Chapter 359: Invisible Attacker (1)
~Leaf G. POV~
[Kanto Region, Meanwhile, Vermillion City – Seagallop Ferry]
The salt-laced wind of Vermilion City bit at my cheeks, but I barely noticed. All my focus was fixed on the imposing hull of the Seagallop ferry, the vessel that promised a reunion I'd spent years denying myself the capacity to desire.
I leaned closer to the Sailor, a hulking man whose uniform creaked like old timber. I chirped, using my most convincing tone—a perfect blend of youthful eagerness and responsible maturity, "My apologies, sir. I know we're slightly early for the afternoon departure to Sevii Islands, One Island, but I simply cannot wait."
I held out the Tri-Pass, letting the light catch its metallic gleam as I continued, "I'm meeting my long-lost parents. Imagine! After all this time. A few extra minutes to settle in would mean the world."
The Sailor squinted at the pass, then at my face. I held my breath, letting him process the theatrical sigh and the genuine tremor in my hands.
The tremor was real; the nervousness wasn't entirely a performance anymore. Beside me, Azure Sky remained infuriatingly calm.
He stood easy, hands shoved casually into the pockets of his jacket, his signature partners—Pikachu perched on his shoulder, Eevee nestled at his feet—looking equally relaxed. He could at least look like he cared.
His presence was a solid, grounding weight next to my precarious anxiety. The Sailor rumbled, his skepticism melting into sentimental pity, "Long-lost family, eh? Well, I suppose since you have the official pass, and the cabins are ready..."
He nodded once as the Sailor grinned happily, explaining, "Go on ahead, miss. Don't want to keep a family apart any longer than necessary."
Azure presented his own ticket for One Island, receiving a simple nod in return. The Sailor turned to adjust the heavy gangplank—the standard, sensible way to board a ship.
I said excitedly, a mischievous grin finally breaking through my worried façade, "Don't trouble yourself, Sailor!"
He looked back, confused, responding, "But Miss, the ramp—"
I replied mischievously, flashing a wink at him, "Ramps are for common folk. We're in a bit of a rush."
*Pop*
A massive shape materialized from the shadows behind me, its shell a deep emerald, its cannons gleaming. I called out, "Blasty!"
My Blastoise didn't even need a command. He knew the drill.
*SPLASH*
With a roar that shook the docks, Blasty fired powerful jets of water directly downward, the immense pressure acting like a vertical booster. The force propelled me on top of his shell—high into the air, clearing the ship's railing in a spectacular arc.
*THUD*
I landed lightly on the deck, dropping a quick pat on Blasty's massive head. A moment later, a ripple disturbed the shadow cast on the deck near the bow.
*Swf*
Azure didn't move conventionally either. He called forth a swirl of deep purple smoke, and his glorious Shiny Gengar—a sleek, ghostly menace—emerged from his shadow. Azure hopped onto its gaseous back.
Gengar's natural Levitate ability allowed it to drift silently over the railing and float down beside me, its wide, wicked grin fixed in place. We landed simultaneously, two very different kinds of drama.
I heard the Sailor shouting from below, his voice stunned, "Wait! That's... that's Green! The Dex Holder! The last League's runner-up!"
Another, lower muttering followed, directed toward Azure as his eyes shot wide, "And him... that's the Uncrowned Champion. The one who won Kanto, Johto, and then Hoenn, and refused the title both times. Azure Sky."
I smirked, dusting off the imagined grime from my jacket. Runner-up?
Please. If Red, Blue, and Azure hadn't been so annoyingly focused that year, I'd have taken the whole thing. Still, the title had its uses.
Azure merely adjusted Pikachu on his shoulder, looking thoroughly unimpressed by the fanfare as he sighed with his arms crossed, saying, "See, Green? We're famous. Maybe you should wear a disguise."
I huffed, offended, gesturing to the outfit that Silver bought for me, "I am disguised! This outfit was given to me by my lil bro."
