Echoes of Veridonia

Chapter 6: Shadows in Graniteport

After earning the Rock Badge from Leader Granite, Alex felt a surge of confidence as they left the Rock Forge Gym. The cool, rocky air of Graniteport filled their lungs, a stark contrast to the sweltering heat of Scorchvale’s desert. With Tropibud by their side, Alex decided to explore the town before heading to their next destination, Quicksand. However, something about Graniteport seemed... off.

The usually bustling mining town felt quieter than usual. Miners were huddled together, whispering among themselves, and Alex noticed a few townspeople hurriedly closing their doors. As Alex walked through the streets, they overheard fragments of conversations—mentions of strange figures, missing Pokémon, and something called “Team Venom.”

Alex’s curiosity was piqued. They knew about Team Venom—an eco-terrorist group with a sinister agenda—but until now, the group had mostly been a distant threat. It seemed they were getting bolder.

As they approached the town’s Pokémon Center, Nurse Joy greeted them with a concerned expression. “Alex, I’m glad you’re here. We’ve been having some trouble in Graniteport lately. Some of the miners have reported seeing strange people lurking around the mines, and a few Pokémon have gone missing.”

“Team Venom?” Alex guessed.

Nurse Joy nodded. “It’s likely. We’ve been trying to keep things quiet to avoid a panic, but it’s getting worse. The townspeople are scared.”

Alex felt a surge of determination. “I’ll look into it, Nurse Joy. Where were these people last seen?”

“The main mine, just outside town,” she replied. “Be careful, Alex. Team Venom isn’t to be taken lightly.”

After healing Tropibud and their other Pokémon, Alex made their way to the Graniteport Mine. The entrance was wide, with old wooden beams supporting the rocky ceiling. The deeper they ventured, the darker it became, with only the occasional flicker of a miner’s lamp to guide their way. The sound of dripping water echoed through the tunnels, adding to the eerie atmosphere.

As Alex ventured further into the mine, they heard voices—low, hushed tones that echoed through the cavern. They carefully approached, staying out of sight.

Around a bend, they saw them: a group of Team Venom grunts, their black and green uniforms unmistakable. They were gathered around a large, open cavern, where strange machines hummed and whirred, drilling into the walls.

“Keep searching!” one of the grunts barked. “We need to find that ancient Pokémon. Vesper won’t tolerate any more delays!”

Ancient Pokémon? Alex’s mind raced. Were they talking about the legendary Pokémon that Granite had mentioned in passing after their gym battle?

Determined to stop them, Alex stepped forward, Tropibud by their side. “What do you think you’re doing? This mine doesn’t belong to you!”

The grunts turned, surprised by Alex’s sudden appearance. “A meddling trainer, huh? You should’ve stayed out of this, kid,” one of them sneered, releasing a **Zubat** and a **Grimer**.

“Tropibud, let’s show them what we’re made of!” Alex called.

The battle was quick but intense. Tropibud’s **Vine Whip** easily took down Zubat, and a well-timed **Razor Leaf** sent Grimer retreating. The grunts, realizing they were outmatched, quickly recalled their Pokémon.

“This isn’t over!” one of them shouted as they fled deeper into the mine.

Alex chased after them, not willing to let them escape. The tunnels twisted and turned, but Alex’s determination never wavered. Eventually, they reached a dead end—a large chamber where the grunts had gathered around a large rock formation that glowed faintly in the darkness.

“This must be it,” one grunt said, eyeing the formation greedily. “The ancient Pokémon is said to be sealed within this rock. If we can break it open, we’ll have the power we need to take control of Veridonia!”

“Not if I have anything to say about it!” Alex shouted, stepping forward.

The grunts snarled and sent out more Pokémon, but Alex was ready. **Tropibud** and **Blazefang**, who had been resting since the gym battle, took on the challenge together. With a combination of **Vine Whip**, **Flame Charge**, and **Tackle**, Alex’s Pokémon quickly overwhelmed the grunts’ forces.

Realizing they were out of options, the grunts hastily activated their machines, trying to break the rock open. But before they could succeed, the ground beneath them began to shake violently. The glowing rock pulsed with energy, and cracks started to form across its surface.

“Everyone, get out!” Alex yelled, recalling their Pokémon and running for the exit. The grunts panicked, abandoning their mission and fleeing the mine.

As Alex reached the entrance, they turned back to see the rock formation shatter, releasing a burst of energy that shook the entire mine. But instead of an ancient Pokémon emerging, the energy dissipated into the air, leaving nothing but rubble behind.

Panting, Alex made their way back to the Pokémon Center, where Nurse Joy was waiting anxiously. “Alex! Are you okay? What happened?”

Alex explained everything, from the Team Venom grunts to the strange rock formation. Nurse Joy sighed with relief. “Thank goodness you were there. Who knows what could have happened if they had succeeded?”

“But what was that energy?” Alex wondered aloud.

Nurse Joy shook her head. “I don’t know, but I’m glad it didn’t seem to cause any harm. Still, we should report this to the authorities. Team Venom is clearly up to something bigger than we thought.”

As Alex left the Pokémon Center, they couldn’t shake the feeling that this encounter was just the beginning. Team Venom was still out there, and whatever they were planning, it was far from over. But with their Pokémon by their side, Alex knew they would be ready for whatever came next.

With a renewed sense of purpose, Alex set their sights on Quicksand and the next chapter of their journey.