Pokémon Adventures: GAMER PATH

~Azure S. POV~

[Hisui Region, Days Later, Cobalt Coastlands – Bathers' Lagoon]

Determined to find any Hisui Pokémon I had, we spent the first few days acclimating, treading carefully through the alien environment. The native Pokémon were… different, no wild to say the least.

They were more aggressive, their eyes holding a raw caution that modern Pokémon lacked. A Buizel didn't just splash playfully; it watched us with predatory intent.

A Gastrodon didn't just squelch along; it stood its ground like a territorial monarch. Using my Viridian Force, I navigated these encounters, projecting feelings of non-aggression, of just passing through.

It was a constant, low-level negotiation with a world that saw me as an intruder. Besides that, I usually solve any conflict with negotiations using Poke Blocks, and if negotiations fail… I have my Pokémon ready to use brute force.

It still amazes me how different these Pokémon react. Our travels eventually led us to a stunningly beautiful area, the local Pokémon's thoughts called Bathers' Lagoon.

It was a serene caldera, its calm, turquoise waters a stark contrast to the churning ocean outside its rocky embrace. Small, sandy beaches dotted its perimeter, and the air was warmer here, more placid.

It was here, while listening to the chattering of a flock of Wingull, that I first heard of it. Their minds weren't filled with words, but with images and feelings: a towering figure, a gem on its forehead glowing with terrifying psychic power, a presence that commanded the entire lagoon couldn't ignore.

An Alpha Pokémon. This time, an Alpha Golduck of immense size and strength. The Wingull spoke of it with a mixture of terror and awe.

My interest was piqued. I came to Hisui to witness this raw power firsthand. I relayed the target to Pikachu and Eevee as I said curiously, "Sounds like there's a king in this castle. Let's go see what all the fuss is about."

Following the psychic trail of reverence and fear left by the lagoon's smaller inhabitants, we rounded a large rock formation and stopped dead. The sight before us stole the breath from my lungs.

In the center of the lagoon, the water was boiling. Not from heat, but from sheer power. The Alpha Golduck, nearly twice the size of a normal one, stood with water up to its waist.

The red gem on its forehead pulsed with an ominous, fuchsia light. Its opponent was just as monstrous: an Alpha Gyarados, a serpent of rage and fury, its crimson body coiling and thrashing, sending tidal waves crashing against the shore.

*PEW*

A Hyper Beam from Gyarados ripped through the air, carving a trench in the water that hissed and steamed. The Golduck didn't flinch. It raised a webbed hand, and a shimmering wall of psychic energy, a Light Screen, materialized and absorbed the blast.

*BOOOM*

It retaliated with a Psychic attack, a concentrated bolt of mental force that slammed into Gyarados, causing the colossal serpent to roar in pain and fury. So, this is a battle between Alpha Pokémon, huh?

This was no contest of trained skill and strategy. This was a battle of titans, a clash of primordial forces fighting for dominance. Realizing this, I took out my Arc Phone to record the data shown to Prof. Oak, seeing how Alpha Pokémon fought.

I stood, mesmerized, a silent observer to a history no one from my time would ever believe unless I recorded this moment. Pikachu's cheeks sparked with nervous energy, while Eevee pressed against my leg, her fur bristled.

I didn't dare move, didn't dare breathe too loudly, lest I draw the attention of these two Alphas duking it out. Not only that, but I also frowned when I checked their levels…

[Golduck [Alpha] (M) Lv.78 Duck Pokémon]

[Gyarados [Alpha] (M) Lv.74 Atrocious Pokémon]

Those two Alpha Pokémon levels are stronger than most of my main team. I did encounter a few who outclassed my Pokémon and only managed to win a few by tactics, or at times, using Mega Evolution or Z-Moves.

The battle raged, moving further out into the lagoon as Gyarados tried to use its size and the open water to its advantage. The Golduck pursued, its psychic prowess keeping the playing field even.

*BOOOM*

*BOOOOM*

Their roars and the explosive sounds of their attacks began to fade as they moved towards the lagoon's entrance to the sea. As the chaos subsided, a quiet returned to the inner lagoon…

And in that quiet, I heard a new sound. A frantic, desperate splashing accompanied by a weak, pathetic chirp, "Psy-y-y-y..."

My eyes scanned the water near the shore. There, floundering helplessly, was a tiny Psyduck. It was so small, clearly just a duckling, its yellow down still fluffy.

*Splash*

It kicked its little webbed feet in a panicked frenzy, but it wasn't swimming; it was sinking. Its head would dip below the surface, sending up a flurry of bubbles, before it would thrash its way back up, gasping for air.

Realization dawned on me. It couldn't swim.

The poor thing was terrified, likely separated from its nest or parent during the titanic struggle. It was going to drown.

Without a second thought, I broke from my stupor. I commanded, "You two get ready! Pikachu Surf!"

*Splash*

Rushing forward, I had Pikachu use Surf, conjuring a surfboard for us to climb on. Our destination is saving that Psyduck. The small Psyduck saw me coming, and its panic intensified, "Psy… yyyyy! Psyyyy!!!"

*Splash*

It tried to paddle away, its chirps becoming more frantic. It saw me not as a savior, but as another giant threat in a world that had just tried to swallow it whole.

