Pokémon Adventures: GAMER PATH

~Third POV~

[Johto Region, Nighttime, Blackthorn City – Pokémon Center]

The cool, crisp air of the Johto region, ever-present even as autumn bled into the harsh bite of winter, carried the faint, metallic scent of the mountains surrounding Blackthorn City. Azure Sky stepped into the city proper, exiting from the Pokémon Center, a palpable sense of accomplishment emanating from him.

Beside him, Pikachu, ever-alert, twitched an ear, while Eevee, nestled on his shoulder, let out a contented sigh. And somewhere, flitting just out of sight, a tiny, cheerful Celebi, their mythical healer, chimed in harmonious tones, a whisper of spring in the dying year.

They found a cozy inn, the scent of woodsmoke and hearty stew filling the air. Azure spent the day meticulously caring for his Pokémon and carefully choosing who to pick to go against Clair and her Dragon-type Pokémon.

After visiting the Pokémon Center, he had to choose which Pokémon to pick for the upcoming challenge ahead. But he also had to be cautious, as Clair wasn't someone who would exactly play fair with him, as his actions against Lance might be put into consideration.

Thus, choosing the right time to battle against Clair, he decided upon the next day to battle her, having the best odds with a calm mind. After picking which Pokémon on the computer, he walked through the city's quiet streets, absorbing the calm before the storm, before the clash, the ultimate challenge: Clair, the Dragon-type Gym Leader.

Eventually, he returned to the Pokémon Center for the night. He leaned his back against the Pokémon Center private room for trainers as he muttered calmly, "Phew… it was hard, but ultimately if I'm battling a pissed off Dragon Master, then… it might be best to have you guys. This will be a good time for you guys to shine. Gotta represent your home region right?"

From the corner of the room, the Pokémon inside his Poke Balls on the table all shook in agreement. The team he chose all shook excitedly at being chosen.

Azure could only lean back as Pikachu, Eevee, and Celebi curled onto his bed as he thought, drifting to sleep, 'I suppose we'll see how this match ends. Best be prepared, Clair, as I'm not gonna let you win.'

/////

[Johto Region, Next Day, Blackthorn City – Gym]

The next morning, the air crackled with a different kind of energy – anticipation. Azure, refreshed and resolute, made his way to the Blackthorn City Gym.

Azure made his way to Clair's Gym. Shaped like a massive dragon's head carved into the mountainside, it exuded an aura of ancient power.

Inside, the Gym was a cavernous space, dimly lit by torches, with a vast battle arena at its heart, along with lava in the lower depths of the gym room. Azure sweated a bit from the heat of the Gym's lava.

The Gym was carved into the very rock of the mountainside, a testament to the might of the Dragon-type. As Azure stepped inside, the vast, open space felt like an arena, echoing with centuries of thunderous battles.

Clair stood on the far side of the massive battleground, her arms crossed, her purple cape a dramatic flourish against the stark stone. Her expression was meticulously neutral, a mask of professionalism that did little to hide the simmering volcano beneath.

Her eyes, usually sharp and proud, held a flicker of something raw and complex as they met Azure's – a fleeting glimpse of pain, resentment, and a deep-seated, unspoken accusation. But she said, her voice steady, betraying none of the turmoil within herself, "Azure Sky... I've been expecting you."

Azure simply nodded, his composure unyielding. He understood. He had always understood the inevitable outcome.

The events of Kanto, the cataclysmic plot of the Elite Four orchestrated by Lance and a faction of the Elite Four – including figures like Lorelei, Bruno, and Agatha –had shaken the very foundations of the Pokémon world. Azure, along with his friends, had stood against them, preventing untold catastrophe.

Lance, defeated and disillusioned, had been taken into isolation, a period of profound introspection and healing, away from the public eye. To Clair, Lance was more than a Dragon Master; he was family, a cousin she idolized, a mentor she respected.

Azure, in her eyes, was the instrument of Lance's downfall, the catalyst for his disappearance from the world stage. She blamed him, not for stopping a global threat, but for taking away her cousin, her family.

Every fiber of her being screamed to demand answers, to lash out, to unleash the fury she felt. But she was a Gym Leader, bound by duty and the rules of the Pokémon League. And so, she would channel that fury, that profound sense of betrayal, into the battle itself.

Clair stared at Azure, her eyes narrowed with a dangerous glint. Clair announced, her voice gaining a steely edge, "For the Rising Badge, we will engage in a five-on-five Pokémon battle. Are you ready?"

Azure replied, his tone calm, almost empathetic, staring at Clair, "As ready as I'll ever be, Gym Leader Clair..."

He knew her pain, though he wouldn't waver from his conviction that his actions had been necessary. This battle wasn't just for a badge; it was a crucible for unspoken emotions.

