A/N: Well, only one person got the reference right, so a cookie goes to reviewer Macalao! On that note, I wish you guys that disable the function would allow Private Messages to come through. Sometimes I go to answer your reviews and it comes up that you have PMs disabled... I get a sad face when that happens.

Chapter 4: An Electrifying Match!

Ash, Trapinch, and his new Pokémon Nidoran, stood in an open field just outside of the port city of Vermilion. After getting to the Pokémon Center and having his Pokémon healed and renting a room for the duration of his stay in the city, he took his two friends and partners out to a popular all-you-could-eat buffet near the docks for an early dinner as a pre-gift for all the training they were going to endure for the next two and a half weeks. The night was ruined, for the other customers and the staff, when the trio ate nearly everything in the restaurant. They were promptly, and quite literally, kicked from the restaurant. Ash had recalled both of his Pokémon into their PokeBalls since they had fallen asleep on the pavement, and hobbled back to the Pokémon Center to get some shut-eye himself after such a filling meal.

The next day the raven-haired young trainer took his two Pokémon out to an open field just outside the city, which was where they were now.

Ash looked between his two Pokémon laying down in front of him relaxing, studying them with a calculating gaze. 'Hm... Trapinch is obviously a very slow Pokémon on land; we established that a few weeks ago. We'll have to start working on that as best we can. Nidoran, on the other hand, is a fairly speedy Pokémon. Though I can still see room for improvement. If we ever evolve him into Nidoking, he's going to need all the speed he can get in his early two stages,' Ash thought as he looked between his two partners with his hands on his hips. He suddenly clapped his hands, making his two Pokémon jump into the air out of surprise at the noise.

"Alright you two, we're going to start working on your speed for the next couple of days. Maybe more if need be. After that we'll get to learning a new attack or two that will benefit the both of you in battle," Ash said, shifting his eyes between the two creatures at his feet. Both Pokémon grimaced at the thought of speed training and groaned.

"Don't give me that! Most Electric type Pokémon are fast on land and we need to be able to at least be able to catch up to them," Ash explained. Trapinch glared at his trainer.

"Trap, trap, Traaaaaaaaap, Trap!" Trapinch exclaimed loudly. Ash looked down at him.

"Look, Trapinch, I know you're fast underground, but not all gyms and stadiums are made out of dirt! And until you evolve you are stuck on the ground, so we are going to work with what we have now, do you understand?" Ash told his first Pokémon. Trapinch looked down and nodded, ashamed at his outburst. Ash sighed and bent down to pick up the Pokémon. He hugged him gently.

"I know you aren't looking forward to this, but believe me, it will help in the long run. Alright?" Ash put the Pokémon down and turned to kneel in front of Nidoran. He reached out to stroke the purple Pokémon on the head, avoiding the horn. He was quite surprised at how soft his fur was since he was so used to feeling the hard and smooth texture of Trapinch's exoskeleton for the past few weeks. "You'll help Trapinch get faster on land, won't you buddy?"

Nidoran purred at the feeling; his rodent-like teeth chattering together in pleasure. He nodded to the question asked by his trainer. Ash smiled at this and stood up again, wiping off the dirt and grass that was sticking to his jeans.

"Great! You guys go ahead and get started on that while I go find some boulders for you to practice attacking on for later this week." With that, Ash walked off and entered into the forest that surrounded the clearing. Nidoran watched him walk off before turning around the face Trapinch, who had his head down.

"Ne. Ne ne ne?" Nidoran asked. Trapinch looked up at his fellow Pokémon and shook his head in a negative way. Nidoran looked thoughtful for a minute before walking up to the Ant Pit Pokémon. He bent down and looked at the stubby legs that supported Trapinch. He made a tsking sound that came out to sound more like clicking and circled Trapinch a few times.

An idea suddenly came to him. Though whether it would work or not, Nidoran didn't know, but it was worth a shot.

"Ne, ne ne!" he cried, getting Trapinch's attention. Trapinch looked at the Poison Pin Pokemon and watched as he curled up into a ball and tried to roll, but failed and ended up on his back.

"Ne?" Nidoran encouraged as he righted himself. Trapinch tilted his head a bit in thought, and gave a mental shrug before tucking his head in a bit and flipped. He landed on his back and started panicking when he couldn't flip over on to his stomach.

"TRAP!" Trapinch screamed out. Nidoran quickly ran over and flipped him over with his horn so that he was on his feet again.

