Chapter 57: You know… Articuno!
~Third POV~
[Kanto Region, Later, Seafoam Island – Central Ravine]
On the Seafoam Islands, the Legendary Pokémon Articuno flies around the island as Team Rocket searches for something. Elsewhere, Misty is teaching Red how to ride Gyara, the Gyarados.
Barely able to keep hold of him, Red crashes into the shoreline, leaving them both embedded face down in the sand. Misty congratulates him on reaching the island, which also happens to be the nesting grounds of Articuno.
She hands him Gyara's Poké Ball to borrow so he can still navigate the waters despite the Hidden Machine for Surf getting destroyed. She informs him that Gyara has been completely rehabilitated since they first met, saying he shouldn't have any problems.
Abruptly, she turns to leave. Red asks about having her come with him, but Gym Leaders lead busy lives, and the only reason she was even this far out is because she knew he'd have trouble crossing the water. She takes Red's Poké Ball with Krabby as collateral for her Gyarados and quickly leaves on Starmie.
Red is content to at least have a Pokémon capable of Surf now, while Misty wishes she could have stayed after all. Sometime later, Red has gotten deep into the island, starting to shiver as the surroundings get colder.
He wonders to himself if the withered and dry foliage could be caused by Articuno, as several Team Rocket Grunts peek at him from behind some nearby trees. Red calls out all his Pokémon, telling them their opponent is the Legendary Bird Pokémon Articuno, making sure they know to alert him if they notice anything at all.
Almost forgetting Gyara, he introduces him to the rest of the team, who immediately shrink in fear. Remembering the last encounter they had together, Red tries to explain that he won't be anything but friendly now.
Red, exasperated as the Pokémon are still backing away from Gyara, figures they'll start getting along sooner or later. Suddenly, a Muk is directly above him, almost about to smother him, as Pika quickly jumps into action.
*Vyooom*
*BAM*
Seeing Gyara arrive first, able to push back Muk to Pika's surprise. Red calls on his other Pokémon for help, "Come on! Help you guys!"
*Toom*
But they just look at each other nervously, leading Red to have to rush into the fight himself in a determined tone, "Okay!! Fine!!"
*Fssh*
*Shwak*
His movement is stopped as a shuriken strikes the ground in front of him, looking up to reveal a member of Team Rocket accompanied by his dozen grunts as backup, as they declared proudly, "This is our Articuno."
They proudly declare Articuno as their property, as Red notices that Articuno is frozen in ice, a defense mechanism in response to the presence of an enemy, so it may avoid confrontation.
Articuno is a large avian Pokémon with predominantly sky blue plumage and wings said to be made of ice. On its forehead is a crest that consists of three, darker blue rhombus-shaped feathers.
It has circular red eyes, a short gray beak, and long, thin gray legs. Each foot has three forward-facing digits and one facing backward. On its chest is a mass of white, downy feathers. Its long, streamer-like tail is longer than its body and the same shade of blue as its crest.
But the Team Rocket Grunt with his Muk commanded, "Go! Muk!"
As Muk begins wrapping itself around the Articuno, Red commands in Gyara in a serious tone, "Th-the Articuno!! Muk's grabbing it! Hold it, you!! Gyarados, go!!"
*GYAAR*
Gyara begins pouring sweat, unmoving, the mere presence of Team Rocket beginning to trigger memories of the experiments they performed on him, as Red said, alarmed, "Gyara! What's wrong? Those eyes… like before!!"
As Gyara was reliving its traumatic experience, triggering its memories of Team Rocket. The Team Rocket Grunt sweated a bit as he ordered, "If Articuno breaks out of this ice… we're through! Muk – Destroy that Gyarados!"
Muk redirects, attacking Gyara as Articuno breaks free of the ice. Team Rocket is forced to pivot their attention to chasing after Articuno as it begins flapping its wings to escape.
Red begs his Pokémon to help Gyara as it struggles with Muk, being able to see how much it's hurting from the attacks and the terrible memories. Vee steps forward, following his trainer's command.
His other Pokémon gain their confidence, and they all leap into action, fighting Muk. Meanwhile, Team Rocket is trying to hold down Articuno's wings, but the Legendary sends them cowering after launching large chunks of ice towards them.
Red appears to have the upper hand on Muk, just as it effortlessly flings away his Pokémon, and begins to dive back onto Red and Gyara. Articuno takes notice, freezing Muk solid just in time.