He clarified, stepping into the shade of a lifeboat, continuing, "I meant something more significant than fashion. Like, you know, not using Blasty as a jetpack."
I rolled my eyes. Honestly, the man could be so pedestrian sometimes. I conceded, "Right… Well, the sooner we find where we're docking, the sooner I get to the island. Come on, team. Let's survey the area."
I flung out three more Poké Balls in rapid succession. My partners all came out!
*POP*
*POP*
*POP*
Jiggly, my enormous, fluffy Wigglytuff, bounced out, immediately expanding to fill the space with cheerful, pink mass. Clefy, my sensible Clefable, appeared with a thoughtful expression, tapping her foot.
And finally, Nido, my powerful Nidoqueen, emerged, her horns sharp and her posture regal. Blasty followed her, still looking proud of his entrance.
Azure's Gengar floated merrily away, likely already seeking out a crew member to sneak up on. Pikachu stretched and yawned, while Eevee trotted around, sniffing the unfamiliar air with wide eyes.
Azure commented, gently steering Eevee away from a coiled hawser, "Quite the reunion party you brought. Been a while since seeing them together."
I checked my reflection in a polished window. My team was perfectly arranged. Confident. Powerful. Family.
I said fondly, trying to keep the lightness in my tone, "Gotta look good for the folks."
Azure continued, fixing his gaze on the slightly oversized umbrella I carried—a stylish, if somewhat heavy, accessory, "Speaking of looking good… Why didn't you bring Moltres out? That would certainly clear the deck of onlookers."
I flicked the umbrella, feeling the subtle give of the handle as I replied, "Oh, Azure, you know me too well."
There was no hiding anything from this man. He had been there since the beginning, since that ridiculous day at Professor Oak's lab when I executed the perfect theft of a starter Pokémon. He always saw through the distractions. I could never tell with this guy, as he always sees through me.
I confided, lowering my voice, expressing a bit of vulnerability, "My secret weapon stays put. Too much attention, for one. And two? Moltres is a bit much for a simple, 'Hello, Mom and Dad, nice to finally meet you again.' I'm trying not to shock them."
I paused, and the smile finally slipped. My throat felt thick.
I whispered, staring down at my meticulous shoes, feeling conflicted, "I mean, what if they don't like me? What if they think I'm too... much? What if the years changed us in ways we can't bridge?"
I was the master strategist, the girl who could talk her way out of a lockdown and trick experienced Ace Trainers out of their money. Yet, facing the simplest reunion, I was fourteen again, afraid of the dark.
Azure took one stride toward me. He didn't touch me, but the warmth of his presence felt like a physical blanket.
He said calmly, his voice quiet but firm, holding that strange, deep resonance that sometimes surfaced, "Green. You are spectacular. You are the smartest, most determined person I know. Your folks will see that. They'll see the young woman who fought her way across Regions, not just for herself, but for everyone who needed her. They will love you no matter what."
He paused, then added with a gentle smile on his face, "Besides, you survived Oak's mentorship. That's proof you can survive anything."
I felt a sudden, fierce heat rise in my cheeks. He always knew exactly what to say to deflate my panic and make me feel... grounded.
I managed, swallowing hard and giving a curt nod, avoiding his gaze, "T-thanks, Azure. I needed that. You're a surprisingly decent person for someone who keeps running from fame all the time."
He chuckled, rubbing the back of his head as he advised me in a casual voice, "Just smile a little, Green. The plan is still on track. Relax. I promise to help you see your parents. You just gotta be yourself, all right?"
I took a deep, shaky breath and managed a smile. It felt real this time.
Azure seemed satisfied. He glanced around the empty deck before frowning, stating, "Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to go hunt down a mischievous Ghost-type before she convinces the entire crew that the Seagallop is haunted."
He sighed dramatically, running a hand through his hair as he cursed under his breath, "Honestly, that Gengar is up to her old tricks again. Scaring people off. Sometimes I think she missed the memo about being a good citizen."
I couldn't help it. A genuine, musical giggle escaped me.
