"I will win!"- thinking
Flamethrower- technique
*I will win!*- Pokémon speech
I will win - Pokémon thinking
-This is a lum berry. - - Pokédex
The Chosen Path
Chapter Three: Pinpoint Accuracy
As the first rays of dawn filtered through the flap of his tent, Naruto woke slowly and yawned. Doing so woke up Denkou, who also yawned. Kitsune, however, merely rolled over and ignored the duo. Naruto got out of the tent and looked towards the horizon. Senbon City looked very beautiful in the morning sun…but Naruto wasn't admiring its beauty.
Senbon City was well-known among trainers for one thing only; the Precision Badge was obtained there.
Naruto squinted around as he walked through the gates of Senbon City. It was a very small city with a few houses, a Poké Mart, a Poké Center, a little Game Corner and the Pokémon Gym arranged in a very linear fashion. Naruto strode towards the gym, with Denkou riding on his shoulders and Kitsune trudging along.
"This is it, Naruto…let's do this!"
Opening the door to the gym, Naruto peered in and looked around. The gym looked ordinary, just a dirt arena with a number of chairs on the left and right of the arena and a small booth not far from the door. Naruto saw two men having a conversation at the booth. One of them was a brown haired man wearing a bandanna on his head and a long toothpick in his mouth…trademark of Genma Shiranui, the gym leader of Senbon City.
Noticing him and his Pokémon, Genma waved Naruto over.
"That's a very nice Vulpix, kid. Would you trade it away?"
"NO!"
Naruto had already decided to keep Kitsune with him as long as it took for him to turn his attitude around.
"I am not giving up on him just yet. What kind of trainer would I be if I gave up at my first challenge?"
"Okay, no need to bite my head off. So kiddo, are you here to make a challenge or what?"
"Yeah, but…
Naruto noticed a metal plate on Genma's bandanna. Engraved on it was the symbol of a leaf…the same engraving that was found on the arch above Konoha's gate.
"Hey, how did you get the bandanna with the leaf symbol?"
"This? It's customarily handed out to all who participated in the Konoha Rookie Tournament."
"Huh?"
Genma sighed before explaining.
"The Konoha Rookie Tournament was set up as a sort of test for all those who graduated from Konoha's Pokémon Academy, now it is customary to invite foreigners from other towns to participate. There, trainers can face their colleagues and see if their current methods of raising Pokémon are good enough. There is always a prize for the trainers who display the most potential…I hear this year the Sandaime Hokage will be attending."
Naruto was beside himself with excitement, this was so perfect.
"I'll be sure to attend this year…beat Sasuke-teme…and win!"
"Anyway, are you here to make a challenge?"
"Yeah, but I was hoping to challenge some gym trainers first…you know get a feel for the gym and a little warm-up too."
"Then how about a little practice match?"
"…Okay. How many Pokémon should we use?"
"Just one each."
Genma took out a Poké Ball and released a Sandslash. Naruto couldn't hold back the groan that escaped his lips. Genma lifted his eyebrow at this.
"What's wrong?"
"I've only got these two and both are weak against Ground-types."
"Wait a minute…you're a greenhorn?"
"Yes…is something wrong?"
"No…but most trainers usually take on the gym in Mikadzuki City first."
"Well, I'm not most trainers and the problem still stands."
Genma glanced at Kitsune as he recalled his Sandslash.
"How is this, then?"
He released a thorny Cacturne that clapped it arms together as it stood there. Kitsune glanced at the Cacturne, turned away from it and lay down. Naruto sighed at that and Denkou hopped forward. Genma frowned at that.
"Your Vulpix's disobedience doesn't speak much off your abilities as a trainer."
"Hey! I'm going to be Hokage! Kitsune is just one of many setbacks on the way there!"
"Calm down, kid. Just show me what you got."
Naruto took in a deep breath and the battle began.
"Denkou, charm!"
"Safeguard!"
