Chapter 85 – Rock against Water

Chapter 85 – Rock against Water

The following morning was a hectic one. The team and I needed to get ourselves presentable quickly so we wouldn’t miss out on Roxanne’s big day. Which wasn’t helped by the fact that Victini only made it back to the center dorm room late last night disrupting our sleep schedule. The little rabbit was too excited about her new friends and insisted on me staying up to do a tell all about the Eon Pokémon and their lovely home hidden away on top of the abandoned Southern Island.

As Victini tells it; Latias was the one that happened upon the wayfarer’s shrine at first, but her brother Latios insisted on joining her on this visit for security reasons. The Eon duo didn’t mind having some casual conversation with the good natured Chimecho and Chingling. The Pokémon’s melodious voices doing much to dull the duo’s vigilance. When Victini suddenly teleported right atop the shrine’s clay roof tiles it gave them a good scare but seeing as my little rabbit didn’t bring any humans with her, they gave Victini a chance to explain herself. Her exuberant personality and genuine attempt to make new friends won them over especially since Victini exhibited much of the same abilities they themselves possessed.

After sharing the details of her own background, the eon duo didn’t mind sharing some information about themselves. It turned out that Latias is fifty-nine and Latios is sixty-three years old, making Victini their senior. They lived in isolation on a nearby Island and from time to time liked to roam across the region observing interesting people and Pokémon. 

Victini had freely shared the details of her relationship with me as well which prompted the two to give a somewhat warranted warning about not getting attached to humans. 

“Hmpff! My Egon is not like any of the other humans. Those two don’t didn’t even know you before passing off judgement.”

‘They’re not wrong though. Having extra powerful Pokémon as your partners tends to lead people into developing superiority complexes. Which could result in all sorts of nasty consequences for their community.’

“Superiority complex?”

‘It’s when you disregard the needs and feelings of others. Mostly people that one considers lesser than oneself. Think… like that dragon tamer who helpfully agreed to assist me in delivering that letter to Zinnia but with ten times the obnoxious factor. Influential politicians or big time CEOs tend to develop this personality trait after having been in power for too long. That’s probably why this world’s city council positions have strict term limits.’

“That won’t happen to you!”

‘Maybe it will at some point. I’ve never been in a position to make decisions that affect the masses. If I ever do go crazy with power, you have my permission to knock some sense into me. How’d your playdate end? Did you receive the invitation to come visit their home that you were hoping for?’

“Not yet… they want to get to know you better first.”

‘That’s…! Are they spying on me right now?’

I looked around the cafeteria in an attempt to spot any would-be invisible legendary Pokémon. Seeing none I returned my focus back to what I was doing. Our entire mental conversation had been happening while I was having breakfast with the team inside the center’s cafeteria. My teammates knew Victini was taking up a lot of my attention but that didn’t stop the younger ones from claiming their fair share of my time. Luckily, I have become quite adept at holding a mental conversation while at the same time performing menial tasks such as spoon-feeding a certain larva Pokémon. 

“Here comes the choo-choo train!”

“Vess…”

Halo didn’t like it when I acted like this in front of others, but it wasn’t my fault that she started becoming picky with the meals I served. Somehow plain old Oran berry slices with bug and fire type formulated kibble had become bland tasting to her. Sure, I mixed it up now and again by putting in different berries, but I figured it wouldn’t take long until she had enough of those too. 

“Bzzzt! Bzzzt!”

“Ah! Hold on sweetheart. I have to take this call but don’t think you can get out of eating those Oran slices.”

‘That is weird. Being called two times within two days. I must be getting popular. Now let’s see who this is…?’

“Oh my…!”

The number displayed was one of my older contacts whom I had given the fitting title of Champion. My paternal grandfather seemed content to let me experience my journey on my own so far. It came as quite a surprise to suddenly have him calling me. Not wanting to make a reigning Champion waiting I deftly tapped on the green accept button. 

