Pokemon: Bounty Hunter Alex

A week after Alex left Jubilife Village, he noticed the vortex of clouds in the sky recede, returning the top of Mt. Coronet to a peaceful calm.

"It seems those children managed to calm down Dialga and Palkia," Alex said as he looked up at the sky. "It shouldn’t be long now until Celebi comes and brings me back to the present."

He was currently overlooking the Obsidian Fieldlands from the northern section while eating lunch under a tree, surrounded by Pokémon that were enticed by the smell. There were a few Bidoof, a Luxio, a few Starly, and even an Eevee who approached without caution.

"This world would be perfect for Alvera," Alex noted with a small smile.

There was a difference between being away from his daughter for months on end while still able to see her at any time and being away without that ability. It felt uncomfortable, the impossible distance between them pressing on him, and on top of that, he was starting to get antsy from being in such a peaceful environment.

Alex had been itching for a fight ever since his encounter with Mesprit. He would admit he had a problem when it came to combat, something akin to a behavioral addiction, a compulsive craving for the adrenaline and focus that only conflict or a battle could provide. No matter how rational he tried to be, the pull of a fight was almost instinctual, a physiological need that he couldn’t quite suppress.

When he went too long without a fight, Alex felt restless and irritable, his thoughts constantly drifting to imagined battles. His hands tightened into fists, his muscles tensed ready to pounce, and even his sleep was restless.

The absence of combat left a dull ache in his chest, a gnawing sense of incompleteness that no distraction could fully erase. Stuck in this world that was just too peaceful, he was starting to lose his mind from the withdrawal symptoms.

In his previous life, he had sparred with plenty of people to vent his need for violence. Back at the base, he had even let his Pokémon beat him until bones broke. Here, there was nothing to channel those impulses against except the occasional Alpha he rarely encountered. Even then, it was only a temporary band-aid for his affliction, and he couldn’t justify fighting Pokémon that were too docile.

With no proper outlet, he leaned heavily on meditation to keep himself in check, and the peaceful, open wilderness helped him maintain that control. This meant his journey east took longer, since he often had to stop and meditate whenever his violent impulses surged.

He shook away the gnawing sensation, finished his lunch, scattered the Pokémon with a drop of his aura, and took off running east toward the southern end of the Coronet Highlands.

A month later, he arrived near the Fabled Spring in the southwest section of the Coronet Highlands with bloodshot eyes, ragged breathing, an unkempt face, and a sense of hopelessness. With no sign of Celebi for weeks, he was beginning to think he was on his own.

Then he noticed a spacetime distortion in the distance. It was the same purple barrier that had brought him here, which meant the storm hadn’t fully abated yet despite the vortex already having been calmed.

"Maybe... it’ll take a while longer for the fabric of space and time to heal," he concluded with hope. "I suppose my stay in this era will be a bit longer than I expected."

He continued his journey southeast toward the Crimson Mirelands and finally arrived at Lake Valor three months later. During that time, he had run out of supplies and begun foraging, ignoring his appearance since he rarely encountered people in the wild aside from the occasional Galaxy Team surveyor.

Fortunately, his outfit was rated for Elite rank, so it barely showed any signs of wear and tear. Still, he was starting to look like he had stolen it from its original owner.

"How much longer will this take!?" he shouted in rage, punching a tree so hard that it exploded into splinters, scaring away the nearby groups of Bibarel, Pachirisu, and Cherubi.

"Five months!" he shouted. "I’ve been here for five fucking months!"

He slumped to the ground, exhausted from the run and his angry outburst. Lying there, he closed his eyes, breathed deeply, and began meditating on the spot, circulating his aura through his body and taking note of the significant changes.

He now had roughly 80% control over his energies through direct manipulation, a modest improvement over the years but impressive all the same. He could cloak himself in Dark type energy almost indefinitely, allowing him to melt into shadows while erasing his presence.

In the darkness, he can sense other creatures rather than merely see them, and the difference between night and day has all but vanished. For all intents and purposes, his abilities made him no different from a nocturnal creature.

As for his aura, it was still the same size as always, but its command over his energy was complete. So long as he utilized his aura, he could control all his energy with pure intent, without the slightest delay. In addition, he was confident he could now control Grim’s energy without being affected in the slightest. On top of that, he could probably control over a hundred Pokémon without trouble.

The past four months of constant meditation had produced remarkable results. If only he didn’t miss his family or have to fight the constant, gnawing thirst for battle.