Denkou's attempt to lower the Cacturne's attack was negated by the barrier.
"Spike, use Mind Reader!"
The Cacturne's eyes glowed as he stared at Denkou.
"Don't stand still, Denkou! Circle him with your quick attack!"
The little Pichu began running in blinding circles around the Cacturne. Genma silently applauded his strategy.
"But his timing was off…the mind reader has already taken effect."
"Too late, kiddo. Spike, Pin Missile."
The Cacturne pointed its arms at Denkou and followed its path unerringly as the mouse circled it. Naruto weighed his options…and gambled.
"Hit him with a Volt Tackle!"
Denkou broke out of the circle and charged Spike as the Cacturne shot needle-like projectiles out of its arms at the mouse. Naruto sighed in relief as the missiles bounced of the electric field surrounding his Pichu.
"Aim for his feet, knock him off-balance!"
"Spike, Stomp!"
Naruto winced as his Pichu was trapped under the Cacturne's foot. Spike pointed its arm at it and waited for Genma's command.
"Give it up, kid. Your Pichu can't win this."
Naruto sat outside thinking about his battle with Genma and what he had said afterward.
"That was quite good for a greenhorn but risky moves won't always work in your favor…and be careful when using recoiling moves like your Pichu's volt tackle. That's why he couldn't get out of my Cacturne's stomp. All in all…not bad but you still need one more Pokémon to challenge me."
Denkou's tugging on his vest roused him from his thoughts. The Pichu squeaked as he pointed at the gate of Senbon City.
"Yeah, let's go catch a new Pokémon."
Kitsune yawned as he followed Whiskers and the annoying mouse through the forest. The human was frowning and the Pichu was leading the way, sniffing as he did.
Is this going to end anytime soon?
Suddenly Denkou halted, cocked his head to the side and began bouncing excitedly.
*Over there!*
He took off through a clump of bushes with Whiskers chasing after him.
"Denkou! Wait up!"
The shiny Vulpix followed at a much slower pace…till he heard the sound of a battle.
"Hang on, Denkou! I'm getting a cheri berry for you!"
This caused Kitsune to pick up his pace.
A Pokémon that paralyzed Denkou? This I've got to see.
He burst into a clearing and took stock of the situation.
Denkou had just been freed from paralysis and was squaring off against…himself?
No, no...The face is wrong…what kind of Pokémon does that?
A Ditto…one of the most infamous Pokémon in existence…not so popular amongst trainers because it was quite difficult to train but Naruto was particularly interested in the Ditto battling Denkou; it had paralyzed him with a quick attack.
"It could be Static or Effect Spore…but those are usually found on electric and grass-type Pokemon."
Naruto whipped out his trusty Pokédex and scanned the wild Ditto. He quickly scrolled to the special and hidden abilities of the Pokemon.
-Special Ability: Limber-
-Hidden Ability: Trace-
Naruto could barely contain his glee.
"Trace is perfect for a Ditto…with its copying abilities; Trace will make him truly clone a Pokémon. But catching him will be a bit difficult…he has already traced Denkou's Static."
"Denkou…hit him with a thunder wave!"
The Pichu squeaked and shot a jolt of electricity at his clone. The Ditto absorbed it without a flinch and charged at Denkou. Naruto mentally kicked himself.
"Limber, he can't be paralyzed."
"Denkou, sidestep and thundershock!"
Denkou dodged and shot a more powerful jolt at the Ditto's back. But the cloning Pokemon dropped to the ground and the jolt shot over him. He turned back and charged at Denkou once more.
"Do it again, Denkou!"
Denkou prepared to dodge as the Ditto got close.
Suddenly, the Pichu clone was enveloped in a shroud of electricity. This startled and blinded Denkou momentarily, but it was all the Ditto needed.
It dropped the electric shroud and slammed into the poor Pichu with an impromptu quick attack. This sent Denkou flying into a nearby tree. The cloned Pichu then charged at Denkou, hoping to finish this off.