*Shiii*

I projected with the Viridian Force, pouring every ounce of calm and reassurance I could muster into the feeling, 'Easy now, I'm not going to hurt you. I'm here to help. Safety. Warmth.'

I moved slowly, deliberately, keeping my hands visible. I could feel the Psyduck's terror through our burgeoning connection—a sharp, cold spike of fear.

But beneath it, there was exhaustion. It was fading fast.

Finally, I was close enough. I gently cupped my hands and scooped it out of the water. It was trembling violently, its tiny body shivering from both cold and fear.

It was lighter than I could have imagined, a fragile little life. I held it against my chest, trying to share my body heat.

I projected again, focusing the feeling into a gentle hug, and softly said, 'See? Safe now.'

The little Psyduck stopped trembling. It looked up at me, its wide, vacant eyes blinking slowly. The frantic terror in its mind subsided, replaced by a wave of confusion, and then, a fledgling sense of trust.

It let out a soft, questioning cry, "Psy?"

And then leaned its head against my chest, a silent surrender. Pikachu carried us back to shore as both were waiting anxiously. I sat on the sand, still holding the little one, using a spare cloth from my bag to gently dry its downy feathers.

It was clear now how young it was. It probably hadn't even had its first swimming lesson. A casualty of a war it didn't understand.

Leaving it here was not an option. It wouldn't survive the night. Another predator, or even just the elements, would claim it. Curiously, I looked at Psyduck using [Observe], surprised to see its potential.

[Psyduck [Alpha] (M) Lv.5 Duck Pokémon]

Surprised that this Psyduck had the potential to be an Alpha Pokémon, I stared at the frightened Psyduck in a new light. Well, I originally came seeking a Psyduck, and I've found one in the clash of Alphas.

I had also found this—a small, helpless creature whose survival was now intrinsically linked to mine. My mission had unexpectedly changed.

I pulled an empty Poké Ball from my belt. I didn't present it like a challenge. Instead, I held it out gently in my open palm, right in front of the Psyduck.

The Psyduck looked at it curiously as I patted its head, using my Viridian Force to calm the little one's worries. I projected the thought imbued with the image of warm food, safe shelter, and friendship with Pikachu and Eevee as I said softly, "I can protect you. You can come with me. You'll never be alone or scared like that again."

The Psyduck looked from my face to the Poké Ball, then back again. It seemed to understand, "Psy! (You got me with food and safety!)"

With a small, trusting chirp, it leaned forward and tapped the button on the Poké Ball with its duck bill. A beam of red light enveloped it, and with a soft click, the capture was complete with no issues.

*BON*

There was no struggle, no resistance, and I heard the clicking sound. It was an acceptance. I sat there on the black sand of Bathers' Lagoon for a long time, the setting sun painting the sky in hues of orange and purple.

I sighed a breath of relief, holding a new friend and potential ally in my fight against the Hoenn Legendaries. I took out my Arc Phone to see what this little guy got.

[Psyduck the Duck Pokémon. Psyduck is constantly stunned by its headache and is unable to think very clearly. It usually stands immobile, trying to calm its headache.

However, when its headache becomes too severe, Psyduck releases tension in the form of strong psychic powers. The use of these powers produces brain waves identical to those seen in sleepers, and the Pokémon is unable to recall these episodes.

Psyduck lives in freshwater lakes and small ponds but can be seen in rivers in tropical areas. Psyduck suffers from headaches while it sleeps. Very rarely, their sights are of Psyduck sleeping peacefully while not holding its head.]

|Name: Psyduck [Alpha] (Duck Pokémon)

|Type: Water

|Level: 5

|Gender: Male

|Held Item: None

|Ability: Cloud Nine

|Nature: Hardy

|Moves: Tail Whip, Water Gun, Scratch, Future Sight (IM), Simple Beam (IM), Psychic (EM) (2 Moves left to learn)

Oh? These moves aren't bad, and it's Egg Move being Psychic, not bad.

Along with Future Sight and Simple Beam, it could prove useful. Those could be very useful and situational if used just right.

This Psyduck has serious potential if used correctly. Sigh… The immense power of the Alphas felt distant now, a memory from another lifetime.

In my hand, I held a new Poké Ball, its weight both trivial and immeasurable. I had come to the past to witness the might of Hisui's legends, but the most profound moment of my journey so far hadn't been a battle. It was an act of quiet compassion.

This little Psyduck, a creature that couldn't even swim, was now a part of my story, and I, a part of its. The wilds of Hisui stretched out before me, still dangerous and unknown, but my purpose here felt clearer than ever.

It wasn't just about surviving the past; it was about protecting its most vulnerable pieces. I smiled as I got up, stretching with Pikachu and Eevee climbing my body as I stated calmly, "Welp! Time for us to continue searching, guys. Hopefully, we'll be able to encounter some new friends along the way, right?"

Pikachu chirped, letting out sparks of electricity, agreeing, "Pika!"

Eevee hopped into my hoodie as she gave a soft cry, "Bui!"

Smiling at my partner's reassurance, we continued to see what the Hisui Region has to offer. And who knows, maybe I might get to see the protagonist of the Hisui Era would be cool to see.

/////

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