Chapter 452: Route 204
~Third POV~
[Sinnoh Region, Next Day, Route 204]
The morning sun over the Sinnoh region was a vibrant, honeyed gold, filtering through the thick canopy of trees that lined Route 204. It was the kind of day that felt ripe with the promise of adventure, though for Azure, adventure was something he had already tasted in excess.
Azure carried himself with a quiet, tempered confidence that didn't quite match the youthful brightness of his companions. Currently, he was a walking menagerie. A Pikachu—his longest-standing partner—sat perched comfortably on his right shoulder, its ears twitching at every rustle in the grass.
On his head, an Eevee lay draped like a living scarf, its fluffy tail occasionally tickling Azure's nose. And tucked snuggly into the breast of his specially modified jacket was a Pichu (Mew).
From behind, a voice belonging to Platinum Berlitz spoke out, "How much further to Floaroma City, Azure?"
She walked with a grace that felt almost out of place on a dusty dirt path, her sapphire-blue eyes scanning the horizon. Behind her, two boys—Diamond and Pearl—followed, though their progress was significantly slower.
Azure replied, his voice calm, "We're making good time, Lady Platinum. But the road is long, and the sun is high. I think that clearing near the lake ahead is the perfect spot to break for lunch and some training."
Diamond's eyes lit up instantly, "Lunch!"
His Munchlax, Lax, let out a sympathetic cry and patted its stomach, "Munch-munch! (Yeah! Lunch time!)"
Pearl, ever the high-strung counterpart, sighed loudly as he muttered, "Dia, we literally just finished a snack ten minutes ago! We're here to become the greatest... well, whatever we're becoming! Azure, are you sure we should stop?"
Azure glanced back at Pearl, a small smirk playing on his lips as he replied, "Even the best gears need oil, Pearl. Besides, I have some news to share, and it's better discussed over a meal than on the march."
As they reached the clearing, the shimmering waters of a small, unnamed lake reflected the clear blue sky above. The scent of damp earth and sweet-scented flowers wafted through the air.
Azure didn't waste time. He unclipped several Poké Balls from his belt.
*POP*
In a series of white light bursts, a portion of Azure's formidable team appeared. The ground shook slightly as an Alpha Rhyhorn manifested, its hulking frame dwarfing everything nearby.
A Shiny Alpha Hisuian Zorua drifted like a ghostly wisp, its white-and-bluish fur shimmering with an eerie, ethereal glow. Monferno, Riolu, and the others fanned out, creating a perimeter of sheer power.
Platinum watched the display with wide-eyed curiosity. Despite her noble upbringing and scholarly knowledge, seeing such powerful Pokémon up close was different from reading about them in a library.
Azure commanded his Pokémon, and the giants obeyed with military precision that left Pearl speechless, "Sit."
Once they were settled and Diamond had begun the arduous task of setting up a portable stove, Platinum approached Azure. She couldn't help but ask curiously, "You mentioned news? Important news?"
Azure's expression sobered. He leaned against a cedar tree, the Pikachu on his shoulder leaning its head against his cheek as he confessed, "Yesterday, while you were preparing for the journey, Professor Rowan and your father, Mr. Berlitz, were accosted."
The color drained from Platinum's face as she demanded quickly, "What? Is Father—is he alright? Why was I not informed immediately?"
Azure assured her worries, his voice softening, "He's fine. I happened to be in the area, along with a friend of mine. We intervened before things could escalate. The individuals responsible—men dressed in strange, spaceman galactic-themed uniforms—were arrested on the spot."
Pearl whispered, his usual bravado replaced by a flicker of concern, "Team Galactic. I've heard rumors about them. They're fanatics, right?"
Azure nodded to Pearl's words. Azure said calmly, "They're dangerous. Which is why both the Professor and your father are now under constant guard. They didn't want to worry you, Platinum, but I felt you deserved to know."
Platinum let out a long, shuddering sigh of relief, her hand clutching the pendant around her neck as she said gratefully, "Thank you. For protecting them... and for telling me. I feel I can breathe again."
Azure said bluntly, pushing off the tree, "Just stay alert. And because the road ahead is getting more dangerous, I want you and Diamond to focus on expanding your teams today. Route 204 is teeming with Pokémon that would be great additions."
Pearl stepped forward, his Luxio, Rayler, sparking at his side as he asked, pointing at himself, "What about me?"
Azure turned to Peral as he noted his objective for today, "You and Rayler have a unique bond, but you're still ironing out your rhythm. Stay here and focus on your synchronicity. I want to see how Rayler responds to your commands without you needing to shout. Silence can be a command, too."
Pearl nodded, looking determined. He grinned as he replied loudly, "Got it. Come on, Rayler! Let's show him!"
