Chapter 263: Ropeway Trap
~Third POV~
[Hoenn Region, 3 Days Later, Lavaridge Town – Gym]
3 days later, as Azure and Sapphire were training for they're next Gym Match, another event had taken place. In the sweltering heat of the Lavaridge Gym, Flannery, a trainer whose enthusiasm burned hotter than the volcano itself, pumped her fist in triumph as she ordered, "Finish this up! Flamethrower!!"
*SSSS*
Her Magcargo unleashed a stream of fire directed at the opposing Trainer Pokémon, and they fainted shortly, blacking out. She declared, her voice echoing in the steamy arena at the piles of defeated trainers and their Pokémon lying on the ground, "And that, my friends, is how you handle a Nuzleaf!"
Her Magcargo, glowing embers still flickering along its shell, hissed softly, a triumphant rumble in its throat, having just delivered the knockout blow to the challenger's grass-type Team. But then a voice echoed through the video screen, cheered, "Wonderful, Flannery!! You're a rookie gym leader, but your battles are like those of a skilled veteran!"
The elegant voice of Winona, the Fortree City Gym Leader, floated from a large video screen mounted on the wall. Winona, her gaze serene, offered a gentle smile and said proudly, "That's 149 consecutive victories, Flannery! My congratulations. You've truly erased your… previous record of constant absenteeism."
Flannery flushed, a hand going to her fiery red hair. "Hey! I told you, I was just out… training! What's so wrong with a little field trip?"
Winona chuckled, a melodious sound. But then Flannery asked in a serious tone with a curious expression, "Winona, I've heard about…"
Winona grinned, understanding that expression clearly. She replied in a soft voice, answering Flannery's question, "Of course, Flannery. In any case, I called to give you a heads-up. There's a trainer named Sapphire making her way through Hoenn. She's already defeated Roxanne, Brawly, and Wattson. From what Wattson tells me, she's quite impressive. You can expect her in Lavaridge soon."
Flannery's eyes gleamed. But then Winona continued, only making her shake in excitement about the other news, "Not only that… from what I've heard, the Champion of Kanto and Johto Azure Sky is taking part in this year's Hoenn League Ever Grande Conference."
Flannery's eyes widened at the news. She thought excitedly at the chance of battling a Champion, 'THAT GUY!! The one who figured out a way to evolve further beyond! I've even had my Magmar evolve into Magmotar! Not only that…'
She glanced down at her Mega Ring around her wrist, smiling fondly as she thought, '… but because he shows off Mega Evolution, each Gym Leader has a Pokémon that can Mega Evolve as well as place focus on breeding specific Pokémon that can Mega Evolve some attention. Plus, it made my team a real fire power here!'
*CLAP*
She clapped her hands together as she said in a determined tone, "Sapphire and Sky, huh? Sounds like a real firecracker! Excellent! I need to cool off a bit, get my head clear for my 150th victory!"
Marching out of the gym and into the surprisingly cool air of Lavaridge's outskirts, Flannery took a deep breath. She stretched her arms to the sky, letting out a joyful yell that reverberated off the nearby cliffs, "Alright, Sapphire! Azure! Whenever you're ready, I'll be here! Ready to accept your challenge!"
Her jubilant cry, however, attracted unwanted attention. Two figures, cloaked in the distinctive uniforms of Team Aqua Admins Shelly and Amber, emerged from the shadow of a volcanic rock formation, eyeing Flannery.
Their faces were obscured by the hoods, but their intent was clear. Amber growled, his voice rough, "Sapphire, and Azure, you say? So you know them, Gym Leader?"
Flannery blinked, taken aback. Her eyes narrowed in suspicion as she asked, "Know who? I just heard about new challengers…"
Before she could finish, the second figure cut her off. Shelly yelled at her in disdain, "Don't play coy! Team Aqua needs to know everything about her! Where is she? What are her strengths? Tell us, or you'll regret it!"
Flannery exclaimed, thoroughly confused by the two's insistence, "What are you talking about?! I don't know anything!"
Shelly snarled, already reaching for a Poké Ball, hurling it over, having had enough, "Then we'll make you talk! Go, Starmie! Shadow Ball!"
*Pop*
The star-shaped gem Pokémon lunged, while Amber released a Carvanha, its sharp teeth glinting menacingly. Flannery, caught off guard by the sudden aggression and misunderstanding, quickly sent out her own Pokémon, but the surprise attack, combined with the Aqua Grunts' ruthless efficiency, quickly overwhelmed her.
But before she was taken down, she quickly hid her Key Stone, tapping a button over it. With a flick, it was concealed, sealed tight, looking to be an ordinary bracelet.
