Chapter 662: Massive Growth
~Third POV~
[Unova Region, Days Later, Route 16 – Hidden Grotto]
The Hidden Grotto off Route 16 smelled of damp earth, crushed pine needles, and the electric ozone tang of a Mythical Pokémon that had spent the morning refusing to hold back. Azure wiped a streak of gray dirt from his cheek, his fingers brushing the fabric of his jacket where a tiny, pink tail flicked affectionately against his ribs.
Inside the sanctuary of his coat, Pichu (Mew) let out a soft, melodic mew that vibrated against his sternum. Azure murmured under his breath, his eyes fixed on the center of the clearing, "Hold still down there, little ghost."
*Clang—SKRRRRT*
The sound was teeth-gritting—metal shearing against packed limestone. Across the clearing, Marshadow stood as an obsidian statue wreathed in violet spiritual fire, its small frame radiating a density that made the surrounding air ripple like heat haze over asphalt. It had just taken the combined force of a newly evolved Scolipede and an Excadrill, and the spectral brawler hadn't even taken a backward step.
Azure called out, raising his voice over the groaning echoes of the grotto, "Not bad, boys! Keep the pressure going!"
Beside him, perched lazily on his right shoulder, Pikachu's whiskers twitched with static. On top of his head, Eevee dug her paws comfortably into his hair, letting out a tiny yawn that smelled faintly of Oran berries.
Rotom's voice buzzed cheerfully from the Arc Phone clutched in Azure's belt pouch, the screen flashing a bright, neon-blue diagram of Scolipede's newly armored carapace, "They're improving, Azure-chin! Data indicates a 42.8% increase in kinetic impact efficiency since Tuesday! Though, zzzt, their chances against that little shadow-gremlin are still roughly zero point zero five percent!"
A glossy, midnight-purple paw materialized out of thin air, tapping Azure's shoulder. Gengar phased her head through the teenager's side, grinning with an expanse of teeth entirely too wide for her face.
She said in a throaty, teasing cackle that echoed from the shadows just behind Azure's left ear, "Hey! Speak for yourself, spark-plug. The kids are trying. Even if they're hitting a brick wall made of nightmares. Right, boss?"
Azure replied evenly, his gaze sharp and analytical, overseeing them, "They aren't just hitting a wall, Gengar. They're building the foundation. You don't walk into a league circuit—let alone survive the kind of weight Unova throws around—without knowing what true pressure feels like."
A few days prior, Virizion and Terrakion had tried to test him—had tried to loom over him with the self-righteous authority of ancient guardians—only to be swatted aside by the cold, indifferent majesty of Kyurem's dormant might.
That encounter had left a mark, not just on the grass and stone of the route, but on Azure's methodology. Unova was different from Kanto or Hoenn or Sinnoh. Here, history wasn't just old stone; it breathed, it judged, and it carried grudges older than human settlement.
And right now, that history was watching them from the treeline.
Azure didn't need to turn around to know they were there. He could feel the heavy, mossy presence of Terrakion two hundred yards back in the canopy; he could sense the high-pitched, vibrating tension of Virizion's hooves shifting against bark. And closer—much closer—was the nervous, burning curiosity of a certain blue-maned colt who couldn't quite decide if humans were monsters or mysteries.
Azure shouted, raising a hand, "Alright, let's turn up the heat! Pignite, Dewott—show me what you've got!"
The two mid-stage veterans had been circling the edge of the clearing, waiting for their opening. At Azure's command, Pignite let out a guttural roar, flames bursting from his snout as his body swelled with dense, oily muscle.
*BOOOM*
With a deafening BOOM, the fire pig blurred forward, his frame expanding, stretching, igniting into the towering, sumo-like bulk of an Emboar. Simultaneously, Dewott's sleek blue coat flashed with white light of evolution; his dual scalchops lengthened into heavy, shell-edged blades as he elongated into the regal, sea-blue samurai form of a Samurott.
"HEAT CRASH!"
"RAZOR SHELL!"
The earth split beneath Emboar's massive hooves as he launched his entire four-hundred-pound frame through the air, trailing a wake of white-hot cinders. From the flank, Samurott cut a low, azure arc through the dirt, his blades singing a deadly, high-pitched note through the damp air.
*SKREEEEE*
Marshadow didn't flinch. Its dark eyes glowed from beneath its oversized cowl. It raised one small, dark fist, gathering the ambient shadows of the grotto into a dense, crackling sphere of ghostly energy.
