[Marco POV, Orre]
After the cheerful reunion, I had to give Nautilus a check-up. And by that, I meant we needed to brawl. 40 seconds was all it took for Nautilus to give me the beating of my life. He learned plenty of new moves like Superpower, Lash Out, Nasty Plot, and even Liquidation. That was an odd one.
After seeing him use those new moves, I decided to check his, and everyone else’s, stats out.
—-
Nautilus (Male): The Overturning Pokémon
It wields some of the strongest hypnotic powers of any Pokémon. It uses its luminescent spots to control its target’s mind to do its bidding or lure in prey.
Abilities: Contrary, Infiltrator
Moves: Peck (trained), Tackle, Hypnosis(trained), Payback (trained), Attract, Pluck(trained), Psybeam (trained), Swagger, Slash (trained), Night Slash (trained), Guard Swap (trained), Stored Power, Psycho Cut (trained), Reflect (trained), Reversal (trained), Wrap, Protect (t), Topsy-Turvy (t), Retaliate (t), Foul Play (t), Disable (trained) (Egg Move), Acupressure (Egg Move)
New Moves: Superpower, Brutal Swing, Lash Out, Expanding Force, Psyshock, Psychic, Taunt, Future Sight, Throat Chop, Liquidation, Telekinesis, Aerial Ace, Nasty Plot
Training:
Combos: Slash n Dash (Slash+Night Slash+Psycho Cut+Aerial Ace), Dirty Fight (Future Sight+Swagger+Taunt+Disable+Foul Play), Sweet Dreams (Future Sight+Hypnosis+Brutal Swing), Got em (Nasty Plot+Lash Out), Super Beat Down (Superpower x2+Stored Power), Yeet (Wrap+Psychic), Swag (Swagger+Topsy Turvy)
Condition: Elated, Relieved
0-0-0
Tetsu/Ferrothorn (Female): The Thorn Pod Pokémon
This Pokémon moves around cave walls using its feelers, which can obliterate most opponents. It absorbs nutrients using the tips of the feelers.
Abilities: Iron Barbs, Sturdy
Moves: Harden (trained), Tackle (trained), Pin Missile, Bullet Seed (trained), Iron Defense (trained), Ingrain (trained), Flash Cannon (trained), Endure, Spikes (trained), Vine Whip (trained), Iron Head (trained), Protect (T), Metal Claw (T), Power Whip (T), Revenge, Gravity (trained) (Egg Move), Leech Seed (trained) (Egg Move)
New Moves: Curse, Seed Bomb, Heavy Slam, Body Press, Bulldoze, Sandstorm, Shadow Claw, Facade, Steel Roller
Training:
Combos: Zero G (Use Gravity to remove it), Tank (Iron Defense+Ingrain+Curse), Stinging Whip (Vine Whip+Spikes+Leech Seed), Splash (Iron Defense+Vine Whip into air, then Body Press+Heavy Slam+Gravity), The Claw (Metal Claw+Shadow Claw), In The Air (Spikes+Sandstorm+Leech Seed+Seed Bomb+Gravity to swirl it all around)
0-0-0
Kippie/Swampert (Female): The Mudfish Pokémon
This Pokémon is strong enough to swim swiftly while towing a ship, its incredible vision allowing it to see in murky water. It’s said it can predict storms using its fins.
Abilities: Torrent, Damp
Moves: Growl (trained), Tackle (trained), Water Gun (trained), Counter (trained), Rock Throw (trained), Protect (trained), Mud-Slap (trained), Supersonic, Work Up, Double Team, Blizzard (trained), Mud Shot, Amnesia, Rock Slide, Water Pulse, Endure (Egg Move, trained), Hail (Egg Move, trained)
New moves: Hydro Pump, Ice Beam, Ice Punch, Dig, Bulldoze, Stomping Tantrum, Waterfall, Low Kick, Bulk Up, Stone Edge, Scald, Liquidation, High Horsepower, Iron Tail, Outrage, Earthquake, Avalanche, Body Slam
Training:
Combos: Icy Hot (Scald+Ice Beam), MMA (Ice Punch+Low Kick+Body Slam+Iron Tail), Distraction (Supersonic+Double Team+Work Up+Bulk Up), Waterpark (Waterfall, Liquidation+Scald), Dance Monkey (Stomping Tantrum+Work Up+Outrage)
0-0-0
Colada/Aegislash (Female): The Royal Sword Pokémon
This Pokémon can detect the qualities of a leader. It is said it can manipulate others by draining their lifeforce and using its spectral powers.