Sometime later, the two figures vanished as silently as they had appeared, leaving behind a trail of disturbed dust and an eerily quiet Lavaridge Gym. And the Gym Leader went missing shortly after the encounter…
/////
[Hoenn Region, Sometime Later, Route 112 – Cable Car Station]
Sometime later, Azure and Sapphire stood at the base of Mt. Chimney, a colossal, smoldering presence that dominated the western landscape. The air, once dry and dusty, now carried the faint scent of sulfur and volcanic ash.
Sapphire shielded her eyes, gazing up at the series of sturdy cables that stretched towards the summit, typically ferrying tourists and trainers. Sapphire observed, a hint of disappointment in her voice, "The cable car seems to be out of commission. I guess we'll have to climb."
*KLTTR*
*KLTTR*
Before the words fully left her lips, a metallic clang echoed through the air. The cable car, previously motionless, lurched to life. Gears groaned, and the large, red gondola began its slow ascent.
*RMBL*
But then Sapphire heard something, "Huh?"
Azure slowly stopped as well, following Sapphire's gaze at the cable car. Sapphire could faintly hear with her super hearing, "Run!!"
*FSST*
As it drew farther, the automatic doors hissed open, revealing a sight that instantly turned the duo's disappointment into alarm. Inside, standing with a predatory smirk, was a man with sharp features and a confident swagger, dressed in the dark, oceanic uniform of Team Aqua.
Matt, the Team Aqua Admin. And beside him, bound and gagged, her fiery red hair disheveled, was Flannery, the Lavaridge Gym Leader.
Her eyes were wide with a mix of fear and indignation. Azure's voice was a low growl, recognizing the Team Aqua Admin instantly, "Matt!"
His hand instinctively went to Pikachu, who bristled on his shoulder, electricity sparking faintly. Sapphire demanded, her own anger flaring hotter than any lava flow, "What have you done with Flannery?!"
Matt just grinned, a chilling, mirthless expression. He gestured with a theatrical flourish, "Well, well, well. Azure Sky, the Kanto hotshot, and his little protégé. Took you long enough. I wanted you to climb aboard. Don't disappoint me."
They glared at Matt disdainfully. He turned his gaze at them, then to Flannery as he openly stated in a confident tone, "You're both here just like she said you would be. Miss Flannery, the intel you gave us about them coming to Lavaridge Town has turned out to be most helpful. I must remember to thank Shelly and Amber for capturing you."
Before Matt could finish his taunt, Sapphire was already moving. She called out, "Phando, come to me!"
*Pop*
Having brought out her Dolphan, it began spinning. She growled as she used Phando as a springboard to launch herself up into the air, "I can hear you're holding someone captive… and you're up to no good again, ain't cha?! But I'm not gonna let that happen!!"
*BOING*
With a powerful leap, Sapphire used Phando's broad back as a launchpad, propelling herself high into the air. Azure, ever in sync with his student, followed suit, a silent command to Pikachu and Eevee to tighten their grip as he leaped.
*TMP*
In a single, fluid motion, both trainers soared through the open doorway and landed inside the cable car, their Pokémon ready for battle. Sapphire recalled her Pokémon as Azure said coldly, glaring at him, "Did you seriously think we wouldn't be able to get up here?"
*PFSST*
The cable car's doors hissed shut behind them, sealing them within the confined space. Flannery, her eyes pleading, struggled against her restraints. Sapphire looked disgusted at Flannery's state as she thought, 'How could they do something like this…?'
Gritting her teeth, Sapphire immediately rushed to her side, her anger at Matt boiling over as she yelled, "Usin' someone I don't even know as bait?! You're not gonna get away with this!!"
Matt merely chuckled, a cold sound that grated on Sapphire's nerves. He stated smugly, "An innocent bystander, you say? Just bait, dear girl. Excellent bait, as it turns out. As a matter of fact, I wanted you both to come here in this secluded space…"
Azure's eyes narrowed as he noticed the inside of the cable car. His eyes narrowed as he thought cautiously, 'He took some precautions. The entire car is wet inside as I can't use Pikachu's electric moves, and it's too tight to allow my bigger Pokémon to move freely, as he shut the door tight, not only that…'
He noticed the distance of how high they were inside the Cable Car. He continued analyzing the situation as he thought, '… too high to break free with the off chance of the cable car exploding if we damage it. Not only that, he must have a plan so…'
Enraged by his casual cruelty, Sapphire spun around, her eyes blazing with fury. She hurled her Poké Ball in unison as Sapphire yelled, "You monster! How dare you use her like this? Chic, Brick Break!"