Unlike the experience of being called by someone using a poké gear, communication between Xtransceivers allowed users the additional option of video calling which was what was happening right now. The lively but weathered face of my other grandfather appeared on screen as I was brainstorming on how to properly address him.

‘Grandpa is too familiar. I've never even met the man, but Champion Alder seems too impersonal. Arghh…!’

“It is good to see you again, Egon. Have I called you at an inopportune time?”

“No… it’s just me and my partners having breakfast in the center’s cafeteria.”

To take the attention away from myself I turned around the wristwatch phone giving Alder the opportunity to have a good look at my assembled team members. Who also awkwardly acknowledged my estranged grandfather. Just like myself they wouldn’t really be able to warm up to the man without meeting him in person first.

“It is good to see the faces of my grandson’s Pokémon. And you’ve managed to capture quite a few Unovan Pokémon as well. Our ranger captain had already informed me of your successful incubation of the Larvesta egg. It warms my heart seeing this little treasure in such pristine condition.”

‘Captain? Dianne has already gotten a promotion, good for her.’

“Laaar!”

“Your half-brother Benga is much too young to begin his own journey but when he becomes the appropriate age, I intend to start him off with a Larvesta egg, much the same as I did. If you need any advice on how to take care of a Larvesta do not hesitate to ask this old man for advice.”

“Did yours also struggle to eat all her Oran slices in a timely fashion?”

“Vess! Vess!”

“Ouch! I am sorry for making fun of you.”

My last comment had set her off causing her mandibles to nip my fingers holding the spoon.

“Laaar…”

“And I won’t do it again.”

Alder seemed bemused enough to watch the bug type act out but soon switched to a more serious topic of conversation.

“Egon, some of my subordinates and I have had the chance to watch yesterday’s recording of your battle at the Sootopolis gym. There have been talks about making an official declaration of your affiliation with the Unovan league association.”

“I am already sort of working for Professor Juniper... and isn’t it bad for the league’s image to endorse an eleven-year-old that crossed state lines to become a trainer somewhere else?”

“You’ve hit the nail right on the head. Still, this has become a larger issue for us, seeing as the people living in this region place great importance on trainers that have the pleasure of working together with Larvesta and Volcarona. Your performance earning that Rain Badge has put you on the map and it will soon become public knowledge that you have a Larvesta at your side.”

“Uhmm… Okay?” “Vess?”

“The facts are on your side and despite everything you are a Unovan trainer. However, the paparazzi are relentless. If it somehow came out that you are related to me people would see this as another example of the rules not applying to those well connected. Are you ready to stand up in the face of such scrutiny?”

“That’s not really an issue until we return to Unova? I mean even then I wouldn’t much care letting people think what they want about me. The plan was just to let this one meet her mother while at the same time helping leader Burgh to try his hand at convincing Sunny to let him adopt one of her other children.”

“Burgh had already told me about the promise between him and a promising new trainer. To think that trainer was my own grandson. The man couldn’t contain his excitement at the prospect of regaining the chance he lost years ago. This Sunny would be the Volcarona you encountered during your stay in Unova?”

“Yes, but I thought you already knew her.”

“No, my own Volcarona is the son of my very first partner which I had lost to an incurable disease long ago. When we both came to find out about the true nature of her illness, she set out to leave behind a legacy for me to remember her by.”

“…Sorry for making you remember something like that.”

“It’s been a long time since then, and I still feel sad sometimes. But! The joy one feels just being together with Pokémon is kept forever inside people’s hearts.”

‘That’s…’ 

“Your Grandpa is a great person. Yep!” 

Victini wasn’t the only one Alder managed to impress. My other partners who stood close enough to listen in were awed as well. Rena who would probably outlive all of us aside from Victini seemed especially moved by those words.

“Egon, let me know when you think it is a good time for you to revisit Unova. I’ll be there at the airport together with the rest of the family ready to give you a warm welcome.”

