Chapter 30: Vermillion Missing Pokémon!
~Third POV~
[Kanto Region, Next Day, Vermillion City]
The next day, a new trainer arrived in town. He stretched his arms happily and said, walking with his Pokémon, "Mmm-man! What a day! You look happy to be outta your Poke Balls! Whoa! Look at that! Check out that humungous swimming pool over there!"
This Trainer is none other than the Trainer from Pallet Town and one of the Pokedex Holders Fire Red of Pallet Town. His Poli the Poliwhirl, Saur the Bulbasaur, and Pika the Pikachu are walking with him.
Joking around with his Pokémon, Red sheepishly told his Pokémon, "Heh. Kidding, guys, that's what we call the ocean! Hey! What a cool-looking ship… let's check it out!"
Red and his Pokémon checked out the S.S. Anne as he stowed away on the ship. While checking it out, there was something that caught his eye.
But what he saw in the room startled him, causing Red to stumble back. Unfortunately, he gets caught and thrown out by the sailors working, who eventually meet The Chairman of the Pokémon Fan Club.
He dragged Red, allowing him to join inside the building. Red was introduced to them as he spoke proudly about his Pokémon.
But then his eyes reached another figure, eyes widening, seeing a familiar figure as he spoke up, greeting him in a friendly tone, "Oh! Azure, is that you? I didn't think I'd catch up with you, man!"
Azure smirked as Pikachu was playing with him in chess. Dratini was coiling around Growlithe's leg for warmth as the Puppy Pokémon was chilling on the Pokémon Fan Club carpets for fire types.
Azure proceeded to meet up with Red, having Saur, Poli, and Pika out as he said in a friendly tone, "Pleasure to meet you again, Red. I've been staying around sightseeing in Vermillion and look here."
Showing off his Thunder Badge, Red eyes widened lightly, grinning, congratulating him on his Badge win in a friendly tone, "Neat! Congrats, man, what was the Gym Leader like here in Vermillion – "
*BAMM*
But before he could continue speaking, another member of the Pokémon Fan Club rushed in, crying at the news of the tragedy that befell him, "Help! Someone stole my Geodude!"
*Gasp*
The Fan Club Members gasped as the Chairman sniffed, looking towards a photo and muttering, "Not… again…"
Sensing the unease in the room, Red asked in a confused tone, "What's wrong?"
Hearing this, one of the Club Members began to explain the situation to Red. Azure listened intently to their issues with a pondering expression on his face.
"The director's Abra was stolen last month!"
"It's happening to all of us."
"That's a lot of Pokémon."
The Chairman weep sobbing mess as he said crying tears gazing at the photograph in a saddened tone, "And there's… nothing… we can… can… BWAAAAA!!!"
After listening to their tales, Azure clutched his Poke Balls tightly as he thought in a saddened tone, 'I have no idea how I would feel if I lost Pikachu. Or any of my Pokémon if they get kidnapped.'
*BAMM*
For the moment, everything was still till Red proclaimed in a serious tone, fist clenched in the air, "Tell me everything you know about this case!"
The Pokémon Fan Club members began to explain what happened to Red, what happened to them, and their stolen Pokémon. Red was pondering this in a serious tone as he muttered, "But it'd be too hard for anybody but the owners to get the Pokémon into their Poke Balls… meaning the thieves would have to be able to transport full-sized Pokémon somehow…"
Azure, listening, looked at the large ship of the S.S. Anne as he said curiously, getting Red's attention, "How about a ship like the S.S. Anne? It could be big enough to hide Pokémon in plain sight. I've heard that Lt. Surge, the Vermillion City Gym Leader, uses it to transport supplies to Cinnabar Island."
Red eyes widened at this realization as he rushed forward ahead, "Time for me to take a cruise!"
But he was soon stopped by The Chairman as he asked Red in a serious tone, "STOP!! If you must go I have one request. Would you leave Pikachu behind? For me to cuddle?"
Red was flabbergasted at the Chairman's request but agreed. As he did so, Azure recalled his Pokémon as he asked Red curiously, "You don't seriously expect to go in guns blazing with only two Pokémon, do you? Mind if I tag along? I kinda want to repay the Pokémon Fan Club kindness, as they let me stay for the night for free."
Red bobbed his head with a confident grin and said, feeling reassured, having a friend come along, "Sure. The more, the merrier. It'll just be like old times in Mt. Moon all over again."
Azure chuckled, agreeing as they both rushed ahead out of the Pokémon Fan Club building in a friendly tone and suggested, "Heh. I bet, but I've been training my team. Hey, Red, do you need help evolving your Poliwhirl out there?"
