Feel The Ground Shake (Pokemon - Ground-type specialist)

[Go_Magikarp]

Not surprised Bradley is a bit of a dick - not that we didn't know that. He's got magic eyes and essentially divine knowledge. Being a little arrogant and selfish is pretty tame for the isekei, golden-finger protagonist.

 

[Jambory]

Wat. Shipmate, do you wanna go back and reread for a second? It clearly says 'Water-type'.

Click to shrink...

I mean, I read it myself. Several times over, even. It clearly says.

Although he wouldn't know it for a long long time to come.

One of the Pokéballs on Brad's belt did splash green with a tiny blessing as he left the clearing that day.

But it wasn't the one belonging to the Steel-type who had been alone for so so long.

It was the one with the Water-type next to it.

Click to shrink...

Not the Pokeball that the Registeel *is in.* But the Pokeball "with the Water-type *next to it*". If it was meant to be the Water-type itself, it should be inside of the Pokeball, right? I checked beforehand to see if Quagsire is in the Net Ball, and yeah, it should be, in stasis or whatever.

So unless there's a missing word somewhere, or there's a different meaning of "next to it" I'm not aware of, then the Pokeball that got affected should be "the one with the Water-Type in it." or something…

*Reads other comments*

This could be misunderstood as "It was the one next to the Water-type" rather than "It was the one with the Water-type, next to it."

Click to shrink...

Yeah, that's it exactly! I didn't know that "it" in "next to it" was referring to the one with the Registeel in it that was mentioned in the last sentence, and thought that it was talking about some nebulous Pokeball that was next to Quagsire's.
That one comma makes all the difference in the world…

 

[Vanargandr]

Bradley hasn't exactly portrayed himself as the nicest of guys from the start of the fic. Law abiding? Sure, but nice? Him being a dick to rangers, especially after his Nidoking lost to that one ranger girl, I can see it.

Click to shrink...

Pryce's influence is showing lol. Always funny how Pryce is always portrayed brusque, blunt and without patience for those he doesn't deem worth of his time

 

[JohnSmith]

It was the one with the Water-type next to it.

Click to shrink...

Chiming in, I also read this as specifically not being Quagsire. A comma would help.

 

[GasperVladi0]

Does this mean our resident OP water type might see some improvement?

 

[Fabhar]

Red and black outfits? Those Rangers weren't actually Rangers, methinks. I suspect they were actually Team Rocket, and that's how he was recognized.

 

[Fossilhunter]

Red and black outfits? Those Rangers weren't actually Rangers, methinks. I suspect they were actually Team Rocket, and that's how he was recognized.

Click to shrink...

really? because they wore red and black outfits you think they're team rocket. have you seen rangers in pokemon

Spoiler: rangers in pokemon

 

[Artful Lounger]

So if the list of his Pokemon is the order they're in then either Simon or junior got blessing

Click to shrink...

Given that it said Water type, its pretty clear that Quagsire got the blessing

 

[doomqwer]

Five minu-Okay you know what fuck this. We tried. We goddamn tried and it didn't work. I climb back to my full height and return Registeel with a grumble under my breath. "Pfeh," My voice is low. "Some fuckin' 'Mythical' you turned out to be. Stupid little wood fairy ain't even a Fairy-type."

Click to shrink...

Best not taunts the pokemon with the control of time, though to be fair it really could have used one of its many time clones that exist in many points in time to help.

It was the one with the Water-type next to it.

Click to shrink...

Oh well now that is gonna be interesting.

 

[kukukkuii]

Although he wouldn't know it for a long long time to come.

One of the Pokéballs on Brad's belt did splash green with a tiny blessing as he left the clearing that day.

But it wasn't the one belonging to the Steel-type who had been alone for so so long.

It was the one with the Water-type next to it.

Click to shrink...

Although I'm happy for Quagsire, and I'm already thinking up scenarios where the reveal of his recovery will happen.

Imagine the sheer PTSD & guilt he'll feel knowing that he killed his partner & friends he grew up with.

