Chapter 23: Jumped!
~Third POV~
[Kanto Region, Route 24 – Nugget Bridge]
Unknown to all of them, someone was watching from a distance as Azure was going to the last person in charge of the Nugget Bridge challenge. Green smirked as she muttered, looking through binoculars, "Three strong Pokémon, and most likely has some good money. Seems like we meet again, Azure Sky. This will be easy pickings."
Approaching the last person, Azure caught sight of the man walking towards him. He looked shady, but he was pleased to see him as he said in a happy tone, "Congratulations, young man! You beat 5 of our trainers, and I must say that was a wonderful display of power! You just earned a fabulous prize!"
Azure was handed a wooden box in his hands which he opened revealing six Golden Nuggets inside it that gleamed in the sunlight. He smiled as he used [Observe] over them to see if they were the real deal.
[Item: Gold Nugget x6
Rarity Item: B
Type: Item
Description: A nugget of the purest gold that gives off a lustrous gleam in direct light. It can be sold at a high price to shops for 10,000 Poke Dollars.]
Azure almost choked, seeing the cost of selling them. His eyes widened as he thought in a stunned tone, 'The hell!! I thought I could sell these for 5000 Poke Dollars! The only way it would sell that high is if it were the Legends of Arceus version!'
Azure smirked, seeing them in his hand as he said calmly, "Thank you."
Azure assumed he would be done with this and leave, but things are never that simple in life, as the man said, "Ah, just one second, please. Before you leave, I have an offer to make to you. Kid, how would you like to join Team Rocket? That's right!"
Twirling around and removing his casual clothing, the shady man revealed himself to be a Team Rocket Grunt as he said his offer, "You see, our group is interested in strong trainers like yourself. We set this challenge up to find worthy trainers who had the potential that our boss was looking for in the organization. As part of our group, these nuggets would be mere drops in the ocean of wealth you could amass with your strength as part of our organization."
He clasped his hands together with a sneaky grin as he continued to make his pitch to Azure of joining Team Rocket, "Just think about it? Someone of your strength would undoubtedly be able to climb the inner rankings and bring great joy to our organization. It would be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to use your strength and become famous worldwide as a member of the Team Rocket Elite."
Azure smirked, seeing that confrontation was undeniable as he corrected the Team Rocket Grunt in an amused tone, gazing at the grunt, "I think you mean infamous. Thanks, but no thanks, I have no interest in joining any groups, I'm strong enough on my own. Besides, I'm no one's lap dog."
Almost instantly, the grunt's smile turned into scowls as he sneered at Azure, having his Poke Ball out, "Oh, so you think you're hot stuff, do you just because you beat a few trainers, all that winning has gone to your head, kid. This is your last chance; you can either join us, and we can forget about what you just said. Or I can make you – "
Not given any chance to finish speaking, Growlithe came out first, growling as he lunged forward at the grunt. His eyes widened as he called out his Pokémon to defend himself, and Azure's eyes narrowed.
*Pop*
What came out was a Golbat taking the brunt of Growlithe's Bite attack. Golbat is a large, blue chiropteran Pokémon with purple wing membranes. It has small eyes with slit-like pupils, tiny triangular ears with purple insides, and a massive mouth with two fangs in each jaw.
The fangs are smaller on a female Golbat. While its mouth seems to be otherwise empty, Golbat occasionally displays a long, purple tongue. It has short legs with long, tiny feet. Despite this, Golbat can walk skillfully on the ground.
*CRUNCH*
The Goldbat's eyes widened in pain as Azure thought, using [Observe] on the Pokémon with a noticeable frown on his face, 'No wonder the man is so confident. His Golbat is Lv.30 higher than all my Pokémon. But…'
*Pop*
All of Azure's Pokémon came out as Dratini lunged forward with Extreme Speed, followed by Wrap trapping the Bat Pokémon in place. Pikachu followed with an Iron Tail, aiming at the Golbat's wings, intending to disable its flight.
*SMASH*
Growlithe brought the Golbat to the ground as the three attacked relentlessly at the higher-level Bat Pokémon. The Rocket Grunt paled as he only had a single high-level Pokémon go down, as he could handle the weak trainers around.
He didn't expect his Pokémon to get jumped. And he wasn't the only one, as Azure thought, observing the scene, 'Okay… I know Growlithe hates Team Rocket, but lunging at the guy? I'm gonna need to have a serious talk with Doggo here just to not get myself charged for manslaughter via Pokémon… so long as no one's looking at least. I mean, this is in broad daylight after all.'
However, Azure didn't play by that rule as he cocked a smug grin as his Pokémon jumped his Goldbat without mercy. The Grunt looked scared at Azure as he said calmly, "So… what was this about you forcing me? Now, how about you hand over your belongings, and you get to leave in one piece?"
Azure revealed another Poke Ball as the grunt scuttled back in fear, thinking he had another Pokémon. Unaware of the Rocket Grunt, Azure was bluffing as Growlithe came back carrying the fainted Golbat, wagging its tail happily, barking, dropping it next to him, "Arf! Bark!"
