Pokémon Adventures: GAMER PATH

~Azure S. POV~

[Hisui Region, Minutes Later, Cobalt Coastlands – Firespit Island]

*BOOOM*

As the dust settled, the scene was revealed. Arcanine stood, panting heavily, his fur smoking from the recoil of his attack, but he was standing over the struggling Fox Pokémon.

The Alpha Ninetales lay on the ground, its majestic form breathing deeply from the wounds, its crimson eyes holding not defeat, but a newfound respect and a hint of fear. It had been bested...

Good, now it won't try to do any of that mind control shit.

I recalled Arcanine immediately, whispering my thanks and pride into his Poké Ball. Then, slowly, cautiously, I approached the fallen giant.

It watched my every move, a low rumble still present in its chest beating ever so frantically. It knew if it tried anything this time, I wouldn't be as merciful in healing it after the beating it received under Arcanine's watch.

I stopped at a respectful distance away. I wouldn't try to capture it; that would be an insult. I was here for knowledge, for partnership.

I closed my eyes and reached out with a part of myself I rarely used, a skill honed through years of forming bonds with disparate creatures: my Viridian Force. It wasn't a psychic power in the way Alakazam wielded it.

It was more an empathy, an aura of pure, non-threatening intent that Pokémon could understand on a primal level. Not only that I learned a new trick, but such also learned how to project my thoughts to Pokémon with some guidance from Ho-Oh and Celebi.

It was a quiet green light in my mind, a feeling of calm understanding that I projected outwards, "I am Azure. I mean you no harm. I respect your strength and your territory. I am not here to conquer. I am here to learn."

The Ninetales's growling softened. It lifted its great head, its eyes searching mine with a glint of fear in them.

I continued, projecting my request in a sincere voice as I said calmly, "You are the pinnacle of your kind. A true Alpha. I wish to know if others among your kin, the Vulpix, have the same fire in their souls. I seek a partner, a Vulpix with the potential to one day be as magnificent as you."

The Alpha was silent for a long moment as I healed it; this time didn't do anything to offend or attack me. It rose to its feet, shaking the volcanic dust from its creamy fur. It gave a grudging, almost imperceptible nod.

Then, with a flick of its nine tails, it turned and began to limp slowly towards the smoldering slopes of the volcano. It was an invitation.

I followed, with Pikachu and Eevee trotting nervously behind me. The Ninetales led us to a sheltered caldera, a natural basin protected from the worst of the wind.

Here, a whole skulk of Vulpix were playing and nipping at each other amongst the warm rocks. They were Vulpix, their coats a pristine red, their six tails tipped with a delicate, fiery red.

Upon seeing us—and the defeated state of their Alpha—they scattered, yipping in alarm and disappearing into rocky crevices… All but one caught my attention.

While the others hid, one small Vulpix stood its ground. It was no larger than the rest, but it held itself differently.

Its back was straight, its gaze defiant at me. It watched me not with fear, but with intense, analytical curiosity.

There was a spark in its pale eyes, a tiny ember of the same indomitable fire I had just faced in the Alpha. Using [Observe] on it, I smiled. That was the one.

[Vulpix [Alpha] (F) Lv.10 Fox Pokémon]

The Alpha Ninetales gave a soft chuff and settled onto the ground, watching the proceedings from a distance. I knelt, making myself as small as possible.

The little Vulpix flinched but didn't run. I extended my open hand, palm up, and once again, I reached out with the Viridian Force.

I didn't direct it at the entire den, only at this one courageous spirit. I projected my voice, a gentle thought, 'I see you. I see your strength. Your world is this island, this volcano. But there are other worlds, other skies. There are mountains of ice and forests of green. There is a world of challenges that will make you stronger than you can ever imagine. I don't want a servant; I want a partner. A friend. Journey with me. Grow with me.'

Using a neat trick I learned with Alakazam, helping me progress my Viridian Force, I began to project my memories to the little Vulpix. When I can look into the memories of Pokémon… the same could be true for them.

Using the Viridian Force as a medium, both parties, me and the Pokémon, can view each other's memories. Thus, I projected feelings and images along with the words: the crisp air of Mount Silver, the bustling streets of Saffron City, the quiet dignity of my Dragonite, the fierce joy of Arcanine in a battle.

I showed the Vulpix the bond I shared with Pikachu and Eevee, a tapestry of trust woven over the years. The Vulpix tilted its head, its small ears twitching. It took a hesitant step forward, then another.

Its little black nose sniffed at my outstretched fingers. It looked from my hand to my face, then back to the resting Alpha. Finally, it seemed to decide.

It pressed its nose firmly into my palm and gave a soft, trusting yip, "Vulllpix~ (You son of a bitch! I'm in!)"

A wave of warmth spread through my chest. The connection was made.

I pulled a special, hand-carved Apricorn Ball from my spatial backpack, an old-style Poké Ball I'd had commissioned from Kurt for this very purpose. I placed it gently on the ground before the Vulpix.

Without any hesitation, it tapped the ball with its nose. A beam of red light enveloped it, drawing it inside with a gentle hum. The ball shuddered once, twice, and then fell still with a soft click.

*BON*

I picked it up, the wood warm in my hand. The Alpha Ninetales rose, gave me one final, long look, and then disappeared over the ridge, its duty fulfilled.

Smiling at this, I turned to leave with Pikachu and Eevee by my side. I then checked my Arc Phone, reading Vulpix's status and info.

