ALL NOVEL Chapter 173 – Asking for Help
September 26, 2005,
11:00 AM
Kemonohaji Forest,
Two days have elapsed since the unveiling of the pocket ball, and the reaction has been nothing short of revolutionary. For many, such a device was the stuff of dreams, a fantastical artifact that existed only in the realms of imagination.
Yet here it was, a reality crafted by human hands—a startling and monumental leap in technological progress. It's akin to the transition from using a Nokia to witnessing the advanced functionalities of an iPhone—utterly astonishing.
Gazing at the 12 pocket balls adorning his waist, Floyd couldn't help but feel a thrill akin to being transported into the Pokémon world. Among these was a special pokeball containing a Dragonite, which he refrained from displaying; its sleek, modern design stood in stark contrast to the traditional Hisuian aesthetic of Tetsuya's creations.
As a key contributor to the creation of the pocket ball, he reaped unique benefits; where others might have to spend considerably, he enjoyed privileged access. Presently, in anticipation of the live broadcast scheduled four days from now, Kanraku has only issued two pocket balls to each person for necessary preparations for the Live Broadcasts 4 days later.
Floyd, however, had been given by Kanraku with an additional four as spares, bringing his total to pocket ball to sixteen. He planned to use these selectively, particularly for capturing Dragon-type Pokémon that caught his eye.
As he ventured deeper into the forest, Floyd's current mission was clear in his mind. He was headed back to Vespiquen's territory, this time with a new trade proposal. Carrying five sacks of pokeblocks, his objective was to acquire more Apricorn. The plan, as agreed upon in their recent meeting, was to cultivate these apricorns in the villages, a long-term strategy for sustainable resource acquisition.
Approaching the familiar giant hollowed tree, Floyd paused a few meters away and issued a sharp whistle. The sound resonated through the forest, drawing the attention of a large flock of Combee.
Behind Floyd were – two Gyarados, Blastoise and Pidgeot – who waited patiently.
Moments later, Vespiquen emerged, her regal presence commanding attention. The negotiation began, both parties keenly aware of the mutual benefits their agreement would bring.
Hours passed, and just as Floyd and his team were preparing to depart with their newly acquired resources, a thunderous roar echoed from the east, cutting through the tranquil forest ambiance.
"ROAR!"
Floyd's expression turned thoughtful as the now-familiar roar rumbled across the forest. It could be Ursaluna again, he mused. Day after day, the roars had become a regular occurrence, but he had cautiously chosen not to investigate. Despite the intrigue, the potential danger outweighed his curiosity.
"Let's head back," Floyd decided. He chose safety over inquisitiveness and directed the group back toward the Safe Zone.
As they neared their destination, something unusual caught his eye. A blue-green frog-like Pokémon with a distinctive pink bud on its back, surrounded by leafy fronds, was in distress. A flock of Pidgey was relentlessly attacking the pokemon.
"It's an Ivysaur. But what's it doing here?" Floyd pondered, surprised to see the evolved form of Bulbasaur in such a predicament.
Recalling how a Venusaur once saved him from danger, he wondered if this Ivysaur might be connected to that incident. The situation was unclear, but his decision to help was immediate.
With a burst of excitement throwing a ball, Floyd released his Pokémon. "Goomy, come out and help!" he called as he threw the ball.
"Goo~" Goomy emerged, ready for action.
"Goomy, use Water Pulse!" Floyd commanded.
"Goo~" Goomy unleashed the Water Pulse, sending a powerful surge of water towards the Pidgey.
Spursshhhhhhh
The Pidgey were taken aback, some hit by the sudden attack. Realizing the presence of more formidable Pokémon, the rest of the flock dispersed in fear.
"Tsk, they fled too quickly," Floyd muttered, slightly disappointed. He had hoped to give Goomy a chance to level up, especially since it was close to reaching Level 23. His Dratini and Growlithe had already attained that level, with Dratini surprisingly outpacing Growlithe in growth.