Clair's eyes narrowed, a flash of red in their depths. She brought her Rotom Phone was activated, signaling a machine near Azure.

*Click*

*Rmbl*

Just as she clicked her Rotom Phone, a strange machine came out of the ground. The rocks near Azure opened came the strange machine. There were 6 sockets in them as Azure placed the 5; he'll be choosing for this Gym Battle.

He had carefully considered his options and selected 5 Pokémon that he believed would give him the best chance of victory and the ones he planned for. Quagsire, Mismagius, Pupitar, Ampharos, and Houndoom.

*Ding*

Finishing scanning, Clair checked her Rotom Phone. She turned as a strange machine popped up for her as the cliffside beside her split, revealing 5 Pokémon of exact or tougher level for the Gym Challenge.

Pikachu, Eevee, and Celebi took to the sidelines. She reached for her Poke Ball, and with a decisive flick of her wrist, she sent it spiraling onto the battlefield. She yelled, "Then let's begin! Go, Dragonair!"

*Pop*

With a flourish, she released a Poké Ball, and with a brilliant flash, a majestic Dragonair materialized. Its serpentine body shimmered under the Gym lights, and its crystalline orb glowed on its neck. Around its neck was revealed a [Dragon Fang], its held item.

It coiled gracefully, its gaze piercing. Azure reached for a Poké Ball, his choice already made as he decided on his next move, hurling his Poke Ball, "Quagsire, let's go!"

*Pop*

He thrust his Poké Ball forward, and his Water/Ground-type Pokémon emerged with a casual swagger, a wide grin spread across its face. Azure knew Quagsire wouldn't be intimidated by any challenge; it was ready to embrace the battle.

Clair commanded, determination hardening her voice, "Dragonair! Dragon Pulse!"

*Shiii*

Azure's eyes widened slightly as the stunning blue dragon unleashed a torrent of draconic energy spiraling towards Quagsire. He shouted, "Dodge it, Quagsire!"

*Wooosh*

The Pokémon managed to sidestep the attack, the crackling energy missing it by inches. Azure seized the moment by ordering, "Now, use Aqua Tail!"

Quagsire's tail glowed blue as it launched itself forward, aiming at the Dragonair. Clair countered, her voice fierce and commanding, "Block it with Ice Beam!"

*Pew*

Just as she commanded as the shimmering beam of ice shot towards Quagsire. The two moves collided, causing a market explosion that sent ripples of energy throughout the arena.

The Gym shook as the energy dissipated, and both Pokémon were left staggered but standing firmly, showcasing their resilience. Azure could see Clair's frustration brewing just beneath the surface; this match meant a lot to her, far more than just the badge.

But to him, he only focused on the battle, his gaze hardening. Clair called out again, "Dragonair! Dragon Rage!"

*Pew*

With an impressive display, the dragon released a swirling torrent of energy deep with roots in its elemental power. Azure responded quickly as he ordered, "Quagsire, counter with Agile Style Mud Shots!"

*Splat*

The muddy projectile collided mid-air with the Dragon Rage, causing a massive burst of dirt and debris to fly around the arena. Clair's voice resonated with dedication, ordered, "Focus, Dragonair! Get in close and use Wrap!"

*Zooom*

Dragonair lunged forward tightly, wrapping around Quagsire to impede its movement. But he then slowly smirked as he commanded, "Now! Encore!"

*Pew*

Quagsire raises its hands, and a white orb of energy appears between them. Quagsire then fires the orb at the opponent…

*BAM*

… When the orb hits, the opponent's body sparkles white. As long as the opponent is sparkling white, the opponent can only use the last move they used for a short period of time.

Clair's eyes widened, realizing what occurred as Dragonair wrapped around Quagsire tightly, yet the Water Fish Pokémon seemed unfazed. Clair's eyes narrowed as Azure commanded, "Now! Strong Style! Ice Punch Quagsire!"

*SMASH*

Having been caught up close, Quagsire grinned as it raised both its fists and smashed them down, coated in Ice Energy, dealing massive damage to Clair's Dragonair. And this kept on repeating, thanks to Encore's effects, Clair could only watch helplessly as Dragonair was beaten by Quagsire till…

*Thud*

Clair's Dragonair finally fainted from being hit by Ice Punch. Clair's jaw tightened in frustration.

She recalled Dragonair, her expression a mix of anger and grim determination as she says bitterly, glaring at them, "Quagsire is strong, I'll give you that. But you won't stand against this! Go, Gyarados!"

*Pop*

A Gyarados erupted from its Poké Ball, its intimidating roar echoing through the Gym. Its eyes burned with a fierce intensity, and around its middle horn, it held the item [Muscle Band].