*FWOOSH*
A golden ribbon of light suddenly lanced down from the upper branches of the grotto's massive oak tree. Victini, invisible to the naked eye but radiating a sun-bright warmth that made every leaf in the clearing curl with vitality, poured her infinite energy straight into Emboar and Samurott.
*CRACK-KABOOM*
The combined impact of the fire-boosted collision didn't just hit Marshadow—it tore a trench five feet deep through the limestone floor, sending the Mythical Pokémon skidding backward in a storm of white-hot sparks and pulverized stone.
For a fraction of a second, Emboar's heavy breath hitched. Samurott's blades scraped the ground. They had moved the unmovable.
Then Marshadow sighed.
It was a small, quiet sound, like wind blowing through an empty tomb. The violet flame around its body flared from dim purple to a blinding, abysmal black. With a flick of its wrist, a Shadow Ball the size of a millstone materialized, spinning so fast it hummed like a turbine.
*THUD-THUD-THUD*
Three distinct impacts rang out in rapid succession. Marshadow vanished, reappeared behind Emboar with a chop to the neck, spun through Samurott's guard with a low sweep, and tapped the ground with its heel. The resulting shockwave didn't blow them away; it simply crushed the air out of their lungs, dropping all three heavy-hitters to the dirt in a single, unceremonious heap.
*Thud*
Emboar groaned, steam hissing from his snout.
Samurott twitched once and went still.
Before Marshadow could follow up, a streak of violet and black fur dropped from the ceiling. Zorua—using an illusion so thick it looked like oil on water—melted into three separate phantoms before solidifying directly behind the dark sprite.
'NIGHT SLASH!'
Zorua's claw caught Marshadow across the cheek just as the sprite tried to throw a counter-punch, the sudden evolution-shimmer of a Zoroark briefly flickering around the Illusion Fox as it used the momentum of its physical growth to catch the veteran off guard for a split-second.
*Clack*
Zoroark landed lightly on all fours, panting heavily, his scarlet-tipped mane sweeping the dust. Marshadow merely touched its cheek, stared at the tall fox for one long, unblinking second, and then slowly lowered its hand.
*Clap-clap*
Azure clapped his hands twice.
The sharp, dry sound cut through the ringing silence of the grotto. Azure called out, his voice calm, steady, and entirely devoid of disappointment, "That's time! Good work, everyone. You pushed the envelope. That's all I asked for."
Instantly, the tension bled out of the clearing. Emboar let out a long, rumbling snort of exhaustion; Zoroark leaned back against a mossy boulder with a tired grin; and a small, pink-capped Audino scurried out from behind a fern, her pouch jingling with Hyper Potions and fresh berries as she began to bustle among the fallen fighters, her cries of happy encouragement ("Aud-di-no-no!") filling the cool air.
Rotom's screen projected a green checkmark. Rotom chimed in an excited tone, informing Azure, "All vitals are stabilizing, zzzt! Though if they try that again tomorrow, I'm ordering body bags!"
Azure said, stepping forward to rest a hand on Zoroark's scarred shoulder, "We won't need 'em, Rotom!"
The fox leaned into the touch with a soft, rumbling purr. Azure added, "Tomorrow's the Nimbasa Musical. White's been losing sleep over the costume designs for three days, and if we don't show up with our costumes pressed and our moves synchronized, she'll delegate us to stagehands permanently."
From somewhere near his belt, Porygon-Z's distorted, digitally synthesized voice warbled from the Arc Phone speaker: "Error... fashion... not... optional... execution... pending… pending..."
Azure smiled, turning back to look at his exhausted, battered, but undeniably stronger team, and stated proudly, "Exactly! Get yourselves healed up. Tomorrow's for the stage. The day after that... we take on the gym. Bring your A-game, because Unova isn't going to hand us anything."
