FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

"Champion?! Why would the Champion be goofing around in a place like this?" Cheren shouted, but I could hear in his voice that he was more surprised than anything, almost like he couldn't believe that this was the actual Champion of the entire region right here, in front of us.

"I heard that remark. You're quite a judgmental young person, are you not? My name is Alder. I'm the Unova Pokémon League's Champion. Pleased to make your acquaintance. For your information, I'm not goofing off. I'm on a voyage. I know every corner of Unova."

"Um, I'm Cheren, from Nuvema Town. My goal as a trainer is to become the Champion."

"Hm. Traveling with a goal in mind is a commendable thing. What about you, young man?" Alder said, referring to me.

"Me... well... my name is Kynexn. I'm from Oldale town in Hoenn and... I'm the former Champion of Sinnoh and Hoenn." I said, with a bit of nervousness. I was planning on saving this revelation for when Cheren was at the Pokémon League, but I never ever thought I'd just encounter a wandering Champion so early on, after only getting four badges.

"W-Wait, what? Kynexn you... were a Pokémon Champion?" Cheren looked between the two of us, incredulous, shocked and stunned.

"This is quite an interesting development... well in that case, I feel as if this will be more for Cheren than it will be for you. So, what do you plan to do after becoming the Champion then, young man?" Alder said, putting his hand on Cheren's shoulder.

"What else is there other than striving to be stronger? The strongest Trainer--that's the Champion."

"Hmm. Becoming stronger... Becoming stronger, you say... Is that alone enough of a goal? Hmmm. It's not that I'm trying to say your way of thinking is wrong... In my travels, I've helped many people learn to love Pokémon. I think that's important, too. If you play with those children, you might gain more of an understanding. Will you two have a Pokémon battle with those two? Hey you two. Come here for a moment." Alder beckoned the two kindergarteners over.

"...Understood. But, before that..." Cheren said, turning to me.

"I'm afraid I have to decline. I get the feeling that there's a more pressing matter at hand here, and although it'd be a good lesson for those two, I'm sure Cheren would be able to learn too. Besides, Cheren, you need practice coordinating two Pokémon at once, I don't. Please don't take that the wrong way of course. And Alder.... I look forward to facing you at the Pokémon League. I think we should exchange stories sometime, of the things we've learned in our journeys. I suppose now that I've met someone like you, perhaps becoming a wandering Champion isn't non viable anymore. It's just that Hoenn and Sinnoh aren't like that. This place is fascinating for me. Anyway... I need to get going. I hope you two enjoy your battle!" I said, looking down at the two children, smiling.

"Fine, I can understand that. Now.... Cheren, if there are people like you who pursue strength, there are also people who are happy just being with Pokémon. There are many different people and many different answers. When it comes to what a Champion should be, you and I may hold differing views, but so be it! Give it some thought."

"Let's roll. The Driftveil Drawbridge is just ahead."

"Hold on a sec, Elesa. There's... something I want to check first. What I'm saying is, don't call ahead to lower the drawbridge until I've checked something, if you will. There's this group going around the region, you might have heard of them. They're called Team Plasma, and they often hold rallies. They're a group that supposedly is campaigning for the liberation of Pokémon from Humans. I chased them around Nimbasa City, but before you call ahead, could you have Clay or someone scout out the area before you do? As a matter of fact, you probably know about this but, Luxray are able to see for kilometers with their special vision. If they're in Driftveil City, He'll be able to see them."

"You've really thought about this, haven't you? Very well, I'll see what I can do." Elesa said, before she got out her Xtransceiver.

"I'll be going on ahead. Come to the bridge when you're done please, so that I can let you know about my investigation as well." I said, before I began heading to the bridge. I let Heji out of his Poké Ball, as well as healed up the rest of the team.

When we got to the bridge Heji used his eyes to scout ahead, with special emphasis on the bridge considering that their only escape route would be over the bridge since that was one of their only escape routes, since at this point it was clearly established that they didn't have any major Flying-type Pokémon in their arsenal.

The search immediately returned results. Team Plasma was rounded up, and gathered in one specific place. If the bridge was cutting off their escape route, since they weren't tied up or anything, merely blocked.