*TINK*
Red is surprised that Articuno chose to help him, but quickly changes his thoughts to Gyara, noticing that he's back to normal. Articuno flies away, Team Rocket giving chase, and Red is left to think over the events that took place.
Disappointed that Articuno got away, he considers it to be more than made up for by the fact that all his Pokémon came together to help Gyara when he needed it. All the while, though Azure and his Arcanine, along with Pikachu and Eevee, sighed a breath of relief.
His eyes focused on the group of Team Rocket Grunts following after Articuno. He smirked as he gave his order to Arcanine, "Arcanine… follow them! We won't allow Team Rocket to get that Legendary Pokémon!"
Arcanine slyly grinned following his Trainer's command. In a second, it lunged at incredible speeds after the Team Rocket Grunts chasing after Articuno.
*Swooosh*
Gracefully running full speed, Azure intended to use his meta-knowledge to the fullest. He knew that although Articuno managed to defeat their Muk, it spent so much energy in doing this that it was soon caught by the Grunts and placed under Team Rocket Commander Koga's possession.
Meaning to Azure, he'll gain the perfect opportunity to capture Articuno following Team Rocket's trail. With that thought in mind, he rushed forward, clenching an Ultra Ball at the ready.
/////
[Kanto Region, Later, Seafoam Island – North Ravine]
*Tmp*
The Team Rocket Grunts managed to finally corner Articuno after Articuno helped Red and his team using a powerful Blizzard Move, harming the Muk. The Team Rocket Grunts released their Weezings, producing smog that poisons the Legendary Pokémon.
Harry, the leader of the Squad of Rocket Members, spoke, clenching a Poke Ball in a smug tone, "You may have saved that brat Articuno, but like I said before, your Team Rocket's property now. Using up your energy would be your last mistake."
The Grunts closed in as they were about to corner Articuno, as it was too exhausted from running from the Grunts and helping Red glare at the Grunts. Articuno is a caring Pokémon with a high moral compass, shown when it sacrificed its remaining energy to save Red and Gyara from Team Rocket, despite putting itself in danger of being captured.
In the future, it will also show regret when having to listen to Koga, knowing it was helping an evil cause. The Freeze Pokémon dislikes confrontation and will freeze itself in ice when it senses an enemy.
Just as Articuno was about to accept its fate…
*TMP*
Landing down in front of the Team Rocket Grunts was Azure with his Arcanine. Immediately, Arcanine took a deep breath and used Roar, shouting at the Grunts Pokémon, "RAOOOOOOR!!!"
The roar sent powerful transparent soundwaves from its mouth and scared all the Pokémon from Team Rocket's side, returning to their Poke Balls, shuddering in fear. The Team Rocket Grunts barely had time to react as Azure tossed his two Poke Balls out.
*Pop*
Appearing in front of them, Gengar grinned, and Dragonair flew above as the Team Rocket Grunts paled. As they reached for their Poke Ball, Azure commanded, "Dragonair! Pikachu! Thunder Wave! Gengar uses Hypnosis! Arcanine! Eevee! Mimic Gengar's Hypnosis!"
*Shiii*
*Zzzzz*
*THUD*
With their combined attacks, they managed to put the Team Rocket Grunts to sleep or paralyze them on the spot. They gritted their teeth in pain, having their muscles paralyzed and spasming.
Gengar went towards the group menacingly as Azure said to her calmly, "Gengar. Take anything of value."
Gengar gave Azure a thumbs up as she began looting the bodies of the unconscious form of Team Rocket Grunts. Turning his attention to the exhausted Articuno, its eyes narrowed, seeing his Ultra Ball.
But to its surprise, though Azure shrank, it shook its head, deciding on something. He took out an Ice-specific Poke Block from his spatial bag as he leaned his hand closer to Articuno as he said calmly, "Here. You'll need these to recover your strength."
Articuno was wary of Azure and his Pokémon. But ultimately accepted the Poke Blocks. Taking a few bites down its throat, Articuno perked up by the taste, feeling some lost energy return gradually.
Azure smiled as he fed the giant bird, gradually finishing up his custom-made Poke Blocks for Ice and Flying Types. Articuno began to stand up, slightly gazing at his eyes as if to say, 'What do you wish from me, human?'
