Chapter 260: Iceberg Pokémon [Bonus]
~Third POV~
[Hoenn Region, Next Day, Route 111 – Desert Ruins]
After a good night's rest, Azure fully woke up and made breakfast for his Pokémon. It was the next morning, as they cheerfully ate they're fill.
The sole exception seemed to be the newcomer Regirock, as it stared blankly, awaiting orders. After a bit, everyone finished eating. He recalled them all back as Azure brought his Arc Phone, muttering out loud, "Okay… I have about a day or 2 left before I return with Sapphire. Time to make the most of it…"
A flicker of purpose, a hint of a long-held secret plan, entered his eyes. He murmured, reaching for a specific Poké Ball, "Gardevoir."
*Pop*
A flash of light, and the elegant, psychic Pokémon materialized before him, its green hair swaying gently in the dry air. Gardevoir's deep crimson eyes met his, a silent understanding passing between them.
Azure said calmly, his voice low, almost a whisper, "We're going back. Route 105. The Island Cave."
Gardevoir gave a soft hum, a graceful nod of assent. It knew.
It had always known. Days ago, when Azure asked to make a Psychic Marker on that island as a Ralts. He had sensed the immense power emanating from within the island, a power that fascinated and intimidated him.
He had placed a psychic marker on that island then, a mental breadcrumb to lead him back, knowing even then that it held the legendary Iceberg Pokémon, Regice. He hadn't been ready for such a challenge at the time.
His team, though full of potential, lacked the raw power and experience needed to face a legendary Titan. They were busy training, learning, growing, and then Sapphire had arrived, eager to learn, and his focus had been on guiding her as well as his own team.
But now… now was different. Now, he had Metang, Sceptile, Gardevoir herself, Ninetales, Golduck, Crawdaunt, Shelgon, Manectric, Marshtomp, Slaking—and most importantly, their newest member… Regirock.
The memory of the Desert Ruins, of the arduous battle against the Rock Titan, still resonated with him. He recalled that sealed entrance, the ancient script, and how Gardevoir, channeling her immense psychic energy, had Mega Evolved, creating a localized black hole to tear a path through the ancient rock to Regirock's lair.
That had been a testament to Gardevoir's prowess and their shared bond. But defeating Regirock, bringing the Earth Titan under his command with the help of his ever-reliable Pikachu, had changed everything.
It had given him the confidence, the means, to face Regice. Azure commanded, a single word hanging in the air, "Teleport."
Gardevoir's body shimmered, the desert landscape blurring around them. The heat, the arid air, the distant dunes—all dissolved into a swirling vortex of psychic energy… till they vanished from the Desert Ruins…
*SHIII*
////
[Hoenn Region, Route 105 – Island Cave]
*SHIIII*
In an instant, the world rematerialized, cooler, wetter, the air thick with the scent of salt and damp rock. They stood on a small, windswept island, waves lapping at its rocky shores. Route 105. The Island Cave.
Before them, a massive, ancient stone door, etched with cryptic symbols, stood as an impassable barrier. It was precisely as Azure remembered it, a testament to the ancient humans capable of sealing away the Titans.
Unlike the Desert Ruins, where a black hole had been necessary to contend with the sheer density of the rock, here Azure had a different, more direct approach. Azure declared, his voice firm, resonating with a newfound authority, "It's time…"
He pulled another Poké Ball from his belt. An Ultra Ball.
This one was heavier, solid, imbued with the raw, elemental power of a legend. He spoke calmly, hurling the Ultra Ball into the air as he had many times before, "Regirock, I need your strength here, buddy."
*Wooosh*
*Pop*
*THUD*
With a flash of brilliant white light and a guttural, earth-shaking rumble, Regirock materialized before the sealed entrance. The Rock Titan stood immense and imposing, a living construct of stone and boulders, its glowing red eyes fixated on the barrier.
The very ground seemed to creak under its weight, a testament to its raw, unadulterated power. Azure looked at his newly acquired behemoth, a surge of power coursing through him.
