Chapter 86: Viridian Force
~Third POV~
[Kanto Region, Weeks Later, Viridian Forest]
Azure stood at the edge of Viridian Forest, Pikachu perched happily on his shoulder, its tail twitching with excitement. It had been a year and a few months since he'd last been here, a wide-eyed novice trainer, scared of every rustle in the undergrowth.
Now, a Champion, he felt a strange sense of nostalgia and a quiet pull drawing him back. His team, now seasoned veterans, were spread around him.
Eevee, ever curious, sniffed at a patch of bright pink flowers. Arcanine, majestic as ever, stood guard, his keen eyes scanning the treeline. Scizor, his metallic body gleaming in the dappled sunlight, sharpened his claws with a low, rhythmic scrape.
Gengar, as mischievous as ever, was already halfway up a towering tree, its purple form barely visible amongst the leaves. And Dragonite, the gentle giant, hovered patiently behind him, a reassuring presence.
Azure said excitedly, a grin spreading across his face, adjusting his cap, "Alright, guys. Let's explore. I'm hoping to finally add a Bulbasaur to our team. But more than that, I just want to remember how it all started."
He knew capturing a Bulbasaur wouldn't be easy. They were notoriously shy and often stuck close to the heart of the forest.
He remembered Professor Oak telling him stories of their resilience and deep connection to the environment. And due to their appearance, it was rare to encounter one that could camouflage well in the forest.
They ventured into the forest. Sunlight filtered through the thick canopy, casting dancing shadows on the mossy ground.
The air was thick with the scent of damp earth and blooming flora. The familiar cries of Caterpie and Weedle echoed through the trees, a stark contrast to the roar of crowds and the flashing lights of the Indigo Plateau.
As they pushed deeper, the forest seemed to grow quieter, the usual Pokémon cries fading into a hushed murmur. Azure felt a subtle shift in the air, a palpable energy that vibrated through him.
Pikachu, sensing it too, nuzzled closer to his cheek, a low growl rumbling in its chest. Suddenly, a rustle in the bushes startled them.
*Rustle*
Azure instinctively reached for a Poké Ball, but before he could react, a flash of green shot out, narrowly missing Pikachu. It was a Bulbasaur, its large, red eyes wide with fear. It scurried behind a thick root, its bulb trembling.
Azure called out, his voice calm and reassuring, "Wait! We don't want to hurt you. We just want to be friends."
He cautiously approached, extending a hand slowly. Bulbasaur remained hidden, its gaze fixed on him.
He crouched down, trying to appear as non-threatening as possible. Smiling, he said softly to the Seed Pokémon, "I'm Azure, and this is Pikachu. We're Pokémon trainers, but we love and respect all Pokémon. We just want to get to know you."
He spoke for several minutes, his voice a soothing balm to the Bulbasaur's fear. Slowly, hesitantly, the small Pokémon emerged from its hiding place.
It took a tentative step forward, then another. Finally, it reached out and touched Azure's hand with its vine whip.
*Click*
A strange jolt of energy coursed through Azure, a wave of warmth that spread through his entire being. He felt a connection to the Bulbasaur, a sense of understanding that transcended words.
He knew, in that instant, that they were meant to be together. He gently scooped up the Bulbasaur, cradling it in his arms as he said happily, "Welcome to the team."
Bulbasaur nuzzled against him, its fear replaced with a sense of trust. Just as Azure held a Poke Ball, he placed it on Bulbasaur's forehead and captured it.
*BON*
With no issues capturing the Bulbasaur, he grinned. He grabbed his Arc Phone as he checked its info.
[Bulbasaur the Seed Pokémon. On Bulbasaur's back is a green plant bulb that conceals two slender, tentacle-like vines, which grow from a seed planted there at birth. The bulb also provides it with energy through photosynthesis and from the nutrient-rich seeds contained within.
First partner Pokémon are raised by Breeders to be distributed to new Trainers. Having been raised by humans from birth, Bulbasaur is regarded as both a rare and well-behaved Pokémon. It is known to be extremely loyal, even after long-term abandonment.
Bulbasaur has demonstrated a nurturing instinct towards younger, weaker Pokémon, one individual even using its vines to pick up a crying Pokémon, gently rocking it back and forth through the air while singing a "Bulba-by". Its vines are long and strong enough to allow Bulbasaur to grab the branches of trees and pull itself up to reach berries.
Bulbasaur can survive for days without eating. Bulbasaur is known to sleep in sunny spots. Bulbasaur has four different sleep styles it sleeps in: Sunbathing Sleep, Sturdy Sleep, Vines-Out Sleep, and Atop-Belly Sleep.
It is found in grasslands and forests throughout the Kanto region. However, due to Bulbasaur's status as a first partner Pokémon, it is hard to come by in the wild and is generally found under the ownership of a Trainer.
A Bulbasaur's bulb will flash blue when it is ready to evolve. If it does not want to evolve, it struggles to resist the transformation. Many Bulbasaur gather every year in a hidden garden in Kanto to evolve into Ivysaur in a ceremony led by a Venusaur.]
|Name: Bulbasaur (Seed Pokémon)
|Type: Grass/Poison
|Level: 7
|Gender: Female
|Held Item: None
|Ability: Overgrow
|Nature: Modest
|Moves: Growl, Tackle, Vine Whip, Growth, Leech Seed, Ingrain (IM), Toxic (EM) (0 Moves left to learn)
As he stood up holding his new Pokémon, a wave of dizziness washed over him. The forest around him shimmered, the trees blurring into streaks of green and brown.
