Eroking
patreon
Chapter 187: Arrival at Mount Veridian
🕑 Added 2025-09-08 12:57:00 +0000 UTCChapter 187: Arrival at Mount Veridian
Two Stantler raced through the forest, their movements swift and sure-footed. With a base speed of 85, they were incredibly fast, especially in this terrain. Basalt clung tightly to the golden antlers of the one he was riding, the scenery blurring past him.
"I need a mount," he thought. Traveling on foot in the wilderness was inefficient and just plain uncool. At this pace, the twenty-kilometer journey would take less than half an hour.
As they drew closer to Mount Veridian, the density of Pokémon and, surprisingly, other trainers, began to increase. They were gathered in small groups, watching him pass with cold, calculating eyes.
"Summer!" A familiar voice called out, forcing him to a stop at the foot of the mountain. It was his colleague from the Weather Bureau.
"Basalt!" she exclaimed, her eyes lighting up as she broke away from the group she was with. "You must have heard the news and come to Mount Veridian too." She then noticed the Bronzor beside him. "You've already caught a Bronzor?"
"I caught this one a while ago. Is there a problem?" Basalt asked, confused by her surprise.
"Oh, so it's not one from here. What a shame," she sighed.
"What do you mean?"
"You don't know?" she asked, equally surprised. "This is Mount Veridian, the territory of a Titan Bronzong, a peak Gym Leader-level Pokémon. It has put out a call: any trainer who can pass its trials and gain the recognition of one of its Bronzor clan members will be allowed to enter their sacred grounds. Not only will they receive precious metals and be allowed to participate in their Evolution Festival, but they'll also be taught some high-tier status moves!"
Her excitement was palpable. It was an incredible opportunity: a powerful, elite Bronzor, resources, new skills, and a guaranteed evolution into a Bronzong, a Pokémon with a base stat total of 500. It was no wonder so many trainers had gathered here.
"So the Evolution Festival hasn't started yet. We made it in time!" Bronzor's joyful voice filled his mind.
"Summer, when does the festival start?" Basalt asked after recalling Bronzor to let it rest. "And what are the trials?"
"I heard the festival is in three days," she replied. "There are three trials. First, a test of strength. We have to battle one of the Bronzong. We don't have to win, just earn its respect. Second, a test of will. I'm not sure what that entails. And third, we have to be chosen by one of the wild Bronzor."
"Has anyone passed all three yet?"
"Not that I know of," she said, shaking her head. "I know three people have passed the first trial, and one has passed the second. But I haven't heard of anyone passing the third. I failed the first trial myself. But you should be able to pass it easily. It's just a shame..." She trailed off, a look of pity on her face. If he already had a Bronzor, he probably wouldn't be trying to catch another. And a Bronzor from outside the clan wouldn't be allowed in the festival.
DONG! DONG! DONG!
Just then, three deep, resonant chimes echoed from the mountain, like the sound of a great temple bell.
"The trials are starting again," Summer said. "We get one chance each day. Come on, let's go."
As they approached the large, flat stone platform at the base of the mountain, the group Summer had been with earlier tried to stop her. "Summer, where are you going? Who's your friend?" one of them, a burly young man, asked, though it was a dark-skinned girl who spoke, her eyes wary.
"This is my friend, Basalt," Summer said with a smile. "He's the Jiangnan Regional Champion."
"The champion? From Jiangnan?" The four of them took an involuntary step back, their eyes wide with a mixture of fear and respect, especially when they saw the fierce-looking Excadrill at Basalt's side.
On the platform, three Bronzong floated in the air, waiting. In front of them, a set of stone steps led up the mountainside. Three trainers were already ascending, having passed the first trial on a previous day.
DONG!
Another chime, and a powerful, majestic voice filled the minds of every trainer present. "The trials continue. The rules are the same as before. Who will be the first to challenge us?"
But as the Bronzong's psychic energy washed over the crowd, Basalt's Poké Ball suddenly opened, and his Bronzor appeared in a flash of red light.
The other trainers immediately began to whisper, their expressions a mix of surprise, curiosity, and envy. To them, a Pokémon letting itself out of its ball was a sign of a trainer's incompetence. But when they saw the Bronzor, their scorn turned to jealousy.
Summer just shook her head with a wry smile. She knew they had misunderstood.
But then, to everyone's shock, the three powerful Bronzong flew over to Basalt's Bronzor, their auras filled with an ecstatic joy as they circled it.
"Huh?" Summer was completely baffled. "Basalt, what's going on? I thought you said you caught that Bronzor a while ago."
"I did," he replied, then quietly explained the story of how he had found it in the desert.
Her mouth fell open in an "O" of disbelief.
"Brooonz~"
After a brief "conversation" with the three Bronzong, Basalt's Bronzor was beaming. "Let's go. We're going straight up the mountain," it told him telepathically.
"What about the trials?"
"What trials? You've already caught me, the most outstanding member of the Bronzong clan. What trials do you need to pass? We're going to see the Great Elder!"
"Uh... alright, then," Basalt was speechless. Who needs to pass trials when you can just use the back door?
A moment later, the Bronzong's voice once again filled the minds of the other trainers. "Today's trials are postponed. You may return tomorrow. Wait for the bell."
A wave of groans and complaints rippled through the crowd, but no one dared to argue. All they could do was stare with envy and hatred at Basalt and his Bronzor.
"Basalt, are you leaving?" Summer asked, her eyes wide.
"Bronzor," Basalt asked, "can we bring Summer with us?"
"Since she's a friend, she can come," it replied magnanimously, without even consulting the other Bronzong. And they didn't object. It was clear that Basalt's Bronzor held a high, almost noble, status in this clan.
"Come on, Summer," Basalt said, beckoning to her.
"I can go too?" she asked, her mind reeling from the day's events. But she wasn't about to refuse.
And so, under the envious gaze of the other trainers, Basalt and Summer began to ascend the stone steps of Mount Veridian.
