Chapter 463: Fairy Pokémon
~Third POV~
[Sinnoh Region, Sunset, Eterna City – Eterna Grand Hotel]
The golden afternoon light of Sinnoh filtered through the windows of the Eterna Grand Hotel, casting long, warm shadows across the luxurious suite. It was a stark contrast to the rugged terrain of Route 205 they had just traversed.
Azure sat on a plush velvet sofa, a small towel draped over his shoulders. On his head, a relaxed Eevee purred softly, its fur still damp from the grooming session.
Perched on his shoulder, a Pikachu with unusually sharp eyes watched the room, occasionally twitching its ear. From the breast pocket of his jacket, a tiny head with large pink ears poked out a Pichu (Mew), currently regarding the room with bored curiosity.
Platinum Berlitz noted, her voice crisp and polite despite the fatigue of her first major Gym victory, "Your team is... extensive."
She sat across from him, her posture impeccable, though her Prinplup was currently enjoying a heated back massage from a hotel worker nearby as she added, "I have read reports of trainers keeping a dozen Pokémon, mainly just 6, but you seem to carry a small army."
Azure offered a half-smile, rubbing the back of his neck as he replied, "You could say I like to be prepared. Plus, they're not just tools. They're partners."
He gestured vaguely at the Pokémon around them as he said fondly, "So, I don't take it for granted."
Platinum nodded, tapping her Rotom Phone as she explained happily, "Speaking of which, I've just finished speaking with Sebastian. He will arrange for the bicycles and the necessary stones for my team, as well as for Diamond and Pearl. Since you already possess your set, we can forgo that for you."
Azure nodded in understanding as he said curiously, "Good. Bikes will make navigating the Cycling Road much easier. And the Mega Stones... you'll want your Kadabra to have that edge."
Platinum looked at her Kadabra, who was meditating in the corner as she requested softly, "Indeed. However, before we continue to the Cycling Road, I wish to strengthen my team further. My Kadabra has been on the cusp of evolution for some time. I believe a trade is the catalyst needed."
Azure stood up, adjusting his jacket so the Pichu (Mew) wouldn't fall out as he replied casually, "I can help with that. I've got plenty of Pokémon to trade and trade back. Let's get it done."
/////
[Sinnoh Region, Meanwhile, Route 211]
Miles away, the air grew thinner and crisper. The gentle hum of Eterna City was long gone, replaced by the rustling of leaves and the distant calls of Starly.
On Route 211, a rugged path that wound its way towards the towering peaks of Mount Coronet, two boys were engaged in a spirited battle. Diamond shouted, his voice full of genuine encouragement, "Tru, use Synthesis to heal up!"
*Shiii*
His Grotle, affectionately named Tru, grunted, a soft green glow enveloping its sturdy shell as it recovered its strength. Beside him, Pearl was a whirlwind of energy.
He commanded, his arms slicing through the air, "Chatler, show 'em what you've got! Air Cutter, go!"
*SHINNG*
His Chatot let out a sharp cry, and a crescent-shaped blade of compressed air shot forward, striking a wild Geodude and sending it tumbling. Lax, Diamond's ever-hungry Munchlax, watched the battle with rapt attention, though a dropped berry near its feet soon stole its focus.
They were a stark contrast to Azure's calculated precision, but they were burning with a raw, infectious passion. Watching Azure and Platinum's battle against Gardenia had lit a fire within them.
Diamond, when he isn't hungry, was the strategist in the making, the calm thinker, while Pearl was the fiery spirit, the unstoppable force. Their training was interrupted by a new sound—a high-pitched, distressed cry, "Cle… fairy!!"
It wasn't the cry of a battle-hungry Pokémon, but one of fear. Diamond asked, his head snapping towards the source of the noise, "What was that?"
Pearl yelled, already starting to run, "Sounds like it came from the bridge!"
They scrambled over rocks and through tall grass, the path leading them to a narrow, wooden bridge that spanned a deep gorge. The sight that greeted them made their blood run cold.
Three figures in sharp, blue-and-black uniforms, their hair dyed the same sickly shade of lavender, were cornering a small, pink Pokémon against the bridge's railing. Pearl hissed, his hands clenching into fists, "It's a Clefairy! And it's Team Galactic!"