*Pop*
Azure followed suit, using the only Pokémon safe in this environment, "Marshtomp! Mud Shot now!"
*Pop*
From their Poké Balls, Chic, Sapphire's Combusken, and Azure's Marshtomp exploded into action. Chic's leg glowed with fighting energy, aiming a powerful kick at Matt, while Marshtomp launched a barrage of muddy projectiles.
Matt, however, was unfazed as he opened his casually saying, "We'll see about that… Azumarill, Aqua Jet!"
*Pop*
A large, blue Pokémon with a white, bobbing tail burst forth, encased in a shimmering, water-based projectile. Azumarill intercepted Chic and Marshtomp's attacks mid-air, its speed and power deflecting their blows with surprising ease.
*SPLASH*
Then, with a flick of its tail, Azumarill began to release a torrent of water, not just at the trainers but across the entire cable car. The car, designed to be airtight for safety in extreme weather, quickly began to fill.
*SPLASH*
*SPLASH*
Water surged around their ankles, then their knees, rising rapidly. Matt watched with a chillingly calm expression. He explained, his voice echoing slightly as the water level climbed, "This car, you see, is airtight. No air gets in, and more importantly, no air gets out. As my Azumarill continues, it will fill, and well… your oxygen supply will become rather limited."
Panic flickered in Flannery's eyes. Sapphire glanced at Azure, whose face was grim but determined. Pikachu and Eevee climbed onto Azure's shoulders, their small bodies already getting wet.
The water reached their chests, then their shoulders. Matt, ever the showman, watched their faces with a sadistic grin.
Just as the water touched the ceiling, Azumarill, with an astonishing burst of control, created a perfect air bubble around Matt's head. He took a deep, theatrical breath, then continued to speak, his voice muffled but clear through the water.
Matt's voice echoed in the watery chamber as he released another Poké Ball, "And now to finish the helpless trio off. Sharpedo, finish them!"
*Pop*
A massive, torpedo-shaped Pokémon, its dorsal fin like a shark's, materialized within the confined space. Its teeth, long and razor-sharp, glinted menacingly in the dim light filtering through the water.
Sharpedo circled the submerged trainers, an apex predator in a steel cage. However, Azure's eyes narrowed as his Marshtomp, the only one that could move freely in water, glared at Matt, heavily standing its ground against his Azumarill and Sharpedo.
Azure eyes move to Eevee as he used his Viridian Force to project his thoughts, 'Eevee. Evolve into Vaporeon and use Iron Tail. Take them out.'
*Shiii*
Startling all, Eevee evolved, changing into its Vaporeon form in an instant. Upon doing so, all the water that filled inside the Cable Car was absorbed into Vaporeon thanks to its Water Absorb ability.
*Swooosh*
Seeing the Water being absorbed, Matt now panicked as he ordered, "Shit!! This wasn't part of the plan, quick – "
*SHINNG*
*SMACK*
Vaporeon charged in as its tail turned a metallic sheet, slapping both Azumarill and Sharpedo, thanks to the enclosed space, slamming into Matt. They were hit hard as Matt's head was slammed against the wall of the Cable Car, knocking him out instantly.
/////
[Hoenn Region, Meanwhile, Mt. Chimney]
Meanwhile, far above, at the summit of Mt. Chimney, the air crackled with a different kind of energy. Team Aqua grunts swarmed around a colossal drilling machine, its massive auger already biting into the rim of the volcano's crater.
*RMBL*
*RMBL*
The earth trembled with its rhythmic thrum. Amber, another Team Aqua Admin, a man with a cool demeanor and a sharp gaze, stood at a control panel, overseeing the operation.
His uniform, like Matt's, was the deep blue of the ocean, a stark contrast to the fiery landscape. Faint plumes of smoke drifted from the drilling site, mingling with the sulfurous scent.
He barked into her earpiece, her voice cutting through the din, "Status report!"
A grunt beside him saluted. Then the grunt explained enthusiastically, "Drill penetration at optimal levels, Amber! The seismic readings are fluctuating as expected!"
Amber nodded, a grim satisfaction on his face. He looked out over the churning crater, his eyes reflecting the orange glow of the magma far below.
He pressed a button on his comms directing orders to the grunts in a pleased tone, "Excellent. It's time to carry out our mission. The first phase, at least. All units, prepare for detonation. We are stopping the volcano's activity. For a world where vast oceans thrive, we must first silence the volcanic activity of this mountain!!!"
/////
A/N: Reach the goal of 250 PS to get a Bonus Chapter!