Chapter 426: Hunter J
~Azure S. POV~
[Anime Canon – Sinnoh Region, Forest – Field Clearing]
The sound of mechanical rotors filled the air. A sleek, high-tech jet, black as a Murkrow's wing, crested the ridge.
*THUD*
It hummed with a menacing, low-frequency thrum. Three hover-cycles dropped from the bay, landing with a heavy metallic clatter on the dirt path.
In the center stood a woman with short, silver-lilac hair and a visor that looked like it cost more than a small city. Hunter J said, her voice like grinding ice, "Well, well, I don't know if you're brave or just stupid. I was tracking a rare Aura Sphere Riolu, but it seems I've stumbled upon a much more lucrative prize."
She stepped forward, her gloved hand resting on the stone-cannon mounted on her arm. Her eyes scanned me, lingering on the Pikachu on my shoulder and the Eevee on my head. Then, they narrowed as they landed on the GS Ball around my neck.
She said confidently, her lips curling into a predatory smirk, "Azure Sky… My clients have been talking about you. They say you possess a Celebi that can bridge timelines. And that 'Pichu' in your jacket... its energy readings are off the charts."
I stood up slowly, the Riolu cowering behind my legs. Pikachu's ears flattened, and a low growl vibrated from his throat, "Pikaaaaa... (Just try it…)"
I said calmly, my voice flat, eyeing Hunter J and her crew, "You're Hunter J. I've heard of you. You're the one who turns Pokémon into statues for the highest bidder."
J replied, signaling her grunts to fan out, "I am a hunter of rarities."
Most of her men in grey tactical gear stepped forward, their hands hovering over their Pokéballs as she stated, "And today, you're the rarity. Hand over the Riolu, the Celebi, and that strange Pichu, and I might let you walk away with your life. My clients want those Mythicals, and I don't like to disappoint."
I looked at the Riolu. It was trembling, its small paws clutching my pant leg.
Then I looked at J. I grinned.
It wasn't a friendly grin. It was the grin of a man who had stared down the leaders of Team Rocket, Team Magma/Aqua, and the literal gods of Time and Space.
I said calmly, reaching for the heavy-duty Ultra Balls on the back of my belt, "You know, J. Back where I'm from, we have a saying: 'Don't bring a knife to a nuke fight.'"
J's eyes widened behind her visor as she sensed my intent to battle, and she preemptively struck first, commanding out loud, "Kill his spirit! Salamence, Dragon Pulse! Drapion, Hyper Beam!"
*PEW*
The massive dragon and the purple scorpion appeared in flashes of white light, immediately charging their attacks. I whispered as I tossed three balls into the air, "Let's show them what a real Champion looks like. Come out, the Titans of Legend!"
*POP*
*BOOM*
*BOOM*
*BOOM*
The ground shook as if the earth itself were screaming. Three massive figures materialized in a triangle around me.
Regirock, its stone body humming with ancient power; Regice, radiating a cold so intense the grass instantly turned to frost; and Registeel, its metallic hide shimmering with a dull, indestructible luster.
J gasped, stepping back, "Regis?! Where did you—?"
I interrupted, hurling another ball, "We're not done. Deoxys, emerge."
*Pop*
In a blur of blue and orange, the DNA Pokémon appeared, hovering silently above the Regis. It shifted into its Attack Forme, its tentacles twitching with psychic energy.
The hunters took a step back. I gestured to the ground calmly, stating, "And just to make sure you don't try to run... Darkrai. Marshadow. Take point."
*Wooosh*
Shadows pooled at my feet, turning onto oil-slick blackness. From the darkness, the nightmare deity Darkrai rose, its white tattered hair flowing in a wind only it could feel, standing beside me.
Beside it, the small but terrifying Marshadow emerged, its eyes glowing a ghostly green. The mountain pass, which had felt cramped before, now felt like a tomb for Hunter J's ambitions.
I commanded, "Regis! Use Block!"
*CRACK-THOOOM*
The three Titans slammed their limbs into the earth. A shimmering, geometric barrier of orange, blue, and silver energy erupted from the ground, curving upward to form a perfect, impenetrable dome.
The Hunter's jet was cut off, and the hover-cycles were trapped within the enclosure. I said coldly, "No one leaves, and no one gets out."
Hunter J's face went pale. The cold confidence she'd possessed seconds ago evaporated as she barked orders, "Salamence! Use Protect! Grunts, all of you, fire at once!"
I said softly, hurling the Master Ball, "Mewtwo. End this."
