Pokémon Adventures: GAMER PATH

Chapter 121: Slowpoke Well

~Third POV~

[Johto Region, Meanwhile, Azalea Town – Kurt's Home]

Meanwhile, Silver visits Kurt's house in Azalea Town, where an overworked Kurt asks him curiously, "By the way… what are you planning on doing with this Poke Ball you're having me make? Some special Pokémon you're after?"

Silver replied with Sneasel by his side as he said cooly, "Powerful Pokémon are the only ones I really want."

*KLANG*

Kurt laughed, hearing Silver's response, having found him worthy to give him his custom-made Poke Balls as he creates them, "Hahaha! Such intensity you have! Well, I don't care. As far as I know, the great Poke Balls I forge go to trainers who truly know how to use them. There, the Poke Ball was made from the Apricorn you brought. The famous Heavy Ball."

Kurt soon hands him a Heavy Ball crafted from the Black Apricorn he had given to the old man earlier. Silver nods his head, turning to leave outside Kurt's Home as he smirked, muttering, "Perfect. This Heavy Ball will be good to capture the Ursaring in the mountains. Let's move out."

/////

[Johto Region, Meanwhile, Azalea Town]

Azure arrived back in Azalea Town, the scent of wood and damp earth clinging to the air. Beside him, Pikachu, his lifelong partner, perched on his shoulder, its electric sacs crackling with barely contained energy.

Trailing slightly behind, Eevee, with its soft, cream-colored fur and intelligent brown eyes, padded softly, its tail swishing in anticipation. His team, a blend of familiar faces and newly discovered allies, was a testament to his growth as a trainer.

That morning, Azure returned to the Pokémon Center to have his Pokémon healed and to have some time to eat. As Azure ate a simple meal in the Azalea Town Pokémon Center, he noticed a subtle unease hanging in the air.

The normally cheerful chatter of the townspeople was muted, replaced by worried murmurs. He overheard snippets of conversations –

"Slowpoke Well…"

"Missing…"

"Something's not right…"

A knot of unease tightened in his stomach. Azalea Town was famous for its Slowpoke, gentle creatures that were deeply intertwined with the town's history and culture. They praised them as thanks to their yawns, they bring rainfall for them.

After having his Pokémon healed, a sense of foreboding lingered. Walking through town, Azure saw the absence of Slowpoke was glaringly obvious.

The playful creatures, usually basking in the sun or lounging in the shallow streams, were nowhere to be seen. The worried expressions on the faces of the townsfolk confirmed his suspicions.

Something was wrong. Azure said, his voice low and serious, "Pikachu, Eevee. I have a bad feeling about this. Let's check out Slowpoke Well."

/////

[Johto Region, Slowpoke Well – Interior]

The ancient well, a gaping maw in the earth, was located on the outskirts of town. As Azure approached, a faint, acrid smell assaulted his nostrils, a smell that made his skin crawl. He drew closer, peering into the darkness.

What he saw made his blood run cold. In the depths of the well, a group of men in dark uniforms was systematically capturing Slowpoke.

*Shinng*

With cruel efficiency, they were hacking off their tails, tossing the discarded appendages into sacks. The Slowpoke, their eyes wide with fear and pain, whimpered helplessly.

Rage surged through Azure, a tidal wave of fury that threatened to consume him. He recognized the uniforms instantly: Team Rocket.

The criminal organization, thought to be dismantled in Kanto, had revived in Johto. Azure hissed, his hands clenching into fists, "When will these fools ever learn… Time to clean up the trash."

Pikachu sparked angrily on his shoulder, its cheeks blazing with electricity. Eevee growled, its fur bristling.

Azure said, his voice trembling with barely suppressed fury, "Alright, team. We're stopping them. Now!"

*THUD*

He leaped into the well, landing with a thud on the damp earth. The Team Rocket grunts, startled by his sudden appearance, turned to face him, their faces contorted in sneering surprise.

One of the grunts sneered, stepping forward having a Poke Ball in hand as he said arrogantly, "Well, well, well. Looks like we've got a little hero trying to play tough. You're going to regret interfering with Team Rocket's business, kid."

Azure retorted, his voice steely, holding one of his Pokémon Poke Balls tightly from his belt as he said, "You're the ones who are going to regret this. You're hurting innocent Pokémon for your selfish gain. I won't let you get away with it!"

*Pop*

Hurling his Poke Ball out, he commanded, "Quagsire! Ice Punch!"

*SMASH*

Quagsire reeled its fist and slammed the grunt squarely in the chest. The grunt yelped in pain and surprise, pushed into a nearby wall knocked out from the attack.

It was when the other grunts quickly recovered, looking at Azure yelling alarmed, "Shit! It's Azure Sky! It's those brats that dismantled Team Rocket!!"

All eyes widened, realizing the danger. They hurled their Poke Balls, bringing out their Pokémon and retaliated, sending out their Pokémon – Zubat, Koffing, Elekids, Ekans, Drowzee, Pinsir, and Grimer – to attack.