A ragged, enthusiastic chorus of roars, barks, and clicks answered him from the dirt. They were ready as Azure smiled, checking their levels.
|Name: Victini (Victory Pokémon)
|Type: Fire/Psychic
|Tera: Fire
|Level: 25
|Gender: Female
|Held Item: [Life Orb]/[Wise Glasses]/[Flame/Psychic Plate]
|Ability: Victory Star (Telepathy)
|Nature: Quirky
|Moves: Teleport, Protect, Focus Energy, Endure, Telekinesis, Calm Mind, Work Up, Incinerate [A][S], Flame Charge [A][S], Flame Burst [A][S], Inferno [A][S], Overheat [A][S], Flare Blitz [A][S], Zen Headbutt [A][S], Stored Power [A][S], Glaciate [A][S], Double-Edge [A][S], Quick Attack [A][S], Headbutt [A][S], Reversal [A][S], Final Gambit [A][S], V-Create [A][S] (IM),Searing Shot [A][S] (IM)
|Name: Scolipede (Megapede Pokémon)
|Type: Bug/Poison
|Tera: Poison
|Level: 38
|Gender: Male
|Held Item: [Scolipite]/[Black Sludge]/[Poison Barb]
|Ability: Speed Boost (Hidden Ability)
|Nature: Adamant
|Moves: Protect, Defense Curl, Toxic, Agility, Spikes, Batton Pass, Poison Sting [A][S], Poison Tail [A][S], Venoshock [A][S], Mortal Spin [A][S], Fury Cutter [A][S], Infestation [A][S], Pin Missile [A][S], Bug Bite [A][S], Mega Horn [A][S], Gyro Ball [A][S], Rollout [A][S], Pursuit [A][S], Take Down [A][S], Rock Climb [A][S] (HM), Iron Defense (IM), Toxic Spikes (EM) (0 moves left to learn)
[Scolipede the Megapede Pokémon. Scolipede lives in lush forests. It is very aggressive and will not give up until victorious. This Pokémon chases down enemies with great speed and then attacks relentlessly with its horns until it prevails. It catches its prey using the toxic spike claws on its neck.
Once the prey becomes immobile, Scolipede slams it into the ground to inject it with its powerful venom. Like its pre-Evolution, Whirlipede, it can curl up into a ball and roll towards its targets. Scolipede and Centiskorch can get into territorial fights, which end with the loser becoming the winner's prey. While sleeping, Scolipede may curl up into a ball shape.]
|Name: Samurott (Formidable Pokémon)
|Type: Water
|Tera: Water
|Level: 40
|Gender: Male
|Held Item: [Mystic Water]/[Muscle Band]
|Ability: Torrent
|Nature: Serious
|Moves: Protect, Focus Energy, Swords Dance, Soak, Taunt, Water Pulse [A][S], Water Pledge [A][S], Hydro Pump [A][S], Flip Turn [A][S], Aqua Jet [A][S], Aqua Cutter [A][S], Aqua Tail [A][S], Razor Shell [A][S],Liquidation [A][S], Fury Cutter [A][S], Aerial Ace [A][S], Air Slash [A][S], Night Slash [A][S], X-Scissor [A][S], Psycho Cut [A][S], Megahorn [A][S], Revenge [A][S], Cut [A][S] (HM), Surf [A][S] (HM), Waterfall [A][S] (HM), Slash [A][S] (IM), Detect (EM) (0 moves left to learn)
[Samurott the Formidable Pokémon. Its forelimbs' bracers contain shell swords called seamitars. The two lower segments of these bracers serve as scabbards for these seamitars, and the upper segment and spike are the seamitars' blade and handle, respectively.
In battle, Samurott can stand on its hind limbs and use its seamitars to fight. In the time it takes a foe to blink, Samurott can draw, attack with, and sheathe the seamitars attached to its front legs.
It is said that Samurott can fell an opponent in one swing, and that it can silence foes with a glare or a howl. Samurott is a master of a sword-drawing art called iaijutsu. Samurott leads its group with strict leadership and will mercilessly thrash those who do not follow its rules with the group.]
|Name: Emboar (Mega Fire Pig Pokémon)
|Type: Fire
|Tera: Fire
|Level: 40
|Gender: Male
|Held Item: [Charcoal]/[Emboarite]/[Muscle Band]
|Ability: Blaze
|Nature: Jolly
|Moves: Protect, Endure, Defense Curl, Smokescreen, Odor Sleuth, Focus Energy, Bulk Up, Block, Fire Pledge [A][S], Flame Wheel [A][S], Flame Charge [A][S], Fire Spin [A][S], Flamethrower [A][S], Fire Punch [A][S], Blast Burn [A][S], Hammer Arm [A][S], Focus Punch [A][S], Drain Punch [A][S], Thunder Punch [A][S], Sucker Punch [A][S], Smog [A][S], Rollout [A][S], Assurance [A][S], Scald [A][S], Rock Smash [A][S] (HM), Heat Crash [A][S] (IM, Power-Up Punch [A][S] (IM), Arm Thrust [A][S] (IM), Yawn (EM) (0 moves left to learn)
[Emboar the Mega Fire Pig Pokémon. Using the wreath of flames on its neck and shoulders, Emboar will set its hands on fire. It uses its power and speed to master fighting moves. This power can be increased when Emboar's neck flame intensifies. The more dire the situation is, the more excited Emboar becomes, to the point of enjoying itself.