To command such a force, to have wrestled it into submission, was an exhilarating feeling. He projected his thoughts using his Viridian Force, a silent command that bypassed spoken words, 'The path to your sibling is blocked… Break it.'
Regirock needed no further instruction. With a slow, deliberate movement, it raised one massive, boulder-like arm, readying a Strong StyleFocus Punch…
*RMBL*
The air crackled with raw geological energy. Then, with a roar that echoed across the small island, it slammed its fist into the ancient stone door, "REGIROCK!!"
*BOOOOOM*
The impact was cataclysmic. A tremor, strong enough to make Azure stumble, ripped through the ground…
*RMBL*
*CRACK*
The ancient stone, designed to withstand millennia, groaned under the assault. Cracks, radiating like spiderwebs, shot across the surface of the door. Dust, mingled with ancient debris, exploded outwards.
Regirock pulled back, its glowing eyes unwavering, and then struck again, a relentless, earth-shattering barrage…
*BOOOOOOM*
*BOOOOOM*
*BOOOOM*
Each blow chipped away at the millennia-old seal. The sounds of splintering rock and groaning stone filled the air, a symphony of destruction. Azure shielded his eyes as a shower of ancient masonry rained down.
This wasn't a delicate act of psychic manipulation like Gardevoir's; this was pure, unadulterated brute force. The Rock Titan, a force of nature itself, made short work of the barrier…
*CRACK*
With a final, thunderous crack that split the very air, the central section of the door disintegrated, collapsing inward in a cascade of rubble, revealing a gaping, dark maw… then a blast of air rushed through.
*Woooosh*
A blast of intensely cold air immediately assaulted them, carrying with it the faint, metallic scent of ice and ancient mineral deposits. The air shimmered, almost freezing on contact, making Azure shiver.
Pikachu, who had been watching from Azure's shoulder, let out a shiver, its fur bristling. Eevee, on the other hand, quickly retreated into Azure's hoodie for warmth.
Azure said, thankfully, genuinely impressed by the display, "Thank you, Regirock."
The Rock Titan rumbled in response, a low, satisfied vibration that reverberated through the ground, "Regirock…"
With another flash, the Stone Pokémon was back in its Ultra Ball as Azure said calmly, "Return Regirock!"
Azure stepped forward, the chilly air invigorating rather than deterring him. Gardevoir floated gracefully beside him, its presence a shield against the intense cold.
The entrance, now fully revealed, led into a subterranean labyrinth of shimmering ice. The walls, floor, and ceiling were composed of a crystalline, cerulean ice that pulsed with a faint, ethereal glow.
Ice stalactites hung like colossal fangs from the ceiling, while jagged stalagmites rose from the floor. Each step echoed in the profound silence, a silence broken only by the drip of melting ice and the distant, almost imperceptible hum of immense power.
Azure whispered cautiously, his voice resonating slightly in the icy chamber, "This is it, Pikachu. Eevee."
Pikachu chittered, its eyes wide but resolute. Eevee peeking out cried softly, its eyes wide but also determined.
The temperature plummeted with every step they took deeper into the cave, a biting cold that seeped into their bones. Azure, accustomed to various environments, felt the chill, but his focus remained sharp.
They navigated the winding corridors, the pathway slick and treacherous. Gardevoir's soft glow illuminated their path, reflecting off the ice in a dazzling display of blues and whites as they followed the path shown on his Arc Phone Map App.
Azure could feel the psychic marker he had placed days ago throbbing, guiding them deeper into the heart of the island. Finally, the passage opened into a vast, circular chamber, its ceiling a dome of glittering ice, its floor a smooth, reflective surface of solidified water.
And there, at the very center, it waited.
A colossal being, composed entirely of ancient, crystalline ice, stood motionless. Its body was a mosaic of jagged, multifaceted ice shards, glowing with an internal, frigid light.
Its three glowing eyes, set in an otherwise featureless face, slowly opened, fixing on Azure. Regice. The Iceberg Pokémon, the legendary Titan of ice, had awakened.