The sight of the unflappable Azure cursing mildly under his breath about his chaotic Pokémon was a familiar comfort. He was famous, powerful, wealthy, decent-looking, and fought things beyond human comprehension, yet he still dealt with the mundane annoyance of a prank-loving Gengar daily.
He certainly felt human. When comparing his feats, it's surprising to know what he has done at such a young age.
Watching Azure walk away, Pikachu hopping after him with quiet determination, I leaned against the Blastoise's cool shell. It had been years—nearly five since we first met at Oak's lab—and we were 16 now, veterans of Leagues and world-shattering events.
Sometimes, I looked around at the chaos we lived in and wondered how either of us survived. But Azure... he hadn't changed much since that first day.
I had been a street urchin that day, slick and desperate, determined to steal what I needed to survive. He had been the new kid, quiet, holding a slightly suspicious, unusually energetic Pikachu.
I succeeded in my heist, taking the Squirtle that grew into my magnificent Blasty. Azure, stuck with the electric rodent, had somehow powered that small Pikachu into an insurmountable ace, alongside the Eevee he treated like a princess.
I had transformed myself completely, shifting from a runaway to a respected trainer, a tactical maven, a Dex Holder, and an International Police Member. I had changed every aspect of my life, my appearance, and my skills to get where I was.
Azure, however, simply stuck to his path, navigating the world with the same quiet confidence he'd possessed at eleven. He didn't try to fit into the Pokémon world's rules; he simply bent them to his will.
He won championships and then ignored the crowns. He was the anchor, the constant in my ever-shifting life. I laughed softly, reflecting on how much I had changed and how much Azure was still fighting with his own ghostly Pokémon.
*Wiggle*
Then, the laugh died in my throat. My umbrella, which had been resting harmlessly against my hip, suddenly shuddered.
*Riggle*
The black fabric peeled back slightly, and the wooden handle dissolved, revealing a quivering, pink blob—my Ditto, Ditty. Ditty was usually so calm, maintaining the perfect disguise.
But now, it was distorting, its amorphous form pulsating rapidly. It wasn't sensing something visible; it was reacting to a change in the environment.
Danger.
I gripped Ditty tightly, my mind racing as my instincts kicked in. An immediate threat, invisible to the eye, was nearby.
Someone else was on this ship, and they weren't friendly. I scanned the empty deck, the stacks of cargo, the gleaming silver lifeboats. Nothing.
I snapped, my voice dropping into the low, commanding tone I reserved for battle, "Jiggly! Clefy! Nido! Blasty! Formation! We have company!"
My partners reacted instantly, spreading out and bracing for impact. Blasty rotated his cannons, Nido widened her stance, Jiggly glared at the ready, and Clefy took a protective position slightly behind me.
Where?
Where is it coming from?
Ditty squeaked, transforming for a millisecond into a frantic, tiny version of Blue's Pidgeot, trying to pinpoint the threat in the air, before snapping back into its blob form, overloaded. It didn't matter…
*SHINNG*
I felt the first strike—a sharp, cutting force that felt like super-heated air colliding with Blasty's flank. Blastoise roared in pain, staggering sideways. His shell, usually impervious, was visibly scratched, shallow grooves running across the smooth surface.
Quickly, I issued a counter-command, "Blasty! Aqua Jet, right side, now!"
*SPLASH*
He fired a pressurized blast of water, hitting nothing but open air. Yet, a faint hiss of resistance and a slight shimmer in the space where the attack landed confirmed that my target was there—whatever 'there' meant.
*SMACK*
Before I could issue another command, a second, equally violent strike tore through the air, aimed squarely at Nido. I quickly ordered, "Nido, Stone Edge! Defend!"
*RMBL*
Nidoqueen slammed her fists into the deck, raising sharp pillars of rock around her, but the invisible attack was faster. It connected with her head, sending a sickening thud through her thick skin.
*THUD*
Nido staggered, dazed, falling to one knee. My carefully orchestrated team was under attack, and I couldn't even see the opponent.