"Sally, give Elesa this message, which should bring her over here." I said, as I wrote down that the drawbridge shouldn't be lowered, due to there being Team Plasma members on the other side.

After about two minutes, Elesa came over to me at the bridge, along with Sally. "I just got off the phone with Clay. Apparently they'd rounded up some of those Team Plasma people. You made a really good call. They'd likely have rushed the bridge the moment it was lowered. I'd go with you to meet him, but, I have a TV gig, so I've go. He may take some getting used to... Good luck!"

"Come on then, Sally, let's put that training to use. Take me across to the other side. Eventually we're going to get you able to carry us and well people heavier than me, across the entire region. Like migration, in a way. I won't have you doing like 14 hour flights unless it's an emergency. And even then, I'll use the healing liquid on you so that you will be instantly better." Kyn said, before he turned to Heji, who gave a nod, and then was returned back to his Luxury Ball, and for the first time in a long, long time, Tensa was back in his Premier Ball.

Sally nodded in approval, and began to fly, looping back around after she'd gained a bit of distance. I extended my arms, and she swooshed down and grabbed them and away we went! We travelled across the river, which was a good test for Sally, since it was quite a large river. A good entry level to sustained flight.

It took us about ten minutes total to cross the river, and when we got there, the Team Plasma grunts were still contained. We arrived at the side of the bridge, so it made sense that they were contained there.

"That was really great, Sally, I do hope you're proud of yourself. At this rate, you'll be able to fly across the continent without me in a few months, and with me in half a year." I complimented her greatly, since she really deserved it. The best part of it was that these skills also greatly contributed to what she would be able to do in battle too, and I had the feeling she'd evolve pretty soon.

When we went up to the grunts and Clay he immediately greeted us.

"So yer one of the Trainers Elesa was talkin' about, huh. I'm Clay. I'm the Gym Leader 'round these parts, just in case you need a memory refresher. I'm looking forward to our battle, after all." He said.

However, our meeting was interrupted slightly by Ghetsis, annoyingly.

"Clay. It's a pleasure to meet you. I am Ghetsis, of Team Plasma. I've come to pick up my associates who are in your care."

"I don't need no thanks, now. Yer buddies were tryin' to steal some folks' Pokémon."

"What's this? It seems as if there has been some misunderstanding. We only free Pokémon from wicked people."

"Well, that sounds real nice, if it's true. I may not talk purty, but at least I'm an honest man. You talk real nice, but what yer sayin' kinda sounds like lyin'. So tell me plain, what are ya tryin' to say?"

"Team Plasma also has an interest in Driftveil City. And we have many, many more members besides those who are here..."

"...Well, I can't tell if yer lyin' or not, but I reckon you've won this without a fight. Hrrmph. Fine. Take 'em and git!"

"A decision worthy of a businessman called the Miner King. Your grasp of the situation is outstanding. Well then, we will be taking our colleagues off your hands..."

"Ghetsis... Thank you very much..." One of the Sages, who I have never been introduced to, said.

"Don't worry, my fellow servant of the king... We are two of the Seven Sages, are we not? Well then, everyone, I expect that we will meet again somewhere." With that, Ghetsis and the rest of his 'associates' left.

"Well.. Think it's about time fer myself what it is about yer skills that makes a Gym Leader like Elesa take such a shine to ya. That was a really good call ya made, not having the bridge lowered. I get the feelin' that this bunch woulda found a way to escape in all the ruckus, and that woulda made me right annoyed with ya. I mean sure, in the end we wound up lettin' em go, but, that's neither here nor there. Let's celebrate it as a victory anyway with a Gym Battle." Clay actually managed to crack a smile, seeming as if that rock hard exterior managed to be slightly cracked by the circumstances. I didn't even want to imagine how annoyed I'd be if I was blamed for them escaping when they were supposed to be the ones containing them in the first place.