*WOOOOSH*
The air in the chamber became impossibly cold, the sheer presence of Regice radiating an oppressive chill that made Azure's breath mist heavily. Azure's eyes narrowed, seeing this as he thought bitterly, 'Guess it woke up from Regirock slamming the sealed door. Guess the element of surprise is out the window now… time to battle.'
Pikachu let out a small, defiant spark from its cheeks, its tail twitching. Eevee barked fiercely, prepped for battle ahead.
Azure looked at Regice, feeling the immense power before him. This wasn't just a Pokémon; it was a force of nature, an embodiment of the frozen wastes.
His past self wouldn't have stood a chance. But now, with his experience, his finely tuned team, and the confidence born of conquering another Titan, he was ready.
Azure said cautiously, his voice steady, "Pikachu, you're up if anything goes south. Let's test its defenses."
Pikachu leaped from his shoulder, landing lightly on the icy floor, sparks dancing around its cheeks, "Pika!"
Regice remained still, observing. Its silence was more intimidating than any roar.
Azure called, sending out his elegant Fire-type, "Ninetales, I choose you!"
*Pop*
The fox Pokémon materialized, its nine tails fanning out, a warm, golden aura counteracting some of the chamber's cold. Ninetales let out a low growl, its eyes narrowing at the Ice Titan, "Niiii!! (Time to burn an ice cube!)"
Azure commanded, knowing that a direct Fire-type attack would be their most potent opener, "Ninetales, start with a powerful Flamethrower!"
*Ssssss*
Ninetales reared back, gathering fire in its mouth, and unleashed a torrent of scorching flames. The stream of fire roared across the chamber, a brilliant orange against the blue ice, striking Regice head-on.
*BOOOM*
The Ice Pokémon shimmered, the flames seeming to slide over its crystalline body. It didn't flinch, yet a faint, almost imperceptible crackle could be heard where the fire met ice. Super-effective, but Regice's Special Defense was legendary.
Regice slowly raised a crystalline arm. It boomed, its voice a hollow, chilling echo, "REGI! ICE!!! REGICE!!"
*PEW*
A blinding beam of pure ice energy shot from its arm, arcing directly towards Ninetales. Azure barked, "Ninetales, dodge with Quick Attack, then use Extrasensory!"
*Zoooom*
Ninetales, agile despite the icy terrain, blurred out of the path of the Ice Beam, its speed a surprise for a Pokémon of its size. As it sidestepped, its eyes glowed with psychic energy, launching a wave of psionic force at Regice.
*SHIII*
The attack, while not super-effective, still struck with considerable force, causing Regice to tremor slightly, its red eyes glowing brighter. His eyes narrowed as he thought cautiously, 'I suppose despite they're power… they're so freakishly slow. Suppose with a Speed Stat of 50, it would be slow… but their defenses are top-notch.'
Azure pressed the advantage, "Pikachu, Thunderbolt!"
Pikachu gathered electricity, its body crackling, and unleashed a powerful bolt of electricity, "Pika-CHUUUU!"
*ZZZZZ*
The lightning arced through the air, striking Regice's head. Electrical energy coursed through the Ice Titan, causing it to freeze in place for a moment, the ice around it briefly flickering.
*WOOOSH*
Regice retaliated with a terrifying Blizzard. The entire chamber was filled with a swirling tempest of razor-sharp ice shards and freezing winds.
The visibility dropped to near-zero, and the temperature plummeted further, making breathing difficult. Azure commanded, "Ninetales, use Protect! Pikachu, to me!"
*CLANG*
Ninetales glowed with a green shield, deflecting the blizzard, while Pikachu, quick as ever, darted over to Azure using Extreme Speed. When the blizzard subsided, the chamber was coated in a fresh layer of frost.
Ninetales, though protected, shivered slightly. Regice lumbered forward, its slow, deliberate movements radiating an aura of unstoppable power.