Trapinch breathed a sigh of relief and turned to glare at the purple rodent.

"Trap, Trap Trap Trap!" He yelled. Nidoran adopted an apologetic look.

"Ne ne," Nidoran said, apologizing. He shook his head and looked off into the trees, noticing that Ash still wasn't back yet. Though he heard sounds of struggling and assumed his trainer had found a boulder and was now attempting to get it into the clearing.

Nidoran tapped his right front leg on the ground and felt the Earth shift a bit underneath his claws. Suddenly, another idea popped into his head. He turned to look at Trapinch once again.

"Ne, ne ne," he said, and Trapinch looked at him, glaring, but not saying anything. Ignoring the glare, Nidoran started hopping around the clearing. He stopped in front of the Ant Pit Pokémon and told him to try it.

Trapinch looked at Nidoran in thought. He always jumped up before going underground, but he never thought he could use the skill on land. Well, it was better than trying to run, so why not? Bending his legs a bit, he jumped a few inches forward. It was an odd, but good feeling, so he tried it again. And again. And again. Soon he was jumping around the clearing, chasing after Nidoran who decided to run instead of jump.

TDTDTDTDTDTDTDTDTDT

Ash rolled the large boulder to the edge of the clearing and dropped his sore arms to his side. 'Phew! Next time I'll go for smaller rocks.' Looking out into the clearing, he saw what he thought was a strange game of tag happening between his Pokémon. 'Trapinch is... Jumping? Guess he really can't run on land. This is just as effective it seems, plus it will really help in dodging attacks more effectively.' Walking over to the middle of the clearing, he stopped in front of his now tuckered out Pokémon.

"Well, seems you guys came up with a good solution. Great job," the trainer said, congratulating the two tired Pokémon. They both smiled before standing up on tired legs. "Come on, if you're that tired from running and hopping around for a few minutes, then we have a lot of work ahead of us."

The horrified looks on his Pokemon's faces didn't deter Ash one bit about their training.

TDTDTDTDTDTDTDTDTDT

Over the next few days, both Trapinch and Nidoran improved little by little on their jumping and running speed. Trapinch was getting better at jumping farther distances and jumping higher, but it was a slow going process. Nidoran focused more on running but also mixed in jumping to help with attack dodging. He was slowly getting better at running for longer periods of time without having to take breaks. While it was slow going, Ash was pleased with their progress. Though today he was going to mix it up a bit.

"Okay guys, it's time to change the plans for today," he said, getting his Pokemon's attention immediately. "For today and the next three days, we are going to mix in attacking with your speed training. This will not only help you in attacking moving targets, but it will also help with getting you to use your attacks faster. If we need more time for this, I will add an extra day or two. It depends." Trapinch and Nidoran cheered at the thought of finally getting to attack one another. "After this, we'll start with learning a new attack for each of you. I'll be over near the edge of the clearing going through my PokeDex if you need me for anything, okay?" Both Pokémon nodded as Ash walked away and sat down on one of the flatter boulders he had rolled into the clearing yesterday and pulled out his PokeDex. The Pokémon then started on their training session for the day.

'Hm... Trapinch already has attacks that are super effective against Electric types, but Nidoran has none. Let's see what Ground moves it can learn, if any.' Ash thought as he went to the male Nidoran's PokeDex entry and pushed a button that would take him to a list of possible moves Nidoran could learn. His eyes widened and he whistled at the large list of possible attacks it could learn. Wow! What a list! He could even learn Electric attacks! We'll definitely be learning those, but they won't be needed for this gym. We'll work on those afterward. Let's see... The only Ground type attack it can learn at this point is Dig? Better than nothing I suppose. It should be easy to learn with Trapinch helping him.' He looked up from the screen when he heard a squeal of pain and saw that Trapinch had somehow jumped on top of Nidoran and was using his heavier weight to hurt him. Shaking his head in amusement, Ash turned his attention back to the screen and decided to check out what moves Trapinch could learn.

'Holy cow, Solarbeam and Giga Drain? We'll definitely be working on those soon. But for the time being, we'll work on Body Slam since it seems like he is already trying to learn it.' Ash laughed at the image of his Ground type slamming a random Raichu with his entire body from the air. 'I think we'll also work on this Earth Power attack that he can learn. I don't think he'll have it down pat by our gym battle, but it won't hurt to start learning it. I suppose Nidoran should start learning this Shock Wave attack soon as well. We'll move up in power to Thunderbolt once he masters it. I have a feeling it will take a much shorter time for him to learn Shock Wave than for Trapinch to learn Earth Power...'