"Denkou! Get up…please get out of the way!"
The little Pichu valiantly got to his feet but it was too late. The Ditto slammed him into the tree once more and Denkou gave a weak cry right before he fainted.
Naruto was teary-eyed as he watched his Pokémon fall. He turned Kitsune who was making no move to help him.
"Kitsune…"
The Vulpix ignored him.
"Kitsune…please help."
The Vulpix ignored him once more.
"Oh come on, Kitsune. I've been helpful to you all this while. I saved you when I first met you. I've taken care of you to the best of my abilities…I'm sorry if it isn't good enough…I promise to do better…but please help me."
Kitsune tried his best to ignore the guilt welling up inside of him.
"Just look at Denkou. He tried his best."
But he failed.
"Are you just going to let all his hard work go to waste?"
*Oi, are you going to sit there all day or can I start kicking your butt?*
Kitsune looked up to find the Ditto staring at him.
*What do you want?*
*I just want to know when you are going to stop acting like a coward and fight.*
Kitsune snarled as he sprung to his feet.
*I AM NOT A COWARD!*
*I'm just calling it like I see it…or maybe your trainer has spoiled you badly and now you can't fight…*
The Ditto (still in Pichu form) had to dodge a small rock that was thrown at him…by Whiskers.
"Hey! I don't what you're saying to Kitsune but stop making him angry!"
Kitsune stared at the human in wonder and turned to the Ditto who had gone back to his original state.
*Fine, you want a fight…I'll give you a fight.*
The Ditto transformed into Kitsune, with a Ditto-ish face.
*Now you're speaking my language.*
Naruto had no idea what had ensued between the two Pokémon, but Kitsune looked ready to fight.
"Kitsune, listen to me."
The shiny Pokémon bristled at Naruto's voice but his ears twitched in Naruto's direction.
"He has copied your special ability but I don't think he knows what it does. Try to get him to use as many fire attacks as possible to maximize your attack. Don't use any either."
Kitsune twitched and shook himself a little then howled to the sky.
"He is howling to boost his attack."
The Ditto immediately followed suit.
"Show him your quick attack."
Kitsune sprinted forward and the Ditto copied his move. Kitsune shifted his head to the side in preparation to shoulder check his clone. At the last second, the cloned Vulpix jumped over his shoulder and shot sparks of fire at Kitsune's back.
As soon as the sparks connected, Kitsune's fur began to glow…not so brightly, just enough to be noticed.
"Another quick attack, if he tries that stunt again hit him with your tail whip."
Kitsune and the Ditto charged at each other again. The Vulpix clone jumped again and shot another ember at Kitsune's back. But when Kitsune's tails swung up to swat him out of the air, he used his own tails to block the attack and propel himself away from the shiny Vulpix.
"Wow…that was genius."
Kitsune's fur was glowing much brighter now, enough to draw the Ditto's attention. As the Vulpix charged at the cloning Pokémon, it prepared to try the same trick.
"Bite!"
Kitsune broke out of the shoulder check and tried to bite the Ditto. The cloned Vulpix jumped but Kitsune managed to sink his fangs into his foreleg. The Ditto shot more embers at Kitsune in an effort to make him let go but the sparks merely boosted Kitsune's attack, putting more force into the bite.
"Don't just bite, Kitsune! Use Tail Whip!"
Kitsune smacked his clone with his tails and sent the Ditto flying into a nearby tree. The Vulpix clone quickly got to his feet and snarled at Kitsune. But Naruto noticed it favoring one leg…it was weakening.
Denkou opened his eyes weakly and saw Kitsune and another Vulpix with a weird face locked in battle.
Kitsune decided to help? Finally! I must try to…help…come on, STAY AWAKE!
Denkou pushed himself to his feet and began charging electricity and fighting unconsciousness.
Suddenly, a sullen Raichu's face flashed before his face.
