Chapter no.431 The Storm of the Gods
[ Vermilion City ]
As Lance gazed upward, his eyes narrowed in suspicion and concern. The rapid formation of thunderstorm clouds over Vermilion City was unusual, and he sensed something unnatural at play. Reaching for his satellite phone, he attempted to contact his allies for information or any updates on their status. However, to his frustration, the phone remained stubbornly silent, unable to pierce through the interference caused by the storm.
"This storm," he muttered to himself, a growing sense of unease settling in.
Turning to Dragonite, Lance sought to understand if the Pokémon could exert any control over the tempest. "Dragonite, can you control this storm?" he asked, hoping for a positive response.
Dragonite, however, only shook its head in a negative gesture, uttering a low "Dra." Its tone conveyed a clear message – there was something inherently unnatural about this storm, something beyond the control of even a powerful Dragon-type Pokémon like Dragonite.
Determined to probe further, Lance issued a command. "Hyper Beam," he said decisively. Dragonite reared back, gathering energy before releasing a potent Hyper Beam into the sky, tearing a hole through the dense, stormy clouds. But the opening created by the attack closed almost as quickly as it had appeared, the clouds swirling back into place with an almost sentient urgency.
The resilience and behavior of the storm led Lance to ponder a disturbing possibility. "Was this storm some kind of tactic by Team Rocket?" he wondered aloud. The idea that Team Rocket could have engineered such a powerful and unnatural storm was alarming, but not entirely out of the realm of possibility given their history of using advanced technology and tactics for their nefarious purposes.
Lance realized that this was no ordinary weather phenomenon; it was a strategic move, a chess piece in a larger game being played by Team Rocket. The rapid closing of the hole in the clouds indicated a level of control that was both impressive and terrifying. As he stood there, the wind howling around him and his team of Pokémon, Lance knew that he needed to find a way to counter this new threat but how?
....
[Pewter City]
Lt. Surge and Flint stood atop the dead remains of Project Ghidorah, their gazes fixated on the brewing storm above. The remnants of the battle lay scattered around them, a testament to the fierce conflict that had just transpired.
Flintbegan to comment on the storm. "Look at those clouds," he said, his voice tinged with both awe and concern. "I've never seen a storm form so quickly. It's like the sky just... changed in an instant."
He continued, his eyes tracing the swirling patterns of the dark clouds. "You know, I've faced down Blizzards and Sandstorms in my battles, but this? This is something else. It's like nature itself is throwing a tantrum."
As Flint spoke, he noticed the silence of his companion. Turning to Lt. Surge, he was taken aback by the expression he saw. For the first time in decades, there was fear in Surge's eyes.
"That storm is unnatural," Surge said, his voice barely above a whisper. "It feels like it was created by Zapdos."
Flint, surprised by the statement, let out a short laugh. "You're joking, right?" he asked, trying to lighten the mood. The idea that a Legendary Pokémon like Zapdos could be involved seemed far-fetched.
But Lt. Surge shook his head, his gaze never leaving the storm. "No, Flint. I'm not joking. I've felt the power of Electric-type Pokémon all my life, and this... this is different. It's as if the raw energy of a thunderstorm has been harnessed and amplified. And there's only one Pokémon I know that can wield such power."
The seriousness in Surge's voice made Flint pause. He looked back at the sky, now seeing the storm in a new light. The rolling thunder, the flash of lightning – it all seemed to pulse with an eerie intentionality.
"If that's true," Flint said slowly, "then we're dealing with a force that's beyond anything we've encountered before."
....
[Cerulean City Gym]
In Cerulean City, Daisy, Violet, and Lily, the three sisters known for their leadership at the Cerulean Gym, were basking in what they perceived as their moment of glory. Standing before them was Agatha, one of the Elite Four and a veteran Trainer, her expression one of thinly veiled disinterest.
"We really showed them, didn't we?" Daisy exclaimed with a grin, her eyes sparkling with pride.
Violet chimed in, "Yes, thanks to our brilliant strategy and skill, Cerulean City remains safe and sound!"
Lily, not to be outdone, added, "Our Water-type Pokémon were just unstoppable. We're the true heroes of Cerulean City!"
Agatha, listening to the self-praise, looked as if she was mentally counting the seconds, her face etched with a desire to be anywhere but there. The thought of enduring more of the trio's egotistical ramblings seemed to pain her, and she looked like she wanted to bang her head against a pole to escape the conversation.
Suddenly, a voice cut through the self-congratulatory atmosphere. "Old hag, I think you might want to see this," called out Karen, another member of the Elite Four known for her Dark-type Pokémon. Her tone was serious, a stark contrast to the sisters' jubilant chatter.
As everyone's attention shifted to Karen, they turned to follow her gaze skyward. In mere moments, they witnessed the sky transforming into a raging thunderstorm, the clouds dark and ominous, roiling with an intensity that seemed unnatural.
"What now?" Karen asked, turning to Agatha, who was now intently observing the storm.