Click*

“Sure…?”

Alder hung up on us right after proposing the meet and greet. Without giving me a chance to properly respond to his invitation. 

‘He wanted to give me the time to think about it without feeling pressured to say yes or no.’

While I was busy processing what just happened, Halo without being forced crawled over to her bowl of Oran slices by herself and started eating the leftovers. 

“I guess it is time for all of us to mature a little.”

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At Roxanne’s gym battle*

“The challenger Roxanne is down to her last Pokémon, while our leader Juan still has three fresh Pokémon in reserve, this match is nearly over.”  

“Shut it you! This battle isn’t over yet…”

My rebuke came out sounding hollow. The observation of the person sitting next to me wasn’t wrong. The battle started off really well with Roxanne’s Relicanth making short work of the Pelliper Juan sent out as his first Pokémon. This being an eighth level gym battle allowed Juan to pull out all the stops. The Pelliper he sent out had Drizzle as its ability which would’ve shifted the battle in his favor, but it only served to make Relicanth stronger due to its Swift Swim ability. This way her ace in the hole kept the advantage at least until Juan’s Swampert came out to put a stop to the ancient fish Pokémon. That Swampert proceeded to KO two more of her heavy hitters before finally being laid out by Probopass who again in turn got knocked out by a giant Whiscash. At this level Juan had no compunctions about using every advantage he had against Roxanne by fielding multiple water and ground types.

“I need your help! Regirock!”

“ÜN ÜN ÜN ÜN ÜN!”

‘Oh boy…’ “No way!”

There materializing right in front of everyone stood the Rock Titan Pokémon drifting along atop one of the platforms unfazed by the hostile environment. Unlike more uncommon foreign Pokémon, everyone knew what a Regirock was, considering that Brandon the Pyramid King’s battle frontier was situated on one of Hoenn’s many islands.

Words could not describe the number of decibels the thoroughly surprised crowd generated. Even Juan couldn’t hide his surprise at seeing this well-known legendary Pokémon.

“Stunning! To see a prodigious trainer like yourself partner up with a Regirock. Our renowned Pyramid King seems to be not the only one commanding such a powerful Pokémon. Very well me and my water Pokémon will do our best to give the viewers back home a fabulous performance!”

“Rocky will clean that Whiscash’s clock!”

‘This doesn’t mean Roxanne is guaranteed the win. Juan could decide to field one of his personal team members to even the odds and we still don’t truly know the extent of Regirock’s true strength.’ 

Just like that Juan’s Whiscash and Regirock duked it out. Despite only having captured Regirock a month ago the Rock Titan Pokémon responded well to Roxanne’s commands. Her preferred strategy of displacing the pool’s water with rock created by Rock Slide had been faithfully executed by all her previous Pokémon cementing the stage Regirock to truly shine.

“Pfeh Pfeh! This is the desert on route 111 all over again.”

Roxanne led off with Sandstorm while Juan kept his distance ordering Whiscash to pelt Regirock with Mud Shots. Things came to a head when…

‘Gravity?! See if you can pick up this move Tini. I’d really like to apply this to our training sessions.’

“Sure! I’ll ask Rocky for some tips afterwards.”

The Gravity coupled with the fact that the pool was filled with more rocks than water. Gave Regirock the chance to finish this trading of blows with a well-timed Hyper Beam rocking the entire battlefield in the process.

The next Pokémon Juan called out was not one anyone else would’ve gone for while facing down a legendary Pokémon.

‘Qwilfish? That’s odd…’

“What’s so strange about it? Those spikes look dangerous.”

‘Qwilfish are fully aquatic Pokémon best suited as leads to gain battleground advantage. Leaving behind hazardous materials which home in on new entrants stinging the opposing Pokémon and leaving them with a nasty case of poisoning. This could be… ’

Somehow the little pufferfish seemed more intimidating than it had any right to be. Invoking a sense of danger to everyone within eyesight.

