Slam. Seems like both didn't expect the force behind Sliggoo's attack, which resulted in this accident."
'Forget the unexpected factor, how much force does Sliggoo put in her attacks which results in a champion-level pokemon to get knocked out like this?' I inwardly thought in astonishment.
A similar sentiment is also shared with Cynthia and her other pokemon, as they stared at the frantic Sliggoo in utter disbelief as their jaw literally dropped after hearing Gardevoir's explanation.
As for Garchomp, she just lay there while sighed in exasperation, making me chuckle lightly seeing her expression.
"You also didn't expect for Sliggoo to be able to pull out such a feat, right?" I speak while staring at Garchomp, who literally just huffed hearing what I said.
"Garr…" she nodded, still in dazed while pointing at Sliggoo using her single claw. "Garchomp…"
"So you basically have been holding back to helping Sliggoo to get used to her new body, but you didn't expect for the force behind her attack far exceeding your prediction?"
This time, I got full attention from Cynthia's strongest pokemon, as she stared at me for a while with her sharp, golden eyes filled with curiosity.
"Gar?"
"Well, yeah. I can understand your intention. It's kind of similar to how I can easily understand Sliggoo's intention as well." I said while caressing Sliggoo who is currently looking down in shame. "Don't be sad, Sliggoo. Garchomp wasn't really mad at you at all."
"Sliig…." my own pseudo-legendary pokemon looked down in guilt.
"Gar."
"Sliggoo…?"
Garchomp just nodded, trying to reassure Sliggoo that she's fine. That lifts Sliggoo's mood for a bit even though she is still looking at Garchomp with an apologetic look.
"See, Garchomp is a big girl. She's also a champion-level pokemon who's been fighting for a long time, there's no way that a one hit could easily injure her." I said to Sliggoo, which earned a snort from Garchomp as she eyed me unamused. I laughed as I took my hand, touching her front head on the yellow star pattern.
"Ars, wait! Garchomp is-!"
"There, good girl," I smiled as I rubbing her head, giving Garchomp a small massage while occasionally caressing her cheek. I hear a low growl emanating from Garchomp's throat, as she just closed her eyes, apparently enjoying my touch.
Laughing after hearing her response, I proceed to give what I usually did to my dog before by continuing to give her a good rub on her cheek while also using my fingers to tickle her lower jaw gently. This time however, Garchomp shows a more pleased reaction, as then somehow lies on her back while purring in bliss.
"Good girl! Who's a good girl?" I happily give Garchomp what she wants as I give her a good rub on while also using my nails to scratch her yellow belly, as Garchomp just laying in the ground, happily receiving my treatment on her while purring in satisfaction. Being allowed to rub one of my all-time favorite pokemon like this is really a total bliss. Especially when Garchomp apparently doesn't mind my touch at all. She growled in a low voice when I rubbed my hands on her stomach with a pleased expression. When I give her stomach a light tap, Garchomp just gurgles while moderately shaking her body as the response.
Zorua just watched my interaction as she then lay on my shoulders before closing her eyes.
I didn't know how long I had been scratching Garchomp with my hands, but I am just enjoying this rare moment when I can touch her whenever I want.
I stop when I feel a light touch on my left shoulder. This also makes Garchomp open her eyes as she grumbles for the loss of my touch. Both of us then looked at Cynthia, who was staring at me with an unreadable expression.
Looking at my surroundings, I also found that Cynthia's pokemon are also staring at me with utter disbelief. Especially both Lucario and Roserade, as they just stood frozen in shock.
"I feel like I got cheated." Cynthia flatly said.
"Uhh, I don't understand?" I asked her with confusion.
"It took me a while back then for me to earn Gible's trust. And here, I just literally saw my first partner somehow get along easily with someone that she just met…" Cynthia grumbles, crossing her arm as she puffs her cheek. "But thanks to your interaction with Garchomp, I can finally conclude that you did have an Affinity towards Dragon-type, and a very strong one as well."
If I didn't immediately concentrate on Cynthia's words, I would surely say that she is cute when she gets jealous.
Garchomp just mewled sheepishly while scratching her head for showing an embarrassed behavior.
"But can my interaction alone with Garchomp be used to gauge the level of my Affinity like that? I just did Garchomp like what I usually do with Sliggoo." I asked Cynthia with an appalled tone, while Sliggoo who was enjoying my interaction with her fellow dragon also cooed in confirmation.