*Pop*
In a flash of blinding purple light, the Master Ball vanished and returned to my hand, replaced by the towering, powerful form of the Ultimate Pokémon. Mewtwo didn't even land; it floated with its arms crossed, a cloak of psychic pressure so heavy it made the grunts fall to their knees.
Mewtwo's voice echoed directly into their minds, cold and judging, holding its psychic spoon, 'You have chosen poorly Hunters... Now, you shall feel the weight of it.'
I ordered bluntly, "Attack."
The battle didn't last a minute. It was a slaughter.
*ZAP-BOOM*
Deoxys moved like a flicker of light, its tentacles glowing with Psycho Boost. It struck J's Salamence before the dragon could even finish its roar. The impact sent the massive beast crashing into the Regice-walled barrier.
*WHOOSH*
Darkrai glided through the air, its fingers extending using its signature move Dark Void. Blobs of shadows expanded, swallowing the grunts' Pokémon—Golbat, Ariados, and Magnezone—before they could even launch an attack. They fell into a deep, horrific slumber instantly.
*CLANG*
*BANG*
*CRACK*
Marshadow zipped between the hover-cycles, its fists glowing with Spectral Thief. The machines were reduced to scrap metal in seconds, and the grunts thrown through the air like ragdolls.
Hunter J tried to raise her stone-cannon, her arm shaking, uttering, "I... I can still—"
I said coldly, interrupting her, "Registeel, Flash Cannon."
*BZZZZZT-THOOM*
A beam of pure silvery light erupted from Registeel's face, striking the ground inches from J's feet. The explosion sent her flying backward, her visor cracking as she hit the ground hard.
Meanwhile, Celebi had popped out of its ball, carrying a small bucket of popcorn it had somehow found in another timeline as it chowed down. It sat on the Riolu's head, munching away and pointing at the explosions with a delighted cry, "Bi-bi-cele! (Man… this is a great show! Best decision ever having him as my trainer, right buddy?)"
The Riolu was staring, its jaw literally hanging open. It looked at me, then at the god-like beings I commanded, then back at me. Its Aura was no longer flickering with fear; it was vibrating with pure, unadulterated awe.
I said calmly, walking through the smoke, "Last chance, J."
Mewtwo floated beside me, its eyes glowing with a faint purple hue as I stated telepathically, 'Surrender, or I let Darkrai show you what a million years of nightmares feels like.'
J looked up, her hair a mess, her pride shattered. She looked at the Regi Trio standing like sentinels, at Deoxys pulsing with alien power, and at Mewtwo, who looked ready to erase her from existence.
She dropped her stone-cannon, uttering, "I... I surrender."
I nodded as I commanded, "Regice, cage them."
*CRACKLE*
With a wave of its arm, Regice summoned pillars of eternal ice, weaving them together into a frozen prison that locked J and her men in place. Mewtwo closed its eyes for a moment, its head tilting, informing me mentally, 'Master. I sense others approaching. Forces of law. Two humans with stylized devices on their wrists and a woman in a blue uniform.'
Pausing, hearing the news, I nodded my head as I replied calmly, "The Pokémon Rangers and Officer Jenny. They must have been tracking J for a while. We should probably clear out. I don't feel like answering three hours of questions about why I have a Riolu."
I turned to the Riolu. The little guy hadn't moved. It was looking at the Ultra Balls on my belt, then at me.
I said calmly, kneeling down, "Hey."
I pulled a Luxury Ball from my pocket—the black and gold casing shimmering in the Sinnoh sun as I said, "You've got a lot of potential, Riolu. And clearly, you've got a knack for finding trouble. You want to come with me? See the rest of the world? What do you say?"
Riolu didn't hesitate. It didn't even wait for me to hold the ball out.
It stepped forward and tapped the center button with its paw. Soon enough, it was sucked inside the Luxury Ball without resistance, ending with a satisfying click.
*BON*
I picked up the ball and smiled, stating, "Welcome to the team."
I looked up at my heavy hitters, recalling them, "Everyone, return. You've done a job well done."
In streaks of red and purple light, the Legendaries vanished back into their respective balls. Pikachu hopped back onto my shoulder, and Eevee reclaimed her throne on top of my head.
Mew, having decided the excitement was over, turned back into a Pichu and crawled back into my jacket, letting out a tiny yawn. I chuckled at their antics. Then I checked my Arc Phone, smiling as I saw Riolu's move set and info about him.