Abilities: No Guard (Stance Change after evo), Defiant, Levitate
Moves: Shadow Sneak (trained), Tackle, Fury Cutter (trained), Autotomize (trained), Protect (trained), False Swipe (T), Aerial Ace (trained), Slash (trained), Night Slash (T), Shadow Claw (trained), Iron Defense (trained), Flash Cannon (T), Brick Break (trained), Iron Head, Psycho Cut, Retaliate, Wide Guard (Egg Move, trained), Block (Egg Move, trained)
Moves training:
New Moves: Shadow Ball, Gyro Ball, Swords Dance, King’s Shield, Sacred Sword, Solar Blade, Rock Slide, Head Smash, Pursuit, Double Team, Magnet Rise, Sludge Wave
Combos: Head Defense (Iron Head+Iron Defense), Auto-Cannon (Flash Cannon+Autotomize), Shadow Blades (Shadow Sneak+Night Slash+Psycho Cut), Avengers Protocol (Retaliate+Aerial Ace+Pursuit)
0-0-0
Ra/Volcarona (Male): The Sun Pokémon
This Pokémon is said to have been born from a cocoon of fire. It once saved an ancient civilization by providing fire and warmth after a volcanic eruption.
Love this novel? Read it on Royal Road to ensure the author gets credit.
Abilities: Flame Body, Shield Dust
Moves: Ember (T), String Shot (T), Struggle Bug (T), Flame Charge (T), Bug Bite (T), Screech (T), Light Screen (T), Bug Buzz (T), Will-O-Wisp (T), Amnesia (T), Sunny Day (T), Protect (T), Gust (T), Air Cutter (T), Screech (T), Zen Headbutt (T), Sunny Day (T), Facade (T), U-Turn (T), Poison Jab (T), Leech Life, Giga Drain (T), Flamethrower (T), Calm Mind (T), Psychic (T), Fiery Dance (T), Quiver Dance (T), Hurricane (T), Air Slash (T), Sleep Talk (T), Heat Wave, Tailwind (T), Overheat, Morning Sun (T) (Egg Move), Trailblaze (T) (Egg)
New Moves:
Training:
Combo: Calm Heat (Overheat+Calm Mind), Global Warming (Sunny Day+Heatwave+Will-o-wisp), Dance Mania (Fiery Dance+Quiver Dance+Amnesia+Calm Mind), Chomp (Bug Bite+Leech Life+Giga Drain), Windy Day (Hurricane+Tailwind), Slasher (Air Slash+Ember+Psychic)
0-0-0
—-
Whew, now those are Pokémon. Nautilus seems to be the strongest of the group so far, if the thrashing I received was anything to go by. Next was Ra. I could spar with him going all-out for a while and win about 50% of our fights.
Third place was definitely difficult to choose because Kippie and Colada were straight up menaces. I probably had to give it to Kippie because of her versatility and utility. She had a move for just about anyone and enough strategies to cover most situations. Colada, while having pretty great coverage, was still lacking in strategies because of her battle preference.
Still, her ability to use her shield in battle, which momentarily switched her attack and defense, meant she could tank hits all day long. As long as the attacks hit her shield, at least. Tetsu, on the other hand, was the definition of a tank. I should tell whoever makes the dictionary here to just put Tetsu’s picture instead of words.
Sure, she was fifth place in my team, but that was the perfect cover for her. While Tetsu didn’t have much firepower, her ability to take a hit, heal up, and wear down any opp meant she could Captain America anyone. Add to that her unnatural movement speed from spinning under gravity, her unreal talent with Gravity, and moves like Leech Seed, Spikes, and Stealth Rock, and Tetsu was a competitive player’s wet dream.