 

[ThunderBasilisk]

Honestly hope Ma Ma is able to evolve. I know it's probably not possible but I don't think he's gonna have time to find an actual damn blocks worth of the stuff anytime soon. And I can't wait to see what Celebi exactly did to Quagsire. Id say maybe a reversal to his Whooper form but that seems a bit much for for a small blessing. Maybe his mastery/Knowledge of the move Amnesia got rewinded back to were it's just a normal move?

 

[TRm]

I liked the chapter; Brandon being hard to reach makes sense and I liked the prayer

 

[Artful Lounger]

Brandon explicitly has a mobile base that he flies around the world to visit ruins sites. Only people who seem to know where he is at any given time are his staff and Scott.

 

[Cursix]

So 4 Smeargal, does that mean 4 Hoenn 'mon? Or one really rare one like a Mudkip? There are some choice picks available. Mudkip, Numel, Trapinch, Whiscash, Baltoy. Hoenn has some nice ground types.

 

[Fossilhunter]

So 4 Smeargal, does that mean 4 Hoenn 'mon? Or one really rare one like a Mudkip? There are some choice picks available. Mudkip, Numel, Trapinch, Whiscash, Baltoy. Hoenn has some nice ground types.

Click to shrink...

From what i remember, the breeder wasn't allowed to breed or trade away mudkip because of international laws or something.

 

[Drakebane]

So 4 Smeargal, does that mean 4 Hoenn 'mon? Or one really rare one like a Mudkip? There are some choice picks available. Mudkip, Numel, Trapinch, Whiscash, Baltoy. Hoenn has some nice ground types.

Click to shrink...

Brad specifically wants Baltoy and Trapinch. He's using the extras to get a wide selection of the best available to hunt for A ranks.

 

[Greatazuredragon]

Nice chapter, good work.

 

[OldSpartan]

Good to see Quagsire is getting some help. Hopefully Bradley gets the feeling to maybe release him sometime soon so that he can see that the pokemon is getting better. I get the feeling that Bradley basically keeps him in his ball because he is too dangerous to let out.

Looks like Brad's business ventures are also going well too. Can't wait to see what he gets from the Breeders and if he can find more info to help him with the Regi.

 

[TuskenGuy]

Was there ever an established lore reason for why alpha Pokémon are always aggressive? Obviously the real reason is because it's a game mechanic, but I wasn't sure if it was ever explained away somewhere. Maybe they're bursting with Pokemon energy like they're on meth or something.

And I'm pumped he might get a Baltoy or Trapinch. Claydol and Flygon are always portrayed as pretty strong in fics, are they still that good in the competitive scene?

 

[bryanchaos3]

Was there ever an established lore reason for why alpha Pokémon are always aggressive? Obviously the real reason is because it's a game mechanic, but I wasn't sure if it was ever explained away somewhere. Maybe they're bursting with Pokemon energy like they're on meth or something.

And I'm pumped he might get a Baltoy or Trapinch. Claydol and Flygon are always portrayed as pretty strong in fics, are they still that good in the competitive scene?

Click to shrink...

They both might as well not exist competitively with Flygon in RU and Claydol in PU

 

[Armless]

I am late to say this but to be true, I was expecting in the last chapter with all those unowns that the mc was going to find the king unow in that cave.

 

[LordVishnu]

Chapter 24

North of Goldenrod, Pokéathlon Dome

'Come on, come on, come on, you got this.' I watch the Quilava and Furret battle each other for first place as they sprint neck and neck in the final lap. First one has the lead, and then the other, and then the other again.

Trailing behind the duo in third place is an unusually lean Raticate and behind him is a Pikachu in fourth who's lagging a good five to six seconds behind the 'top three'.

Everyone else is so far in the back after twelve laps of this that they literally don't even matter.

'Come on.' I can feel the ticket slip crinkle in my hand. Furret has 10 more in Base Speed, but this Quilava has a beneficial nature and is Level 33 vice the Normal-type's 28. That should be plenty enough to overcome the gap!

A large buzzer sounds, getting my eyes to briefly dip up to the jumbo screen. The Eevee in ninth place and its trainer have both been disqualified. The two of them being caught trying to mix in a subtle use of Quick Attack to make up for lost ground.