*Shiii*
He felt a strange pressure building in his head, a cacophony of voices whispering in his mind. He swayed, nearly losing his balance.
Pikachu leaped off his shoulder, barking frantically. Arcanine rushed to his side, its fur bristling. The rest of his team circled him protectively, sensing the danger.
Then, as suddenly as it began, the dizziness subsided. Azure blinked, trying to clear his head. The forest was still and silent, the air thick with an almost palpable energy. As he was too unfocused, he hadn't noticed a screen pop up briefly notifying him.
[Ding!]
[Due to your love and understanding of your Pokémon and having formed a powerful bond with a native of Viridian Forest (Partner Pikachu and Dragonite), the Viridian Forest has deemed you worthy of being blessed with the powers of the Viridian Force.]
*Pop*
His Poke Ball containing Bulbasaur popped open. It got his attention as he looked down at Bulbasaur, who was staring up at him with wide, curious eyes.
He muttered, more to himself than anyone else, "What was that?"
He took a deep breath and began to walk, his team following close behind. As they moved deeper into the forest, he started to notice subtle changes.
He could hear the rustling of leaves miles away, the scurrying of rodents beneath the undergrowth. He could sense the flow of energy in the trees, the life force that pulsed through the forest.
He realized then that he wasn't just hearing and seeing better. He was feeling the forest. He felt the anxiety of a trapped Pidgey, the contentment of a sleeping Snorlax, and the territorial aggression of a nearby Beedrill.
It dawned on him with chilling clarity: he was experiencing the power of the Viridian Forest, a legendary ability said to be held by only a chosen few. Lance, the Dragon Master, was rumored to have possessed this power.
So did Yellow, the young Pokémon trainer from Viridian City. And Giovanni, the ruthless leader of Team Rocket, had also once wielded this unique connection to the Viridian Forest's energy.
However, he frowned as he thought, 'But why me?'
He was just an ordinary trainer, albeit one who had become a Champion. He had never sought this power. He had only ever wanted to be the best trainer he could be, to bond with his Pokémon, and explore the world.
He stopped; the weight of this realization was heavy on his shoulders. He looked at his team, their faces etched with concern.
He knew he couldn't keep this from them. He explained everything—the dizziness, the heightened senses, the connection to the forest. He told them about Lance, Yellow, and Giovanni, and the power they had wielded.
Pikachu rubbed against his cheek, a silent gesture of support. Eevee whimpered softly, its fur prickling with anxiety. Arcanine nudged its head with its head, its eyes filled with concern. Scizor clicked its mandibles, a sound of reassurance. Dragonite let out a low, comforting hum.
Pikachu squeaked, his small voice filled with determination, "Pika! Pikachu!"
Placing his hand over Pikachu's head, his eyes widened in surprise, understanding what his partner's words were as they echoed in his head, 'We're with you, Azure. Whatever happens, we'll face it together.'
The others echoed Pikachu's sentiment, their loyalty unwavering. Azure felt a surge of gratitude, a deep and abiding love for his team.
He knew he could face anything with them by his side. As they continued their journey, Azure began to experiment with his newfound abilities.
He reached out with his mind, seeking to understand the intricate web of life that connected the forest. He could sense the flow of energy, the subtle shifts in the environment, and the presence of every living thing.
He learned to use this connection to heal injured Pokémon, to guide lost trainers, and to protect the forest from those who would seek to exploit it. He felt a deep responsibility to safeguard this power, to use it for good, and to prevent it from falling into the wrong hands.
But he also knew that this power came with a price. He could feel the darkness that lurked beneath the surface of the forest, the shadows that clung to the edges of his mind.
He knew that Giovanni had used this power for his own selfish purposes, to dominate and control. The temptation to do the same was always there, a subtle whisper in the back of his mind.
He fought against this temptation, clinging to his values, his love for his Pokémon, and his desire to protect the innocent. He knew that the only way to control this power was to master himself, to remain true to his principles, and to never let the darkness consume him or dictate his actions.
Shaking his head, he continued enjoying the walk as he noticed the screen. He blinked a bit surprise as he thought casually, 'That's how one gets Viridian Force? I suppose I'm not gonna argue with a free power-up.'
Checking his 'Menu' options, he saw a new tab for him. He raised an eyebrow, checking the new tab out.
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[Arc Phone]
[Pokémon]
[Boxes]
[Sub-Space]
[Viridian Force] (New!)
[Trainer Card]
[Observe]
[Options]
[Exit]
----
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Viridian Force:
-Limited telekinesis, enough to manipulate a Poké Ball on a string.
-The ability to read the minds, emotions, and memories of Pokémon.
-Healing abilities.
-Unique Ability [Protector]: Those blessed with the Viridian Force each obtain a unique power, only to them. Yours is [Protector] for your deep bond and love of your own Pokémon; your very bond acts as a shield, defending them from outside forces. Pokémon and yourself won't be influenced by outside forces, expressing the embodiment of wanting to protect those you consider dear.
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Azure blinked, reading the contents before harmlessly chuckling as he thought, 'Oh Lance… you, my boy, are cooked.'