"It's alright, I guess. But I think you should wait for someone named Cheren, first. I want to explore your town a bit more. Now that Team Plasma has been dealt with, the drawbridge can be lowered, and he can come over. I essentially flew here, just because of that. He's even more anxious to battle you than I am, so I feel it'd be fairer if he went first." I explained. I already knew that Clay was a Ground-type Gym Leader, so chances were he had a Krokorok of his own. For this reason, I planned to have Stripes watch the battle.

"I suppose that makes sense. I guess he's yer friend so I picture he must be just as strong, if he defeated Elesa and is headed here. She mentioned him too, though not by name. Tell him I'll be down in the mine, then. Plenty of room there to have a good battle." Clay said, and with a slight adjustment of his hat, he headed into the Gym. Elesa was definitely right though, he did take some getting used to.

Eventually Cheren made his way to the Gym, and at this time Cilan also was with him. He was finding out firsthand just how hard it was to travel with me, but I did say he could come with me so occasionally I waited for him at varying intervals.

"Kynexn! I'm so glad that I get to watch your next Gym Battle! Just thinking about it on my way here got me so excited. The dynamic between you and your Pokémon is amazing. I've never met a Pokémon Trainer like you before." Cilan said, but this time he didn't spin around in place, thankfully. It was kind of nice, in a way, almost as if he was part of a fan club, but at the same time, I was never really into that sort of thing. It took too much time dealing with, but when it was just one or two people it was manageable.

"So, where's Clay? Have you gotten your Gym Badge yet?" Cheren asked. I shook my head in the negative and began to explain things, after I acknowledged Cilan.

"Well, that's because I don't really consider myself a Pokémon Trainer. I'm more of a Pokémon coach, and a human Coach in some respects. As for where Clay is, Cheren, he's in the bottom of the Gym, in the mine. I would watch your battle, but I'm going to explore the city, try out some of its food and whatnot, y'know, the works. I'm also not going to wish you luck, nor will I ever. You, you do things with skill and experience." In a way, wishing someone good luck, although filled with good intentions, also takes away from the concept of skill in terms of things like battling. I knew Cheren wasn't the type of person who would like to have been seen as getting a lucky win, which is why even though I didn't say it, the wish of good intent was there more so than could ever been seen with words.

"Well, actually, I want to do just that, I want to have a flawless victory! So I plan on getting stronger. I'll definitely be back after that though." Cheren said, before he waved goodbye, and headed off into the city.

"Well, Cilan, I think I'm going to shift plans a bit. Seems as if I will be battling Clay first after all. But that means that I'll likely cut back on some things. I'm really kind of annoyed at what this Ghetsis guy said. He made it seem like Team Plasma is already all over the region... which means that if that's true, then wherever they are... I have to stop them."

Cilan remained silent, but he had a look that was a mix of concern, as well as inspired. He'd since we last met up learned more about Team Plasma, and how some of the members seemingly 'liberated' Trainers from their Pokémon by force.

With a new vigor, I headed into Clay's Gym, but before that, I let Heji, Tensa, and Stripes out of their Poké Balls. Now that we were all focused on the Gym I could really start to see the more intricate details. The path leading up to the gym was completely paved with all sorts of fantastically colored stones. Limestone; black, white, grey, blue, pink, red, green. Sandstone; pink, green. Shale; blue, pink, brown, red, black. Quartz; rose, amethyst, smoky, milky, citrine, clear. All of these were neatly displayed under thick glass, showcasing the wealth of the town itself, and their dedication to Clay. He of course, also did a lot of it on his own as well.

The Gym itself was just as grand as the path leading up to it was leading to believe, with designs showcasing everything from polished bronze, polished brass, polished copper, and if my eyes weren't deceiving me, the brightest blue opals lined select areas, nine in total we could see. There was also, the possibility that they were the even rarer blue ruby, which would further display the wealth of town, proudly, daring anyone to try and take them, because they weren't even guarded, that I could see.

Perhaps there were hidden traps but that was neither here nor there. Thinking more on that though, the brass lining that was on all of the Gym Badges might have come from this particular town and shipped to the manufacturing area. The only region that had badges that were as elegant as these were Sinnoh, and I could imagine that the steel lining came from the same sort of miner, Roark, who was also a Gym Leader.