/////
[Sinnoh Region, Later, Route 204 – Campsite]
As the group finished a quick lunch of Diamond's expertly prepared sandwiches, they split up. Pearl stayed by the lake, his voice low as he guided Rayler through a series of precision movements.
Diamond, meanwhile, wandered into the tall grass on the western side of the clearing. He wasn't exactly 'searching' in the traditional sense.
While other trainers scanned for movements or listened for cries, Diamond was scanning his bag for his favorite snack. Diamond asked, pulling out a small container, "Lax, you want the spicy Poffin or the sweet one?"
The Munchlax pointed emphatically at both, "Munch! Munch! (Need you say more, partner? The sweet one!)"
Diamond chuckled, sitting down on a flat rock, "Fair enough."
He pulled out a perfectly circular, shimmering Sweet Poffin and began to nibble on it. Unknown to Diamond, a pair of long, pointed ears were twitching in the bushes behind him. As he took another bite, a blur of brown and cream fur shot out of the brush.
*Fwoosh*
Diamond blinked, "Huh?"
An Eevee—wild, sleek, and exceptionally bold—had landed squarely on Diamond's lap. Without an ounce of hesitation, the Pokémon pounced on the half-eaten Poffin in Diamond's hand, devouring it in three quick gulps.
*GULP*
Pearl, looking over from his training across the field, shouted, "Dia! Look out! It's a wild Eevee! Get Tru ready to battle!"
But Diamond didn't reach for Turtwig's Poké Ball. Instead, he watched as the Eevee finished the Poffin and began to wag its tail, let out a satisfied cry, and then started nuzzling Diamond's hand, looking for more, "Vee! Evoi! (Hey, that food was tasty! Stranger, please feed me!)"
Diamond smiled, his face glowing with a gentle warmth as he asked, "You like those too, huh? They're my favorite. Do you... Want to come with us? We have plenty more. And you can hang out with Lax and Tru. We mostly just walk and eat."
The Eevee tilted its head, looked at the Munchlax—who was currently offering a peace-offering of a half-eaten berry—and then looked back at Diamond. With a happy chirp, the Eevee leaned forward and tapped its nose against one of the empty Poké Balls hanging from Diamond's belt.
*BON*
The ball sucked the Eevee in. It didn't even shake once.
Diamond called out, holding up the ball as it clicked, "Hey! Pearl! I got an Eevee!"
Pearl nearly tripped over Rayler as he muttered in disbelief, "You didn't even fight it! It literally committed itself to a life of domesticity for a baked good! That's… that's… Unbelievable..."
Pearl could only sigh, running a hand through his spiky hair. He thought, a chuckle bubbling in his chest despite himself, 'Typical Diamond. Only Diamond could attract a wild Pokémon by having it steal his food. Makes everything look easy.'
/////
[Sinnoh Region, Meanwhile, Route 204 – Forest]
On the other side of the route, Azure was supervising Platinum. Or, more accurately, he was trying to maintain a professional demeanor while witnessing a disaster.
Platinum Berlitz was a genius. She could recite the chemical composition of a Sun Stone or the historical lineages of the Sinnoh elite. But when it came to the physical act of throwing a Poké Ball, she had the coordination of a newborn Deerling.
Azure advised, standing a few paces back, "Wait for the opening, Platinum."
In front of them, a small Budew was waddling through a patch of flowers. It was a perfect target—calm, slow, and distracted.
*Whoosh*
Platinum flung the Poké Ball. It sailed three feet to the left of the Budew, hitting a tree trunk with a hollow thunk before disappearing into the brush.
*Thud*
Azure said, his voice level, "Again."
*Thwack*
This one hit the ground ten feet short and rolled harmlessly toward the Budew's feet. The Budew paused, looked at the ball, then looked at Platinum, tilting its head in what could only be described as pity.
Platinum huffed, her cheeks flushed pink as she cried, outraged, "I... I do not understand! The trajectory was calculated. The wind speed is negligible. My arm should be following the proper arc!"
Azure said smugly, though he was secretly suppressing a grin, "You're overthinking the math and underthinking the feeling. Don't calculate the arc. Just look at where you want it to go, and let your body do the work."
Platinum gritted her teeth. She pulled another ball from her pocket. She was a Berlitz heiress; failure was not an option.
She spotted the Budew again, which was now starting to wander off. She commanded, as if the Pokémon were a disobedient servant, "Stay right there!"
She wound up her arm, putting her entire weight into the throw. This wasn't a throw; it was a shot put of pure frustration as she roared, "Take this!"
*Whizzzzzz*
The Poké Ball flew with surprising velocity. It was on target this time.
The Budew sensed the incoming projectile and prepared to hop away. But then, the air in front of the Budew shimmered.
*Bloop*
In a flash of psychic energy, an Abra teleported directly into the path of the ball. It had likely been sleeping in a nearby dimension and decided to pop into reality at the worst possible second.