Azure knew he couldn't rely solely on Ninetales for long. Regice was a Special Attack powerhouse, and Ninetales, while strong, needed to conserve its energy for critical attacks as he thought cautiously, 'I need to change out Ninetales. Thank god that Regice is slow, but I need to chip it down…'
Quickly switching in battle, Azure used Regice to train. He recalled his Pokémon quickly switching out his next choice, "Ninetales, return. Sceptile, let's go!"
*Pop*
Sceptile, the Grass-type, emerged with an energetic roar, its speed and agility a stark contrast to Regice's glacial pace, "SCEPTILE!!"
Its green skin and leafy tail glowed faintly with collected solar energy, providing a small but welcome warmth to the frigid chamber. Azure directed calmly, "Sceptile, speed is our advantage! Use Leaf Blade, aim for its weak points!"
*Zoooom*
Sceptile launched itself forward, a green blur. Its arm blades, sharp as katanas, glowed with verdant energy…
*SHINNG*
… It weaved around Regice's slow, sweeping movements, striking at the joints and fissures in its icy body. Each strike chipped away at the Titan's defenses, causing small fragments of ice to shatter and fall.
Not only that, Azure makes sure Sceptile used Leaf Blade, as he thought cautiously, 'Leaf Blade is a move with increases the critical hit ratio by 1/8 instead of 1/24. Add that with STAB, it'll hurt a lot when compared to Regice's bad speed stat…'
Regice, however, was not easily outmaneuvered. It twisted its body, unleashing an Aurora Beam at point-blank range.
*PEW*
Azure's commands were precise, his eyes constantly analyzing Regice's movements and Sceptile's position, "Sceptile, Agility to dodge! Then Leaf Blade!"
*Wooosh*
Sceptile twisted mid-air, narrowly avoiding the vibrant Aurora Beam, and then brought its glowing blades down in a powerful Leaf Blade attack…
*CRACK*
… The blow connected with a sharp crack, further weakening Regice. Not only that revealed a golden yellow aura signaling a critical hit.
The battle raged, a dance of elemental power against the backdrop of ancient ice. Azure cycled through his team fluidly, bringing in Metang for its Steel-type resistance against Regice's Ice-type attacks, using its Power Up-Punch attacks to chip away at its health while steadily increasing its attack power.
Golduck contributed with powerful Hydro Pumps, while Crawdaunt used its powerful Crabhammer. Every Pokémon contributed, each one's strengths exploited, weaknesses mitigated.
But it was Pikachu, with its relentless speed and electric power, that truly kept Regice on the defensive. Azure knew Regice's Special Defense was its strongest attribute.
But with his Pikachu tag teaming and pulling assists during the battles, it managed to chip away at the Ice Titan's health as the battle continued. He needed a physical attack to truly wear it down.
Azure called out, noticing how Regice's slow movements were anchored by its sturdy, icy base, "Pikachu! Strong Style Iron Tail! Target its legs!"
*Shiii*
Pikachu's tail glowed metallic, hard as steel, as it cried out, "Pika-CHU!"
*Zoooom*
It zipped beneath Regice's guard, striking repeatedly at the Ice Titan's lower body. Each clang of metal on ice sent shivers through the chamber, and Regice finally began to show signs of genuine fatigue, its movements becoming even more sluggish.
Regice let out another mournful cry, attempting a final, desperate Ice Beam…
*PEW*
… But its accuracy was off, the beam carving a harmless furrow into the ice wall. Azure's voice boomed, sensing the end was near, "Now, Pikachu time to go all in! Full power! STRONG STYLE VOLT TACKLE!!"
*ZZZZZ*
Pikachu, its cheeks sparking with renewed vigor, coating itself in golden electricity as it cried out, "PIKA-CHUUUUUUU!!!"
*ZOOOOM*
A massive bolt of lightning, thicker and more potent than before, slammed into Regice as Pikachu charged in using its full power. The Ice Titan shrieked, its body convulsing as the electricity coursed through its crystalline form, "REGI!!!"