‘Intimidate, now to see if Regirock could even be affected by something like that.’

“Egy!”

“Huh?! Oh Marlon, it's you. Sorry I was too absorbed by Roxanne’s battle.”

“Samesies little dude, crazy that someone we know has had a legendary Pokémon on her team this whole time.”

“Yeah… I too had absolutely no idea.”

“Have you ever seen Juan use this Qwilfish before? I figured he’d pick something more… impressive.”

“Sorry, gym secrets can’t spill the beans on the bossman. Although I can tell you that this Qwilfish has a prickly exterior but is soft and sweet on the inside. She’s great at keeping challengers on her toes.”

“Wait so this Qwilfish isn’t on Juan’s personal team?”

“No, she’s purely a gym Pokémon. Although you can expect to see Master Juan throw out one of them as his final Pokémon now that little Roxanne has pulled out her trump card.”

“Regirock’s ability should be Clear Body. It doesn’t even seem to notice the threat display Qwilfish is putting out.”

“Like a tentacool?”

“Yes, like a tentacool I suppose. Although it’s weird how you manage to turn every conversation into one that’s about water types.”

The both of us watched on as Qwilfish under Juan’s orders made efforts to poison or otherwise cripple Regirock’s ability to continue battling all of which failed. What I didn’t expect was for Juan to have one last trick up his sleeve. Qwilfish enveloped itself in a ghostly aura, a move I had grown very familiar with while having Victini spar against Phoebe’s Pokémon.

“It’s Destiny Bond! If she attacks now this battle could be over.”

‘Destiny Bond only really works when the two opposing Pokémon are of comparatively equal strength. When the gap between the two is too wide Destiny Bond could only work to weaken the opponent but never KO them outright. ‘

“Yep, that’s why I never lost against Phoebe.”

‘Hmm, well our practice battles with her never exceeded the one versus one. You were still learning how to battle safely back then.’

Despite Roxanne’s talents as a trainer her inexperience showed as Qwilfish received a Stone Edge to the face knocking it out. The ghostly haze it had been preparing enveloped Regirock and I saw it briefly struggling to remain conscious and ultimately succeeding in its efforts. This was when Marlon became talkative again.

“Master Juan is going to bring out his Ace.”

“The Kingdra? How are you so sure?”

“Qwilfish is used to test the opponent’s strength. If it can’t survive the Destiny Bond it would be too dangerous for them to face up against Kingdra. Master’s oldest Pokémon has the most difficulty holding back.”

‘Difficulty holding back? This isn’t some Johtonian battle manga.’

“Please, bear witness to our artistry. A grand illusion of water sculpted by Kingdra and myself!”

“What the?!”

Juan’s Pokémon materialized, a six feet tall piscine Pokémon. Battle scars crisscrossing all over its body bearing testament to its status as a veteran. This dragon type was bigger than your average kingdra but not by much. However, unlike its jovial trainer the look on its face told me that this Pokémon was all about serious battling.

“Master’s Kingdra is old enough to have been present during the final days of the war. It is also part dragon type and hasn’t slowed down in the least.”

What Marlon said made perfect sense. Your average dragon type in the wild lived around twice as long as humans did. The oldest recorded example being a Dragonite nearing four hundred years old residing in the dragon’s den near Blackthorne City. Just like crocodiles and snakes they never really stop growing even after reaching maturity. The very oldest of them could grow up to twice the size of regular specimens.

‘I was quite sure that Regirock had this in the bag, but now it’s anyone’s match to win. Even Mr. Moore has never called out Thyplosion during gym challenges no matter how skilled his opponent. Gym leaders are supposed to lose against qualified trainers. Not beating a Pokémon like Regirock isn’t in any way shameful. This must be about more than protecting the gym’s reputation.’

“Rocky can’t lose!”

‘It’s not like the Legendary Titans are invincible. Regirock has been getting hit by super effective moves for a good while now. I’d say Kingdra has a decent shot of winning this.’