Though very tough and relentless when fighting, it shows deep affection for those it considers friends. It can also unleash powerful blasts of fire using only its nose and cloak its body in fire to use many powerful attacks.]
|Name: Zoroark (Illusion Fox Pokémon)
|Type: Dark
|Tera: Dark
|Level: 40
|Gender: Male
|Held Item: [Wise Glasses]
|Ability: Illusion (Telepathy)
|Nature: Serious
|Moves: Protect, Leer, Torment, Hone Claws, Scary Face, Fake Tears, Taunt, Agility, Imprison, Pain Split, Nasty Plot, Confuse Ray, Pursuit [A][S], Knock Off [A][S], Faint Attack [A][S], Foul Play [A][S], Sucker Punch [A][S], Dark Pulse [A][S], Snarl [A][S], Hidden Power [A][S], Fury Swipes [A][S], Extrasensory [A][S], Shadow Ball [A][S], Psychic [A][S], Cut [A][S] (HM), Detect (IM), Night Slash [A][S] (IM), Night Daze [A][S] (EM) (0 move left to learn)
[Zoroark the Illusion Fox Pokémon. Zoroark can create illusions that are indistinguishable from reality, which can delude hundreds of people simultaneously. It can even create illusory landscapes in the forests where it dwells to hide its territory and protect its den. However, Zoroark is incapable of physically changing itself into another form; it is merely capable of casting illusions.
When it takes the form of a human, it is capable of human speech. It can make convincing illusions of attacks which are extremely realistic, enough to fool even cameras and make one believe they're being physically affected, though the illusion does not have any direct physical effect. Lonely Pokémon Trainers tend to use Zoroark to create illusions to ease their own burden of solitude.
There are stories of Zoroark punishing people who tried to capture it with illusions. It lives in groups, where unity is strong. It is extremely protective of those it cares about and will go to any lengths to keep them safe, including risking its own life, and it can hold grudges against those who harm its loved ones. Zoroark will hide its Zorua young in its mane to protect them and carry them around.]
|Name: Excadrill (Subterrene Pokémon)
|Type: Ground/Steel
|Tera: Ground
|Level: 40
|Gender: Male
|Held Item: [Muscle Band]/[Excadrite]
|Ability: Sand Rush (Sand Force)
|Nature: Jolly
|Moves: Protect, Sandstorm, Hone Claws, Substitute, Stealth Rock, Swords Dance, Magnet Rise, Mud Shot [A][S], Mud-Slap [A][S], Dig [A][S], Sand Tomb [A][S], Bulldoze [A][S], Earthquake [A][S], Drill Run [A][S],Metal Claw[A][S], Iron Head [A][S], Rapid Spin [A][S], Slash [A][S], Rock Slide [A][S], Rock Tomb [A][S], Rock Blast [A][S], Brutal Swing [A][S], X-Scissor [A][S], Rock Smash [A][S] (HM), Horn Drill (IM), Crush Claw [A][S] (EM) (1 Moves left to learn)
[Excadrill the Subterrene Pokémon. Due to its Evolution, Excadrill's drill has turned into steel. Excadrill can straighten its entire body, allowing it to spin like a drill. It can cut through iron and steel plating, and it can dig at speeds of over 90 mph (150 km/h). Known as the "Drill King", it uses its excellent digging abilities to build a complex network of tunnels for its nest at more than 300 feet (100 meters) below the surface. Its tunneling can be both beneficial and harmful to humans, as it can help workers with its swift digging prowess for tunnel construction, but it can be detrimental to underground structures, such as subway tunnels.]