My heart pounded, but my mind was cold, calculating. This wasn't a random attack; it was precise, tactical, and powerful.
Whoever this was, they knew how to fight Trainers. I glanced wildly toward where I last saw Azure heading, but he was gone. I was alone, with four injured Pokémon and an enemy I couldn't locate.
Fine, I thought, adrenaline spiking, gripping the frantic Ditty tighter. If you want to play dirty, I invented dirty. I commanded, "Jiggly! Sing! Clefy! Follow with Metronome, now!"
*SMACK*
Jigglytuff began to inflate, ready to unleash its hypnotic lullaby, but the attack came again—a focused blow of pure, invisible energy aimed directly at Jiggly's throat. The pink orb choked off its sound, collapsing back down, stunned and terrified.
Three down, and I haven't even seen a silhouette. I took a desperate step back, leveling a glare at the empty air before me, yelling, "Show yourself!"
*RMBL*
But the only response was the deep, rhythmic churning of the Seagallop's engine, carrying us rapidly toward the Sevii Islands and the invisible storm that had just boarded with us. What was this invisible attacker!!
/////
~Azure S. POV~
[Kanto Region, Vermillion City – Seagallop Ferry]
Hmm…
Passing through the Seagallop Ferry Ship, I took the chance to see my Pokémon's status screens via my Arc Phone. I have to say I'm impressed by the progress we made in such a short amount of time.
|Name: Partner Pikachu (Mouse Pokémon)
|Type: Electric
|Level: 84
|Gender: Male
|Held Item: [Light Ball]/[Zap Plate]
|Ability: Lightning Rod (Hidden Ability)
|Nature: Hasty
|Moves: Double Team, Agility, Thunder Wave, Light Screen, Protect, Magnet Rise, Reflect, Substitute, Nasty Plot, Electric Terrain, Encore, Volt Switch [A][S], Electro Ball [A][S], Spark [S][A], Zippy Zap [A][S],Pika Papow [A][S], Discharge [A][S], Thunderbolt [A][S], Thunder [A][S], Electroweb[A][S], Thunder Punch [A][S], Charge Beam [A][S], Hidden Power [A][S], Extreme Speed [A][S], Quick Attack [A][S], Iron Tail [A][S], Fake Out [A][S], Feint [A][S], Dig [A][S], Floaty Float [A][S], Splishy Splash [A][S], Swift [A][S], Play Rough [A][S], Grass Knot [A][S], Icicle Crash [A][S], Meteor Mash [A][S], Flying Press [A][S], Signal Beam [A][S], Tera Blast [A][S], Mega Punch [A][S] (TM), Mega Kick [A][S] (TM), Brick Break [A][S] (TM), Flash (HM) Surf [A][S] (HM), Fly [A][S] (HM), Volt Tackle [A][S](EM), Wish (EM) (0 Moves to learn)
|Name: Partner Eevee (Evolution Pokémon)
|Type: Normal (Fire/Water/Electric/Grass/Ice/Fairy/Psychic/Dark)
|Level: 79
|Held Item: [Eviolite]/[Blank Plate]
|Gender: Female
|Ability: Adaptability
|Nature: Mild
|Moves: Tail Whip, Sand Attack, Mimic, Copycat, Baton Pass, Baby-Doll Eyes, Protect, Charm, Wish, Curse, Attract, Last Resort, Covet [A][S], Body Slam [A][S], Quick Attack [A][S], Swift [A][S], Bite[A][S], Veevee Volley [A][S], Bouncy Bubble [A][S], Buzzy Buzz [A][S], Sizzly Slide [A][S], Glitzy Glow [A][S], Sappy Seed [A][S], Freezy Frost [A][S], Sparkly Swirl [A][S], Double-Edge [A][S], Hidden Power [A][S], Tera Blast [A][S], Façade [A][S], Hyper Voice [A][S], Echoed Voice [A][S], Dig [A][S], Shadow Ball [A][S], Iron Tail [A][S], Double Team (TM), Detect (TM), Double Kick [A][S] (TM), Roar (TM), Calm Mind (TM), Endure (TM), Snarl [A][S] (IM),Confusion [A][S] (IM),Disarming Voice [A][S] (IM),Icy Wind [A][S] (IM),Razor Leaf [A][S] (IM),Ember [A][S] (IM), Thunder Shock [A][S] (IM), Water Gun [A][S] (IM), Yawn (EM) (0 Moves to learn)