Useless…you will never amount to anything if you believe your little tricks will always work. Leave and never come back until you gain some form of raw power.
The electric shroud he had been building began to falter as doubt grew in his mind.
Maybe…No stay awake…stay awake…but it's so hard…
Then his mind flashed back to the day Naruto named him…
Flashback
Naruto and the newly captured Pichu were standing in front of the tree that he had been firing his thundershocks on. The little mouse was surprised to see the damage that he had caused to the tree.
"I will call you 'Denkou'…lightning…because that is what you are going to be one day."
Naruto turned to the newly christened Denkou, a bright smile on his face filling Denkou's heart with joy.
"Small but powerful…that is what you will be. Do you know why? It's for the same reason you were able to do this."
He picked up the Pichu and looked him in the eye.
"It's because you never give up. Never give up…because that is how failure starts."
Flashback End
Naruto…I will not give up…not today…not ever.
Rising to his feet with electricity crackling all around him, Denkou set his sights on the Vulpix clone and took off in a sprint.
Kitsune snarled back as he and the Ditto circled each other. He had to fight back the urge to fire an ember at the Ditto.
*Is that all you've got?* spat the Ditto. *You won't be capturing me if that's your best.*
Kitsune was about to retort when he saw Denkou running towards his clone, wreathed in electricity and determination etched on his face. All he had to do was stall…
*I don't need my best to defeat you…this is doing just fine.*
*The only reason you're winning is that strange reaction you have when my fire attacks hit you…why aren't they working?*
Uh-oh, I've got to get his mind of that…before he figures I out.
Denkou was going to be a while. He needed a plan…quickly.
"Don't just sit there, swipe some sand into his face or something."
Good old Whiskers to the rescue.
Kitsune spun in a circle, dragging his tails along the ground and whipping dust into the Ditto's eyes.
"Now hit him towards Denkou."
Kitsune checked the Ditto with a jarring quick attack that sent him sprawling towards the yellow mouse. Denkou delivered the most powerful volt tackle he had ever used and sent the Vulpix clone crashing into a nearby tree. The Kitsune clone hit the ground and the transformation fell. A Poké Ball hit him after he landed. It opened, drew the Ditto in and shook a little before beeping, signifying a successful capture. Whiskers walked over to the ball and pocketed it. He turned to the two Pokémon with his brightest smile on his face.
"YOU GUYS WERE AWESOME!"
Denkou squeaked weakly and fell to the ground. Whiskers immediately rushed over to him.
"Don't worry, little guy. I'll get you to the Poké Center quickly. Come on Kitsune!"
Kitsune trotted after the whiskered trainer his mind going over the battle.
Okay…it wasn't that bad.
Genma sighed as the excitable trainer shifted from side to side as he walked towards the other side of the arena. As soon as he was in place, Genma began the customary introduction.
"Welcome, trainer! I am Genma Shiranui, gym leader of Senbon City. In all my years of raising and battling with Pokémon, I made an important discovery. Every single match is decided by hitting and not being hit. As such, I have focused my self to the mastery of accuracy, evasion and critical hits. Make your challenge kid…welcome to the big leagues."
The first Pokémon he released was a Fearow. The whiskered boy's choice was predictable.
"Go Denkou! Show him your thunder wave!"
The Pichu quickly shot an electric spark at his Pokémon, which was easily avoided.
"Senbon, use Drill Peck!"
"Denkou, charge your volt tackle!"
Genma frowned at that, what was the kid playing at?
Then, his Fearow's beak slammed into the electric field…and was completely repelled.
"Now Denkou, do it now!"
The Pichu quickly rammed the electrically-charged tackle into Senbon's exposed side. The super-effective hit sent the large bird crashing into the dirt.
Genma gaped before mentally kicking himself.
"Flying-type moves are less effective on Electric-type Pokémon…which means that Electric moves are easily capable of repelling Flying-type moves. Although Fearow is much more powerful, Volt Tackle is one of the most powerful electric-type moves…this kid even solved a bit of the recoil problem by having his Pichu sit still as it prepared the move."