Azure eyes narrowed as he said, calling back his Water Fish Pokémon, "Quagsire return. You've done well. Ampharos, your turn!"

*Pop*

The powerful Electric-type Pokémon jogged onto the rocky arena, its glowing tail-light casting an ethereal blue hue. Ampharos let out a confident cry, "Ammmp!"

Clair's lips curled into a faint, almost imperceptible sneer. Clair looked down on his Pokémon as she arrogantly declared, "Ampharos? Against my dragons? Foolish. Gyarados, let's show him the true power that flows through the heart of Blackthorn!"

Gyarados, a Water/Flying type, but with a serpentine, dragon-like presence, roared, its Intimidate ability instantly lowering Ampharos's Attack stat. The air in the arena crackled with the sheer force of its presence, mirroring Clair's barely contained fury.

However, Ampharos' eyes glare hatefully at Clair being dismissed as not being a dragon, while it truly contains the Dragonblood line in its veins than Gyarados. Ampharos was offended by Clair's words.

Unaware of pissing off a true dragon, Clair commanded, her voice tightening with suppressed emotion, "Gyarados! Hydro Pump!"

*SPLASH*

A torrent of pressurized water erupted from Gyarados's maw, surging towards Ampharos with incredible speed. Azure countered calmly, "Ampharos, Agility, then into Agile Style! Thunderbolt!"

*Zoooom*

Ampharos, though not the fastest, surged with an unexpected burst of speed, leaving behind a trail of electricity, narrowly dodging the worst of the Hydro Pump, though some spray still struck its fur. Ampharos smirked, seeing the stunned expression on Clair's face as it flashed away.

*Zoooom*

Clair tried to locate Ampharos but was startled seeing the trail of electricity as she thought, 'What! How is that Ampharos moving that quickly! This… this shouldn't be possible, it's Speed Stat should be lower and yet…'

Clair was dumbfounded by the events unfolding, but turned to see Azure's confident grin. He observed and followed Ampharos' movements as he thought proudly, 'Good girl. Seems like the time spent learning from Pikachu and Gravity Training is showing its results. Plus… she made my dragon pissed off.'

*KABOOOM*

Before Gyarados could recover, Ampharos gathered crackling blue electricity in its gem forehead, unleashing a devastating Thunderbolt. The super-effective blast slammed into Gyarados's body, eliciting a pained roar.

The massive Pokémon thrashed, its powerful frame momentarily paralyzed by the electric shock as it recoiled in pain. Clair gritted her teeth as she ordered, "Impossible! Gyarados, Dragon Rage!"

Gyarados, shaking off the paralysis, opened its maw wide, and a beam of volatile draconic energy shot forth. Azure knew Dragon Rage dealt a fixed 40 damage, regardless of stats, a brutal opening move.

But he smirked with all the same confidence and trust in his Pokémon. Azure called, "Ampharos, Magnet Rise!"

*Zap*

Ampharos shimmered, levitating just above the rocky floor as the Dragon Rage passed harmlessly beneath it. It levitated above, looking down on Clair and Gyarados with a smug grin as it cried out, "Amp! (Heh. You missed dumbass.)"

Gyarados growled at this as Azure pressed his advantage, "Thunder Wave, then Strong Style! Shock Wave!"

*Zzzzz*

A wave of blue electricity surged from Ampharos, and it released a beam of light blue electricity aimed at Gyarados. It struck Gyarados and paralyzed it once more. It struggled, its movements jerky and uncoordinated...

*SHIIII*

... Then, Ampharos began to gather a sphere of raw electrical blue energy, a faint glow emanating from in-between its flippers. The Shock Wave, a notoriously accurate but potent Electric-type move, began to form, charging up...

Clair's eyes widened. She shouted, alarmed, "Gyarados, thrash it! Iron Head!"

*Shinng*

Gyarados, despite the paralysis, forced itself forward, its head glowing metallic. But the paralysis caused it to seize up, its attack faltering.

Before it could recover, Ampharos unleashed the Strong Style Shock Wave, thrusting it outwards into a concentrated energy beam. It sailed true, a concentrated burst of power that impacted Gyarados squarely in the chest.

*KABOOOM*

*CRUNCH*

The force of the blow sent Gyarados reeling, crashing into one of the rocky formations with a sickening crunch from the impact. It lay there, twitching once, then fell still, a plume of steam rising from its scales.

Clair's jaw tightened seeing this. She recalled Gyarados, her expression a mix of disbelief and simmering rage.

One of her Pokémon for a 5-on-5, and he'd taken down her second? She closed her eyes for a moment, taking a deep breath, visibly reigning in her temper as she said sternly, jaw clenched, "Impressive, Azure. You managed to overcome my Gyarados. But don't think for a moment that was anything but a warm-up."

