Pokémon Adventures: GAMER PATH

Chapter 126: Sharp Claw Pokémon [Bonus]

~Third POV~

[Johto Region, Route 34 – Pokémon Care]

Azure Sky, the name whispered with respect in the Kanto region, now echoed with a hopeful curiosity in Johto. He walked with a confident stride, his Pikachu perched comfortably on his shoulder, its tail crackling with contained energy.

Eevee, ever the playful companion, darted around his feet, sniffing at the tall grass that lined Route 34. And Celebi, out of the GS Ball, floated around with genuinely curious eyes, traveling with companions in this era.

His belt held six Poké Balls, each containing a loyal member of his team: the rock-hard Pupitar, the mischievous Misdreavus, the chill Quagsire, the fiery Houndoom, the fluffy Flaaffy, and the steely Skarmory. He'd come to Johto seeking new challenges, new Pokémon, and new experiences.

Route 34, with its gentle breeze and sun-drenched fields, offered exactly that. He battled aspiring trainers eager to test their mettle, honing his team's skills with each victory.

Wild Pokémon, curious and cautious, tested his reflexes. A well-aimed Poké Ball later, he found himself the proud owner of an energetic Elekid, its tiny body buzzing with static electricity, and a spirited Magby, perpetually surrounded by a shimmering heat haze.

His team was growing, diversifying, and demanding even more of his attention. As the sun began to dip towards the horizon, painting the sky in hues of orange and purple, Azure spotted a quaint building nestled amidst a cluster of trees.

A sign, weathered but legible, announced it as the Pokémon Day Care. A wave of relief washed over him.

His Pokémon, particularly the younger ones like Elekid and Magby, were tiring. He decided to stop for the night and see if he could learn anything from the daycare owners.

He was greeted at the door by an elderly woman with kind eyes and a warm smile. Her husband, a slightly gruffer man with calloused hands, followed close behind.

They welcomed Azure with open arms, offering him a tour of their facility. It was a simple, well-maintained place, with several enclosed yards where Pokémon could play and socialize as the couple were Breeders.

Azure was impressed by their dedication and the obvious care they put into looking after the Pokémon entrusted to them.

As they walked towards the back of the property, however, Azure noticed a small, dilapidated shed hidden behind a thick hedge. The air around it felt different, heavy and…wrong.

"Sne…"

He could hear faint, distressed whines emanating from within. He asked, his voice tinged with concern, "What's in there?"

The old woman's smile faltered, and the old man's face hardened. They exchanged a quick, uneasy glance as the woman said, her voice a little too high-pitched, "Oh, that's just…an old storage shed. We haven't used it in years."

Azure didn't believe them. His instincts, honed by years of training and battling, were screaming at him.

He knew something was amiss. He pressed, his voice firm but polite, "May I see it?"

The old man sighed, his shoulders slumping slightly. But he replied, shaking his head, protesting, "There's nothing to see, young man. It's just…cluttered and dirty."

Ignoring their protests, Azure stepped towards the shed. The old man moved to block his path, but Azure gently sidestepped him.

He reached for the rusty latch and pulled it open. The shed was dark and musty, filled with discarded tools, broken furniture, and piles of forgotten supplies. The air was thick with the smell of dust and neglect.

In the far corner, huddled beneath a torn blanket, was a small, dark figure. Azure moved closer, his heart pounding in his chest.

As his eyes adjusted to the dim light, he recognized the creature. It was a Sneasel, its sleek black fur matted and dirty, its crimson eyes wide with fear.

It trembled violently, its sharp claws digging into the dirt floor. Azure exclaimed, his voice filled with surprise and concern, "Sneasel!"

He'd seen plenty of Sneasel in the wild, usually bold and cunning predators. This one looked utterly terrified.

The old couple hurried into the shed, their faces flushed with a mixture of anger and embarrassment. The old man barked, his voice harsh, "Get out of here, boy! This doesn't concern you."

