(Route 1, Pallet Town-to-Viridian City, Kanto, Pokémon World)
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(Cobalt POV)
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Cobalt was making sure to go no further than five hundred meters in any direction, using a Knife to mark his distance in a tree.
It paid off when he spotted a flock of Pidgey led by a Shiny Pidgeotto.
Whistling loud he caught the leader's attention.
He released Bulbasaur from its Pokéball and looked Pidgeotto in the eye. ''A moment if you would?''
Pidgeotto descended, its flock following behind it.
''Pidgeotto, you have no reason to trust me, but I would like the chance to capture a member of your flock. If I fail, I will gladly repay your generosity with a fine Pokémon Curry. You'd simply need to fetch me some berries. I have here a sample curry if you would like a preliminary taste.'' Cobalt said, treating the Shiny bird with respect, but standing his ground.
Pidgeotto were proud Birds, Shiny ones more so. If you were respectful, but not submissive they would typically be willing to hear you out.
''Pidgeotto.'' The bird replied with a nod of its head.
''As Currys go, this - while one of my better ones - is pretty basic.'' Cobalt adds placing the bowl down and removing its covering.
Pidgeotto flutters forward watching as Cobalt takes a spoon and removes a small portion of it, allowing Bulbasaur to taste first.
After three seconds, little Bulbasaur reacts with stars in eyes, the Pidgeotto and its flock take a single spoonful each.
Apparently satisfied Pidgeotto beckons a member of its flock forward. This Pidgey though Shiny, is smaller than the others. Bringing up his Pokedex to scan it, Cobalt skips the introduction and goes to its stats.
''Huh, interesting.'' Cobalt mutters. This Pidgey didn't have much going for it in the way of attack power or constitution statistically speaking. But! What it did have was a significant level to its speed and stamina stats. Its Moves were also no joke, Twister, Toxic, Steel Wing, and Hidden Power? For a Pidgey? That was a lot of power, even Shiny Pokémon typically didn't have more than two power moves like that. The reason being, that in order for something like this to occur somewhere in its family tree there were at least three Pokémon that had been captured and roided up on TM's and TR's before eventually being released and gathering a flock.
It wouldn't be unfair to say that if not for the large number of Shinies in this flock only two of the moves would likely occur in one Mon. However, Shinies were a Genetic Mutation. Strictly speaking it was impossible to control fully, however it was possible to guide and cultivate in the correct environment.
That kind of research was one reason why he seriously still considered applying for a professor's license.
''Alright, Pidgeotto. If you're willing, we can retrieve the berries now, and cook the Curry. That way no need to wait after the battle? It's up to you, I only offer because as you well know,
time is precious, and to a being such as yourself? Even more so.'' It was so hard not to gag on his words, because if there was one thing, he could not stand it was overdoing things and especially false flattery in that manner.
Having said that, if he needed to, he wasn't opposed to overkilling an opponent if a show was necessary. Even though false flattery and overkilling an enemy in battle were wildly apart in situational distinction.
But in all things, he typically preferred being classified as a scalpel rather than a blunt instrument. As Scalpels cut more precisely and cleanly, and as such, often went unnoticed until it was too late. In saying that it did sometimes pay to have at least three blunt instruments on hand or at least readily available to switch in and out as needed.
Objectively speaking Pokémon he'd classify as a Blunt Instrument where both Kantonian and Alolan Geodude Lines, the evolutiary Line that births Rhyperior, and Charmander's Line. Actually all Kanto's starters and their lines could be considered Blunt Instruments.
But that was hardly the point.
Pidgeotto's flock had begun returning with a variety of berries. Persim, Oran, Pecha, Lum, Sitrus, Figy, Wiki...honestly just a big gigantic shitload of berries, with what he had on hand, he stood to make a very delicious Berry Curry if he had a chance to make use of the finest berries here with his other ingredients.