Diamond declared, his resolve hardening, "Let's go! We can't let them hurt it!"
They burst onto the bridge, their footsteps echoing on the wooden planks. Pearl shouted, his voice booming with authority, "Hey! Leave that Clefairy alone!"
The Galactic Grunts spun around, sneers on their faces. One of them, a lanky boy with a particularly arrogant posture, scoffed and ordered, "Well, well. Two little kids playing hero. This is official Galactic business. Scram, before you get hurt."
Diamond stepped forward, Tru moving to stand protectively beside him, "We won't! Your 'business' is Pokémon poaching! Chatler, Chimlar, Rayler, get ready!"
The battle was sudden and explosive. The grunts sent out a Zubat, a Glameow, and a Kricketune. It was a frantic clash of commands and attacks.
Pearl was on the offensive, his Luxio, Rayler, unleashing a thunderous Thunder Wave that paralyzed the Glameow, "Rayler! Thunder Wave!!"
*SHH-BZOOOM*
Pearl smirked as he yelled, "That's it, Rayler! Now, a Quick Attack!"
*Zooom*
Rayler became a blur of blue fur, slamming into the immobilized cat Pokémon. Peral grinned as he thought proudly, 'Heh! Those lessons from Azure are paying off! Rayler is now listening to my commands without issue!'
Meanwhile, Diamond was thinking several steps ahead as he commanded, "Tru, use Rock Climb! Lax, get ready to intercept!"
*RMBL*
His Grotle, its shell glowing with rocky energy, charged forward, its sturdy legs pounding the bridge. It slammed into the Kricketune, sending it skidding back.
One grunt tried to flank them, ordered, "Zubat, Supersonic!"
Diamond commanded, "Munchlax, intercept! Use Metronome!"
Lax, having just finished its berry, waddled forward and began waving its hands unpredictably….
*SHIIII*
A swirling vortex of multi-colored energy coalesced around its paws before blasting out as a devastating Hyper Beam, completely vaporizing the Zubat in a single hit as it fell charred. The grunt stared, dumbfounded.
*BOOOOM*
Working in perfect, chaotic sync, the two boys overwhelmed the grunts. Pearl's Monferno, Chimlar, delivered a final, fiery Flamethrower that forced the grunts to recall their Pokémon and retreat.
*Buzzzz*
One of the grunts picked up their Rotom Galactic themed phones, buzzing, seeing a message, eyes widened, whispering, "Commander Jupiter declares a retreat! Shit, we gotta get out of here! Forget the Clefairy, it ain't worth it!"
One of the grunts grits their teeth as they yell, scrambling away in defeat, "Grrr! You haven't seen the last of Team Galactic!"
Diamond and Pearl stood panting, adrenaline still coursing through their veins. They turned to the Clefairy, who was still huddled against the railing.
Diamond asked softly, kneeling, "Are you okay? They're gone now. You're safe."
The Clefairy looked up, its large, black eyes wide. It looked from Diamond to Pearl, then back to Diamond. Slowly, it shook its head.
Pearl asked, confused, "Huh? You're not?"
The Clefairy then pointed a stubby finger directly at Diamond and let out a determined, musical chime. It wanted to come with them.
A wide, genuine smile spread across Diamond's face as he asked, "You... you want to join my team?"
The Clefairy nodded vigorously, hopping off the ground with a little bounce, "Clefa! Clefairy! (Yes! You feel good!)"
He gently pulled a Poké Ball from his belt as he added happily, "Wow! I'd be honored to have you! If you're sure, then welcome aboard!"
The Clefairy tapped the ball's button with a happy tap. A flash of red light, and it was captured. Click.
*BON*
Pearl clapped his friend on the back as he boasted proudly, "Alright! That's what I'm talking about! Another member for the Diamond & Pearl duo!"
He peered at the nickname field on Diamond's Pokédex. Peral asked curiously, "What are you gonna call her?"
Diamond thought for a moment, looking at the Clefairy's joyful expression inside the transparent Poké Ball display. He pondered a bit before deciding happily, "Celeste. It sounds elegant, just like a star in the sky. Celeste, it is!"
*Wiggle*
The Clefairy, now named Celeste, jumped cheerfully at the nickname. Diamond smiled, having a new friend tagging along.