The audience watched with bated breath as the two Pokémon started fighting in earnest. Even for the locals, getting to see Juan’s Kingdra in action was a treat. Not even mentioning the fact that Regirock had already knocked out two of Juan’s Pokémon while having a type disadvantage.

Seeing a Pokémon of Kingdra’s level duke it out helped me set my training goals for the rest of my team members. I wouldn’t say Kingdra was the fastest Pokémon I’d ever seen but it came close to Victini’s speed when she was trying her hardest. Kingdra even surprised me by dodging a well-timed Charge Beam by flapping its dorsal fins creating enough updraft to hover at a low altitude.

‘Those Dorsal Fins can act like wings? Perhaps Zinnia’s Horsea can be trained to achieve the same feat.’

“AAAOOOORRXT!”

‘Hydro Pumps can become that powerful!?’

Kingdra was a speed demon on the battlefield, but it didn’t take long for Regirock to lock onto its target. 

“Zap Cannon!”

‘I knew she’d try out my suggestion!

The Zap Cannon which was usually a very unreliable and an easy to dodge move turned into the exact opposite. No matter what kind of fancy maneuvering Kingdra pulled off the orb followed. Until eventually…

“Draaa!”

Zap Cannon being one of the few moves that guaranteed paralysis wreaked havoc on the old Dragon’s body. However, Kingdra didn’t even twitch while shrouding itself in water to execute its next move. At first, I was expecting this to be Aqua Jet but I couldn’t help but notice the wave of water that followed. Regirock followed Roxanne’s instructions buckled down its hard exterior glinting with steel type energy.

‘Now that Regirock is locked on it doesn’t make sense to prolong the battle any further. Wave Crash is widely considered the most difficult water type move to perform. While Regirock is strongest playing defensive. This exchange will decide who wins the battle.’

Kingdra’s mood was at a point where friendly fire was just an afterthought. The entire front row audience got splashed as if spectating a Sea Aquarium performance. 

“Blegh! I can’t see anything. Who won?!”

When I finally managed to rub out the muddy water out of my eyes. I could see the aftermath of that final clash. Regirock was down for the count sprawled out on its back with Kingdra hovering over the Rock Titan wheezing like a boiling kettle pot. 

“Regirock is unable to battle Kingdra wins! The victory goes to the gym leader Juan!”

The crowd excitedly cheered for their gym leader’s victory against the legendary Pokémon. Meanwhile Roxanne looked like a sad little growlithe barely managing to recall Regirock back to its ball before trying to storm off no doubt planning to bring back her soaking rock types to the Pokémon center right away. Before she could do so the person on the opposite side of the battlefield made a valiant attempt to stop Roxanne from leaving.

“Hold on there little Miss!”

“Sorry! I have to get back to the Pokémon center.”

“Without your well-earned Rain Badge?”

‘Deja-Vu?’

“Turning certain defeat into near victory is what extraordinary trainers are all about Roxanne. Although you didn’t quite manage to defeat us, this battle was still one of the most enjoyable ones we’ve had the entire circuit. For the skills you have displayed I award you this Rain Badge.”

He was walking the entire time while giving his speech that by the end of it the man was standing right in front of Roxanne presenting her with a Rain Badge pulled out of his coat pocket. 

“Thank you! Leader Juan.”

As Roxanne was dancing in joy for having won the final badge which she needed to participate in the Ever Grande Conference both me and Marlon clapped together with the spectators to show our support for the hard-won fight.

“Rocky didn’t win…”

‘Legendary doesn’t mean undefeatable. Well… that does depend on what kind of legendary Pokémon one is faced with. The ones that are capable of manipulating time and space or any of the major forces found in nature would be quite invincible without having access to special means.’

As I was ruminating on what these special means would include, I got poked on the shoulder by Marlon who was trying to capture my attention.

“Are you ready to go? This is my last day in Hoenn and the weather’s perfect for some mantine surfing.”