What an idiot. The rules of these events are as simple as they are explicit. Pokémon moves are forbidden. For-bid-den! You hear me? Or are you trying to invite every 'mon with a priority move to come in and start dominating?

Enjoy your six month ban, dumbass.

The flames of Quilava's body flare brighter as the finish line comes into sight. Furret's face pinches as it summons a well of fortitude to push its long strides further. 'Oh son of a-! I hate when it's a photo finish!'

Both Pokémon zoom past the checkered finish line and almost in unison, every betting man turns their eyes up to the instant replay.

The cameras show the slow-motion action. Each movement of the two 'mons caught in high definition.

It's Furret by a nose hair. A literal win just from its longer neck.

Large sections of the crowd groan loudly in despair while other pockets jump up in celebration. Myself being in the initial category.

That's the fourth event in a row where my bet has ended up coming in second. The fourth time! I swear, the last few occasions I came to this shining cathedral of 'Pocket Monster Gambling', my cheat powers were able to pick out winners so easily! What is happening?! I feel like the heavens above suddenly have it out for me.

A vibration in my pocket has me pull out my phone and my mood briefly lifts at the Caller ID.

"Lori!" I practically cheer into the device. "What's up! I certainly hope this is a good call! I could use the pick me up, not gonna lie."

"...Bradley." Uh oh. That's not the 'good' voice. That's not the good voice at all! "Why am I hearing from one of my League secretaries that you -quote- 'forced your way past a Ranger blockade. Disrupting them from doing their jobs and almost incited a riot' -unquote- ?"

"Ha ha." A nervous chuckle escapes me. "Well…I mean...that's not completely inaccurate. It was more of a, I walked up to talk and they just…moved aside on their own?" My voice hitches a little at the end. "I probably didn't help things by looking smug about it…" I pause for a moment. "...am I in trouble?"

There's a tired sigh at the other end of the line. "...No. But please don't do it again. It's bad enough that I'm legally required to add you to a 'third' watchlist because of the 'you-know-what' that you found in those ruins. Dormant state or not. I don't need any more reasons for people to needle me about my association with you than I already have."

Oh boy! Did you hear that folks? My 'third' classified government watchlist! One for having an Alpha Nidoking on my belt. A second for being allowed to keep Quagsire after the Route 31 incident. Which, by the way, was only tentatively allowed for due to my years under Pryce. And now a third for the Sub-Legendary?

Man. Someday I want to actually see the file the bookkeepers up at the League have on me. How many asterisks or warning labels does it have in there you think?

Mmm. Probably not as many as there'll be in a few months should all go well.

"So if I've got three lists on my punch card now, does that mean I qualify for the free sundae?" I joke with a little grin. "I don't suppose there's a fourth unofficial one for being on Lance's bad side due to what happened with Clair, is there?"

There's a…distressingly long pause on the other side of the phone.

"...Lorelei?" I subconsciously switch to her full name. A nervous edge sneaking up into my tone. "Am I on the Indigo Champion's shit list?" I ask in a whisper. "You need to tell me if I'm on the shit list."

Still silence on the line. That's not a good sign.

"No…" She eventually answers slowly. "…but I should probably warn you that as soon as you have all eight Badges, Bruno is interested in hunting you down for a slugging match." Her voice cringes slightly. "He said something about seeing how his strongest Machamp measures up against your Alpha. I believe your Ursaring impressed him somewhat as well."

Oh. Well that's…something a bit disconcerting to look forward to I guess.

I'm not worried, you're worried.

"Getting back to the reason I thought you were calling…" I force the conversation to shift gears. "Did you have any luck with the 'Frontier Brain' guy? Any contacts in Hoenn that can put me in touch with him?"

In my periphery I see a new roster of Poké athletes take to the field for the next event. A concrete block smashing contest where each Fighting-type only gets to throw out a single hit. Most blocks cracked decides the winner.

A Poliwrath, two Machokes, Hitmonlee, Hitmonchan, a Pinsir for some reason, a third Machoke, aaaand...a fourth Machoke.