We descended down into the mineshaft without much fuss, idling making conversation amongst ourselves rather casually. Since Saigo was a Grass-type, it was clear that he would have a major advantage of them, as well as Tensa, so it was clearly outlined. Stripes and Heji would spectate, unless of course Stripes REALLY wanted to compete. Nothing stopped us from rechallenging Clay after already getting the badge.

When we finally reached the bottom, I saw Clay in the distance in the back of the mineshaft. It was quite interesting seeing the mineshaft. I never really went into any mines in my native region of Hoenn, so I didn't ever go down and explore, so when it came to things like this, I was definitely transformed into a youthful version of myself, but with the ability to understand even more than I would have been able to.understand far more than I would have been able to AS a child.

The walls were almost perfectly smooth, which even basic understanding of mining would tell you that they'd spent extra effort on making it more presentable, since it did lead to the Gym. Even still, it was a good approximation of what a standard mineshaft was like. Finally, we made arrived at the bottom which lead into the mine turned Gym arena.

Clay was in the very back, and I called out to him. "Hey, Clay! There's been a slight change of plans." I approached him closer so that I wouldn't have to yell, and his response was indeed more than a little odd in terms of how he replied.

"He ain't gettin' cold feet is he? I ain't gonna go easy on you, ya know." Clay said, but he didn't have that rare smile that I saw, with his face scrunched up into an intense expression, that showed he was about to get serious!

"Uh, no, he said he wants to have a flawless victory. So, I hope you don't mind but, I'm going to have to cut our battle short, and I'm afraid it's going to be a bit anticlimactic." I immediately replied to him with almost brutal honesty. There was of course, the potential promise of a proper battle at some point later.

"Huh, that sounds pretty cocky of ya wouldn't ya say? I built myself up from a humble start, and ya think you can just say something like that to me? I'll show you it's not so easy to rise to the top!" Clay said, preparing to send out his first Pokémon.

Saigo was sent out first, then Clay sent out his first, which of course, I recognized as a Krokorok. "There's something I've been curious about... Clay. It's been... slightly bothering me ever since I got my first badge. Was that Pokémon given to you by the Pokémon League?" I can imagine that it seemed like a very strange question to him, which was probably why he reacted the way he did.

"What kinda nonsense talk is that? Of course not! These are all mine! We worked hard together to get where we are, just like with this town! Ain't no way I'd accept some shortcut like that! Now enough talk, let's git this show on the road!" Clay said, before he straightened out his hat, and picked up his pickaxe.

"Very well! The battle between Gym Leader Clay and Challenger Kynexn is about to begin! The Challenger is allowed to use up to six Pokémon with substitutions at any time. The Gym Leader is allowed to substitute Pokémon once, and will be restricted to three Pokémon." The floor judge announced, who also interestingly also happened to be a miner at the same time. It was also a good show of Clay's character since the mine floor judge was also employed by Clay as well, and was still able to be impartial.

"Alright, we're going to be doing this in the old way, Saigo, start off with Leaf Blade." I wasn't beating around the bush, starting out with the most powerful attack Saigo had in his arsenal, though soon he would be able to do Tensa's pride and joy, Leaf Storm, from what I was told.

"Dodge with Dig!" Clay ordered almost immediately, seemingly using quite the classic strategy. Of course, the move Dig always had one key disadvantage of using Dig, and that was in general, that the one using the move, could no longer see the opponent. In a way it was mutual blindness.... except for one key difference.

Saigo and I, however, had accounted for this, and found a way to compensate. It should be no surprise that our own Krokorok was more than willing to help with this particular thing. It served a dual purpose. Saigo would be able to counter that move, and many like it, and subsequently, allowing Stripes to learn how to better find his target while underground, and account for an opponent utilizing a form of the techniques that they'd be developing together.

To this end, Saigo closed his eyes, and stuck his vines into the hard ground, which was another testament to his strength. Using his entire body, in addition to his vines, he was able to feel where Clay's Krokorok was approaching, and move into a different area of the battlefield after detecting him approaching close. Without much fanfare, besides a practical explosion of rock where it emerged, the Krokorok appeared on the battlefield again.