He opened his eyes, exhaled, and chose a secluded spot among the ridges surrounding Lake Valor as his permanent place of residence. From that high altitude, he could spot Alpha Pokémon for food, forage in the forest, and avoid meddling surveyors, granting him both privacy and peace.

As for his plan, he would spend a year there waiting for the spacetime distortions to calm. If Celebi didn’t come for him by then, he would head south to the Ilex Forest in the Johto region.

He selected an isolated location with a clear view, set up camp, and devoted himself to meditation. From then on, he focused on controlling his urges through discipline, eating only when necessary.

Six months passed without any break in his routine. Then, one day, he felt a psychic intrusion. He allowed it to enter his mind, and a young boy’s voice echoed within his thoughts.

"You are interesting, human," the voice said.

"Azelf, I presume?" Alex asked, his voice hoarse from lack of use.

The impression of the intent behind the connection felt different from Celebi’s, and given that he was at Lake Valor, the answer was obvious.

"I have been watching you meditate since your arrival, and I am impressed. You possess an exceptional will to control such violence for a human. I had almost assumed you were blessed by both myself and Giratina."

"Thanks?" Alex said with a raised brow, unsure how to take the compliment.

He had no business with Azelf which was why he didn’t bother visiting his cave. Now it seemed he had attracted his attention regardless.

"Is there something I can help you with?" Alex asked.

"No, but there may be something I can help you with."

Alex immediately snapped to attention. "Can you help me get back home?"

"I cannot."

"Oh," Alex said with clear disappointment. "Double it and pass it on to the next person."

"But I can help you find someone who can."

"Complete your damn sentences faster!" Alex exclaimed.

Azelf chuckled and appeared before Alex then started circling him with interest.

"You are far from your time, and to return, you require the help of Celebi."

"What about Dialga?"

"Perhaps, but the pair are often too temperamental."

"I see. Well, whenever you’re ready."

Azelf nodded, then concentrated for a while before smiling at Alex.

Suddenly, the light of teleportation shone between them, producing a rather excited green Pokémon. It stared at Azelf for a brief moment before turning to Alex in surprise.

"What are you doing here?" came a familiar young girl’s voice. "You’re not supposed to be here."

"I ran into a bit of trouble in the Distortion World," Alex answered. "Can you take me back to the present?"

"Hm... I can."

"I would really appreciate it," Alex said, then turned to Azelf. "Thank you for your help."

Alex subconsciously reached out and placed a hand on Azelf’s cheek and rubbed his thumb. It was surprisingly smooth to the touch.

"You’re welcome," Azelf replied, accepting the rubs.

Without warning, Alex’s world spun as colors melted, gravity twisted, and his senses were assaulted. As quickly as the sensation came, it vanished, leaving him in a high, elevated forest near Lake Valor.

"Thank you, Celebi," Alex said, reaching out to pet the little green onion.

She nuzzled his hand briefly before giving him a stern warning.

"Do not do that again, or I may never find you. Goodbye."

With those parting words, Celebi seemingly disappeared from existence, likely returning to Ilex Forest.

Alex was suddenly filled with excitement at the prospect of finally being near home. All he had to do now was find the girls and his Pokémon.

Based on his parting words, their likely destination from the Distortion World was Sunyshore City, which had a dock that could take them back to Kanto after a month-long trip. He headed east toward Route 222, running at full speed.

Once Alex arrived at Route 222, he found a random trainer, borrowed their phone, and quickly called Rotom.

"Rotom, where are you and the girls?" Alex asked.

"Currently under attack on Route 222 by Brutus. Incoming reinforcement, Rowan Trekker. Should I send Gardevoir to pick you up?"

"No," Alex said, a gleam in his eyes. "It would be better to ambush them rather than scare them off. Send me your exact coordinates, and I’ll get there as fast as I can."

Once he received the coordinates, Alex raced to the location, arriving just in time to see Rowan’s Rhyperior unleash a massive Earthquake.

Taking advantage of the distraction, and with Rowan protected by just a Psychic type Claydol, Alex cloaked himself in Dark type energy, rushed in, and grabbed Rowan by the head.

Rowan instinctively struggled, but since he didn’t seem to work out much, Alex was able to twist his neck easily, killing him instantly.

He reveled in the violence he had been denied for nearly a year, his heavily armored combat gear contrasting sharply with his disheveled appearance. His blonde hair had grown long, and his beard hung wild and unkempt, the result of months spent in the wilderness. He looked like a wild hobo who had suddenly appeared out of nowhere, eyes alight with the raw thrill of battle, ready to lose himself completely in the adrenaline.

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