Though that last one is owned by a foreign trainer from across the sea so it is at least slightly unique as a competitor. 'Huh.' My eyes narrow a tiny bit as I look down onto the field. 'There's some minor variation in the pattern of the red ridges along its bicep when compared to its Indigo cousins. An innocuous regional difference? That's kinda neat. I wonder what other benign changes might exist out there in the world like that?'

Regardless, with a Physical Attack stat of 120, a Brave nature, and four levels above its closest competitor, I've got big money on that Hitmonlee down there going all the way. We can't stay on this losing streak forever!

My brain suddenly catches up to the words Lori just spoke into my ear. "What?" I ask her to repeat herself. "What do you mean they don't know where he is?"

....

"Temple raiding? Where?"

....

"What do you mean they don't know where?!"

---

Route 35

After a mostly…disappointing day at the 'horse track', I decided to head back down into Route 35 rather than continue north and take the east exit out of the National Park. It ends up being a slightly longer trek to connect up with Route 36, but there's a higher chance I can get some good battles in and keep the grind train a'chuggin.

I regret my decision immensely.

"So he was saying um, like, Beedrill was better than Ariados cause um, it has two evolutions and stuff, but Ariados has better defense against Rock moves and things like that and that's important cause you see, people like to use rocks against Bug-types and um-"

I do my best to drone out the six year old Bug-Catcher who has somehow glued himself to my side. "Sorry, you said your name was Arnie, right? Are your parents around here Arnie? Were they taking you to the Bug-Catching Contest maybe?"

"Yeah-huh, my name's Arnie, but like I was saying, people use Rock against Bug-types a lot, like my friend Venonat and I, we were fighting Tommy from my class, and he um has this rare Pokémon his um parents bought him from really far away named Aron and it's really strong!"

"Yes," I lean down a little towards his level. "Aron is a very strong Pokémon! It evolves into Lairon and then Aggron eventually, did you know that? Maybe we can talk to your mom and dad about it? Are they around here Arnie?"

"Yeah, my mom, she got me Venonat, and he's um really cool, but he only evolves once into Venomoth and some people say that's wrong because he looks like he evolves into Butterfree cause um they look the same and are both purple with big eyes but Butterfree has wings so its different, even though Venomoth has wings too but like its antennae aren't the same-"

Jesus Christ, just kill me now.

---

Route 36

Alright! Finally! Now this is the type of shit I'm talkin' about!

The alleged student council president of Goldenrod Academy presses his glasses up with a finger, making them look solid white through the reflective glare of the sun. A near perfect rendition of the arrogant anime showboat. "Xatu, Ally Switch."

The Lv. 35 Psychic/Flying type flickers and all of a sudden it's swapped places with the Lv. 32 Tangela that Krokorok had been burrowing under. The mystic bird immediately gains altitude away from where K.Rool's jaws were coming up from the earth while the Grass ball of vines almost completely no-sells Simon's Thunderpunch.

"K.Rool! Long-range tactics! Simon, switch to Ice!"

The desert croc hops out of the ground and with a snap of his head, spews a large glob of Dark-energy into the sky. One that's at least 40% larger than the kind we employed against Morty way-back-when. Meanwhile, with a cry of "Goool!", Simon's arm coats itself in a twinkling frosty blue. A change so quick and seamless you'd be shocked to find out he was a Ground-type.

They've both been training hard. Shoring up weaknesses while also bolstering strengths.

Though I wasn't giving this particular opponent praise for no reason.

With wings spread wide, Xatu's glowing green sphere of Protect absorbs the Dark-energy blast like it was nothing while Tangela gains itself distance with a use of Vine Whip I'm going to be sure to have to record after this. Using the vines as a sort of spring pad to launch itself away.

By Jove, I haven't had this much fun in ages! This is what Pokémon battles are meant to be!

"Simon! Night Shade before it lands! K.Rool, set up the Sandstorm!"

"Gol! Gol!" "Krokor-roook"

"Tangela, brace! And then Grassy Terrain once you land! Xatu! Tailwind to keep the Sandstorm down!"