Her hand went to her next Poké Ball, her movements sharper, more deliberate. She picked up her choice as she declared, "Charizard, it's your turn! Show this impostor the true grace and power of the dragons!"

*Pop*

A powerful roar echoed through the gym as a magnificent Charizard, its wings unfurled, descended from the ceiling, landing with a thud that shook the floor, "CHARRR!!"

Flames flickered from its jaws, its eyes burning with untamed ferocity. Shown on its fiery tail is its held item [Charcoal]. Azure's hand went to a Poké Ball as he recalled Ampharos, "Good work, girl! Return and rest up!"

Returning Ampahros, he looked at his belt. His choice already made as he called out, "Houndoom, it's your turn!"

*Pop*

With a burst of dark energy, Houndoom materialized, its sleek black coat shimmering under the lights, its red markings glowing ominously, "Awooo!"

A smirk played on Azure's lips. Clair had chosen a Fire/Flying type, a powerful Charizard, but he had prepared for such an engagement.

It was the reason why he chose Houndoom to participate. Houndoom's unique ability, Flash Fire, activated upon contact with a Fire-type move, would only serve to boost its own power while cripple Clair's Charizard's Fire-type moves.

Clair's eyes narrowed, a flicker of surprise mixed with annoyance. She had expected the return of the Water/Ground-type Quagsire or the Electric-type Ampharos counter to Charizard.

Her eyes narrowed as she commanded, determined to press the advantage with raw power, "Charizard, use Flamethrower!"

*Sssss*

Charizard bellowed, unleashing a torrent of intense, searing flames that engulfed Houndoom. The heat was immense, but as the fire dissipated, Houndoom stood unharmed, its eyes glowing with a renewed, malevolent light.

Not needing an order, Houndoom cackled as it used Nasty Plot as its eyes dilated upon activation, "Kekeke…"

The air around it crackled with stored energy. Azure stated calmly, "Flash Fire has been activated. Houndoom! Dark Pulse!"

*PEW*

Houndoom let out a guttural growl, gathering shadowy energy in its mouth before unleashing a wave of dark, concussive force that slammed into Charizard. The mighty dragon-like Flame Pokémon reeled, a cry of pain escaping its throat as the attack struck home.

*SLAM*

Clair barked orders, frustrated that her Fire Moves were useless against Houndoom, "Charizard, Dragon Claw, quickly!"

*Shinng*

Charizard, recovering swiftly, lunged forward, its claws glowing with draconic energy. Houndoom, equally swift, met the charge as Azure commanded, "Counter back with Sucker Punch!"

*SMACK*

Just as Charizard's claws reached it, Houndoom vanished in a blur, reappearing to deliver a devastating blow to Charizard's underside before the larger Pokémon could fully connect its attack. Charizard shrieked, skidding backward.

Sucker Punch, a priority move that strikes if the opponent is preparing an attack, had worked perfectly. Houndoom growled, ready to pounce, "Grr… Awooo…"

Clair cried, desperation creeping into her voice, "Gah! Charizard, use Hyper Beam!"

She needed to land a hit, to burn through Houndoom's resilience. Charizard gathered a massive ball of concentrated energy, more intense than the usual Hyper Beam...

*PEW*

It launched the energy beam at Houndoom, but Azure countered, "Protect!"

*CLANG*

Defending itself at the last second, Houndoom cast Protect as the transparent barrier shielded it from the Hyper Beam. The dust settled as Houndoom used Odor Sleuth to find Charizard within the smokescreen of the aftermath of Hyper Beam.

Houndoom was practically glowing with dark energy now. Azure's voice was sharp as he commanded, "Finish this, Houndoom! Strong Style! Dark Pulse!!"

*Shiii*

Houndoom charged, its body a dark blur. It finally reached the exhausted Charizard as it opened its mouth, unleashing a beam of darkness at point-blank range.

*BOOOOM*

The Dark Pulse connected as Charizard took the attack face-first. The blow was brutal, connecting with crushing force. Charizard roared in agony, tried to retaliate, but the Hyper Beam recoil from before made it impossible as it only endured the attack till… it was too much.

*THUD*

With a final thud, Charizard collapsed, its flames sputtering out as it fainted. Azure won again against Clair's third Pokémon.

Clair recalled her fallen partner, her face a mask of furious concentration. Her Pokémon, her powerful Fire-type, had been defeated so swiftly, and by a Pokémon that should have been vulnerable.

This wasn't merely a challenge; it was a personal affront. She could feel the anger, the hot surge of frustration, building within her as she thought bitterly, 'He took Lance from me, and now he takes down my strongest Pokémon with such ease! I won't let... Him... WIN!!!'

/////

A/N: Reach the goal of 100 PS to get a Bonus Chapter!