|Name: Golett (S) (Automaton Pokémon)
|Type: Ground/Ghost
|Tera: Ground
|Level: 40
|Gender: Genderless
|Held Item: [Punching Glove]/[Muscle Band]/[Golurkite]
|Ability: Iron Fist
|Nature: Jolly
|Moves: Protect, Iron Defense, Defense Curl, Curse, Telekinesis, Gravity, Block, Astonish [A][S], Night Shade [A][S], Mud-Slap [A][S], Bulldoze [A][S], Stomping Tantrum [A][S], Phantom Force [A][S], Shadow Ball [A][S], Shadow Punch [A][S], Mega Punch [A][S], Thunder Punch [A][S], Fire Punch [A][S], Ice Punch [A][S], Drain Punch [A][S], Dynamic Punch [A][S], Power-Up Punch [A][S], Heavy Slam [A][S], Rollout [A][S], Gyro Ball [A][S], Magic Coat (IM) (0 move left to learn)
|Name: Cinccino (Scarf Pokémon)
|Type: Normal
|Tera: Normal
|Level: 40
|Gender: Female
|Held Item: [Loaded Dice]/[Silk Scarf]/[Muscle Band]
|Ability: Technician
|Nature: Jolly
|Moves: Protect, Growl, Helping Hand, Tickle, Encore, Baby-Doll Eyes, Sing, Charm, Attract, After You, Tail Whip, Safeguard, Batton Pass, Slam [A][S], Double-Slap [A][S], Swift [A][S], Echoed Voice [A][S], Return [A][S], Super Fang [A][S], Hidden Power [A][S], Triple Axel [A][S], Bullet Seed [A][S], Rock Blast [A][S], Wake-Up Slap [A][S], Trailblaze [A][S], Tail Slap [A][S] (IM), Tidy Up (EM) (0 move left to learn)
|Name: Audino (Hearing Pokémon)
|Type: Normal
|Tera: Normal
|Level: 42
|Gender: Female
|Held Item: [Audinite]
|Ability: Healer
|Nature: Docile
|Moves: Protect, Growl, Healing Hand, Refresh, Attract, Baby-Doll Eyes, Life Dew, Amnesia, Play Nice, Gravity, Heal Bell, Wish, Safeguard, Heal Pulse, Pain Split, Mega Kick [A][S], Mega Punch [A][S],Double-Slap [A][S], Secret Power [A][S], Take Down [A][S], Hyper Voice [A][S], Disarming Voice [A][S], Draining Kiss [A][S], Dazzling Gleam [A][S], Zen Headbutt [A][S], Healing Wish (EM) (0 moves left to learn)
|Name: Gothorita (Manipulate Pokémon)
|Type: Psychic
|Tera: Psychic
|Level: 40
|Gender: Female
|Held Item: [Twisted Spoon]/[Wise Glasses]/[Leftovers]
|Ability: Shadow Tag (Hidden Ability)
|Nature: Calm
|Moves: Protect, Fake Tears, Flatter, Embargo, Heal Block, Telekinesis, Hypnosis, Psych Up, Trick Room, Mean Look, Ally Switch, Attract, Light Screen, Reflect, Calm Mind, Confusion [A][S], Psybeam [A][S], Psyshock [A][S], Future Sight [A][S], Psychic [A][S], Dream Eater [A][S], Fake Out [A][S], Double Slap [A][S], Faint Attack [A][S], Dark Pulse [A][S], Miracle Eye (EM) (0 moves left to learn)
|Name: Fraxure (S) (Axe Jaw Pokémon)
|Type: Dragon
|Tera: Dragon
|Level: 47
|Gender: Male
|Held Item: [Dragon Fang]/[Muscle Band]
|Ability: Mold Breaker
|Nature: Adamant
|Moves: Protect, Leer, Taunt, Scary Face, Endure, Dragon Dance, Hone Claws, Swords Dance, Focus Energy, Dragon Claw [A][S], Dual Chop [A][S], Breaking Swipe [A][S], Dragon Pulse [A][S], Outrage [A][S], Giga Impact [A][S], Slash [A][S], Dragon Rage [A][S], Crunch [A][S], Assurance [A][S], False Swipe [A][S], Razor Wind [A][S], Reversal [A][S], First Impression [A][S], Iron Tail [A][S], Aqua Tail [A][S], Counter (EM) (0 moves left to learn)
|Name: Pawniard (Sharp Blade Pokémon)
|Type: Dark/Steel
|Tera: Dark
|Level: 49
|Gender: Male
|Held Item: [Muscle Band]/[Expert Belt]
|Ability: Inner Focus
|Nature: Serious