The Night Shade nails the vine Pokémon in the sky -dealing true neutral damage-, but the well-trained 'mon just shakes it off. It's two large eyes narrowing in determination as it lands in a haphazard roll and then stomps its foot out. Getting a supernaturally lush field to suddenly begin spreading over the dirt road.

Meanwhile, K.Rool's Sandstorm tries to get off the ground, but the conflicting enemy Tailwind is causing it to have too lethargic a start. For a moment it seems -as the higher leveled 'mon present- Krokorok's demand for control of the air currents is going to succeed…but then the Grassy Terrain cuts off his source for sand and dirt and the technique just dies.

'Did he just…did he just negate my weather move?'

That's so fucking cool!

---

I watch as the high-schooler's last two Pokémon are withdrawn. A Yanma and a Quagsire of his own. Both easily able to perform at the fifth Badge level. "What's your name again kid?"

"Alan." he answers smoothly, subtly fixing his glasses for not the first time. "President Alan."

I laugh. "Yeah, I ain't calling you that. Still though," My mood is riding high. "Great moves out there! You pulled off some shit I've never seen before."

The teenager 'hmphs' under his breath. "It wasn't enough to win though." he speaks plainly.

"Bah," I wave his words off. "Don't beat yourself up. I was working with some killer advantages. Get a few more years under your belt and you might give us a real run for our money."

Oh shit. And because of my little Ancient Power prodding on the Net not too long ago, the secrets of Tangrowth and Yanmega are now widespread to the world. Damn, I was sort of joking before but I might really have to watch out for this kid someday!

Ha! Hoisted by my own petard! That's fuckin' hilarious.

Alan seems skeptical at my words. Wondering if there's any truth to them or if I'm just trying to be a gracious winner and not make him feel bad. "Would you like to exchange information then?" He quirks a brow and then offers his cell phone. "We could discuss esoteric tactics and then share any niche strategies we discover."

Guys.

Guys.

Guys, I think I just got one of those anime whatchamacallits.

The junior thing. The- The what's it called? The uh-

Ah! That's right!

A kouhai!

---

Route 37

"No! No! NO!" I shout at the treeline. "It has been a month! How are you still here?!"

The Sudowoodo stares at me. More still than a frozen sculpture. More silent than a one-man Mr. Mime show. Its foot halfway raised from the moment it realized it was spotted.

I release K.Rool onto the grassy field and the Dark-type cracks its knuckles in spiteful anticipation. "You have ten seconds to tell me why you keep stalking us! I'm not playing around this time! No more of this red light/green light bullshit!"

The tree does not respond.

For it is a tree.

And trees cannot speak.

---

Ecruteak City, Nighttime

Damn.

How exactly did we end up back here?

I gaze my eyes upward through the large gaping hole that serves as the ceiling of the Burned Tower. Watching as the night's Full Moon slowly reveals itself from behind a cloud.

'Well it's the only place we could do this in the city and not be seen.' A voice in my head answers my own question for me.

It turns out…no one really comes here after dark.

You'd think at least some rowdy teenagers might stay up til midnight, loitering about and making trouble or something but…apparently this place is just too revered for that type of misbehavior. Not even delinquents will mistreat it.

Ma Ma takes up position next to me and stares up through the ruined canopy alongside me. An unreadable look on her normally expressive face.

With careful hands, I extract the Peat from its tupperware container and pack it tightly -gingerly- between my two hands. Making sure to include every little flake or dark crumb that had fallen to the side as we traveled.

Kind of like…pressing a snowball together.

"Here you go girl." I gently deposit it in her paw before stepping back. "Vlad's posted at the entrance. Just take your time."

Do you think the symbolism of doing it here, in the shadow of where Ho-oh once stood, is going to be a boon or a hindrance to our chances?

Obviously the Legendary phoenix Pokémon's motif is the sun. A divine source of light long before that hack Solgaleo came onto the scene in Gen VII. Perhaps we'd be better served if we kept waiting. Found some place with significance to Lugia or the moon.

Then again, I dunno.

Something tells me they don't get good moonlight so deep in the depths of the Whirl Islands.