Hestia, the little Hattrem that wished a bitch would, was a different story. Freshly caught, not much of a battler, and lazy as all hell, she was definitely weak. But she had great motivations. Just the mere mention of positive attention would ensure she got something done. Plus, she thought Ra was a fucking hunk of a Pokémon, so the idea of getting his attention also did the job.
It was going to take some work, but I knew she’d do great as the team healer. We also needed her because she knew the area and we didn’t. Not even Nautilus, who found me almost immediately after I came back, which begs the question…
“Where the fuck are we?”
‘You know, you could be a little more polite. I’m just a sweet little Hattrem whose ears are being violated by such vulgar language,’ Hestia commented while covering her ears.
“Oh, is the little narcissist offended?” I replied.
‘Fuck off, Marco,’ she huffed.
“That’s what I thought,” I said, garnering some snickers from the rest. “Hey Nautilus, how the hell did you find me so fast if you don’t know where we are?”
‘I don’t know. I felt a familiar energy and just teleported.’
“...”
‘What? It’s some Psychic bullshit. I don't even know how it really works. I just do it,’ Nautilus explained. I guess that’s fair. I turned back to Hestia, who was about to roll Tetsu down a short incline and frame Kippie.
“Hey, twerp. Where are we?” I called out.
Hestia froze, both Kippie and Tetsu having turned around and caught her because of my question.
‘Ehehehe, I can answer that!’ she yelled and ran over. ‘We’re in Orre, in the… What did those humans call it? Ree Gem desert? Real Gem desert?’
“Realgam Desert?” I asked.
‘Yes! Realgam. Near the Realgam Tower.’
“Alright, we’re in Orre, in the Realgam Desert. Wait, why am I asking you? I have my phone.”
I pulled out my phone again and went to the map section. Sure enough, I was in the Realgam Desert. Phenac City was the closest settlement at 25 km away. Pyrite City was directly south from our location, about 30 km out. I decided to call Augustine and let him know I would be heading towards Phenac City.
*ring* *ring* *ring* *rin-
“Marco! Are you okay? Where are you?” Augustine frantically screamed into the phone.
“Jesus, you almost tore my ear drums. I’m fine Augustine, just had a little misadventure. I’ve got a lot to talk to you about,” I replied, switching to speaker so he wouldn’t blow out the other ear. “I’m in Orre, about to start heading out to Phenac City. It’ll be about two hours till I get there. Can you meet me there?”
“Sorry, mon gars, I can’t. I’ll be busy with meetings all day. In fact, you’d be better suited out helping Calem. You haven’t neglected your training, have you?”
“You’ve no idea. What does Calem need help with?”
“He’s been holding back those creatures coming from the portals. They are slowly creeping closer to the cities, though none have appeared inside any town. It’ll change soon, based on the patterns we’ve tracked. Calem, the Elite 4, and all of the Veteran and Ace Trainers are out keeping the towns and cities safe, while the Rangers and stronger Pokémon clans are working together to defend the wild areas.
“Luckily, most of these attacks are focused on Kalos and Alola, though we can’t be sure that the portals that open in other regions won’t start as well. I’ll have Araceli pick you up in Phenac City.”
“Thank you, Augustine.”
“Marco…”
“Yes, Professor?”
“I’m glad you’re okay. A lot has happened since you went missing. I’ll make sure to contact you as soon as I’m done here with the League,” Augustine said, his voice full of relief. I guess my time in the Distortion World was more fun for me than anyone else.
“I’m glad to be back, Augustine. I have lots to tell you. I’ll see you soon,” I replied, grateful that I had such a caring person in my corner. He hung up and I focused on the trip to Phenac City. I’m sure Araceli was excited to see me, or at least Colada.
I began running, thinking about the soon-to-come war. I had never really played the Doom games, but I had seen enough gameplay to know how destructive and bloody it would get. While I had full confidence in my team being able to take care of themselves, Hell had a near endless supply of demons.
I needed more than the ones I currently had. It would be best to have enough to have three teams that could take care of each other, three squads of four or five. That way I could send one squad out and let another rest. Having a second healer would also be great to make sure everyone is always in tip-top shape.