|Name: Dragonite (Dragon Pokémon)
|Type: Dragon/Flying
|Level: 77
|Gender: Female
|Held Item: [Dragon Fang]/[Draco Plate]/[Dragoninite]
|Ability: Multiscale (Hidden Ability)
|Nature: Adamant
|Moves: Roost, Protect, Agility, Endure, Tailwind, Encore, Roar, Haze, Thunder Wave, Rain Dance, Safeguard, Sunny Day, Twister [A][S], Dragon Tail [A][S], Dragon Pulse [A][S], Dragon Breath [A][S], Dragon Rush [A][S], Breaking Swipes [A][S], Wing Attack [A][S], Outrage [A][S], Draco Meteor [A][S], Scale Shot [A][S], Aerial Ace [A][S], Dragon Claw [A][S], Aqua Jet [A][S],Dragon Rage [A][S], Iron Tail [A][S], Body Slam [A][S], Aqua Tail [A][S], Ice Beam [A][S], Thunderbolt [A][S], Ice Punch [A][S], Thunder Punch [A][S], Fire Punch [A][S], Power-Up Punch [A][S], Fire Blast [A][S], Thunder [A][S], Flamethrower [A][S], Tera Blast [A][S], Stone Edge [A][S] (TM), Earthquake [A][S] (TM), Hydro Pump [A][S] (TM), Hyper Beam [A][S] (TM), Surf [A][S] (HM), Fly [A][S] (HM), Hurricane [A][S] (IM), Extreme Speed [A][S] (IM), Dragon Dance (EM) (0 Moves to Learn)
|Name: Arcanine (Legendary Pokémon)
|Type: Fire
|Level: 77
|Held Item: [Charcoal]/[Expert Belt]/[Flame Plate]
|Gender: Male
|Ability: Flash Fire
|Nature: Jolly
|Moves: Howl, Agility, Endure, Roar, Curse, Double Team, Reflect, Teleport, Odor Sleuth, Will-O-Wisp, Sunny Day, Heat Wave [A][S], Flame Wheel [A][S], Fire Fang [A][S], Flamethrower [A][S], Flare Blitz [A][S], Burn Up [A][S], Flame Charge [A][S], Heat Crash [A][S], Flame Burst [A][S], Overheat [A][S], Fire Blast [A][S], Fire Spin [A][S], Dragon Breath [A][S], Iron Tail [A][S], Retaliate [A][S], Crunch [A][S], Close Combat [A][S], Aerial Ace [A][S], Play Rough [A][S], Reversal [A][S], Hyper Beam [A][S], Wild Charge [A][S], Solar Beam [A][S], Outrage [A][S], Thunder Fang [A][S], Psychic Fangs [A][S], Dragon Pulse [A][S], Giga Impact [A][S] (TM), Protect (TM), Extreme Speed [A][S](IM), Raging Fury [A][S] (IM), Morning Sun (EM) (0 Moves left to learn)
|Name: Gengar (S) (Shadow Pokémon)
|Type: Ghost/Poison
|Level: 75
|Gender: Female
|Held Item: [Black Sludge]/[Gengarite]/[Spooky Plate]/[Toxic Plate]
|Ability: Levitate
|Nature: Gentle
|Moves: Hypnosis, Confuse Ray, Mean Look, Curse, Protect, Will-O-Wisp, Taunt, Destiny Bond, Nasty Plot, Attract, Nightmare, Pain Split, Toxic, Substitute, Telekinesis, Night Shade[A][S], Lick [A][S], Hex [A][S], Hidden Power [A][S], Phantom Force [A][S], Shadow Claw [A][S], Sludge Wave [A][S], Shadow Ball [A][S], Sludge Bomb [A][S], Venoshock [A][S], Poison Jab [A][S],Ominous Wind [A][S], Dream Eater [A][S], Tera Blast [A][S], Focus Blast [A][S], Sucker Punch [A][S], Icy Wind [A][S], Dark Pulse [A][S], Ice Punch [A][S], Fire Punch [A][S], Explosion [A][S], Power-Up Punch [A][S], Hyper Beam [A][S], Energy Ball [A][S], Drain Punch [A][S], Dazzling Gleam [A][S] (TM), Giga Drain [A][S] (TM), Psychic [A][S] (TM), Thunderbolt [A][S] (TM), Shadow Punch [A][S] (IM), Perish Song (EM) (0 Moves to learn)