At the other side of the arena, he could see the kid grinning from ear to ear in delight. But the fight was not over yet. Senbon struggled to her feet and was flying with a little difficulty.
"Time to turn the tables."
"I need you to focus Senbon. Use Aerial Ace."
Senbon screeched as she was enveloped in a shroud of white light and charged at Denkou.
"Denkou, Thundershock!"
Genma winced as Senbon swerved sharply to avoid the jolt of electricity and one of her wings slammed into the ground, followed by the rest of her. The whiskered trainer immediately took advantage.
"Volt Tackle!"
The Pichu again delivered a super-effective tackle into his Fearow's flank…but was sent reeling away by an impromptu wing attack. The Fearow's eyes glowed briefly as Genma sighed in relief.
"Good, Senbon's Guts activated. But she is still weak...I need one good attack to take the Pichu out…that's it!"
"Senbon, Mind Reader!"
The Fearow's eyes glowed as it glared at the Pichu.
"Get ready for anything, Denkou."
"Including this?"
"Senbon, Mirror Move!"
The kid gaped as the Fearow was covered in an electric field and slammed into his mouse at frightening speeds. The electric Pokémon was sent rolling in the dirt by the impact. Senbon began flying towards Genma, confident that her job was done…till a jolt of electricity paralyzed her and sent crashing into the dirt arena.
"One more Volt Tackle, Denkou!"
Senbon could only watch as the Pichu delivered a third electric tackle and send her sprawling before her trainer's feet. Genma was frozen in shock as he saw that the Pichu was still energetic, doing a victory dance after beating his Fearow.
"How did it just shrug off Senbon's Mirror Move so easily? It doesn't make sense."
"All right kid, I admit I was taking it easy on you but no more."
He immediately released his Cacturne as the blond kid withdrew his Pichu and released…the Vulpix in a shower of sparks. The Vulpix stared disinterestedly at Spike but a few squeaks from the Pichu stopped him from turning around.
"Kitsune, do a double team now and prepare for the surprise attack!"
Genma frowned as the arena was flooded with copies of the shiny Vulpix. It would take some time to find out which was the real one.
"Now!"
Suddenly, an image jumped right at Spike's face. Genma smirked as he saw through the obvious ploy.
"Have an image distract Spike from the attack coming from behind, huh? I've seen that way too many times…"
His thoughts were cut off when Spike was burned in the face by the Vulpix in midair.
"What the…?"
The blond kid had played him again. He had done what was painfully obvious, knowing that the seasoned gym leader would be looking for a trick.
"He's got way too much control of the match's tempo. I'm not even battling the way I normally do. I need to take control."
The Cacturne was rubbing his eyes, trying to restore his vision. The Vulpix was just picking away at him with more ember attacks, hiding in the clones which were just running around. He needed to buy him some time…and get rid of the illusions as well.
"Spike, Sandstorm!"
"Kitsune, don't let him use that move! Use your most powerful fire attack!"
Kitsune took a deep breath and roared, letting loose a torrent of flames…but Spike stood resolutely and concentrated. Suddenly, a wave of sand surrounded the Cacturne, stopping the flames in their path. But Kitsune's flames were stopping his attack from moving any further. It was a stalemate.
Naruto watched nervously as the flames and the small sandstorm died down. The Cacturne was still trying to discern Kitsune's location amongst the clones which were still running around. The Cacturne was also powerful enough to knock Kitsune out with one shot. Kitsune needed a little edge…
Suddenly, the Cacturne staggered a bit and swung its arms to regain its balance. It rubbed a dark spot on its face where Kitsune had first attacked.
"It's burnt! It's weakening gradually!"
But it wasn't great and Naruto knew it…but it was an edge.
Genma frowned as his Cacturne staggered from the burn it had sustained. There was only one way to reduce the effects of the burn…but that left him vulnerable.