*THUD*
It trembled violently, then, with a final groan, collapsed onto the icy floor, its red eyes dimming, utterly exhausted. Azure drew a deep, steadying breath as he slowly got the Ultra Ball prepared…
He shouted, hurling the specialized Poké Ball with expert precision, "Go, Ultra Ball!"
*Bonk*
The Ultra Ball soared through the chilled air, striking Regice with a soft thud. It clicked open, emitting a beam of red light that enveloped the colossal Ice Pokémon, drawing it inside.
*Thud*
The ball fell to the ground, rolling a few feet before settling.
One shake...
*Riggle*
Two shakes…
*Niggle*
Three shakes…
*BON*
With a final, satisfying click, the Ultra Ball settled, the light on its surface turning solid. Azure let out a triumphant exhale, a small, genuine smile gracing his lips.
He walked over, picked up the Poké Ball, feeling its surprising weight in his hand. Another Titan, painstakingly tracked, strategically battled, and finally, captured.
The power contained within felt immense, a tangible force humming beneath his palm. Azure said softly, holding up the ball, "We did it again, Pikachu."
Pikachu, though tired, gave a happy cry, "Pika-Pika!"
Pikachu rubbed its head against Azure's cheek. Gardevoir floated closer, its psychic presence radiating warmth and approval.
Azure took one last look at the pristine, now slightly scarred, ice chamber. The legend of Regice, its immense power and stoic presence, was now a part of his journey. Azure grinned as he used his Arc Phone to read the info he got from Regice.
[Regice the Iceberg Pokémon. According to legend, Regice was created by the Legendary Pokémon Regigigas using ice. It used to be worshipped by humans; however, at some point, ancient people started fearing its power and sealed it away. In Hoenn, it was sealed in the Island Cave; in Sinnoh, it was sealed in the Iceberg Ruins; and in Galar, it was sealed in the Iceberg Ruins.
Regice moves around by floating in the air. Regice cloaks itself in air that is −328 °F (−200 °C), and anything near Regice will become frozen solid. Its deep-frozen body can't be melted, even surviving when submerged in molten lava. It is made of ice from the ice age. It is said that it has slept in a glacier for thousands of years.]
|Name: Regice (Iceberg Pokémon)
|Type: Ice
|Level: 60
|Gender: Genderless
|Held Item: None
|Ability: Clear Body
|Nature: Modest
|Moves: Curse, Amnesia, Lock-On, Rest, Sleep Talk, Protect, Block, Gravity, Aurora Veil, Snowscape, Hail, Icy Wind, Ice Beam, Ice Punch, Avalanche, Blizzard, Frost Breath, Ice Spinner, Icicle Spear, Superpower, Ancient Power, Hyper Beam, Stomp, Charge Beam, Zap Cannon, Hammer Arm, Signal Beam, Focus Blast, Bulldoze, Explosion (IM) (6 Moves left to learn)
He felt a profound satisfaction, a quiet pride in overcoming such a formidable opponent. Azure murmured, "Gardevoir, time to return."
The elegant Pokémon nodded, readying another Teleport. The icy chamber, the memory of the intense battle, began to blur…
*SHIII*
/////
[Hoenn Region, Route 111 – Desert Ruins]
*SHIII*
In another flash, they were back at the edge of the desert, the sun warm on their faces, the familiar whisper of the wind a stark contrast to the glacial silence of the Island Cave. He grinned happily, muttering, "With two titans under my belt, that leaves Registeel left. Sadly, it would take too long to reach its place, but I'll collect the last one when I get there…"
Sapphire would be wondering where he had been, but he would simply say he found a particularly challenging patch of desert. His secret would remain his own, for now.
He glanced at the Ultra Ball in his hand, a silent promise to the legendary Pokémon captured within. Soon, Regice would join Regirock, and perhaps, one day, they would find their third sibling, Registeel.
But for now, the desert awaited. Azure adjusted his bag, a renewed sense of purpose driving him forward. It was time to find Sapphire and resume their training, the quiet satisfaction of a successful, secret mission lending an extra spring to his step.
/////
A/N: Reach the goal of 200 PS to get a Bonus Chapter!