|Name: Scizor (Pincer Pokémon)
|Type: Bug/Steel
|Level: 75
|Held Item: [Scizorite]/[Expert Belt]/[Leftovers]/[Insect Plate]/[Iron Plate]
|Gender: Male
|Ability: Technician
|Nature: Adamant
|Moves: Curse, Agility, Iron Defense, Double Team, Swords Dance, Protect, Mimic, Light Screen, Tailwind, Batton Pass, Fury Cutter [A][S], Metal Claw [A][S], Steel Wing [A][S], Iron Head [A][S], X-Scissor [A][S], Skitter Smack [A][S], Bug Bite [A][S], Pounce [A][S], Lunge [A][S], U-Turn [A][S], Flash Cannon [A][S], Silver Wind [A][S], Hidden Power [A][S], Quick Attack [A][S], Counter [A][S], False Swipe [A][S], Slash [A][S], Aerial Ace [A][S], Air Slash [A][S], Hyper Beam [A][S], Giga Impact [A][S], Close Combat [A][S], Night Slash [A][S], Knock Off [A][S], Tera Blast [A][S], Brutal Swing [A][S], Trailblaze [A][S], Brick Break [A][S], Acrobatics [A][S], Defog (HM), Bullet Punch [A][S] (IM), Roost (EM) (0 Moves to learn)
I smiled, observing the screen, seeing my OG team's improvement. Not going to lie, the training to vastly improve their status was hard.
But with Mewtwo pushing them to the limits, they're catching up to him at fascinating speeds. Not only that, but with the Plates, they're own STAB moves are greatly boosted so long as they have the Plates.
It even gave Mewtwo some trouble training, but the control at the time was difficult. But with gradual training using them, they could harness the power of the Plates, empowering their moves as they'll really pack a punch.
Although I did everything I could to prepare for this arc. Not only that, but I have safety insurances of Rayquaza, Marshadow, and my trump card against Deoxys Mewtwo to ensure complete victory.
I just hope the guys can hold out since I've let Prof. Oak and Green's Parents get kidnapped for a reason. The reason is that I want Giovanni to have the edge and get Sird all alone to battle, as she's my true threat.
Team Galactic. They've secretly interfered with many plots of the Pokémon Adventures world subtly through Sird.
Not only that, but during the end of the Firered and Leafgreen Arc, the Dex Holders got turned to stone at the end, thanks to Sird's own Mythical Pokémon she caught but could never fully command… Darkrai.
She's the reason why I must play this out carefully. No doubt Giovanni might have thought of me intervening with Sird agreeing, as I'll be a thorn in the Team Galactic side. But what she doesn't know is that I'm liberating that Darkrai from her.
Plus… I want to pull a Tobias in Sinnoh. And I have no doubt Darkrai would want some payback against Sird, possibly…
But I'll get there when the chance arises. For now, got to stay low profile and look for my mischief Ghost. Gengar is probably haunting someone right now…
*CRASH*
"AH! MY LEG!!!"
… and I found the source. God damn it, Gengar!!
/////
A/N: Reach the goal of 200 PS to get a Bonus Chapter!