*CLONK*
The heavy Poké Ball didn't just hit the Abra; it caught the psychic fox right in the forehead. It was caught completely off guard, "Ab—(NANI?!!)"
The Abra's eyes rolled back into its head. It didn't even have time to teleport away. It slumped to the ground, knocked out cold by the sheer physical impact of the throw. The ball bounced off its skull, popped open, and engulfed the unconscious Abra in a beam of red light.
*Thud*
The ball fell to the grass…
Wobble...
*Wiggle*
… wobble...
*Riggle*
…wobble... CLICK.
*BON*
Silence descended over the clearing. The Budew, terrified by the sudden appearance and disappearance of the Abra, high-tailed it into the forest.
Azure stood frozen. His eyes twitched.
A wave of intense déjà vu washed over Azure. He was suddenly flashed back to his early days in Kanto. He had been trying to catch a Squirtle, had lined up the perfect shot, only for a wild Abra to teleport in, get hit by the ball, and then—unlike this one—break out and teleport away, taking his chance with the Squirtle with it.
He looked at the Poké Ball lying in the grass. He looked at Platinum, who was still frozen in her throwing pose, her mouth slightly agape.
She asked quietly, "Did I... did I catch the flower one?"
Azure said calmly, finally letting out a short, bark-like laugh, "No. You just did something most veteran trainers spend years trying to do. You 'bonked' a teleporting Abra out of mid-air. You caught a Psychic-type, Lady Platinum."
Platinum lowered her arm, trying to regain her composure. She straightened her coat and walked over to the ball, picking it up with two fingers as if it were a rare artifact.
She insisted, though her eyes sparkled with a hint of pride, "I intended to catch the Budew. But I suppose... this one was more 'eager' to join my cause."
Azure shook his head, his Pikachu chirping in amusement on his shoulder as he whispered, "Eager isn't the word I'd use, but we'll take it. An Abra is an incredible asset for a team, especially one destined for the peak of Mt. Coronet."
//////
[Sinnoh Region, Later, Route 204 – Campsite]
The group reconvened an hour later as the sun began its slow descent toward the horizon, painting the sky in hues of violet and deep orange. Azure said curiously, gesturing for them to show their progress, "Alright, let's see the haul."
Diamond proudly held up his Poké Ball as he proclaimed, "I got an Eevee! We're going to name him... well, I haven't decided yet. Maybe something related to bread."
Pearl groaned, though he looked pleased as he reported, "Typical Dia. I didn't catch anything, but Rayler and I managed to clear a whole routine without me saying a word. We're in sync, teach."
Hearing this, Azure nodded happy of the news as he replied, "Good. That's more important than a full belt. And Lady Platinum?"
Platinum looked toward the lake, her expression one of regal serenity as she shared her results in a shy voice, "I have acquired an Abra. It is currently... resting... sleeping..."
Azure corrected under his breath, earning a Sharp Look from the heiress, "You mean it's concussed?"
He looked at the three of them—the gluttonous but kind Diamond, the hot-headed but dedicated Pearl, and the brilliant but sheltered Platinum. They were a ragtag bunch, far from the polished trainers he had fought in the Leagues.
But as he felt the warmth of the Pichu (Mew) against his chest and the steady weight of Pikachu on his shoulder, he knew they were exactly where they needed to be. Eevee yawned on his head, seeing the kids.
Azure said calmly, his voice carrying the weight of his experience, "You've all done well today. But Route 204 was the easy part. Tomorrow, we reach Floaroma City, and after that, beyond the routes ahead."
The trio nodded as they began to pack up, continuing their journey. He looked toward the distant, jagged peaks of Mt. Coronet, looming like a silent giant in the north. Azure said, " Finally, pack up. We move out in ten minutes. Floaroma has an inn with the best tea in the region, and I think we've earned a night of actual beds."
Diamond cheered, "Tea! And honey cakes!"
Pearl added, "Don't forget the training grounds!"
As they began to move, Platinum walked beside Azure. She asked softly, "Azure?"
Azure turned to her, asking, "Yes, Lady Platinum?"
Platinum asked softly, looking to be embarrassed by her request, "In the future... perhaps you could instruct me on the proper 'flick' of the wrist? I would prefer my next capture to be intentional rather than... accidental."
Azure smiled, a genuine, warm expression, but said in a joking voice, "It's a deal. But honestly? If you can keep knocking out Pokémon with headshots, you might just revolutionize the sport."
She shouted, "Azure!"
Azure chuckled happily, "Just kidding. Mostly."
The group disappeared into the golden twilight of Route 204, the sounds of their bickering and laughter echoing through the trees, a small light of hope moving toward the dark shadows of the mountains ahead.
/////
A/N: Hope you liked the chapter! Also should the Sinnoh Dex Holders have more than 6 Pokemon in waiting?