Azure smirked as he hurled out 2 Poke Balls as he ordered, "Skarmory! Tailwind! Misdreavus! Ominous Wind!"

*Pop*

Both began their attacks as they unleashed their respective attacks. With a flap of its wings, Skarmory created a swirling whirlwind that gives itself more speed.

*Wooosh*

At the same time, Misdreavus unleashed Ominous Wind. Releasing a purple wind by waving her hair arms at the group of Pokémon, added with Tailwind, created a powerful updraft pushing the Team Rocket Grunt's Pokémon back.

*Thud*

All were pinned to the ground thanks to Skarmory and Misdreavus' efforts. Not one to let opportunities missed, Azure commanded, hurling his next Poke Ball, "Pupitar! Hit'em with an Earthquake!"

*Pop*

*SLAM*

Coming out of the Poke Ball, Pupitar slammed down to the ground in a brown aura. Cracks formed, activating the Earthquake as the Rocket Grunt's Pokémon took the hit, as Azure added, "Quagsire! Surf!"

*SPLASH*

Summoning a wave of water, Quagsire washed up the enemy Pokémon with an effective AOE attack, landing. The Team Rocket Grunts grit their teeth as more began to pour out, with Azure bringing out Houndoom and Flaaffy.

The battle raged in the confined space of the well. Azure and his Pokémon fought fiercely, their determination fueled by their righteous anger.

The Team Rocket grunts, caught off guard by Azure's skill and the power of his Pokémon, began to falter. One by one, the grunts' Pokémon fell, defeated by Azure's team.

Finally, only the leader remained, his face pale with apprehension. He sputtered, before turning and fleeing into the darkness, "You… you haven't seen the last of us! Team Rocket – Ah!"

*THUD*

Quagsire knocked out the leader with a simple punch as it muttered, "Quaaaag."

Azure watched him knock out as his other Pokémon began tying them up, his chest heaving. He knew this was just the beginning.

Team Rocket was back, and he would have to be ready to face them again. Gazing at his Pokémon, adjusting his cap, he smirked, rubbing Quagsire's head, "Thanks for shutting him up, buddy. Know how to throw a mean punch."

Quagsire simply nodded with a goofy grin, saluting, "Quag!"

Laughing lightly, Houndoom and Flaaffy began looting the unconscious Team Rocket Grunts of their money, items, TMs, and liberating Pokémon. Turning his attention back to the Slowpoke, Azure approached them cautiously, his heart aching at their suffering.

He gently soothed them, using potions and berries to heal their wounds. Pikachu and Eevee nuzzled against them, offering comfort.

After that, he hurled a Poke Ball out. It popped open.

*Pop*

Alakazam materialized, eyeing the Team Rocket grunts, sighing as he telepathically said, 'I got it. Teleport them out of the well.'

*Shiii*

Activating his psychic power, Alakazam teleported the grunts out of the well with Teleport with a flick of his spoon. Azure smiled, thanking Alakazam for his assistance, "Thanks, Alakazam. Glad to have ya."

Alakazam nodded with a sly smirk. Recalling him into its Poke Ball and sending him to Box 1, he climbed up the ladder, recalling his Pokémon, muttering, "Although I would've appreciated it if he helped out."

Pikachu snickered along with Eevee yipping cheerfully. Azure sighed at his partner's carefree lifestyle.

Managing to come out of the Slowpoke Well, he blinked, surprised, seeing a certain figure with an Ursaring. The figure revealed to be Soul Silver blinked equally confused, seeing the Team Rocket Grunts being knocked out, tied, and defeated.

Coming out of the Slowpoke Well, Azure casually raised his hand, "Yo!"

Silver gazed at the Team Rocket Grunts, asking in a confused tone as Azure gets out from the Well, "Did you manage to defeat all of those Team Rocket Grunts by yourself?"

Azure nodded, adjusting his clothing as he casually said adjusting his cap, "Yup! Battling waves of them just happened to be a good way to help my team train."

Silver just looked at the group of Team Rocket Grunts with a neutral expression. However, seeing the chance, he asked Azure bluntly, "If that's the case… can I ask you for a Pokémon Battle. With Ursaring, I'll need a decent challenge."

Azure smirked, having a Pokémon in mind, reaching for his belt, grasping one of his Poke Balls, agreeing in an excited tone, "Ok! But we'll do this as a one-on-one challenge. I wanna see if you improved since last time."

Silver simply nodded, needing to test his skills and strength against Azure. Silver's Ursaring stepped forward with a mighty roar, "URSA!! URRR!!!"

Azure smirked as he hurled his Pokémon in a confident tone, "Go! Quagsire!"

*Pop*

Quagsire materialized out of the Poke Ball with a dull, witted battle cry, "Quaaaag…"

Silver checked his Pokedex, seeing Quagsire's level. He had a neutral expression as he thought confidently, 'According to the data, Quagsire Lv.34 with a base stat of 430. Compared to my Ursaring's Lv.38 and 500 Base Stats. Our victory is strategically secured against him.'