"But I don't have a choice."
"Spike! Use Ingrain!"
Roots burst out of the Cacturne's legs and dug into the soil. The Vulpix clones stopped running around to watch and a grin appeared on the blond kid's face.
"Don't be too happy kiddo. It's not over yet."
"Kitsune, attack from behind!"
"Spike, Scatter Shot!"
Genma sighed briefly as the shiny Vulpix abandoned his attack to dodge the needle-like projectiles that Spike was shooting out of the green spikes on his body.
"Scatter Shot...a technique I came up with for Spike in situations like this. A more advanced application of Pin Missile that is more powerful and harder to dodge...but such a technique is not without a price."
It took up as much power as a hyper beam or a giga impact and for all its power, the Vulpix had managed to avoid every single projectile and his Cacturne was left vulnerable.
"Kitsune, Flamethrower!"
Genma winced as Spike was enveloped by intense flames produced by the Vulpix. The fiery fox took another deep breath and shot another intense blast of flames at the Cacturne which, combined with flames from before, completely obscured Spike from sight. When the flames cleared, the Cacturne was lying down on the dirt arena...severely burnt and unconscious.
"YEAH!"
Naruto was ecstatic with his Pokémon's performance.
"One more to go...oh boy."
Genma had unleashed his Sandslash, the one Pokémon that was very likely to defeat all his Pokémon.
"Okay Shrew, listen up."
The Sandslash turned in his direction, paying close attention.
"This kid is totally different from all the other trainers we've fought. Every single plan of his is warped at the most unpredictable of places. He has defeated Spike and Senbon with less powerful Pokémon. Do not fall to him."
With a loud cry, Shrew bounded onto the arena as Kitsune paced back and forth.
"All right, Kitsune. Do it just like we practiced. Double Team!"
Another flood of illusions filled the arena but Genma was unruffled this time.
"Earthquake!"
Shrew leaped into the air and curled into a ball as she came down.
"Jump, Kitsune! JUMP!"
Kitsune jumped into the air as Shrew came crashing down.
Multiple shock waves ripped through the arena and shook the building violently. It dispelled the illusions Kitsune left behind and almost knocked Naruto and Genma off their feet. Genma smiled as he saw the airborne Vulpix.
"Good, when he lands...what's up with his colour?"
The Vulpix's fur was glowing brightly and steam was pouring out of his mouth.
"Kitsune, do it now! Solarbeam!"
Genma gasped as the shiny fox, with a roar, shot a bright yellow beam at his Sandslash. Upon impact, it made a huge explosion that obscured Shrew from view.
Naruto grinned as he saw Kitsune's newest attack land with devastating effect. Kitsune landed not long afterward, panting quite heavily.
"Shrew, do it now!"
Suddenly, the Sandslash burst out of the ground, underneath Kitsune. The super-effective dig sent the shiny Vulpix reeling in pain.
"Finish it Shrew! Mud Shot!"
Naruto grimaced as the gym leader's Sandslash fired a barrage of mud balls at Kitsune. The second super-effective hit knocked him out putting Naruto in a tight spot.
"I can't send Denkou in; his most powerful attack will not even affect the Sandslash...that leaves Bunshin."
Genma sighed in relief as he finally managed to put down one of the kid's Pokémon. But he took pause in seeing renewed determination on his face.
"Prepare," he said as he took out a third Poké Ball. "For my newest Pokémon. Go Bunshin!"
"Bunshin?"
The Poké Ball opened and a Ditto appeared.
"Clone, eh? Let's see if he can match the original."
Next Time on The Chosen Path
A Ditto, eh? Using one's strength against them is much easier said than done kid. My pride as a gym leader is at stake here, losing to a noob...that's just unacceptable. I admit that you are the toughest rookie I have ever fought but if you want to win this, there must be...
No Room For Errors
Let's see if you can live up to that, kiddo.