Turning his attention back to the Ivysaur, Floyd carefully assessed its injuries. He retrieved a bottle of healing powder, but before applying it directly, he paused and pulled out another container. This one held ordinary water, but with a twist – it was infused with King's Leaf. The leaf, known for enhancing the effects of other substances it was combined with, would significantly boost the healing properties of the water.
Floyd scrutinized the contents of the bottle he held, seemingly just ordinary water. Yet, this was no typical liquid; it was subtly enhanced with the essence of King's Leaf, known for amplifying the effects of other substances when mixed. Meticulously, he combined this enriched water with the Healing Powder, creating a potent concoction.
After mixing the ingredients thoroughly, Floyd gently administered half of the bottle's contents to the injured Ivysaur. Almost immediately, the Pokémon's wounds began to visibly heal, demonstrating the remarkable efficacy of the mixture.
As Floyd observed Ivysaur's recovery, he reflected on the efficacy of his remedy. Holding the bottle, he considered, 'The King's Leaf has significantly amplified the healing powder's properties. It's remarkable—the resulting solution falls neatly between the standard healing powder and a potion in terms of strength. It's just a notch below a potion, yet its potency is undeniably superior to healing powder alone.'
"ROAR"
Suddenly, another distant roar shattered the tranquility. Floyd turned towards the sound, his brow furrowed in concern. It emanated from the east, the same direction where he and his team had previously encountered Ursaluna. He pondered over the potential danger, but his focus swiftly returned to the recovering Ivysaur.
Without hesitation, he poured the remaining mixture into Ivysaur's mouth. The creature's response was immediate and vigorous. Its vines writhed with newfound energy, and its eyes flickered open, locking onto Floyd with a gaze filled with urgency.
"Ivy-Ivysaur!" it exclaimed, its tone laced with an unmistakable plea for help.
"What's wrong?" Floyd inquired, seeking to understand Ivysaur's distress.
The Ivysaur gestured its vines emphatically towards the east.
"Is there trouble there? Could it be related to Ursaluna?" Floyd speculated, piecing together the clues.
"Ivy-Ivysaur, Ivysaur!" Ivysaur nodded vigorously, confirming Floyd's suspicions.
"ROAR"
Another roar, this time closer, drew Floyd's attention. It was his young Gyarados, moving forward to communicate. Thanks to Floyd's deepening understanding of Dragon Power, he quickly grasped the gravity of the situation.
Ivysaur relayed a dire message: Venusaur and its group were locked in a fierce struggle with Ursaluna, sustaining heavy injuries in the process.
"I see," Floyd exhaled deeply, his resolve hardening. He turned to Gyarados, Blastoise, and Pidgeot, "Everone, I must ask for your aid once more. Can you stand with me to help Venusaur and its group?"
"Blastoise~" Blastoise nodded, a sense of duty in its eyes. It remembered Venusaur's past assistance and felt a debt of gratitude.
"Blastoise~" Blastoise nodded firmly, the memory of Venusaur's aid still fresh in its mind. It felt a deep sense of honor-bound duty to return the favor to Venusaur.
The elder Gyarados let out a defiant roar, (Hmph, don't get me wrong. I'm only joining because I owe that frog a debt,) he grumbled, his pride evident even in acquiescence.
"Understood, and thank you," Floyd responded with a nod, respecting the Gyarados's pride and choosing not to jest.
"Pidgeot!" Pidgeot also let out a determined cry, raising his head towards the sky in a gesture of readiness. It remembered its previous misadventure that nearly endangered the group by stealing Honey, but now it was committed to making amends, ready to support Floyd and the others in the impending confrontation.
"That's great, everyone," Floyd said, his voice filled with gratitude. He turned to Ivysaur, "Ivysaur, join us. We're going to Venusaur's territory for a rescue mission."
"Ivysaur!" The Ivysaur, feeling reassured by Floyd's decision, nodded and followed him, ready to embark on the journey.