The young trainer was right of course. On the day he started teaching them their new attacks, both got Dig and Body Slam mastered in two days. The day after that, he started teaching them Earth Power and Shock Wave. It was a nightmare for both of his Pokemon.

Nidoran could barely even get a static charge going and Trapinch was having major trouble splitting the Earth in two; even underground. Though he did manage to get a small crack to form on the first day.

At the end of the final day before the gym match in Vermilion City, Ash sat on the ground in the clearing with both his Pokémon in his lap; petting them. They looked so disappointed in themselves that it tugged at Ash's heart.

"Come on guys, cheer up! You did great with those advanced attacks for the first time. I'm sure in a few weeks time you will be able to do them perfectly," Ash said, trying to get a smile on their faces. It worked, somewhat, as they looked up at him with sad smiles. The trainer picked them up and set them on the ground before standing up and dusting himself off. He went over to the one lone boulder that had managed to survive their attack onslaught the last two weeks and gathered up his supplies before returning to his Pokémon.

"Alright, let's get back to the Pokémon Center and get a good night's sleep tonight. We have to be rested for tomorrow's gym battle." Ash picked up Trapinch and put him on his shoulder while returning Nidoran to his PokeBall and walking off toward Vermilion, where he saw the sun was just beginning to set.

When they got to their room at the Pokémon Center, Ash released Nidoran and the both of them fell asleep quickly. Trapinch however, took a little longer to fall into dreamland. It took him an hour or so, but eventually he did.

TDTDTDTDTDTDTDTDTDT

Ash stood alone outside the Vermilion Gym the next day. He heard about this gym leader teasing challengers for their small and unevolved Pokémon before they battled from the trainers at the Pokémon Center, and so decided to keep his two Pokémon inside their PokeBalls until the match. He wanted to keep the teasing to a minimum. If there was one thing Ash hated the most in this world, it was being teased. 'Stupid Gary...'

Taking a deep breath, Ash opened the tall doors to the gym and noticed he was in some sort of waiting area. Of course, he didn't have to wait long for someone to notice he was there.

"Why are you here, kid?" Ash turned toward where the voice came from and only saw the person in shadow.

"I've come to battle Lt. Surge for a Thunder Badge," Ash said in a confident voice. More voices suddenly chimed in, laughing. Ash turned red out of anger at this.

"Hey boss, you've got another victim for the emergency room," a nasally female voice mockingly said.

"Oh really? Well, let me get a look at 'im," a deep male voice said from the back. The voice had an accent, but Ash couldn't place it. He forgot all about it when the guy stepped forward out of the shadows though.

Eyes going wide and jaw dropping, Ash stared up at the abnormally large blond man in an army outfit. 'Whoa, this guy is HUGE!'

"This kid's my challenger? Heh, this'll be easy. Okay baby, follow me," Surge said, putting a large hand over Ash's hat and rubbing it. Ash growled and swatted the large hand away. Surge turned and started walking down the hallway laughing. 'I'll show you, you jerk!' The young trainer thought as he was following the cocky gym leader.

They arrived at the battlefield and went to their respective sides. Ash looked around in astonishment at the size of the thing. 'This gym is bigger than Brock's!' He returned his attention to Surge, who was on the other side of the field wearing a smirk on his face. Ash glared at him. 'What a cocky son of a-' But he was interrupted from his thoughts by a voice over an intercom.

"This will be a one on one match between the gym leader, Lt. Surge of Vermilion City, and Ash Ketchum, the challenger, from Pallet Town. Trainers, please choose your Pokémon," the voice called out and Ash was stricken. 'Only one? I'll wait to see what Surge chooses first.' He looked over at the gym leader, who had apparently already decided on his Pokémon and was ready to throw it out onto the field.

"Alright Raichu, let's end this battle quickly! Go!" Surge called out and threw his PokeBall out on the floor, catching it as it came back. Out of the PokeBall came a rather large Raichu with the same cocky expression as its trainer. 'Great, this thing is smug too. Hm... That's a big Raichu. Definitely larger than some of the ones I've seen on TV. Thicker in arms, legs, and body all around. This thing was made for attacking, not for speed! Alright, sorry about this buddy but...'

"Nidoran, time to battle!" Ash called out and threw the PokeBall. Nidoran came out and got into a battle position simply with a cry of "Ne ne." Lt. Surge looked at Nidoran with a shocked look before he slapped a hand to his head and busted out laughing.