Agatha, her eyes narrowed in concentration, studied the sky with a seasoned gaze. The sudden appearance of such a storm, especially after the events in Vermilion City, was no coincidence. Her mind raced through possibilities, trying to connect the dots.
"This is no ordinary storm," Agatha finally said, her voice low and serious. "It has the markings of a controlled phenomenon, possibly the work of a powerful Electric-type Pokémon."
....
Across the Kanto region, a similar sense of foreboding and wonder spread as the sudden, unnatural storm manifested in the skies above. From Cinnabar Island to Celadon City, from Viridian Forest to the quiet streets of Pallet Town, the people and Pokémon of Kanto found themselves facing an unprecedented phenomenon.
Lorelei and Blaine stood side by side, observing the storm with a mixture of awe and concern. The usually calm seas around the island churned violently under the dark, swirling clouds.
In Celadon City - Brock, Misty, Erika, and Bruno - gathered together, their eyes cast skyward. They conversed in hushed tones, trying to make sense of the sudden change in weather, knowing well that such a rapid transformation was no natural occurrence.
Meanwhile, in Viridian City, Blue, the former Pokémon Champion, watched the storm with a tactical mind, pondering the implications of such a powerful and widespread disturbance. He knew that this was not just a simple weather pattern; something or someone was manipulating the elements on a massive scale.
In the quiet town of Pallet, Professor Oak stood outside his laboratory, his experienced eyes studying the storm clouds. He could sense the fear and uncertainty in the air, not just from the people around him, but also from the Pokémon, who seemed to instinctively understand the magnitude of what was happening.
All over the region, Pokémon reacted in their own ways. Some ran frantically, as if trying to escape the storm's reach, while others clung to their families, seeking comfort in the face of the unknown. It was as if they could sense the raw power encapsulated within the storm, something beyond the realm of a normal weather event.
Humans, too, reacted in a range of emotions - fear, curiosity, wonder. They gathered in groups, looking up at the thundering sky, filled with dark, ominous clouds that seemed to hold a mysterious and powerful force.
....
In a dense and isolated part of the forest, Paul stood alone, his purple hair whipping about in the gusty winds. He looked up at the darkening sky, a frown etching his features as he realized the need to build a shelter. The approaching storm promised to be fierce, and without a town nearby for refuge, he had to rely on his own survival skills.
As he began to gather materials for a makeshift shelter, a sudden, unexpected commotion startled him. One by one, his Pokémon began to forcefully release themselves from their Pokéballs. Startled, Paul turned around, his eyes darting from one Pokémon to the next, trying to understand the reason behind their unusual behavior.
"What's the threat?" he asked in a cold, commanding voice, expecting an immediate reaction from his loyal companions. However, to his surprise, they ignored him, a behavior completely out of character for them. Instead, they growled and snarled, their eyes fixed on the churning sky above.
Paul felt a surge of confusion and concern. He scanned the skies, wondering if a powerful Pokémon might be hidden within the storm. But the skies offered no clear answer, only the ominous rumble of thunder and the flash of distant lightning.
Meanwhile, all across Kanto, similar scenes unfolded. Trainers everywhere witnessed their Pokémon spontaneously releasing themselves from their Pokéballs. These Pokémon, usually obedient and attentive to their trainers, now seemed driven by a singular, primal instinct. They growled and bared their teeth, not in aggression towards their trainers, but as if ready to protect them from an unseen, impending threat.
This collective behavior, cutting across different species and temperaments of Pokémon, suggested a deep, instinctual response to the storm. It was as if the Pokémon sensed a danger within the storm, a danger so potent that it triggered their protective instincts. The trainers, though puzzled and worried, couldn't help but feel a sense of awe at the display of loyalty and bravery from their Pokémon companions.
But the question still remained, what was this storm?
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[ Omake Paragraph ]
Today, the term "hunt" recalls a highly ritualized activity where the objective is not to kill but to capture rare pokemon. But for most of Hoenn's history, the term referred to a barbaric blood sport in which trainers led packs of Mightyena to chase down and rip apart large and elusive pokemon such as Tropius. It has often been surmised that humans were incidental in this sport, for wild Mightyena are known to chase down and eat large pokemon without any trainers leading their packs.
Few of the people suggesting this have observed many packs of Mightyena in the wild; had they done so, they would soon realize that they spend far more time quarreling with one another for pride, glory, and the biggest share of the kill than they do actually tracking prey. Indeed, wild Mightyena must often survive for weeks without eating, and the legendary power and savagery of their bite has often been attributed to an intense hunger, although their domestic, better-fed counterparts have no less of a crunch.
It is domestic Mightyena who were initially renowned for their teamwork, for the primary task of the hunter in those bygone days was to weld them into a disciplined force capable of co-operating effectively with one another. The shouting of commands in battle was for show: it was true that the pack obeyed their trainer, but a skilled pack had no need for orders. Indeed, many observers throughout history, and even a scattered few today, claim to observe the occasional wild Mightyena pack which hunted as an effective group. It is currently thought that these packs were initially domestic ones who maintained their penchant for teamwork and elected a new leader after the human who initially commanded them was killed in battle with their prey.