Recalling his Pokémon, the grunt did as he was told, throwing down all his belongings, not wanting to be killed or maimed by his Pokémon. The Grunt, his bravado completely gone, reluctantly emptied his pockets.
He dropped several Poké Balls, a torn map, a Dragon Fang, a TM, and a wad of crumpled bills. Recalling his defeated Golbat, he turned and fled, scrambling away as fast as his legs could carry him as he thought hatefully, 'That damn brat! I promise I'll get my revenge! If it's the last thing I'll fucking do – '
*Tmp*
But his escape was short-lived. A figure emerged from behind a nearby building, cutting him off.
It was Misty, the Cerulean City Gym Leader, her expression stern. Along with her was Red, after finishing their battle, looking equally angry as she asked, her voice dripping with authority, "Going somewhere?"
Azure watched as Misty apprehended the fleeing Grunt along with Red as he waved at them, taking their leave to interrogate the Grunt. He then turned his attention to the items the Grunt had dropped.
He picked up the Poké Balls, recognizing them as likely stolen or used to capture wild Pokémon against their will. He released each one, hoping they would find their way back to their trainers or freedom.
But that was when he found two items from the Team Rocket Grunt that had his undivided attention. Finishing his job well done, he got hold of the items the Team Rocket Grunt had on him as he used [Observe] on them and smiled.
[Item: Dragon Fang
Rarity Item: A
Type: Held Item
Description: An item to be held by a Pokémon. This hard, sharp fang boosts the power of the holder's Dragon-type moves by 20%.]
[Item: TM Protect
Rarity Item: -
Type: Technical Machine
Description: A Technical Machine used to grant memory knowledge of how to perform the move [Protect].]
Azure raised an eyebrow, reading the text of the TM transferred in a dry tone, "Seriously? The move Protect. It's not the worst TM, considering we're not living in a game world…"
Shrugging his shoulders, Azure simply smiled, having an idea of who to give this TM Protect to as he prepared to battle the Cerulean City Gym Leader. He grinned as he felt his blood pumping for action.
Turning his attention to Dratini, he called her over, getting her attention as she slithered over to him, "Hey, Dratini! I have a present for you that just came in to help you boost your Dragon-Type moves!"
Dratini's eyes widened as Azure placed the Dragon Fang around her neck. Using her tail, she saw the Dragon Fang give off a Dragon Aura, shrouding it, already felt the effects of her Dragon-Type moves being boosted.
Dratini cried happily, rubbing her body against his leg, "Dra! Dratini!"
Pikachu smiled with a knowing look. Growlithe looked pitiful as he pleaded, nudging his paw against Azure's other leg, pouting lightly, "Bark? Arf…"
Kneeling to their level, Azure rubbed Growlithe's head as he said in a calm tone, reassuring the Puppy Pokémon, "No worries. I'll be sure to get you your elemental enhancement item. They're rare and hard to come by, but I'll be damn sure I get you your Charcoal to boost your fire-type moves, buddy."
Growlithe smiled, hearing that, and he roared happily. While reassuring his team, Azure gazes at his Partner, Pikachu.
Having the time, he thought in a serious tone about Pikachu's abilities, 'Since I have the time, Pikachu should start learning his Partner moves. Zippy Zap, Floaty Fall, Splishy Splash, and Pika Papow.'
Understanding the seriousness of his situation, having his Pikachu learn the Partner Moves was essential coverage, along with the Cosplay Pikachu moves, although he would be focusing on moves that were possible within the time given. With that in mind, he began to train his team.
As they moved forward, Azure began to check his Arc Phone, looking up ways for his Pokémon to train different moves as he thought seriously, 'I'll need to make sure I keep their diets and needs in my notes. Having Growlithe along, I'll need to be delicate on how I handle food distributions between the four of us…'
As they walked forward, Azure made sure to make a schedule plan for the additional Pokémon added to his team. Throughout his time journeying the Kanto Region, Azure noticed that few trainers carry a team of 4 or 3 Pokémon at a time.
Genuinely curious, he checked it out by researching the reason why, with few interesting results. Usually, trainers only have their 'Main Pokémon' on a Pokebelt so that they can react quickly in any situation, being termed 'Ace Trainers,' a name he recognized in games in future generations.
Most Ace Trainers only have between 3 and 4 Main Pokémon that they actively train and give valuable items or experience. Only the very strong Ace trainers or Rich Trainers can afford to train more Pokémon.
They are Trainers who frequently travel around the world to meet new Trainers and take part in Pokémon League competitions. They generally use strong and evolved Pokémon and have a diversified and balanced party.
Azure frowned as he could see videos of some Ace Trainers' Pokémon ranging from Lv.40 to Lv.60. Yet he smirked as he thought, feeling his blood pumping, 'That means there'll be hard challenges ahead, right? I can't wait…'
Feeling a sense of excitement coursing through him, Azure couldn't help but grin happily for the future in store. But refrained from acting out as he adjusted his cap, preparing to train his Pocket Monsters.