Azure demanded, his voice rising, "What are you doing to this Pokémon?"

The old woman stepped forward, her voice pleading as she said, "Please, young man, just leave it be. It's for the best."

Azure retorted, his gaze fixed on the trembling Sneasel, "Best for whom?"

The old man sighed, rubbing his forehead. He began to explain carefully at Azure from their perspective as Breeders, "Look, Sneasel is nothing but trouble. They're thieves, scavengers, and they're despised by breeders. They cause nothing but headaches. We were just about to…take care of it."

Azure's blood ran cold. He knew what they meant. He asked, his voice dangerously low, "Take care of it? You were going to kill it."

The old woman looked away, shamefaced. The old man remained silent, his jaw clenched tight.

Azure simply sighed as he wanted to yell at them. But he knew it would be pointless as he did understand their perspective, recalling how he met a pack of Sneasel in his earlier journey.

But that didn't mean he had to like it. Not when he was around to save a Pokémon's life, given another chance.

He knelt beside the Sneasel, extending a hand slowly and cautiously. He said softly, his voice gentle and reassuring, "Hey there. It's okay. I'm not going to hurt you."

The Sneasel flinched, but it didn't run. It stared at Azure with its large, fearful eyes, its body still trembling.

*Shiii*

Activating his Viridian Force, Azure's presence subtly changed, making Sneasel feel a bit comfortable with the aura his excluding. Azure waited patiently, letting the Sneasel get used to his presence.

Slowly, cautiously, the Pokémon reached out and sniffed his hand. Then, to Azure's surprise, it nuzzled against his palm, letting out a soft, almost purring sound.

Azure said, his voice filled with warmth, "That's it. You're safe now."

He stood up, turning to face the old couple. He said, his voice firm, "I'll take it. I'll take the Sneasel off your hands."

The old man looked relieved, almost grateful. The old woman still looked ashamed, but she nodded silently.

Without another word, Azure gently scooped up the Sneasel in his arms. It nestled against him, its trembling slowly subsiding.

He could feel its sharp claws digging into his jacket, but he didn't mind. He knew it was just scared.

He turned to leave but stopped at the doorway. Despite knowing their professions, he couldn't help but say, his voice laced with disappointment, "You know. Pokémon aren't just tools for breeding or battling. They're living creatures with feelings and personalities. You should remember that."

With that, he walked out of the shed, leaving the old couple standing in the shadows. Outside, under the fading light of the setting sun, Azure sat down on a nearby log.

He held the Sneasel close, stroking its matted fur. He murmured, his voice barely audible as he said, "You've had a rough time, haven't you?"

The Sneasel looked up at him, its eyes filled with a flicker of hope. Azure said, smiling gently, "Don't worry. Things are going to be different now. You're going to be part of my team."

He reached for a Poké Ball, hesitated for a moment, then retracted his hand. He said calmly, "No. Not yet. I want you to trust me first."

He spent the next hour talking to the Sneasel, telling it about his journey, his Pokémon, and his dreams. He shared stories of his battles, his victories, and his losses.

He spoke of the importance of kindness, loyalty, and respect. All the while, he also fed the Sharp Claw Pokémon some Poke Blocks, along with healing it in the process with his Viridian Force, genuinely forming a bond.

The Sneasel listened intently, its eyes never leaving his face. As the stars began to appear in the night sky, Azure felt a connection forming between them.

He knew that this was the beginning of a special bond. He knew this Sneasel would need special care, perhaps more so than any Pokémon he'd caught before. He'd need to gain its trust, to show it that not everyone was cruel and dismissive.

It would be a challenge, but one he was willing to take on. Eventually, after bonding, Azure managed to gain Sneasel's trust as he said happily, "Want to be my Pokémon, Sneasel? I can at least promise you'll be fed."

Sneasel's eyes lit up as Azure held a Poke Ball. Sneasel raised its claw, tapping the button happily, agreeing, "Sne! Sneasel!"