He had a variety of additional options to add, namely Sausages, Mushrooms, Salads, Cream, Spice Mix, etc. This meant he could potentially produce a better Curry. But he had to ensure that Pidgeotto chose which - if any - extra ingredient was added.
This was why pride cometh before the fall and all that, and in any case, the only Feathers that need be ruffled be Pidgeotto's, when he realized just how easy he was manipulated....
''I can do a fair bit with these, all I need to know is which Key Ingredient you want me to use. Only one though, else the quality will go flatter than a ditto.'' Says Cobalt, as Pidgeotto goes Perusing amongst his key ingredients, before settling on the pack of small potatoes.
''As you wish, give me a moment to get a fire going and some water, I'll start shortly.'' Says Cobalt as he goes to the nearby spring and uses his collapsible pot to gather water before setting up the portable curry making kit.
This was going to be a long thing.
Damn.....
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(POV Shift: Acerola)
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The time had come, she would meet up with Cobalt again, but this time without Nanu. Together with Greedy Rapooh and Mimikins she'd met up with her lover.
Their first time Nanu interrupted them. Their second one as well, but on his birthday they decided to lock him in the police station with the Meowth, who happily took the opportunity to force Nanu to give them all a nice long tummy rub and pampering.
After that Nana exiled Cobalt from Ula'ula Island, though not before Tapu Bulu gave him a Z Crystal, which Professor Kukui eventually crafted into a Z-Ring for Cobalt.
Even as an Exile, Tapu Bulu still missed Cobalt, one of the few humans outside of the Kahuna's whom he liked. Tapu Bulu had become depressed, but with the help of Mimikins and Rapooh, Acerola managed to cheer the lazy guardian up after having promised to one day bring Cobalt back to Ula'ula Island. Bulu didn't really like Nanu as much afterwards, but he tolerated that Lazy Cop Uncle of hers as long as he didn't shirk his duties too often...
Acerola had packed her bags as soon as Cobalt called her about coming to Kanto to join him on his Journey from Kanto, to Orange Islands, to Johto, to Hoenn, to Sinnoh, to Unova, to Kalos, back home to Alola, and then Galar.
Nanu had provided her with two Meowth, a Mimikium Z, and a Darkinium Z. Professor Kukui on the other hand gave her Rockruff in order to give to Cobalt, a Rockium and Lycanium Z, and a Poplio for herself.
Acerola would give one Meowth to Cobalt, as well as the Darkinium Z. As for Rockruff, the little Pokémon had bonded to Cobalt after Cobalt caught the pups trainer abusing Rockruff, which resulted in three cracked ribs, two broken arms, a cracked elbow, two dislocated wrists, a dislocated knee, and a busted up face.
Suffice to say, the Trainer didn't have a defense, since abusing Pokémon was a felony, and ancient Alolan Law states anybody who catches someone doing that can legally beat them within an inch of their life and get away with it as long as the perp survived.
Rockruff subsequently imprinted on Cobalt and Cobalt promised to return to him one day after he had to leave.
Now though Kukui had entrusted Rockruff to her in order to give to Cobalt. To say the excitable Pokémon was beside itself with joy was somewhat understating matters, especially since Rockruff were excitable by nature as it was.
Still, to be expected. Cobalt had a rare connection with many Pokémon, including a special connection with Fairy, Dark, Fire, Grass, Rock, Fighting, Dragon, Electric, Ice, Flying, Psychic, and Ghost-Types. Almost like he could talk to them and understand djat they were saying and what exactly they were feeling. Though he had an undoubtedly stronger connection with Grass, Fire, Dragon, and Electric-Types.
Looking at her window on the plane, Acerola smiles sadly as Alola slowly but surely vanishes from site.....
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(Authors Note:)
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I got Covid recently which halted any and all progress and killed all of my momentum, so this is just a way to help me get back into the groove as it were. Hope you enjoy this Christmas Eve Chapter as a gift of the jolly season.
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