/////
[Sinnoh Region, Nighttime, Eterna City – Eterna Grand Hotel]
Back in the Eterna Grand Hotel, Azure and Platinum had moved to a designated trade room. The atmosphere was quiet and focused. Platinum's Kadabra stood on one side of a sleek, modern trade machine, while Azure's Monferno stood on the other.
Azure asked, his hand hovering over the console, "Ready?"
Platinum confirmed, her eyes locked on the data readouts, "Ready."
*Click*
They both pressed the buttons. A brilliant, blue-white light filled the room as the two Pokémon were de-materialized into data streams. The streams crossed over, interchanging, and then reformed on the opposite sides.
From Azure's side, Monferno appeared in a flash of red, looking slightly disoriented but no worse for wear. He quickly recalled it into its Poké Ball.
From Platinum's side, the light was blinding. The moment Kadabra materialized, a massive surge of psychic energy erupted from it…
*RMBL*
The air crackled, the spoons in its hands began to vibrate violently, and a third spoon materialized from thin air with a sharp cry!
"KADABRAAAAA!"
*FLASH*
A psychic shockwave blasted outwards, pushing Platinum's hair back. When the light faded, a powerful Alakazam stood in its place, its mustache twitching, its eyes glowing with immense intelligence.
Platinum gasped, a genuine, unfiltered smile of pure joy on her face as she whispered proudly, "Incredible… The cellular restructuring was instantaneous! Alakazam, can you feel the change?"
The Alakazam nodded, its long spoons crossing in front of it with a calm confidence, "Ala! Kazam! (Of course, Miss Berlitz. You helped me become stronger, and my eternal gratitude, as well as my power, is for your command.)"
Alakazam did a light bow as Platinum smiled happily at the scene. Azure said happily, his own Pikachu chirping in approval from his shoulder, "It's a fine partner. Congratulations, Platinum."
She murmured, already making mental notes as she turned to face him with a smile, "The data from this evolution is priceless. Thank you, Azure. This partnership is proving more and more beneficial by the hour."
After the trade was complete, Azure and Platinum sat at a dinner table, the aromas of a five-course meal wafting through the air. Azure's Pokémon were relaxing in their Poké Balls (except his core three), enjoying the rest.
Azure noted, sipping a glass of water as he advised Platinum, "Your Kadabra handled the trade well. Alakazam is a powerhouse. Just be careful; its defense is paper-thin."
Platinum replied, dabbing her mouth with a napkin, "I am aware. Strategy is paramount, and I plan to utilize his abilities to the best of my own."
*TMP*
Just then, a clatter of footsteps echoed from the lobby. Diamond and Pearl burst through the doors, looking windblown but exhilarated.
Diamond shouted, waving his arms excitedly, "Platinum! Azure! You'll never guess what happened!"
Pearl rushed to the table, eyes shining, boasting, "We were on Route 211! Team Galactic was trying to capture a Clefairy!"
Azure's demeanor shifted instantly. The relaxed air vanished, replaced by a sharp, focused intensity as he asked sternly, "Galactic? On the bridge?"
Pearl nodded, crossing his arms as he said proudly, "Yeah. We drove them off. But the Clefairy... well..."
Diamond gestured to his shoulder, where a small pink head peeked out as he explained happily, "Celeste decided to join the team!"
Azure leaned back, the tension leaving his shoulders. He smiled as he praised the two, "Good. It's good you two were there. Galactic is getting bolder. They're usually more discreet. For them to be trying to capture wild Pokémon in the open..."
Platinum finished for him as she stated worriedly, "It's concerning. But for now, we should celebrate your victory. You both fought well."
Diamond beamed, sitting down and immediately eyeing the food as he said, "We did! We're ready to head to the Cycling Road!"
Pearl added happily, "After we get our bikes."
With that, the duo began to eat alongside their new friend Celeste. Azure chuckled as Platinum got her Rotom Phone whispering, "I suppose I'll have to ask Sebastian to bring up a Clefablite and Heracronite. They'll certainly need it if they intend to do a proper job in bodyguarding me."
Azure smiled as Platinum began to make her call. He leaned his back on a couch, enjoying the scenery as he thought, 'I suppose enjoying my journey with others has its perks. Plus, free deluxe foods and items certainly make up for taking this job.'
/////
A/N: Hope you liked the chapter!