Chapter 54: Shadow Pokémon
~Third POV~
[Kanto Region, Fuchsia City – Gym]
While Azure left to heal his Pokémon, a figure emerged from the guest box within the Fuchsia City Gym. The person revealed himself to be Giovanni as he checked the battle with Janine, apologizing to him in a disappointed tone, "I'm sorry, Lord Giovanni. I didn't expect the challenger to be quite… tricky."
Finding the right words to describe her battle, Giovanni merely smiled, patting her over the shoulder as he said calmly, "Nonsense. You've shown me a glimpse of what the boy could do, and how could I not see my friend's daughter in action? You simply have more to learn, is all."
Janine simply nodded her head as Giovanni was present, overseeing the Gym Battle between Janine and Azure. He'd received reports from his informants about Red and Azure appearing here.
He already tested Red back in Digglet Cave to see the boy in action. And he came here to see how Janine, a future Team Rocket Triad member, would fare against Azure.
The results spoke for themselves as he thought in a calm tone, analyzing the situation, 'It's too soon for her to join. As she lost to him, she's got a lot to learn, but regarding the Eevee, though…'
Turning away to leave, thanking Janine for her time and greeting he carefully thought of his next step, amazed at what Azure had done with Eevee under his wing. As he walked the streets of Fuchsia City, he thought, 'Somehow, the boy managed to teach Eevee the moves Water Gun and Confusion. Moves that Eevee shouldn't be able to learn normally, and yet… she did learn them. Even making her evolve into an Umbreon. Most impressive.'
Walking out on the streets of Fuchsia City, simply enjoying the sights and fresh air, he thought about Silph Co., recalling Oak's deal with one of his informants, 'From what the reports said, it seems like the young man is quite talented in Pokémon moves. If my sources are right, then eliminating him would be a waste. Such talent should be nurtured for Team Rocket's benefit. With him challenging Gyms, I'll wonder when he'll come to mine soon to offer him a place at Team Rocket's side… we could use talented people like them.'
Giovanni merely chuckled at the notion as he brought out his Poke Ball. Tossing it in the open revealed his flight.
*Pop*
A Pidgeot appeared as he climbed on top of it as he thought calmly, 'I suppose I'll get my answer soon. For now, I have an evil organization to run.'
*Swooosh*
Vanishing from sight, riding his Pidgeot, Giovanni's next destination was Saffron City. The place where he has an important deal with the Silph Co. President… or rather, a hostile takeover…
/////
~Azure S. POV~
[Kanto Region, Fuchsia City – Pokémon Center]
Having my team heal by Nurse Joy, I waited inside the halls as I rubbed Eevee's head in her Umbreon form. Umbreon is a mammalian Pokémon that has a sleek, black body with four slender legs and crimson eyes.
It has two pairs of pointed teeth (one pair in each jaw), which are visible when its mouth is open. It has long, pointed ears and a bushy tail, each with a yellow band around it. Its forehead and legs have yellow rings on them.
She purred happily, being paid attention making me smile. We finally managed to unlock her form while the team trained for the whole week, preparing for Koga's Gym, but instead it was his daughter that almost kicked our ass.
Frowning at the thought of getting my ass that handed I checked on my Arc Phone. I read Umbreon's data to help pass the time.
[Umbreon the Moonlight Pokémon. Umbreon's evolution is the result of Eevee being exposed to the moonlight, which altered its genetic structure. Umbreon's yellow rings glow when it is excited, such as when it leaps to attack, or when exposed to the moon's aura, which fills it with a mysterious energy.
Umbreon hunts at night and, as such, has well-developed eyes that can spot prey even in the darkness. Its black fur helps it blend into the night while waiting for the right moment to pounce. When it does, its rings emit a dim yet ominous glow, and it lunges for the prey's throat before eating it.
Whenever angered or agitated, Umbreon sprays poisonous sweat secreted from its pores into the offender's eyes to protect itself. Umbreon primarily specializes in defensive prowess. Umbreon is known to be difficult to find while it sleeps during the night. The main reason is due to Umbreon being a nocturnal Pokémon.]
Reading Umbreon's bio made me smile as I see my Moonlight Pokémon rings light up, knowing she's excited. However, it did make me memorize the battle with Janine, making me feel inferior to my skills.
But still, that battle with Janine made me rethink my battling level as a trainer. It showed me my lapse in judgment in the Pokémon battlefield, making me frown.
