Chapter 396: Battle Pike! [Bonus]
~Third POV~
[Hoenn Region, Next Day (July 2nd), Battle Frontier – Battle Pike]
The next morning, July 2nd, dawned with a fresh, summery breeze. Azure, Pikachu still on his shoulder, and Eevee on his head, arrived at the Battle Pike with Green. The facility, shaped like a giant Seviper, shimmered under the morning sun.
As they approached, a woman emerged from the ornate entrance, her long, flowing dark hair and serpentine outfit making her instantly recognizable. This was Lucy, the Pike Queen. A sleek Seviper coiled gracefully around her, its gaze as piercing as its trainer's.
Lucy's voice was calm, yet held an underlying current of power, "Welcome, challengers. I am Lucy, the Pike Queen. I trust you're here to test your luck and skill against the Battle Pike today?"
Her eyes, dark and intelligent, settled on Azure. Azure nodded, a familiar fire now lit in his eyes. This was a challenge he could understand as he replied, "That's right, Lucy. I'd like to challenge you for the Frontier Symbol."
Green, however, shook her head with a smile as she politely declined, "As fascinating as it sounds, I think I'll observe this one. Besides…"
She motioned towards the Battle Pike's serpentine façade, "I've read about this place. 'A facility that tests one's luck.' A Trainer enters it with three Pokémon on hand and is required to enter a series of halls with three doors. To progress, they must go through one of these doors until they reach the final room. Each door leads into a room, which can lead to eight different types of events. Each set consists of six halls and seven rooms. The challenger can only battle Lucy herself after reaching the 129th room on the tenth set."
Green finished, and a knowing look was exchanged with Azure as she stated, "That's a lot of luck…"
Just then, the familiar scuttle of approaching footsteps and the incessant clicking of cameras announced the arrival of the press. Reporters, already armed with microphones and notebooks, swarmed the entrance.
"Azure Sky, three-time champion, here to tackle the Battle Pike!"
"Will his perfect streak continue?"
"What's your relationship with the girl next to you?"
"What strategy will he employ against the unpredictable Pike?"
Azure, not wanting to be caught off guard, made a quick decision. He declared, already jogging towards a nearby preparation area, "Excuse me, I need to get ready!"
Green called, running after him as his Pikachu and Eevee ran along, catching up, "Hey, wait up! What Pokémon are you going to use? The Pike is all about endurance and adaptability, not raw power."
Azure reached a battle preparation station, pulling up a computer screen. He replied, his brow furrowed in thought, "Exactly, I have three specific Pokémon in mind. They're not my usual combatants for these kinds of challenges, but they'll be key here."
*Tap*
He typed swiftly on the keyboard, sending a message to the Pokémon Research Laboratory in Kanto. The screen flickered, and the familiar face of Crystal, a fellow Dex Holder, the Capturer, and a Prof. Oak student in training, appeared.
*Beep*
She was surrounded by various capture devices and data screens, her focused expression softening into a bright smile. Crystal greeted warmly, her voice efficient yet friendly, "Azure! It's been a while, how's the Frontier treating you?"
Azure smirked, greeting an old friend as he explained, "Crystal, great to see you! It's going well. Just earned one symbol, aiming for a second. But I'm about to face the Battle Pike, and I need a very specific team for it. I need to make a trade."
Crystal asked curiously, already bringing up the transfer interface, "Oh? What are you looking for?"
Grabbing three Poke Balls from his belt, Azure requested politely, "Could I send you my Skarmory, Metagross, and Charizard, and in return, get my Slaking, Houndoom, and Gardevoir back?"
Crystal's eyebrows raised slightly as she hummed at Azure's choice, stating, "Slaking, Houndoom, and Gardevoir? An interesting choice. Not exactly a standard Battle Pike team. Are you sure?"
Azure affirmed with a confident grin, placing a thumb over his chest, "Positive. They're perfect for what I have in mind. Especially for bypassing the 'luck' aspect."
Crystal confirmed, "Alright then, initiating transfer."
*BEEP*
On Azure's screen, the images of Skarmory, Metagross, and Charizard appeared, then shimmered and vanished as they were sent to Kanto. Moments later, three new images materialized: a massive, relaxed Slaking, a sleek, powerful Houndoom, and an elegant Gardevoir.
*BEEP*
Azure said happily, feeling a surge of nostalgia and excitement, "Thanks, Crystal! You're a lifesaver. Give Professor Oak my regards!"