Azure, seemingly guessing what the Legendary Bird Pokémon was thinking, decided to be blunt with Articuno, "Articuno, I'll be blunt, I want you to be my friend. And I want to ask for your assistance in helping against the great evil ahead."
Articuno raised an eyebrow at his words, motioning its wing to continue as he said in a serious tone, "The Evil I'm speaking about is Team Rocket. By now, they've already captured the other two Legendary Birds of Kanto. Zapdos and Moltres."
Articuno's eyes narrowed at the thought, letting out a reaction of a cry, "Screeeawk!"
*Fwp*
Flapping its wings at the nonsense of Azure's words, he countered calmly, staring into Articuno's eyes, "But you almost got captured yourself against just regular Grunts, none of their powerful Admins. That speaks volumes just how much they're willing to relentlessly capture you."
Motioning to the group of Team Rocket Grunts, Articuno eventually calmed down, reluctantly accepting his point as the Freeze Pokémon thought cautiously, '… true. These humans would no doubt hunt me to the ends of the region. And if the human said is true that Moltres and Zapdos have been captured following such an evil intent…'
Articuno weighed its options carefully, seeing if Moltres and Zapdos had turned and were used to track it down. A noticeable frown is shown on Articuno's face, seeing no way out of its current dilemma.
But then Azure presented a Luxury Ball. He obtained this one from one of Team Rocket's Ships when he saved Lapras, figuring this item would be much more useful than an Ultra Ball due to its effects.
[Item: Luxury Ball
Rarity Item: A
Type: Poke Ball
Description: A particularly comfortable Poké Ball that makes a wild Pokémon quickly grow friendlier after being caught.]
Articuno, seeing these eyes, narrowed as Azure explained calmly to the Freeze Pokémon, "I bet Team Rocket would never expect you to be already captured by someone else. All I ask in return is your trust… and in return I'll free you and the other two from such villainous hands."
Articuno closely examined Azure's expression, not detecting any lies. And ultimately, after being saved by him, Articuno decided to trust the human for now, nudging its head at the Luxury Ball. Upon doing so got sucked up into the red light shaking…
*Riggle*
*Niggle*
*BON*
[All right! You caught an Articuno!]
Azure smirked, seeing Articuno was inside the Poke Ball. And then used his Arc Phone to check its status and see another pop-up screen.
[Where do you want to send Articuno?
>Add to your Party
>See Articuno's summary
>Check summaries on your Party Pokémon
>Send to your Boxes]
|Name: Articuno (Freeze Pokémon)
|Type: Flying/Ice
|Level: 50
|Gender: Genderless
|Held Item: None
|Ability: Pressure
|Nature: Calm
|Moves: Gust, Mist, Powder Snow, Reflect, Ice Shard, Agility, Ancient Power, Tailwind, Freeze-Dry, Mind Reader, Roost, Ice Beam, Snowscape, Hail, Blizzard (IM), Triple Axel (EM) (16 Moves to Learn)
[Articuno, the Freeze Pokémon. Its appearance is so beautiful that those who see it will be rooted to the spot. Articuno has the power to control ice at will. Its ice is said to have formed the ocean's cradle alongside Moltres's fire, and it has some connection to the weather patterns of the Orange Islands. When Articuno flaps its wings, it can chill the moisture in the air around it, making snow fall.
It flies from icy mountain to icy mountain. According to legend, it appears before doomed travelers lost in icy regions. Articuno sometimes aids travelers and guides them to safety. Articuno lives in cold, isolated locations such as snowy mountains filled with permafrost. It is also shown to be territorial, immediately moving to conquer the territories of Pokémon in their absence and fighting among them thereafter.]
Azure smirked as he sent Articuno into his Boxes for safekeeping. As he did so, Gengar returned, bringing the loot as he rubbed her head in a thankful tone, "Thanks for helping, Gengar. Think you can use Hypnosis to make the Grunts forget what happened?"
Gengar saluted, preparing to do some memory suggestion with Hypnosis. In the process, Azure sighed a breath of relief as he thought, 'I wonder how Team Rocket is gonna complete their little Thu-Fi-Zer project now without Articuno.'
Feeling resolved, handling this, he turned his attention to the Team Grunts that Gengar finished hypnotizing. He sighed as he used Dragonair to fly out from Seafoam Island, heading to their next destination… Cinnabar Island.
/////
A/N: Well I'll be damned you reached the 100 PS Goal. So here's your free chapter!