Checking my Arc Phone, I saw my Pokémon status. I thought with the training we've been through, it would've been enough or the friendship mechanic would come in clutch, and yet….
|Name: Partner Pikachu (Mouse Pokémon)
|Type: Electric
|Level: 44
|Gender: Male
|Held Item: [Light Ball]
|Ability: Lightning Rod (Hidden Ability)
|Nature: Hasty
|Moves: Thunder Shock [A][S], Quick Attack [A][S], Double Team, Agility, Thunder Wave, Electro Ball [A], Iron Tail [A][S], Feint, Spark [S][A], Zippy Zap [A], Floaty Float [A], Splishy Splash [A], Pika Papow, Discharge [S], Thunderbolt [S], Light Screen, Thunder, Brick Break (TM), Surf (HM), Volt Tackle (EM), Wish (EM) (6 Moves to learn)
|Name: Dragonair (Dragon Pokémon)
|Type: Dragon
|Level: 40
|Gender: Female
|Held Item: [Dragon Fang]
|Ability: Marvel Scale (Hidden Ability)
|Nature: Adamant
|Moves: Wrap, Leer, Twister [A][S], Dragon Tail [A][S], Thunder Wave, Dragon Rage, Iron Tail [A][S], Protect, Agility, Slam, Dragon Pulse [A][S], Dragon Breath [A][S], Aqua Tail, Dragon Rush, Bubblebeam [A][S] (TM), Hyper Beam (TM), Surf (HM), Fly (HM) Extreme Speed [A][S] (IM), Dragon Dance (EM) (7 Moves to Learn)
|Name: Arcanine (Legendary Pokémon)
|Type: Fire
|Level: 39
|Held Item: [Charcoal]
|Gender: Male
|Ability: Flash Fire
|Nature: Jolly
|Moves: Ember [A][S], Leer, Howl, Bite [S], Flame Wheel [A][S], Helping Hand, Agility, Iron Tail [A][S], Fire Fang [S], Endure, Retaliate, Crunch [S], Flamethrower [A][S], Close Combat, Flare Blitz, Take Down, Play Rough, Protect (TM), Extreme Speed (IM), Raging Fury [S] (IM), Morning Sun (EM) (2 Moves left to learn)
|Name: Scizor (Pincer Pokémon)
|Type: Bug/Steel
|Level: 37
|Held Item: [Metal Coat]
|Gender: Male
|Ability: Technician
|Nature: Adamant
|Moves: Quick Attack [A][S], Leer, Fury Cutter, Focus Energy, False Swipe, Double Team, Double Hit, Slash, Agility, Wing Attack, Metal Claw, Iron Defense, Protect, Steel Wing, Iron Head, Bullet Punch [A][S] (IM), Roost (EM) (1 Moves to learn)
|Name: Partner Eevee (Evolution Pokémon)
|Type: Normal (Fire/Water/Electric/Grass/Ice/Fairy/Psychic/Dark)
|Level: 35
|Held Item: [Eviolite]
|Gender: Female
|Ability: Adaptability
|Nature: Mild
|Moves: Covet [A], Tackle, Tail Whip, Sand Attack, Quick Attack [A], Baby-Doll Eyes, Swift [S], Bite [S], Mimic, Copycat, Baton Pass, Veevee Volley, Bouncy Bubble, Buzzy Buzz, Sizzly Slide, Glitzy Glow, Sappy Seed, Freezy Frost, Sparkly Swirl, Snarl (IM),Confusion [A][S] (IM),Disarming Voice (IM),Icy Wind [S] (IM),Razor Leaf [A] (IM),Ember [A] (IM), Thunder Shock [A][S] (IM), Water Gun [A][S] (IM), Yawn (EM) (1 Moves to learn)
|Name: Haunter (S) (Gas Pokémon)
|Type: Ghost/Poison
|Level: 33
|Gender: Female
|Held Item: Sitrus Berry
|Ability: Levitate
|Nature: Gentle
|Moves: Lick [A][S], Hypnosis, Spite, Confuse Ray, Mean Look, Payback, Curse, Protect, Night Shade [A], Hex, Shadow Ball [A][S] (TM), Psychic [A] (TM), Substitute (TM), Thunderbolt [A], (TM), Shadow Punch [A] (IM), Perish Song (EM) (7 Moves to learn)
Seeing this made me realize I need to up my game in training my Pokémon. While waiting for a bit, Nurse Joy came to me holding my Poke Balls in a happy tone, "Sorry for the wait, young man. But we managed to heal all your Pokémon in top shape. Here you go and have a nice day."
Handing me my Poke Balls, I gave a curt nod and said, "Thank you."