Red blinked, momentarily stunned, as he asked, a bit dumbfounded, "Wait? You mean you can help me evolve Poli even further?"
Smirking at this, Azure put his hand behind himself as he brought out the Water Stone from his Sub-Space, momentarily stopping in place as he explained cooly, "Yeah. There are certain Pokémon out there that can evolve a step further but need Evolutionary Stones to do it. Poliwhirl just so happens to be one of those Pokémon that can evolve another step with a stone's help."
Red smirked as he gazed at his partner, Poli. They discussed whether he wanted to evolve as Azure checked their levels using [Observe], stunning him with how strong they are currently, leaving him flabbergasted.
[Poliwhirl (M) (Poli) Lv.30 Tadpole Pokémon]
[Bulbasaur (M) (Saur) Lv.25 Seed Pokémon]
He was stunned but was brought back to reality as Red asked him in an excited tone, Poli presenting himself forward, puffing his chest, "Poli said he wanted to do it. I don't know how to thank you for helping me out, man!"
Placing the Water Stone over Poliwhirl, Azure got a pop-up as he thought, 'Had to go for the Pokémon classic, huh?'
[Would you like to use this item [Water Stone]?]
[Which Pokémon will you use it for?]
After picking on Red's Poli, I placed the Water Stone over its head. And when he did so, Poliwhirl began to shine brilliantly as Red's eyes widened in excitement.
*Shiii*
Poliwhirl's form began to change as the light show ended to reveal Poliwrath in form, flexing his muscles proudly. "Poli? Poliwrath?!!"
Poliwrath is a blue, bipedal amphibian Pokémon with a round body and muscular arms. It has bulbous eyes that protrude from the top of its head, and its belly is covered by a white and black swirl. There appear to be white gloves on its hands, and it has rounded, digitless feet.
Immediately, both Red and Azure checked for info in our respective encyclopedia devices. Azure read what his Arc Phone popped up.
[Poliwrath the Tadpole Pokémon. Poliwrath's body is almost entirely muscle, and the muscles in its arms and legs never tire. It also has zero percent body fat. When it swims, it uses all the muscles in its body and can swim vast distances with minimal breathing. It is even capable of briefly running on the water's surface.
It can also smash through ice and plow forward using its strong arms. Poliwrath is capable of out-swimming even world-class swimmers. Poliwrath is also skilled at martial arts. It can launch powerful square punches capable of crushing boulders into dust. Many children learn how to swim by replicating Poliwrath's movement. It is one of the most gifted swimmers of all Water-type Pokémon.]
It was when Red looked over his Arc Phone that his eyes widened in surprise as he asked, stunned, "Huh? No way! You have your own Pokedex, too! Are you another Pokedex holder? Did you get one from Professor Oak?"
Hearing his reasoning, he shook his head, putting my Arc Phone away, explaining himself calmly, crossing his arms into an 'X' shape, "Nope! None of the above! I just have an Arc Phone that helps me understand Pokémon like the Pokedex. You could say I did get one from a professor, but not from Oak."
Red pouted lightly as Poliwrath flexed his muscles, and he bowed his head, showing his thanks. "Poli! Poliwrath! Poli!"
Having gotten stronger, Red felt confident in the challenges ahead. Both set out to the S.S. Anne to investigate the missing Pokémon…
/////
[Kanto Region, Later, Vermillion Harbor – S.S. Anne]
*Splash*
Both Red and Azure arrived on the waterfront as they swam in the sea. Red with his Poliwrath Poli and Azure with his Dratini as they swam near the side of the S.S. Anne stealthily.
Using Red's Bulbasaur, they landed on the ship. Red said thankfully, "Thanks, Bulbasaur! Wait there for me, okay?"
Azure landed beside Red and said thankfully to his Dratini, "Thanks, Saur. Dratini, thanks. Return."
*Kriii*
After recalling, Dratini Red and Azure began to check the storage rooms. Red opens the door and says cautiously, "This is the room where I saw that… huh? There's nothing here?! Don't tell me I just imagined it…"
When they entered the room, they noticed it was strangely empty except for the boxes. Red then noticed a Poke Ball as he said excitedly, "Hey! A Poke Ball!"
Before he could grab it, Azure stopped him and said sternly, "That's no Poke Ball. That's a Pokémon look!"
Showing his Arc Phone, it beeped, revealing the Pokémon's info and name. Red was stunned, realizing it was a Pokémon.
[Voltorb the Ball Pokémon. Voltorb is generally found in power plants and other areas with electric fields where it feeds. It was first discovered in the plant where modern Poké Balls were invented.