Not giving Azure the chance, Silver ordered first, "Ursaring! Fury Swipes!"

*Swooosh*

Charging straight in with its claws glowing white with Normal Type Energy, aiming for a clear slash. Azure countered, "Intercept with Agile Style! Ice Punch!"

*KRAKLE*

Blocking Ursaring's first swipe with Ice Punch, Quagsire locked in. Its tiny black eyes narrowed slightly as it began to trade blow for blow with Ursaring, blocking its Fury Swipe lunges with Ice Punch in a quick flurry of jabs.

*SMASH*

*SMASH*

Each attack made was countered with one swipe intercepted by an Ice Punch, quick and agile, but not strong, just barely enough to block Urasring's power. Silver ordered, "Hammer Arm!"

*Shiii*

Coating its arm in a fighting-type aura shining in a white light, Ursaring slammed its right fist towards Quagsire. Azure countered, "Agile Style! Liquidation!"

*BASH*

Quagsire's entire body becomes covered in water, and it slams into Urasring with surprising speed thanks to its priority being a water-type move. And in the process, managed to push it off while activating Water Absorb from the move, recovering.

Skidding across the dirt, Ursaring blocked the attack, crossing its arm in time. The Hibernator Pokémon looked at the goofy expression of Quagsire as it raised its fins, motioning to come, "Quaaaag…"

Its tiny black eyes narrowed with a sinister, goofy grin taunted the Ursaring. It raised its foot as Azure ordered, "Earthquake!"

*STOMP*

*RMBL*

Sending its foot down, causing a ripple of Ground Type energy pulsing through the earth as it traveled, as cracks towards Ursaring. Silver quickly ordered, "Block with Bulldoze Ursaring!"

*THUD*

Ursaring stomps down on the ground and creates a shockwave on the ground. Both shockwaves collided, canceling each other out as Azure added, "Quagsire use Mist to shroud the field."

Silver narrowed his eyes as he countered, "Ursaring use Taunt!"

Ursaring smirked as it roared smugly, waving its claw, motioning for Quagsire to come to it instead. Azure frowned as Quagsire fell for Ursaring's Taunt, halting its Mist move, sighing out loud, "Sigh… this is gonna be annoying. Quagsire prepare for close combat and battle with Ice Punch!"

*KRACKLE*

Circling its arms, it formed additional limbs out of ice, taking the shape of arms clenched fists as Quagsire cried out, "Quag! Quagsire!"

Rushing into battle, Silver smirked as he ordered, "Ursaring! Use Metal Claw!"

*Shinng*

Ursaring grinned as its claws were coated in a metal sheen. It rushed ahead, daring to battle Azure's Quagsire in close combat, exchanging blows for blows as the two battled, continuing to sharpen both their Pokémon's skills and abilities.

/////

~Soul S. POV~

[Johto Region, Later, Azalea Town – Slowpoke Well]

30 minutes later, commanding my Ursaring, it finally managed to defeat his Quagsire after getting through his annoying healing tactics. Landing a final Hammer Arm on the Quagsire finally fainted.

*Thud*

Panting as my Ursaring had to struggle against the Quagsire, it roared happily, "Roooar!"

But to me, it felt like a slap on the face. While my Ursaring managed to win, it took longer than anticipated to finally take down one of his Pokémon as Azure recalled his Quagsire, thanking him, "Take a good rest, buddy. Learn from this to improve and be better for now, rest up."

Recalling his Pokémon, I did the same, as it made me reflect on my skills. I've been caught and captured by the Masked Man to learn about Trade Evolutions.

Along with Green, there were others. Each specializes in one type of skill.

However, from this encounter, I can tell I still need to train if my Ursaring I caught took this much trouble battling one Pokémon.

While I was deep in thought, Azure spoke up, getting my attention as he bluntly said, "So you and Green are planning to put an end to the Masked Man's ambitions?"

I paused, hearing him say that so bluntly. My eyes narrowed in suspicion as I ultimately replied with venom in my tone, "… yes. But what does it have to do with you?"

Azure simply grinned, jabbing a thumb to his chest as he proclaimed proudly, "Then you need a guy who dealt with Team Rocket before. After all… You are talking to one of the four people who helped destroy their Organization."

… No. I shook my head.

This isn't his battle. This is ours.

Shaking my head, I denied his offer as I headed to the Pokémon Center. Nosy people shouldn't interfere with other people's business, turning around to leave –

*THUD*

I blinked, hearing a thud. I turned to see Azure and his Pokémon fall asleep from… a nearby Shiny Slowpoke using Yawn…

Did... did he seriously try to ask a Slowpoke to be his Pokémon only to get rejected with a Yawn?

I was right in my choice, not allowing this fool to be part of this mission. I mean, who falls asleep from a Slowpoke?

Idiot.

/////

A/N: Reach the goal of 200 PS for a Bonus Chapter!