[Riolu the Emanation Pokémon. It is sensitive to a special type of energy called Aura; however, it cannot fully use these powers, although it can still emanate these waves to communicate and sense them, albeit only in ripples.
It has developed two black appendages that hang down from its head, which rise when Riolu reads or manipulates aura. It has even been seen that Riolu can sense and react to Aura before they even hatch. The aura emitting from Riolu's body grows even stronger when it is frightened or sad.
Like most Fighting-type Pokémon, Riolu naturally has superhuman strength, stamina, and endurance. It can make long journeys on foot in a short amount of time. It is a playful, energetic, and loyal Pokémon. It is also known to be tough work. Riolu will read the minds of humans to determine whether they are pure of heart.
Riolu tends to sleep in an unusual position. This position is sitting up while not lying down, like Lucario. It is believed that Riolu is pushing itself hard and dreaming of the day it evolves into Lucario.]
|Name: Riolu (Emanation Pokémon)
|Type: Fighting
|Level: 10
|Gender: Male
|Held Item: None
|Ability: Steadfast
|Nature: Serious
|Moves: Endure, Foresight, Aura Sphere,Drain Punch, Counter, Bullet Punch, Metal Claw, Shadow Claw, Quick Attack, Detect (IM), Mind Reader (EM) (1 Moves Left to learn)
Oh? Its movepool isn't bad.
Foresight and Mind Reader, huh? I can work with this.
Considering my options, I think I got all that I needed from here. Getting the Riolu was the objective, and having Togepi evolve into its second stage, as I have everything set for it to evolve into its final form.
Was there anything else I'm missing?
Hmm… snapping my fingers, I murmured out loud, "Ah, right! There's that Zoura here in Sinnoh from the movies. If I recall correctly, one knows Telepathy for it to know that ability must be very talented and unique…"
Rubbing my chin, I smiled as I had one final pitstop left to make. Get that Zoura and its mother out of that shitty businessman Grings Kodai's hands.
With a plan in mind, I turned to Celebi, who was finishing up its popcorn that it got seemingly out of nowhere as I asked calmly, "Celebi, I need you to take me to Grings Kodai's airship. Just gotta capture one more Pokémon before our Journey here in Sinnoh is complete."
Celebi looked at me and gave me a thumbs-up. Celebi tossed the empty popcorn bucket aside, its eyes glowing bright green once more.
I said calmly, looking back at the frozen Hunter J and her defeated crew, "Wait! Let's give the Rangers a little something to remember us by."
I pulled out a small piece of paper and a pen, scribbled a note, and pinned it to the ice cage with a small rock. Then the sound of the Rangers' Staraptors and the sirens of Jenny's motorcycle echoed in the distance.
"SH-SH-SH-SH-SH!"
Sounds like my time's up. I grinned as I ordered, "Time to go!
"VRRRRRR-WHOMP!"
In a flash of emerald light, the mountain pass was empty. Time to save a mother and son/daughter from an abusive trainer!
/////
~Third POV~
[Anime Canon – Sinnoh Region, Forest – Field Clearing]
Minutes later, Kellyn and Solana, the top-ranking Pokémon Rangers, skidded to a halt on the mountain path. Officer Jenny followed, her Arcanine growling at the lingering scent of ozone and ancient power.
They stopped dead.
Solana gasped, staring at the scene, "What the...?"
Hunter J—the most elusive and dangerous poacher in the world—was huddled in a cage of ice that refused to melt, her entire crew tied up with psychic-reinforced rope. Her massive Salamence was out cold, and her high-tech jet was a smoking ruin.
Kellyn asked, walking up to the ice cage, "Who did this?"
He spotted the note and pulled it off. He read it aloud, "She was bothering a Riolu. I dealt with it. Kept Riolu because we vibe to each other's aura - A friend from another sky. P.S. Tell Cynthia I said hi."
Jenny asked, looking around the deserted pass, "Another sky?"
The only thing left was a single note seal lying on the ground as she murmured, "And how does he know the Champion?"
Solana looked up at the sky, her Capture Styler silent muttering, "I don't know... but whoever he is, I'm glad he's on our side."
Kellyn nodded but also grimaced as he muttered with a defeated voice, "Sigh… yeah. But the people from the Lucario Kingdom aren't gonna like the news."
The group sighed at this but couldn't do anything about it. For now, they focused on putting Hunter J and her crew behind bars, arresting them, ending her whole Pokémon Hunter Carrier with one encounter with Azure.
/////
A/N: Hope you liked the chapter!