“Yeah, hold on. Let me check to see if Roxanne wants to come with us.”

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At a secret alcove*

Marlon showed us his secret hangout spot on the island for when he needed some alone time. It was situated on the outer edge of the Sootopolis crater which didn’t have any white beaches luckily it was easy to get there while flying atop a Mantine’s back Even then we only had the one Mantine on loan from the gym’s own roster of Pokémon so the three of us worked out an arrangement where we would switch turns as soon as one of us took a dive. Naturally this agreement coupled with Marlon’s natural athleticism meant that the water specialist was hogging Mantine when it became his turn to surf.

Now it was just me and Roxanne having some casual conversation as we watched Marlon pull off another consecutive Lanturn three sixty. 

“Thank you two for inviting me along. Those reporters were being really overbearing.”

Now that the skitty was out of the bag Roxanne had been swarmed by reporters and curious onlookers wanting to get more information regarding Regirock. Juan, seeing the poor girl being hassled, stepped in and escorted the rock type specialist to the nearest Pokémon center with both me and Marlon tagging along. The gym leader’s vast experience in dealing with the paparazzi showed when he threatened to arrest the individuals who became too obtrusive to get the hottest new scoop. 

After Roxanne left her Pokémon to recover with Nurse Joy, she decided to continue hanging out with the two of us as a means to get away from all the commotion. The girl even turned off her pokégear to avoid being called on by her two sponsors, Professor Birch and Mrs. Stone.

“It’s no biggie Roxy. Have you already figured out what to do now that you’ve become Hoenn’s newest A-list celebrity?”

“Leader Juan advised me to lay low for a while so that’s what I am going to do. Now that the conference is about to start, I’ve decided that our next destination is Victory Road, the best place to further polish our skills.”

“Victory Road? You really are a traditionalist.”

Victory Road was a restricted area only accessible to trainers who had earned all eight badges. All sorts of strong Pokémon gathered there looking for opponents. Even some of the feistier wild ones who became too strong to live on the routes got relocated there by the ranger corps. Which made that cave system an excellent place to scout for talent. I’ve even heard of trainers who while lacking in Pokémon go there to pad out their conference team rosters.

“Already scouting the place out for after you’ve won the conference?”

“No, but I’ve heard that it is the best place to get some extra training in with other skilled trainers. The travel restrictions will also keep out most journalists…”

Those trainers who proved victorious at the conference were expected to journey through the cave system in its entirety and exercise their right to challenge the Champion League where the reigning Champion and the Elite Four awaited them. This invitation was valid for two whole years with most trainers waiting out the clock to get as much training in as possible. 

“We are going back to Rustburo City tomorrow morning for our next gym battle. You are free to come along if you’d like.”

“My parents’ home will be swarming with reporters, and it will be even worse if I go over there myself. It is best if I make my way towards Ever Grande City on my own.”

“By chartering a rental Pokémon?”

“Relicanth will carry me on his back.”

“Ehm…” ‘A dainty girl like Roxanne surviving a day’s long swim in Sharpedo and Tentacruel infested waters.’

“My backpack is water resistant, and I’ve recently bought this wetsuit.”

As if to prove a point she plucked at her current swim apparel. 

“I am thinking you are going to need a few more water type Pokémon to watch your back. The ocean routes aren’t as well patrolled compared to Hoenn’s land routes. Maybe you could ask leader Juan to lend you one of his Pokémon? Also, the only way to get to Ever Grande City by sea is to go up their massive waterfall.”

“That’s why I picked the hidden machine Waterfall as my reward for earning the Rain Badge. I’ve thought this through a lot, Egon.”

“… Far be it for me to judge another licensed trainer’s capabilities. If Relicanth agrees that your plan is feasible then go for it. He’s been living in the surrounding seas for decades by this point.”

“Tineeee!”

“Egon! It’s your turn now. Show me a Magikarp Splash!”