Having some of his old friends back, Pokémon he'd relied on in countless unique situations, was a comforting thought. He knew these three, with their specific abilities and traits, would be crucial.
Crystal replied before her image faded, replaced by the standard lab interface, "No problem, Azure! Good luck at the Pike!"
Azure smiled, securing the Poké Balls to his belt. He murmured, turning back towards the entrance, "Time to face the Pike…"
He hurried back to the Battle Pike, a newfound determination in his stride. He met Lucy at the entrance, who watched him with an unreadable expression.
Azure stated, his gaze sweeping over the three doors of the first hall, "I'm ready, Lucy!"
Lucy nodded with a knowing grin as she allowed Azure to enter the hallway. They looked identical, unassuming, yet each held a different fate.
As Azure stepped into the first hall, Green, Pikachu, Eevee, Lucy, and the now-heavily populated press corps gathered in a central control room. Large screens flickered to life, showing a clear feed of Azure's progress.
A reporter exclaimed, as Azure released Houndoom and Gardevoir, "He's sending out two Pokémon right away!"
*Pop*
Houndoom, its dark fur gleaming, sniffed the air, its intelligent eyes scanning the surroundings with its held item [Flame Plate]. Gardevoir, graceful and serene, materialized beside it, its green hair flowing gently with its held item [Gardevoirite].
Azure's voice, clear and confident, carried through the speakers, "Alright, ladies, I need your help. Houndoom, use Odor Sleuth. I want to know if there's anyone on the other side of these doors, especially if they're waiting for us."
Houndoom let out a low growl, its keen sense of smell activating, "Awoo!! (On it! Leave this to me!)"
*Sniff*
A faint, almost imperceptible aura emanated from its snout, spreading out to the three doors. Azure continued, "Gardevoir, use your Telepathy and your empathy. Scan for any strong emotions – anticipation, irritation, hostility – anything that suggests a challenger or a trap behind those doors."
*Shiii*
Gardevoir closed its eyes, its red horn-like protrusions glowing softly. Its Telepathy hidden ability, a natural gift, allowed it to sense the thoughts and intentions of living beings. Combined with its potent empathic senses, it was like a psychic sonar, mapping the emotional landscape beyond the solid barriers.
After a moment, Houndoom gave a soft bark, gesturing with its snout towards the leftmost door, "Arf! (This one! It reeks of the weak.)"
Gardevoir nodded slowly, its eyes now open, confirming Houndoom's assessment as she stated telepathically, 'This door… it feels… neutral. The others… have a stronger sense of anticipation. One even a hint of frustration.'
Azure smirked. Frustration usually meant a Trainer waiting in vain. Anticipation meant a Trainer ready for battle.
Neutral… that was the key.
Azure praised, "Excellent! Left door it is."
*Thud*
He pushed open the leftmost door and stepped through. The camera followed. Inside, instead of a waiting Trainer or a battle arena, he found a lone man in janitorial attire, leisurely sweeping the floor.
The man looked up, startled, then offered a small, apologetic smile. The janitor remarked, completely unfazed, and continued his sweeping, "Oh, sorry, didn't expect anyone through this door right now. Lovely weather we're having, though, isn't it?"
Azure had just entered the "No Event Room," leading to no battle, no trap, just a casual encounter. Azure simply nodded, a knowing glint in his eyes, and walked straight through to the next set of doors at the far end of the room.
He had found the trick.
In the control room, the reporters were abuzz with confusion, "What just happened? No battle? Is that allowed?"
Lucy, however, watched with a faint, enigmatic smile. She turned to a bewildered reporter as she explained, "The Battle Pike is a test of luck, reporter. It's designed to be unpredictable. There are eight different types of events behind those doors: a room with a double battle, a single battle, an empty room, a room that damages your Pokémon with status conditions, a room with a specific type of Pokémon, a room that restores your Pokémon's health, a room with an item, or a room with just a wanderer, a pass-through like we just saw."
She paused, gesturing towards the screen where Azure was already having Houndoom and Gardevoir scan the next set of doors. She smiled, continuing, "Most trainers rely purely on chance, hoping to avoid battles and traps. Very lucky, Trainers can challenge me without having taken a single hit or even fought a single battle, just navigating through empty or wanderer rooms. Unlucky Trainers will be completely exhausted, their Pokémon battered and low on health by the time they reach me, if they even make it."
Lucy's eyes sharpened as she looked at Azure's image. She stated, "But then there are smart trainers. Trainers who understand that 'luck' can be influenced. Trainers who utilize their Pokémon's unique abilities to discern which door holds the least resistance or the most beneficial outcome. Azure, it seems, falls into that third, much rarer category. He's not relying on luck; he's crafting it."