If I went for three squads, I would need at least 12 Pokémon not including Hestia. Ideally, I would have 15 or even 18. But then I would need to train and feed them, making sure they are healthy to ensure proper growth. So, I guess I wouldn’t be able to do that quite yet.
I had run past nothing but dirt for the last 10 minutes, providing ample time for thinking. There were more Pokémon than I expected to see from what I remembered of the Gamecube games, but not much was going on. Hippopotas, Cacnea, and Sandile made up the majority of Pokémon I saw, but they were mostly just chilling. Probably waiting for a Pokémon to go by and become lunch.
I saw one Elgyem, a few Aron, and some Hawlucha as well, but they were skittish and ran away as soon as they noticed me. I guess I could afford another Pokémon or two right now. I also had enough Pokémon to spare so that one could train the newcomers. Hestia would need some more focused attention since I haven’t really trained a special attacker besides Ra.
Well, I guess I’ll be on the lookout for another team member. A Flying-type would be good, so would a Poison-, Fighting-, or Electric-type. Actually, Hawlucha were pretty good Pokémon when they were first introduced. Maybe I’ll stop to add one to the team. A Gligar would also work, though I already have a Ground-type.
I continued my run, searching for a Hawlucha. I found one battling an Aggron and Sableye. The Sableye kept getting in the way of its attacks while the Aggron took care of attacking with what looked like Rock Slide. It seemed like Hawlucha was not having a good time with that battle.
All of a sudden, the Hawlucha grabbed the Sableye and threw it away before jumping into the sky. The Hawlucha then dive-bombed down towards the Aggron, shattering its steel hide and forming a crater that went deep into the desert ground.
A white light erupted from the crater, lasting about five or so seconds before disappearing. As the Sableye approached cautiously, a new Pokémon jumped out. It looked similar to Hawlucha, but bulkier and had an inverted color scheme. Its originally green plumage was now white, its red fur now green, and the white body now red.
It was significantly larger, with legs that were almost as thick as its upper body. Its arms also grew thicker with muscle, and the wing feathers grew much longer and stuck together. The wings looked more like a cape now. It saw the Sableye slowly backing away and dashed forward with a deep, rumbling cry.
“Luchawk!”
It ran forward with a speed unexpected of its new size, its wings gaining a silver tint and slamming into Sableye. That was enough to knock it out, sending the Dark-/Ghost-type tumbling through the dirt like a ragdoll. The newly evolved Pokémon, Luchawk apparently, looked at me before flying off.
“Damn, I missed it!” I grunted. Seeing a new evolution I hadn’t thought was possible made me want it on my team even more.
‘If it evolved from Hawlucha, then I can also get one by making sure it evolves.’
The only question was how. But, that was a problem for future me. Present me was going to catch a Hawlucha. With that, I continued traveling towards Phenac City, but at a slightly slower pace. Fuck, I really wanted a Luchawk.
I stopped for a quick water break, deciding to let the others out so they could also enjoy some exercise. We bantered for a bit, making sure all of us got a nice joke on each other before starting to head out again. After about an hour, we hadn’t seen any Hawlucha. There were more than enough Pokémon, but most of them were redundant typings.
I found a few Dwebble and Silicobra, but I wasn’t really feeling them. A Skorupi ran by, catching my interest. A Poison-/Bug-type that evolves into a Poison-/Dark-type? A type combination that has four resistances, one immunity, and one weakness? Actually, fuck yeah.
I followed the soon-to-be lucky Pokémon, Nautilus helping me keep track of it every time I lost sight. After a few minutes, I saw it go into a den where Nincada was waiting for it. Just as I was about to go in and offer to catch both, a Hawlucha rushed in and attacked.
The Nincada was terrified, frozen in fear as the Skorupi and Hawlucha battled it out. Well, it wasn’t much of a battle. The Hawlucha was thrashing the poor bug scorpion around. During a moment of calm, Skorupi looked back at Nincada. The Nincada had an almost distasteful look in its eyes and ran away, leaving the Skorupi to fend for itself.
The bug’s face fell and it gave up the battle, allowing Hawlucha to continue beating it around. Just before it could kill its opponent, I stopped Hawlucha by grabbing its arm. It tried to twist out of my grip, but it couldn’t do much against my strength.