Hearing that, Cynthia just shakes her head.
"Even Lance, who is renowned for having a strong Affinity towards Dragon-type, couldn't replicate what you just did with Garchomp." Cynthia said in a serious tone.
I looked at Cynthia with a stunned expression.
Seeing my confusion, Cynthia then continues. "Dragons are notorious for being prideful pokemon, and they will demand respect even against someone who has an Affinity with their typing. If anyone else suddenly touches Garchomp on her head just like you did, that person will immediately lose one of its hands to Garchomp's strong jaw."
My eyes widened in shock hearing Cynthia's explanation, as I then looked at Garchomp for confirmation, before turning pale as she just nodded at her trainer's words while giving a toothy smile. Garchomp then gave me another look as if she said that she would never do that to me, as she was literally rubbing her scaly head against mine.
Cynthia just looked at our interaction with a mixed expression.
"Not even Lance is capable of getting close to a fully evolved Dragon-type like this… Even if a trainer owns the pokemon. You have a terrifying talent for dealing with Dragons, Ars."
I just smiled sheepishly as I gently rub Garchomp's check, who is purring in response.
"Spiritomb, please come here."
Hearing her trainer, the Ghost/Dark pokemon dutifully approach Cynthia.
"Ars, could you also touch Spiritomb as well? Maybe touch her on the solid part."
I hummed in thoughts. "Is this for confirming whether I have a Ghost-type Affinity or not?"
"Yes, it is. Seeing that you have a formidable Affinity towards dragon instantly crossed Steel out from the list. Which means, your second Affinity is now either Normal or Ghost-type."
I nodded in confirmation. "Does Spiritomb mind if I touch her?"
"Yes, it's no problem at all," Cynthia said while turning her attention to Spiritomb. "This trainer will touch you to confirm whether he has a ghost Affinity or not. Don't attack him if you feel uncomfortable, just give a response by distancing yourself, understood?"
Spiritomb nodded at Cynthia's order.
"Ars, if you please."
I nodded at her polite request as I extended my right hand to touch Cynthia's Spiritomb.
Much to my surprise, Spiritomb immediately displayed the same reaction with Garchomp as I began to rub the rock part of her body, as the ethereal part is swirling while the green part on Spiritomb's face is making a symbol resembling a reversed smiley lip.
"An Affinity on both Dragon-type and Ghost-type… I don't know whether I feel jealous or just amazed with you, Ars." Cynthia who saw the whole process just sighed in a defeated manner. As she just literally saw two of her pokemon getting chummy with a trainer she just met.
"I am just special, that's why." I said with smug satisfaction.
"Yeah, and I'm just unfortunate to be normal." Replied Cynthia in sarcasm. She then placed her hand on her jacket's pocket, looking for something. I watch her pulling a familiar red device which is similar to mine.
"Why are you suddenly taking out your Pokedex?"
"Just wondering about the last thing that has been bugging me…" Cynthia said ambiguous while then putting her pokedex in front of Sliggoo to scan her. "While her size is definitely massive which indicates the characteristics of Alpha pokemon, I still need to check it myself…"
A 'ping' sound comes from her pokedex, indicating the scanning is completed.
[ Hisuian Sliggoo, Snail Pokemon A Steel/Dragon type Pokemon. Gender: Female. Relaxed Nature. Height: 1.5 m, Weight: 147 kg.
Her entire body is covered with gooey mucus that can dissolve anything. Be sure to put gloves on if you're going to touch it.
Ability: Hydration, Shell Armor, Gooey
Moveset: Shelter, Absorb, Acid Spray, Water Gun, Dragon Breath, Water Pulse, Protect, Rain Dance, Dragon Pulse, Curse, Acid Armor, Body Slam, Life Dew.
Warning, the size indicates this pokemon is an Alpha pokemon. ]
I raised my eyebrow at how Cynthia's pokedex is giving more detailed information compared to my own pokedex.
'Is that due to her status as a Champion?'
But on the other hand, Cynthia's eyes widened while almost dropping her pokedex as she just stood frozen with her gaze entirely focused on Sliggoo, who was looking at Cynthia confusedly.