On screen, Azure, guided by the subtle cues of Houndoom and Gardevoir, chose another door. This time, it led to a "No Event Room," devoid of any conflict or encounter. He swiftly moved to the next trio of doors.
The press watched, fascinated, as Azure and his Pokémon proceeded through the halls with an almost supernatural ease. Set after set, Azure meticulously navigated the Pike with relative ease.
With Houndoom's Odor Sleuth would often detect the faint pheromones of waiting Trainers or the distinct scent of a particular Pokémon type lurking beyond a door. Gardevoir's Telepathy and empathy were invaluable, picking up on the focused anticipation of a Trainer ready for a fight, the subtle annoyance of a wild Pokémon disturbed from its rest, or the serene calm of a space.
There were moments where they detected rooms containing status effect traps, subtle surges of energy that Gardevoir could identify as toxic spores or paralyzing gas. Azure would simply bypass these, guided by his psychic companion.
Other times, they'd sense the distinct presence of a Pokémon Center facility, a rare and welcome sight for average challengers. Azure, however, still fresh and untouched, would deem these unnecessary, choosing a path that led directly forward.
Green exclaimed, leaning forward in her seat, a proud smile gracing her lips, "He's incredible! He's practically bypassing the entire challenge! Lucy, has anyone ever done this before?"
Lucy chuckled softly, a rare display of amusement as she confessed, "Not with such consistency, dear. Many have tried to use their Pokémon's senses, but few have partners with such refined abilities, or a trainer with such a clear understanding of how to interpret them. His Gardevoir's empathic range is quite remarkable, detecting specific emotional states, not just presence. And Houndoom's nose is simply phenomenal."
Occasionally, a residual scent or a faint emotional echo would prove tricky. In one instance, both Houndoom and Gardevoir indicated a door that simply felt… odd. Not dangerous, not empty, just incongruous.
*Pop*
Azure, ever cautious, decided to send in his Alpha Slaking. Azure said calmly, releasing the massive Pokémon, "Alright, Slaking, your turn. I need you to open that middle door and be ready for anything heavy."
Slaking, usually prone to napping, lumbered out, yawning, but nodded. Slaking, surprisingly agile despite its size, pushed open the door.
*THUD*
Inside was a "No Event Room," filled with various heavy training equipment. The door was weighted, requiring significant strength to open without accidentally triggering an unforeseen mechanism.
Slaking, unfazed, simply pushed past it, allowing Azure and his other Pokémon to follow. Its sheer power had turned a tricky physical obstacle into a trivial pass-through.
The sets continued to fly by. Azure was barely breaking a sweat.
His strategy was flawless. The press, initially skeptical, was now frantically taking notes, realizing they were witnessing a masterclass in strategic Pokémon utility. Azure wasn't just battling; he was solving the Battle Pike.
He bypassed a Double Battle Room, where two Trainers were clearly waiting, their emotions broadcasting eagerness. He avoided a Wild Pokémon Room, where he could sense the restless energy of various species.
He even managed to find a few "Event Rooms" that Gardevoir detected as containing positive, non-threatening energies, leading him to discover a few Full Restores and Revives, which he pocketed with a satisfied nod.
The progress tracker on the screens changed from 'Set 1' to 'Set 2,' then 'Set 3,' and so on, with astonishing speed.
The counter for rooms cleared steadily climbed: 7, 14, 21…
By the fifth set, Azure had yet to participate in a single battle. His Pokémon were fresh, his mind sharp, and his confidence soaring. Lucy watched with growing admiration, her calm exterior barely concealing her keen interest in this extraordinary challenger.
Green, on the other hand, was practically vibrating with pride, a wide grin plastered on her face as she saw her boyfriend redefine what 'luck' meant at the Battle Pike. The screens zoomed in on Azure, who was now amid Set Seven, Houndoom sniffing, Gardevoir sensing, and Slaking occasionally being called upon for a robust door-opening.
The trio worked in perfect synergy, a testament to Azure's connection with his Pokémon and his unconventional brilliance. The 129th room, and the battle against Lucy seemed less like a daunting ordeal of luck and more like an inevitable conclusion for Azure.
He wasn't just challenging the Pike; he was conquering it, one carefully chosen door at a time. And soon the battle against Lucy would begin…
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A/N: Reach the goal of 400 PS to get a Bonus Chapter!