Still, maybe just that this place is one of significance at all is what matters. It's been searched up, down, inside out and sideways over the centuries. I even had a look around myself right after my victory against Morty. Peered through the earth with my aura and everything.

There's nothing here.

But at the same time…one just can't fully shake…the air about this place. Especially at night with no one else around. There's something…ethereal about it. Something you can't quite define. Something I didn't take the time to appreciate on my first trip through here.

Ma Ma lets her eyes drift shut and our first meeting plays in my head…

---

Flashback

"Damn girl." Gligar and Nidorino both pant with exertion at my side. Even I'm out of breath from the expended aura. "You are a hard one to put down."

The Ursaring roars in defiance, one hand cradling its stomach where Grundy's horn had ripped straight through. Blood seeps down into one eye, squinting it shut and finally -finally- the wild she-beast falls to a knee.

I had been warned there was a new monster who had taken up residence in Dark Cave. A queen mother grizzly that had no doubt earned a spot somewhere on the Ranger's to-do list…but I hadn't expected this. 'Bubbles' the Piloswine hadn't even lasted a minute.

"You know, I think we got lucky with you." I spoke, getting the beast to eyeball me with the one pupil it still had open. "If the Ursaluna evolution was known in these lands, I think you really might have killed us."

A glint enters the animal's eyes. One of confusion. One of interest. One of regret at not reaching her pinnacle.

One of a question.

---

…and the rest, as they say, was history.

With an almost serene look on her face, Ma Ma begins to glow…

…

…

And a beast not seen since the times of ancient Hisui walked the land once more.

---

Party Status:

Junior (Swinub): Lv. 20
Nature: Jolly
Potential: A-

K.Rool (Krokorok): Lv. 37
Nature: Impish
Potential: A-

Simon (Golett): Lv. 39
Nature: Docile
Potential: S

Vlad (Gliscor): Lv. 55
Nature: Adamant
Potential: A+

Ma Ma (Ursaluna): Lv. 59
Nature: Serious
Potential: A+

Grundy (Alpha Nidoking): Lv. 70
Nature: Bold
Potential: B

Karn (Registeel) [Inactive]: Lv. 60
Nature: Lonely
Potential: A

Quagsire [Celebi Blessed]: Lv. ??
Nature: Empty
Potential: Wouldn't you like to know?

 

[LordVishnu]

Alternative Chapter Title:

"I sat down to write South Blue but accidentally 3k words in Ground Shake instead, I really didn't mean to, that's my bad guys"

But that's probably too long

 

[Moran]

Quagsire [Celebi Blessed]: Lv. ??
Nature: Empty
Potential: Wouldn't you like to know?

Click to shrink...

No. Surprise me, when MC finally let him out of his Netball.

EDIT: Looking forward for Simon to evolve.

 

[SeVdex]

And a beast not seen since the times of ancient Hisui walked the land once more.

Click to shrink...

Oh come on! You can't just grab me by the balls then leave me hanging, the anticipation is killing me!

 

[Aetra]

That's the fourth event in a row where my bet has ended up coming in second. The fourth time! I swear, the last few occasions I came to this shining cathedral of 'Pocket Monster Gambling', my cheat powers were able to pick out winners so easily! What is happening?! I feel like the heavens above suddenly have it out for me.

Click to shrink...

Naw had to mid-read comment. If it happened a 3rd time after winning so much before, I'm calling rigged. One or two times I'll give it to the power of friendship but anymore and I'm looking for who's trying to fix me

 

[iceknight90]

And a beast not seen since the times of ancient Hisui walked the land once more.

Click to shrink...

Time for ANOTHER Pokemon League watchlist!

 

[BravelyFlying]

Bradley: Damnit my Parlay!

 

[Xodarap]

Wherever the muse takes you once you get the instinct we will read it

 

[Fennik]

A lot of snippets, implying quite a long journey with the individual events not too special they need an entire chapter...and then what a finale. Very enjoyable. Thank you, LV. NOW I'm curious about how Lorelei's next phone call will be, with him on a FOURTH list. Definitely. I wasn't even thinking about all those lists before this chapter and yet I'm fully invested in Bradley enjoying it.