And not just her, Garchomp and Spiritomb who previously enjoyed my touch, suddenly widened their eyes as they immediately stood while looking at Sliggoo with astonishment. An action that was also being followed by the rest of her team as all of them literally fixed their attention directly at Sliggoo. Heck, I can see Lucario literally has his jaw dropped, while Togekiss mouth opens to the point I doubt it can stretch further. Both Roserade and Milotic reacted less than the rest, but they also stared at Sliggoo in bewilderment.
"Why are all of you suddenly reacting like that after hearing Sliggoo's description from pokedex?" I asked curiously.
"... Three abilities… And an Alpha on top of that…" I barely hear Cynthia's mumbles as she keeps staring at Sliggoo with an intense look.
Curious, I poke her shoulder, which immediately snaps her out from her thoughts. Cynthia then immediately glared at me intensely, catching me off guard. "Ars, did you know that your Sliggoo has three abilities and is also Alpha on top of that?"
"Of course I know," I replied to her, while still confused about her weird demeanor. "I mean I scanned her yesterday with a pokedex that was given by professor Magnolia. Anyway, what does it mean with her having three abilities and also Alpha anyway? I already know that she's an Alpha, and I think most pokemon could have more than one ability."
"... Yes, but that is mostly achieved with lots of things, as well as having the proper genes…" Cynthia explains with a low tone while giving me an odd look. "Most pokemon can only have one ability, with only a selectable few having two in at birth, with some also needing a rigorous amount of training in order to fully master their secondary ability. The percentage of pokemon having two abilities fully unlocked since birth is probably less than eight percent of the total pokemon population in the world.
My eyes widened hearing that. "Does that mean-"
Cynthia just nodded while she once again turned her attention on Sliggoo.
"The fact that your Sliggoo is having three abilities that are fully active while being the only extinct ancient that was recently discovered, and also an Alpha on top of that…
… I honestly cannot imagine what sort of monster she will be in the future when she fully evolves, she is truly one of a kind of a pokemon…"
Both of us fell into a silence, as I slowly processed what Cynthia just said about Sliggoo. But it doesn't take long enough as Cynthia suddenly asks me for something unexpected.
Something that I didn't even see coming.
"Say, Ars… Would you like to battle me?"
Beta Reader: Hipnyah, Old Man of The Mountain
Beta note: Old man: Wow! Dropped a bombshell on her huh Botan?
Author Note: A short update compared to chapter 3 since I have a hefty amount of work in December now that Christmas is approaching [Hipnyah: and past now, my fault sorry.]. I will try to update chapter 5 as soon as I can, but I have no promise that I can do it for the rest of the let's talk about this chapter.
Ars finally met his favorite pokemon! Too bad that he has a bad compatibility with Lucario and Roserade. Can you guess what his two Aversion of pokemon types are? Lol
Also, finally Ars' Affinities is finally revealed. He has a very good affinity towards both Dragon and Ghost, so congrats for anyone who guessed it correctly.
And for closing, Cynthia finally dropped a huge news to Ars about his Sliggoo, again!
Ars can't really catch a break at all.
Anyway I guess that's it. Thank you for all of your reviews, leave it a lot since it makes me a happy man. Adios!
Wade98: Well, now it's revealed lol. Good analysis though man.
monkiepawn: lol none taken, thanks for your review
Ultima-Owner: Magnolia can be blunt sometimes. But that's old people for most part.
=Ars Pokemon=
Hisuian Sliggoo
Snail Pokemon
Steel/Dragon-type Pokemon
Gender: Female
Relaxed Nature
Height: 1.5 m
Weight: 153 kg
Ability: Hydration, Shell Armor, Gooey
Moveset: Shelter, Absorb, Acid Spray, Water Gun, Dragon Breath, Water Pulse, Protect, Rain Dance, Dragon Pulse, Curse, Acid Armor, Body Slam, Life Dew (Egg move)
Warning, the size indicates this pokemon is an Alpha pokemon.
Hisuian Zorua
Spiteful Fox Pokemon
Normal/Ghost-type Pokemon
Gender: Female
Timid Nature
Height: 0.6 m
Weight: 11 kg
Ability: Illusion
Moveset: Torment, Shadow Sneak, Snarl, Extrasensory (Egg move)
Ralts
Feeling pokemon
Psychic/Fairy-type Pokemon
Gender: Female
Modest Nature
Height: 0.4 m
Weight: 4.5 kg
Ability: Trace
Moveset: Disarming Voice, Confusion, Hypnosis, Double Team, Thunderbolt, Disable (egg move)