The Poke Ball opened as Sneasel was enveloped inside a red ray of light. Being absorbed into the Poke Ball, it didn't resist as the Poke Ball clicked.

*BON*

Hearing the sounds of its capture, meaning complete, Azure smiled happily. He checked Sneasel's stats, reading the info happily.

|Name: Sneasel (Sharp Claw Pokémon)

|Type: Dark/Ice

|Level: 25

|Gender: Female

|Held Item: None

|Ability: Pickpocket (Hidden Ability)

|Nature: Jolly

|Moves: Leer, Scratch, Taunt, Quick Attack, Screech, Faint Attack, Fury Swipes, Agility, Metal Claw, Hone Claws, Icy Wind, Pursuit (IM), Thief (IM), Ice Punch (EM) (3 Moves left to learn)

[Sneasel the Sharp Claw Pokémon. Its claws are also used for climbing trees in boreal or sub-alpine forests where it lives. It can also bring out its claws to startle foes who attack it. Sneasel is a smart, sneaky, and notoriously vicious Pokémon, and blends well into the night to ambush its prey.

Sneasel feeds on Eggs, such as those of Pidgey, that it steals from unattended nests. It uses its claws to poke a hole in the Egg before slurping the contents out. It has been known to form pairs to hunt: one Sneasel will lure the parents away from their nest, while the other steals their Eggs.

Although the Sneasel pair works together, they will also fight over their hunt among themselves. As a result of its Egg-based diet, Sneasels are despised by Breeders to the point where they try to drive away or eradicate the former.

Sneasel also preys on Alolan Sandshrew, but the Sandshrew's skin is so hard that it can cause Sneasel's claws to snap off. Sneasel has been observed sleeping peacefully on very rare occasions despite its savage personality. Additionally, it has been seen sleeping with its belly out and languidly washing its face.]

Azure smiled, seeing this as Sneasel inside its Poke Ball looked at him. He chuckled, getting ready to feed her as he thought, impressed, 'This is one talented Sneasel. With the amount of Inherited Moves she has makes me wonder why most Pokémon don't obtain them than most?'

Azure brought out Sneasel as it began to eat the Poke Blocks made for Dark and Ice Types, which he had on hand in his Sub-Space. He chuckled, rubbing her head as he thought, 'I did need a new Ice and Dark Type anyway for new members. Plus, having a Pokémon with a Hidden Ability is always a good thing to have in mind. And to think those old couple were gonna kill such a talented Pokémon. Tch.'

/////

[Johto Region, Next Day, Route 34 – Pokémon Care]

The next morning, Azure thanked the old couple for their hospitality, though the words felt hollow in his mouth. He left a generous sum of money as payment for the night's stay, hoping it might ease their conscience.

As he walked away from the Day Care, with Pikachu on his shoulder and Eevee bounding ahead, the Sneasel walked beside him, no longer trembling, but with a newfound curiosity in its eyes. Azure knew that he had made the right decision.

He had saved a Pokémon's life, and in doing so, he had perhaps saved a part of himself as well. His journey in Johto was just beginning, and with his growing team by his side, he was ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.

He knew that with patience and love, even a Pokémon who was once feared and unwanted could find its place in the world, and perhaps even become someone's trusted partner. The path ahead was long, but Azure had a feeling that with his new companion, it would be an exciting one.

He smiled, a genuine, heartfelt smile, at the Sneasel, who returned his gaze with a newfound glint of determination. They were a team now, and together, they would conquer the Johto region.

He smirked as in the distance ahead he saw a city at the distance as he thought excitedly, "It's Goldenrod City. We're almost there for our second Gym Badge soon…"

*Shiver*

But when he recalled who was in Goldenrod City. He paused, feeling a shiver down his spine as he muttered out loud, disgusted, "Oh right… her… the god damn Miltank Rollout Strat Whitney…"