It has a volatile temperament and will explode if agitated or bumped by the slightest contact. Due to being constantly mistaken as a Poké Ball, Voltorb has reportedly zapped many humans as a result.]
Stopping himself from grabbing the Pokémon, a new voice echoes in the room as the figure is revealed to be Lt. Surge, he says arrogantly, "Hahaha! I'd say if your friend there didn't get near Voltorb, I'd say you're in shock. I'm famous for running a tight ship here. We deal with trespassers very harshly…"
They turned to see it was Lt. Surge who expressed a smug grin as they were slowly surrounded by Voltorb, Magnemite, and Electrode. Slowly, Lt. Surge's crew came behind Surge as he said harshly, "Now tell me… what are you doing on my ship?"
Red answered Surge's question in a determined tone, with Poli acting alert, "Someone is stealing Pokémon from town! And I'm going to catch the thieves!"
Crossing his arms, Surge found Red's answer humorous as he answered his question confidently, "You think we're the bad guys? Did you hear that, boys?! We're freeing those poor, pampered, cuddled, under-evolved, over-domesticated Pokémon! And if we make a little profit on the side, that just helps us do our good work, doesn't it? Bwahaha!"
Azure gripped his Poke Ball tightly as he said, glaring at Surge, "So it is you…"
Surge scoffed as he pointed at them in a confident tone with his numbers, "Heh… get as mad as you want, son. But do you think you can take all of us with just yourself? Even if you did defeat me, it wouldn't be like last time."
*POP*
Responding to Surge's challenge, Azure's Pokémon were called out. While Surge was talking to Red, his Pokémon emerged ready for battle with Growlithe growling for a rumble already in his battle stance.
Pikachu's cheeks sparked with electricity, glaring at the group of Pokémon. Dratini glared in a battle stance, awaiting orders.
Lastly, Azure stood behind his group with a determined glare. In response, his Pokémon gave their respectful attacks at Surge's Pokémon behind them as Azure told Red, calmly adjusting his cap and shadowing his eyes calmly, "Red, you got that guy, right? I'll deal with the small fries."
Red nodded as Azure's Pokémon went on the attack. Surge's sailors responded, trying to control the situation as they gloated, "Hah! What – "
Red hurled Poli materializing gave a command to Poliwrath in a determined tone, "Poli! Mega Punch!"
*SWOOOOSH*
Instantly, chaos occurred on the ship as Azure was dealing with Surge's Pokémon as they tried to use their electric attacks on them. But thanks to Pikachu's Lightning Rod ability effectively made all electric attacks useless.
Growlithe released a relentless assault on the Magnemites and Magnetons as they lost their electric offensive abilities, left defenseless against the Puppy Pokémon's fire attacks. It wasn't alone either, as Dratini entered the fray using Dragon Rage to deal the most set damage on them.
Unfortunately for the Magnemites, Voltorbs, and Electrodes, due to their low HP Stats, one or a few hits were all it took to defeat them. Azure, their trainer, gives swift commands and attacks to continue the pressure on his Pokémon attacks as who avoided Pokémon attacks being on high alert.
The majority of Surge's Pokémon were taken down by their teamwork. This alarmed the Sailors greatly as Azure's other Pokémon began cleaning up the rest, with the Sailors bringing their own Pokémon out, greatly concerned.
"Damn it! Machop, go!"
"Graveler! Come out!"
"Golbat! Come!"
"Nidorino go!"
Each of the Sailors was bringing their Pokémon out to stop Azure from beating them. But he smiled, looking at the Pokémon at matching levels compared to his weakest members as he said calmly, "Oh? They're just as strong as an average trainer. I could get some practice in. Everyone makes sure they don't escape! Training time begins. It's time to get stronger by beating them up."
All of his Pokémon had a mischievous expression on their faces, agreeing with the order given as they lunged forward. With Surge's backup Electric Pokémon down, he was completely focused on battling Red against his Poliwrath, struggling.
But his eyes caught that his men were being beaten around by Azure's Pokémon glaring intently as he thought in a pissed tone, 'FUCK!! That damn brat is running everything! I know the boss said to wait till they get the badges, but this is annoying, damn it!!'
*SMASH*
But at that moment, Surge's Electabuzz, who was the guard dog of S.S. Anne, was sent flying by Poliwrath's Mega Punch as it Electabuzz off the ship along with Lt. Surge. Red checked to see Azure seeing him handle the situation as he rubbed his nose, 'Heh. Azure got stronger! But first, the missing Pokémon!'
While Red finished off Surge's fight, he saw Azure's Pokémon fight. He was about to command Poliwrath to assist. However, the situation is seemingly being handled under control as he uses this opportunity to save the Pokémon.