When she finally left, Pikachu popped out, climbing over my shoulder, looking depressed, "Pika… chu…"
Rubbing my partner's head, I calmly reassured my saddened Mouse Pokémon, "No worries, buddy. You and everyone in the team did their best to win."
After making my Pokémon feel assured of themselves, I see that Haunter looked down on herself. I then asked Haunter a curious question, seemingly getting her attention, "Hey Haunter. Do you want to evolve to ensure you become stronger?"
Haunter paused, hearing my question, before ultimately nodding her head, showing a determined expression on her face. Smiling at this, I was wondering how to get Haunter to evolve as she enjoyed being herself.
But that crushing defeat, being the first Pokémon to be defeated, and having my team almost get swept seemed to have made her resolve clear. Now I just need to find a person to help trade Haunter to get her to evolve –
Before I could finish my thoughts, coming through the Pokémon Center, Red was carrying tons of Poke Balls. I blinked, recalling my Pokémon team except for Pikachu, as I saw Red begin putting the Pokémon into his PC.
Judging from the Poke Ball designs, those are safari balls. Then he survived almost getting killed by the wild Pokémon inside the Safari Zone.
But taking my chance, I greeted Red as he finished uploading his Pokémon into the PC in a friendly tone, "Yo! Red, what's up and what's with that many captures you have there, my friend?"
Red turned and greeted me with a smile on his face as he explained to me his adventure through the Safari Zone, "Oh! Hey Azure! Just came back, surviving that mess, I got into catching the Safari Wild Pokémon. Trust me, it's unbelievable what happened!"
Smiling, I listened to his story of barely surviving in the wild, getting lost for a few days, just barely coming back. And yet he always seems to be filled with energy despite the close calls he's gotten.
Shaking my head helplessly, he's just a kid. But returning to the topic at hand, I asked Red curiously, "Say, Red, do you happen to need data on a Gengar for your Pokedex entry?"
He blinked as he nodded his head, seeing he needed one. Smiling at this, I revealed my Haunter as I asked kindly, "In that case, can you help me evolve my Haunter into a Gengar. She needs a trade to fully evolve into her final form. Think ya can help me with that?"
He smirked with a nod as he revealed a Pokémon to trade with. When we traded both our Pokémon, my Haunter for his Krabby, Red opened Haunter's Poke Ball and in an instant flashed a light signaling its evolution.
*Shiii*
Haunter's form began to change as she evolved. She transformed into a great Gengar as she cried out happily, "Gen! Gengar!"
Gengar is a dark purple, bipedal Pokémon with a roundish body. It has red eyes, a wide mouth that is usually curled into a sinister grin, and pointed ears. On its back are numerous spikes, and it has smaller spikes on top of its head, like tufty fur. Its arms and legs are short with three digits on both its hands and feet. It also has a stubby tail.
With that, Red grinned, having his Pokedex entry of Gengar as we traded back Pokémon. I held Gengar's Poke Ball and called her out as I congratulated her, "Congrats, Gengar, you evolved!"
Gengar blushed at the compliment as Pikachu congratulated her. Doing so, I checked what the bio said about her species.
[Gengar the Shadow Pokémon. Gengar can hide perfectly in the shadow of any object, granting it exceptional stealth. However, Gengar's body acts as a heat sink. Its presence cools the temperature of the surrounding area by nearly 10 °F (5 °C) because it absorbs the warmth. Gengar can fly, turn intangible, possess people and other Pokémon, create illusions, and extend its tongue by several meters.
Gengar is very mischievous and at times, malicious. It enjoys playing practical jokes and casting curses, such as pretending to be one's shadow, then behaving erratically. When the quarry notices, the Gengar takes delight in its victim's terror. However, Gengar has been known to be loyal to a Trainer who treats it well.
Being the result of an evolution via trading, Gengar is rarely found in the wild, though it can be found in caves and dark places where shadows form. It is especially fond of urban areas such as cities and back alleys, but only during the night. Gengar is known to sleep deeply while hiding in the shadow of a target it plans to curse.]
Rubbing her head, I felt the coolness that my Arc Phone mentioned of Gengar being a heat sink. Maybe spending time with Arcanine could help her, but I made sure to see if she still had her important ability… yup.
She still has her Levitate ability, meaning only Ghost Types can harm her, along with Psychic and Dark Types. But recalling how I failed to use the Ghost Type natural abilities made me frown, realizing my skill gap as a Trainer, failing to utilize the abilities of my Pokémon to the fullest.
Smiling at having my Haunter evolving into Gengar, I think it's time to head out to the sea. If I had that many problems against Janine, then I require some serious training for my Pokémon team.