|Moves: Protect, Leer, Torment, Scary Face, Swords Dance, Metal Sound, Iron Defense, Rock Polish, Thunder Wave, Magnet Rise, Faint Attack [A][S], Assurance [A][S], Night Slash [A][S], Pursuit [A][S], Sucker Punch [A][S], Metal Claw [A][S], Iron Head [A][S], Guillotine, Slash [A][S], Fury Cutter [A][S], Psycho Cut [A][S], Shadow Claw [A][S], Aerial Ace [A][S], Grass Knot [A][S], Cut [A][S] (HM), Mean Look (EM) (0 moves left to learn)
|Name: Larvesta (S) [Alpha] (Torch Pokémon)
|Type: Bug/Fire
|Tera: Fire
|Level: 57
|Gender: Female
|Held Item: [Charcoal]/[Wise Glasses]
|Ability: Flame Body
|Nature: Timid
|Moves: Protect, String Shot, Screech, Double-Team, Attract, Sunny Day, Light Screen, Calm Mind, Safeguard, Ember [A][S], Flame Charge [A][S], Incinerate [A][S], Flamethrower [A][S],Flare Blitz [A][S],Hidden Power [A][S],Struggle Bug [A][S], Bug Bite [A][S], Bug Buzz [A][S],Leech Life [A][S], U-Turn [A][S],Absorb [A][S], Solar Beam [A][S], Take Down [A][S], Psychic [A][S], Tera Blast [A][S], Harden (IM), Endure (IM), Foresight (IM), Magnet Rise (IM), Morning Sun (EM) (5 Moves left to learn)
|Name: Zweilous (Hostile Pokémon)
|Type: Dark/Dragon
|Tera: Dragon
|Level: 62
|Gender: Male
|Held Item: [Scope Lens]/[Muscle Band]
|Ability: Hustle
|Nature: Bashful
|Moves: Protect, Roar, Work Up, Scary Face, Nasty Plot, Taunt, Thunder Wave, Screech, Crunch[A][S], Snarl [A][S],Beat Up [A][S],Draco Meteor [A][S],Outrage [A][S],Dragon Rush [A][S], Dragon Tail [A][S],Dragon Breath[A][S], Dragon Pulse [A][S], Hidden Power [A][S], Dragon Rage [A][S], Hyper Beam [A][S], Giga Impact [A][S], Hyper Voice [A][S], Round [A][S], Tera Blast [A][S], Slam [A][S], Body Slam [A][S], Headbutt [A][S], Fire Fang [A][S], Thunder Fang [A][S], Ice Fang [A][S], Incinerate [A][S], Dark Pulse [A][S] (IM), Assurance [A][S] (EM) (5 Moves left to learn)
|Name: Braviary [Alpha] (Valiant Pokémon)
|Type: Normal/Flying
|Tera: Flying
|Level: 64
|Gender: Male
|Held Item: [Life Orb]/[Muscle Band]
|Ability: Sheer Force
|Nature: Quirky
|Moves: Protect, Leer, Hone Claws, Tailwind, Scary Face, Whirlwind, Agility, Bulk Up, Double-Team, Air Slash [A][S],Peck[A][S], Aerial Ace[A][S], Wing Attack [A][S],Hurricane [A][S], Crush Claw [A][S],Sky Drop [A][S],Slash [A][S],Fury Attack [A][S], Thrash [A][S], Hidden Power [A][S], Tera Blast [A][S], Shadow Claw [A][S], U-Turn [A][S], Rock Slide [A][S], Superpower [A][S], Heat Wave [A][S], Steel Wing [A][S], Defog (M), Cut [A][S] (HM),Strength [A][S] (HM), Fly [A][S] (HM), Rock Smash [A][S] (IM), Roost (IM), Brave Bird [A][S] (EM) (5 Move left to learn)
Azure smirked, seeing this as he thought, rubbing his hands together, 'All right! Everything is coming together…'
While Azure admired his team's growth, he didn't forget the Swords of Justice watching him and his team intently. He pretended not to notice them and instead focused on his training and team bonding as he saw Keldeo watching them intently with interest.
Azure knew the best way to get Keldeo on his side was to show his true self without any lies, expressing how he truly felt for his team. He began handing out food to them as he thought excitedly, 'I hope Keldeo comes with me; then I'll have collected all the Mythicals from Unova, I think… Just gotta wait for my little pony~.'
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A/n: Hope you like the chapter!