"Tarnation! Use Dig again, Krokorok!" Clay said, with an emotion that I couldn't be sure was anger, or if it was him being impressed.

Saigo repeated the process yet again, except this time, he had another plan in mind. When the Krokorok emerged for the second time, he didn't dodge as much, and greeted the returning Krokodile with a double Leaf Blade directly to the knees, then to the stomach.

The Krokorok recoiled in severe pain, but stood its ground. Though the impact had really stayed with him. It wasn't immediately noticeable but that was what made it so effective.

"Fine then! Use Torment!" Clay ordered. The frustration in his voice was rising quite significantly, at his Pokémon being apparently made a fool of.

The once silent Krokorok, now spoke directly to Saigo. When he spoke... a very, very, dark energy pulsated from him. I doubted Clay could detect this, but there was various reasons that I could. "You're... not... going... to... do... that... again..." It was quite overwhelming. Saigo tried to use the move again but it was if Hell itself were preventing him from calling the Grass-type energy from flowing into his tail.

"Dammit.... I really can't use that move right now... oh well, it's not like it's the only move I have that's super effective against you." Saigo said, before he shifted tactics again.

"Well, if that's the case Clay, then we'll just have to be more direct, won't we? Saigo, I think it's time for some rapidfire Vine Whipping." I said, before I folded my arms together.

Saigo rushed over to the Krokorok now, and we weren't going to give Clay that chance to take advantage of a dodge again, since the next thing Saigo did was lash out at the Krokorok's claws, elbows, wrists, and shoulders.

At this point Clay took the time to utilize his substitution. "That's enough! Ain't no point in continuin' like this! Time for my second best!" With that said, Clay returned his Krokorok to his Poké Ball. He then sent out a Pokémon that I'd never seen before... and so I had to take out my Pokédex to identify

"Palpitoad. According to this, Clay, Palpitoad is Water and Ground, which means that Saigo should be even more effective a battler against it." I said, with a bit of concern, of course, if he WAS anything like me, he would have had many ways to counteract a great deal of the disadvantages of many of his Pokémon.

"Don't be judgin' a book by its cover now. I meant it when I said he's my second best." The annoyance in Clay's voice was gone, replaced with that of pride, being as how he did likely have a plan after all.

"I see... well then, I suppose that it's time to stop messing around. I need some time for something. Saigo... yes. Consider this a substitution." Saigo came back over to me, and almost immediately, I kneeled down and began the process of 'no longer messing around'. The true purpose of Saigo's accessories was about to be revealed.

I started at his tail, removing the bands that were there, then moved to his ankles, before removing the ones on his arms, and wrists. "Saigo has been wearing weights this entire time. His movement has been severely limited. Until now." With Saigo's weights removed, his speed was severely increased to the point that he was able to move in way that I couldn't even imagine, to the point that he was quickly headed to become the Grass-type equivalent of Heji which was currently Tensa.

"Since Saigo can only use a move once before the strange effects of that move take over, we have to finish this in one hit, if we can. Think you can do that, Saigo?" All I could do was offer words of encouragement. It might take more than one hit, but there was an increased chance due to taking away the Palpitoad's ability to dodge, as well as the fact that Saigo could now put even more force into his Leaf Blade than before, coupled with the double weakness to Grass-type energy.

"What happens happens, not let's git back to it!" Clay said, attempting to prepare for whatever happened to come next from us.

"Then it's time for the final Leaf Blade!" I pointed at the Palpitoad, without saying any more words, and waited for the results. There wasn't anything particularly spectacular about it at all. I honestly never expected that it really would be over in one hit. When Saigo's Leaf Blade connected the impact sent the Palpitoad flying against the wall, pass clay, leaving a literal imprint in the shape of the Pokémon that impacted it, almost cartoon-like, in a manner similar to you'd find in an anime.

"Fine! I'm gonna go all out! Givin' up's the easy way out! If I wanted, I could have given up any old time!" Clay held out his last Poké Ball, and pushed the button, which revealed to be yet ANOTHER Pokémon that I had no idea of. So I whipped out my Pokédex again.