"Ahahahahaha! You expect to battle me with that runt?" He taunted. Both Nidoran and Ash growled. "Fine by me! Raichu, end this pathetic battle now with a Thunderbolt!"

"Rrrrraaaaaaaaiiiiiiiii~" the Mouse Pokémon cried out, pressing its electrical pouches on its cheeks to generate electricity for the Thunderbolt attack. Ash wasn't having any of that though.

"Nidoran, underground," Ash told his Pokémon, and Nidoran complied by quickly digging under the gym. He was just in time too as the Thunderbolt from Raichu hit the spot he was in before he went underground.

"WHAT?" Surge shouted when he noticed his opponent's Pokémon missing from the field. Raichu, realizing it missed its foe, quickly looked around the field to try and find it. The electric mouse was suddenly hit from underneath by Nidoran and sent flying back towards Surge.

"Raichu, get up and shake it off," Surge commanded his Pokémon. Raichu got up with no problem and glared at the now smirking Nidoran. "Okay, so Electric attacks are a no go. Go in for a Mega Kick instead!" Raichu growled in anger at being bested for once, and charged with ferocity at Nidoran.

'Ah, here comes his frontal assault.' Ash thought. "Nidoran, dodge his attacks just like we trained!" Nidoran got into jumping position and watched Raichu's movements carefully. At the right moment, he jumped to the side and watched as Raichu, with its right foot forward, fall and go sliding past him. It got up, and with cheeks crackling out of anger, started a barrage of Mega Kicks and Mega Punches, without a command, that all missed as Nidoran jumped out of the way of each attack.

Raichu, fed up with the little purple runt dodging its attacks, tried one last thing - Tail Whip. It swung its long, thin tail around just as Nidoran jumped and scored a hit, knocking him to the ground.

"Ne!" he cried out in surprise.

"Alright, we got 'im right where we want 'im Raichu. Finish him off with a Body Slam!" Surge exclaimed excitedly. Raichu smiled evilly and reared up over Nidoran before slamming the entire weight of its body upon the much smaller Pokémon. Nidoran cried out from the massive pain of it.

"NIDORAN!" Ash cried out in alarm and knew there was nothing his Pokémon could do right now. He was going to lose this match, he just knew it.

"Ahahahahahaha, this match is over baby! Raichu, give it two more Body Slams and end this!" Surge said. Raichu complied and slammed down onto Nidoran again, causing him to cry out in pain once more. The purple glow surrounding his body went unnoticed by all.

Ash watched, stricken with worry, as his Pokémon got beat up badly and was about to be finished off with one last attack. His first defeat... At the hands of some cocky punk of a gym leader. Oh the humiliation.

Raichu reared up one final time to finish off its foe and was about to slam down when he suddenly flinched back from a sudden onslaught of pain and sickness. The mouse fell back on its butt and sat shaking.

All Surge could do was stand gaping at his Pokémon in astonishment. Ash on the other hand quickly pulled out his PokeDex when he finally noticed the purple glow surrounding Nidoran. The PokeDex finally sounded off some information on what was happening.

Poison Point. This ability can sometimes activate when a Pokémon is attacked physically. Poison Point poisons the opponent.

Ash's eyebrows shot past his hairline. 'Ability? Pokémon have abilities? Why haven't I discovered this before? Oh well, better late than never.' "Nidoran, can you get up?" Ash asked. Nidoran slowly got to his feet and turned to face Raichu. "Alright! Time to turn the tables around in this match. Use Double Kick!" Nidoran backed up a bit before charging and jumping with his two back feet forward. Raichu could do nothing but accept the attack and fell on its back, leaving a small crater as the Poison Pin Pokemon's Double Kick nailed home.

"Now send it flying with a Horn Attack!" Nidoran gave a battle cry and charged at the poisoned Pokémon with his horn forward. The impact with Raichu sent it flying right in front of Surge's feet. It struggled to get up, but the poison along with the attacks and the earlier exhaustion from trying to hit Nidoran kicked in and it fell backwards in a faint.

As he looked down at his fallen companion, all Surge could do at that moment was throw his hands up and slap them over his head and shout.

"UNBELIEVABLE!"

End Chapter 4

A/N: Yes, I am using what moves each Pokémon can learn from the 5th generation. As to how Ash learned of those unknown moves? Well, you can use your imagination on that.