[Vulpix the Fox Pokémon. Vulpix is born with only a white tail that splits as Vulpix grows. The tails grow hot as Vulpix approaches Evolution. Vulpix can manipulate fire to such precision as to create floating wisps of flame. These wisps are sometimes mistaken for ghosts by humans, but Vulpix uses them to assist in catching prey. Inside its body is a flame that never goes out.

When the temperature outside increases, it will expel flames from its mouth to prevent its body from overheating. Vulpix performs this even when sleeping. Vulpix is known to feign injury to escape from opponents too powerful for it to defeat. Vulpix is most commonly found in grassy plains.]

|Name: Vulpix [Alpha] (Fox Pokémon)

|Type: Fire

|Level: 10

|Gender: Female

|Held Item: None

|Ability: Flash Fire

|Nature: Modest

|Moves: Tail Whip, Nasty Plot, Roar, Baby-Doll Eyes, Ember, Quick Attack, Disable, Healing Wish (IM), Hypnosis (IM), Power Swap (IM), Heat Wave (EM) (3 Moves left to learn)

After reading the provided information, I have a decent idea of what Vulpix's playstyle would be like. And I have another Pokémon that can use Flash Fire, which means I know how to train this Fox Pokémon at least.

As I stood there on the black sands of Firespit Island, the ancient sky stretching above me, I felt the weight of my new partner in my palm. My journey into the past had truly begun.

I had faced an Alpha, earned its respect, and found a new friend with a soul of ancient fire. Hisui was dangerous, it was wild, but I knew, with a certainty that settled deep in my bones, that I was exactly where I needed to be.

Smirking at this, exiting Ninetale's din, I saw the mainland in the distance. That must be where the whole Region of Hisui resides, huh?

Going to my belt, I unclipped one of my Poke Balls, hurling it into the air as I declared, "I'll need a ride to the sky. Let's go! Dragonite!"

*Pop*

Materializing in a flash of white light, Dragonite appeared with a mighty roar, "Draaao!"

Smirking as I got into position from behind, I gave Dragonite her orders softly, "Glad to see ya too, girl. I need a ride to look around this place."

Dragonite nodded as I climbed aboard her back. No sooner had she flapped her wings than we took off from Firespit Island.

*Fwp*

Taking to the skies, I smiled fondly but was also extremely alert for any dangers in this dangerous era of Hisui. I had Celebi safely in its Poké Ball as Pikachu was over my shoulder and Eevee in my hoodie.

While feeling the wind brush against my face, I had to think about the future next. In the coming few years, there will be the Hoenn Arc and a battle against true threats that deserve the right to be called Legendary.

Groudon and Kyogre. Weather manipulation users…

Frowning at the idea, both Groudon and Kyogre have the abilities Drought and Drizzle and if not they're busted abilities. Usually, it wouldn't be a problem if one thinks about it, but when a Legendary Pokémon uses its ability…

It's beyond what a normal Pokémon is capable of. The best way to defeat them is through a lot of Debuffs or by finding a way to deal with their abilities.

Trying to recall any Pokémon that can deal with annoying weather abilities, there is one ability that comes to mind. I muttered curiously, "Cloud Nine. I need a Pokémon that suppresses the weather abilities, as that's the only Pokémon Ability I know that can handle those Legendaries' power..."

The ability Cloud Nine suppresses all effects brought on by weather, including move power increases, end-of-turn damages, accuracy changes, relevant abilities, and so on. Even their Primordial Abilities, Desolate Land, and Primordial Sea while powerful can be suppressed with Cloud Nine.

But there is the Air Lock ability that can shut them down. However, the only Pokémon to have that ability is Rayquaza, the Sky High Pokémon.

I know where Rayquaza lives, but I can't just show up with the off chance it runs away in Sky Tower. No, I must settle on Pokémon that naturally have the Cloud Nine ability, which… is very few that have it.

Swablu, Altaria, Lickitung, Lickilicky, and Drampa are Pokémon that could have the Cloud Nine ability, but the issue is that they're Hidden Abilities. Finding a Pokémon with a Hidden Ability all comes down to luck and trying to locate it.

And even then, I might not be able to find the right Pokémon for the job. Thus, this leaves me finding the only Pokémon that could have the Cloud Nine ability at this time… the Psyduck and Golduck line.

Pondering this, there was an Alpha Golduck in the Pokémon Legends games, right? I recall they had Psyducks here in Hisui…

My expression turned to a sly grin, thinking about the idea. Never trained a Psyduck before, but there's a first time for everything, I suppose.

Still, though, there should be plenty of Pokémon for me to capture and show off to Professor Oak for research. But just as I was thinking this –

*SPLASH*

Out of the water came a Qwilfish. But this one is different as its upper half is black, while its lower half is pale yellow. Its body is covered in spikes; the spikes on its upper body have dark purple tips, except for the two spikes on its forehead, which are also smaller in size.

Hisuian Qwilfish can spray poison from these spines. There are crescent purple lines underneath Hisuian Qwilfish's eyes, and its lips are also colored purple. Its flat tail has a black outline with a light yellow inside, and a black pattern that resembles the lowercase letter "q".

Smirking at this, clenching a Poké Ball in hand, I suppose it's time to live up to the Trainer Dreams. I gotta catch'em all!

/////

A/N: Reach the goal of 400 PS to get a Bonus Chapter! Also, as a side note, I apologize if I didn't post the Bonus Chapter sooner.