It was then that Saigo drew all of our attention. Saigo had become deadly still, as if a statue, but after a few seconds, he began to glow. Then, his body began to grow. First his tail shifted, then his chest continued the growth, expanding forward, opposite of his tail. His leafy arms and or hands, depending on your perspective, either shrank, or since his body size increased, stayed the same, and migrated slightly behind his back. Compared to his body now, they were pretty much miniscule, and didn't really have much usage at all. Even without looking at the Pokédex entry, I could tell that this form was meant to capitalize on the usage of vines. Even in his previous form he rarely used what remained of his arms and hands anyway.

The yellow part of him had morphed along with the green leafy 'hood', and back covering. It was also now incorporated into his overall patterning, with an even more regal looking cloak covering his body, still similar with a V shape, that came down seven centimeters or so, into an fluer-de-lis, made of a darker green than his body had. The singular pointed ear shaped leaf pattern with a yellow interior, transformed into two formations that essentially made it look like he had two mammalian, pointed ears. Unlike the cloak/covering, the ear growths actually looked more attached than before.

The cloak did cover his entire body, and was scale-tight, but even beyond that, seemingly as if to hold it down to his body in a specific place, even though it was scale tight, a pair of miniature fleur-de-lis accentuated his already regal looking appearance. Finally, his main tail leaf disappeared, and was replaced by the leafy cloak, with a rather odd configuration, but keeping the same three leafed pattern of the previous evolution.

All of these details wouldn't become apparent until after he finished glowing, as the details were just a simple white shining figure until after the light faded.

"Congratulations Saigo.... You evolved into your final form. Whatever it's called... we shall find out right now though." With that, I held out my Pokédex to reveal that the form was that of Serperior, which many had noted its regal appearance, and thus called it the Regal Grass snake Pokémon.

"It is going to take me a while to get used to this new form... but I knew this day would come... the day I would lose my hands and arms as usable body parts." Saigo said, slithering away towards Tensa, excusing himself from the current battle. He still had some form of arm and hands after all, but now his method of being dextrous was to use his vines, and his body to some extent.

"Now, let's get back to where we left off," I said, bringing the Pokédex up to scan the other unknown Pokémon in the room,, "well, that's quite fascinating... I've never seen this typing before. Ground/Steel, Fire would be strong against Steel but, Ground can counteract Fire. I can't... risk Saigo here, so I'm sure he'll understand. I can't afford to mess up with this. He is quite strong, but steel is what we make many swords out of. Steel is dangerous. Tensa.... You're up." Saigo made the acknowledgement that he was being substituted.

"I don't think he's going to be all too pleased to have his number one Pokémon taken out so easily." Tensa said, moving from his position to where Saigo had just left. He went into his battle pose.

"You ready, Clay? I promise that I'll make it up to you eventually." He may have seen it as cockiness, but it really was an unfair advantage, with Tens having experienced eight whole Gyms prior, and competing in one of the Leagues.

"This is my last Pokémon, if you defeat my Pokémon here, I'll give ya yer badge." Clay said, but his tone was rather neutral.

"Right then, alright Tensa, let's finish with a Leaf Storm and Leaf Blade."

Clay immediately ordered a defensive move. "Use Rapid Spin to break through!" Of course, he had no way of knowing how strong Tensa was, but I do.

Tensa bent down, and shook his tail, and a literal storm of leaves were conjured from his tail, and began flowing around him, but not at the Excadrill. In a way, it was like Tensa had a shield of leaves that essentially impacted all around the Excadrill. When he connected with it, he clasped his Leaf Blades together, essentially stopping the rapid spin, which also had the effect of bombarding it with leaves that did multiple impacts worth of extreme damage.

With a second final Leaf Blade, Tensa knocked the Excadrill back again the wall, yet again causing a new dent/imprint in the wall, with the Excadrill slumping down in defeat, knocked out.

"Well Shucks! Fer such a young 'un, ya have an imposin' battle style. Here! Take this!" I was not surprised that Clay had already prepared the badge ahead of time.

"You definitely showed me why Elesa seems to have taken a shine to ya, but I just remembered there's somethin' I want. Wait in front of the cave at the end of Route 6, wouldja?"